Vetri Cucina in Philadelphia
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Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, US
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Site: http://www.vetricucina.com/
- Monday:5–9:30PM
- Tuesday:5–9:30PM
- Wednesday:5–9:30PM
- Thursday:5–9:30PM
- Friday:5–9:30PM
- Saturday:5–9:30PM
- Sunday:5–9:30PM
Bad attitude, hyped food that doesnt deliver. Most dishes tasted like a salt lick. When I asked to make a change on a course due to dietary restrictions I was told IF Chef allows....really? Wow hopefully I will be blessed by his gastronomic compassion. Best part of experience was the building it is located in. Told to be on time for reservation but then made us wait....huh? Not a fan.
A profound dining experience, with quite possibly the best service I ever had in a restaurant. I had the fried quail from the antipasti, which was good, but the sweet onion crepe my partner had was very profound flavor-wise, with the truffle really kicking in and bringing the dish up in conjunction with a taste of caramelized onions. From the pasta the spaghetti Alla chitarra was superb, with all the frutti do mare properly cooked. The swiss chard gnocchi was also superb, with the chard counterbalancing the butter. Without us complaining at all, and because the pasta plates were slightly late, the chef add a small complimentary portion of the tagliolini, which was excellent as well. All three pasta dishes were widely different, encouraging customers to visit again and try some more dishes.With my partner we shared the veal Milanese, which as tender and juicy. As a side it has a tomato, a spin on the Italian tuna mayo which in this version it is served as an espouma. The fava beans added freshness and a bit of bite to the side.My black forest tiramisu was the most complex and profound dessert I have had in a while, while the molten pistachio cake is an interesting offering as well. Vetris has a selection of Italian wines that totally fir the style of the restaurant. Very few offerings in this menu are less than $100 per bottle though.Overall, I am very satisfied with this restaurant. Small, intimate, the perfect service, and very good food. We started with half a dozen of oysters in the middle, we had the 4-course menu, and a bottle of wine for $75. With 20% tip, it ended up being close to $450 for two people. The place does worth it, and 20% tip is not enough for the experience they provide. At the same time, $450+ for two people makes the restaurant not affordable for most, and difficult to visit as often as one would want.
This was by far the most fabulous dinner event Ive ever experienced! To say everything was delicious would be an understatement. The staff were so knowlegable regarding the cuisine and the wine, and the ambiance felt like we were back in historic times. Timeless, rich wooden decor, unique lighting, unbelievable Italian decor from paintings to glassware. Fancy, fabulous and fantastic. This is a bucketlist MUST!!
Dont get me wrong, the food is an incredible experience on its own. But as an executive chef of over a decade, the true magic of this place is the hospitality. Order the wine pairing in addition to your fixed meal, and you find yourself entranced, with each dish, by the culture, tradition, and execution of each pairing by a generous description of each wine. Every description is practiced and learned to the point of being able to educate, and presented in a format fit for Broadway theater. The best part of the night for me was when the maitre d was not present for our wines being delivered and our waitress, without missing a step, filled that void with the same enthusiastic descriptions of culture and terrior. Oftentimes at fine dining restaurants it is the food that drives the experience but this is the first time that I could say that the hospitality matched the inspiration and the care given to the food at such a high standard as this.
This review is colored by opinion and personal preference (and I suppose, aren’t they all?), but for fans of a tasting menu experience, the new menu/dining format at Vetri is very disappointing.I should also state that the food was delicious (the pastas really are the best I’ve ever had, and all unique), but in comparison to previous visits I was left with the distinct feeling that I hadn’t gotten my money’s worth.The new format is a four-course, fixed-price meal where each diner chooses from a short list of dishes for each course. There’s still an optional wine pairing. The bright side is that if the table chooses strategically, you get to sample a lot of different dishes. The frustrating part is that you’re now spending half of the meal passing plates, dividing up bites, and working for your food.My favorite part of a tasting menu with a wine pairing is learning about—and then enjoying—a carefully selected wine that complements a dish. Now, with each diner having a different dish, and presumably a different glass of wine, it’s too difficult to get that same experience. Do you now need to pass your half-pour of wine around the table with each dish? Or do you just give up and order a couple of bottles that “go with everything”, like we decided to do?Then there’s the whole issue of having to worry about if you chose the right dish. Maybe that’s my problem (I am pretty protective of my food), but surely I’m not the only one.Sometimes it’s nice to put yourself in the hands of someone far more skilled in the culinary arts and enjoy the ride. That’s no longer an offering at Vetri. It now just feels like another good Philly restaurant to choose from, rather than a unique experience. I would struggle to recommend it.We expressed our disappointment in the menu change and were confidently told that we were in the slim minority, so again, this review is perhaps an outdated opinion.
Ok Ill start with the good things:The service was amazing. Daniel was professional and gracious and made our night.The gnocchi was amazing and bursting in flavor. The crab was very interesting, nothing like anything Ive tried before. The pasta in dill was very refreshing, and finally the pistachio desert was very special.O also the espresso was one of the best Ive ever tasted. There were two types of bread - one was great the other not that good.Now lets move to the bad. About ten years ago I spent the summer working on lake Como and Millano. It was one of the best culinary experiences I have ever had. Im looking for that same Italian experience ever since but with no success.- The ragu was exactly as it sounds - a ragu pasta.- The veal on baccala cream was nothing more than a veal Milanesa, or a veal schnitzel. I liked the toasted capers though didnt get the baccala cream.- We didnt even finish the halibut. Looked and tasted like a simple fish soup.- My desert (sorry cant recall what I took) was completely meaningless.And finally the price... my apologies but I have to say it - simply outrageous. We ended up paying almost $500 for a mediocre dinner and three glasses of wine. I sincerely dont understand what the hype is all about. I am fully aware of the effort and creativity of the chef, I understand how expensive are high quality produce, and yet... $500 is far, way too high for the experience we had.At least for me, this was a 3-3.5 star experience max. I am not trying to insult anyone, just saying that the place didnt live up to its hype.
