483077 Fri Jan 25 14:12:17 -0800 2008 35 15 Pennsylvania 0 3333128 Looking for a good place to eat great old fashioned meatballs and spaghetti in the Main Line near Bala Cynwyd, Ardmore, Manayunk. Any ideas? Fri Jan 25 14:12:17 -0800 2008 142011 judyhorowitz 1 3334935 I'm always amazed how much all restaurants charge for plain spaghetti and red sauce. I've seen diners whack customers ten bucks for a handful of pasta before the meatballs ever get there. To be honest, we usually avoid chains, but once in awhile we go to the Olive Garden where my wife and I get unlimited amounts of soup and salad. I get pasta e fagiole, and she gets a broth-based Tuscan potato-sausage-greens version. My son ordered spaghetti and meatballs a few weeks ago, and it was a WHOPPING portion with three huge meatballs (which I sampled.) They tasted like the real beef-pork-veal meatballs I've had made my my friends' Abruzeze grandmothers. My wife makes spaghetti alla chitarra, so there's no comparison where the pasta is concerned, but overall OG has my vote as a pretty good version at a fair price. Come to think of it, I've had a decent version at Vinny T''s in Wynnewood. I probalby should just drive to S. Philly, since it's probably equidistant from B.C. It's just such a pain to park I'll probably end up developing a taste for Suburban Chain versions of real dishes. Sat Jan 26 08:04:51 -0800 2008 3333128 19279 phillyjazz 1 3334941 If you are looking for good meatballs and sauce to bring home, try Carlino's http://carlinosmarket.com/ Sat Jan 26 08:08:22 -0800 2008 3333128 131422 phungi 2 3335164 second carlinos...great tomato pie too Sat Jan 26 09:33:07 -0800 2008 3334941 95063 EastCoastWineMan 3 3335172 That's true .. Carlino's is like stuffing ninth street into a deli. While you're there, you can stock up on all kinds of Italian goodies (try the Canadian Prosciutto !!) Sat Jan 26 09:37:36 -0800 2008 3335164 19279 phillyjazz 1 3335807 so no one has a great suggestion except the Olive Garden. I'm looking for South Phila. type gravy with homemade meatballs. Keeping thinking, please. Sat Jan 26 13:56:45 -0800 2008 3333128 142011 judyhorowitz 1 3335885 La Dolce Vita on DeKalb Street in Bridgeport. Just follow Route 23 into Bridgeport to where it runs into DeKalb, and turn left. It's in a house on the right. Odd place but really good food. It's really only 20 minutes from BC. Sat Jan 26 14:24:22 -0800 2008 3333128 50165 Dedtired 2 3337113 I second La dolce Vita, they have great "old school" italian food and a quirky atmosphere to match! Sun Jan 27 06:07:54 -0800 2008 3335885 14329 AmblerGirl 3 3345704 I agree AG, it's a great little place. I was sorry to see in an earlier post that the place might be for sale. Tue Jan 29 14:19:47 -0800 2008 3337113 41679 Den 2 3384398 Is this the place that has created a kitchen with customer seating and it has island pictures playing on a flat screen, as faux logs burn behind you? If so they suck! I know it is family owned and run, and that in turn creates the best service you could ever hope for anywhere. Sometimes I hope my tastes are inconsistent with those in the area, and I pray others like it, but if I am to be brutally honest it was not any where near my top 20 best Italian restaurants list. My humble suggestion, which should make this place 50% better, is fresh and RIPE produce. If a tomato isn't ripe it's a disappointment. I feel bad saying this, but honest feedback is best. If not, my bad :-) Sun Feb 10 20:43:18 -0800 2008 3335885 153847 yumyum palace 1 3335892 Another thought -- Marrone's in Ardmore. Sat Jan 26 14:26:57 -0800 2008 3333128 50165 Dedtired 2 3336927 i wouldn't call Marrone's a great fit for this...I find their red sauce a littlw watery...but for the prices and the great little neighborhood feel...you really can't go wrong...they have a good meatball Sun Jan 27 00:02:10 -0800 2008 3335892 95063 EastCoastWineMan 3 3337248 I love Marrones pizza...and far as restaurant meatballs go, theirs are really good. I don't think I've had the meatballs at Primavara in ardmore, but