Best Italian Place in Phili?

[mehesoft]

Any recommendations on a good Italian place Phili for dinner? Something along the lines of being casual but offering something distinctly Phili that we wouldnt find anywhere else

[AgentRed]

I would definitely reccommend Modo Mio on Spring Garden. It's BYOB, the dishes are unique, the service is great and the prixe fixe menu (something like 4 courses for $35) is excellent value.

Make sure you're hungry when you go, though, they serve large portions of very heavy food (and you have to makes sure you have room for their pana cotta!)

[Bob Loblaw]

seeing 'Phili" in the thread is just driving me bonkers...
but yes, I'd go BYO.
I also liked Melograno. Haven't been to most - haven't been to Tre Scalini since it moved, but always liked it at the old location.

[Bigley9]

Modo Mio is on Girard Ave

[Schpsychman]

L'Angolo, Modo Mio, and La Locanda del Ghiottone

[Seeker19104]

While the food at Modo Mio is sublime (if occasionally on the salty side), the din in the restaurant has kept me from returning. Not being able to hear the person next to me does not make for a pleasant dining experience.

[brightman]

Modo Mio is north of Spring Garden on Girard Ave.

[sylviag]

Our favorite lately is Le Virtu. It will put you on Passyunk Avenue, which is a fun place to take a stroll after dinner. It is not byob.

[bluehensfan]

I'm surprised nobody mentioned Amis yet. It's casual but has some great small plates and entrees. Be forewarned, it's not your traditional red gravy pasta place like Ralph's of course...

[nwinkler]

I agree with the emphasis on small BYOB restaurants, which I think best typify the Philly Italian scene. My own vote goes to Melograno, which is not just quintessentially Philly but quintessentially Center City. Right off of Ritterhouse Square, very walkable neighborhood, handsome restaurant space, deftly prepared Italian food.

L'Angolo screams South Philly and has a ton of atmosphere, but my meal there was extremely uneven--amazing appetizers, disastrous pastas, forgettable mains, great desserts.

I'll also mention Modo Mio as being distinctly Philly. It gets a lot of love on this board for its very affordable 4-course menu that lets you pick a choice from each category of the entire menu. But the location is a bit beyond the tourist zone--if you plan on a leisurely stroll after your meal, you might not feel entirely comfortable in that neck of the woods. Also, for my money, the kitchen focuses too much on excess and not enough on the details--rich butter sauces end up where they have no business, pasta cookery is sloppy, proteins can be overdone.

[KylePerry]

When did Northern Liberties and the Piazza at Schmidts become an uncomfortable "neck of the woods"?

[Cpmullie]

I'm surprised to hear people talk poorly of Mercato. Yes it is cramped but thats common with BYO's, turn and burn is the only way to make money when you forego alcohol profit. Their food is as close to authentic italian (I used to live in Rome) as I've encountered in Philly. They don't take reservations but they will take your cell phone number and call you when your table is ready. So I usually go across the street to Tria and have a glass of wine or two while I wait. The BEST italian place is probably Vetri but its very expensive and you'll be lucky to get a reservation. Vetri's other restaurant Osteria and another BYOB, Radicchio, get a nod also.

[Delucacheesemonger]

Modo Mio is my choice, Vetri second. Was not happy at Mercato for a zillion reasons, but mostly felt food was very uninteresting. Going to Modo with Uhockey in late august, any comers? Contact on my chow page.

[uhockey]

Doing Modo Mio on the 26th, Vetri on the 27th, Osteria on the 28th - pretty excited.....Ohio isn't known for their Italian.

http://uhockey.blogspot.com

[Den]

It's Philly, and I would go to L'Angolo

[tfalbo]

i think the most distinctive part about philly italian is the abundance of great BYOBs. your two best bets in my book are Melograno or Mercato, though I'm 0 for my last 5 attempts to walk up to Mercato and get a table before 9:45. Neither is overly dressy, but I personally wouldn't show up in jeans & a tshirt.

[ramenbound]

I would definitely go for Melograno over Mercato. I was very disappointed in the food my last meal at Mercato - not a pleasant experience when you couple it with the cramped quarters. This made for a very 'warm' (temperature-wise) dining area, with water unable to compensate. Which leads me to another rant about Mercato - their water is never cold enough. I swear the cold water from my bathroom faucet is cooler.

Another place I'd add to the mix is Le Virtu on Passyunk.

L'Angolo would also be worth your consideration - another good BYO.

[Bigley9]

I'll second Le Virtu