Cuisine, service and ambiance all unparalleled in my experience. Such creative dishes so expertly crafted and beautifully presented it was almost a shame to eat them - but eat them we did, to our absolute delight! Mr. Domenicks expert advice on wine was a particularly enlightening and enjoyable part of the evening. Servers all professional and welcoming, The maître dhôtel was very accommodating of my special physical needs. We are privileged to have had the opportunity, and look forward to another night at Vetri Cucina soon!
Wonderful fine dining experience with exquisite flavors, great service, and delightful ambiance. In the course of two hours, we were able to try so many tasty dishes. It is a very expensive place, but definitely worth the price. They keep you occupied and satisfied throughout your experience.
This was our 2nd time here. Our first visit was over 10 years ago. We met friends here and had an exceptional dinner. I started with the prosciutto app and the sformato. Then the steak and fig cake. One of our friends is a regular and the restaurant gave us 2 pastas and an extra dessert gratis. One was a gnocchi which was enrobed in greens and the flavor was phenomenal. The gratis dessert was the pistachio flan which was exceptional. Everything was delicious including the wine. Our server was GREAT. Its an exceptional experience.
Holy moly. This is a must visit for anyone in and around Philadelphia. It requires a bit of planning to get a table, but its worth the effort without a doubt!The food is phenomenal, theres a LOT of it, and the highlight dishes were insanely delicious and some of the best Ive had. A touch of editing on the overall amount of food that comes out and this is immediately on par with many of the Top 50 that Ive been to.The best thing on the menu was the almond tortellini with truffle sauce. It was worth the price of admission just for those few bites alone. Just wow.Make it a priority to have dinner here - just make sure you come hungry!
Food snobs rejoice! This is your place. If manicured culinary presentations and chef masterpieces are your thing this is for you! You are truly a welcomed guest here and there is no need to look over a menu, the chef chooses what he will serve and it is all fantastic. We lost count of the courses served. You’ll spend a lot of time and even more money here. Five stars for atmosphere, service, food!
Wow what a meal! The variations of sights, tastes and textures youll experience is truly one of a kind right down to the water glasses. Be prepared to eat a lot over a long period of time. I think we were dining for almost 3hrs and were completely stuffed by the time we left. We had to box up the petite fours. Our favorite were the pastas! Pricey, sure, but you get what you pay for.
Absolutely fantastic meal! I will state this upfront for those who dont know, this is a small restaurant with a tasting menu only. Wine pairings with the tasting are extra. Its expensive. But you will not be dissapointed. This is one of the best meals Ive had in years. Everything is top notch. This place makes good service and good food seem effortless. The pasta is cooked to just the right point, the meat is just the right level of moisture to not taste either dry or wet, the breads are their own achievement and not just a filler, the deserts are a perfect complement to the meal, and the service is both knowledgeable and subtle as needed. If you have the opportunity, go to this restaurant. Come with an open mind and an empty stomach!
Fine dining at its finest! Vetri Cucina suggests you let the chef prepare your dishes without having to make a single decision, so trust them because you are in great hands. Chef Vetri continues to outdo himself at his signature restaurant Vetri Cucina. The food is amazing, the wine pairings are amazing, and the service is amazing. Vetri Cucina is hands down the best restaurant in all of Philadelphia!
The entire experience from beginning to end, was a culinary masterpiece, with amazing attention to detail at every turn. The entire team at Vetri Cucina made our dining experience so special, that words are not sufficient to truly describe it. The only way to understand the Vetri Cucina experience is to be there in person. I want to say thank you to the team at Vetri Cucina for the opportunity to enjoy your gift of pure culinary magic.
Super expensive for the quality of food. I have traveled all over the world and dined at some of the finest Michelin Star and James Beard Award winning restaurants. Vetri Cucina is trying to attain that level and falls flat. Service is just so, so and the food....the food is just not good. Quail was undercooked, gnocchi was a hot mush mesh. The only thing that was good was the wine pairing and the postage stamp ravioli. For over $600.00 I demand a certain level of perfection and this doesnt even come close to that.
Incredible ❣️❣️ absolutely fantastic dining experience. Worth the price (go for the wine pairing for the full effect!) Service was perfect and our waiter did an awesome job of explaining each dish and wine to perfection. We were four and each ordered something different and we were all equally impressed.
What an experience! Fantastic food - I was excited for every dish they brought out. Too many favorites here. Great sized portions: small, but many dishes that left me absolutely stuffed. Would recommend for a special occasion.We had wine by the glass, they offer a top-notch and expensive wine pairing menu, if you want.
Vetri is a special place that my wife and I have been enjoying for years. Tonight was no different, a four course meal spread over 3 hours with no wrong choices on the menu. It changes regularly so I wont spent too much time on the dishes but if they have the pistachio molten cake itd be a crime not to order it. But its not only the food, the service is top notch. Incredibly friendly without being overbearing and importantly, immensely knowledgeable about the food and wine. If you can get a reservation, dont hesitate, itll be a night to remember.
