My inspiration for Nina's Trattoria comes from two of the greatest cooks I have known, my mother, Nina, and my grandmother, Nona Caterina. Growing up in an apartment beneath my grandparents' household, I was often treated to culinary delights. On holidays the entire family enjoyed the most elaborately prepared meals. Nonna was from the Mediterranean coastline village of San Pier Niceto, Province of Messina, Sicily where she lived on a farm. Our Menu, like Mama Nina's and Nona's consists of fresh local produce and the best the butcher and fish market have to offer. Our recipes consist of a few family specialties, and they go on to include traditional and contemporary dishes from various regions of Italy including: Calabria, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Lazio, Tuscany, and Trentino-Alto Adige. Buon appetito!
"Food was delicious and service was outstanding. I really love what they have done outside. The flowers and trees really make it a cozy experience when dining outside."
Dined on 5/21/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"Maybe we picked a bad night (it was the weekend of the Italian Festival) they had no special that night, menu is very limited. Most pasta dishes include mushrooms. We had the sausage & peppers and the artichoke appitzers, they wern't bad, but nothing exceptional. None of the entress were appealing, so I opted for the Crab cake appetizer and my husband got the risotto with crab ( which was recommended) the crab cakes were small little rolls that were brown and taste of filler, couldn't find the crab meat, the rissotto was so-so, nothing special. Noise level was extremely loud. We dine out a lot, and would certainly not go back to Nina's."
Dined on 5/18/2013
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"My boyfriend and I go to Nina's for all of our special occasions. The bottom floor is great for romantic dining, while the upstairs can accommodate large groups. Love the BYOB and vegetarian choices."
Dined on 5/16/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem
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"I've been here a handful of times now - a few times for dinner, one time for brunch - and I have never been disappointed. The ingredients are fresh and high-quality, the recipes are authentic (not to mention absolutely delicious), and the service is very professional. This place has definitely become a Philly favorite!"
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I loved the authentic italian food of this place. It is located in the heart if the Italian Market. We ( two girls) shared an appetizer (delicious artichockes) I had spagetthi with a tomata souce, bacon, lighlt spicy because of chilie peppers! Yummy! As dessert we shared an auentic tiramisu!"
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"We had a Groupon for the chef's 3 course tasting menu and although the food was good it wasn't remarkable. I've used Groupons/Living social deals for chef's tastings and have been blown away by the variety of food presented. This felt as though they just made what was in the back with nothing too special to add. The first course of salad and meatballs was the best course, but the remaining courses were unimpressive. Dessert consisted of tiramisu that was a little dry and a Nutella Pudding that tasted like a fancy snack pack. I understand the cost aspect of a Groupon but if you’re a new restaurant in town trying to develop a following this was not the way to go."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2008
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"The food was exceptional! Each dish had very distinctive flavors and all were amazing. The service was also fantastic. Our server made us feel that we were being well taken care of and he was there if we needed anything - but we were not rushed at all. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed. We had a very enjoyable evening!"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Totally enjoyable food and ambiance.In Philly Italian market. Don't forget to bring your own wine and cash. No credit cards excepted. Would have been nice to look over the menu while waiting for dinner but none was offered with the 3 course."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Brunch was very good, my recommendation is to make a reservation, don't just walk-in, and also get there in advance, street parking can be a little hard to do."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, hot spot
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"My parents came into town for Easter brunch and we had a great time! Our server was very pleasant and appropriately attentive. We were even surprised by a complimentary apple fritter from the chief with a tasty riccotta cream. The prices were reasonable and the food was incredible! Nutella banana French toast, sausage frittata, gnocci, it was all amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant for both family gatherings as well as intimate brunch or lunch. Great place!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"We tried the chef's tasting menu using a Groupon. We were really happy with the location, service and ambiance. I would not say it was the best meal I've ever eaten but there were parts we really enjoyed and did not leave there hungry at all. The appetizers were Eggplant parmesan and salad(the salad was actually my favorite part, and of course the bread), the main course was Gnocchi in marinara sauce and rotini in a mushroom sauce. Both very good but I would say the mushroom sauce was better than the marinara. Dessert was pistachio gelato and tiramisu, both were just average. I think this place is on the right track but could use a few teaks to be great."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: romantic
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"I was impressed by the quality of the food. We did a tasting menu, and everything was delicious. We'll definitely be back for a second time, and extra bonus, it's BYOB."
