Savona is our favorite restaurant, period. Everything is exceptional. Try the chef's tasting menu. They have an extensive wine cellar as well. Yelp seems to have this restaurant miscategorized. It's a very upscale French influenced restaurant. You pay top dollar, but the whole experience is reliably great so it's totally worth it.
(5)
Matt D.
I ordered a chicken caeser salad for take-out. I received two tins. One tin with wet iceberg lettuce and dressing. The second tin contained a chicken drum. Yes, an actual chicken drum - but accompanied by a plastic fork and knife! I then began the journey of cutting the chicken drum to create my chicken caeser salad myself. Turns out, not only was it too difficult for Savona to create the salad but also too painstaking to cook the chicken! I've added a few pictures for reference.
(1)
Laurie M.
Our party of six sat down at 6:30 and we finally got up at 10:00. There were only 3, maybe 4 other tables on the entire floor seated. Drinks took forever and after sending my son out to find out where the food was and it finally arrived, some meals were good and others not so. I'm really dis because I'd been given the nod by my manager who ate upstairs and had a lovely meal. Being busy was not the excuse for the kitchen but I will say that when food was served we were smothered with wait staff so something was amiss. Wouldn't recommend this place especially given the prices. I've heard the upstairs is quite good but it's still the same kitchen. And you can't park yourself. Another unnecessary money maker given the small parking lot and not that many patrons!
(2)
Rich W.
Took the ole ball and chain here for dinner a few months ago.....EXCELLENT! Food was off the charts good, we had a one-way ticket to flavor town. Upscale dining, minus the "Main Line" pretentiousness. Although we did feel a little out of place at the bar, but the bartenders and staff were cool and made sure we had a pre-dinner cocktail despite the amount of people jammed into the bar :) To start I had the mozzarella di bufala appetizer....fantastic. Very tasty, especially with the pesto sauce on the side! She had (I think) the Caesar salad, and she thought it was excellent. I had the braised short rib, she had the veal milanese with arugula salad. The veal was by far the most exceptional plate you will order. Don't get me wrong my short rib was fantastic, but the veal was out of this world. Can't remember if we got dessert or not, so I can't comment on that....but I'm sure it's incredible. The wine list is a major plus here. Top quality wine, plus they recommend the pairings on the menu....major plus to those of a novice wine drinking status...cough...me....cough. FYI - VALET PARKING ONLY. I didn't know that going in. Not a problem at all, just a heads up. The valets were pretty cool dudes....probably b/c they were closer to my age versus their usual "parental aged" customers. LOL *My only caveat was that we ordered a bottle of wine for the table, and they kept it in a separate location while we ate (no biggie). However, we were told by the end of the dinner that we had drank it all. Not that this was to any surprise, it just didn't feel like we had that many glasses of wine so that rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)
Jason T.
Was introduced to Savona by a business associate here in the Philadelphia area. I was so impressed with the quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The ingredients were noticeably fresh and the flavors were remarkable. Ask for the veal meatballs - even if they're not on the limited menu, they are worth a go as an appetizer. Highly recommend this establishment for authentic Italian cuisine.
(5)
Frank F.
Super good food. Beautiful room. Service was a little weird - a couple of very young teenagers, basically trainees, doing their awkward best. It was ok, more amusing than anything else. The staff did make a big phony spectacle over "presenting the Dover Sole", in its copper skillet, to one person who ordered Dover Sole. Also amusing. But the food was great, and I would definitely go back.
(4)
Bill F.
What a great place! Food is outstanding! Service is superb! The wine cellar is a great place for groups! Go and enjoy the outdoor dining and fun bar!
(5)
Mark W.
Savona has a fantastic restaurant, and a more casual bar/restaurant called Bar Savona. I have been to the restaurant several times, and am a big fan. I have not yet been to Bar Savona. The restaurant offers good choices, reasonable portions, and an outstanding wine list. Following dinner, there is an excellent cheese trolley that comes table-side, and/or desserts. Savona offers a wine cellar dining room for groups up to 12-16 people. It's a lovely space and very distinctive. During warmer months, the terrace outside of the bar area is open for seating, drinking and dining.
(4)
Bill M.
For fanciful yet unpretentious dining, and a restaurant with a well rounded bar selection and an impressive selection of cheeses on the Main Line; It really doesn't get much better than Savona. I learned that before but it took a successful Mother's Day brunch to rekindle that memory. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Gulph Mills Road, Savona is an intriguing restaurant in an older building with an updated a modernized decor, especially were it counts in the dining room. the bar featured an amicable selection of brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Yards, and Ommegang; as well a a satisfactory cocktail list. But in the tradition of brunch I opted for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary which yielded a subtle spicy kick. Whether it was a cream of goat cheese in a crimini mushroom soup, pecorino romano in a risotto with bacon, or a parmesean reggiano melt in a Tuscan white bean soup; I was really in awe of the ways that cheese was utilized in the menu. And they succeeded in the rare task of opening a monger like me up to some previously unheard of varieties like Creme Royale and a smooth but slightly salty triple creme goat cheese that I really wish I could remember the name of. Overall the farm to table food menu was very thought out and featured some well played twists. The aforementioned mushroom soup might have been the best that I've ever had. And my eggs Benedict with asparagus and a smoked Scottish salmon was one of those rare egg dishes that had me wanting to lick the yolk off my plate. and my mom and dad were satisfied with their blue claw crab scrambled eggs. Really the only flaw to this successful brunch was that it was a brunch menu that they only offered on special occasions like Mother's Day. But it definitely impressed me enough to check them out on a regular dinner or lunch. And they definitely have a variety of other special occasions like cooking classes and beer events.
(5)
Stephen S.
Two stars only because our severs were very nice. Our appetizers took 40 minutes to arrive. While the original story was that the chef did not like the way they turned out, our server admitted the food was dropped. Ok accidents happen, no problem but tell the truth and fix the problem. Neither the manager nor chef came to apologize While I had high hopes based on reviews, the food was good but not overly great. Now it was my first and last time there and only tried couple items so it's a limited opinion but the pompous attitude of the manager sealed the fact I will never go back
(2)
Alex V.
We went to Savona last week for dinner, and overall it was not well executed. My sardine first course was pretty good, but my wife's grilled octopus was horrible. The octopus was not cooked properly, either the grill temperature was too low, or the fish was just not good. Either way, it was a charred chewy mess. My lobster roll was pretty good but not exceptional by any means, and my wife's scallops were ok but the risotto was overcooked, not seasoned well, and greasy. The service was a bright spot in typical French fashion we were asked several times about our meal, but overall its hard to justify the price of a meal at this place given the amateurish execution and cost per head.
(2)
Valerie D.
We had a very nice tenth anniversary experience at SAVONA. Its not an inexpensive restaurant at almost $300 a couple including an inexpensive bottle of wine by comparison. (Our bottle was $75 whereas the average bottle was $350 all the way up to $1100) We had a lot of servers who were very attentive to our table. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very attentive but we had an issue with the wine sommelier who had only started two weeks ago. She was a very nice but very inexperienced young girl who truly didn't do her job very well. I specifically said that I cannot drink very sweet wines and when my husband asked her for a choice within his price range she kept pointing to two that she liked in a more expensive range when he kept asking about the other four in his range. When he finally had her comment on the four he specifically stated a few times- (I chimed in as well) that he did NOT want anything sweet. A few minutes later she appeared with a bottle that she recommended and my husband tried it and said that it was very sweet, I tried it and said I didn't care for it and that it was WAY too sweet. She never offered to take it back, she never offered us anything else to replace it and it was of course on our bill. We even left half of the bottle it was so awful and frankly undrinkable. When our dinner was almost done and AFTER we had had dessert, she came over with a sip's worth in a wine glass of another wine she wanted me to try not offering me that wine or offering to substitute it she just said she wanted to show me this one for our next time at Savona. (of course this one was one of the more expensive bottles) I almost wanted to call management the next day but of course realize she is inexperienced and didn't want to get her into trouble. But I was quite annoyed that we had to pay for a bottle that was awful when we both specifically stated numerous times that we wanted a dryer wine and both hated sweet. We did love the risotto and I loved my chilean sea bass, my husband loved his veal shank but again I am not happy with the way we were treated by the sommelier
Part of the appeal of dining here is in the divine food presentation. Every dish has looked fit for at least a Viceroy, if not King. The food itself is quite good. The salmon tartare is very fresh and paired well with a hint of lemon. They were served with these delicious hand-cut fingerling "chips." The foie gras was nice but not the best that I have had. The veal sweetbreads were cooked to the perfect degree of crispiness and very nicely seasoned. The entrees were lovely and some were excellent. The sauteed sole was cooked to perfection in a delicious lemon butter sauce and topped off with pine nuts. It almost looked too pretty to eat. Almost. Nothing can stop me from consuming a plate of good food once it is set in front of me. I also tried the roast rack of lamb, which was very flavorfully seasoned (rosemary, if I recall) and tender, it was served with peas and carrots. The Napolean with banana bread, nutella mouse, and gelato was the perfect finish, although the honey marscarpone crepe does come in a close second. The wine selection is excellent, in particular the Gosset Grande Rose. Love the vintage collection. Service is on par with Le-Bec Fin so it is superb. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants in close proximity to the Main Line. Yes, it is slightly pricey but the ambiance is almost unsurpassed.
(4)
Shannon G.
Ferrari behind me, Porsche in front of me. Yep, we're in Gulph Mills now. We were a little early for our already early reservation, so they had no problem seating us in the sleek, modern dining room. Large wine and beer lists. I had an Allagash White. It was glorious. Asparagus, shaved Mushroom, and a gently poached egg with pancetta vinaigrette. WTF. This was insanely good, one of the most amazingly savory appetizers I've had. Mushrooms and the vinaigrette were perfect together. Wife had the spring vegetable and quinoa salad with homemade cheese and carrot oil. Also really good, just not as good. I was proud of my superior selection. Then we got to the entrees, where everyone lost. Lamb loin was kind of tough and flavor was meh. The poached halibut over white asparagus with pistachio tapenade suffered from the same problem. Hint of pistachio was evident, but it was pretty boring. Presentation was excellent, just wished it tasted as good as it looked though. Parking lot is valet only.
(3)
Amanda J.
The service was excellent, I wish I could remember his name. He was attentive, made great suggestions and really made it a good experience. The food was YUMMY!!! I can't say enough good things about the incredible food!!! We each had a tomato mozzarella salad and split the eggplant napolean. TO DIE FOR :) The wine was tasty and complimented dinner well. Since we were traveling there from Texas we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather in PA. What a wonderful patio!!! A truly serene surrounding with lovely trees. Overall Savona was one of the best places I have ever visited. So why not 5 stars then??? The incredibly RUDE couple who sat next to us, that's why. The patio tables are maybe a foot and a half from each other, fairly tight quarters. This couple was probably in their late 60's and spent the entire time talking about my girlfriend and I. Now, I'll be honest, I couldn't hear EXACTLY what was being said but there was whispering and pointing. So much so that at one point, I did over hear the husband ask "How old do you think that one is" pointing his finger at me while trying to shield it with his other hand, "26 maybe 27?" he hissed across the table to his wife. I had had enough, looked straight at him and answered, "I'm 33" tight lipped smile! His response, "Oh I guess I talk too loudly!" Then THEY had the nerve to act offended as if I had been the rude one!!! They left not too long after, THANK GOODNESS!!! We mentioned the incident to the waiter who laughed and told us they're "V.I.P's" Whatever...we paid, left a nice tip and left. Definitely go eat there but beware of old, gossipy people on the patio!
(4)
John R.
Savona, they name alone just screams class. I was there not long ago for a company Christmas party in the wine cellar. Talk about a jaw dropping sight! The walls are beautifully kept wine racks with exposed brick. And the food, The fillet mignon was perfectly seasoned and seared. The roased shallots complimented the fillet perfectly. Overall a great experience.
(4)
YelpHatesMe Y.
Very very nice. Recently moved back to the burbs from Philly and have always wanted to try this place. It was very good. Had the octopus. Was a bit slimy for my taste but all in all not that bad. Had the duck breast as the entree and it was phenomenal. The only other duck that I had that was better was from the now defunct Avance. I would definitely get it again. My wife had the scallops and risotto. The scallops were literally cooked perfectly and the risotto they give you is sweet and filling - but may be a gut buster for some. My only cons are that it took quite some time to get my first drink and after that the two scotchs that I asked for they were out of. They did give me a higher quality one though for a cheaper price. I'd still expect a place of this caliber to have ample stock of common drinks. Service was spotty as they had a new guy and there seemed to be a lot of missed communication. The parking lot was full of high end snobby main line cars like Ferraris and Porsche's and Maseratis but don't let that dissuade you. There definitely was a LOT of pretentious conversation going on in this place that certainly made us roll our eyes a lot. I've certainly had nicer dinners in the city but for the burbs this inst a bad place.
Ate here on a Monday night. First the bar doesn't open till 5:30 pm. We were there a bit early and managed to wangle a drink at 5:15...a nicely made Manhattan. I t felt though like I was imposing upon the bartender. C'mon guys open the bar at 4:30-5:00 pm. How hard is that? Resv was for 5:30. Wanted to sit down at 5:25...they weren't quite ready. Ok..a bit much for me..but on to the food. First, they have a downstairs menu with 2 appys and 6 entrees, 1 special I believe. Dover sole $55! Fortunately from reading the Yelp reviews I knew they had an upstairs menu that you could request. They don't bother telling you that, which I didn't like, but like I said I knew enough to request it. Way more choices, this is where the chicken that people have reviewed is, and in my opinion the prices were a notch lower. I had a appy portion of pasta Bolognese and the chicken which were both very good. So...this is my second time here in a little over a year, not on my dime again, but I really don't need to go back. Just not a fan of the vibe/attitude I get from this place at all.
(3)
Brian H.
I was getting tired of the Main Line restaurant scene, and with tentative weather causing me not wanting to drive into the city, a spark lit inside my exhausted brain when a friend called me an arrogant bastard, and I said "ahhhhh, the 22oz. Arrogant Bastard sounds wonderful, let's go back to the oft forgotten Savona". It was early in the evening, and getting old is becoming synonymous with eating early, so we thought without a reservation on a Saturday we could sit at the bar. Well low and behold they had tables available on the beautifully furnished patio at that hour, probably awaiting the later younger crowd. This is a 5 star patio, so get comfortable and enjoy the evening air. Dinner again was consistent and consistently very very good. I started with the Tuscan Bean Soup. Rich and full of scrumptious flavor, I wish I skipped my entree and went right to dessert. The entree I chose was the swordfish, served with Roma beans, in a sauce vierge. The swordfish was a small, perfectly medium cooked fish atop the under cooked, slightly tough to chew green beans (and I love my veggies crisp) but the flavors, even with the sauce, although simple and anticipated simple, were just not excellent this time. My friend had a terrific beet salad, full of yummy-ness, and a great size. And for the entree she had the brick chicken, 5 star all the way (see my old review below for a description). Dessert was a lovely 4 star carrot cake, with diced pineapple and small dollops of a semifreddo. Service is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The valet attendants are very kind to the cars, just a tad short of wearing white glove treatment. I just hope I don't need to be called names to remember that Savona is a great go-to place, no matter whether you are early, want to sit at the bar, or plan in advance with reservations.
Just Shoot Me I attended a small group Pharma affair here tonight and can promise you I will never go back. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to do so, and I had to post this right away I was so pissed off! The food was mediocre at best, the arugula bed under my Bronzino was filled with so much sand and small rocks I had to stop eating it for fear of breaking teeth. But the real problem is the management and their failure to intelligently guide the wait staff on how to maintain flow and pace of a meal with a group of 14. We were on a timeline that went a full hour over and most left with no coffee or dessert. Terribly long delays between each stage of the meal, 45 minutes between clearing dinner plates and carrying out desserts which had been ordered 2 hours prior, no coffee 20 minutes after coffee orders were taken, wine that went unfilled for most of the dinner. I left without dessert, confused wait staff wondering why 90% of my group peeled away out of frustration. Oh, and then the 25 minute line after all of that to get my damned car back from the valets, who couldn't find one attendee's car. Fire the chef, the manager, the wait staff, and the valets and start all over: this place used to be good, (food, service, and all) but now it is a painful experience. I'd prefer a hot poker in the eye, thanks! Event planners and Pharma reps: AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE! Your clients will hold you personally responsible for the misery!
(1)
Steve T.
Savona...where have you been my whole life? I knew something special awaited us when we showed up on Tuesday night...late...and the place was packed. Tuesday night after the holidays...packed? Yep. Savona continues to be an upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant that is one of the landmarks on the Main Line, with an emphasis on Abruzzese cuisine. However, Savona is now two concepts in one. In addition to the aforementioned fine dining room, there is also "Bar Savona," which is more of a bistro. We ate in the latter, and this review is limited to Bar Savona. Its been years since I've been there, and the place was completely remodeled about three years ago. What is now even more compelling about Savona is this upscale bar/bistro they've set up, with a separate menu that brings Osteria to the neighborhood and, perhaps, exceeds it. We started off with the fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The second appetizer was the Marco Castro, a margherita pizza with copius amounts of fresh arugula, red onion, and pancetta. Let's now expand the list to 1002 good uses for bacon. Superb. Served with thin crust and fresh ingredients, you will be hard pressed to find a better gourmet pizza. Our dinner entrees were the shrimp fra diabolo, which was served with five jumbo shrimp and homemade pappardelle. While my lady would've preferred it spicier, it was a solid dish. My entree was the pappardelle bolognese, also served with homemade pasta (as is all their pasta) in a meaty bolognese sauce. This was the best presentation of this classic Abruzzese dish I've ever had. If you are venturing to Bar Savona, as you really should, be aware that you will need reservations most nights. Do not even for one second think you will get in on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without one. Not even a made man wearing a silk suite with black shirt and tie flouting $100 tips to the hostess will get you in. There is mandatory valet parking as the on site lot is small. While a bistro concept, it is not inexpensive, but the dishes were all fantastic and, frankly, this may be the best restaurant I've eaten in and certainly matches Sola for nearby dining.
(5)
Peg K.
Fine dining at Savona has roled out "Family Dinner" on Monday nights. Dinner is served family style to one's table, three courses, for $40pp. Both/all parties need to order the set menu. The food is meticulously prepared, delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented; the service is impeccable. The menu changes each week affording the chef the opportunity to show off the creative and expansive talents of the kitchen. Slight adjustments can be made reflecting food allergies, etc. but best to place oneself in the hands of the capable kitchen and enjoy the delights of the evening.
(5)
Ana C.
Horrible experience. Awful service. Spend your money somewhere else that deserves it.
(1)
Emma T.
Savona does everything right: food, service, ambiance, wine. Their pizzas are divine with great flavors and a crispy, thin crust. One pizza comes topped with a perfectly runny egg. The wine sommelier is very knowledgeable and will help you choose a great wine from their cellar. It's a fun place for a nice New Year's Eve dinner. When we went, they had a pink champagne drink specially for the occasion.
(5)
JJ M.
My boss's boss was coming to town so I booked us at Savona. All up, a really fine dining experience, great room, great service, pretty good food. Ambitious, classy, elegant. This was my third attempt to get to Savona. On each of the other two occasions, the traffic was so bad from Malvern to Conshy that we just gave up. So we left extra early and were still 15 minutes late! What a beautiful place! I remember the Picket Post c1978 and the folks at Savona have done a fabulous job creating a destination restaurant. The bar was cute and intimate. The crowd was obviously well heeled, dressed in traditional Main Line preppie style. Folks were dining al fresco on the small patio. We were greeted immediately and made to feel at home, even though we were late. Apps - I had the Sweetbreads, served with a three minute egg, greens and mushrooms. Light and crispy, nicely prepared, a tad salty. My dining companions had the salmon carpaccio and lobster salad. All the plates were beautifully composed, and the lobster salad was spectacular. Entrees - Both my companions had the plancha seared striped bass and scrupulously cleaned their plates. I had Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and eggplant. I ate about half. The scallops were overdone. I wasn't sure if the kitchen was trying to evoke the essence of the sea, but every component of the dish, little scallop boats, frothy eggplant waves, pancetta sun setting, reinforced the tide of salinity that began with my sweetbreads. Dessert was a spectacularly good baked apple wrapped in pastry and topped with icecream and a delicate, beautiful, sugar leaf. Great coffee (La Columbe?). We did not see the cheese trolley, but will look for it next trip. Wine list was really good. We had a nice bottle of Bergstrom PN - yeah I love my Oregon wines. Ok beer list. Pedestrian martini, no onions avaliable :-(. We all enjoyed the amuse bouche before each course. So, if you are out to impress, or to have a really world class dining experience, Savona is as good as I've seen along the Main Line, especially West Conshohoken.
(4)
Edward B.
We have not been to this restaurant in the last 2 years because it was so pretentious and costly. Upon hearing of their new look and menu we decided to give it a second chance. Sadly to say that this experience was a disaster. While at the bar having a drink and deciding what bar food we would order we were informed that the bar and all the bar tables were reserved and that we would have to Leave by 8:00. I can not begin to tell you how upset we became at this ridiculous policy. In all my years in the food service industry I have never heard or encountered a policy like this. It is the most absurd thing I have ever witnessed within a restaurant. Needless to say we left and will never return. We did inform the manager of our feelings and his reaction was one of total indifference.
(1)
Eduardo C.
Savona is a great restaurant (focus on European food and style). We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender (and mix-master) "Papi," who's a character and makes great drinks. Both drinks we ordered were perfect, and Papi's showmanship was greatly appreciated. After we were seated, we were attended very well by a waiter and a wine specialist. Although the menu is a little short (compared to the wine list, which was extravagant), it seems that it changes often. Both meals we ordered were on the spot and the serving was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our dessert and evening, and will continue to go here (budget permitting) for special occasions. They do have special events, like wine tastings and mixed drinks specials throughout the week that we're going to attend. They seem very well priced for these gatherings and what they offer for each event.
(5)
Joe M.
Fantastic dinner at bar Savona. Outstanding pastas at reasonable prices. Try the spag chitarra w ricotta meatballs and the bolognese. An amazing wine list. Helpful, appropriate service. Wonderful!
(5)
Alex S.
I went to Savona for dinner on a Saturday. Was seated in the bar area "outside" as they had no availability inside though the place looked half empty. They didn't mention that the menus are different but I assume the quality of food coming out from the kitchen must be equivalent. The appetizers were underwhelming. The main dish was just OK nothing exquisite. The dessert was fairly mediocre - Olive Garden quality. Nothing special at all. I can think of quite a few places that are at least as good. Not sure what the raving reviews are all about.
(3)
Stu G.
This is a very tough one for me. I'm giving my rating based on many prior meals, last night was not so good. When my wife tells me we are going to Savona, I'm always excited. It is one of my favorite places and it has always been great. I was very disappointed last night, but I'm not going to give them a overall bad rating because sometimes you have to chalk it up to a bad night. The bar area is a bit small, which is why it was surprising that it took a long time for the six of us to get drinks. You always feel like you're in the way of the servers. Everyone is polite, but it was a bit annoying. Wine selection is good by the glass, not out of bounds on price. Mixed drinks were a bit expensive, but tasty. I usually love the pizzas. The one I like the most has an egg that they break on top with sausage...love it. It wasn't on the menu, but our waiter (who was good), said he'd try to see if he could get it since they had the ingredients. Shockingly, he came back and said they wouldn't make it for me. I explained that we didn't get our table on time (45 minutes late) and I really wanted that pizza. He tried again, but no dice. He did speak to the manager and they comped us a bit, so I appreciated the effort. Dinner was average, I had the veal milanese, it was ok. My wife's is much, much better. Her dinner wasn't very good (pork chop), it was dry. Pasta was good, steak was ok. I ran into some friends who hadn't been there before and was sorry I set a high expectation, as they were a bit disappointed as well. Perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen, everything seemed a bit off. Hopefully, it is just a bad night and they will be back on top of their game for next time.
(4)
Michael P.
Excellent food and impeccable service, in a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance on the fine dining side of the house. A more affordable menu with the same ambiance on the bistro side of the house.
(5)
marc g.
We went for drinks and drinks only. I'm not going to comment on the food but your bill for two and wine will be $250. It's jammed and is a typical main line restaurant with pricey cars and a lot of self important people. Anyhow, the bar is completely annoying. There are too many rules regarding who can sit at the bar and the bar tables. Most are reserved for people to eat, yet you stand around in the way of polite servers trying to figure it out. It's not easy to get a drink despite the intimate nature of the bar. Their cocktails are inventive and the food looked great, however, you can do better for the price. A bottle of Monk's sour ale is billed at $16 (I'm not kidding)..this beer is $4 in a bottle shop....that's quite a mark up. I was unimpressed. It's a nice place but this joint thinks it's in Manhattan.
(3)
Diana A.
A local favorite for service and food! After an exhausting search for a great birthday venue, (+20 painful phone calls to local and Philly restaurants) I finally decided to go with Savona's wine cellar. They offered the best menu, space, and service. During the planning process and the night of the event, Savona staff was very professional, pleasant, and constructive. It was a great evening. Thanks, Savona!!
(5)
Tina C.
Savona is Consistently good. Ate some delicious short ribs for $26 and asked for a leftover bag because I had only finished half. The server forgot to give it to me so I left without it. Other than that, we still keep it on our list of favorite Mainline restaurants to take our teenage kids.
(3)
Dave H.