Fine dining at its finest! Vetri Cucina suggests you let the chef prepare your dishes without having to make a single decision, so trust them because you are in great hands. Chef Vetri continues to outdo himself at his signature restaurant Vetri Cucina. The food is amazing, the wine pairings are amazing, and the service is amazing. Vetri Cucina is hands down the best restaurant in all of Philadelphia!
We celebrated my birthday, my husband and me in this restaurant. And according to him, this is a good dinner for $ 200, but not for $ 500. I am a rather slender woman, but the food portions were completely microscopic ($ 125 per person) and the wine offered by the completely useless sommelier was heavy for this light dinner. As a result, instead of continuing the evening with champagne, I fell asleep at 8 pm😬 One definite plus is the great service!
My fiance and I went out to Philly for the weekend and enjoyed dinner at Vetri Cucina Friday evening. It was just fantastic, and an absolutely memorable experience. The level of service and the quality of the food was top shelf across the board. We felt right at home. One of the best dining experiences weve ever had. We certainly cant wait to come back!
We recently ate here for our eighth anniversary and had an absolutely amazing experience. The restaurant called ahead of time to verify what we do and don’t like (mushrooms), and they tailored dishes to our preference. While at the restaurant, the service was absolutely amazing.As the courses started to come out, we really started to understand the hype. Every dish was made with such care and flavor.Highly recommend.
Outstanding service. Both their Philadelphia and Las Vegas locations are amazing. Wonderful service as well as tasteful courses paired perfectly with their large wine collection. This is where we luckily celebrate out anniversaries. When you dine there be sure to ask for a table with Bill, hes a knowledgeable server who will make you feel like youre his only table.
I had the best meal of my life here after I proposed to my fiance. It was quite an expensive meal since we added the wine pairings as well but everything, and I do mean every single bite of every single dish was amazing. I will never forget the meal I had here and no place has even come close to the experience I had here.
AH👏MAZE👏ING👏 Easily one of the best meals I have ever eaten. The food was perfection- every bite more amazing than the last. The wine was fantastic- opt for the wine pairing and experience some true gems. The service was impeccable- you can feel the absolute love from the staff. If you can go, GO!! Its an experience not to be missed!
Everything was perfect....Its been a long time since we have had a dining experience this wonderful. I have been trying to get to Philly for a long time to dine here...now I cant wait to come back to Philly to do it again. The food was perfect...the wine pairings were amazing and on top of all of that, the service is incredible. Everyone on their team makes you feel like family from the moment you walk in the door. Diana and Zeke were amazing and took such great care of us....truly an amazing experience.
What a wonderful experience!An extraordinary attention to detail in this restaurant is given for you to have a wonderful time.We travelled in Italy from our seats, the servers Chefs and Pastry Chef provided a gustatory journey that is unforgettable.We will definitely visit Vetri Cucina every time we are in Philadelphia!
I only have positive things to say about Vetri. The food is amazing. Every course was better than the one before. Even the bread was great. The staff was knowledgeable and friendly. The staff made you feel welcomed. The environment was a little more upbeat than I expected. Maybe it was just a louder crowd the night we went but wasn’t as intimate as I imagined. It didn’t ruin our anniversary setting though. The wine is amazing too! You will leave here very full, not a bad thing , but just be prepared to eat a lot of delicious food.
Being world travelled and for the price we paid, being the restaurant we were looking forward to the most whilst in Philadelphia we were heavily disappointed. For paying over $250 per person it should be flawless for this price. The food was warm at best and the servings were minute. No one ever asked us if we enjoyed the food or how it was during our meal so it was difficult to give appropriate feedback.
We were supposed to be getting married in Tuscany, Italy at the end of August but had to change plans due to the pandemic. Instead, we hosted a micro-wedding event for our immediate families in our own backyard with an unbelievable 5 course tasting menu prepared by the Vetri Cucina team. Jessica and the team at Vetri Cucina went above and beyond to make our day special. They prepared an incredible menu and advised us on wine pairing options too. The food, service, communication, professionalism, clean up, everything was off the charts. They even designed personal menus for each guest signed by the chef himself. I cant believe that a meal that delicious was prepared in my own kitchen!! Marc Vetri, I cant thank you and your team enough for being part of our big day. Thank you chef!
This was one of the top two meals of my life! I dined here for my birthday while I was in town and for the first time in my life, I was actually overwhelmed by a meal! Every dish that came out of the kitchen was phenomenal in both taste and presentation. Every staff member I dealt with was exceptional as well. I often dine at fine restaurants and the only other experience I’ve had that compares to this was at Alinea in Chicago. This was definitely a memorable experience and I loved it so much that I cancelled my reservation for the following night at another highly rated restaurant in town to check out Pizzeria Vetri, which was also phenomenal.
Wine on tap (cab), despite waitress not recommending it, was fine. She called it the happy hour wine. She gave me a taste first, which was nice. Was reasonably priced at $11 compared to most other red wines by the glass $17+. We started w/ the cheese plate, some great aged cheddar on there and nice crispy crackers, almonds an honey also featured.
Great restaurant. The concept is unique: the menu consists of about two dozen items, and they will serve you as many as you want. Portions are understandably small, but we were still able to get through only about half of them. Pasta dishes stand out. Budgeting note: this is a pretty expensive place, but you can save on alcohol by buying by the bottle rather than opting for the wine pairings. Highly recommended for a special occasion or if someone else is paying.
