Scalessa's "My Way" Old School Italian Kitchen

Food was excellent. What’s a good Italian restaurant without good Italian bread? None was offered to enjoy the juices that remained on the bottom of our dish. It is also unfortunate that wine could not be enjoyed with our meal, a neighborhood thing we were told. If coming during a cold winter night don’t forget to dress extra warm, a warm cozy atmosphere wasn’t present…..but our food was the best I have had in Wilmington.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Stopped into the new location in pike creek because having lived in Philadelphia, I missed the true Philly flavors that are almost impossible to find in Delaware.

I ordered the porkette sandwich with sharp provolone and sweet peppers.

The roll was spot on however the pork did not taste good and was a poor quality. I would describe it in the same way poor quality fish has a very unpleasant fishy taste, the pork had a very unpleasant pork taste. The sharp provolone was very mild and had no discernible taste from that of regular provolone.

Also, $16.99 for a mid sized sandwich and NOTHING ELSE no chips, no fries, is a bit insane even by today’s inflation standards.

I will say the fresh cannoli was incredible and def top 3 cannolis I have ever had. They make it with a special pizzelle like shell and that combined with the fantastic and original tasting filling made for a wonderful dessert.

All in all I will go back and try something else but was very let down with the porkette as that was my go to when I lived in Philly.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Fantastic little Italian restaurant. Food was awesome!!!

Outstanding. The salad was terrific, service was prompt - will definitely go back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Meatball Salad

Been going here for years to eat in or get take out. I love that it’s walking distance from my house. You can tell everything is fresh and homemade. Must haves: gnocchi, meatballs w/ whipped ricotta, meatball salad, wedding soup…and so many more. Atmosphere is great…always a good crowd, greeted by Donnie the owner every time and the staff provides excellent hospitality. Zero complaints.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Meatball Salad, Soup, Garlic Bread

We had a lovely experience. Everything is homemade. The 5 cheese gnocchi is pillow soft and divine! Garlic bread uses fresh garlic, not that minced jar mess. The portions are huge and don't miss the butter cake for dessert! I'll definitely return. You should absolutely choose this restaurant!??

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lasagna, Garlic Bread

Exactly what you’d expect from an old school Italian spot. The food was outstanding as was the service. The gnocchi is really, really well made and was especially delicious pan fried as part of the Gnocchi Verdi. The meatball was a great appetizer (don’t skip the ricotta on the side). And the cannoli... Without a doubt the best I’ve ever had. The homemade shell is different than most you’ll find and it’s far superior.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Garlic Bread

Our Brussels sSlpouts were very disappointing. We have been to so many Italian restaurants. This is the first place to soak crispy Brussels spouts with orange sour and spicey chicken wing sauce, not a little, but soaking dripping. Not able to eat it, so so salty for every bite even those on top. That is a bummer, because I ordered it to eat veggie.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigiana

Feels like you haven't left your dining room.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

A friend recommended Scalessas to us, and they did not disappoint. Our server Rich was amazing. There is a homey, family feel to this little Italian restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious, fresh, and all homemade. We ended dinner with their lemon butter cake and continued to be impressed. We can't wait to go back and try more things on their menu.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My spouse and I decided to stop in here on a whim, and we are so glad that we did! I had the best eggplant sandwich I ever had in my life. We will definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The Grandma's Sunday gravy with Rigatoni was amazing. The pork and the sweet sausage were so tender. Service was great! Will definitely be returning to try something else on the menu.

We liked Scalessa's. It is a great neighborhood restaurant. We were not wowed when we visited. We went to the restaurant because of the exceptional review (4.8). Food was good and somewhat unique. We did not feel the food we ordered was that exceedingly great. We had a meatball salad, a pork and sausage pasta dish, and a seafood pasta. We appreciate that the meatballs were not salty at all and very soft. We also liked the pork and sausage pasta and seafood pasta dish. However, we really did not feel Scalessa’s was markedly better than the other places we tried in Wilmington, DE area.

Our server was a wonderful young man. He has pleasant manners and was helpful in making our selections.

We did not regret coming here. overall, it was a pleasant visit for us. However, we are not likely to return again due to distance. We have good alternatives near our house.

Additional note:
We appreciated that the restaurant (Alicia) offered to refund our money. We respectfully decline. This restaurant honestly earned their income (our payment) fair and square. We have no complain to food nor to their service. We liked the food. It was good and unique. We just were not wowed when we visited. We did not feel that a refund is justified. Thanks to the Scalessa's offer nonetheless.

Parking: you can park at the garage across the street. There were about five spots. We found a free street parking spot that is two blocks away.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Great food great staff will remember to bring a bottle of vino next time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Very authentic corner Italian place. Great sauce. Cozy place. Wish you could bring your own wine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Meatball Salad, Meatball Parmigiana