All of our dishes at Savona had an emphasis on presentation. Their staff has an eye for detail. For starters, the complimentary l'amuse bouche (see photos) was a dumpling filled with seafood - it was a promising start to the meal. Our appetizers were also promising. The foie gras was a treat, and a little tougher than I'm used to. (Tough isn't a word I often associate with foie gras, but whatever.) The bouillabaisse was herby and delicious. Our entrees were well-prepared but didn't taste as good as they looked. The Berkshire pork and the halibut were both fine but lacking "oompf" (plain flavor). The pork had great pickles on the side and the halibut had earl grey tea (never seen this before) poured into the bowl as it was delivered to us. Don't get me wrong; their menu is creative and I recommend their tasting menu for the adventurous. Complimentary profiteroles helped close the meal. For dessert, we also ordered the sweet tropical cobbler (vanilla gelato, cinnamon crust, spiced tropical fruit). Service (Adrian, Huey, and others) was wonderful (as-expected for a restaurant of its caliber). The staff paid attention to us and even gave us a tour after the meal (appreciated)! I've been meaning to try out Savona for quite some time. I'm not sure when I would go back (not anytime soon due to the high prices), but I would recommend anyone try it for a special occasion... Mother's Day is coming up!
(4)
Percy N.
Hadn't been back to Savona for a while until last night. The updated sleek modern decor, menus, staff and Chef Drew are great. Though we had a custom menu, we did try a few things from the regular menu which were great. Recommend the pizza, lobster, oysters, ox tail and bread. The efficient yet non-intrusive service is comparable to NYC (dare I say even Per Se?) and if you are looking for wine suggestions, you are in safe hands with well known sommelier Melissa Monosoff. Closest to 3 star dining you will find in the burbs.
(4)
Jeff M.
The food is excellent but is lacks that wow factor that blows you away. It something that is hard to put your finger one. Don't get me wrong I am huge fan of Savona but a little something more could push them into Michelin territory. (Please keep in mind that I am not and do not think I am at the level of an inspector.) I've been here many times and am rarely disappointed. The atmosphere and service is perfectly unpretentious. The wine list is great and mostly affordable with many bottles under $100. Savona has always been accommodating to special request and special occasions. I've never left hungry like I have at many other 'fine' dining establishments. I'd recommend Savona to almost anyone. The one bad experience I've had at Savona was a dinner in the middle of winter when a tropical fruit cobbler desert arrived with fruit far from fresh. I wonder why this was on the menu in January. Highlights include Dover Sole, octopus ravioli in its own ink, frog's legs, the cheese course and chocolate souffle.
(4)
Michael C.
Awesome in every way. I've dined up stairs in Bar Savona twice, but never the formal downstairs. Service is absolutely immaculate. I've never seen such front of the house efficiency. The Bar Savona menu is a little bare, but i've never been less than pleased with the food or the price. There are more than enough specials to make up for the fact that the menu doesn't seem to change very often. I've had the eggplant parm, (which is great, but nothing revolutionary) and the braised shortrib special with brussel sprouts and celeriac (10/10 dish). If I had to complain about something it would be the overuse of pasta on the bar savona menu. That being said, I'm not a big fan of pasta/itilian cuisine but i still love everything they do. On both visits to the restaurant I felt my glass of wine was shorted an oz or two, but it could just be the way the glasses are shaped. I haven't had a cocktail from there in a long time so I can't comment too much on the bar.
(5)
Joseph B.
Avoid the fine dining menu and sit in the bar or on the patio. Bar and bar menu are fantastic but dinner is a crap shoot. Service is great. Dinner rolls were stale. Nothing special about 1st course (tuna tartare or quinoa salad). Pasta dishes are excellent, highly recommend. Duck was undercooked (raw) and rubbery. Fish was good, not great. A small fly ended up in my wine glass. And ended the meal with the kitchen failing twice on souffle preparation so my server refused to bring either to the table (which I appreciated). What a disappointing night for me and my wife. Get it together because I love the bar and bar menu but having serious doubts of patronizing further.
(1)
Statia M.
When I was living in Conshohocken, I used to drive past this restaurant every day. And every day, I'd say to myself "self, you really need to just go already. You know you want to." And I'd say, "you know self, you're right, you DO want to go, but it's one of those places where you don't go by yourself, and it looks a little on the expensive side, and what are you, made of money?" Yeah, the voices in my head, are sometimes not overly reasonable. Then again, when are they reasonable? So, I drove past here every day for nearly two years, and never went. And then I moved away for three years. And then I came back, and while I didn't drive past every day, I would start the same song and dance whenever I did drive by, and I'd say to my husband "we really need to try this place out." And with two kids and lack of sitting, you know how THAT goes. So anyway, a friend of mine had mentioned that they have a Saturday morning cooking class, and I thought that would have been a great idea for my husband, who is the cook in the house. We both enjoy a good meal. So I signed us up. Since this wasn't exactly going to the restaurant for dinner and sitting in the dining room and getting served, my review is a little different. I will say that while the Saturday class was pretty cool (their stove? Oh my god, I am not a fan of cooking, but it's TO DIE FOR), it was more of a cooking demonstration, but it was still a pretty cool experience nonetheless and I would recommend it to anyone, because I actually did learn some new things, even though it wasn't exactly hands on. After we watched/ kind of helped him cook a meal, they brought us down to the wine cellar to eat. It was really great. They served us our lunch and the chef sat down with us. It was a really great experience and the food was good too. They do have two separate menus, one formal dining and one more casual, so if you think you might not be able to afford it, go for their casual menu, of pizza and more pub type fare. The atmosphere will make up for the fact that you're buying a burger instead of filet.
(4)
C Y S.
OK, I decided to give this place a chance again, and I realized that I prefer eating here at the bar vs. the restaurant. It has a much livelier vibe than the dining area. I have frequented the bar here several times over the last 2 years, and I have to say that the service and food are superb. It's a little pretentious, and for me to say it, it's pretty pretentious. But, the drinks are great, the food is extremely well-executed, and I like the small cozy bar. It's typically a middle-aged mainline crowd, but it's not too stuffy They also serve Stumptown coffee, (micro-roasted coffee from Portland) which alone could be a reason to come here.
(4)
Obviously Better T.
The best DOVER SOLE around. I've had dinner over 15 plus times very close to my house, French cuisine does not get much better then this for the area. FYI anyone that complains about food/wine price shouldn't be in there.
(5)
Adam B.
The food here is excellent. The lamb chops with the lamb shoulder is a stand-out entree. And the service is some of the best I've had in a Philadelphia area restaurant.
(5)
Gladys C.
We had an awesome meal here last night - service was fantastic as well as food.
(4)
Steve I.
Celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday here tonight and despite of a few service glitches still believe that Savona deserves the 5 stars for the way they handled the problems. We ordered a bottle of wine with our appetizers and received it promptly. The red wine we ordered with our entrees arrived after we mostly had finished them. They apologized profusely and comped our entire dessert course. As for all other aspects of service it was excellent. We were seated promptly water glasses filled quickly and dishes cleared promptly. The food was outstanding from the pizza margherita to the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella tasted very fresh and probably was made that day. The braised short ribs on polenta was fork tender and very tasty, and the homemade pappardelle bolognese was a big hit with my wife and daughter. All in all a very pleasant way to celebrate our daughter's 30th. I was also surprised to see that the place was packed on a Wednesday night, another good indicator of excellent food and service.
(5)
Amy H.
Love their Friday night wine tastings! Good pizza too
(5)
Ray V.
We were seated upstairs at rhe barsavona right away, the service was great and the food was fantastic. It's a bit pricey but very good. Portions were just right.
(5)
Amy R.
I struggled with the number of stars on this--it wasn't terrible; it was just mediocre which is unacceptable considering the price. My husband and I started the evening in the bar where my husband was served a delicious whiskey sour. We were encouraged. We were seated upstairs and the service was pleasant. My first inkling that this was truly just another suburban restaurant was that our appetizers appeared within a minute of ordering them. Fried zucchini was good but the beat salad was unimpressive with undercooked beets and crappy, grocery store (and not Wegmans!) bought goat cheese. Only a few minutes after those plates were cleared our main courses arrived. I had extremely al dente cavatelli and my husband had under seasoned veal. It wasn't inedible, but, again, for the price I expect much, much better than this. Dessert was nothing special (I can't even remember what it was and dessert is always my favorite part of the meal), but the sommelier did help us find a good wine. After having lived in Philadelphia for many years I am used to even the little mom and pop shops providing excellent service and food for much less money. So it is a bit disappointing to spend $$$ and have a rushed meal of so-so food. If you are looking for Philadelphia-grade service and fare in the suburbs without paying through the nose, skip this one and head to Majolica in Phoenixville.
(2)
Mary M.
I was at Savona for lunch recently. My companion and I were seated on the porch initially. After about 30 minutes, the sun coming through the window along with the heat right next to our chairs made it unbearably hot and our server graciously moved us to the interior dining room. We then went on to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Generous portions of salad for both of us, along with a nice glass of chardonnay. The food was good, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was quiet (it was virtually empty the day we were there). I like a place that's a little more lively, even if it just means a few more occupied tables. I have plans to revisit the restaurant for dinner in the near future.
(2)
Brett M.
My wife and i went to Bar Savona this past Saturday night, in part based on the rave reviews herein. For us, the experience wasnt quite as fabulous. Lets start w the food. It was ok. I suppose in the suburbs of philly, ths is considered fabulous italian. Having grown up in an italian household and having travelled often to italy, this is ok but unremarkable italian food. Maybe youll love it. We didnt. It was a solid B. The point of my review is the "great" service i had read about. ( if the food is 2.5 stars, the service is -1.5, hence my 1-star rating.) its nor that they dont try....they do, they really do. However, we ordered 3 couses -- salads, pizza, pasta, with a drink to start and wine w dinner -- we we out the door 48 minutes after sitting. They cleared my salad plate the second i put my fork down after hovering with the pizza. I had yet to take my third sip of my drink. They cleared my pizza plate while my wife was still eating. Reached across her to give her new silverware while she still had pizza on her plate and food in her mouth, then cleared her plate with a slice left, while she was still chewing, to make room for the rapidly arriving pasta, which we ate with server-ass hanging over our two-top table as the servers rushed the tables to the right and left if us. 48 mins. 3 courses. At least we had a leisurely meal. The couples on either side of us arrived after and left before us. Bar savona = FAST food.
(1)
Larry C.
great food. A bit pricey, so for the same quality food and better price head upstairs to their Savona Bar. Food is the same but slight less choices on the menu. Went there couple of times and the food is very consistent and high quality.
(4)
Martha M.
I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a disappointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expectation of great food. Very low on taste and high on price. I had the filet of sole. It was acceptable but not taste bursting. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert. The pricing at Savona ($250 for the meal for two) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great disappointment.
(2)
Lenny B.
I absolutely Love this place. We have enjoyed this restaurant many times. Thanks
(5)
Emmy K.
I wanted to love this place. Unfortunately the entire experience felt similar to the old Citicard commercial (long wait to get a reservation, great atmosphere, but elf food portions). I admit the service was exceptional...every request was granted with a smile and the ambience was warm. The wine list is extensive, but the menu is limited. When the entrees arrived, we were stunned. While plated beautifully, portions were tiny and the taste was only all right. A majority of our party left the table still hungry. Given the price for Savona, I'd sum up the experience as disappointing.
(3)
J. J.
Very upscale dining experience. Beautifully arranged and unique french food. HUGE beer and wine menu, they even have a really cool wine cellar and original fire places in the establishment. They will even allow vegetarian's to order from the "bar" menu which has alot of italian and risotta dishes. We had a large party of 8 and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. We were celebrating two milestone birthdays and they even prepared the desert on a special dish with " happy birthday" written in chocolate on the dishes (without our request!) It was a unique and superb dining experience and the food was amazing.
(5)
Bella G.
This is by far the best fine dinning option in the burbs. I had 3 wonderful meals here. i feel the Dinning room is a little too stuffy but what would I expect. The bar area is delightful and the cocktails are superb. it can get very crowded on the weekends but i guess thats what happens when you are as good as Savona...and not much competition in the area.
(4)
Charles R.
Actually this review is for Bar Savona. Sat outside after a day of rain and everything was very nice. I've been here a few times, especially in the summer when I can sit on the patio, and always have a good meal. We had the fried artichokes, which I think are a favorite of most people that go there, and the squash blossoms, which were excellent. Dinner we both had the Veal Francese, which was very tender and came with greens in a nice light summer dressing. Had wines by the glass, and while some are a little pricey you can find some that are good without going over the top. $12 a glass is ok, but they have a couple that are $16 and the pours aren't overly generous, so if you both drink the same type of wine I would go with a bottle. I do have one HUGE problem with Savona's pricing of liquor. When you the nerve to charge $23.00 for Oban Scotch, that's a joke. Even top steakhouses downtown charge $16-18. Savona is really gouging people at $23, especially when a bottle costs them $69.00. Whoever the manager is that sets the pricing, this is over the top pricing.
(4)
Steve K.
We loved Savona even before it remodelled itself a couple of years ago however, back then, we reserved it only for special occasions. Now with the choice of "fine dining" or "casual dining" it has become our unconditional favorite restaurant in the entire greater Philly area. The combination of truly great food, wine, decor and service are the best we've experienced... well, anywhere. This praise seems to be shared as reservations are frequently hard to secure on short notice but, nevertheless, the highest reviews are well deserved.
(5)
Lydia B.
We have mixed reviews about Bar-Savona. I really like it... My husband "doesn't think it's that great". I'm pretty obsessed with their brick chicken... I will go back and order it again for sure. The wine pour was minimal, the atmosphere is Business or Uber romantic stuffy. The main dining room has a different menu that is pricey with a wonderful cheese cart. I look forward to going back to this restaurant but I'm not sure I can convince my husband to take me. If you love olives order them on the appetizer menu they give you a huge bowl of them.
(3)
Reid F.
I hadn't eaten here in a long time (since before Yelp), and I always remembered how good it is. Well, I went back recently and was not disappointed. Great service, a good wine list, and excellent food including superb Bolognese. Yummm.
(5)
Bradford G.
I would pay a lot for a great meal, and one will surely do that here, but I wouldn't call it great. There was a time it was better, but these days it just costs more than other better places. I'm not saying you should never go, just that it doesn't top the list. I do like the bar at an off time for a quick cocktail.
(3)
David S.
Savona is one of the very best, period. The service is impeccable. The food has never failed to impress. The ambiance is great and the service is always top-notch. Savona has an amazing wine selection, and a great assortment of drinks. The bartenders are professional and can make anything your little heart desires. The food is delectable, and the menu will never fail to impress. Having eaten here numerous times, everything on the menu will impress and anything featured will blow your mind. If the featured items don't tickle-your-fancy the dover sole is always stellar. Fish is cooked perfectly, served table side, and the sauce is a decadent masterpiece. You are doing yourself a disservice by not eating at Savona.
(5)
NIna L.
I book a private dinner for 10 through Andrea who couldn't have been more gracious or more helpful. The restaurant is lovely and in a beautiful setting. The private dining room was perfect and the service was exceptional. The food was fantastic and being able to choose from both a formal & informal menu was extremely helpful and consumer friendly. The birthday cake was special thanks to the extraordinary efforts on Andrea. I would highly recommend this restaurant from every perspective to one and all. It was wonderful.
(5)
Shari A.
We were taken here by friends of ours who live just a few miles away from the Merion restaurant, which is housed in a very lovely Victorian style home with beautiful and more contemporary furnishings inside. This establishment is long on charm but just a touch short on cuisine...which is why I hesitated and couldn't award four stars. But it is obvious from both the service and the food, that the chef and his staff are trying hard. Overall, we had a wonderful experience here and would return to give it another go. The wine and cocktail list is very nice and there are plenty of options for all tastes. We enjoyed our glasses of rose while our servers described a few specials. I opted for the hamachi crudo with blueberry-lime composta. My husband's charred octopus was spectacular but sadly, I cannot say the same of my appetizer. The small pieces of hamachi were room temperature and on a hot end of summer evening, one would think the raw fish would be served chilled. To me this was a huge misstep since raw fish should be served cool to the touch and with some acid. The lime citrus flavor was obscured by what I can describe only as the filling you might find in a blueberry pie. It was thick and sweet and just didn't pair very well with the hamachi. That said, the Bronzino entree made up for the poorly executed appetizer. It was filleted and cooked to perfection..moist and flakey. And the peppers and onions that accompanied it were very tasty. They accommodated my request for a side order of broccoli rabe which was fine. The duck entree over succotash seemed to be a big hit with my hubby. Dessert was really the star here. We ordered the twice baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting flavor gelato topped with a delectable caramel sauce. The cake was really a loaf of carrot cake..incredibly moist. What was spectacular was the absence of frosting. The gelato that accompanied the cake was the perfect addition to the cake and the sweetness and tartness cream cheese frozen dessert really paired perfectly. Our friends had a sampling of the gelato and the flavors were divine. Even the hot coffee was very good. The front of the restaurant features a trendy bar scene and a lighter menu. There is seating on the patio which is a plus. The service is very professional even if the experience of their young staff shows a little. All in all, a fine dining experience in a cute setting. I would love to return and try some other menu items.
(3)
Joseph B.
Avoid the fine dining menu and sit in the bar or on the patio. Bar and bar menu are fantastic but dinner is a crap shoot. Service is great. Dinner rolls were stale. Nothing special about 1st course (tuna tartare or quinoa salad). Pasta dishes are excellent, highly recommend. Duck was undercooked (raw) and rubbery. Fish was good, not great. A small fly ended up in my wine glass. And ended the meal with the kitchen failing twice on souffle preparation so my server refused to bring either to the table (which I appreciated). What a disappointing night for me and my wife. Get it together because I love the bar and bar menu but having serious doubts of patronizing further.
(1)
Bradford G.
I would pay a lot for a great meal, and one will surely do that here, but I wouldn't call it great. There was a time it was better, but these days it just costs more than other better places. I'm not saying you should never go, just that it doesn't top the list. I do like the bar at an off time for a quick cocktail.
(3)
YelpHatesMe Y.
Very very nice. Recently moved back to the burbs from Philly and have always wanted to try this place. It was very good. Had the octopus. Was a bit slimy for my taste but all in all not that bad. Had the duck breast as the entree and it was phenomenal. The only other duck that I had that was better was from the now defunct Avance. I would definitely get it again. My wife had the scallops and risotto. The scallops were literally cooked perfectly and the risotto they give you is sweet and filling - but may be a gut buster for some. My only cons are that it took quite some time to get my first drink and after that the two scotchs that I asked for they were out of. They did give me a higher quality one though for a cheaper price. I'd still expect a place of this caliber to have ample stock of common drinks. Service was spotty as they had a new guy and there seemed to be a lot of missed communication. The parking lot was full of high end snobby main line cars like Ferraris and Porsche's and Maseratis but don't let that dissuade you. There definitely was a LOT of pretentious conversation going on in this place that certainly made us roll our eyes a lot. I've certainly had nicer dinners in the city but for the burbs this inst a bad place.
(4)
NIna L.
I book a private dinner for 10 through Andrea who couldn't have been more gracious or more helpful. The restaurant is lovely and in a beautiful setting. The private dining room was perfect and the service was exceptional. The food was fantastic and being able to choose from both a formal & informal menu was extremely helpful and consumer friendly. The birthday cake was special thanks to the extraordinary efforts on Andrea. I would highly recommend this restaurant from every perspective to one and all. It was wonderful.
(5)
Lydia B.
We have mixed reviews about Bar-Savona. I really like it... My husband "doesn't think it's that great". I'm pretty obsessed with their brick chicken... I will go back and order it again for sure. The wine pour was minimal, the atmosphere is Business or Uber romantic stuffy. The main dining room has a different menu that is pricey with a wonderful cheese cart. I look forward to going back to this restaurant but I'm not sure I can convince my husband to take me. If you love olives order them on the appetizer menu they give you a huge bowl of them.
(3)
Reid F.
I hadn't eaten here in a long time (since before Yelp), and I always remembered how good it is. Well, I went back recently and was not disappointed. Great service, a good wine list, and excellent food including superb Bolognese. Yummm.
Savona is our favorite restaurant, period. Everything is exceptional. Try the chef's tasting menu. They have an extensive wine cellar as well. Yelp seems to have this restaurant miscategorized. It's a very upscale French influenced restaurant. You pay top dollar, but the whole experience is reliably great so it's totally worth it.
(5)
Matt D.
I ordered a chicken caeser salad for take-out. I received two tins. One tin with wet iceberg lettuce and dressing. The second tin contained a chicken drum. Yes, an actual chicken drum - but accompanied by a plastic fork and knife! I then began the journey of cutting the chicken drum to create my chicken caeser salad myself. Turns out, not only was it too difficult for Savona to create the salad but also too painstaking to cook the chicken! I've added a few pictures for reference.
(1)
David S.
Savona is one of the very best, period. The service is impeccable. The food has never failed to impress. The ambiance is great and the service is always top-notch. Savona has an amazing wine selection, and a great assortment of drinks. The bartenders are professional and can make anything your little heart desires. The food is delectable, and the menu will never fail to impress. Having eaten here numerous times, everything on the menu will impress and anything featured will blow your mind. If the featured items don't tickle-your-fancy the dover sole is always stellar. Fish is cooked perfectly, served table side, and the sauce is a decadent masterpiece. You are doing yourself a disservice by not eating at Savona.
(5)
Rich W.
Took the ole ball and chain here for dinner a few months ago.....EXCELLENT! Food was off the charts good, we had a one-way ticket to flavor town. Upscale dining, minus the "Main Line" pretentiousness. Although we did feel a little out of place at the bar, but the bartenders and staff were cool and made sure we had a pre-dinner cocktail despite the amount of people jammed into the bar :) To start I had the mozzarella di bufala appetizer....fantastic. Very tasty, especially with the pesto sauce on the side! She had (I think) the Caesar salad, and she thought it was excellent. I had the braised short rib, she had the veal milanese with arugula salad. The veal was by far the most exceptional plate you will order. Don't get me wrong my short rib was fantastic, but the veal was out of this world. Can't remember if we got dessert or not, so I can't comment on that....but I'm sure it's incredible. The wine list is a major plus here. Top quality wine, plus they recommend the pairings on the menu....major plus to those of a novice wine drinking status...cough...me....cough. FYI - VALET PARKING ONLY. I didn't know that going in. Not a problem at all, just a heads up. The valets were pretty cool dudes....probably b/c they were closer to my age versus their usual "parental aged" customers. LOL *My only caveat was that we ordered a bottle of wine for the table, and they kept it in a separate location while we ate (no biggie). However, we were told by the end of the dinner that we had drank it all. Not that this was to any surprise, it just didn't feel like we had that many glasses of wine so that rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)
Jason T.
Was introduced to Savona by a business associate here in the Philadelphia area. I was so impressed with the quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The ingredients were noticeably fresh and the flavors were remarkable. Ask for the veal meatballs - even if they're not on the limited menu, they are worth a go as an appetizer. Highly recommend this establishment for authentic Italian cuisine.
(5)
Frank F.
Super good food. Beautiful room. Service was a little weird - a couple of very young teenagers, basically trainees, doing their awkward best. It was ok, more amusing than anything else. The staff did make a big phony spectacle over "presenting the Dover Sole", in its copper skillet, to one person who ordered Dover Sole. Also amusing. But the food was great, and I would definitely go back.
(4)
Bill M.
For fanciful yet unpretentious dining, and a restaurant with a well rounded bar selection and an impressive selection of cheeses on the Main Line; It really doesn't get much better than Savona. I learned that before but it took a successful Mother's Day brunch to rekindle that memory. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Gulph Mills Road, Savona is an intriguing restaurant in an older building with an updated a modernized decor, especially were it counts in the dining room. the bar featured an amicable selection of brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Yards, and Ommegang; as well a a satisfactory cocktail list. But in the tradition of brunch I opted for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary which yielded a subtle spicy kick. Whether it was a cream of goat cheese in a crimini mushroom soup, pecorino romano in a risotto with bacon, or a parmesean reggiano melt in a Tuscan white bean soup; I was really in awe of the ways that cheese was utilized in the menu. And they succeeded in the rare task of opening a monger like me up to some previously unheard of varieties like Creme Royale and a smooth but slightly salty triple creme goat cheese that I really wish I could remember the name of. Overall the farm to table food menu was very thought out and featured some well played twists. The aforementioned mushroom soup might have been the best that I've ever had. And my eggs Benedict with asparagus and a smoked Scottish salmon was one of those rare egg dishes that had me wanting to lick the yolk off my plate. and my mom and dad were satisfied with their blue claw crab scrambled eggs. Really the only flaw to this successful brunch was that it was a brunch menu that they only offered on special occasions like Mother's Day. But it definitely impressed me enough to check them out on a regular dinner or lunch. And they definitely have a variety of other special occasions like cooking classes and beer events.
(5)
Stephen S.
Two stars only because our severs were very nice. Our appetizers took 40 minutes to arrive. While the original story was that the chef did not like the way they turned out, our server admitted the food was dropped. Ok accidents happen, no problem but tell the truth and fix the problem. Neither the manager nor chef came to apologize While I had high hopes based on reviews, the food was good but not overly great. Now it was my first and last time there and only tried couple items so it's a limited opinion but the pompous attitude of the manager sealed the fact I will never go back
(2)
Shari A.