Great restaurant. The concept is unique: the menu consists of about two dozen items, and they will serve you as many as you want. Portions are understandably small, but we were still able to get through only about half of them. Pasta dishes stand out. Budgeting note: this is a pretty expensive place, but you can save on alcohol by buying by the bottle rather than opting for the wine pairings. Highly recommended for a special occasion or if someone else is paying.
Simply the best dining experience you will ever have. Fantastic food, a stunningly talented staff, and a very comfortable dining room. The dinner tasting menu is extensive, informative, and delicious (worth the price for special occasions). One visit will definitely change the way you think about food. Looking forward to my next visit :)
One of the greatest dining experiences of my life. The staff is fantastic. Great beer and wine selection. Its a beautiful space, even the bathrooms are cool. The food is simply off the charts. It is expensive, but if you really enjoy food, but could only afford a meal like this on rare occasions, Vetri would be a place not to be missed.
This was an excellent meal. The service was amazing. From host to server. Everyone really made our night so special. I was even very touched that they took care of me as a pregnant woman. They had a mocktail ready for me as well as taking the time to explain the food and any concerns i may had. Would recommend this again and again.
Vetri, set in a brownstone, almost feels like stepping into a friends fancy residence. The creaky hardwood floors and assorted silverware and plates feel very homey in a luxurious way. The meal starts off with an amuse bouche and a complimentary prosecco. The amuse bouche we had was a buttery tart with chickpeas that offset the heaviness of the pastry. Following that, we had a stuzzichini of foie gras prepared in a pastrami inspired fashion, which meant foie gras layered with black pepper and coriander. It was decadent and interesting how it evoked pastrami while just being duck liver. The antipasti continued to delight, in particular, a dish consisting of a roll of thin guanciale, apple slice, and endive. The best part of the meal was the pasta--the morrel ragu tagliolini was a fantastic use of whole grain pasta. Typically whole grain has a negative association with it in terms of taste, but the earthy taste and rough texture of the pasta paired well with the mushroom sauce. Unfortunately, the remainder of the meal was unable to follow-up on the high bar the pasta set. The secondi dishes were somewhat simple and almost seemed to come out of a different kitchen. For example, the fluke was very plain compared to the comparatively salty dishes before it, and only was accompanied by a bland mushroom broth that was apparently from steaming mushrooms for 2 days, a culinary technique that did not seem to impart much benefit. The pre-desert was a refreshing pineapple sorbet with dehydrated EVOO, a playful touch that added variation in a typically homogenous desert. The actual dolci was decent, though nothing spectacular--a pavlova that was a bit too sweet for my own tastes, especially following the relatively tangy pre-desert. All in all, the meal had some high points and some low points. The low points were disappointing for the price point, and given the prestige and clamor surrounding Vetri, I expected a series of high points. I would say that Vetri does pasta exceptionally well has all the feelings and service of a high-end luxurious meal, but too many of the dishes were unimpressive for a 5/5 rating.
Unforgettable experience. Vetri Cucina provided more than just outstanding cuisine. The chef, servers, and sommelier provided a gustatory journey around Italy. Their offerings and wine pairings come from a place of love with a deep sense of history, terroir and detail. Enjoy the ride.
My wife and I are eating our way through Philadelphia when we visit our son at school. Vetri was by far our best dining experience yet. The love and detail that goes into each these dishes is very evident. It was delicious.With tasting menus, I always walk away hungry. Not at Vetri. I was very satisfied, if not stuffed. We enjoyed letting the Chef pick our dishes and we shared tastes as well. It is pricey but worth it. Certainly not an every week/month dining at that price but for special occasions or to experience something new and different, we hightly recommend giving Vetri a try. The staff was very attentive, personable and helpful. We enjoyed conversation with them. We explained that we are trying to hit the best Philly dining experiences. The young woman was so thoughtful and went over and above by including a hand written list of other restaurants that she loved and thought based on our discussions and preferences that we might want to try. We will be back for sure.
Best restaurant in Philly, by a mile!!! 12 or so course tasting menu that amazes from first bite to the last. They also bring a lovely refreshing spritz out to start, and often finish with a tasty dessert wine. The onion torte is so tasty, and their pastas always delight. Monday is BYOB. And the service is always wonderful, particularly Tara! Can’t wait to come back and celebrate our next special occasion!
This place is a must try. Really really good food. I am sad I didnt go here sooner. Everything is cooked to perfection and the drinks are amazing. They dont have cocktails on the menu but they can make anything you want or if you dont know what you want like I didnt then the bartender can surprise you with a very creative and delicious cocktail. Would definitely be back. Worth every penny!
Absolutely incredible experience. A series of small and shareable courses, but it was more than enough for me to leave full land content. Exceedingly helpful and attentive staff, knowledgeable about anything and everything on the menu and the experience they intend to give you. I had some food earlier in the day, and in retrospect, I would have forgone doing so. Its a bit pricey, but hey, you could spend as much on a garbage concert and pay ten dollars for a Coke, so do yourself a favor and live a little. Plus, if you take a date there at any time in your relationship, thats some massive brownie points for you. Do yourself a favor and go.
An impeccable staff from the kitchen to the front of the house. They never fail to impress with their menus and wine pairings. Very much a fine dining restaurant the tables are well spaced and its never too loud or uncomfortable. The restaurant is lovely with a lot of classic Italian decorations such as Murano glass chandeliers. Well worth the price and how far in advance you should make your reservation.
