I moved to the neighborhood from Brooklyn recently. One day while walking around, I passed this unassuming place. The only indication that it was open was a chair outside with a bouquet of flowers to pin down a paper menu to the chair. The menu looked divine.
A few days later I walked past, showing my partner that the place almost seemed closed from the outside but was very cute inside. Someone who worked there came out as we were looking and was very kind, asking us if we had reservations yet. We said no but booked immediately.
The first time I visited, I had the sourdough, Marinated Mussels (hakurei turnips, miso, chili oil), Carrot (crab, brown butter), Shrimp (peaches, coppa, toasted marcona almonds), and Gnudi (corn& basil). It was an entirely no-skips meal. The mussels came cold, out of their shell, and the sauce was incredible. The “carrot” was more like a crab cake with coconut, brown butter, and an unidentifiable but delightful citrus. A perfect balance of rich & light. The gnudi seemed simple, but the lightly spicy sauce really pulled all the ingredients together. Finally, the shrimp with peaches really knocked my socks off. Lots of places will make “seasonal” menus but not put the effort into making sure that produce is top notch. The peaches would’ve been delicious on their own, but with the rest of the dish, they really shined.
The second time I went (just a few weeks later) I got the Chicory Salad (anchovy, buttermilk, comte), the Steelhead Trout (sungold tomato, perilla), and a tuna crudo special. I also re-ordered the bread, the carrot with crab, and the gnudi. Everything was just as good as last time, and the new additions were truly worth trying. Something as simple as a chicory salad can be so hit or miss - but WOW!
For dessert we had the cherry brown butter tart with crème fraiche. No complaints at all here.
Now I’ve rambled on plenty about the delicious food, which I will be back for very soon, but I truly haven’t ever been to a place with better service. The workers are extremely attentive and kind. I felt like I’ve known everyone there for a long time.
Thank you, Illata, for being such a wonderful neighborhood spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Kanouse
I'll be the first to say that this was our second try here after a meh experience the first time. And I'm so glad we gave it a second chance because it was one of the best meals we've had in Philadelphia.
It's such an unassuming place, small, tables close together. But the staff are so friendly and really do make it an enjoyable experience.
There aren't SO many options but what we got we mostly enjoyed. The bread/butter can be hit or miss but I do recommend. The crab and carrot salad is a dish I would never have created but was one of our favorites of the night (and everyone seems to get this). The shrimp/peaches/coppa dish was also such a strange combo that we loved. Can't skip their version of a little gem salad. The lamb skewers were probably our least favorite but were still delicious.
It's BYOB and they're super helpful in giving you an ice dish/etc. should you need it.
Overall, they really seem to have come into themselves with their summer menu and found a flavor profile that has significantly improved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ruth Adams
Oh man. The kitchen is amazing. The waitstaff kind and welcoming. We can’t wait to go back. I hope this place stays a neighborhood gem but it deserves all the bonafides.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Haley Smallwood
We had the most amazing time at illata for our friend’s birthday. The food was amazing. The atmosphere was spot on. The service was excellent. Our server Maggie went above and beyond to make our experience absolutely memorable. We would definitely recommend this to others.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
liana yocavitch
Incredible. Kicking myself that it took me this long to try this place out. Some of the most unique, interesting, beautifully married flavors I’ve ever had. The ambiance was delightfully cozy (traded menu recommendations with our table neighbors). The waiters were 10/10 in explaining the dishes and their overall vibe was super friendly. My main recommendation is to ask the waiters to explain each dish (since the menu lacks a lot of the details) so they can really paint a picture of the flavors etc.
Excited to make this place a staple in my restaurant routine!
Also, don’t dare sleep on the carrot dish. I’m still dreaming about it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Erin Maloney
Perfect BYO spot for a special dinner date, for no particular reason. The flavors were casually impeccable, service attentive but unfussy, vibes relaxed and upbeat. It's small so best for 2-4 and sharing alllllll the plates. You must get the bread & butter and save room for dessert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma Tower
best restaurant in Philly!!! <3333
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Drew Wickline
Best BYOB in South Philly and truly authentic Italian cuisine. Superb. Cozy, romantic. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phil Donahue
A casual comfortable neighborhood restaurant with delightful food expertly prepared served with attentive service. Imaginative preparations for sure. BYOB so check menu in advance. There are bar seats but they go fast to locals who know the drill. Simply enjoy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michele Tomkin
Staff was condescending. They saw 4 seniors out on a Saturday night and assumed they were ignorant. We are all foodies and did not appreciate their earnest explanations (as though we had never been to a restaurant) of their dishes. And they do not serve coffee and had no clue (and were served dessert offhandedly). Don't go if you're old.
We showed up tonight for our 5:30 reservation and a sign on the door said they were closed for summer vacation. Like, what? We had to give our credit card and everything to reserve online. Why are your reservations still open? Why is there no mention on your website or Google that you are closed? Pretty disappointing as it was out of our way and we were looking forward to trying them.
benjamin green
Great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Israa Alcantar
From the first bite, we knew we made the right choice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nate Dawson
The “illest” place in the neighborhood, definitely recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Denise Park
I hope they never get rid of the chocolate cake dessert!