We were taken here by friends of ours who live just a few miles away from the Merion restaurant, which is housed in a very lovely Victorian style home with beautiful and more contemporary furnishings inside. This establishment is long on charm but just a touch short on cuisine...which is why I hesitated and couldn't award four stars. But it is obvious from both the service and the food, that the chef and his staff are trying hard. Overall, we had a wonderful experience here and would return to give it another go. The wine and cocktail list is very nice and there are plenty of options for all tastes. We enjoyed our glasses of rose while our servers described a few specials. I opted for the hamachi crudo with blueberry-lime composta. My husband's charred octopus was spectacular but sadly, I cannot say the same of my appetizer. The small pieces of hamachi were room temperature and on a hot end of summer evening, one would think the raw fish would be served chilled. To me this was a huge misstep since raw fish should be served cool to the touch and with some acid. The lime citrus flavor was obscured by what I can describe only as the filling you might find in a blueberry pie. It was thick and sweet and just didn't pair very well with the hamachi. That said, the Bronzino entree made up for the poorly executed appetizer. It was filleted and cooked to perfection..moist and flakey. And the peppers and onions that accompanied it were very tasty. They accommodated my request for a side order of broccoli rabe which was fine. The duck entree over succotash seemed to be a big hit with my hubby. Dessert was really the star here. We ordered the twice baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting flavor gelato topped with a delectable caramel sauce. The cake was really a loaf of carrot cake..incredibly moist. What was spectacular was the absence of frosting. The gelato that accompanied the cake was the perfect addition to the cake and the sweetness and tartness cream cheese frozen dessert really paired perfectly. Our friends had a sampling of the gelato and the flavors were divine. Even the hot coffee was very good. The front of the restaurant features a trendy bar scene and a lighter menu. There is seating on the patio which is a plus. The service is very professional even if the experience of their young staff shows a little. All in all, a fine dining experience in a cute setting. I would love to return and try some other menu items.
(3)
Alex V.
We went to Savona last week for dinner, and overall it was not well executed. My sardine first course was pretty good, but my wife's grilled octopus was horrible. The octopus was not cooked properly, either the grill temperature was too low, or the fish was just not good. Either way, it was a charred chewy mess. My lobster roll was pretty good but not exceptional by any means, and my wife's scallops were ok but the risotto was overcooked, not seasoned well, and greasy. The service was a bright spot in typical French fashion we were asked several times about our meal, but overall its hard to justify the price of a meal at this place given the amateurish execution and cost per head.
(2)
Danan R.
Part of the appeal of dining here is in the divine food presentation. Every dish has looked fit for at least a Viceroy, if not King. The food itself is quite good. The salmon tartare is very fresh and paired well with a hint of lemon. They were served with these delicious hand-cut fingerling "chips." The foie gras was nice but not the best that I have had. The veal sweetbreads were cooked to the perfect degree of crispiness and very nicely seasoned. The entrees were lovely and some were excellent. The sauteed sole was cooked to perfection in a delicious lemon butter sauce and topped off with pine nuts. It almost looked too pretty to eat. Almost. Nothing can stop me from consuming a plate of good food once it is set in front of me. I also tried the roast rack of lamb, which was very flavorfully seasoned (rosemary, if I recall) and tender, it was served with peas and carrots. The Napolean with banana bread, nutella mouse, and gelato was the perfect finish, although the honey marscarpone crepe does come in a close second. The wine selection is excellent, in particular the Gosset Grande Rose. Love the vintage collection. Service is on par with Le-Bec Fin so it is superb. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants in close proximity to the Main Line. Yes, it is slightly pricey but the ambiance is almost unsurpassed.
(4)
Laurie M.
Our party of six sat down at 6:30 and we finally got up at 10:00. There were only 3, maybe 4 other tables on the entire floor seated. Drinks took forever and after sending my son out to find out where the food was and it finally arrived, some meals were good and others not so. I'm really dis because I'd been given the nod by my manager who ate upstairs and had a lovely meal. Being busy was not the excuse for the kitchen but I will say that when food was served we were smothered with wait staff so something was amiss. Wouldn't recommend this place especially given the prices. I've heard the upstairs is quite good but it's still the same kitchen. And you can't park yourself. Another unnecessary money maker given the small parking lot and not that many patrons!
(2)
Bill F.
What a great place! Food is outstanding! Service is superb! The wine cellar is a great place for groups! Go and enjoy the outdoor dining and fun bar!
(5)
Mark W.
Savona has a fantastic restaurant, and a more casual bar/restaurant called Bar Savona. I have been to the restaurant several times, and am a big fan. I have not yet been to Bar Savona. The restaurant offers good choices, reasonable portions, and an outstanding wine list. Following dinner, there is an excellent cheese trolley that comes table-side, and/or desserts. Savona offers a wine cellar dining room for groups up to 12-16 people. It's a lovely space and very distinctive. During warmer months, the terrace outside of the bar area is open for seating, drinking and dining.
Ate here on a Monday night. First the bar doesn't open till 5:30 pm. We were there a bit early and managed to wangle a drink at 5:15...a nicely made Manhattan. I t felt though like I was imposing upon the bartender. C'mon guys open the bar at 4:30-5:00 pm. How hard is that? Resv was for 5:30. Wanted to sit down at 5:25...they weren't quite ready. Ok..a bit much for me..but on to the food. First, they have a downstairs menu with 2 appys and 6 entrees, 1 special I believe. Dover sole $55! Fortunately from reading the Yelp reviews I knew they had an upstairs menu that you could request. They don't bother telling you that, which I didn't like, but like I said I knew enough to request it. Way more choices, this is where the chicken that people have reviewed is, and in my opinion the prices were a notch lower. I had a appy portion of pasta Bolognese and the chicken which were both very good. So...this is my second time here in a little over a year, not on my dime again, but I really don't need to go back. Just not a fan of the vibe/attitude I get from this place at all.
(3)
Valerie D.
We had a very nice tenth anniversary experience at SAVONA. Its not an inexpensive restaurant at almost $300 a couple including an inexpensive bottle of wine by comparison. (Our bottle was $75 whereas the average bottle was $350 all the way up to $1100) We had a lot of servers who were very attentive to our table. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very attentive but we had an issue with the wine sommelier who had only started two weeks ago. She was a very nice but very inexperienced young girl who truly didn't do her job very well. I specifically said that I cannot drink very sweet wines and when my husband asked her for a choice within his price range she kept pointing to two that she liked in a more expensive range when he kept asking about the other four in his range. When he finally had her comment on the four he specifically stated a few times- (I chimed in as well) that he did NOT want anything sweet. A few minutes later she appeared with a bottle that she recommended and my husband tried it and said that it was very sweet, I tried it and said I didn't care for it and that it was WAY too sweet. She never offered to take it back, she never offered us anything else to replace it and it was of course on our bill. We even left half of the bottle it was so awful and frankly undrinkable. When our dinner was almost done and AFTER we had had dessert, she came over with a sip's worth in a wine glass of another wine she wanted me to try not offering me that wine or offering to substitute it she just said she wanted to show me this one for our next time at Savona. (of course this one was one of the more expensive bottles) I almost wanted to call management the next day but of course realize she is inexperienced and didn't want to get her into trouble. But I was quite annoyed that we had to pay for a bottle that was awful when we both specifically stated numerous times that we wanted a dryer wine and both hated sweet. We did love the risotto and I loved my chilean sea bass, my husband loved his veal shank but again I am not happy with the way we were treated by the sommelier
(3)
Zig Z.
Just Shoot Me I attended a small group Pharma affair here tonight and can promise you I will never go back. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to do so, and I had to post this right away I was so pissed off! The food was mediocre at best, the arugula bed under my Bronzino was filled with so much sand and small rocks I had to stop eating it for fear of breaking teeth. But the real problem is the management and their failure to intelligently guide the wait staff on how to maintain flow and pace of a meal with a group of 14. We were on a timeline that went a full hour over and most left with no coffee or dessert. Terribly long delays between each stage of the meal, 45 minutes between clearing dinner plates and carrying out desserts which had been ordered 2 hours prior, no coffee 20 minutes after coffee orders were taken, wine that went unfilled for most of the dinner. I left without dessert, confused wait staff wondering why 90% of my group peeled away out of frustration. Oh, and then the 25 minute line after all of that to get my damned car back from the valets, who couldn't find one attendee's car. Fire the chef, the manager, the wait staff, and the valets and start all over: this place used to be good, (food, service, and all) but now it is a painful experience. I'd prefer a hot poker in the eye, thanks! Event planners and Pharma reps: AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE! Your clients will hold you personally responsible for the misery!
(1)
Steve T.
Savona...where have you been my whole life? I knew something special awaited us when we showed up on Tuesday night...late...and the place was packed. Tuesday night after the holidays...packed? Yep. Savona continues to be an upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant that is one of the landmarks on the Main Line, with an emphasis on Abruzzese cuisine. However, Savona is now two concepts in one. In addition to the aforementioned fine dining room, there is also "Bar Savona," which is more of a bistro. We ate in the latter, and this review is limited to Bar Savona. Its been years since I've been there, and the place was completely remodeled about three years ago. What is now even more compelling about Savona is this upscale bar/bistro they've set up, with a separate menu that brings Osteria to the neighborhood and, perhaps, exceeds it. We started off with the fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The second appetizer was the Marco Castro, a margherita pizza with copius amounts of fresh arugula, red onion, and pancetta. Let's now expand the list to 1002 good uses for bacon. Superb. Served with thin crust and fresh ingredients, you will be hard pressed to find a better gourmet pizza. Our dinner entrees were the shrimp fra diabolo, which was served with five jumbo shrimp and homemade pappardelle. While my lady would've preferred it spicier, it was a solid dish. My entree was the pappardelle bolognese, also served with homemade pasta (as is all their pasta) in a meaty bolognese sauce. This was the best presentation of this classic Abruzzese dish I've ever had. If you are venturing to Bar Savona, as you really should, be aware that you will need reservations most nights. Do not even for one second think you will get in on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without one. Not even a made man wearing a silk suite with black shirt and tie flouting $100 tips to the hostess will get you in. There is mandatory valet parking as the on site lot is small. While a bistro concept, it is not inexpensive, but the dishes were all fantastic and, frankly, this may be the best restaurant I've eaten in and certainly matches Sola for nearby dining.
(5)
Ana C.
Horrible experience. Awful service. Spend your money somewhere else that deserves it.
(1)
Emma T.
Savona does everything right: food, service, ambiance, wine. Their pizzas are divine with great flavors and a crispy, thin crust. One pizza comes topped with a perfectly runny egg. The wine sommelier is very knowledgeable and will help you choose a great wine from their cellar. It's a fun place for a nice New Year's Eve dinner. When we went, they had a pink champagne drink specially for the occasion.
(5)
JJ M.
My boss's boss was coming to town so I booked us at Savona. All up, a really fine dining experience, great room, great service, pretty good food. Ambitious, classy, elegant. This was my third attempt to get to Savona. On each of the other two occasions, the traffic was so bad from Malvern to Conshy that we just gave up. So we left extra early and were still 15 minutes late! What a beautiful place! I remember the Picket Post c1978 and the folks at Savona have done a fabulous job creating a destination restaurant. The bar was cute and intimate. The crowd was obviously well heeled, dressed in traditional Main Line preppie style. Folks were dining al fresco on the small patio. We were greeted immediately and made to feel at home, even though we were late. Apps - I had the Sweetbreads, served with a three minute egg, greens and mushrooms. Light and crispy, nicely prepared, a tad salty. My dining companions had the salmon carpaccio and lobster salad. All the plates were beautifully composed, and the lobster salad was spectacular. Entrees - Both my companions had the plancha seared striped bass and scrupulously cleaned their plates. I had Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and eggplant. I ate about half. The scallops were overdone. I wasn't sure if the kitchen was trying to evoke the essence of the sea, but every component of the dish, little scallop boats, frothy eggplant waves, pancetta sun setting, reinforced the tide of salinity that began with my sweetbreads. Dessert was a spectacularly good baked apple wrapped in pastry and topped with icecream and a delicate, beautiful, sugar leaf. Great coffee (La Columbe?). We did not see the cheese trolley, but will look for it next trip. Wine list was really good. We had a nice bottle of Bergstrom PN - yeah I love my Oregon wines. Ok beer list. Pedestrian martini, no onions avaliable :-(. We all enjoyed the amuse bouche before each course. So, if you are out to impress, or to have a really world class dining experience, Savona is as good as I've seen along the Main Line, especially West Conshohoken.
I was getting tired of the Main Line restaurant scene, and with tentative weather causing me not wanting to drive into the city, a spark lit inside my exhausted brain when a friend called me an arrogant bastard, and I said "ahhhhh, the 22oz. Arrogant Bastard sounds wonderful, let's go back to the oft forgotten Savona". It was early in the evening, and getting old is becoming synonymous with eating early, so we thought without a reservation on a Saturday we could sit at the bar. Well low and behold they had tables available on the beautifully furnished patio at that hour, probably awaiting the later younger crowd. This is a 5 star patio, so get comfortable and enjoy the evening air. Dinner again was consistent and consistently very very good. I started with the Tuscan Bean Soup. Rich and full of scrumptious flavor, I wish I skipped my entree and went right to dessert. The entree I chose was the swordfish, served with Roma beans, in a sauce vierge. The swordfish was a small, perfectly medium cooked fish atop the under cooked, slightly tough to chew green beans (and I love my veggies crisp) but the flavors, even with the sauce, although simple and anticipated simple, were just not excellent this time. My friend had a terrific beet salad, full of yummy-ness, and a great size. And for the entree she had the brick chicken, 5 star all the way (see my old review below for a description). Dessert was a lovely 4 star carrot cake, with diced pineapple and small dollops of a semifreddo. Service is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The valet attendants are very kind to the cars, just a tad short of wearing white glove treatment. I just hope I don't need to be called names to remember that Savona is a great go-to place, no matter whether you are early, want to sit at the bar, or plan in advance with reservations.
Fine dining at Savona has roled out "Family Dinner" on Monday nights. Dinner is served family style to one's table, three courses, for $40pp. Both/all parties need to order the set menu. The food is meticulously prepared, delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented; the service is impeccable. The menu changes each week affording the chef the opportunity to show off the creative and expansive talents of the kitchen. Slight adjustments can be made reflecting food allergies, etc. but best to place oneself in the hands of the capable kitchen and enjoy the delights of the evening.
(5)
Stu G.
This is a very tough one for me. I'm giving my rating based on many prior meals, last night was not so good. When my wife tells me we are going to Savona, I'm always excited. It is one of my favorite places and it has always been great. I was very disappointed last night, but I'm not going to give them a overall bad rating because sometimes you have to chalk it up to a bad night. The bar area is a bit small, which is why it was surprising that it took a long time for the six of us to get drinks. You always feel like you're in the way of the servers. Everyone is polite, but it was a bit annoying. Wine selection is good by the glass, not out of bounds on price. Mixed drinks were a bit expensive, but tasty. I usually love the pizzas. The one I like the most has an egg that they break on top with sausage...love it. It wasn't on the menu, but our waiter (who was good), said he'd try to see if he could get it since they had the ingredients. Shockingly, he came back and said they wouldn't make it for me. I explained that we didn't get our table on time (45 minutes late) and I really wanted that pizza. He tried again, but no dice. He did speak to the manager and they comped us a bit, so I appreciated the effort. Dinner was average, I had the veal milanese, it was ok. My wife's is much, much better. Her dinner wasn't very good (pork chop), it was dry. Pasta was good, steak was ok. I ran into some friends who hadn't been there before and was sorry I set a high expectation, as they were a bit disappointed as well. Perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen, everything seemed a bit off. Hopefully, it is just a bad night and they will be back on top of their game for next time.
(4)
Michael P.
Excellent food and impeccable service, in a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance on the fine dining side of the house. A more affordable menu with the same ambiance on the bistro side of the house.
(5)
marc g.
We went for drinks and drinks only. I'm not going to comment on the food but your bill for two and wine will be $250. It's jammed and is a typical main line restaurant with pricey cars and a lot of self important people. Anyhow, the bar is completely annoying. There are too many rules regarding who can sit at the bar and the bar tables. Most are reserved for people to eat, yet you stand around in the way of polite servers trying to figure it out. It's not easy to get a drink despite the intimate nature of the bar. Their cocktails are inventive and the food looked great, however, you can do better for the price. A bottle of Monk's sour ale is billed at $16 (I'm not kidding)..this beer is $4 in a bottle shop....that's quite a mark up. I was unimpressed. It's a nice place but this joint thinks it's in Manhattan.
(3)
Diana A.
A local favorite for service and food! After an exhausting search for a great birthday venue, (+20 painful phone calls to local and Philly restaurants) I finally decided to go with Savona's wine cellar. They offered the best menu, space, and service. During the planning process and the night of the event, Savona staff was very professional, pleasant, and constructive. It was a great evening. Thanks, Savona!!
(5)
Tina C.
Savona is Consistently good. Ate some delicious short ribs for $26 and asked for a leftover bag because I had only finished half. The server forgot to give it to me so I left without it. Other than that, we still keep it on our list of favorite Mainline restaurants to take our teenage kids.
(3)
Dave H.
All of our dishes at Savona had an emphasis on presentation. Their staff has an eye for detail. For starters, the complimentary l'amuse bouche (see photos) was a dumpling filled with seafood - it was a promising start to the meal. Our appetizers were also promising. The foie gras was a treat, and a little tougher than I'm used to. (Tough isn't a word I often associate with foie gras, but whatever.) The bouillabaisse was herby and delicious. Our entrees were well-prepared but didn't taste as good as they looked. The Berkshire pork and the halibut were both fine but lacking "oompf" (plain flavor). The pork had great pickles on the side and the halibut had earl grey tea (never seen this before) poured into the bowl as it was delivered to us. Don't get me wrong; their menu is creative and I recommend their tasting menu for the adventurous. Complimentary profiteroles helped close the meal. For dessert, we also ordered the sweet tropical cobbler (vanilla gelato, cinnamon crust, spiced tropical fruit). Service (Adrian, Huey, and others) was wonderful (as-expected for a restaurant of its caliber). The staff paid attention to us and even gave us a tour after the meal (appreciated)! I've been meaning to try out Savona for quite some time. I'm not sure when I would go back (not anytime soon due to the high prices), but I would recommend anyone try it for a special occasion... Mother's Day is coming up!
(4)
Percy N.
Hadn't been back to Savona for a while until last night. The updated sleek modern decor, menus, staff and Chef Drew are great. Though we had a custom menu, we did try a few things from the regular menu which were great. Recommend the pizza, lobster, oysters, ox tail and bread. The efficient yet non-intrusive service is comparable to NYC (dare I say even Per Se?) and if you are looking for wine suggestions, you are in safe hands with well known sommelier Melissa Monosoff. Closest to 3 star dining you will find in the burbs.
(4)
Jeff M.
The food is excellent but is lacks that wow factor that blows you away. It something that is hard to put your finger one. Don't get me wrong I am huge fan of Savona but a little something more could push them into Michelin territory. (Please keep in mind that I am not and do not think I am at the level of an inspector.) I've been here many times and am rarely disappointed. The atmosphere and service is perfectly unpretentious. The wine list is great and mostly affordable with many bottles under $100. Savona has always been accommodating to special request and special occasions. I've never left hungry like I have at many other 'fine' dining establishments. I'd recommend Savona to almost anyone. The one bad experience I've had at Savona was a dinner in the middle of winter when a tropical fruit cobbler desert arrived with fruit far from fresh. I wonder why this was on the menu in January. Highlights include Dover Sole, octopus ravioli in its own ink, frog's legs, the cheese course and chocolate souffle.
(4)
Michael C.
Awesome in every way. I've dined up stairs in Bar Savona twice, but never the formal downstairs. Service is absolutely immaculate. I've never seen such front of the house efficiency. The Bar Savona menu is a little bare, but i've never been less than pleased with the food or the price. There are more than enough specials to make up for the fact that the menu doesn't seem to change very often. I've had the eggplant parm, (which is great, but nothing revolutionary) and the braised shortrib special with brussel sprouts and celeriac (10/10 dish). If I had to complain about something it would be the overuse of pasta on the bar savona menu. That being said, I'm not a big fan of pasta/itilian cuisine but i still love everything they do. On both visits to the restaurant I felt my glass of wine was shorted an oz or two, but it could just be the way the glasses are shaped. I haven't had a cocktail from there in a long time so I can't comment too much on the bar.
(5)
Shannon G.
Ferrari behind me, Porsche in front of me. Yep, we're in Gulph Mills now. We were a little early for our already early reservation, so they had no problem seating us in the sleek, modern dining room. Large wine and beer lists. I had an Allagash White. It was glorious. Asparagus, shaved Mushroom, and a gently poached egg with pancetta vinaigrette. WTF. This was insanely good, one of the most amazingly savory appetizers I've had. Mushrooms and the vinaigrette were perfect together. Wife had the spring vegetable and quinoa salad with homemade cheese and carrot oil. Also really good, just not as good. I was proud of my superior selection. Then we got to the entrees, where everyone lost. Lamb loin was kind of tough and flavor was meh. The poached halibut over white asparagus with pistachio tapenade suffered from the same problem. Hint of pistachio was evident, but it was pretty boring. Presentation was excellent, just wished it tasted as good as it looked though. Parking lot is valet only.
(3)
Amanda J.
The service was excellent, I wish I could remember his name. He was attentive, made great suggestions and really made it a good experience. The food was YUMMY!!! I can't say enough good things about the incredible food!!! We each had a tomato mozzarella salad and split the eggplant napolean. TO DIE FOR :) The wine was tasty and complimented dinner well. Since we were traveling there from Texas we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather in PA. What a wonderful patio!!! A truly serene surrounding with lovely trees. Overall Savona was one of the best places I have ever visited. So why not 5 stars then??? The incredibly RUDE couple who sat next to us, that's why. The patio tables are maybe a foot and a half from each other, fairly tight quarters. This couple was probably in their late 60's and spent the entire time talking about my girlfriend and I. Now, I'll be honest, I couldn't hear EXACTLY what was being said but there was whispering and pointing. So much so that at one point, I did over hear the husband ask "How old do you think that one is" pointing his finger at me while trying to shield it with his other hand, "26 maybe 27?" he hissed across the table to his wife. I had had enough, looked straight at him and answered, "I'm 33" tight lipped smile! His response, "Oh I guess I talk too loudly!" Then THEY had the nerve to act offended as if I had been the rude one!!! They left not too long after, THANK GOODNESS!!! We mentioned the incident to the waiter who laughed and told us they're "V.I.P's" Whatever...we paid, left a nice tip and left. Definitely go eat there but beware of old, gossipy people on the patio!
(4)
John R.
Savona, they name alone just screams class. I was there not long ago for a company Christmas party in the wine cellar. Talk about a jaw dropping sight! The walls are beautifully kept wine racks with exposed brick. And the food, The fillet mignon was perfectly seasoned and seared. The roased shallots complimented the fillet perfectly. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Bella G.
This is by far the best fine dinning option in the burbs. I had 3 wonderful meals here. i feel the Dinning room is a little too stuffy but what would I expect. The bar area is delightful and the cocktails are superb. it can get very crowded on the weekends but i guess thats what happens when you are as good as Savona...and not much competition in the area.
(4)
Charles R.
Actually this review is for Bar Savona. Sat outside after a day of rain and everything was very nice. I've been here a few times, especially in the summer when I can sit on the patio, and always have a good meal. We had the fried artichokes, which I think are a favorite of most people that go there, and the squash blossoms, which were excellent. Dinner we both had the Veal Francese, which was very tender and came with greens in a nice light summer dressing. Had wines by the glass, and while some are a little pricey you can find some that are good without going over the top. $12 a glass is ok, but they have a couple that are $16 and the pours aren't overly generous, so if you both drink the same type of wine I would go with a bottle. I do have one HUGE problem with Savona's pricing of liquor. When you the nerve to charge $23.00 for Oban Scotch, that's a joke. Even top steakhouses downtown charge $16-18. Savona is really gouging people at $23, especially when a bottle costs them $69.00. Whoever the manager is that sets the pricing, this is over the top pricing.
(4)
Brett M.
My wife and i went to Bar Savona this past Saturday night, in part based on the rave reviews herein. For us, the experience wasnt quite as fabulous. Lets start w the food. It was ok. I suppose in the suburbs of philly, ths is considered fabulous italian. Having grown up in an italian household and having travelled often to italy, this is ok but unremarkable italian food. Maybe youll love it. We didnt. It was a solid B. The point of my review is the "great" service i had read about. ( if the food is 2.5 stars, the service is -1.5, hence my 1-star rating.) its nor that they dont try....they do, they really do. However, we ordered 3 couses -- salads, pizza, pasta, with a drink to start and wine w dinner -- we we out the door 48 minutes after sitting. They cleared my salad plate the second i put my fork down after hovering with the pizza. I had yet to take my third sip of my drink. They cleared my pizza plate while my wife was still eating. Reached across her to give her new silverware while she still had pizza on her plate and food in her mouth, then cleared her plate with a slice left, while she was still chewing, to make room for the rapidly arriving pasta, which we ate with server-ass hanging over our two-top table as the servers rushed the tables to the right and left if us. 48 mins. 3 courses. At least we had a leisurely meal. The couples on either side of us arrived after and left before us. Bar savona = FAST food.
(1)
Larry C.
great food. A bit pricey, so for the same quality food and better price head upstairs to their Savona Bar. Food is the same but slight less choices on the menu. Went there couple of times and the food is very consistent and high quality.
(4)
Martha M.
I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a disappointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expectation of great food. Very low on taste and high on price. I had the filet of sole. It was acceptable but not taste bursting. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert. The pricing at Savona ($250 for the meal for two) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great disappointment.
(2)
Lenny B.
I absolutely Love this place. We have enjoyed this restaurant many times. Thanks
(5)
Amy R.
I struggled with the number of stars on this--it wasn't terrible; it was just mediocre which is unacceptable considering the price. My husband and I started the evening in the bar where my husband was served a delicious whiskey sour. We were encouraged. We were seated upstairs and the service was pleasant. My first inkling that this was truly just another suburban restaurant was that our appetizers appeared within a minute of ordering them. Fried zucchini was good but the beat salad was unimpressive with undercooked beets and crappy, grocery store (and not Wegmans!) bought goat cheese. Only a few minutes after those plates were cleared our main courses arrived. I had extremely al dente cavatelli and my husband had under seasoned veal. It wasn't inedible, but, again, for the price I expect much, much better than this. Dessert was nothing special (I can't even remember what it was and dessert is always my favorite part of the meal), but the sommelier did help us find a good wine. After having lived in Philadelphia for many years I am used to even the little mom and pop shops providing excellent service and food for much less money. So it is a bit disappointing to spend $$$ and have a rushed meal of so-so food. If you are looking for Philadelphia-grade service and fare in the suburbs without paying through the nose, skip this one and head to Majolica in Phoenixville.
