Are they closed??? Telephone didn't answer, now is disconnected, and they are dark at night.
(1)
Christine C.
Celiacs/Gluten-Free: Be warned!!! This restaurant does not understand our predicament. It's been 2 days and I am still very ill from eating here. They say they have gluten-free pasta, and perhaps that is what they fed me, but the sauces on the pasta and the chicken special must have had wheat flour in them. For those of you who aren't celiac: my family said the gnocci and the bread basket was good. Also, the leftover gnocci heated up well the next day. We didn't like the televisions in the decor nor the plastic glasses for water. Also, the menus were ripped and damaged. For a place that charges like it does, has cloth napkins and nice silverware, one would expect a better overall experience. The service was also not that great. It took quite a while to get those plastic glasses refilled. My family would give this place a 3 or 3.5. I gave it a one because I'm still experiencing a lot of distress. Anyone in the food industry should be well-versed with auto-immune and allergy disorders. I eat out safely at least once a week. Last week, I at at Edgewood Cafe and was perfectly fine and the meal was outstanding. Good, higher-end restaurants are almost always safe for me. This place is a ruse. Don't fall for it.
(1)
David R.
Good food, terrible service. It's took them over an hour for our appetizer to come, and another 45 minutes for the main dish. Our waiter was not attentive and did little to help us. We often saw her standing around when we and others around us needed bread and water while waiting an eternity for our food. Despite the terrible service, the food was quite good when it finally came, but it was hardly with the wait or the price. Will not be returning.
(2)
Brent C.
Best Italian dinner i have ever had, and i live in North Jersey. The service was incredible and the food was outstanding. The Creme brulee cheesecake was the best dessert i have ever had in my life. It is also not too expensive and BYOB is great. I will definitely be back multiple times.
(5)
Regina B.
After hearing so much 'buzz' about this restaurant, I really WANTED to love it. Really, truly. I just....can't. L'Aragosta has taken over the space formerly held by two of our favorites - Auspicious, then after a couple of years Canby's on Cricket. The space itself is nicely done, really both Canby's and L'Aragosta are adapting the beautiful work started by Auspicious's original ownership. This ownership painted the walls, did some signage, added some different wall decor, changed the flooring and took out the family table. It looks nice and is pleasant to dine in. On the night we were there, they very thoughtfully told us when we made our reservation that their credit card machine was out of service so it was cash-only. We were seated promptly at a two-top by the window, and our server was reasonably responsive and attentive. The Rev. got the grilled rib-eye, which was unfortunately over-cooked. The Rev. is a "Pittsburgh" rare eater, and this at best was medium-rare but in some places medium. He was also rather disappointed in the lack of seasoning as described on the menu. His verdict: "Meh." I chose the gnocchi in marinara, which was indeed fresh made gnocchi in a clearly homemade red gravy that suited it well - not too sweet, not too acid. I enjoyed this dish very much. The gnocchi were light but had substance and were definitely not frozen! What I noticed was the heavy use of seafood in the dishes. This really is an Italian Seafood restaurant, which makes sense as their first location is in Brigantine. I suspect those are the dishes that they are known for and earn them the highest compliments. Being allergic, and with a husband who doesn't care for seafood, it's probably not a place we'll go to often unless we're going with seafood-eaters. I hope they do well in this space, as I think they fit a niche in the area that no one else is offering. This place is BYOB, they seemed quite happy to accommodate bottles of wine. Should their credit card machine ever be on the fritz again, there is an ATM right across the street (Bank of America) and three others in a short walking distance.
(2)
Tracy K.
Popped in on a whim when I was having an Italian craving (we had never been) during the holidays. Had to give it a try for myself. Overall, the space was cozy and unpretentious. The menu was comprehensive and met everyone's needs. The prices were typical for the area. The service was good - not rushed and not too slow. We were a table of 5 and had a variety of meals. I can say that everyone cleaned their plate - which is very unusual for us....we almost always take home leftovers. My lasagna was a very generous portion and I couldn't stop eating it...every bite was delicious - possibly the best I've had. I'm only sorry we were too full for dessert. Guess I'll have to go back!
(5)
Sarahjane R.