their angel hair pasta is really good. Sun Jan 27 07:21:33 -0800 2008 3336927 158418 Tony K 1 3337100 How about Fellini on Lancaster Ave in Ardmore? I never had their red sauce, and going on a weekend is an experience in futility, but the pasta is fresh and their dishes are tasty. I don't know about meatballs, but they serve a bolognese: http://philadelphia.menupages.com/restaurantdetails.asp?areaid=0&restaurantid=39109&neighborhoodid=237&cuisineid=0 Sun Jan 27 05:56:20 -0800 2008 3333128 131422 phungi 2 3338983 Took the suggestion and went to Olive Garden. I'd have to say it was just OK. Still have the urge for great pasta so I guess I'm going to drive to South Philly or try Le Dolce Vita in Bridgeport. I keep reading how good that restaurant is. Thanks for your suggestions. Sun Jan 27 18:03:47 -0800 2008 3337100 142011 judyhorowitz 3 3339841 I liked Primavera Pizza in Ardmore for spagetti & meatballs although I haven't been there in a few years. Mon Jan 28 05:59:40 -0800 2008 3338983 98685 katesprings 3 3346722 Don't do Le Dolce Vita, it's mediocre. The atmosphere is quaint and the service great, but the tomatoes weren't ripe and the entrees nothing memorable. Go to Ralph's in South Philly. Tue Jan 29 19:39:53 -0800 2008 3338983 153847 yumyum palace 1 3342233 I second (or third) the Carlinos recommendation. I have never had anything bad from there, but it's for take-out and not dinner. Marrone's in Ardmore was a dissapointment to me. I so wanted to like it (cute, out of the way, nice service), but was not impressed. While I loved the charm of the place, La Dolce Vita in Bridgeport is overpriced for the area and the food was not stellar. For classic red sauce dishes, I would go to Fellini in Ardmore. It's your typical South Philly Italian style, but with huge portions and decent prices. Has anyone tried the Italian restaurant in Bryn Mawr right near the Wawa & hospital? I have always wondered about that one. Mon Jan 28 15:36:44 -0800 2008 3333128 11587 Main Line Tracey 2 3347437 I have to agree that Carlinos (for take home) and Fellini's (for eat in) are your best choices on the Main Line. I've never had anything except the house salad and pizza at Marrone's. I've thought about it, but there is no way I could go there an not order their delicious pizza. Wed Jan 30 06:12:44 -0800 2008 3342233 109878 Decker 1 3345665 I have 2 suggestions for you. One is Casselli's in Manayunk/Roxborough. It's on Ridge Avenue. The food is superb. If you are looking for a delicious rich hearty red sauce, you will not be disappointed. Second suggestion will require a 20 minute drive to King of Prussia. The restaurant is called Peppers. It's very casual, not terribly expensive, and has a great red sauce to die for. It is probably less expensive than Casselli's, but it's a bit further to drive. It's on route 202 just behind the big Bed Bath and Beyond there. Enjoy!!!! If you dine in either of these places, I think you'll find what you're looking for. Tue Jan 29 14:11:31 -0800 2008 3333128 161748 Bluegreenblue 2 3345722 Boy, I've forgotten about Casselli's. That place is still around huh... Do they still have the singer? Tue Jan 29 14:22:19 -0800 2008 3345665 41679 Den 3 3346282 ooo ooo! the one with the bad toupee?? I used to LOVE him! (and the food too!) Tue Jan 29 17:01:36 -0800 2008 3345722 64633 mamakto3 4 3346733 I too forgot. My dad and I used to go all the time. I love that place! I had a great birthday there and the singer was fabulous. And the food was always delicious. Tue Jan 29 19:41:37 -0800 2008 3346282 153847 yumyum palace 1 3350461 If you really really want old fashioned meatballs and gravy, then get in your car and drive to South Philly. It wont kill you to do that and now you can try Marra's, Ralphs or Villa Di Roman. Now all the pretentious folks all this board will slam me for recommending honest food. Wed Jan 30 19:09:18 -0800 2008 3333128 41565 OlderPhiladelphian 2 3383519 i do remember marra's having some fabulous red sauce. and the pasta was right-on, too. too bad they had cheapened the