(2)
Statia M.
When I was living in Conshohocken, I used to drive past this restaurant every day. And every day, I'd say to myself "self, you really need to just go already. You know you want to." And I'd say, "you know self, you're right, you DO want to go, but it's one of those places where you don't go by yourself, and it looks a little on the expensive side, and what are you, made of money?" Yeah, the voices in my head, are sometimes not overly reasonable. Then again, when are they reasonable? So, I drove past here every day for nearly two years, and never went. And then I moved away for three years. And then I came back, and while I didn't drive past every day, I would start the same song and dance whenever I did drive by, and I'd say to my husband "we really need to try this place out." And with two kids and lack of sitting, you know how THAT goes. So anyway, a friend of mine had mentioned that they have a Saturday morning cooking class, and I thought that would have been a great idea for my husband, who is the cook in the house. We both enjoy a good meal. So I signed us up. Since this wasn't exactly going to the restaurant for dinner and sitting in the dining room and getting served, my review is a little different. I will say that while the Saturday class was pretty cool (their stove? Oh my god, I am not a fan of cooking, but it's TO DIE FOR), it was more of a cooking demonstration, but it was still a pretty cool experience nonetheless and I would recommend it to anyone, because I actually did learn some new things, even though it wasn't exactly hands on. After we watched/ kind of helped him cook a meal, they brought us down to the wine cellar to eat. It was really great. They served us our lunch and the chef sat down with us. It was a really great experience and the food was good too. They do have two separate menus, one formal dining and one more casual, so if you think you might not be able to afford it, go for their casual menu, of pizza and more pub type fare. The atmosphere will make up for the fact that you're buying a burger instead of filet.
(4)
C Y S.
OK, I decided to give this place a chance again, and I realized that I prefer eating here at the bar vs. the restaurant. It has a much livelier vibe than the dining area. I have frequented the bar here several times over the last 2 years, and I have to say that the service and food are superb. It's a little pretentious, and for me to say it, it's pretty pretentious. But, the drinks are great, the food is extremely well-executed, and I like the small cozy bar. It's typically a middle-aged mainline crowd, but it's not too stuffy They also serve Stumptown coffee, (micro-roasted coffee from Portland) which alone could be a reason to come here.
(4)
Obviously Better T.
The best DOVER SOLE around. I've had dinner over 15 plus times very close to my house, French cuisine does not get much better then this for the area. FYI anyone that complains about food/wine price shouldn't be in there.
(5)
Adam B.
The food here is excellent. The lamb chops with the lamb shoulder is a stand-out entree. And the service is some of the best I've had in a Philadelphia area restaurant.
(5)
Alex S.
I went to Savona for dinner on a Saturday. Was seated in the bar area "outside" as they had no availability inside though the place looked half empty. They didn't mention that the menus are different but I assume the quality of food coming out from the kitchen must be equivalent. The appetizers were underwhelming. The main dish was just OK nothing exquisite. The dessert was fairly mediocre - Olive Garden quality. Nothing special at all. I can think of quite a few places that are at least as good. Not sure what the raving reviews are all about.
(3)
Steve I.
Celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday here tonight and despite of a few service glitches still believe that Savona deserves the 5 stars for the way they handled the problems. We ordered a bottle of wine with our appetizers and received it promptly. The red wine we ordered with our entrees arrived after we mostly had finished them. They apologized profusely and comped our entire dessert course. As for all other aspects of service it was excellent. We were seated promptly water glasses filled quickly and dishes cleared promptly. The food was outstanding from the pizza margherita to the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella tasted very fresh and probably was made that day. The braised short ribs on polenta was fork tender and very tasty, and the homemade pappardelle bolognese was a big hit with my wife and daughter. All in all a very pleasant way to celebrate our daughter's 30th. I was also surprised to see that the place was packed on a Wednesday night, another good indicator of excellent food and service.
(5)
Amy H.
Love their Friday night wine tastings! Good pizza too
(5)
Ray V.
We were seated upstairs at rhe barsavona right away, the service was great and the food was fantastic. It's a bit pricey but very good. Portions were just right.
(5)
Eduardo C.
Savona is a great restaurant (focus on European food and style). We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender (and mix-master) "Papi," who's a character and makes great drinks. Both drinks we ordered were perfect, and Papi's showmanship was greatly appreciated. After we were seated, we were attended very well by a waiter and a wine specialist. Although the menu is a little short (compared to the wine list, which was extravagant), it seems that it changes often. Both meals we ordered were on the spot and the serving was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our dessert and evening, and will continue to go here (budget permitting) for special occasions. They do have special events, like wine tastings and mixed drinks specials throughout the week that we're going to attend. They seem very well priced for these gatherings and what they offer for each event.
(5)
Joe M.
Fantastic dinner at bar Savona. Outstanding pastas at reasonable prices. Try the spag chitarra w ricotta meatballs and the bolognese. An amazing wine list. Helpful, appropriate service. Wonderful!
(5)
Emmy K.
I wanted to love this place. Unfortunately the entire experience felt similar to the old Citicard commercial (long wait to get a reservation, great atmosphere, but elf food portions). I admit the service was exceptional...every request was granted with a smile and the ambience was warm. The wine list is extensive, but the menu is limited. When the entrees arrived, we were stunned. While plated beautifully, portions were tiny and the taste was only all right. A majority of our party left the table still hungry. Given the price for Savona, I'd sum up the experience as disappointing.
(3)
Mary M.
I was at Savona for lunch recently. My companion and I were seated on the porch initially. After about 30 minutes, the sun coming through the window along with the heat right next to our chairs made it unbearably hot and our server graciously moved us to the interior dining room. We then went on to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Generous portions of salad for both of us, along with a nice glass of chardonnay. The food was good, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was quiet (it was virtually empty the day we were there). I like a place that's a little more lively, even if it just means a few more occupied tables. I have plans to revisit the restaurant for dinner in the near future.
(2)
J. J.
Very upscale dining experience. Beautifully arranged and unique french food. HUGE beer and wine menu, they even have a really cool wine cellar and original fire places in the establishment. They will even allow vegetarian's to order from the "bar" menu which has alot of italian and risotta dishes. We had a large party of 8 and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. We were celebrating two milestone birthdays and they even prepared the desert on a special dish with " happy birthday" written in chocolate on the dishes (without our request!) It was a unique and superb dining experience and the food was amazing.
(5)
Steve K.
We loved Savona even before it remodelled itself a couple of years ago however, back then, we reserved it only for special occasions. Now with the choice of "fine dining" or "casual dining" it has become our unconditional favorite restaurant in the entire greater Philly area. The combination of truly great food, wine, decor and service are the best we've experienced... well, anywhere. This praise seems to be shared as reservations are frequently hard to secure on short notice but, nevertheless, the highest reviews are well deserved.
(5)
Gladys C.
We had an awesome meal here last night - service was fantastic as well as food.
(4)
Edward B.
We have not been to this restaurant in the last 2 years because it was so pretentious and costly. Upon hearing of their new look and menu we decided to give it a second chance. Sadly to say that this experience was a disaster. While at the bar having a drink and deciding what bar food we would order we were informed that the bar and all the bar tables were reserved and that we would have to Leave by 8:00. I can not begin to tell you how upset we became at this ridiculous policy. In all my years in the food service industry I have never heard or encountered a policy like this. It is the most absurd thing I have ever witnessed within a restaurant. Needless to say we left and will never return. We did inform the manager of our feelings and his reaction was one of total indifference.
(1)
Lydia B.
We have mixed reviews about Bar-Savona. I really like it... My husband "doesn't think it's that great". I'm pretty obsessed with their brick chicken... I will go back and order it again for sure. The wine pour was minimal, the atmosphere is Business or Uber romantic stuffy. The main dining room has a different menu that is pricey with a wonderful cheese cart. I look forward to going back to this restaurant but I'm not sure I can convince my husband to take me. If you love olives order them on the appetizer menu they give you a huge bowl of them.
(3)
Reid F.
I hadn't eaten here in a long time (since before Yelp), and I always remembered how good it is. Well, I went back recently and was not disappointed. Great service, a good wine list, and excellent food including superb Bolognese. Yummm.
(5)
Rich W.
Took the ole ball and chain here for dinner a few months ago.....EXCELLENT! Food was off the charts good, we had a one-way ticket to flavor town. Upscale dining, minus the "Main Line" pretentiousness. Although we did feel a little out of place at the bar, but the bartenders and staff were cool and made sure we had a pre-dinner cocktail despite the amount of people jammed into the bar :) To start I had the mozzarella di bufala appetizer....fantastic. Very tasty, especially with the pesto sauce on the side! She had (I think) the Caesar salad, and she thought it was excellent. I had the braised short rib, she had the veal milanese with arugula salad. The veal was by far the most exceptional plate you will order. Don't get me wrong my short rib was fantastic, but the veal was out of this world. Can't remember if we got dessert or not, so I can't comment on that....but I'm sure it's incredible. The wine list is a major plus here. Top quality wine, plus they recommend the pairings on the menu....major plus to those of a novice wine drinking status...cough...me....cough. FYI - VALET PARKING ONLY. I didn't know that going in. Not a problem at all, just a heads up. The valets were pretty cool dudes....probably b/c they were closer to my age versus their usual "parental aged" customers. LOL *My only caveat was that we ordered a bottle of wine for the table, and they kept it in a separate location while we ate (no biggie). However, we were told by the end of the dinner that we had drank it all. Not that this was to any surprise, it just didn't feel like we had that many glasses of wine so that rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)
Jason T.
Was introduced to Savona by a business associate here in the Philadelphia area. I was so impressed with the quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The ingredients were noticeably fresh and the flavors were remarkable. Ask for the veal meatballs - even if they're not on the limited menu, they are worth a go as an appetizer. Highly recommend this establishment for authentic Italian cuisine.
(5)
Frank F.
Super good food. Beautiful room. Service was a little weird - a couple of very young teenagers, basically trainees, doing their awkward best. It was ok, more amusing than anything else. The staff did make a big phony spectacle over "presenting the Dover Sole", in its copper skillet, to one person who ordered Dover Sole. Also amusing. But the food was great, and I would definitely go back.
(4)
Bradford G.
I would pay a lot for a great meal, and one will surely do that here, but I wouldn't call it great. There was a time it was better, but these days it just costs more than other better places. I'm not saying you should never go, just that it doesn't top the list. I do like the bar at an off time for a quick cocktail.
(3)
David S.
Savona is one of the very best, period. The service is impeccable. The food has never failed to impress. The ambiance is great and the service is always top-notch. Savona has an amazing wine selection, and a great assortment of drinks. The bartenders are professional and can make anything your little heart desires. The food is delectable, and the menu will never fail to impress. Having eaten here numerous times, everything on the menu will impress and anything featured will blow your mind. If the featured items don't tickle-your-fancy the dover sole is always stellar. Fish is cooked perfectly, served table side, and the sauce is a decadent masterpiece. You are doing yourself a disservice by not eating at Savona.
(5)
YelpHatesMe Y.
Very very nice. Recently moved back to the burbs from Philly and have always wanted to try this place. It was very good. Had the octopus. Was a bit slimy for my taste but all in all not that bad. Had the duck breast as the entree and it was phenomenal. The only other duck that I had that was better was from the now defunct Avance. I would definitely get it again. My wife had the scallops and risotto. The scallops were literally cooked perfectly and the risotto they give you is sweet and filling - but may be a gut buster for some. My only cons are that it took quite some time to get my first drink and after that the two scotchs that I asked for they were out of. They did give me a higher quality one though for a cheaper price. I'd still expect a place of this caliber to have ample stock of common drinks. Service was spotty as they had a new guy and there seemed to be a lot of missed communication. The parking lot was full of high end snobby main line cars like Ferraris and Porsche's and Maseratis but don't let that dissuade you. There definitely was a LOT of pretentious conversation going on in this place that certainly made us roll our eyes a lot. I've certainly had nicer dinners in the city but for the burbs this inst a bad place.
(4)
NIna L.
I book a private dinner for 10 through Andrea who couldn't have been more gracious or more helpful. The restaurant is lovely and in a beautiful setting. The private dining room was perfect and the service was exceptional. The food was fantastic and being able to choose from both a formal & informal menu was extremely helpful and consumer friendly. The birthday cake was special thanks to the extraordinary efforts on Andrea. I would highly recommend this restaurant from every perspective to one and all. It was wonderful.
(5)
Shari A.
We were taken here by friends of ours who live just a few miles away from the Merion restaurant, which is housed in a very lovely Victorian style home with beautiful and more contemporary furnishings inside. This establishment is long on charm but just a touch short on cuisine...which is why I hesitated and couldn't award four stars. But it is obvious from both the service and the food, that the chef and his staff are trying hard. Overall, we had a wonderful experience here and would return to give it another go. The wine and cocktail list is very nice and there are plenty of options for all tastes. We enjoyed our glasses of rose while our servers described a few specials. I opted for the hamachi crudo with blueberry-lime composta. My husband's charred octopus was spectacular but sadly, I cannot say the same of my appetizer. The small pieces of hamachi were room temperature and on a hot end of summer evening, one would think the raw fish would be served chilled. To me this was a huge misstep since raw fish should be served cool to the touch and with some acid. The lime citrus flavor was obscured by what I can describe only as the filling you might find in a blueberry pie. It was thick and sweet and just didn't pair very well with the hamachi. That said, the Bronzino entree made up for the poorly executed appetizer. It was filleted and cooked to perfection..moist and flakey. And the peppers and onions that accompanied it were very tasty. They accommodated my request for a side order of broccoli rabe which was fine. The duck entree over succotash seemed to be a big hit with my hubby. Dessert was really the star here. We ordered the twice baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting flavor gelato topped with a delectable caramel sauce. The cake was really a loaf of carrot cake..incredibly moist. What was spectacular was the absence of frosting. The gelato that accompanied the cake was the perfect addition to the cake and the sweetness and tartness cream cheese frozen dessert really paired perfectly. Our friends had a sampling of the gelato and the flavors were divine. Even the hot coffee was very good. The front of the restaurant features a trendy bar scene and a lighter menu. There is seating on the patio which is a plus. The service is very professional even if the experience of their young staff shows a little. All in all, a fine dining experience in a cute setting. I would love to return and try some other menu items.
(3)
Alex V.
We went to Savona last week for dinner, and overall it was not well executed. My sardine first course was pretty good, but my wife's grilled octopus was horrible. The octopus was not cooked properly, either the grill temperature was too low, or the fish was just not good. Either way, it was a charred chewy mess. My lobster roll was pretty good but not exceptional by any means, and my wife's scallops were ok but the risotto was overcooked, not seasoned well, and greasy. The service was a bright spot in typical French fashion we were asked several times about our meal, but overall its hard to justify the price of a meal at this place given the amateurish execution and cost per head.
Savona is our favorite restaurant, period. Everything is exceptional. Try the chef's tasting menu. They have an extensive wine cellar as well. Yelp seems to have this restaurant miscategorized. It's a very upscale French influenced restaurant. You pay top dollar, but the whole experience is reliably great so it's totally worth it.
(5)
Matt D.
I ordered a chicken caeser salad for take-out. I received two tins. One tin with wet iceberg lettuce and dressing. The second tin contained a chicken drum. Yes, an actual chicken drum - but accompanied by a plastic fork and knife! I then began the journey of cutting the chicken drum to create my chicken caeser salad myself. Turns out, not only was it too difficult for Savona to create the salad but also too painstaking to cook the chicken! I've added a few pictures for reference.
(1)
Laurie M.
Our party of six sat down at 6:30 and we finally got up at 10:00. There were only 3, maybe 4 other tables on the entire floor seated. Drinks took forever and after sending my son out to find out where the food was and it finally arrived, some meals were good and others not so. I'm really dis because I'd been given the nod by my manager who ate upstairs and had a lovely meal. Being busy was not the excuse for the kitchen but I will say that when food was served we were smothered with wait staff so something was amiss. Wouldn't recommend this place especially given the prices. I've heard the upstairs is quite good but it's still the same kitchen. And you can't park yourself. Another unnecessary money maker given the small parking lot and not that many patrons!
(2)
Valerie D.
We had a very nice tenth anniversary experience at SAVONA. Its not an inexpensive restaurant at almost $300 a couple including an inexpensive bottle of wine by comparison. (Our bottle was $75 whereas the average bottle was $350 all the way up to $1100) We had a lot of servers who were very attentive to our table. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very attentive but we had an issue with the wine sommelier who had only started two weeks ago. She was a very nice but very inexperienced young girl who truly didn't do her job very well. I specifically said that I cannot drink very sweet wines and when my husband asked her for a choice within his price range she kept pointing to two that she liked in a more expensive range when he kept asking about the other four in his range. When he finally had her comment on the four he specifically stated a few times- (I chimed in as well) that he did NOT want anything sweet. A few minutes later she appeared with a bottle that she recommended and my husband tried it and said that it was very sweet, I tried it and said I didn't care for it and that it was WAY too sweet. She never offered to take it back, she never offered us anything else to replace it and it was of course on our bill. We even left half of the bottle it was so awful and frankly undrinkable. When our dinner was almost done and AFTER we had had dessert, she came over with a sip's worth in a wine glass of another wine she wanted me to try not offering me that wine or offering to substitute it she just said she wanted to show me this one for our next time at Savona. (of course this one was one of the more expensive bottles) I almost wanted to call management the next day but of course realize she is inexperienced and didn't want to get her into trouble. But I was quite annoyed that we had to pay for a bottle that was awful when we both specifically stated numerous times that we wanted a dryer wine and both hated sweet. We did love the risotto and I loved my chilean sea bass, my husband loved his veal shank but again I am not happy with the way we were treated by the sommelier
(3)
Brian H.
I was getting tired of the Main Line restaurant scene, and with tentative weather causing me not wanting to drive into the city, a spark lit inside my exhausted brain when a friend called me an arrogant bastard, and I said "ahhhhh, the 22oz. Arrogant Bastard sounds wonderful, let's go back to the oft forgotten Savona". It was early in the evening, and getting old is becoming synonymous with eating early, so we thought without a reservation on a Saturday we could sit at the bar. Well low and behold they had tables available on the beautifully furnished patio at that hour, probably awaiting the later younger crowd. This is a 5 star patio, so get comfortable and enjoy the evening air. Dinner again was consistent and consistently very very good. I started with the Tuscan Bean Soup. Rich and full of scrumptious flavor, I wish I skipped my entree and went right to dessert. The entree I chose was the swordfish, served with Roma beans, in a sauce vierge. The swordfish was a small, perfectly medium cooked fish atop the under cooked, slightly tough to chew green beans (and I love my veggies crisp) but the flavors, even with the sauce, although simple and anticipated simple, were just not excellent this time. My friend had a terrific beet salad, full of yummy-ness, and a great size. And for the entree she had the brick chicken, 5 star all the way (see my old review below for a description). Dessert was a lovely 4 star carrot cake, with diced pineapple and small dollops of a semifreddo. Service is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The valet attendants are very kind to the cars, just a tad short of wearing white glove treatment. I just hope I don't need to be called names to remember that Savona is a great go-to place, no matter whether you are early, want to sit at the bar, or plan in advance with reservations.
(4)
Stephen S.
Two stars only because our severs were very nice. Our appetizers took 40 minutes to arrive. While the original story was that the chef did not like the way they turned out, our server admitted the food was dropped. Ok accidents happen, no problem but tell the truth and fix the problem. Neither the manager nor chef came to apologize While I had high hopes based on reviews, the food was good but not overly great. Now it was my first and last time there and only tried couple items so it's a limited opinion but the pompous attitude of the manager sealed the fact I will never go back
(2)
Bill M.
For fanciful yet unpretentious dining, and a restaurant with a well rounded bar selection and an impressive selection of cheeses on the Main Line; It really doesn't get much better than Savona. I learned that before but it took a successful Mother's Day brunch to rekindle that memory. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Gulph Mills Road, Savona is an intriguing restaurant in an older building with an updated a modernized decor, especially were it counts in the dining room. the bar featured an amicable selection of brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Yards, and Ommegang; as well a a satisfactory cocktail list. But in the tradition of brunch I opted for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary which yielded a subtle spicy kick. Whether it was a cream of goat cheese in a crimini mushroom soup, pecorino romano in a risotto with bacon, or a parmesean reggiano melt in a Tuscan white bean soup; I was really in awe of the ways that cheese was utilized in the menu. And they succeeded in the rare task of opening a monger like me up to some previously unheard of varieties like Creme Royale and a smooth but slightly salty triple creme goat cheese that I really wish I could remember the name of. Overall the farm to table food menu was very thought out and featured some well played twists. The aforementioned mushroom soup might have been the best that I've ever had. And my eggs Benedict with asparagus and a smoked Scottish salmon was one of those rare egg dishes that had me wanting to lick the yolk off my plate. and my mom and dad were satisfied with their blue claw crab scrambled eggs. Really the only flaw to this successful brunch was that it was a brunch menu that they only offered on special occasions like Mother's Day. But it definitely impressed me enough to check them out on a regular dinner or lunch. And they definitely have a variety of other special occasions like cooking classes and beer events.
Ate here on a Monday night. First the bar doesn't open till 5:30 pm. We were there a bit early and managed to wangle a drink at 5:15...a nicely made Manhattan. I t felt though like I was imposing upon the bartender. C'mon guys open the bar at 4:30-5:00 pm. How hard is that? Resv was for 5:30. Wanted to sit down at 5:25...they weren't quite ready. Ok..a bit much for me..but on to the food. First, they have a downstairs menu with 2 appys and 6 entrees, 1 special I believe. Dover sole $55! Fortunately from reading the Yelp reviews I knew they had an upstairs menu that you could request. They don't bother telling you that, which I didn't like, but like I said I knew enough to request it. Way more choices, this is where the chicken that people have reviewed is, and in my opinion the prices were a notch lower. I had a appy portion of pasta Bolognese and the chicken which were both very good. So...this is my second time here in a little over a year, not on my dime again, but I really don't need to go back. Just not a fan of the vibe/attitude I get from this place at all.
(3)
Steve K.
We loved Savona even before it remodelled itself a couple of years ago however, back then, we reserved it only for special occasions. Now with the choice of "fine dining" or "casual dining" it has become our unconditional favorite restaurant in the entire greater Philly area. The combination of truly great food, wine, decor and service are the best we've experienced... well, anywhere. This praise seems to be shared as reservations are frequently hard to secure on short notice but, nevertheless, the highest reviews are well deserved.
(5)
Gladys C.
We had an awesome meal here last night - service was fantastic as well as food.
(4)
Edward B.
We have not been to this restaurant in the last 2 years because it was so pretentious and costly. Upon hearing of their new look and menu we decided to give it a second chance. Sadly to say that this experience was a disaster. While at the bar having a drink and deciding what bar food we would order we were informed that the bar and all the bar tables were reserved and that we would have to Leave by 8:00. I can not begin to tell you how upset we became at this ridiculous policy. In all my years in the food service industry I have never heard or encountered a policy like this. It is the most absurd thing I have ever witnessed within a restaurant. Needless to say we left and will never return. We did inform the manager of our feelings and his reaction was one of total indifference.
Just Shoot Me I attended a small group Pharma affair here tonight and can promise you I will never go back. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to do so, and I had to post this right away I was so pissed off! The food was mediocre at best, the arugula bed under my Bronzino was filled with so much sand and small rocks I had to stop eating it for fear of breaking teeth. But the real problem is the management and their failure to intelligently guide the wait staff on how to maintain flow and pace of a meal with a group of 14. We were on a timeline that went a full hour over and most left with no coffee or dessert. Terribly long delays between each stage of the meal, 45 minutes between clearing dinner plates and carrying out desserts which had been ordered 2 hours prior, no coffee 20 minutes after coffee orders were taken, wine that went unfilled for most of the dinner. I left without dessert, confused wait staff wondering why 90% of my group peeled away out of frustration. Oh, and then the 25 minute line after all of that to get my damned car back from the valets, who couldn't find one attendee's car. Fire the chef, the manager, the wait staff, and the valets and start all over: this place used to be good, (food, service, and all) but now it is a painful experience. I'd prefer a hot poker in the eye, thanks! Event planners and Pharma reps: AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE! Your clients will hold you personally responsible for the misery!
(1)
Steve T.
Savona...where have you been my whole life? I knew something special awaited us when we showed up on Tuesday night...late...and the place was packed. Tuesday night after the holidays...packed? Yep. Savona continues to be an upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant that is one of the landmarks on the Main Line, with an emphasis on Abruzzese cuisine. However, Savona is now two concepts in one. In addition to the aforementioned fine dining room, there is also "Bar Savona," which is more of a bistro. We ate in the latter, and this review is limited to Bar Savona. Its been years since I've been there, and the place was completely remodeled about three years ago. What is now even more compelling about Savona is this upscale bar/bistro they've set up, with a separate menu that brings Osteria to the neighborhood and, perhaps, exceeds it. We started off with the fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The second appetizer was the Marco Castro, a margherita pizza with copius amounts of fresh arugula, red onion, and pancetta. Let's now expand the list to 1002 good uses for bacon. Superb. Served with thin crust and fresh ingredients, you will be hard pressed to find a better gourmet pizza. Our dinner entrees were the shrimp fra diabolo, which was served with five jumbo shrimp and homemade pappardelle. While my lady would've preferred it spicier, it was a solid dish. My entree was the pappardelle bolognese, also served with homemade pasta (as is all their pasta) in a meaty bolognese sauce. This was the best presentation of this classic Abruzzese dish I've ever had. If you are venturing to Bar Savona, as you really should, be aware that you will need reservations most nights. Do not even for one second think you will get in on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without one. Not even a made man wearing a silk suite with black shirt and tie flouting $100 tips to the hostess will get you in. There is mandatory valet parking as the on site lot is small. While a bistro concept, it is not inexpensive, but the dishes were all fantastic and, frankly, this may be the best restaurant I've eaten in and certainly matches Sola for nearby dining.
