"My family took me out for my birthday, the first time we had been to Alla Spina. Food was excellent, especially the pork shoulder which was as good as you could ask for. The small plates were also great, the prosciutto with dates was a standout. Also liked the beer on draft, an Italian "stout" that was excellent."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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"Exactly what you'd expect from a World Class Chef who opened a gastropub! The food was fabulous. The pork cheeks with blueberry jam on toast was the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Outstanding beer selection and to top it off...Negroni's on tap! Bravo Marc Vetri!"
Dined on 6/15/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"Did not expect that the restaurant to be as casual as it was. There were diners in shorts, sweats and jeans. The food was exceptional. Would definitely go back, but this time in jeans."
Dined on 6/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Great food with a server who had spot on suggestions. Tried the Pretzels with beer cheese sauce and a round of oysters that were both tasty and fresh, followed by the oyster mushrooms trifolati, crispy and delish, and the maple glazed fried chicken with mozzarella curd mashed potatoes which was one of the best dishes I've had in a long while. Not one of Verti's upscale places, relaxed atmosphere with cool graffiti decor, but the menu was very diverse but we had an excellent meal; can't wait for round two."
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem
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"Although it's off the beaten path, this restaurant is awesome. There are menu items that you would never think of, but after tasting the fresh ingredients and experiencing the outstanding service (led by outstanding management), you will want to return. I had the cannelloni and braised short ribs and it was amazingly paired with a light Belgian beer (the name escapes me-but ask your server). This was a marriage made for the taste buds. If you go, DO NOT SHY AWAY FROM DESSERT! Overall, you will love this place."
Dined on 6/06/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch
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"Really great meal-unique, well executed twists on some standard menu items. Great prices, especially if you are with a group and can share some of the small plates. Veal Hoagie and Swordfish BLT were great."
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Fantastic food and a brilliant staff lead to a wonderful evening! Alla Spina delivered on every level! The Italian and Philly twists on pub food were innovative and delicious. The beer list was amazing. Matt and Steve and the entire staff provided some of the best service in recent memory. All class! Highly recommended!!"
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"We arrived a bit early before our reservation and sat at the bar and grabbed a few drinks, the bartenders were helpful and knowledgeable as usual. When we sat down our waitress was attentive but not overly so, the food was great. I went with the pig tails which were very good and the burgamo which I can't ever seem to stay away from. As always it was an enjoyable experience and we will be returning soon."
Dined on 5/18/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, romantic, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Wish we'd ordered more of the delicious polenta and the sunchokes, which were excellent. Not a ton of vegetarian friendly options, really, but if they'll always have good appetizer size options I don't think it's too much of a problem. The place was open and not too noisy on the Sunday night we visited. Good service."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene
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"The food is really, really good. The space is beautiful. The service is knowledgeable and friendly. We like it for brunch because we can bring our three year old and he eats and the servers are kind and don't glower at us because we brought a child. They even had a sippy cup of milk for him. We liked that.
The only negative s that brunch is just a tad expensive. We've eaten dinner there with friends, off the entire menu with some of the freshest, best oysters I've ever had (black points???) with multiple beers and found the prices reasonable. Brunch is just a little expensive.
But we always recommend and it's a really good spot."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, kid-friendly
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"Horrible. I had friends in from out of town and I am ashmed of the fact that I selected this restaurant for dinner. Needless to say I will never return to Alla Spina. I will do my best to protect family and friends from a similar horrible experience at thsi place."
Dined on 5/10/2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene
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"Another Vetri hit! We tried 5 dishes and each dish was very good! We will definitely be back to try some of the other dishes that sounded equally wonderful."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Cannot wait to dine at Alla Spina again. The only qualm I had with the overall experience was the noise level, and the overall crowdedness of the restaurant. It was Saturday night at prime time, the night before the Broad Street Run, so the noise and crowds were totally understandable.
Every dish we had was incredible. I'm still full 2 days later. The North Philly cheesesteak is worth the hype. The beer list is incredible. Loaded with many hard to find beers from all over the world, with an emphasis on Italian craft producers.
Basically, Alla Spina is my ideal version of a "gastropub" to use on overplayed word. Eat here as soon as you can. You won't be disappointed."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Much anticipation had been built up surrounding our trip to Alla Spina. I was looking forward to a unique dining experience. I was not entirely disappointed, but the food did not live up to the expectation either. Everything was very tasty, well prepared and presented nicely. However, nothing really wowed us either. Perhaps we simply did not select the correct dishes, and for that reason we plan to return and make different selections. I would still recommend this to those looking for an interesting place to spend an evening. The beer selection is outstanding and the service is wonderful."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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"very cool venue. Incredible variety of beers. Funky but deliscious food menu. Not for vegitarians or people who don't eat pork. Everyone elde will love it."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"I met a friend at Alla Spina and had a great time!! The bartenders and wait staff were very attentive and knowledgeable. They had a wonderful selection of beer and the food was delicious. I will definitely come back again when I'm in Philly."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, hot spot
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"I've become obsessed with this place. The funky/hip Italian ambiance, attentive service, well thought out beverage program, and quality food all combine to create a place I will now try to visit each time I visit Philly. Perfect for a variety of dining options - quick drink and bar snack, brunch with a hangover, extended dinner, etc. Most recent experience was bruch where we had fluffy pancakes with fresh berries, chestnut crepe with homemade breakfast sausage, & biscuits with veal ragu and poached eggs. All plates were happily licked clean."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2003
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"They call the food 'italian gastrobpub' style but it wasn't really focused on italian food at all. It's more or less tapas style so you will need at least 2 small dishes and one main or pasta per person. The pastas (of which there are only 2) and mains are small portions as well. Our whole problem with the restaurant was that the dishes seemed hit or miss. Some were good, some were just ok, and nothing was great. The service was very good of course but I'd rather have awesome food and mediocre service than awesome service and mediocre food. The beers are way overpriced (average $7 for 12oz) with more than a few over $10 for 12 oz. Considering Osteria is a block away with better food and similar overall prices, just go there instead"
Dined on 04/20/2013
2009
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"A completely original restaurant with many interesting dishes based on cuts of meat and types of vegetables not often available for tasting. It is creative without crossing over into weird territory and the food tastes good, which is not always the case with chefs who are trying to be different. Who knew there was such a thing as an Italian beer bar? We do not live in Philadelphia but will definitely go back just for this and other Vetri restaurants."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, hot spot
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"The food here is great and the menu is well thought out, we enjoyed dinner here immensely. We ate too much and we wanted to drink more the beer and cocktail list is very nice."