whole thing by smothering it in a subpar mozzarella! still, i have been meaning to go back and get something without the mozzarella. and the pizza was decent, too. i know all too well that quandry about ordering something else at a place you know is good for pizza. i bring a dining companion, one gets pizza, the other pasta, and we split. Sun Feb 10 15:28:51 -0800 2008 3350461 13386 rabidog 1 3361942 Casselli's sounds great and we are planning on going there this week. Anyone have any recommendations as to what is specifically good? I am particularly interested in enjoying this singer that I have heard so much about. They say that they have live entertainment every evening that they are open, after 7. No reservations, huge portions, cash only and live singers sounds like it has SO much potential to be one of my new favorite places. I am excited. Any recs? Sun Feb 03 16:10:10 -0800 2008 3333128 11587 Main Line Tracey 1 3372036 Thank you so much to those who recommended Casselli's on Ridge Pike. We just got back and it was the perfect neighborhood Italian-red sauce restaurant. The portions were huge, the food was very good, the prices were rock bottom, the atmosphere was relaxed, the service was attentive, and the singer was adorable. We will definitely be going back and it is now on my list of favorite places. $10 for my lasagna which included, bread, soup and salad is awesome, and I have leftovers for tomorrow because of the portion size. Thanks again! Wed Feb 06 18:36:12 -0800 2008 3333128 11587 Main Line Tracey 1 3382270 The one that you might be looking for is in Narberth just off of Montgomery Ave. going East. You would turn right for one block (I think on Iona Avenue) and I have shamefully forgotten the name of the restaurant which is on the left side of the road with their own parking lot, but some savvy Chowie might remember. The other, obviously, is Fellini's in Ardmore, but I'm sure you already knew that. THERE'S your place! Sun Feb 10 07:06:06 -0800 2008 3382048 95060 idia 2 3412010 Are you thinking of Husch ?? That's the only restaurant I recall being on Iona (and possibly the only ESTABLISHMENT in Narberth with a parking lot <g>.) It has been closed for sometime, and converted to an ad agency or architectural firm or something. Tue Feb 19 05:42:48 -0800 2008 3382270 19279 phillyjazz 1 3382442 I'm surprised no one has mentioned Pica's on West Chester Pike heading towards Upper Darby. They have been around for years - and by far the best italian food around. Well worth the drive! We used to drive there just to get pizza! Sun Feb 10 08:29:02 -0800 2008 3333128 164575 laziedazie570 2 3411387 tryin to keep the wait for pizza to go to a minimum...thats why I didn't mention it...sorry its selfish....but its soo good...dare you not to eat a piece in the car on the way home Mon Feb 18 19:56:22 -0800 2008 3382442 95063 EastCoastWineMan 3 3411647 i have lived around philly my entire life. picas has some of the best pizza you can find - beyond a doubt. not the best for pasta and meatballs but a solid meatball sub. regardless, the pizza is some of the best you will find. it even rivals OG. just kidding. but whoever is phillyjazz - dont take it personally - if that tastes good to you there is no reason to waste your time cooking. sara lee and betty crocker also make good meatballs. man, how could a faceless chain put enough love into a meatball to make it good? thats like suggesting that wendys makes a good burger. its not about being a snob - just a food person. Mon Feb 18 21:30:31 -0800 2008 3411387 164758 joshcantor1 3 3411649 dont get me wrong - i truly do think that picas has some of the best pizza around. Mon Feb 18 21:31:45 -0800 2008 3411387 164758 joshcantor1 1 3384075 Viggianos in Conshohocken Sun Feb 10 18:35:05 -0800 2008 3333128 95060 idia 1 3406532 Brunos on Germantown Pike across from Chestnut Hill College... Yummy south philly type meatballs Sun Feb 17 10:38:10 -0800 2008 3333128 166891 cybermome1207 2 3412490 Villa Di Roma Tue Feb 19 08:08:25 -0800 2008 3406532 111510 fan4food