(5)
Peg K.
Fine dining at Savona has roled out "Family Dinner" on Monday nights. Dinner is served family style to one's table, three courses, for $40pp. Both/all parties need to order the set menu. The food is meticulously prepared, delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented; the service is impeccable. The menu changes each week affording the chef the opportunity to show off the creative and expansive talents of the kitchen. Slight adjustments can be made reflecting food allergies, etc. but best to place oneself in the hands of the capable kitchen and enjoy the delights of the evening.
(5)
Ana C.
Horrible experience. Awful service. Spend your money somewhere else that deserves it.
(1)
Emma T.
Savona does everything right: food, service, ambiance, wine. Their pizzas are divine with great flavors and a crispy, thin crust. One pizza comes topped with a perfectly runny egg. The wine sommelier is very knowledgeable and will help you choose a great wine from their cellar. It's a fun place for a nice New Year's Eve dinner. When we went, they had a pink champagne drink specially for the occasion.
(5)
JJ M.
My boss's boss was coming to town so I booked us at Savona. All up, a really fine dining experience, great room, great service, pretty good food. Ambitious, classy, elegant. This was my third attempt to get to Savona. On each of the other two occasions, the traffic was so bad from Malvern to Conshy that we just gave up. So we left extra early and were still 15 minutes late! What a beautiful place! I remember the Picket Post c1978 and the folks at Savona have done a fabulous job creating a destination restaurant. The bar was cute and intimate. The crowd was obviously well heeled, dressed in traditional Main Line preppie style. Folks were dining al fresco on the small patio. We were greeted immediately and made to feel at home, even though we were late. Apps - I had the Sweetbreads, served with a three minute egg, greens and mushrooms. Light and crispy, nicely prepared, a tad salty. My dining companions had the salmon carpaccio and lobster salad. All the plates were beautifully composed, and the lobster salad was spectacular. Entrees - Both my companions had the plancha seared striped bass and scrupulously cleaned their plates. I had Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and eggplant. I ate about half. The scallops were overdone. I wasn't sure if the kitchen was trying to evoke the essence of the sea, but every component of the dish, little scallop boats, frothy eggplant waves, pancetta sun setting, reinforced the tide of salinity that began with my sweetbreads. Dessert was a spectacularly good baked apple wrapped in pastry and topped with icecream and a delicate, beautiful, sugar leaf. Great coffee (La Columbe?). We did not see the cheese trolley, but will look for it next trip. Wine list was really good. We had a nice bottle of Bergstrom PN - yeah I love my Oregon wines. Ok beer list. Pedestrian martini, no onions avaliable :-(. We all enjoyed the amuse bouche before each course. So, if you are out to impress, or to have a really world class dining experience, Savona is as good as I've seen along the Main Line, especially West Conshohoken.
(4)
Bill F.
What a great place! Food is outstanding! Service is superb! The wine cellar is a great place for groups! Go and enjoy the outdoor dining and fun bar!
(5)
Mark W.
Savona has a fantastic restaurant, and a more casual bar/restaurant called Bar Savona. I have been to the restaurant several times, and am a big fan. I have not yet been to Bar Savona. The restaurant offers good choices, reasonable portions, and an outstanding wine list. Following dinner, there is an excellent cheese trolley that comes table-side, and/or desserts. Savona offers a wine cellar dining room for groups up to 12-16 people. It's a lovely space and very distinctive. During warmer months, the terrace outside of the bar area is open for seating, drinking and dining.
Part of the appeal of dining here is in the divine food presentation. Every dish has looked fit for at least a Viceroy, if not King. The food itself is quite good. The salmon tartare is very fresh and paired well with a hint of lemon. They were served with these delicious hand-cut fingerling "chips." The foie gras was nice but not the best that I have had. The veal sweetbreads were cooked to the perfect degree of crispiness and very nicely seasoned. The entrees were lovely and some were excellent. The sauteed sole was cooked to perfection in a delicious lemon butter sauce and topped off with pine nuts. It almost looked too pretty to eat. Almost. Nothing can stop me from consuming a plate of good food once it is set in front of me. I also tried the roast rack of lamb, which was very flavorfully seasoned (rosemary, if I recall) and tender, it was served with peas and carrots. The Napolean with banana bread, nutella mouse, and gelato was the perfect finish, although the honey marscarpone crepe does come in a close second. The wine selection is excellent, in particular the Gosset Grande Rose. Love the vintage collection. Service is on par with Le-Bec Fin so it is superb. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants in close proximity to the Main Line. Yes, it is slightly pricey but the ambiance is almost unsurpassed.
(4)
Stu G.
This is a very tough one for me. I'm giving my rating based on many prior meals, last night was not so good. When my wife tells me we are going to Savona, I'm always excited. It is one of my favorite places and it has always been great. I was very disappointed last night, but I'm not going to give them a overall bad rating because sometimes you have to chalk it up to a bad night. The bar area is a bit small, which is why it was surprising that it took a long time for the six of us to get drinks. You always feel like you're in the way of the servers. Everyone is polite, but it was a bit annoying. Wine selection is good by the glass, not out of bounds on price. Mixed drinks were a bit expensive, but tasty. I usually love the pizzas. The one I like the most has an egg that they break on top with sausage...love it. It wasn't on the menu, but our waiter (who was good), said he'd try to see if he could get it since they had the ingredients. Shockingly, he came back and said they wouldn't make it for me. I explained that we didn't get our table on time (45 minutes late) and I really wanted that pizza. He tried again, but no dice. He did speak to the manager and they comped us a bit, so I appreciated the effort. Dinner was average, I had the veal milanese, it was ok. My wife's is much, much better. Her dinner wasn't very good (pork chop), it was dry. Pasta was good, steak was ok. I ran into some friends who hadn't been there before and was sorry I set a high expectation, as they were a bit disappointed as well. Perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen, everything seemed a bit off. Hopefully, it is just a bad night and they will be back on top of their game for next time.
(4)
Michael P.
Excellent food and impeccable service, in a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance on the fine dining side of the house. A more affordable menu with the same ambiance on the bistro side of the house.
(5)
marc g.
We went for drinks and drinks only. I'm not going to comment on the food but your bill for two and wine will be $250. It's jammed and is a typical main line restaurant with pricey cars and a lot of self important people. Anyhow, the bar is completely annoying. There are too many rules regarding who can sit at the bar and the bar tables. Most are reserved for people to eat, yet you stand around in the way of polite servers trying to figure it out. It's not easy to get a drink despite the intimate nature of the bar. Their cocktails are inventive and the food looked great, however, you can do better for the price. A bottle of Monk's sour ale is billed at $16 (I'm not kidding)..this beer is $4 in a bottle shop....that's quite a mark up. I was unimpressed. It's a nice place but this joint thinks it's in Manhattan.
(3)
Diana A.
A local favorite for service and food! After an exhausting search for a great birthday venue, (+20 painful phone calls to local and Philly restaurants) I finally decided to go with Savona's wine cellar. They offered the best menu, space, and service. During the planning process and the night of the event, Savona staff was very professional, pleasant, and constructive. It was a great evening. Thanks, Savona!!
(5)
Tina C.
Savona is Consistently good. Ate some delicious short ribs for $26 and asked for a leftover bag because I had only finished half. The server forgot to give it to me so I left without it. Other than that, we still keep it on our list of favorite Mainline restaurants to take our teenage kids.
(3)
Dave H.
All of our dishes at Savona had an emphasis on presentation. Their staff has an eye for detail. For starters, the complimentary l'amuse bouche (see photos) was a dumpling filled with seafood - it was a promising start to the meal. Our appetizers were also promising. The foie gras was a treat, and a little tougher than I'm used to. (Tough isn't a word I often associate with foie gras, but whatever.) The bouillabaisse was herby and delicious. Our entrees were well-prepared but didn't taste as good as they looked. The Berkshire pork and the halibut were both fine but lacking "oompf" (plain flavor). The pork had great pickles on the side and the halibut had earl grey tea (never seen this before) poured into the bowl as it was delivered to us. Don't get me wrong; their menu is creative and I recommend their tasting menu for the adventurous. Complimentary profiteroles helped close the meal. For dessert, we also ordered the sweet tropical cobbler (vanilla gelato, cinnamon crust, spiced tropical fruit). Service (Adrian, Huey, and others) was wonderful (as-expected for a restaurant of its caliber). The staff paid attention to us and even gave us a tour after the meal (appreciated)! I've been meaning to try out Savona for quite some time. I'm not sure when I would go back (not anytime soon due to the high prices), but I would recommend anyone try it for a special occasion... Mother's Day is coming up!
(4)
Percy N.
Hadn't been back to Savona for a while until last night. The updated sleek modern decor, menus, staff and Chef Drew are great. Though we had a custom menu, we did try a few things from the regular menu which were great. Recommend the pizza, lobster, oysters, ox tail and bread. The efficient yet non-intrusive service is comparable to NYC (dare I say even Per Se?) and if you are looking for wine suggestions, you are in safe hands with well known sommelier Melissa Monosoff. Closest to 3 star dining you will find in the burbs.
(4)
Jeff M.
The food is excellent but is lacks that wow factor that blows you away. It something that is hard to put your finger one. Don't get me wrong I am huge fan of Savona but a little something more could push them into Michelin territory. (Please keep in mind that I am not and do not think I am at the level of an inspector.) I've been here many times and am rarely disappointed. The atmosphere and service is perfectly unpretentious. The wine list is great and mostly affordable with many bottles under $100. Savona has always been accommodating to special request and special occasions. I've never left hungry like I have at many other 'fine' dining establishments. I'd recommend Savona to almost anyone. The one bad experience I've had at Savona was a dinner in the middle of winter when a tropical fruit cobbler desert arrived with fruit far from fresh. I wonder why this was on the menu in January. Highlights include Dover Sole, octopus ravioli in its own ink, frog's legs, the cheese course and chocolate souffle.
(4)
Michael C.
Awesome in every way. I've dined up stairs in Bar Savona twice, but never the formal downstairs. Service is absolutely immaculate. I've never seen such front of the house efficiency. The Bar Savona menu is a little bare, but i've never been less than pleased with the food or the price. There are more than enough specials to make up for the fact that the menu doesn't seem to change very often. I've had the eggplant parm, (which is great, but nothing revolutionary) and the braised shortrib special with brussel sprouts and celeriac (10/10 dish). If I had to complain about something it would be the overuse of pasta on the bar savona menu. That being said, I'm not a big fan of pasta/itilian cuisine but i still love everything they do. On both visits to the restaurant I felt my glass of wine was shorted an oz or two, but it could just be the way the glasses are shaped. I haven't had a cocktail from there in a long time so I can't comment too much on the bar.
(5)
Joseph B.
Avoid the fine dining menu and sit in the bar or on the patio. Bar and bar menu are fantastic but dinner is a crap shoot. Service is great. Dinner rolls were stale. Nothing special about 1st course (tuna tartare or quinoa salad). Pasta dishes are excellent, highly recommend. Duck was undercooked (raw) and rubbery. Fish was good, not great. A small fly ended up in my wine glass. And ended the meal with the kitchen failing twice on souffle preparation so my server refused to bring either to the table (which I appreciated). What a disappointing night for me and my wife. Get it together because I love the bar and bar menu but having serious doubts of patronizing further.
(1)
Shannon G.
Ferrari behind me, Porsche in front of me. Yep, we're in Gulph Mills now. We were a little early for our already early reservation, so they had no problem seating us in the sleek, modern dining room. Large wine and beer lists. I had an Allagash White. It was glorious. Asparagus, shaved Mushroom, and a gently poached egg with pancetta vinaigrette. WTF. This was insanely good, one of the most amazingly savory appetizers I've had. Mushrooms and the vinaigrette were perfect together. Wife had the spring vegetable and quinoa salad with homemade cheese and carrot oil. Also really good, just not as good. I was proud of my superior selection. Then we got to the entrees, where everyone lost. Lamb loin was kind of tough and flavor was meh. The poached halibut over white asparagus with pistachio tapenade suffered from the same problem. Hint of pistachio was evident, but it was pretty boring. Presentation was excellent, just wished it tasted as good as it looked though. Parking lot is valet only.
(3)
Amanda J.
The service was excellent, I wish I could remember his name. He was attentive, made great suggestions and really made it a good experience. The food was YUMMY!!! I can't say enough good things about the incredible food!!! We each had a tomato mozzarella salad and split the eggplant napolean. TO DIE FOR :) The wine was tasty and complimented dinner well. Since we were traveling there from Texas we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather in PA. What a wonderful patio!!! A truly serene surrounding with lovely trees. Overall Savona was one of the best places I have ever visited. So why not 5 stars then??? The incredibly RUDE couple who sat next to us, that's why. The patio tables are maybe a foot and a half from each other, fairly tight quarters. This couple was probably in their late 60's and spent the entire time talking about my girlfriend and I. Now, I'll be honest, I couldn't hear EXACTLY what was being said but there was whispering and pointing. So much so that at one point, I did over hear the husband ask "How old do you think that one is" pointing his finger at me while trying to shield it with his other hand, "26 maybe 27?" he hissed across the table to his wife. I had had enough, looked straight at him and answered, "I'm 33" tight lipped smile! His response, "Oh I guess I talk too loudly!" Then THEY had the nerve to act offended as if I had been the rude one!!! They left not too long after, THANK GOODNESS!!! We mentioned the incident to the waiter who laughed and told us they're "V.I.P's" Whatever...we paid, left a nice tip and left. Definitely go eat there but beware of old, gossipy people on the patio!
(4)
John R.
Savona, they name alone just screams class. I was there not long ago for a company Christmas party in the wine cellar. Talk about a jaw dropping sight! The walls are beautifully kept wine racks with exposed brick. And the food, The fillet mignon was perfectly seasoned and seared. The roased shallots complimented the fillet perfectly. Overall a great experience.
(4)
Bella G.
This is by far the best fine dinning option in the burbs. I had 3 wonderful meals here. i feel the Dinning room is a little too stuffy but what would I expect. The bar area is delightful and the cocktails are superb. it can get very crowded on the weekends but i guess thats what happens when you are as good as Savona...and not much competition in the area.
(4)
Charles R.
Actually this review is for Bar Savona. Sat outside after a day of rain and everything was very nice. I've been here a few times, especially in the summer when I can sit on the patio, and always have a good meal. We had the fried artichokes, which I think are a favorite of most people that go there, and the squash blossoms, which were excellent. Dinner we both had the Veal Francese, which was very tender and came with greens in a nice light summer dressing. Had wines by the glass, and while some are a little pricey you can find some that are good without going over the top. $12 a glass is ok, but they have a couple that are $16 and the pours aren't overly generous, so if you both drink the same type of wine I would go with a bottle. I do have one HUGE problem with Savona's pricing of liquor. When you the nerve to charge $23.00 for Oban Scotch, that's a joke. Even top steakhouses downtown charge $16-18. Savona is really gouging people at $23, especially when a bottle costs them $69.00. Whoever the manager is that sets the pricing, this is over the top pricing.
(4)
Statia M.
When I was living in Conshohocken, I used to drive past this restaurant every day. And every day, I'd say to myself "self, you really need to just go already. You know you want to." And I'd say, "you know self, you're right, you DO want to go, but it's one of those places where you don't go by yourself, and it looks a little on the expensive side, and what are you, made of money?" Yeah, the voices in my head, are sometimes not overly reasonable. Then again, when are they reasonable? So, I drove past here every day for nearly two years, and never went. And then I moved away for three years. And then I came back, and while I didn't drive past every day, I would start the same song and dance whenever I did drive by, and I'd say to my husband "we really need to try this place out." And with two kids and lack of sitting, you know how THAT goes. So anyway, a friend of mine had mentioned that they have a Saturday morning cooking class, and I thought that would have been a great idea for my husband, who is the cook in the house. We both enjoy a good meal. So I signed us up. Since this wasn't exactly going to the restaurant for dinner and sitting in the dining room and getting served, my review is a little different. I will say that while the Saturday class was pretty cool (their stove? Oh my god, I am not a fan of cooking, but it's TO DIE FOR), it was more of a cooking demonstration, but it was still a pretty cool experience nonetheless and I would recommend it to anyone, because I actually did learn some new things, even though it wasn't exactly hands on. After we watched/ kind of helped him cook a meal, they brought us down to the wine cellar to eat. It was really great. They served us our lunch and the chef sat down with us. It was a really great experience and the food was good too. They do have two separate menus, one formal dining and one more casual, so if you think you might not be able to afford it, go for their casual menu, of pizza and more pub type fare. The atmosphere will make up for the fact that you're buying a burger instead of filet.
(4)
C Y S.
OK, I decided to give this place a chance again, and I realized that I prefer eating here at the bar vs. the restaurant. It has a much livelier vibe than the dining area. I have frequented the bar here several times over the last 2 years, and I have to say that the service and food are superb. It's a little pretentious, and for me to say it, it's pretty pretentious. But, the drinks are great, the food is extremely well-executed, and I like the small cozy bar. It's typically a middle-aged mainline crowd, but it's not too stuffy They also serve Stumptown coffee, (micro-roasted coffee from Portland) which alone could be a reason to come here.
(4)
Steve I.
Celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday here tonight and despite of a few service glitches still believe that Savona deserves the 5 stars for the way they handled the problems. We ordered a bottle of wine with our appetizers and received it promptly. The red wine we ordered with our entrees arrived after we mostly had finished them. They apologized profusely and comped our entire dessert course. As for all other aspects of service it was excellent. We were seated promptly water glasses filled quickly and dishes cleared promptly. The food was outstanding from the pizza margherita to the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella tasted very fresh and probably was made that day. The braised short ribs on polenta was fork tender and very tasty, and the homemade pappardelle bolognese was a big hit with my wife and daughter. All in all a very pleasant way to celebrate our daughter's 30th. I was also surprised to see that the place was packed on a Wednesday night, another good indicator of excellent food and service.
(5)
Amy H.
Love their Friday night wine tastings! Good pizza too
(5)
Ray V.
We were seated upstairs at rhe barsavona right away, the service was great and the food was fantastic. It's a bit pricey but very good. Portions were just right.
(5)
Eduardo C.
Savona is a great restaurant (focus on European food and style). We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender (and mix-master) "Papi," who's a character and makes great drinks. Both drinks we ordered were perfect, and Papi's showmanship was greatly appreciated. After we were seated, we were attended very well by a waiter and a wine specialist. Although the menu is a little short (compared to the wine list, which was extravagant), it seems that it changes often. Both meals we ordered were on the spot and the serving was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our dessert and evening, and will continue to go here (budget permitting) for special occasions. They do have special events, like wine tastings and mixed drinks specials throughout the week that we're going to attend. They seem very well priced for these gatherings and what they offer for each event.
(5)
Joe M.
Fantastic dinner at bar Savona. Outstanding pastas at reasonable prices. Try the spag chitarra w ricotta meatballs and the bolognese. An amazing wine list. Helpful, appropriate service. Wonderful!
(5)
Emmy K.
I wanted to love this place. Unfortunately the entire experience felt similar to the old Citicard commercial (long wait to get a reservation, great atmosphere, but elf food portions). I admit the service was exceptional...every request was granted with a smile and the ambience was warm. The wine list is extensive, but the menu is limited. When the entrees arrived, we were stunned. While plated beautifully, portions were tiny and the taste was only all right. A majority of our party left the table still hungry. Given the price for Savona, I'd sum up the experience as disappointing.
(3)
Amy R.
I struggled with the number of stars on this--it wasn't terrible; it was just mediocre which is unacceptable considering the price. My husband and I started the evening in the bar where my husband was served a delicious whiskey sour. We were encouraged. We were seated upstairs and the service was pleasant. My first inkling that this was truly just another suburban restaurant was that our appetizers appeared within a minute of ordering them. Fried zucchini was good but the beat salad was unimpressive with undercooked beets and crappy, grocery store (and not Wegmans!) bought goat cheese. Only a few minutes after those plates were cleared our main courses arrived. I had extremely al dente cavatelli and my husband had under seasoned veal. It wasn't inedible, but, again, for the price I expect much, much better than this. Dessert was nothing special (I can't even remember what it was and dessert is always my favorite part of the meal), but the sommelier did help us find a good wine. After having lived in Philadelphia for many years I am used to even the little mom and pop shops providing excellent service and food for much less money. So it is a bit disappointing to spend $$$ and have a rushed meal of so-so food. If you are looking for Philadelphia-grade service and fare in the suburbs without paying through the nose, skip this one and head to Majolica in Phoenixville.
(2)
Alex S.
I went to Savona for dinner on a Saturday. Was seated in the bar area "outside" as they had no availability inside though the place looked half empty. They didn't mention that the menus are different but I assume the quality of food coming out from the kitchen must be equivalent. The appetizers were underwhelming. The main dish was just OK nothing exquisite. The dessert was fairly mediocre - Olive Garden quality. Nothing special at all. I can think of quite a few places that are at least as good. Not sure what the raving reviews are all about.
(3)
Mary M.
I was at Savona for lunch recently. My companion and I were seated on the porch initially. After about 30 minutes, the sun coming through the window along with the heat right next to our chairs made it unbearably hot and our server graciously moved us to the interior dining room. We then went on to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Generous portions of salad for both of us, along with a nice glass of chardonnay. The food was good, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was quiet (it was virtually empty the day we were there). I like a place that's a little more lively, even if it just means a few more occupied tables. I have plans to revisit the restaurant for dinner in the near future.
(2)
Obviously Better T.
The best DOVER SOLE around. I've had dinner over 15 plus times very close to my house, French cuisine does not get much better then this for the area. FYI anyone that complains about food/wine price shouldn't be in there.
(5)
Adam B.
The food here is excellent. The lamb chops with the lamb shoulder is a stand-out entree. And the service is some of the best I've had in a Philadelphia area restaurant.
(5)
Brett M.
My wife and i went to Bar Savona this past Saturday night, in part based on the rave reviews herein. For us, the experience wasnt quite as fabulous. Lets start w the food. It was ok. I suppose in the suburbs of philly, ths is considered fabulous italian. Having grown up in an italian household and having travelled often to italy, this is ok but unremarkable italian food. Maybe youll love it. We didnt. It was a solid B. The point of my review is the "great" service i had read about. ( if the food is 2.5 stars, the service is -1.5, hence my 1-star rating.) its nor that they dont try....they do, they really do. However, we ordered 3 couses -- salads, pizza, pasta, with a drink to start and wine w dinner -- we we out the door 48 minutes after sitting. They cleared my salad plate the second i put my fork down after hovering with the pizza. I had yet to take my third sip of my drink. They cleared my pizza plate while my wife was still eating. Reached across her to give her new silverware while she still had pizza on her plate and food in her mouth, then cleared her plate with a slice left, while she was still chewing, to make room for the rapidly arriving pasta, which we ate with server-ass hanging over our two-top table as the servers rushed the tables to the right and left if us. 48 mins. 3 courses. At least we had a leisurely meal. The couples on either side of us arrived after and left before us. Bar savona = FAST food.
(1)
Larry C.
great food. A bit pricey, so for the same quality food and better price head upstairs to their Savona Bar. Food is the same but slight less choices on the menu. Went there couple of times and the food is very consistent and high quality.
(4)
Martha M.
I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a disappointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expectation of great food. Very low on taste and high on price. I had the filet of sole. It was acceptable but not taste bursting. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert. The pricing at Savona ($250 for the meal for two) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great disappointment.
(2)
Lenny B.
I absolutely Love this place. We have enjoyed this restaurant many times. Thanks
(5)
J. J.
Very upscale dining experience. Beautifully arranged and unique french food. HUGE beer and wine menu, they even have a really cool wine cellar and original fire places in the establishment. They will even allow vegetarian's to order from the "bar" menu which has alot of italian and risotta dishes. We had a large party of 8 and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. We were celebrating two milestone birthdays and they even prepared the desert on a special dish with " happy birthday" written in chocolate on the dishes (without our request!) It was a unique and superb dining experience and the food was amazing.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No 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.
Eric K.
My fiancé and I had dinner there last night and it was excellent. I had the roasted winter vegetables to start and then the duck breast--both were seasoned perfectly and so delicious. The latter was probably one of my favorite dishes ever. She had the polenta and ham dish followed by the bistecca (steak), which was cooked exactly to her liking. We ended the meal by sharing the best soufflé I've had in a while. For drinks, I just had a glass of scotch and a Bordeaux. The service was great as well and the food came out and a comfortable pace. We had gone to Savona before about two years ago and it was just ok then. But they have really made a lot of improvements. I was so surprised at how good the food was last night. We live in center city and usually go out to the restaurants there. But we were on the mainline and wanted to get dinner after seeing a movie. We ended up at Savona because it was a 1000 point option on OpenTable. Needless to say, we will definitely be back soon. Their food last night rivals any of the best restaurants in Philly.
(5)Daniel E.
Savona is our favorite restaurant, period. Everything is exceptional. Try the chef's tasting menu. They have an extensive wine cellar as well. Yelp seems to have this restaurant miscategorized. It's a very upscale French influenced restaurant. You pay top dollar, but the whole experience is reliably great so it's totally worth it.
(5)Matt D.
I ordered a chicken caeser salad for take-out. I received two tins. One tin with wet iceberg lettuce and dressing. The second tin contained a chicken drum. Yes, an actual chicken drum - but accompanied by a plastic fork and knife! I then began the journey of cutting the chicken drum to create my chicken caeser salad myself. Turns out, not only was it too difficult for Savona to create the salad but also too painstaking to cook the chicken! I've added a few pictures for reference.
(1)Laurie M.