I moved to the neighborhood from Brooklyn recently. One day while walking around, I passed this unassuming place. The only indication that it was open was a chair outside with a bouquet of flowers to pin down a paper menu to the chair. The menu looked divine.
A few days later I walked past, showing my partner that the place almost seemed closed from the outside but was very cute inside. Someone who worked there came out as we were looking and was very kind, asking us if we had reservations yet. We said no but booked immediately.
The first time I visited, I had the sourdough, Marinated Mussels (hakurei turnips, miso, chili oil), Carrot (crab, brown butter), Shrimp (peaches, coppa, toasted marcona almonds), and Gnudi (corn& basil). It was an entirely no-skips meal. The mussels came cold, out of their shell, and the sauce was incredible. The “carrot” was more like a crab cake with coconut, brown butter, and an unidentifiable but delightful citrus. A perfect balance of rich & light. The gnudi seemed simple, but the lightly spicy sauce really pulled all the ingredients together. Finally, the shrimp with peaches really knocked my socks off. Lots of places will make “seasonal” menus but not put the effort into making sure that produce is top notch. The peaches would’ve been delicious on their own, but with the rest of the dish, they really shined.
The second time I went (just a few weeks later) I got the Chicory Salad (anchovy, buttermilk, comte), the Steelhead Trout (sungold tomato, perilla), and a tuna crudo special. I also re-ordered the bread, the carrot with crab, and the gnudi. Everything was just as good as last time, and the new additions were truly worth trying. Something as simple as a chicory salad can be so hit or miss - but WOW!
For dessert we had the cherry brown butter tart with crème fraiche. No complaints at all here.
Now I’ve rambled on plenty about the delicious food, which I will be back for very soon, but I truly haven’t ever been to a place with better service. The workers are extremely attentive and kind. I felt like I’ve known everyone there for a long time.
Thank you, Illata, for being such a wonderful neighborhood spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'll be the first to say that this was our second try here after a meh experience the first time. And I'm so glad we gave it a second chance because it was one of the best meals we've had in Philadelphia.
It's such an unassuming place, small, tables close together. But the staff are so friendly and really do make it an enjoyable experience.
There aren't SO many options but what we got we mostly enjoyed. The bread/butter can be hit or miss but I do recommend. The crab and carrot salad is a dish I would never have created but was one of our favorites of the night (and everyone seems to get this). The shrimp/peaches/coppa dish was also such a strange combo that we loved. Can't skip their version of a little gem salad. The lamb skewers were probably our least favorite but were still delicious.
It's BYOB and they're super helpful in giving you an ice dish/etc. should you need it.
Overall, they really seem to have come into themselves with their summer menu and found a flavor profile that has significantly improved.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Oh man. The kitchen is amazing. The waitstaff kind and welcoming. We can’t wait to go back. I hope this place stays a neighborhood gem but it deserves all the bonafides.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had the most amazing time at illata for our friend’s birthday. The food was amazing. The atmosphere was spot on. The service was excellent. Our server Maggie went above and beyond to make our experience absolutely memorable. We would definitely recommend this to others.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Incredible. Kicking myself that it took me this long to try this place out. Some of the most unique, interesting, beautifully married flavors I’ve ever had. The ambiance was delightfully cozy (traded menu recommendations with our table neighbors). The waiters were 10/10 in explaining the dishes and their overall vibe was super friendly. My main recommendation is to ask the waiters to explain each dish (since the menu lacks a lot of the details) so they can really paint a picture of the flavors etc.
Excited to make this place a staple in my restaurant routine!
Also, don’t dare sleep on the carrot dish. I’m still dreaming about it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Perfect BYO spot for a special dinner date, for no particular reason. The flavors were casually impeccable, service attentive but unfussy, vibes relaxed and upbeat. It's small so best for 2-4 and sharing alllllll the plates. You must get the bread & butter and save room for dessert!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
best restaurant in Philly!!! <3333
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best BYOB in South Philly and truly authentic Italian cuisine. Superb. Cozy, romantic. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A casual comfortable neighborhood restaurant with delightful food expertly prepared served with attentive service. Imaginative preparations for sure. BYOB so check menu in advance. There are bar seats but they go fast to locals who know the drill. Simply enjoy!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Staff was condescending. They saw 4 seniors out on a Saturday night and assumed they were ignorant. We are all foodies and did not appreciate their earnest explanations (as though we had never been to a restaurant) of their dishes. And they do not serve coffee and had no clue (and were served dessert offhandedly). Don't go if you're old.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 2
Restaurantji Recommends
We showed up tonight for our 5:30 reservation and a sign on the door said they were closed for summer vacation. Like, what? We had to give our credit card and everything to reserve online. Why are your reservations still open? Why is there no mention on your website or Google that you are closed? Pretty disappointing as it was out of our way and we were looking forward to trying them.
Great food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
From the first bite, we knew we made the right choice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The “illest” place in the neighborhood, definitely recommended
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I hope they never get rid of the chocolate cake dessert!
Loading...