A perfect after the Orchestra, or performance dining destination. The food was excellent, very friendly and efficient service. Unsophisticated, casual atmosphere. Because it's a BYOB, the price was perfect. Will certainly return
Susan
3 of us have subscriptions to 1812 Comedy and always dine at a restaurant on 17th St. Last night I mentioned to others that our previous experience was not good so let's try La Viola just a block away. Oh My !! here we are today, a day later still speaking of how delicious EVERYTHING was and such attentive service. This will be our "go to BYOB" pre theatre restaurant now.
Melly
Overall my experience wasn't awful, but not spectacular. Prices were reasonable, food was just good, but nothing to rave about. My friend sent her food back as it was not aesthetically pleasing. My food, which was the fish special was salty but the flavor was good. Not sure if I would rush to go back.
Raychel Severance
lol box pasta.
Food: 1
M P.
Always a good choice for good food and fun times. The portions are hearty and tasty. We ordered calamari for the table and each had a pasta. Delicious. Staff is fun.
Dorothy B.
Oldie but goodie BYO between Rittenhouse and theater district. Everything on the menu is fantastic, especially the homemade pasta. Excellent service highlighted by the family feel of the entire experience. Like many family affairs, it can get quite loud but that didn't stop our group from having a delightful conversation with our neighboring table.
Roy Getsis
great, family owned place by amazing family. food was really good, big portions. prices were the most reasonable in CC ($35 for set menu and you will be so full). BYOB. you should come here. ambiance was great, too.
I've been to LaViola several times. The food is always consistent and the service is always excellent. Say a lot of Dominick when you're there he's a great guy. He'll treat you right.
benjamins
The attached garage we were led to attached to the restaurant was beyond description BAD!! If we had not had a Theater reservation we would have walked out, as several other people did coming behind us. Plastic chairs flimsy tables no decor to speak of. We were in a garage painted over.
This is the worst restaurant in Philadelphia by quite some distance. The food is so beyond bad, it is criminal what they charge you for what you are eating.Please stop going here and giving this place business. The pasta is over-cooked. Sauces are splitting. The seafood isn’t fresh. The plates aren’t authentic. There is so much better Italian food in this great city. All of the desserts taste like they have been refrigerated for weeks. None of the salad are fresh. Seriously, do not go! Cancel your reservation. This place stinks.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
BarbaraK
Although the quality of the food was excellent, the overall dining experience was marred by the shabby appearance of the exterior of the building, the vestibule, and even the dining room. Also the presentation of the food on the plates was really lacking - it made otherwise excellent food unappealing. It wouldn't take much to improve!
Maggie P.
Overall: La viola is always my go to when I'm feeling Italian and byob. All the spaghetti I've ordered from here never fails to surprise me and ingredients are decent! Ive shown up several times with out a reservation and they stil happily take my party on a weekend night, definitely a hidden gem! Ambiance: not too dim, can get crowded Service: always great and friendly Tip: BYOB and CASH ONLY!
GailH
We went early and had the place to ourselves. The food was fresh and well prepared. The staff was attentive. The one downside is that the east location for LaViola is cash only. Fortunately, we could cover it and did not need to wash the dishes to pay for our meal. It would be a helpful reminder if they posted in large letters on the door into the restaurant a reminder.
EmilyG
We had an early reservation, and arrived on time. If you are the kind of diner who likes a table with a bit of privacy, this place is not for you. Our table was about 6 inches from the next table, so it was difficult to have a private conversation (although the couple next to us was very nice!). The waiter greeted us promptly, asking if we had a bottle of wine to open, and quickly rattled off the specials. Our food arrived in a timely manner. I have trouble digesting foods that contain a lot of garlic, so I ordered the pork chop Milanese, which was described as a pork chop with an arugula, tomato, and onion salad. I thought that would be a safe choice, since there was no mention of garlic (I know better than to order red sauces or anything that is normally seasoned with garlic). The chop was heavily seasoned with garlic- I was up sick most of the night. This was on me- I should have questioned the waiter a bit more thoroughly, but I hate being a pest about it, and he really didn't seem to want to be bothered (he appeared annoyed that we didn't order appetizers). Upon removing our plates after the main course, he asked if we were ready for the check, without asking if we wanted dessert. We had to request hearing about the dessert choices, and also had to call the waiter back to request coffee. We felt rushed and unappreciated as customers. The check arrived along with the dessert and coffee, as if they couldn't wait to turn over the table. We were in and out in an hour, even though their Open Tanle description clearly states that an hour and a half was allowed for tables for two. I couldn't help notice that there were at least two couples waiting for tables when we left. We won't return.