Our party of six sat down at 6:30 and we finally got up at 10:00. There were only 3, maybe 4 other tables on the entire floor seated. Drinks took forever and after sending my son out to find out where the food was and it finally arrived, some meals were good and others not so. I'm really dis because I'd been given the nod by my manager who ate upstairs and had a lovely meal. Being busy was not the excuse for the kitchen but I will say that when food was served we were smothered with wait staff so something was amiss. Wouldn't recommend this place especially given the prices. I've heard the upstairs is quite good but it's still the same kitchen. And you can't park yourself. Another unnecessary money maker given the small parking lot and not that many patrons!
(2)Rich W.
Took the ole ball and chain here for dinner a few months ago.....EXCELLENT! Food was off the charts good, we had a one-way ticket to flavor town. Upscale dining, minus the "Main Line" pretentiousness. Although we did feel a little out of place at the bar, but the bartenders and staff were cool and made sure we had a pre-dinner cocktail despite the amount of people jammed into the bar :) To start I had the mozzarella di bufala appetizer....fantastic. Very tasty, especially with the pesto sauce on the side! She had (I think) the Caesar salad, and she thought it was excellent. I had the braised short rib, she had the veal milanese with arugula salad. The veal was by far the most exceptional plate you will order. Don't get me wrong my short rib was fantastic, but the veal was out of this world. Can't remember if we got dessert or not, so I can't comment on that....but I'm sure it's incredible. The wine list is a major plus here. Top quality wine, plus they recommend the pairings on the menu....major plus to those of a novice wine drinking status...cough...me....cough. FYI - VALET PARKING ONLY. I didn't know that going in. Not a problem at all, just a heads up. The valets were pretty cool dudes....probably b/c they were closer to my age versus their usual "parental aged" customers. LOL *My only caveat was that we ordered a bottle of wine for the table, and they kept it in a separate location while we ate (no biggie). However, we were told by the end of the dinner that we had drank it all. Not that this was to any surprise, it just didn't feel like we had that many glasses of wine so that rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)Jason T.
Was introduced to Savona by a business associate here in the Philadelphia area. I was so impressed with the quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The ingredients were noticeably fresh and the flavors were remarkable. Ask for the veal meatballs - even if they're not on the limited menu, they are worth a go as an appetizer. Highly recommend this establishment for authentic Italian cuisine.
(5)Frank F.
Super good food. Beautiful room. Service was a little weird - a couple of very young teenagers, basically trainees, doing their awkward best. It was ok, more amusing than anything else. The staff did make a big phony spectacle over "presenting the Dover Sole", in its copper skillet, to one person who ordered Dover Sole. Also amusing. But the food was great, and I would definitely go back.
(4)Bill F.
What a great place! Food is outstanding! Service is superb! The wine cellar is a great place for groups! Go and enjoy the outdoor dining and fun bar!
(5)Mark W.
Savona has a fantastic restaurant, and a more casual bar/restaurant called Bar Savona. I have been to the restaurant several times, and am a big fan. I have not yet been to Bar Savona. The restaurant offers good choices, reasonable portions, and an outstanding wine list. Following dinner, there is an excellent cheese trolley that comes table-side, and/or desserts. Savona offers a wine cellar dining room for groups up to 12-16 people. It's a lovely space and very distinctive. During warmer months, the terrace outside of the bar area is open for seating, drinking and dining.
(4)Bill M.
For fanciful yet unpretentious dining, and a restaurant with a well rounded bar selection and an impressive selection of cheeses on the Main Line; It really doesn't get much better than Savona. I learned that before but it took a successful Mother's Day brunch to rekindle that memory. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Gulph Mills Road, Savona is an intriguing restaurant in an older building with an updated a modernized decor, especially were it counts in the dining room. the bar featured an amicable selection of brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Yards, and Ommegang; as well a a satisfactory cocktail list. But in the tradition of brunch I opted for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary which yielded a subtle spicy kick. Whether it was a cream of goat cheese in a crimini mushroom soup, pecorino romano in a risotto with bacon, or a parmesean reggiano melt in a Tuscan white bean soup; I was really in awe of the ways that cheese was utilized in the menu. And they succeeded in the rare task of opening a monger like me up to some previously unheard of varieties like Creme Royale and a smooth but slightly salty triple creme goat cheese that I really wish I could remember the name of. Overall the farm to table food menu was very thought out and featured some well played twists. The aforementioned mushroom soup might have been the best that I've ever had. And my eggs Benedict with asparagus and a smoked Scottish salmon was one of those rare egg dishes that had me wanting to lick the yolk off my plate. and my mom and dad were satisfied with their blue claw crab scrambled eggs. Really the only flaw to this successful brunch was that it was a brunch menu that they only offered on special occasions like Mother's Day. But it definitely impressed me enough to check them out on a regular dinner or lunch. And they definitely have a variety of other special occasions like cooking classes and beer events.
(5)Stephen S.
Two stars only because our severs were very nice. Our appetizers took 40 minutes to arrive. While the original story was that the chef did not like the way they turned out, our server admitted the food was dropped. Ok accidents happen, no problem but tell the truth and fix the problem. Neither the manager nor chef came to apologize While I had high hopes based on reviews, the food was good but not overly great. Now it was my first and last time there and only tried couple items so it's a limited opinion but the pompous attitude of the manager sealed the fact I will never go back
(2)Alex V.
We went to Savona last week for dinner, and overall it was not well executed. My sardine first course was pretty good, but my wife's grilled octopus was horrible. The octopus was not cooked properly, either the grill temperature was too low, or the fish was just not good. Either way, it was a charred chewy mess. My lobster roll was pretty good but not exceptional by any means, and my wife's scallops were ok but the risotto was overcooked, not seasoned well, and greasy. The service was a bright spot in typical French fashion we were asked several times about our meal, but overall its hard to justify the price of a meal at this place given the amateurish execution and cost per head.
(2)Valerie D.
We had a very nice tenth anniversary experience at SAVONA. Its not an inexpensive restaurant at almost $300 a couple including an inexpensive bottle of wine by comparison. (Our bottle was $75 whereas the average bottle was $350 all the way up to $1100) We had a lot of servers who were very attentive to our table. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very attentive but we had an issue with the wine sommelier who had only started two weeks ago. She was a very nice but very inexperienced young girl who truly didn't do her job very well. I specifically said that I cannot drink very sweet wines and when my husband asked her for a choice within his price range she kept pointing to two that she liked in a more expensive range when he kept asking about the other four in his range. When he finally had her comment on the four he specifically stated a few times- (I chimed in as well) that he did NOT want anything sweet. A few minutes later she appeared with a bottle that she recommended and my husband tried it and said that it was very sweet, I tried it and said I didn't care for it and that it was WAY too sweet. She never offered to take it back, she never offered us anything else to replace it and it was of course on our bill. We even left half of the bottle it was so awful and frankly undrinkable. When our dinner was almost done and AFTER we had had dessert, she came over with a sip's worth in a wine glass of another wine she wanted me to try not offering me that wine or offering to substitute it she just said she wanted to show me this one for our next time at Savona. (of course this one was one of the more expensive bottles) I almost wanted to call management the next day but of course realize she is inexperienced and didn't want to get her into trouble. But I was quite annoyed that we had to pay for a bottle that was awful when we both specifically stated numerous times that we wanted a dryer wine and both hated sweet. We did love the risotto and I loved my chilean sea bass, my husband loved his veal shank but again I am not happy with the way we were treated by the sommelier
(3)Julian B.
This year for our two year wedding anniversary, I had a hard time deciding where to take my wife. We had already done a bunch of the big time Center City restaurants and I wanted to do something different. Different ended up letting my friends on Facebook decide where we were going to go. I wasn't thrilled with a lot of the suggestions until one friend said Savona. I know Savona! It's about 15 minutes away from us and we had never been there and I had heard nothing but good things about it. I immediately looked at the BarSavona menu and decided this is where we were going. My five star rating says it all. This place really is as good as it gets. We arrived at the restaurant about twenty minutes early, but were seated right away. The host took us upstairs and sat us down right next to the wine room where we saw wines all the way back from 1961. On the wine note, we were both extremely impressed with the wine sommelier. Besides the fact that he was actually French, he was knowledgeable and very friendly. After dinner, he actually treated us to some champagne to celebrate out anniversary which was a really nice gesture. As far as our wine selection, we ended up getting a 2010 Kaiken Malbec that was outstanding. It was fruity and quite drinkable so be warned. The food was just as good as the wine. For appetizers we both got soups; for myself the bisnona minestra and for my wife the tuscan white bean. Usually when you rode soup at a restaurant these days, you get a small portion. Both soups could have been meals themselves. Huge portions that were both fantastic that made me happy that there was a bit of a wait between courses. For Dinner, I ordered one of the two steak specials which was a hanger stake with palenta and baby carrots in a red wine veal reduction. This dish was perfectly cooked medium rare and was just a perfectly balanced dish. My wife ordered the market fish which was a Fluke that night. It came with broccoli rabe and a lemon caper sauce. This dish was equally just as good. For dessert we had a chocolate-hazelnut soufflé which was absolutely to die for. It was cooked perfectly and the taste was just delightful. Another added touch was the Happy Anniversary written in chocolate on the plate. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Our waitress was amazing and was quick to make sure we had everything we needed. Obviously my wife and I will be returning to Savona.
(5)Danan R.
Part of the appeal of dining here is in the divine food presentation. Every dish has looked fit for at least a Viceroy, if not King. The food itself is quite good. The salmon tartare is very fresh and paired well with a hint of lemon. They were served with these delicious hand-cut fingerling "chips." The foie gras was nice but not the best that I have had. The veal sweetbreads were cooked to the perfect degree of crispiness and very nicely seasoned. The entrees were lovely and some were excellent. The sauteed sole was cooked to perfection in a delicious lemon butter sauce and topped off with pine nuts. It almost looked too pretty to eat. Almost. Nothing can stop me from consuming a plate of good food once it is set in front of me. I also tried the roast rack of lamb, which was very flavorfully seasoned (rosemary, if I recall) and tender, it was served with peas and carrots. The Napolean with banana bread, nutella mouse, and gelato was the perfect finish, although the honey marscarpone crepe does come in a close second. The wine selection is excellent, in particular the Gosset Grande Rose. Love the vintage collection. Service is on par with Le-Bec Fin so it is superb. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants in close proximity to the Main Line. Yes, it is slightly pricey but the ambiance is almost unsurpassed.
(4)Shannon G.
Ferrari behind me, Porsche in front of me. Yep, we're in Gulph Mills now. We were a little early for our already early reservation, so they had no problem seating us in the sleek, modern dining room. Large wine and beer lists. I had an Allagash White. It was glorious. Asparagus, shaved Mushroom, and a gently poached egg with pancetta vinaigrette. WTF. This was insanely good, one of the most amazingly savory appetizers I've had. Mushrooms and the vinaigrette were perfect together. Wife had the spring vegetable and quinoa salad with homemade cheese and carrot oil. Also really good, just not as good. I was proud of my superior selection. Then we got to the entrees, where everyone lost. Lamb loin was kind of tough and flavor was meh. The poached halibut over white asparagus with pistachio tapenade suffered from the same problem. Hint of pistachio was evident, but it was pretty boring. Presentation was excellent, just wished it tasted as good as it looked though. Parking lot is valet only.
(3)Amanda J.
The service was excellent, I wish I could remember his name. He was attentive, made great suggestions and really made it a good experience. The food was YUMMY!!! I can't say enough good things about the incredible food!!! We each had a tomato mozzarella salad and split the eggplant napolean. TO DIE FOR :) The wine was tasty and complimented dinner well. Since we were traveling there from Texas we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather in PA. What a wonderful patio!!! A truly serene surrounding with lovely trees. Overall Savona was one of the best places I have ever visited. So why not 5 stars then??? The incredibly RUDE couple who sat next to us, that's why. The patio tables are maybe a foot and a half from each other, fairly tight quarters. This couple was probably in their late 60's and spent the entire time talking about my girlfriend and I. Now, I'll be honest, I couldn't hear EXACTLY what was being said but there was whispering and pointing. So much so that at one point, I did over hear the husband ask "How old do you think that one is" pointing his finger at me while trying to shield it with his other hand, "26 maybe 27?" he hissed across the table to his wife. I had had enough, looked straight at him and answered, "I'm 33" tight lipped smile! His response, "Oh I guess I talk too loudly!" Then THEY had the nerve to act offended as if I had been the rude one!!! They left not too long after, THANK GOODNESS!!! We mentioned the incident to the waiter who laughed and told us they're "V.I.P's" Whatever...we paid, left a nice tip and left. Definitely go eat there but beware of old, gossipy people on the patio!
(4)John R.
Savona, they name alone just screams class. I was there not long ago for a company Christmas party in the wine cellar. Talk about a jaw dropping sight! The walls are beautifully kept wine racks with exposed brick. And the food, The fillet mignon was perfectly seasoned and seared. The roased shallots complimented the fillet perfectly. Overall a great experience.
(4)YelpHatesMe Y.
Very very nice. Recently moved back to the burbs from Philly and have always wanted to try this place. It was very good. Had the octopus. Was a bit slimy for my taste but all in all not that bad. Had the duck breast as the entree and it was phenomenal. The only other duck that I had that was better was from the now defunct Avance. I would definitely get it again. My wife had the scallops and risotto. The scallops were literally cooked perfectly and the risotto they give you is sweet and filling - but may be a gut buster for some. My only cons are that it took quite some time to get my first drink and after that the two scotchs that I asked for they were out of. They did give me a higher quality one though for a cheaper price. I'd still expect a place of this caliber to have ample stock of common drinks. Service was spotty as they had a new guy and there seemed to be a lot of missed communication. The parking lot was full of high end snobby main line cars like Ferraris and Porsche's and Maseratis but don't let that dissuade you. There definitely was a LOT of pretentious conversation going on in this place that certainly made us roll our eyes a lot. I've certainly had nicer dinners in the city but for the burbs this inst a bad place.
(4)Jeff M.
Visiting from out of town and well worth the drive. This place was amazing. Food was exceptional. Chocolate smores soufflé was incredible. Great service at the bar. This is as good as any culinary farm to table restaurant in a major city... And it's in suburban PA. Wow!
(5)Rich L.
Ate here on a Monday night. First the bar doesn't open till 5:30 pm. We were there a bit early and managed to wangle a drink at 5:15...a nicely made Manhattan. I t felt though like I was imposing upon the bartender. C'mon guys open the bar at 4:30-5:00 pm. How hard is that? Resv was for 5:30. Wanted to sit down at 5:25...they weren't quite ready. Ok..a bit much for me..but on to the food. First, they have a downstairs menu with 2 appys and 6 entrees, 1 special I believe. Dover sole $55! Fortunately from reading the Yelp reviews I knew they had an upstairs menu that you could request. They don't bother telling you that, which I didn't like, but like I said I knew enough to request it. Way more choices, this is where the chicken that people have reviewed is, and in my opinion the prices were a notch lower. I had a appy portion of pasta Bolognese and the chicken which were both very good. So...this is my second time here in a little over a year, not on my dime again, but I really don't need to go back. Just not a fan of the vibe/attitude I get from this place at all.
(3)Brian H.
I was getting tired of the Main Line restaurant scene, and with tentative weather causing me not wanting to drive into the city, a spark lit inside my exhausted brain when a friend called me an arrogant bastard, and I said "ahhhhh, the 22oz. Arrogant Bastard sounds wonderful, let's go back to the oft forgotten Savona". It was early in the evening, and getting old is becoming synonymous with eating early, so we thought without a reservation on a Saturday we could sit at the bar. Well low and behold they had tables available on the beautifully furnished patio at that hour, probably awaiting the later younger crowd. This is a 5 star patio, so get comfortable and enjoy the evening air. Dinner again was consistent and consistently very very good. I started with the Tuscan Bean Soup. Rich and full of scrumptious flavor, I wish I skipped my entree and went right to dessert. The entree I chose was the swordfish, served with Roma beans, in a sauce vierge. The swordfish was a small, perfectly medium cooked fish atop the under cooked, slightly tough to chew green beans (and I love my veggies crisp) but the flavors, even with the sauce, although simple and anticipated simple, were just not excellent this time. My friend had a terrific beet salad, full of yummy-ness, and a great size. And for the entree she had the brick chicken, 5 star all the way (see my old review below for a description). Dessert was a lovely 4 star carrot cake, with diced pineapple and small dollops of a semifreddo. Service is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The valet attendants are very kind to the cars, just a tad short of wearing white glove treatment. I just hope I don't need to be called names to remember that Savona is a great go-to place, no matter whether you are early, want to sit at the bar, or plan in advance with reservations.
(4)Ralph O.
The décor was definitely Bistro, plain and neat, rather lacking in thought. We were greeted by our waiter and the menus, and by the way a wine/liquor list. After explaining the menu, a young lady came to tell us she would be our "beverage/dessert" person. She took our drink orders and left. OK...cocktail time: I don't know about you, but for me, cocktail time should not interfere with dinner time. Let me explain. I am a bit of a whiskey nut and I don't order just anything. I'm pretty specific as to what whiskey, bourbon, rye, or scotch I want, the age, and the region. It has always been my experience that once one eats something, the salt in the food will interfere with the whiskey. It puts an edge on the distillate that was not intended. So when the drinks took 15 minutes to arrive, the time for cocktails and chat was compressed. Shortly thereafter our first course arrived. It was right on the heels of my Macallan Scotch and Gretchen's Prosecco. Ok...strike one. The course, a parsley risotto adorned with escargot and elephant garlic chips. It was rather lovely, although, the Arborio was a bit undercooked (almost crunchy) . But as Gretchen says...better a bit firm than mushy, and I agree. The flavor was wonderful. But I had to hold off because I had just gotten my scotch... a disappointment. Before dinner; a complimentary amuse-bouche. It was a tuna tartar served on a tiny wheat cracker topped with water cress...sophisticated at the very least. For the main course we both went with the Seared Bronzino over a green (French I think) lentil salad and pomegranate. This was rather elegant. The portion was perfect. It was presented correctly, on a suitable sized plate (don't you hate it when they bring it out in a plate that could be mistaken for the moon?) and it wasn't food architecture. The chef knows what he's doing. The service: strange and confused at best. It seemed like the wait staff was all on their first night on the job. All, except for Sheena our beverage person, were less than personable, with the focused intent of a worried figure skater in the Olympics. I live with a chef. If I want "over-the-top" food all I have to do is come home. When I go out, I want the total package; the experience. We quite literally felt out of place. So focused on the task at hand, they managed to bang into my chair a half dozen times. If there were a smile, it was forced...except for Sheena. I felt like I was in the ER room at a busy hospital. Now we have been to plenty of upscale restaurants with staff sommeliers. They have a job to do...some go to the extent of tasting the wine for the client to insure its quality. But to my mind, this should be done a bit more inconspicuously. If you're going to taste and spit...be less obvious. The dessert: You have to have dessert on Valentine's Day and it has to be special and Chocolate. We selected the Chocolate Hazelnut Bombe with Hazelnut gelato, cranberry and orange in a cap of white chocolate...This...was yummy. I thought "Chocolat" was brown...it is! Along with dessert, arrived a complimentary sweet from the chef...classy. Sheena took our dessert order to which we added a cappuccino for Gretchen and an espresso for me. I asked for Sambuca on the side. By the time the Sambuca came, my espresso was frozen over...bar late again. I guess they were so busy making those multi-colored kiddy drinks that the simple orders fell behind. Add to the above, we were between what seemed to be the result of a dating.com couple gone wrong and a family including two very small, noisy children. I can take the loud discussion of the awkward couple (he had no game), but noisy children in an upscale bistro...not so much. And did I see jeans and a sweater?!...ugh. Gone are the days when you dressed for dinner as a sign of respect for your dinner companion...gone are the days of the Garden Restaurant in Philadelphia where if a gentleman arrived in a fit of absentmindedness without a coat for dinner, one was provided by the Maitre D'. I guess I'm old and with that old fashioned, but I felt surrounded by people who I assume had the ability to pay for a chic eating event but confused the ability to pay with the taste to enjoy it. Ok, meal over, bill paid and off to the car. The valet ran over, took my ticket, tip attached, ran to get the car, brought it back, left my door open and ran off. So to sum it up, Savona was a delightful food experience with everything else so pretentious in execution and lacking in personality that I will have to put this one in the minus column.
(2)Zig Z.
Just Shoot Me I attended a small group Pharma affair here tonight and can promise you I will never go back. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to do so, and I had to post this right away I was so pissed off! The food was mediocre at best, the arugula bed under my Bronzino was filled with so much sand and small rocks I had to stop eating it for fear of breaking teeth. But the real problem is the management and their failure to intelligently guide the wait staff on how to maintain flow and pace of a meal with a group of 14. We were on a timeline that went a full hour over and most left with no coffee or dessert. Terribly long delays between each stage of the meal, 45 minutes between clearing dinner plates and carrying out desserts which had been ordered 2 hours prior, no coffee 20 minutes after coffee orders were taken, wine that went unfilled for most of the dinner. I left without dessert, confused wait staff wondering why 90% of my group peeled away out of frustration. Oh, and then the 25 minute line after all of that to get my damned car back from the valets, who couldn't find one attendee's car. Fire the chef, the manager, the wait staff, and the valets and start all over: this place used to be good, (food, service, and all) but now it is a painful experience. I'd prefer a hot poker in the eye, thanks! Event planners and Pharma reps: AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE! Your clients will hold you personally responsible for the misery!
(1)Steve T.
Savona...where have you been my whole life? I knew something special awaited us when we showed up on Tuesday night...late...and the place was packed. Tuesday night after the holidays...packed? Yep. Savona continues to be an upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant that is one of the landmarks on the Main Line, with an emphasis on Abruzzese cuisine. However, Savona is now two concepts in one. In addition to the aforementioned fine dining room, there is also "Bar Savona," which is more of a bistro. We ate in the latter, and this review is limited to Bar Savona. Its been years since I've been there, and the place was completely remodeled about three years ago. What is now even more compelling about Savona is this upscale bar/bistro they've set up, with a separate menu that brings Osteria to the neighborhood and, perhaps, exceeds it. We started off with the fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The second appetizer was the Marco Castro, a margherita pizza with copius amounts of fresh arugula, red onion, and pancetta. Let's now expand the list to 1002 good uses for bacon. Superb. Served with thin crust and fresh ingredients, you will be hard pressed to find a better gourmet pizza. Our dinner entrees were the shrimp fra diabolo, which was served with five jumbo shrimp and homemade pappardelle. While my lady would've preferred it spicier, it was a solid dish. My entree was the pappardelle bolognese, also served with homemade pasta (as is all their pasta) in a meaty bolognese sauce. This was the best presentation of this classic Abruzzese dish I've ever had. If you are venturing to Bar Savona, as you really should, be aware that you will need reservations most nights. Do not even for one second think you will get in on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without one. Not even a made man wearing a silk suite with black shirt and tie flouting $100 tips to the hostess will get you in. There is mandatory valet parking as the on site lot is small. While a bistro concept, it is not inexpensive, but the dishes were all fantastic and, frankly, this may be the best restaurant I've eaten in and certainly matches Sola for nearby dining.
(5)Peg K.
Fine dining at Savona has roled out "Family Dinner" on Monday nights. Dinner is served family style to one's table, three courses, for $40pp. Both/all parties need to order the set menu. The food is meticulously prepared, delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented; the service is impeccable. The menu changes each week affording the chef the opportunity to show off the creative and expansive talents of the kitchen. Slight adjustments can be made reflecting food allergies, etc. but best to place oneself in the hands of the capable kitchen and enjoy the delights of the evening.
(5)Ana C.
Horrible experience. Awful service. Spend your money somewhere else that deserves it.
(1)Emma T.
Savona does everything right: food, service, ambiance, wine. Their pizzas are divine with great flavors and a crispy, thin crust. One pizza comes topped with a perfectly runny egg. The wine sommelier is very knowledgeable and will help you choose a great wine from their cellar. It's a fun place for a nice New Year's Eve dinner. When we went, they had a pink champagne drink specially for the occasion.
(5)JJ M.
My boss's boss was coming to town so I booked us at Savona. All up, a really fine dining experience, great room, great service, pretty good food. Ambitious, classy, elegant. This was my third attempt to get to Savona. On each of the other two occasions, the traffic was so bad from Malvern to Conshy that we just gave up. So we left extra early and were still 15 minutes late! What a beautiful place! I remember the Picket Post c1978 and the folks at Savona have done a fabulous job creating a destination restaurant. The bar was cute and intimate. The crowd was obviously well heeled, dressed in traditional Main Line preppie style. Folks were dining al fresco on the small patio. We were greeted immediately and made to feel at home, even though we were late. Apps - I had the Sweetbreads, served with a three minute egg, greens and mushrooms. Light and crispy, nicely prepared, a tad salty. My dining companions had the salmon carpaccio and lobster salad. All the plates were beautifully composed, and the lobster salad was spectacular. Entrees - Both my companions had the plancha seared striped bass and scrupulously cleaned their plates. I had Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and eggplant. I ate about half. The scallops were overdone. I wasn't sure if the kitchen was trying to evoke the essence of the sea, but every component of the dish, little scallop boats, frothy eggplant waves, pancetta sun setting, reinforced the tide of salinity that began with my sweetbreads. Dessert was a spectacularly good baked apple wrapped in pastry and topped with icecream and a delicate, beautiful, sugar leaf. Great coffee (La Columbe?). We did not see the cheese trolley, but will look for it next trip. Wine list was really good. We had a nice bottle of Bergstrom PN - yeah I love my Oregon wines. Ok beer list. Pedestrian martini, no onions avaliable :-(. We all enjoyed the amuse bouche before each course. So, if you are out to impress, or to have a really world class dining experience, Savona is as good as I've seen along the Main Line, especially West Conshohoken.
(4)Edward B.