This place is pricey no doubt, but when the food and drinks start coming out you understand why. They are reservation only. This was the best dining experience I have ever had. Wine pairings were perfect, food was spectacular and the service is truly on a level of its own. Thank you for an amazing 10th anniversary.
This is been on the bucket list for quite a while and we were finally able to make reservations. The service is outstanding. The food is delicious and includes an amazing tasting menu with flavorful greens and tender proteins. It was well worth the wait. The service is excellent and the staff went above and beyond for each of our request no matter how small. This place is small and intimate which makes the attention to detail so much more enjoyable. Vetri lived up to the hype.
My husband and I wanted to celebrate our marriage with something unique, since we are not going on our honeymoon right away. I googled a the best restaurants in Philadelphia, and Vetri was one of the top, so I wanted to try it. Let me tell you, their menu did not disappoint. I tried foods that I would never try in my life, but I trusted the chef. All the servers were so kind, and were able to answer all of my questions. The light spritzer that you receive when you sit down was delicious. I would have to say my favorite small dish I tried was the tenderloin, it was like butter and so tender. I really enjoyed myself and had perfect night with my husband. We might make this a tradition every year now to celebrate our anniversaries!
Awesome place for a upscale dinner experience. Service was excellent. They where running late with our table, we enjoyed the wait in comfortable wait area with other couples having great conversation. The maître d’ offered us complimentary drinks.. I had 3 scotches, my lady and 2 glasses of wine. We Had a 7 course dinner that was perfect, and we was never rushed. Can’t wait to go again
An experience! Not the place for a meat & potato kind of person.Service excellent and concerned of every detail. To make it worthwhile, you must be open to allow Chef Vetri and his staff to take your palate to a thousand and one different places through out nearly 3 hours of culinary creations... Bravo!
Delicious food I kept wistfully remembering for days after. Wonderful staff. A great experience. Wine pairings are expensive, so do note the price beforehand. Also pace yourself! While the first few courses are small, I left the restaurant feeling so stuffed I could barely move. Anyone in Philly should try at least once!
Absolutely incredible experience. A series of small and shareable courses, but it was more than enough for me to leave full land content. Exceedingly helpful and attentive staff, knowledgeable about anything and everything on the menu and the experience they intend to give you. I had some food earlier in the day, and in retrospect, I would have forgone doing so. Its a bit pricey, but hey, you could spend as much on a garbage concert and pay ten dollars for a Coke, so do yourself a favor and live a little. Plus, if you take a date there at any time in your relationship, thats some massive brownie points for you. Do yourself a favor and go.
Top 5 Philly restaurant. The food is outstanding but you have to try a lot of dishes. The servings are on the smaller side, but you get to taste a lot of different dishes. This is definitely a special occasion dinner with the wife or significant other. Expect to pay a pretty penny but it is well worth it when you want to indulge.
Excellent! Small gem, big taste. We only have been here twice for special occasions. Pricy but well worth it. Our waiter was very attentive with out pressure, guiding us through the menu and helped with dietary restrictions. Highly recommended for an anniversary or birthday.
Everything about the evening was incredible - the food, the service, the experience. The restaurants approach to the menu sets it apart from the rest. The staff encourage you to describe your dislikes and to let them curate the experience so choices that a diner makes can be none at all, which is such a refreshing take to dining. Diners at a single table do not necessarily get the same items which makes every course a even more of a discovery. And of course, vegetarians are easily accommodated and the experience is just as enjoyable.
Our party of four, first-time visitors to Philadelphia, thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here. For our tasting menu we agreed to alliw the chef to choose our starter, our pasta, and our main. Each dish was more than delicious. The service was impeccably friendly and attentive from the first welcome. Highly recommended to our local relatives and every visitor.
I came here for a special event dinner with a local butcher named Hannah Thompson. There was not one aspect of the meal that could have been anymore perfect. From the cocktail reception to desert everything that I was given to eat was some of the tastiest food Ive ever ordered. The meat was the focus of the meal, and it was all cooked to perfection by Chef Matt whom is clearly incredibly talented.The staff was also unbelievable. Hannah was an excellent hostess that had plenty of stories and information about the meal, but the Vetri staff couldnt have been nicer. The somallier spoke with confidence and excitement about all the wine, the wait staff was very attentive, and everyone was incredibly friendly.Vetri is not my usual scene and Id never been to an even like this, but I cant recommend it enough.
If you are looking for that romantic moment occasion restaurant I would say look no further. The cuisine is Italian with a good variety tasting menu. As far as focusing on the food its self I would say good but does not meet the price point theyre charging for it. They doing good job on their wine pairings and is price within reason.
Our fourth visit (sadly we live 2 hours away) was another night of awesome deliciousness. the tasting menu was great as we got to try so many other dishes. Our party of four hungry eaters loved all the veggie options and could barely eat our main course. Service was informed and kind.
We have been to a bunch of the higher end places in the city-- volver, zahav, morimoto, fork, suraya, etc. Dont get me wrong vetris food is fantastic but when you compare it to the other high end places in the city the price is really pushing it. We got two tasting menus and one wine pairing and we ended up spending 600 (100$ tip bc the service is awesome)! The restaurant is great and the service was amazing (props to Bill who was one of the best waiters we have ever had) BUT it is super expensive so be prepared for that. Regardless good to try at least once.