A perfect after the Orchestra, or performance dining destination. The food was excellent, very friendly and efficient service. Unsophisticated, casual atmosphere. Because it's a BYOB, the price was perfect. Will certainly return
3 of us have subscriptions to 1812 Comedy and always dine at a restaurant on 17th St. Last night I mentioned to others that our previous experience was not good so let's try La Viola just a block away. Oh My !! here we are today, a day later still speaking of how delicious EVERYTHING was and such attentive service. This will be our "go to BYOB" pre theatre restaurant now.
Overall my experience wasn't awful, but not spectacular. Prices were reasonable, food was just good, but nothing to rave about. My friend sent her food back as it was not aesthetically pleasing. My food, which was the fish special was salty but the flavor was good. Not sure if I would rush to go back.
lol box pasta.
Food: 1
Always a good choice for good food and fun times. The portions are hearty and tasty. We ordered calamari for the table and each had a pasta. Delicious. Staff is fun.
Oldie but goodie BYO between Rittenhouse and theater district. Everything on the menu is fantastic, especially the homemade pasta. Excellent service highlighted by the family feel of the entire experience. Like many family affairs, it can get quite loud but that didn't stop our group from having a delightful conversation with our neighboring table.
great, family owned place by amazing family. food was really good, big portions. prices were the most reasonable in CC ($35 for set menu and you will be so full). BYOB. you should come here. ambiance was great, too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiramisu Cake, Lobster Ravioli
Consistent food. Great value.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been to LaViola several times. The food is always consistent and the service is always excellent. Say a lot of Dominick when you're there he's a great guy. He'll treat you right.
The attached garage we were led to attached to the restaurant was beyond description BAD!! If we had not had a Theater reservation we would have walked out, as several other people did coming behind us. Plastic chairs flimsy tables no decor to speak of. We were in a garage painted over.
Restaurantji Recommends
This is the worst restaurant in Philadelphia by quite some distance. The food is so beyond bad, it is criminal what they charge you for what you are eating.Please stop going here and giving this place business. The pasta is over-cooked. Sauces are splitting. The seafood isn’t fresh. The plates aren’t authentic. There is so much better Italian food in this great city. All of the desserts taste like they have been refrigerated for weeks. None of the salad are fresh. Seriously, do not go! Cancel your reservation. This place stinks.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Although the quality of the food was excellent, the overall dining experience was marred by the shabby appearance of the exterior of the building, the vestibule, and even the dining room. Also the presentation of the food on the plates was really lacking - it made otherwise excellent food unappealing. It wouldn't take much to improve!
Overall: La viola is always my go to when I'm feeling Italian and byob. All the spaghetti I've ordered from here never fails to surprise me and ingredients are decent! Ive shown up several times with out a reservation and they stil happily take my party on a weekend night, definitely a hidden gem! Ambiance: not too dim, can get crowded Service: always great and friendly Tip: BYOB and CASH ONLY!
We went early and had the place to ourselves. The food was fresh and well prepared. The staff was attentive. The one downside is that the east location for LaViola is cash only. Fortunately, we could cover it and did not need to wash the dishes to pay for our meal. It would be a helpful reminder if they posted in large letters on the door into the restaurant a reminder.
We had an early reservation, and arrived on time. If you are the kind of diner who likes a table with a bit of privacy, this place is not for you. Our table was about 6 inches from the next table, so it was difficult to have a private conversation (although the couple next to us was very nice!). The waiter greeted us promptly, asking if we had a bottle of wine to open, and quickly rattled off the specials. Our food arrived in a timely manner. I have trouble digesting foods that contain a lot of garlic, so I ordered the pork chop Milanese, which was described as a pork chop with an arugula, tomato, and onion salad. I thought that would be a safe choice, since there was no mention of garlic (I know better than to order red sauces or anything that is normally seasoned with garlic). The chop was heavily seasoned with garlic- I was up sick most of the night. This was on me- I should have questioned the waiter a bit more thoroughly, but I hate being a pest about it, and he really didn't seem to want to be bothered (he appeared annoyed that we didn't order appetizers). Upon removing our plates after the main course, he asked if we were ready for the check, without asking if we wanted dessert. We had to request hearing about the dessert choices, and also had to call the waiter back to request coffee. We felt rushed and unappreciated as customers. The check arrived along with the dessert and coffee, as if they couldn't wait to turn over the table. We were in and out in an hour, even though their Open Tanle description clearly states that an hour and a half was allowed for tables for two. I couldn't help notice that there were at least two couples waiting for tables when we left. We won't return.