Dined on 03/06/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"We were a group of five on a Sat. evening. We had a good dinner, and the servers were very attentive & accommodating to our various requests. There were two gnocchi entrees that I wanted to try, and the server allowed me to order 1/2 orders or each so I could try both. The restaurant itself is quite small so it can get a but noisy with a full house. This was my second time at the restaurant and is a great neighborhood gem. Just keep in mind that it's a cash only restaurant now. Definitely a strong go to restaurant in a pinch. Can't go wrong. Low key & relaxed atmosphere."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I've been to Nina's a few times and have always had an amazing dining experience. The food is incredible, it's very small and a great place for a casual date or day with your girlfriends. My college roommate and I did the three course tasting menu through Groupon on a Sunday night when it wasn't very crowded. I couldn't believe how much food we got for only $35! Her artichokes and my meatballs and sausage were incredible, the garlic mushroom chicken was big enough to feed me the day after and was just as amazing, and we shared tiramisu and nutella mousse that was out of this world good. Our waitress was very nice, attentive and personable. They easily accommodated a request for no shellfish or pork. I can't wait to go back!"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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"We had a large group (20 people) and the service was excellent! They let us bring in our own birthday cake and served it for us. Parking was really tough, but that is all of Philly. Just as a FYI, it's cash only, we weren't expecting that, but made it work!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2007
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"BYOB, loved the food and atmosphere. An excellent choice for vegetarians. My boyfriend is a meat-eater, and he still loved every second of our dinner. The place is small, so the dining room gets cold when the door opens in the winter. That was my only complaint!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"Quaint little BYOB Italian Restaurant in the heart of the Italian Market. Food & Service were very good. We were seated in the upstairs dinning room, which was away from the kitchen, street & people noise & the front door. I recommend this, if you like a quiet meal."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, romantic
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"Went there on Valentine's Day and ate off the regular menu. The place was not busy. That should have been our sign to not walk in. The gnocchi, which were highly touted, were heavy nuggets, not light and airy. I had the steak, which was just ok. My wife had the chicken parm; it was just nothing to talk about. Cheese on a pounded, overcooked chicken breast. Kind of like what you might get at Olive Garden. Just nothing special. We skipped dessert. There are many much better choices in Philly."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
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"Overall: Nina's is a pretty little place right in the middle of the Italian market, with fresh, good food. :)
Food: We used the seasonal tasting menu groupon, and got some yummy artichoke hearts and crispy eggplant for appetizers, a sharp gorgonzola penne dish and a mellower ricotta gnocchi with marinara dish for entrees, and some cannolini and the nutella chocolate budino for dessert, along with cappuccino. Everything was delicious, except (surprisingly) the desserts, which were just okay.
Service: Our server was very polite, though a bit slow with water refills and changing courses.
Ambience: It was a Sunday night, so there was almost nobody else there.
Overall, nice! Probably a great stop for a meal when shopping at the Mark"
Dined on 02/10/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic
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"What an amazing find, right in the heart of the Italian Market. Wish we would have know the location before we came. We would have left earlier for our reservation to get a good parking spot and to participate in the market experience. The service was quit comfortable and the chef was more than happy to meet our dietary needs. We are participating in weight watchers but were still able to enjoy the tasting menu, just without that extra bit of cheese on top. I was thankful to have a sweater with me it was quite chilly, even away from the door."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, scenic view
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"This was my second dining experience at Nina's.... the first was for lunch, and it was so good, I had to go back for a dinner.... don't miss this Italian Market gem! It's a BYOB which isn't clearly indicated on the Open Table reservation form."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2006
Special Features: neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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