Went with my gf for my bday tonight we were served by Bill and the rest of the staff. They all went above and beyond. It was an amazing and delightful experience. We were so full w delicious beverages and foods that we had to take the dessert to to which they happily obliged and added some special extras. What a prestigious dining experience!
There are 370+ other reviews on here that can speak to how amazing the food is. And they are all correct. The food is out of this world. The almond tortellini was probably the best thing Ive ever put in my mouth. The whole menu from start to finish astounds, delights and transports you. The service is also exceptional. So now that all of that is out of the way, let me talk about Alexis. It may not come as a surprise that the best food in Philly comes from Vetris kitchen - but did you know that the best cocktail does too? Alexis the bartender - wait, actually he needs a better moniker - Alexis the alcohol whisperer, is the unsung hero of this entire dining experience. I will admit, it was a struggle to avoid the temptation of Vetris wine pairing option which I hear is world-class, but gosh am I glad I did. We had 5 cocktails throughout the evening - all dealers choice - the highlights being a citrusy bourbon option with a summer corn tincture and ginger essence, and a bubbly twist on a classic negroni with a breath of black cherry that made me think Alexis had peered into my soul and knew exactly what I needed in my life. So cheers to you, Alexis - tell Marc he needs to add cocktail flights to Vetris repertoire.
This is a fantastic restaurant in old Philly serving an upscale prix fixe menu. Although it is a prix fixe you are presented with a menu and asked if there is anything that you absolutely do not want or if there is something that you would be sad to miss. The plates are small but there are many, many courses and you may be uncomfortably full by the end of the night. The pastas are magnificent.There is an extensive wine list that includes several selection by the glass. The only complaint was that we had a 9:30 reservation and werent sat until after 10 oclock. We were offered cocktails while we waited but there is no real waiting area, the restaurant is a converted home and consequently you stand in the front hall by the stairs. This is fine if there are 2-3 people waiting but there were about 10 people waiting to be seated when we arrived making the already small space very crowded.
Ok. This place has won awards nationwide. We enjoyed ourselves, but I think: too much hype. Mostly we are talking homemade pasta here, which is very well done. I don’t mind paying $$$$ for a grand meal. Ours was a very good meal. Try Laurel, Townsend, or Vernick and compare. In my humble opinion, those are better and more creative and less expensive.
I know some folks will be put off by the price tag and the tasting menu idea, but do yourself a favor and go for it. The food is amazing, and if you let them figure out what to serve (rather than choose everything), its an incredible experience. Well worth it for a special occasion.
“City Treasure”New Years Eve Dinner for two, chefs tasting was absolutely fabulous!! To give you a perspective on this place, a couple next to us traveled up from Washington DC just to eat dinner there. Atmosphere was great, service was outstanding, overall an excellent choice.
One of my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. Everything is perfect. Good, friendly and helpful staffs . Nice , warm and comfortable place. And everything in menu comes out better than you thought. So yummy. Good for special occasions. I had a great time here with my friends. Be back soon!
Yes, Vetri is very good. It may be the best kitchen in Philadelphia. Been there. Done that.Went to book again today and the receptionist informs me that the “system” won’t let her complete a reservation without a credit card number. Translation: if something happens and you don’t show up you are going to be charged by the restaurant. I have traveled a great deal and eaten in all kinds of restaurants on two continents and NEVER have had to submit to this kind of humiliating treatment. Vetri should be ashamed to treat customers like this. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
A world class dining experience, everything was exceptional. A special pescatarian menu was prepared for us. I can honestly say we were excited to see what was going to happen next. The service was thoroughly knowledgeable, organized, and personal, not stuffy or altivo.
Our party of three chose to forgo selecting our courses and instead allow the chef to provide us a full tasting menu experience. We had myself (no restrictions), my wife (no veal and no octopus), and our friend (ovolacto-vegetarian). The staff was graciously accommodating to our dietary restrictions.
For very expensive restaurant I really had higher expectations of refined italian food. For our appetizer we were served prosciutto with brown butter, unexpected combination but when second course came, trio of pasta drenched in same rich butter I was quite disappointed. There was no relief for your palate, no greens, no herb garnish. Main course again fish in buttery/wine sauce. Desert-fried doughnuts. Chocolate soufflé was nice but again needed berries or little mint for garnish. I really didn’t want to share how sick I felt for 2 more days as I may simply not be used to eat ton of butter for dinner. Also would think for kids they may lower the price a bit. Service was nice and very knowledgeable. I would definitely try different place next time we are in Philly.
Very special place to pamper yourself to celebrate something extraordinary. Food impeccably prepared and service was exceptional. For us, the wine paring was too much alcohol for the meal. Our next experience will be to order a bottle of wine with dinner; that would have been a more adequate amount of wine.
Had dinner there last Friday night with my girlfriend. The goat with polenta was our favorite entree, and the favorite pasta was with pork ragu as well as taglioni with caviar (other pasta courses not up to par with even Osteria). The duck was also not as good as Osteria. Tuna and beef tartare were not up to par (best in PA is Bolete in Bethlehem for that). The overall consensus was that while we enjoyed our meal, it didnt meet our standards for the price point. The meal was probably worth 200 for the food itself due to the type of cuisine served, not 400. There arent enough truffles, caviar, and A5 beef etc to justify the price point. In fact the two pasta dishes that had truffle sauce were disappointing. Go to Lacroix, Barclay Prime, or Talulas Garden (tasting menu), or Vernick if youre looking for the best quality food in Philly where the menu matches the price.