We have not been to this restaurant in the last 2 years because it was so pretentious and costly. Upon hearing of their new look and menu we decided to give it a second chance. Sadly to say that this experience was a disaster. While at the bar having a drink and deciding what bar food we would order we were informed that the bar and all the bar tables were reserved and that we would have to Leave by 8:00. I can not begin to tell you how upset we became at this ridiculous policy. In all my years in the food service industry I have never heard or encountered a policy like this. It is the most absurd thing I have ever witnessed within a restaurant. Needless to say we left and will never return. We did inform the manager of our feelings and his reaction was one of total indifference.
(1)Eduardo C.
Savona is a great restaurant (focus on European food and style). We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender (and mix-master) "Papi," who's a character and makes great drinks. Both drinks we ordered were perfect, and Papi's showmanship was greatly appreciated. After we were seated, we were attended very well by a waiter and a wine specialist. Although the menu is a little short (compared to the wine list, which was extravagant), it seems that it changes often. Both meals we ordered were on the spot and the serving was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our dessert and evening, and will continue to go here (budget permitting) for special occasions. They do have special events, like wine tastings and mixed drinks specials throughout the week that we're going to attend. They seem very well priced for these gatherings and what they offer for each event.
(5)Joe M.
Fantastic dinner at bar Savona. Outstanding pastas at reasonable prices. Try the spag chitarra w ricotta meatballs and the bolognese. An amazing wine list. Helpful, appropriate service. Wonderful!
(5)Alex S.
I went to Savona for dinner on a Saturday. Was seated in the bar area "outside" as they had no availability inside though the place looked half empty. They didn't mention that the menus are different but I assume the quality of food coming out from the kitchen must be equivalent. The appetizers were underwhelming. The main dish was just OK nothing exquisite. The dessert was fairly mediocre - Olive Garden quality. Nothing special at all. I can think of quite a few places that are at least as good. Not sure what the raving reviews are all about.
(3)Stu G.
This is a very tough one for me. I'm giving my rating based on many prior meals, last night was not so good. When my wife tells me we are going to Savona, I'm always excited. It is one of my favorite places and it has always been great. I was very disappointed last night, but I'm not going to give them a overall bad rating because sometimes you have to chalk it up to a bad night. The bar area is a bit small, which is why it was surprising that it took a long time for the six of us to get drinks. You always feel like you're in the way of the servers. Everyone is polite, but it was a bit annoying. Wine selection is good by the glass, not out of bounds on price. Mixed drinks were a bit expensive, but tasty. I usually love the pizzas. The one I like the most has an egg that they break on top with sausage...love it. It wasn't on the menu, but our waiter (who was good), said he'd try to see if he could get it since they had the ingredients. Shockingly, he came back and said they wouldn't make it for me. I explained that we didn't get our table on time (45 minutes late) and I really wanted that pizza. He tried again, but no dice. He did speak to the manager and they comped us a bit, so I appreciated the effort. Dinner was average, I had the veal milanese, it was ok. My wife's is much, much better. Her dinner wasn't very good (pork chop), it was dry. Pasta was good, steak was ok. I ran into some friends who hadn't been there before and was sorry I set a high expectation, as they were a bit disappointed as well. Perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen, everything seemed a bit off. Hopefully, it is just a bad night and they will be back on top of their game for next time.
(4)Michael P.
Excellent food and impeccable service, in a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance on the fine dining side of the house. A more affordable menu with the same ambiance on the bistro side of the house.
(5)marc g.
We went for drinks and drinks only. I'm not going to comment on the food but your bill for two and wine will be $250. It's jammed and is a typical main line restaurant with pricey cars and a lot of self important people. Anyhow, the bar is completely annoying. There are too many rules regarding who can sit at the bar and the bar tables. Most are reserved for people to eat, yet you stand around in the way of polite servers trying to figure it out. It's not easy to get a drink despite the intimate nature of the bar. Their cocktails are inventive and the food looked great, however, you can do better for the price. A bottle of Monk's sour ale is billed at $16 (I'm not kidding)..this beer is $4 in a bottle shop....that's quite a mark up. I was unimpressed. It's a nice place but this joint thinks it's in Manhattan.
(3)Diana A.
A local favorite for service and food! After an exhausting search for a great birthday venue, (+20 painful phone calls to local and Philly restaurants) I finally decided to go with Savona's wine cellar. They offered the best menu, space, and service. During the planning process and the night of the event, Savona staff was very professional, pleasant, and constructive. It was a great evening. Thanks, Savona!!
(5)Tina C.
Savona is Consistently good. Ate some delicious short ribs for $26 and asked for a leftover bag because I had only finished half. The server forgot to give it to me so I left without it. Other than that, we still keep it on our list of favorite Mainline restaurants to take our teenage kids.
(3)Dave H.
All of our dishes at Savona had an emphasis on presentation. Their staff has an eye for detail. For starters, the complimentary l'amuse bouche (see photos) was a dumpling filled with seafood - it was a promising start to the meal. Our appetizers were also promising. The foie gras was a treat, and a little tougher than I'm used to. (Tough isn't a word I often associate with foie gras, but whatever.) The bouillabaisse was herby and delicious. Our entrees were well-prepared but didn't taste as good as they looked. The Berkshire pork and the halibut were both fine but lacking "oompf" (plain flavor). The pork had great pickles on the side and the halibut had earl grey tea (never seen this before) poured into the bowl as it was delivered to us. Don't get me wrong; their menu is creative and I recommend their tasting menu for the adventurous. Complimentary profiteroles helped close the meal. For dessert, we also ordered the sweet tropical cobbler (vanilla gelato, cinnamon crust, spiced tropical fruit). Service (Adrian, Huey, and others) was wonderful (as-expected for a restaurant of its caliber). The staff paid attention to us and even gave us a tour after the meal (appreciated)! I've been meaning to try out Savona for quite some time. I'm not sure when I would go back (not anytime soon due to the high prices), but I would recommend anyone try it for a special occasion... Mother's Day is coming up!
(4)Percy N.
Hadn't been back to Savona for a while until last night. The updated sleek modern decor, menus, staff and Chef Drew are great. Though we had a custom menu, we did try a few things from the regular menu which were great. Recommend the pizza, lobster, oysters, ox tail and bread. The efficient yet non-intrusive service is comparable to NYC (dare I say even Per Se?) and if you are looking for wine suggestions, you are in safe hands with well known sommelier Melissa Monosoff. Closest to 3 star dining you will find in the burbs.
(4)Jeff M.
The food is excellent but is lacks that wow factor that blows you away. It something that is hard to put your finger one. Don't get me wrong I am huge fan of Savona but a little something more could push them into Michelin territory. (Please keep in mind that I am not and do not think I am at the level of an inspector.) I've been here many times and am rarely disappointed. The atmosphere and service is perfectly unpretentious. The wine list is great and mostly affordable with many bottles under $100. Savona has always been accommodating to special request and special occasions. I've never left hungry like I have at many other 'fine' dining establishments. I'd recommend Savona to almost anyone. The one bad experience I've had at Savona was a dinner in the middle of winter when a tropical fruit cobbler desert arrived with fruit far from fresh. I wonder why this was on the menu in January. Highlights include Dover Sole, octopus ravioli in its own ink, frog's legs, the cheese course and chocolate souffle.
(4)Michael C.
Awesome in every way. I've dined up stairs in Bar Savona twice, but never the formal downstairs. Service is absolutely immaculate. I've never seen such front of the house efficiency. The Bar Savona menu is a little bare, but i've never been less than pleased with the food or the price. There are more than enough specials to make up for the fact that the menu doesn't seem to change very often. I've had the eggplant parm, (which is great, but nothing revolutionary) and the braised shortrib special with brussel sprouts and celeriac (10/10 dish). If I had to complain about something it would be the overuse of pasta on the bar savona menu. That being said, I'm not a big fan of pasta/itilian cuisine but i still love everything they do. On both visits to the restaurant I felt my glass of wine was shorted an oz or two, but it could just be the way the glasses are shaped. I haven't had a cocktail from there in a long time so I can't comment too much on the bar.
(5)Joseph B.
Avoid the fine dining menu and sit in the bar or on the patio. Bar and bar menu are fantastic but dinner is a crap shoot. Service is great. Dinner rolls were stale. Nothing special about 1st course (tuna tartare or quinoa salad). Pasta dishes are excellent, highly recommend. Duck was undercooked (raw) and rubbery. Fish was good, not great. A small fly ended up in my wine glass. And ended the meal with the kitchen failing twice on souffle preparation so my server refused to bring either to the table (which I appreciated). What a disappointing night for me and my wife. Get it together because I love the bar and bar menu but having serious doubts of patronizing further.
(1)Statia M.
When I was living in Conshohocken, I used to drive past this restaurant every day. And every day, I'd say to myself "self, you really need to just go already. You know you want to." And I'd say, "you know self, you're right, you DO want to go, but it's one of those places where you don't go by yourself, and it looks a little on the expensive side, and what are you, made of money?" Yeah, the voices in my head, are sometimes not overly reasonable. Then again, when are they reasonable? So, I drove past here every day for nearly two years, and never went. And then I moved away for three years. And then I came back, and while I didn't drive past every day, I would start the same song and dance whenever I did drive by, and I'd say to my husband "we really need to try this place out." And with two kids and lack of sitting, you know how THAT goes. So anyway, a friend of mine had mentioned that they have a Saturday morning cooking class, and I thought that would have been a great idea for my husband, who is the cook in the house. We both enjoy a good meal. So I signed us up. Since this wasn't exactly going to the restaurant for dinner and sitting in the dining room and getting served, my review is a little different. I will say that while the Saturday class was pretty cool (their stove? Oh my god, I am not a fan of cooking, but it's TO DIE FOR), it was more of a cooking demonstration, but it was still a pretty cool experience nonetheless and I would recommend it to anyone, because I actually did learn some new things, even though it wasn't exactly hands on. After we watched/ kind of helped him cook a meal, they brought us down to the wine cellar to eat. It was really great. They served us our lunch and the chef sat down with us. It was a really great experience and the food was good too. They do have two separate menus, one formal dining and one more casual, so if you think you might not be able to afford it, go for their casual menu, of pizza and more pub type fare. The atmosphere will make up for the fact that you're buying a burger instead of filet.
(4)C Y S.
OK, I decided to give this place a chance again, and I realized that I prefer eating here at the bar vs. the restaurant. It has a much livelier vibe than the dining area. I have frequented the bar here several times over the last 2 years, and I have to say that the service and food are superb. It's a little pretentious, and for me to say it, it's pretty pretentious. But, the drinks are great, the food is extremely well-executed, and I like the small cozy bar. It's typically a middle-aged mainline crowd, but it's not too stuffy They also serve Stumptown coffee, (micro-roasted coffee from Portland) which alone could be a reason to come here.
(4)Obviously Better T.
The best DOVER SOLE around. I've had dinner over 15 plus times very close to my house, French cuisine does not get much better then this for the area. FYI anyone that complains about food/wine price shouldn't be in there.
(5)Adam B.
The food here is excellent. The lamb chops with the lamb shoulder is a stand-out entree. And the service is some of the best I've had in a Philadelphia area restaurant.
(5)Gladys C.
We had an awesome meal here last night - service was fantastic as well as food.
(4)Steve I.
Celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday here tonight and despite of a few service glitches still believe that Savona deserves the 5 stars for the way they handled the problems. We ordered a bottle of wine with our appetizers and received it promptly. The red wine we ordered with our entrees arrived after we mostly had finished them. They apologized profusely and comped our entire dessert course. As for all other aspects of service it was excellent. We were seated promptly water glasses filled quickly and dishes cleared promptly. The food was outstanding from the pizza margherita to the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella tasted very fresh and probably was made that day. The braised short ribs on polenta was fork tender and very tasty, and the homemade pappardelle bolognese was a big hit with my wife and daughter. All in all a very pleasant way to celebrate our daughter's 30th. I was also surprised to see that the place was packed on a Wednesday night, another good indicator of excellent food and service.
(5)Amy H.
Love their Friday night wine tastings! Good pizza too
(5)Ray V.
We were seated upstairs at rhe barsavona right away, the service was great and the food was fantastic. It's a bit pricey but very good. Portions were just right.
(5)Amy R.
I struggled with the number of stars on this--it wasn't terrible; it was just mediocre which is unacceptable considering the price. My husband and I started the evening in the bar where my husband was served a delicious whiskey sour. We were encouraged. We were seated upstairs and the service was pleasant. My first inkling that this was truly just another suburban restaurant was that our appetizers appeared within a minute of ordering them. Fried zucchini was good but the beat salad was unimpressive with undercooked beets and crappy, grocery store (and not Wegmans!) bought goat cheese. Only a few minutes after those plates were cleared our main courses arrived. I had extremely al dente cavatelli and my husband had under seasoned veal. It wasn't inedible, but, again, for the price I expect much, much better than this. Dessert was nothing special (I can't even remember what it was and dessert is always my favorite part of the meal), but the sommelier did help us find a good wine. After having lived in Philadelphia for many years I am used to even the little mom and pop shops providing excellent service and food for much less money. So it is a bit disappointing to spend $$$ and have a rushed meal of so-so food. If you are looking for Philadelphia-grade service and fare in the suburbs without paying through the nose, skip this one and head to Majolica in Phoenixville.
(2)Mary M.
I was at Savona for lunch recently. My companion and I were seated on the porch initially. After about 30 minutes, the sun coming through the window along with the heat right next to our chairs made it unbearably hot and our server graciously moved us to the interior dining room. We then went on to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Generous portions of salad for both of us, along with a nice glass of chardonnay. The food was good, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was quiet (it was virtually empty the day we were there). I like a place that's a little more lively, even if it just means a few more occupied tables. I have plans to revisit the restaurant for dinner in the near future.
(2)Brett M.
My wife and i went to Bar Savona this past Saturday night, in part based on the rave reviews herein. For us, the experience wasnt quite as fabulous. Lets start w the food. It was ok. I suppose in the suburbs of philly, ths is considered fabulous italian. Having grown up in an italian household and having travelled often to italy, this is ok but unremarkable italian food. Maybe youll love it. We didnt. It was a solid B. The point of my review is the "great" service i had read about. ( if the food is 2.5 stars, the service is -1.5, hence my 1-star rating.) its nor that they dont try....they do, they really do. However, we ordered 3 couses -- salads, pizza, pasta, with a drink to start and wine w dinner -- we we out the door 48 minutes after sitting. They cleared my salad plate the second i put my fork down after hovering with the pizza. I had yet to take my third sip of my drink. They cleared my pizza plate while my wife was still eating. Reached across her to give her new silverware while she still had pizza on her plate and food in her mouth, then cleared her plate with a slice left, while she was still chewing, to make room for the rapidly arriving pasta, which we ate with server-ass hanging over our two-top table as the servers rushed the tables to the right and left if us. 48 mins. 3 courses. At least we had a leisurely meal. The couples on either side of us arrived after and left before us. Bar savona = FAST food.
(1)Larry C.
great food. A bit pricey, so for the same quality food and better price head upstairs to their Savona Bar. Food is the same but slight less choices on the menu. Went there couple of times and the food is very consistent and high quality.
(4)Martha M.
I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a disappointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expectation of great food. Very low on taste and high on price. I had the filet of sole. It was acceptable but not taste bursting. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert. The pricing at Savona ($250 for the meal for two) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great disappointment.
(2)Lenny B.
I absolutely Love this place. We have enjoyed this restaurant many times. Thanks
(5)Emmy K.
I wanted to love this place. Unfortunately the entire experience felt similar to the old Citicard commercial (long wait to get a reservation, great atmosphere, but elf food portions). I admit the service was exceptional...every request was granted with a smile and the ambience was warm. The wine list is extensive, but the menu is limited. When the entrees arrived, we were stunned. While plated beautifully, portions were tiny and the taste was only all right. A majority of our party left the table still hungry. Given the price for Savona, I'd sum up the experience as disappointing.
(3)J. J.
Very upscale dining experience. Beautifully arranged and unique french food. HUGE beer and wine menu, they even have a really cool wine cellar and original fire places in the establishment. They will even allow vegetarian's to order from the "bar" menu which has alot of italian and risotta dishes. We had a large party of 8 and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. We were celebrating two milestone birthdays and they even prepared the desert on a special dish with " happy birthday" written in chocolate on the dishes (without our request!) It was a unique and superb dining experience and the food was amazing.
(5)Bella G.
This is by far the best fine dinning option in the burbs. I had 3 wonderful meals here. i feel the Dinning room is a little too stuffy but what would I expect. The bar area is delightful and the cocktails are superb. it can get very crowded on the weekends but i guess thats what happens when you are as good as Savona...and not much competition in the area.
(4)Charles R.
Actually this review is for Bar Savona. Sat outside after a day of rain and everything was very nice. I've been here a few times, especially in the summer when I can sit on the patio, and always have a good meal. We had the fried artichokes, which I think are a favorite of most people that go there, and the squash blossoms, which were excellent. Dinner we both had the Veal Francese, which was very tender and came with greens in a nice light summer dressing. Had wines by the glass, and while some are a little pricey you can find some that are good without going over the top. $12 a glass is ok, but they have a couple that are $16 and the pours aren't overly generous, so if you both drink the same type of wine I would go with a bottle. I do have one HUGE problem with Savona's pricing of liquor. When you the nerve to charge $23.00 for Oban Scotch, that's a joke. Even top steakhouses downtown charge $16-18. Savona is really gouging people at $23, especially when a bottle costs them $69.00. Whoever the manager is that sets the pricing, this is over the top pricing.
(4)Steve K.
We loved Savona even before it remodelled itself a couple of years ago however, back then, we reserved it only for special occasions. Now with the choice of "fine dining" or "casual dining" it has become our unconditional favorite restaurant in the entire greater Philly area. The combination of truly great food, wine, decor and service are the best we've experienced... well, anywhere. This praise seems to be shared as reservations are frequently hard to secure on short notice but, nevertheless, the highest reviews are well deserved.
(5)Lydia B.
We have mixed reviews about Bar-Savona. I really like it... My husband "doesn't think it's that great". I'm pretty obsessed with their brick chicken... I will go back and order it again for sure. The wine pour was minimal, the atmosphere is Business or Uber romantic stuffy. The main dining room has a different menu that is pricey with a wonderful cheese cart. I look forward to going back to this restaurant but I'm not sure I can convince my husband to take me. If you love olives order them on the appetizer menu they give you a huge bowl of them.
(3)Reid F.
I hadn't eaten here in a long time (since before Yelp), and I always remembered how good it is. Well, I went back recently and was not disappointed. Great service, a good wine list, and excellent food including superb Bolognese. Yummm.
(5)Bradford G.
I would pay a lot for a great meal, and one will surely do that here, but I wouldn't call it great. There was a time it was better, but these days it just costs more than other better places. I'm not saying you should never go, just that it doesn't top the list. I do like the bar at an off time for a quick cocktail.
(3)David S.
Savona is one of the very best, period. The service is impeccable. The food has never failed to impress. The ambiance is great and the service is always top-notch. Savona has an amazing wine selection, and a great assortment of drinks. The bartenders are professional and can make anything your little heart desires. The food is delectable, and the menu will never fail to impress. Having eaten here numerous times, everything on the menu will impress and anything featured will blow your mind. If the featured items don't tickle-your-fancy the dover sole is always stellar. Fish is cooked perfectly, served table side, and the sauce is a decadent masterpiece. You are doing yourself a disservice by not eating at Savona.
(5)NIna L.
I book a private dinner for 10 through Andrea who couldn't have been more gracious or more helpful. The restaurant is lovely and in a beautiful setting. The private dining room was perfect and the service was exceptional. The food was fantastic and being able to choose from both a formal & informal menu was extremely helpful and consumer friendly. The birthday cake was special thanks to the extraordinary efforts on Andrea. I would highly recommend this restaurant from every perspective to one and all. It was wonderful.
(5)Shari A.
We were taken here by friends of ours who live just a few miles away from the Merion restaurant, which is housed in a very lovely Victorian style home with beautiful and more contemporary furnishings inside. This establishment is long on charm but just a touch short on cuisine...which is why I hesitated and couldn't award four stars. But it is obvious from both the service and the food, that the chef and his staff are trying hard. Overall, we had a wonderful experience here and would return to give it another go. The wine and cocktail list is very nice and there are plenty of options for all tastes. We enjoyed our glasses of rose while our servers described a few specials. I opted for the hamachi crudo with blueberry-lime composta. My husband's charred octopus was spectacular but sadly, I cannot say the same of my appetizer. The small pieces of hamachi were room temperature and on a hot end of summer evening, one would think the raw fish would be served chilled. To me this was a huge misstep since raw fish should be served cool to the touch and with some acid. The lime citrus flavor was obscured by what I can describe only as the filling you might find in a blueberry pie. It was thick and sweet and just didn't pair very well with the hamachi. That said, the Bronzino entree made up for the poorly executed appetizer. It was filleted and cooked to perfection..moist and flakey. And the peppers and onions that accompanied it were very tasty. They accommodated my request for a side order of broccoli rabe which was fine. The duck entree over succotash seemed to be a big hit with my hubby. Dessert was really the star here. We ordered the twice baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting flavor gelato topped with a delectable caramel sauce. The cake was really a loaf of carrot cake..incredibly moist. What was spectacular was the absence of frosting. The gelato that accompanied the cake was the perfect addition to the cake and the sweetness and tartness cream cheese frozen dessert really paired perfectly. Our friends had a sampling of the gelato and the flavors were divine. Even the hot coffee was very good. The front of the restaurant features a trendy bar scene and a lighter menu. There is seating on the patio which is a plus. The service is very professional even if the experience of their young staff shows a little. All in all, a fine dining experience in a cute setting. I would love to return and try some other menu items.
(3)Joseph B.
Avoid the fine dining menu and sit in the bar or on the patio. Bar and bar menu are fantastic but dinner is a crap shoot. Service is great. Dinner rolls were stale. Nothing special about 1st course (tuna tartare or quinoa salad). Pasta dishes are excellent, highly recommend. Duck was undercooked (raw) and rubbery. Fish was good, not great. A small fly ended up in my wine glass. And ended the meal with the kitchen failing twice on souffle preparation so my server refused to bring either to the table (which I appreciated). What a disappointing night for me and my wife. Get it together because I love the bar and bar menu but having serious doubts of patronizing further.
(1)Bradford G.
I would pay a lot for a great meal, and one will surely do that here, but I wouldn't call it great. There was a time it was better, but these days it just costs more than other better places. I'm not saying you should never go, just that it doesn't top the list. I do like the bar at an off time for a quick cocktail.
(3)YelpHatesMe Y.
Very very nice. Recently moved back to the burbs from Philly and have always wanted to try this place. It was very good. Had the octopus. Was a bit slimy for my taste but all in all not that bad. Had the duck breast as the entree and it was phenomenal. The only other duck that I had that was better was from the now defunct Avance. I would definitely get it again. My wife had the scallops and risotto. The scallops were literally cooked perfectly and the risotto they give you is sweet and filling - but may be a gut buster for some. My only cons are that it took quite some time to get my first drink and after that the two scotchs that I asked for they were out of. They did give me a higher quality one though for a cheaper price. I'd still expect a place of this caliber to have ample stock of common drinks. Service was spotty as they had a new guy and there seemed to be a lot of missed communication. The parking lot was full of high end snobby main line cars like Ferraris and Porsche's and Maseratis but don't let that dissuade you. There definitely was a LOT of pretentious conversation going on in this place that certainly made us roll our eyes a lot. I've certainly had nicer dinners in the city but for the burbs this inst a bad place.
(4)NIna L.
I book a private dinner for 10 through Andrea who couldn't have been more gracious or more helpful. The restaurant is lovely and in a beautiful setting. The private dining room was perfect and the service was exceptional. The food was fantastic and being able to choose from both a formal & informal menu was extremely helpful and consumer friendly. The birthday cake was special thanks to the extraordinary efforts on Andrea. I would highly recommend this restaurant from every perspective to one and all. It was wonderful.
(5)Lydia B.
We have mixed reviews about Bar-Savona. I really like it... My husband "doesn't think it's that great". I'm pretty obsessed with their brick chicken... I will go back and order it again for sure. The wine pour was minimal, the atmosphere is Business or Uber romantic stuffy. The main dining room has a different menu that is pricey with a wonderful cheese cart. I look forward to going back to this restaurant but I'm not sure I can convince my husband to take me. If you love olives order them on the appetizer menu they give you a huge bowl of them.
(3)Reid F.
I hadn't eaten here in a long time (since before Yelp), and I always remembered how good it is. Well, I went back recently and was not disappointed. Great service, a good wine list, and excellent food including superb Bolognese. Yummm.
(5)Eric K.
My fiancé and I had dinner there last night and it was excellent. I had the roasted winter vegetables to start and then the duck breast--both were seasoned perfectly and so delicious. The latter was probably one of my favorite dishes ever. She had the polenta and ham dish followed by the bistecca (steak), which was cooked exactly to her liking. We ended the meal by sharing the best soufflé I've had in a while. For drinks, I just had a glass of scotch and a Bordeaux. The service was great as well and the food came out and a comfortable pace. We had gone to Savona before about two years ago and it was just ok then. But they have really made a lot of improvements. I was so surprised at how good the food was last night. We live in center city and usually go out to the restaurants there. But we were on the mainline and wanted to get dinner after seeing a movie. We ended up at Savona because it was a 1000 point option on OpenTable. Needless to say, we will definitely be back soon. Their food last night rivals any of the best restaurants in Philly.
(5)Daniel E.
Savona is our favorite restaurant, period. Everything is exceptional. Try the chef's tasting menu. They have an extensive wine cellar as well. Yelp seems to have this restaurant miscategorized. It's a very upscale French influenced restaurant. You pay top dollar, but the whole experience is reliably great so it's totally worth it.