Dined on 04/19/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
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"Awesome. Absolutely awesome. Everything was the coolest and most pleasant surprise. Everyone working was in the best mood, which helps your day brighten up no matter what! Next time I'm going to be on that poutine game hardcore! Also, thank you so so so much for never questioning the absurd amount of bloody mary's we ordered, and actually, you even gave us props. Something we will certainly not forget! You helped to perfectly cap an already amazing birthday weekend for my boyfriend! Thank you tons! P.S. Props for having Fox Soccer on, seriously, thank you! .... And now I want a bloody Mary, dang."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Great place! Great food - not too expensive. The polenta balls with taleggio was a highlight. It didn't feel too loud or cramped even though it was busy in there. Lots of beer & other alcohol choices. Perfect place for a girls' night dinner!"
Dined on 04/10/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"Our server, Tim, was phenomenal. Great food, great service. Will definitely come back again and again"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"I live in Delaware, and I've been here 5-6 times already. Every time I go, the experience is great. The food consistently blows me away, no matter what I order ... especially the North Philly Cheese-steak, which is the best sandwich I've ever eaten. Vetri is the man."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"We had a fun evening here on a Wednesday. Excellent service for a bar atmosphere. Our server Nick was on point. Lots of delicious but rich food. Pig Head is a must for pork lovers. So much flavor. Great beer selection. Flights, drafts, bottles. Rare selection. Nice vibe all around."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining
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"The food was great. The portions were appropriate because most of them are very rich. Knowing that, we were able to taste several items and not be "over the top". The donut bread pudding was fabulous!
I am not a beer drinker, but my husband is. Both of us had very good beverages. I surprised myself!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, hot spot
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"Our evening at Alla Spina was great fun. Put your low-carb, low-fat diet aside for the night, though. The pork dishes were succulent (we had the special pork shoulder for two), and the small plates inventive and delicious. This is the place to go for excellent ingredients, prepared simply and deliciously. I also like the proximity of tables and room for larger parties; it encouraged chatting and recommendations on what to order. ( Our neighbors were tucking into a roasted pig's head!) Loved the funky decor, too."
Dined on 03/23/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem
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"We shared the zucchini and char crudo (I recommend the zucchini even thought the char was delicious) followed by a swordfish BLT and the fried chicken (a weakness of mine). The chicken was terrific, crisp, crusty; but for our next visit we will do an array of the appetisers and then maybe split the swordfish sandwich because it was so good. Judging by the zucchini, I want to try all the appetizers. They have a wonderful beer selection and I enjoyed a draft allagash white (actually three of them). Normally I am a wine guy but the selection on tap was too good to pass up. I would have tried different beers, but the allagash fit the fried chicken too well. We will go back to try the many and varied appetizers they offer."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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"Amature wait-staff dulled down the exciting meat-centric menu. Carnevores should definitely pay visit to this delicious restaurant. I certainly will..."
Dined on 03/19/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"The pork shoulder special was flawless - flavorful, served hot and interesting sides of sharp greens, apples and pickeled veggies. The starter kale salad was a bit salty and the coffee tepid."
Dined on 03/17/2013
2001
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Alla Spina never fails to please with it's modern take on Italian bistro favorites. However, service, though pleasant, can be hit-or-miss. The beer list is interesting while wine selection is small but focused. The gnocchi, cucumber, and escarole salad are can't miss."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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"I love this place and have been back several times. Pork shoulder, pigs head, pork potpie, and pig tails (recognize a theme!) are all outstanding. Other standouts are the fried chicken, the mushrooms, the parsnip and potato cannelloni with short rib ragu, and sausage with grilled onions and mustard. Excellent and well-rounded beer list too. The only dish I would advise against is the sausage cheesesteak. Just extremely salty and the flavors didn't work for me. Overall Philly is lucky to have Alla Spina and all of Mark Vetri's stellar restaurants."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"We've had a several meals at Alla Spina, and this was the very best. There were five of us, and we shared the pork entree, which was excellent, along with several small plates, including the mushrooms, pig tails, and prosciutto cotto. All the dishes were wonderful, and the service and our waiter, Justin, were outstanding. We'll be back!"
Dined on 03/14/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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