I had dinner here last week and it was only ok. We made a last minute reservation, which I was surprised they could accommodate. I should've known what we were in for. The place was empty other than 1 table of 4. We made a reservation for 10 but they set a table for 8 and they seemed pretty put out and confused when our last 2 friends arrived. I read reviews that their service can be lacking, so I ordered appetizers as soon as we got our menus. Those came out quickly, as did bread. They took our orders and then we waited close to 45 minutes for our meals. They were fine, but nothing we couldn't make at home. Pretty generic Italian. My dinner was meant to have shrimp, mussels, and oysters in it and there were maybe 4 shrimp, and that's it. My husbands lobster ravioli looked pretty good, but he said it tasted like frozen ravioli. My friend ordered the salad special that sounded awesome, but it came out looking like it had been dumped from a bag of chopped iceberg lettuce. After we finished, we waited another 30 minutes for our bill.
(2)
Jason B.
Hideous! We made reservations for 8 PM. We heard every excuse in the book to explain 3 hours of torture. Servers called out, we're understaffed etc. We asked for water and got it 45 minutes later. The specials were presented nearly 3 hours into the evening and didm't resemble the description by a mile. Every table within ear shot complained and received adjustment to their check. Go to the frozen food section for the mini mart in your closest gas station and you will get a better meal and better service from the kid behind the counter. This was a total miss from start to finish. I spent an overnight in a local police station after a bar fight in college and had better food and service.
(1)
Brian C.
Finally a byob on the main line that has great food, is not cramped and is modern with tasteful decor. My wife and I came here with another couple as a night out and away from the kids. Despite being open for only 10 days the place was crowded but unlike other byob's the place is large enough that we were not on top of 2 other tables and we appreciated that we were not rushed through our meal. While their artisan pizza will quickly become known as the best on the main line, this is not pizza place. They offer authentic Italian food with a great selection of specials. Service is extremely friendly and good considering they just opened. We are thrilled to have such a high quality byob on the main line.
Had dinner here last night and could not believe how UNitalian this restaurant really is. My veal was served with a huge, white boiled potato instead of pasta. When I asked where the pasta was, I was given a "curt" and haughty, "Well that is optional!" In an Italian restaurant?? So I said, you never told me that---I was expecting pasta not a boiled potato.
(1)
Mario C.
This place has the most authentic italian food in the area hands down.The best i've had since visiting italy years ago honestly. The homemade fettuccine with seafood suggested to me was amazing and the gelato after my entree' was delicious. Really hit the spot. I am definitely coming back to this place. Big plus also is that its BYO.
(5)
G G.
Hardly what I would call excellent Italian food- average at best on my first visit. Fair service. Nice ambiance. Really unorganized. Had sign on door they are open Tue. To Fri. in summer. Called for reservation - never called back because they said they didn't have voice mail yet I was able to leave message. When I called again they said they would reopen in sept. I'll stick to S. Phila.
(1)
Emily H.
This is a great addition to Ardmore! Finally, a good italian BYOB. I went to L'Aragosta with my mom on Friday night. We didn't arrive until around 8:30 and it was packed! Luckily we were sat pretty quickly, but I was so used to the restaurants in this location being empty (auspicious, then Canby's on cricket) that I never thought I would need to make a reservation. L'aragosta has a wide variety of Italian dishes and our waitress informed us that if there was anything we wanted that was not on the menu, the chef would do his best to make the dish. Very accommodating! My mom and I both got the Frutti de Mare (risotto not pasta). It was delicious with a very generous amount of fresh shell fish. The pizza and pasta dishes all look great too so I can't wait to go back and try more. They also offer all the pasta with whole wheat or gluten free option ($2 more) and we were told by someone it's the best gluten free pasta they've ever had. Anyway, so glad this place opened up! Hoping it will stay a while!
(5)
Marilyn G.
Do not waste your time. Check your bill. Do NOT get take out. Gave them a few chances. My mistake.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Stephen S.
Are they closed??? Telephone didn't answer, now is disconnected, and they are dark at night.
(1)Christine C.
Celiacs/Gluten-Free: Be warned!!! This restaurant does not understand our predicament. It's been 2 days and I am still very ill from eating here. They say they have gluten-free pasta, and perhaps that is what they fed me, but the sauces on the pasta and the chicken special must have had wheat flour in them. For those of you who aren't celiac: my family said the gnocci and the bread basket was good. Also, the leftover gnocci heated up well the next day. We didn't like the televisions in the decor nor the plastic glasses for water. Also, the menus were ripped and damaged. For a place that charges like it does, has cloth napkins and nice silverware, one would expect a better overall experience. The service was also not that great. It took quite a while to get those plastic glasses refilled. My family would give this place a 3 or 3.5. I gave it a one because I'm still experiencing a lot of distress. Anyone in the food industry should be well-versed with auto-immune and allergy disorders. I eat out safely at least once a week. Last week, I at at Edgewood Cafe and was perfectly fine and the meal was outstanding. Good, higher-end restaurants are almost always safe for me. This place is a ruse. Don't fall for it.