When I first moved to Philly, Vetri had a waiting list 3 months long. 10 years later, I was able to get a Saturday night reservation with 8 hours notice, and half the tables were empty.Here’s the thing, by the time you’re done at Vetri Cucina, at $135pp, plus drinks, taxes and tips, you’re out $700 or more for a party of two.This is 2 Michelin Star money, you could dine at Gordon Ramsey in London, L’Abeille in Paris or Alinea in Chicago, many of which for less.And listen, the decor is cool, it’s like eating in your Italian grandfather’s front room, the service is decent, and the food borders from good (the bread is OK) to great (Swiss Chard gnocchi).But that just it, it’s just not good enough to be judged against the restaurants above. In every one of those restaurants, everything is incredible.Instead in Vetri, it’s only good to great. The staff find themselves tripping over you, too many different people visit your table so it feels overwhelming, and some of the dishes aren’t a 10/10.I cannot reconcile spending this kind of money for anything less than spectacular, and Vetri is around on par with Starr’s Barclay Prime, which is not a bad restaurant and half the price, unless you hit the Wagyu beef.The smart money would be to take the incredible pasta recipes and make them at entrée sizes and charge $80 prix fixe. People would be lining up outside the door.It looks like Marc Vetri is going half way there with Fiorella, with a pasta bar with 11 seats and no reservations.Marc, if you’re listening, my advice is this: open a real pasta restaurant. Bring your A list pasta recipes. Charge high prices, and for the love of god allow Opentable. You will make Philly happy and make a ton of money.
We have been to Talulas Garden for dinner a few times and always enjoy it. This time we came for a birthday brunch and was extremely happy with everything. We had to wait a few minutes for our table, but it was very crowded, so it was understandable and we were pleased with the table.
If you want to experience what can be described as the tasting menu of a lifetime, Vetri is the place to go. We enjoyed the food, prepared in Vetris kitchen, every item on the tasting menu (the only kind available there) brings something new and fresh with the chefs twist. Since the place is small, he can devote his attention to every dish. Perfect for that special occasion when you want to experience something that can be equated to The French Laundry on the East Coast ( for even better prices, as well).
Vetri would be my death row last meal, as it is the best meal Ive ever had the pleasure to taste, with outstanding service to boot. For my wife and I, without wine pairing and including tip and tax, we paid nearly $400 total. It was worth it in my book as a once a year type of meal. For the record, Vetri kept this restaurant for himself when he sold his restaurant group to Urban Outfitters.
This is not a dinner. Its an evening. This is 3+ hours of slowly consuming more of the best food in the country than you ever imagined you possibly could. And doing it in a beautiful environment with perfectly attentive service. And it youre lucky, you might even catch a starstruck glimpse of the man himself.
We were very curious to try this restaurant because of its different approach, and we have no regrets at all - we had a wonderful evening. However, the restaurant presents itself as an Italian restaurant, but for us it misses the essence of that cuisine; keep it simple and let the ingredients speak for themselves. We found the dishes too elaborate, nothing to do with traditional Italian cuisine, way too much use of cheese; Dover sole in a very rich sauce was the main fish dish and is about as un-Italian as it gets, and the quality of the meat for the main meat dish was average at best. Once again, we had a great evening due to the friendly and caring staff, but given the vast choise of great restaurants in Philadelphia we will probably not go back any time soon.Jan Hendriks, Nebbiuno (NO), Italia
Dine here if you want to feel like youve been transported to an earlier time period. In terms of cuisine, the food is good, and the wine selection is excellent. This place really reminded me of the Revolutionary War arc in Shadowblazes Epicsaga books, and youll see what I mean.
“Exquisite Mediterranean cuisine”Book your table in advance as Zahav is always a destination in high demand among those seeking exquisite Mediterranean cuisine. They have a chefs menu too which is popular but its expensive and I would not recommend to those who dont want to seek all the experimental aspects and who are not looking for an elaborate lunch or dinner. Stick...
Tl;dr: Absolutely everything is excellent.I came in for a just-myself birthday dinner and I was incredibly pleased.Want the history of anything? Want to understand what a word means when its used to describe food? Dont know what you should like?Yeah, theyve got you.If you do already have an incredibly seasoned palate, they will surely still surprise you with the delivery of excellence.While everything is absolutely amazing, the caramelized onion crepe can make a persons world transform into a French hunting lodge when paired with the well-paired red wine. There was a moment where the crepe was melting in my mouth amongst with the red wine and I was stating up mindlessly at the chandelier; it was the taste of versailles decadence.
On a pbs show. There was a shot of the kitchen staff. No hats, no hair restraints, no gloves. staff had sweaty foreheads and unkempt and looked like dirty hair and who knows if they washed their hands if the didnt follow the above items. either philly doesnt have codes against that or they dont do inspections. I am not interested in overpaying to have sweat, hair, dander, or other filth in my food.
While delicious and inventive, with every dish better than the last and impeccable service there is still something holding me back from five stars. Comparing Vetri to some of the other top notch Philly places like zahav, vedge and morimoto, it doesnt quite live up for my tastes
Unfortunately this is an extremely overrated restaurant, for the expensive price they command, they serve way below average food quality, their services are excellent but the food is too common for the price, the servings are pretentious and overtly misguided, the quality is diner food with more decorations, except I do give them credit for their meat which they do pay more attention to, overall I would not recommend this restaurant, it is to me a rip off.
