I'm giving 5 stars because I don't like to bash people/businesses. Wanted to get some pasta to go. Didn't eat in or take out because prices are way too high for pasta. Wanted to buy a bottle of wine but the $$ of the food turned me off. Please think about cutting prices in pasta dishes, I believe you will benefit immensely if you do!
All The Good Names Are Taken
I had been here pre covid and absolutely loved it. So i decided to revisit and while things were nice it didnt quite live up to my nostalgia but, thats not the restaurants fault. Times change. But please take into consideration my opinion of my evening is tinted with the bias of a previous experienceI started the evening the the ceaser salad - which originally was table side (making it an experience in itself) but is no longer served like that. So…. It fell extremely flat to me. Just a salad. Next i had the grilled octopus. I enjoyed it. It had a meatier texture than i was expecting but overall enjoyable, just not standard. Next was the gnocchi. Hands down THE BEST DISH OF THE EVENING. I would highly recommend that if you have ANYTHING here, this is the one. Next was the roasted duck, as was recommended by the waitress (who was extremely attentive by the way). The duck was pleasant, the cherry jus was a great addition, packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The accompanying side was not to my liking however. Completely lacking of flavor (to me). Then i had (yea i know alot of food was ordered lol) brodetto. AFTER A FEW CRANKS OF SALT, i absolutely loved this dish (aside from the fish in the dish. Parts of the fish her tender and delicious but parks were chewy and tasteless. Either overcooked or reheated in a microwave (which wouldnt make sense because parts of it were lovely either way, aside from the fish portion of the dish, i really liked this dish.The total bill was around 250. And i have no negative feelings about it. I will return shortly because there are 3 more dishes i want to try PLUS the gnocchi needs to be in my belly again. Overall i would give this place a 7.8/10. Based on food and atmosphere. But… the chairs could use some new cushions lol.I apologize that this isnt well written or thought out, im just writing as i recollect the evening
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Jefferey Bryan
Nice old school Italian restaurant in Old City. Food was good but not amazingWe had the chefs tasting menu. It was good but expected some more interesting dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Eric Martin
One of the best meals we’ve had since recently moving to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus, GF Gnocchi
April Estenor
10/10, we got there 15 minutes late due to heavy rain, no problem at all! My babe booked the 5 course meal in a private wine cellar (it’s only 1 down the basement) very romantic w/rose petals and candle lights, I’m vegan and the chef really threw it down in the kitchen just for me :-) very happy about that, you have to pay in advance and beverages aren’t included, will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Saltimbocca, Grand Marnier Crème Brulee, GF Gnocchi
Last minute reservation on a Saturday evening so I should not complain. We were seated upstairs in quite a sterile room, wished we were downstairs. The food and cocktails were great!
NancyR
This was an expensive tasting menu and the courses looked like they were what they had left over in the kitchen. The entree was cold and the potatoes were coagulated into one big lump. Our server was mostly AWOL. We couldn't request any changes since she never checked in. Gratuity was included so there was no incentive for good service. The menu wasn't given to us so we had no idea what we were getting and make informed choices. It was sold as an experience and was very, very disappointing.
Tatar
I had the chefs weekly special GNOCCHI ALLA DIAVOLO that has shrimp, garlic, white wine, pomodoro, pepperoncini. It has the right amount of heat and the gnocchi were pillow soft. Delicious.
PhilaBookman
The restaurant we had planned to eat in was closed for a private event. My business partner suggested Bistro Romano instead. We made a reservation showed up early and we're immediately seated although I've been planning on having lasagna it was not on the menu unfortunately. Veal scallopini is a wonderful back up. My partner had pork chops that were way too much to eat took some home. Service was wonderful, very attentive, but in obtrusive so, our unplanned visit to Bistro Romano turned out to be fabulous.
Trong Nguyen
We celebrated our anniversary here. The gnocchi here is what brought us back. Although, they always have other delicious choices to select from. Service is great and you will never feel rushed. Our server was very attentive to us. You can take your time and enjoy a great dinner with amazing food!
Went for dinner for girls night!!! Food was amazing the atmosphere was like I was in Italy!!! Superb waitstaff!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
BenjaminR
Bistro Romano is one of our favorite restaurants for celebratory dinners, in this case a birthday. We like the intimate ambience of the basement dining room. The service is almost always excellent. The food is very good. They are known for a great Caesar salad, but they also have many other outstanding dishes on the menu. This night, we had the grilled swordfish and Angolotti pasta, both of which were excellent. We recommend highly Bistro Romano for a quiet, intimate dinner.
Ryan Retone
Absolutely wonderful. Comfortably upscale restaurant with incredible food and attentive service. Very much enjoyed the gentleman playing live piano.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kimberly L Nichols
Excellent service and food and quiet elegant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Charles H
Came here for a date night. All the food was incredible, the combination of flavors is outstanding. Service was excellent. The downstairs booths have a romantic feel. I will definitely be back.