(1)David R.
Good food, terrible service. It's took them over an hour for our appetizer to come, and another 45 minutes for the main dish. Our waiter was not attentive and did little to help us. We often saw her standing around when we and others around us needed bread and water while waiting an eternity for our food. Despite the terrible service, the food was quite good when it finally came, but it was hardly with the wait or the price. Will not be returning.
(2)Brent C.
Best Italian dinner i have ever had, and i live in North Jersey. The service was incredible and the food was outstanding. The Creme brulee cheesecake was the best dessert i have ever had in my life. It is also not too expensive and BYOB is great. I will definitely be back multiple times.
(5)Regina B.
After hearing so much 'buzz' about this restaurant, I really WANTED to love it. Really, truly. I just....can't. L'Aragosta has taken over the space formerly held by two of our favorites - Auspicious, then after a couple of years Canby's on Cricket. The space itself is nicely done, really both Canby's and L'Aragosta are adapting the beautiful work started by Auspicious's original ownership. This ownership painted the walls, did some signage, added some different wall decor, changed the flooring and took out the family table. It looks nice and is pleasant to dine in. On the night we were there, they very thoughtfully told us when we made our reservation that their credit card machine was out of service so it was cash-only. We were seated promptly at a two-top by the window, and our server was reasonably responsive and attentive. The Rev. got the grilled rib-eye, which was unfortunately over-cooked. The Rev. is a "Pittsburgh" rare eater, and this at best was medium-rare but in some places medium. He was also rather disappointed in the lack of seasoning as described on the menu. His verdict: "Meh." I chose the gnocchi in marinara, which was indeed fresh made gnocchi in a clearly homemade red gravy that suited it well - not too sweet, not too acid. I enjoyed this dish very much. The gnocchi were light but had substance and were definitely not frozen! What I noticed was the heavy use of seafood in the dishes. This really is an Italian Seafood restaurant, which makes sense as their first location is in Brigantine. I suspect those are the dishes that they are known for and earn them the highest compliments. Being allergic, and with a husband who doesn't care for seafood, it's probably not a place we'll go to often unless we're going with seafood-eaters. I hope they do well in this space, as I think they fit a niche in the area that no one else is offering. This place is BYOB, they seemed quite happy to accommodate bottles of wine. Should their credit card machine ever be on the fritz again, there is an ATM right across the street (Bank of America) and three others in a short walking distance.
(2)Tracy K.
Popped in on a whim when I was having an Italian craving (we had never been) during the holidays. Had to give it a try for myself. Overall, the space was cozy and unpretentious. The menu was comprehensive and met everyone's needs. The prices were typical for the area. The service was good - not rushed and not too slow. We were a table of 5 and had a variety of meals. I can say that everyone cleaned their plate - which is very unusual for us....we almost always take home leftovers. My lasagna was a very generous portion and I couldn't stop eating it...every bite was delicious - possibly the best I've had. I'm only sorry we were too full for dessert. Guess I'll have to go back!
(5)Sarahjane R.
I had dinner here last week and it was only ok. We made a last minute reservation, which I was surprised they could accommodate. I should've known what we were in for. The place was empty other than 1 table of 4. We made a reservation for 10 but they set a table for 8 and they seemed pretty put out and confused when our last 2 friends arrived. I read reviews that their service can be lacking, so I ordered appetizers as soon as we got our menus. Those came out quickly, as did bread. They took our orders and then we waited close to 45 minutes for our meals. They were fine, but nothing we couldn't make at home. Pretty generic Italian. My dinner was meant to have shrimp, mussels, and oysters in it and there were maybe 4 shrimp, and that's it. My husbands lobster ravioli looked pretty good, but he said it tasted like frozen ravioli. My friend ordered the salad special that sounded awesome, but it came out looking like it had been dumped from a bag of chopped iceberg lettuce. After we finished, we waited another 30 minutes for our bill.