Total reviews rating 4.8
199 Reviews for Vetri Cucina 2023:
Review №1
2022-07-09Absolutely amazing experience. I took my fiancé here for his birthday and we BOTH loved it, which says a lot about this place, because while he loves Italian food and fancy restaurants, I am not a fan of either. But every single course was just phenomenal, and so was the wine pairing. I still cant stop thinking about the sweet onion crepe.The food was clearly made with love and only the best ingredients. We are both vegetarian and not once did we feel like that was an issue.Service was very friendly, attentive and fast without rushing us. Will definitely come back.
Review №2
2021-11-08Jacob, Michael, and Enrique made our dinner a magical experience! They were professional, friendly, engaging, and delivered a wide range of foods and wines through the night. All the ingredients were high quality and we had generous portions of everything. The mushrooms were my personal favorite but every course was truly enjoyable! The design of the restaurant was cozy and inviting. Looking forward to returning and trying more of the incredible dishes!
Review №3
2022-04-28We had a fabulous dinner here. The food was delicious and so flavorful. The service was outstanding. You felt welcomed from the moment you arrived. They go above and beyond to wow you. We went for our anniversary. The dessert had a edible happy anniversary sign on white chocolate. Highly recommend this place.
Review №4
2022-03-10You’re not going to find better food or service anywhere else in the city than at Vetri Cucina I can promise you that. The staff are the most lovely kind people you’ll ever have the pleasure of meeting. They called beforehand to ask if we had any allergies to food or any special diets, after my boyfriend informed them I was vegetarian they remembered and made sure the entire time we were there that I was only served vegetarian meals. They were so attentive and helpful throughout our entire experience there. They called also the next day to ask if we had a good time, if we enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. It’s obvious that they’re first and largest priority is that the patrons have the best possible experience. The food is amazing, we went on a night where they were doing a tasting menu so we had 6 plates of the finest foods we’ve ever had. The atmosphere is perfect, it appears to be a townhome on the outside and inside, the kitchen is in full view behind glass and everything down to the flatware and dishware were unique, interesting and beautiful. We had the most pleasant time, we visited about a year ago and we still dream about the food we had here, we still agree Vetri is the best dining experience we’ve ever had. You will not be dissatisfied or disappointed here, I highly recommend you visit Vetri Cucina.
Review №5
2021-11-27Food made with love and top notch ingredients. Probably the only fine dining place that I wouldnt think twice about going too for a special occasion. Vetri is a god & has brought great restaurants to an already amazing culinary experience in Philly
Review №6
2021-09-06All of our courses were amazing at Vetri Cucina. Standouts were the salmon braciole, corn francobolli with chanterelles, the roasted fluke, and summer squash crostata. We had to make room for the creamy delicious pistachio molten cake and peach bread pudding desserts. The service was impeccable. Particularly helpful was the spot on sommelier, Diana. Preferring California varieties, she really helped us navigate the mostly Italian list. Together we found the perfect wine for our meal!!The space is classic and lovely, but the chairs really need reupholstering.
Review №7
2022-05-18I can barely put the experience into words. The wine pairing coupled with the tasting menu was done to such precision that I can best describe it as bordering on a religious experience.If you decide to get the halibut, make sure to compliment it with the Curry leaves, which add a smoky richness to the protein. I must have spent hours looking at the Spinach Gnocchi thinking I would uncover some hidden law about the Cosmos. In all other circumstances, these words would be excessive, but there is a perfect balance of the brown butter with the Spinach, a perfect texture to the pasta. Everything made into one discrete Gnocchi that hides within it layers of intricacies and a drive for perfect execution of art and science. It was a night of perfection. I couldnt be happier.
Review №8
2022-04-07This was an incredible meal. We stumbled upon Vetri, and fell in love. This little slice of heaven is tucked away in a Victorian row house. My husband knocked on the door and for a minute thought he had bothered someone in their home. It was family meal time for the staff and the smell was terrific. We made a reservation right then and there. The menu is Prix fixe and when we went 150 per person. We added the wine pairing and that was wonderful and generous. So not a cheap date but still a value because the food and service (thank you Bill) were five star. The staff were so knowledgeable and nice. The food was wonderful and there were a few choices for each course. We had a vegetarian in our party and they ate like a king. We all ordered different plates so we got to try most everything. The spinach gnocchi was a revelation and the halibut, goat, .....all incredible. The place is beautiful and comfortable the lighting is soft the table cloths white and the tableware is pretty not standard. I have been in search of their water glasses. If you get a chance go. We will go back again and again.
Review №9
2021-04-19Vetri Cucina by far offers an extraordinary dining experience! From the moment you walk in the door you experience what fine dining truly is! The staff (and especially our server, Dianna) are so knowledgeable about every aspect of the dishes served and how they are prepared it just added to the four course meal in a way that is hard to describe. Mike Vetri, owner and executive chef, was very gracious in stopping by our table twice to converse and have his photo taken with Cindy Baker. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary that night. Thank you, Chef Vetri and your superb staff!
Review №10
2022-03-27Our waiter, bless his heart, tried to make our dinner as good as he could, but I cannot say that this was worth 150 per person. I didnt care for anything that was ordered. I had huge expectations for this place, but was extremely disappointed in the food. So much so that I told the waiter to not bring out the dessert and he took my main course back to the kitchen. Still paid 500 dollars though. Disgusting