I'm giving 5 stars because I don't like to bash people/businesses. Wanted to get some pasta to go. Didn't eat in or take out because prices are way too high for pasta. Wanted to buy a bottle of wine but the $$ of the food turned me off. Please think about cutting prices in pasta dishes, I believe you will benefit immensely if you do!
I had been here pre covid and absolutely loved it. So i decided to revisit and while things were nice it didnt quite live up to my nostalgia but, thats not the restaurants fault. Times change. But please take into consideration my opinion of my evening is tinted with the bias of a previous experienceI started the evening the the ceaser salad - which originally was table side (making it an experience in itself) but is no longer served like that. So…. It fell extremely flat to me. Just a salad. Next i had the grilled octopus. I enjoyed it. It had a meatier texture than i was expecting but overall enjoyable, just not standard. Next was the gnocchi. Hands down THE BEST DISH OF THE EVENING. I would highly recommend that if you have ANYTHING here, this is the one. Next was the roasted duck, as was recommended by the waitress (who was extremely attentive by the way). The duck was pleasant, the cherry jus was a great addition, packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The accompanying side was not to my liking however. Completely lacking of flavor (to me). Then i had (yea i know alot of food was ordered lol) brodetto. AFTER A FEW CRANKS OF SALT, i absolutely loved this dish (aside from the fish in the dish. Parts of the fish her tender and delicious but parks were chewy and tasteless. Either overcooked or reheated in a microwave (which wouldnt make sense because parts of it were lovely either way, aside from the fish portion of the dish, i really liked this dish.The total bill was around 250. And i have no negative feelings about it. I will return shortly because there are 3 more dishes i want to try PLUS the gnocchi needs to be in my belly again. Overall i would give this place a 7.8/10. Based on food and atmosphere. But… the chairs could use some new cushions lol.I apologize that this isnt well written or thought out, im just writing as i recollect the evening
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Nice old school Italian restaurant in Old City. Food was good but not amazingWe had the chefs tasting menu. It was good but expected some more interesting dishes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
One of the best meals we’ve had since recently moving to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus, GF Gnocchi
10/10, we got there 15 minutes late due to heavy rain, no problem at all! My babe booked the 5 course meal in a private wine cellar (it’s only 1 down the basement) very romantic w/rose petals and candle lights, I’m vegan and the chef really threw it down in the kitchen just for me :-) very happy about that, you have to pay in advance and beverages aren’t included, will definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Veal Saltimbocca, Grand Marnier Crème Brulee, GF Gnocchi
Last minute reservation on a Saturday evening so I should not complain. We were seated upstairs in quite a sterile room, wished we were downstairs. The food and cocktails were great!
This was an expensive tasting menu and the courses looked like they were what they had left over in the kitchen. The entree was cold and the potatoes were coagulated into one big lump. Our server was mostly AWOL. We couldn't request any changes since she never checked in. Gratuity was included so there was no incentive for good service. The menu wasn't given to us so we had no idea what we were getting and make informed choices. It was sold as an experience and was very, very disappointing.
I had the chefs weekly special GNOCCHI ALLA DIAVOLO that has shrimp, garlic, white wine, pomodoro, pepperoncini. It has the right amount of heat and the gnocchi were pillow soft. Delicious.
The restaurant we had planned to eat in was closed for a private event. My business partner suggested Bistro Romano instead. We made a reservation showed up early and we're immediately seated although I've been planning on having lasagna it was not on the menu unfortunately. Veal scallopini is a wonderful back up. My partner had pork chops that were way too much to eat took some home. Service was wonderful, very attentive, but in obtrusive so, our unplanned visit to Bistro Romano turned out to be fabulous.
We celebrated our anniversary here. The gnocchi here is what brought us back. Although, they always have other delicious choices to select from. Service is great and you will never feel rushed. Our server was very attentive to us. You can take your time and enjoy a great dinner with amazing food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grilled Octopus, GF Gnocchi, Brussels Sprouts Cacio E Pepe
Restaurantji Recommends
Went for dinner for girls night!!! Food was amazing the atmosphere was like I was in Italy!!! Superb waitstaff!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bistro Romano is one of our favorite restaurants for celebratory dinners, in this case a birthday. We like the intimate ambience of the basement dining room. The service is almost always excellent. The food is very good. They are known for a great Caesar salad, but they also have many other outstanding dishes on the menu. This night, we had the grilled swordfish and Angolotti pasta, both of which were excellent. We recommend highly Bistro Romano for a quiet, intimate dinner.
Absolutely wonderful. Comfortably upscale restaurant with incredible food and attentive service. Very much enjoyed the gentleman playing live piano.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Excellent service and food and quiet elegant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Came here for a date night. All the food was incredible, the combination of flavors is outstanding. Service was excellent. The downstairs booths have a romantic feel. I will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5