(2)Jason B.
Hideous! We made reservations for 8 PM. We heard every excuse in the book to explain 3 hours of torture. Servers called out, we're understaffed etc. We asked for water and got it 45 minutes later. The specials were presented nearly 3 hours into the evening and didm't resemble the description by a mile. Every table within ear shot complained and received adjustment to their check. Go to the frozen food section for the mini mart in your closest gas station and you will get a better meal and better service from the kid behind the counter. This was a total miss from start to finish. I spent an overnight in a local police station after a bar fight in college and had better food and service.
(1)Brian C.
Finally a byob on the main line that has great food, is not cramped and is modern with tasteful decor. My wife and I came here with another couple as a night out and away from the kids. Despite being open for only 10 days the place was crowded but unlike other byob's the place is large enough that we were not on top of 2 other tables and we appreciated that we were not rushed through our meal. While their artisan pizza will quickly become known as the best on the main line, this is not pizza place. They offer authentic Italian food with a great selection of specials. Service is extremely friendly and good considering they just opened. We are thrilled to have such a high quality byob on the main line.
(5)Elaine V.
My husband and I went here for Valentine's Day. It wasn't the best experience but the food was decent enough that we haven't written them off yet, they just need to figure some things out: 1) Service needs some work. Upon being seated we found that our menus didn't match. When we brought this to the attention of our waitress, her response was that they WERE the same, there were just a few dishes on one that weren't on the other. Hmm, I don't think this would qualify them as 'the same' but we shared and dealt with it. During the meal, she was pretty absentee - we ordered entrées only (no apps, no dessert) and we were there for almost 2 hrs. I know V-Day can be busy so I was prepared for a delay but there was no apology from the waitress, she didn't even check in on us! When it came to getting our bill she gave us the handwritten order, no tax calculated. Little odd. 2) Stingy with seafood! My husband had a filet special that supposedly came topped with crab in the sauce (per our server) but we couldn't find any. Otherwise it was really tastey. I ordered the Ravioli L'Aragosta which supposedly came with sautéed shrimp - there was ONE jumbo shrimp cut into 3 pieces. To me 3 little bites is not 'with shrimp'. The waitress wasn't around to give this feedback to so we just ate our meals. Again, VERY good, just not quite as advertised. Thank goodness for wine! We'll probably wait a few months to see if L'Aragosta can get their feet under them before we give them another go.
(3)B E.
Had dinner here last night and could not believe how UNitalian this restaurant really is. My veal was served with a huge, white boiled potato instead of pasta. When I asked where the pasta was, I was given a "curt" and haughty, "Well that is optional!" In an Italian restaurant?? So I said, you never told me that---I was expecting pasta not a boiled potato.
(1)Mario C.
This place has the most authentic italian food in the area hands down.The best i've had since visiting italy years ago honestly. The homemade fettuccine with seafood suggested to me was amazing and the gelato after my entree' was delicious. Really hit the spot. I am definitely coming back to this place. Big plus also is that its BYO.
(5)G G.
Hardly what I would call excellent Italian food- average at best on my first visit. Fair service. Nice ambiance. Really unorganized. Had sign on door they are open Tue. To Fri. in summer. Called for reservation - never called back because they said they didn't have voice mail yet I was able to leave message. When I called again they said they would reopen in sept. I'll stick to S. Phila.
(1)Emily H.
This is a great addition to Ardmore! Finally, a good italian BYOB. I went to L'Aragosta with my mom on Friday night. We didn't arrive until around 8:30 and it was packed! Luckily we were sat pretty quickly, but I was so used to the restaurants in this location being empty (auspicious, then Canby's on cricket) that I never thought I would need to make a reservation. L'aragosta has a wide variety of Italian dishes and our waitress informed us that if there was anything we wanted that was not on the menu, the chef would do his best to make the dish. Very accommodating! My mom and I both got the Frutti de Mare (risotto not pasta). It was delicious with a very generous amount of fresh shell fish. The pizza and pasta dishes all look great too so I can't wait to go back and try more. They also offer all the pasta with whole wheat or gluten free option ($2 more) and we were told by someone it's the best gluten free pasta they've ever had. Anyway, so glad this place opened up! Hoping it will stay a while!
(5)Marilyn G.
Do not waste your time. Check your bill. Do NOT get take out. Gave them a few chances. My mistake.
(1)