(5)Matt D.
I ordered a chicken caeser salad for take-out. I received two tins. One tin with wet iceberg lettuce and dressing. The second tin contained a chicken drum. Yes, an actual chicken drum - but accompanied by a plastic fork and knife! I then began the journey of cutting the chicken drum to create my chicken caeser salad myself. Turns out, not only was it too difficult for Savona to create the salad but also too painstaking to cook the chicken! I've added a few pictures for reference.
(1)David S.
Savona is one of the very best, period. The service is impeccable. The food has never failed to impress. The ambiance is great and the service is always top-notch. Savona has an amazing wine selection, and a great assortment of drinks. The bartenders are professional and can make anything your little heart desires. The food is delectable, and the menu will never fail to impress. Having eaten here numerous times, everything on the menu will impress and anything featured will blow your mind. If the featured items don't tickle-your-fancy the dover sole is always stellar. Fish is cooked perfectly, served table side, and the sauce is a decadent masterpiece. You are doing yourself a disservice by not eating at Savona.
(5)Rich W.
Took the ole ball and chain here for dinner a few months ago.....EXCELLENT! Food was off the charts good, we had a one-way ticket to flavor town. Upscale dining, minus the "Main Line" pretentiousness. Although we did feel a little out of place at the bar, but the bartenders and staff were cool and made sure we had a pre-dinner cocktail despite the amount of people jammed into the bar :) To start I had the mozzarella di bufala appetizer....fantastic. Very tasty, especially with the pesto sauce on the side! She had (I think) the Caesar salad, and she thought it was excellent. I had the braised short rib, she had the veal milanese with arugula salad. The veal was by far the most exceptional plate you will order. Don't get me wrong my short rib was fantastic, but the veal was out of this world. Can't remember if we got dessert or not, so I can't comment on that....but I'm sure it's incredible. The wine list is a major plus here. Top quality wine, plus they recommend the pairings on the menu....major plus to those of a novice wine drinking status...cough...me....cough. FYI - VALET PARKING ONLY. I didn't know that going in. Not a problem at all, just a heads up. The valets were pretty cool dudes....probably b/c they were closer to my age versus their usual "parental aged" customers. LOL *My only caveat was that we ordered a bottle of wine for the table, and they kept it in a separate location while we ate (no biggie). However, we were told by the end of the dinner that we had drank it all. Not that this was to any surprise, it just didn't feel like we had that many glasses of wine so that rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)Jason T.
Was introduced to Savona by a business associate here in the Philadelphia area. I was so impressed with the quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The ingredients were noticeably fresh and the flavors were remarkable. Ask for the veal meatballs - even if they're not on the limited menu, they are worth a go as an appetizer. Highly recommend this establishment for authentic Italian cuisine.
(5)Frank F.
Super good food. Beautiful room. Service was a little weird - a couple of very young teenagers, basically trainees, doing their awkward best. It was ok, more amusing than anything else. The staff did make a big phony spectacle over "presenting the Dover Sole", in its copper skillet, to one person who ordered Dover Sole. Also amusing. But the food was great, and I would definitely go back.
(4)Bill M.
For fanciful yet unpretentious dining, and a restaurant with a well rounded bar selection and an impressive selection of cheeses on the Main Line; It really doesn't get much better than Savona. I learned that before but it took a successful Mother's Day brunch to rekindle that memory. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Gulph Mills Road, Savona is an intriguing restaurant in an older building with an updated a modernized decor, especially were it counts in the dining room. the bar featured an amicable selection of brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Yards, and Ommegang; as well a a satisfactory cocktail list. But in the tradition of brunch I opted for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary which yielded a subtle spicy kick. Whether it was a cream of goat cheese in a crimini mushroom soup, pecorino romano in a risotto with bacon, or a parmesean reggiano melt in a Tuscan white bean soup; I was really in awe of the ways that cheese was utilized in the menu. And they succeeded in the rare task of opening a monger like me up to some previously unheard of varieties like Creme Royale and a smooth but slightly salty triple creme goat cheese that I really wish I could remember the name of. Overall the farm to table food menu was very thought out and featured some well played twists. The aforementioned mushroom soup might have been the best that I've ever had. And my eggs Benedict with asparagus and a smoked Scottish salmon was one of those rare egg dishes that had me wanting to lick the yolk off my plate. and my mom and dad were satisfied with their blue claw crab scrambled eggs. Really the only flaw to this successful brunch was that it was a brunch menu that they only offered on special occasions like Mother's Day. But it definitely impressed me enough to check them out on a regular dinner or lunch. And they definitely have a variety of other special occasions like cooking classes and beer events.
(5)Stephen S.
Two stars only because our severs were very nice. Our appetizers took 40 minutes to arrive. While the original story was that the chef did not like the way they turned out, our server admitted the food was dropped. Ok accidents happen, no problem but tell the truth and fix the problem. Neither the manager nor chef came to apologize While I had high hopes based on reviews, the food was good but not overly great. Now it was my first and last time there and only tried couple items so it's a limited opinion but the pompous attitude of the manager sealed the fact I will never go back
(2)Shari A.
We were taken here by friends of ours who live just a few miles away from the Merion restaurant, which is housed in a very lovely Victorian style home with beautiful and more contemporary furnishings inside. This establishment is long on charm but just a touch short on cuisine...which is why I hesitated and couldn't award four stars. But it is obvious from both the service and the food, that the chef and his staff are trying hard. Overall, we had a wonderful experience here and would return to give it another go. The wine and cocktail list is very nice and there are plenty of options for all tastes. We enjoyed our glasses of rose while our servers described a few specials. I opted for the hamachi crudo with blueberry-lime composta. My husband's charred octopus was spectacular but sadly, I cannot say the same of my appetizer. The small pieces of hamachi were room temperature and on a hot end of summer evening, one would think the raw fish would be served chilled. To me this was a huge misstep since raw fish should be served cool to the touch and with some acid. The lime citrus flavor was obscured by what I can describe only as the filling you might find in a blueberry pie. It was thick and sweet and just didn't pair very well with the hamachi. That said, the Bronzino entree made up for the poorly executed appetizer. It was filleted and cooked to perfection..moist and flakey. And the peppers and onions that accompanied it were very tasty. They accommodated my request for a side order of broccoli rabe which was fine. The duck entree over succotash seemed to be a big hit with my hubby. Dessert was really the star here. We ordered the twice baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting flavor gelato topped with a delectable caramel sauce. The cake was really a loaf of carrot cake..incredibly moist. What was spectacular was the absence of frosting. The gelato that accompanied the cake was the perfect addition to the cake and the sweetness and tartness cream cheese frozen dessert really paired perfectly. Our friends had a sampling of the gelato and the flavors were divine. Even the hot coffee was very good. The front of the restaurant features a trendy bar scene and a lighter menu. There is seating on the patio which is a plus. The service is very professional even if the experience of their young staff shows a little. All in all, a fine dining experience in a cute setting. I would love to return and try some other menu items.
(3)Alex V.
We went to Savona last week for dinner, and overall it was not well executed. My sardine first course was pretty good, but my wife's grilled octopus was horrible. The octopus was not cooked properly, either the grill temperature was too low, or the fish was just not good. Either way, it was a charred chewy mess. My lobster roll was pretty good but not exceptional by any means, and my wife's scallops were ok but the risotto was overcooked, not seasoned well, and greasy. The service was a bright spot in typical French fashion we were asked several times about our meal, but overall its hard to justify the price of a meal at this place given the amateurish execution and cost per head.
(2)Danan R.
Part of the appeal of dining here is in the divine food presentation. Every dish has looked fit for at least a Viceroy, if not King. The food itself is quite good. The salmon tartare is very fresh and paired well with a hint of lemon. They were served with these delicious hand-cut fingerling "chips." The foie gras was nice but not the best that I have had. The veal sweetbreads were cooked to the perfect degree of crispiness and very nicely seasoned. The entrees were lovely and some were excellent. The sauteed sole was cooked to perfection in a delicious lemon butter sauce and topped off with pine nuts. It almost looked too pretty to eat. Almost. Nothing can stop me from consuming a plate of good food once it is set in front of me. I also tried the roast rack of lamb, which was very flavorfully seasoned (rosemary, if I recall) and tender, it was served with peas and carrots. The Napolean with banana bread, nutella mouse, and gelato was the perfect finish, although the honey marscarpone crepe does come in a close second. The wine selection is excellent, in particular the Gosset Grande Rose. Love the vintage collection. Service is on par with Le-Bec Fin so it is superb. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants in close proximity to the Main Line. Yes, it is slightly pricey but the ambiance is almost unsurpassed.
(4)Laurie M.
Our party of six sat down at 6:30 and we finally got up at 10:00. There were only 3, maybe 4 other tables on the entire floor seated. Drinks took forever and after sending my son out to find out where the food was and it finally arrived, some meals were good and others not so. I'm really dis because I'd been given the nod by my manager who ate upstairs and had a lovely meal. Being busy was not the excuse for the kitchen but I will say that when food was served we were smothered with wait staff so something was amiss. Wouldn't recommend this place especially given the prices. I've heard the upstairs is quite good but it's still the same kitchen. And you can't park yourself. Another unnecessary money maker given the small parking lot and not that many patrons!
(2)Bill F.
What a great place! Food is outstanding! Service is superb! The wine cellar is a great place for groups! Go and enjoy the outdoor dining and fun bar!
(5)Mark W.
Savona has a fantastic restaurant, and a more casual bar/restaurant called Bar Savona. I have been to the restaurant several times, and am a big fan. I have not yet been to Bar Savona. The restaurant offers good choices, reasonable portions, and an outstanding wine list. Following dinner, there is an excellent cheese trolley that comes table-side, and/or desserts. Savona offers a wine cellar dining room for groups up to 12-16 people. It's a lovely space and very distinctive. During warmer months, the terrace outside of the bar area is open for seating, drinking and dining.
(4)Jeff M.
Visiting from out of town and well worth the drive. This place was amazing. Food was exceptional. Chocolate smores soufflé was incredible. Great service at the bar. This is as good as any culinary farm to table restaurant in a major city... And it's in suburban PA. Wow!
(5)Rich L.
Ate here on a Monday night. First the bar doesn't open till 5:30 pm. We were there a bit early and managed to wangle a drink at 5:15...a nicely made Manhattan. I t felt though like I was imposing upon the bartender. C'mon guys open the bar at 4:30-5:00 pm. How hard is that? Resv was for 5:30. Wanted to sit down at 5:25...they weren't quite ready. Ok..a bit much for me..but on to the food. First, they have a downstairs menu with 2 appys and 6 entrees, 1 special I believe. Dover sole $55! Fortunately from reading the Yelp reviews I knew they had an upstairs menu that you could request. They don't bother telling you that, which I didn't like, but like I said I knew enough to request it. Way more choices, this is where the chicken that people have reviewed is, and in my opinion the prices were a notch lower. I had a appy portion of pasta Bolognese and the chicken which were both very good. So...this is my second time here in a little over a year, not on my dime again, but I really don't need to go back. Just not a fan of the vibe/attitude I get from this place at all.
(3)Valerie D.
We had a very nice tenth anniversary experience at SAVONA. Its not an inexpensive restaurant at almost $300 a couple including an inexpensive bottle of wine by comparison. (Our bottle was $75 whereas the average bottle was $350 all the way up to $1100) We had a lot of servers who were very attentive to our table. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very attentive but we had an issue with the wine sommelier who had only started two weeks ago. She was a very nice but very inexperienced young girl who truly didn't do her job very well. I specifically said that I cannot drink very sweet wines and when my husband asked her for a choice within his price range she kept pointing to two that she liked in a more expensive range when he kept asking about the other four in his range. When he finally had her comment on the four he specifically stated a few times- (I chimed in as well) that he did NOT want anything sweet. A few minutes later she appeared with a bottle that she recommended and my husband tried it and said that it was very sweet, I tried it and said I didn't care for it and that it was WAY too sweet. She never offered to take it back, she never offered us anything else to replace it and it was of course on our bill. We even left half of the bottle it was so awful and frankly undrinkable. When our dinner was almost done and AFTER we had had dessert, she came over with a sip's worth in a wine glass of another wine she wanted me to try not offering me that wine or offering to substitute it she just said she wanted to show me this one for our next time at Savona. (of course this one was one of the more expensive bottles) I almost wanted to call management the next day but of course realize she is inexperienced and didn't want to get her into trouble. But I was quite annoyed that we had to pay for a bottle that was awful when we both specifically stated numerous times that we wanted a dryer wine and both hated sweet. We did love the risotto and I loved my chilean sea bass, my husband loved his veal shank but again I am not happy with the way we were treated by the sommelier
(3)Zig Z.
Just Shoot Me I attended a small group Pharma affair here tonight and can promise you I will never go back. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to do so, and I had to post this right away I was so pissed off! The food was mediocre at best, the arugula bed under my Bronzino was filled with so much sand and small rocks I had to stop eating it for fear of breaking teeth. But the real problem is the management and their failure to intelligently guide the wait staff on how to maintain flow and pace of a meal with a group of 14. We were on a timeline that went a full hour over and most left with no coffee or dessert. Terribly long delays between each stage of the meal, 45 minutes between clearing dinner plates and carrying out desserts which had been ordered 2 hours prior, no coffee 20 minutes after coffee orders were taken, wine that went unfilled for most of the dinner. I left without dessert, confused wait staff wondering why 90% of my group peeled away out of frustration. Oh, and then the 25 minute line after all of that to get my damned car back from the valets, who couldn't find one attendee's car. Fire the chef, the manager, the wait staff, and the valets and start all over: this place used to be good, (food, service, and all) but now it is a painful experience. I'd prefer a hot poker in the eye, thanks! Event planners and Pharma reps: AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE! Your clients will hold you personally responsible for the misery!
(1)Steve T.
Savona...where have you been my whole life? I knew something special awaited us when we showed up on Tuesday night...late...and the place was packed. Tuesday night after the holidays...packed? Yep. Savona continues to be an upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant that is one of the landmarks on the Main Line, with an emphasis on Abruzzese cuisine. However, Savona is now two concepts in one. In addition to the aforementioned fine dining room, there is also "Bar Savona," which is more of a bistro. We ate in the latter, and this review is limited to Bar Savona. Its been years since I've been there, and the place was completely remodeled about three years ago. What is now even more compelling about Savona is this upscale bar/bistro they've set up, with a separate menu that brings Osteria to the neighborhood and, perhaps, exceeds it. We started off with the fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The second appetizer was the Marco Castro, a margherita pizza with copius amounts of fresh arugula, red onion, and pancetta. Let's now expand the list to 1002 good uses for bacon. Superb. Served with thin crust and fresh ingredients, you will be hard pressed to find a better gourmet pizza. Our dinner entrees were the shrimp fra diabolo, which was served with five jumbo shrimp and homemade pappardelle. While my lady would've preferred it spicier, it was a solid dish. My entree was the pappardelle bolognese, also served with homemade pasta (as is all their pasta) in a meaty bolognese sauce. This was the best presentation of this classic Abruzzese dish I've ever had. If you are venturing to Bar Savona, as you really should, be aware that you will need reservations most nights. Do not even for one second think you will get in on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without one. Not even a made man wearing a silk suite with black shirt and tie flouting $100 tips to the hostess will get you in. There is mandatory valet parking as the on site lot is small. While a bistro concept, it is not inexpensive, but the dishes were all fantastic and, frankly, this may be the best restaurant I've eaten in and certainly matches Sola for nearby dining.
(5)Ana C.
Horrible experience. Awful service. Spend your money somewhere else that deserves it.
(1)Emma T.
Savona does everything right: food, service, ambiance, wine. Their pizzas are divine with great flavors and a crispy, thin crust. One pizza comes topped with a perfectly runny egg. The wine sommelier is very knowledgeable and will help you choose a great wine from their cellar. It's a fun place for a nice New Year's Eve dinner. When we went, they had a pink champagne drink specially for the occasion.
(5)JJ M.
My boss's boss was coming to town so I booked us at Savona. All up, a really fine dining experience, great room, great service, pretty good food. Ambitious, classy, elegant. This was my third attempt to get to Savona. On each of the other two occasions, the traffic was so bad from Malvern to Conshy that we just gave up. So we left extra early and were still 15 minutes late! What a beautiful place! I remember the Picket Post c1978 and the folks at Savona have done a fabulous job creating a destination restaurant. The bar was cute and intimate. The crowd was obviously well heeled, dressed in traditional Main Line preppie style. Folks were dining al fresco on the small patio. We were greeted immediately and made to feel at home, even though we were late. Apps - I had the Sweetbreads, served with a three minute egg, greens and mushrooms. Light and crispy, nicely prepared, a tad salty. My dining companions had the salmon carpaccio and lobster salad. All the plates were beautifully composed, and the lobster salad was spectacular. Entrees - Both my companions had the plancha seared striped bass and scrupulously cleaned their plates. I had Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and eggplant. I ate about half. The scallops were overdone. I wasn't sure if the kitchen was trying to evoke the essence of the sea, but every component of the dish, little scallop boats, frothy eggplant waves, pancetta sun setting, reinforced the tide of salinity that began with my sweetbreads. Dessert was a spectacularly good baked apple wrapped in pastry and topped with icecream and a delicate, beautiful, sugar leaf. Great coffee (La Columbe?). We did not see the cheese trolley, but will look for it next trip. Wine list was really good. We had a nice bottle of Bergstrom PN - yeah I love my Oregon wines. Ok beer list. Pedestrian martini, no onions avaliable :-(. We all enjoyed the amuse bouche before each course. So, if you are out to impress, or to have a really world class dining experience, Savona is as good as I've seen along the Main Line, especially West Conshohoken.
(4)Julian B.
This year for our two year wedding anniversary, I had a hard time deciding where to take my wife. We had already done a bunch of the big time Center City restaurants and I wanted to do something different. Different ended up letting my friends on Facebook decide where we were going to go. I wasn't thrilled with a lot of the suggestions until one friend said Savona. I know Savona! It's about 15 minutes away from us and we had never been there and I had heard nothing but good things about it. I immediately looked at the BarSavona menu and decided this is where we were going. My five star rating says it all. This place really is as good as it gets. We arrived at the restaurant about twenty minutes early, but were seated right away. The host took us upstairs and sat us down right next to the wine room where we saw wines all the way back from 1961. On the wine note, we were both extremely impressed with the wine sommelier. Besides the fact that he was actually French, he was knowledgeable and very friendly. After dinner, he actually treated us to some champagne to celebrate out anniversary which was a really nice gesture. As far as our wine selection, we ended up getting a 2010 Kaiken Malbec that was outstanding. It was fruity and quite drinkable so be warned. The food was just as good as the wine. For appetizers we both got soups; for myself the bisnona minestra and for my wife the tuscan white bean. Usually when you rode soup at a restaurant these days, you get a small portion. Both soups could have been meals themselves. Huge portions that were both fantastic that made me happy that there was a bit of a wait between courses. For Dinner, I ordered one of the two steak specials which was a hanger stake with palenta and baby carrots in a red wine veal reduction. This dish was perfectly cooked medium rare and was just a perfectly balanced dish. My wife ordered the market fish which was a Fluke that night. It came with broccoli rabe and a lemon caper sauce. This dish was equally just as good. For dessert we had a chocolate-hazelnut soufflé which was absolutely to die for. It was cooked perfectly and the taste was just delightful. Another added touch was the Happy Anniversary written in chocolate on the plate. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Our waitress was amazing and was quick to make sure we had everything we needed. Obviously my wife and I will be returning to Savona.
(5)Brian H.
I was getting tired of the Main Line restaurant scene, and with tentative weather causing me not wanting to drive into the city, a spark lit inside my exhausted brain when a friend called me an arrogant bastard, and I said "ahhhhh, the 22oz. Arrogant Bastard sounds wonderful, let's go back to the oft forgotten Savona". It was early in the evening, and getting old is becoming synonymous with eating early, so we thought without a reservation on a Saturday we could sit at the bar. Well low and behold they had tables available on the beautifully furnished patio at that hour, probably awaiting the later younger crowd. This is a 5 star patio, so get comfortable and enjoy the evening air. Dinner again was consistent and consistently very very good. I started with the Tuscan Bean Soup. Rich and full of scrumptious flavor, I wish I skipped my entree and went right to dessert. The entree I chose was the swordfish, served with Roma beans, in a sauce vierge. The swordfish was a small, perfectly medium cooked fish atop the under cooked, slightly tough to chew green beans (and I love my veggies crisp) but the flavors, even with the sauce, although simple and anticipated simple, were just not excellent this time. My friend had a terrific beet salad, full of yummy-ness, and a great size. And for the entree she had the brick chicken, 5 star all the way (see my old review below for a description). Dessert was a lovely 4 star carrot cake, with diced pineapple and small dollops of a semifreddo. Service is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The valet attendants are very kind to the cars, just a tad short of wearing white glove treatment. I just hope I don't need to be called names to remember that Savona is a great go-to place, no matter whether you are early, want to sit at the bar, or plan in advance with reservations.
(4)Ralph O.
The décor was definitely Bistro, plain and neat, rather lacking in thought. We were greeted by our waiter and the menus, and by the way a wine/liquor list. After explaining the menu, a young lady came to tell us she would be our "beverage/dessert" person. She took our drink orders and left. OK...cocktail time: I don't know about you, but for me, cocktail time should not interfere with dinner time. Let me explain. I am a bit of a whiskey nut and I don't order just anything. I'm pretty specific as to what whiskey, bourbon, rye, or scotch I want, the age, and the region. It has always been my experience that once one eats something, the salt in the food will interfere with the whiskey. It puts an edge on the distillate that was not intended. So when the drinks took 15 minutes to arrive, the time for cocktails and chat was compressed. Shortly thereafter our first course arrived. It was right on the heels of my Macallan Scotch and Gretchen's Prosecco. Ok...strike one. The course, a parsley risotto adorned with escargot and elephant garlic chips. It was rather lovely, although, the Arborio was a bit undercooked (almost crunchy) . But as Gretchen says...better a bit firm than mushy, and I agree. The flavor was wonderful. But I had to hold off because I had just gotten my scotch... a disappointment. Before dinner; a complimentary amuse-bouche. It was a tuna tartar served on a tiny wheat cracker topped with water cress...sophisticated at the very least. For the main course we both went with the Seared Bronzino over a green (French I think) lentil salad and pomegranate. This was rather elegant. The portion was perfect. It was presented correctly, on a suitable sized plate (don't you hate it when they bring it out in a plate that could be mistaken for the moon?) and it wasn't food architecture. The chef knows what he's doing. The service: strange and confused at best. It seemed like the wait staff was all on their first night on the job. All, except for Sheena our beverage person, were less than personable, with the focused intent of a worried figure skater in the Olympics. I live with a chef. If I want "over-the-top" food all I have to do is come home. When I go out, I want the total package; the experience. We quite literally felt out of place. So focused on the task at hand, they managed to bang into my chair a half dozen times. If there were a smile, it was forced...except for Sheena. I felt like I was in the ER room at a busy hospital. Now we have been to plenty of upscale restaurants with staff sommeliers. They have a job to do...some go to the extent of tasting the wine for the client to insure its quality. But to my mind, this should be done a bit more inconspicuously. If you're going to taste and spit...be less obvious. The dessert: You have to have dessert on Valentine's Day and it has to be special and Chocolate. We selected the Chocolate Hazelnut Bombe with Hazelnut gelato, cranberry and orange in a cap of white chocolate...This...was yummy. I thought "Chocolat" was brown...it is! Along with dessert, arrived a complimentary sweet from the chef...classy. Sheena took our dessert order to which we added a cappuccino for Gretchen and an espresso for me. I asked for Sambuca on the side. By the time the Sambuca came, my espresso was frozen over...bar late again. I guess they were so busy making those multi-colored kiddy drinks that the simple orders fell behind. Add to the above, we were between what seemed to be the result of a dating.com couple gone wrong and a family including two very small, noisy children. I can take the loud discussion of the awkward couple (he had no game), but noisy children in an upscale bistro...not so much. And did I see jeans and a sweater?!...ugh. Gone are the days when you dressed for dinner as a sign of respect for your dinner companion...gone are the days of the Garden Restaurant in Philadelphia where if a gentleman arrived in a fit of absentmindedness without a coat for dinner, one was provided by the Maitre D'. I guess I'm old and with that old fashioned, but I felt surrounded by people who I assume had the ability to pay for a chic eating event but confused the ability to pay with the taste to enjoy it. Ok, meal over, bill paid and off to the car. The valet ran over, took my ticket, tip attached, ran to get the car, brought it back, left my door open and ran off. So to sum it up, Savona was a delightful food experience with everything else so pretentious in execution and lacking in personality that I will have to put this one in the minus column.
(2)Peg K.
Fine dining at Savona has roled out "Family Dinner" on Monday nights. Dinner is served family style to one's table, three courses, for $40pp. Both/all parties need to order the set menu. The food is meticulously prepared, delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented; the service is impeccable. The menu changes each week affording the chef the opportunity to show off the creative and expansive talents of the kitchen. Slight adjustments can be made reflecting food allergies, etc. but best to place oneself in the hands of the capable kitchen and enjoy the delights of the evening.
(5)Stu G.
This is a very tough one for me. I'm giving my rating based on many prior meals, last night was not so good. When my wife tells me we are going to Savona, I'm always excited. It is one of my favorite places and it has always been great. I was very disappointed last night, but I'm not going to give them a overall bad rating because sometimes you have to chalk it up to a bad night. The bar area is a bit small, which is why it was surprising that it took a long time for the six of us to get drinks. You always feel like you're in the way of the servers. Everyone is polite, but it was a bit annoying. Wine selection is good by the glass, not out of bounds on price. Mixed drinks were a bit expensive, but tasty. I usually love the pizzas. The one I like the most has an egg that they break on top with sausage...love it. It wasn't on the menu, but our waiter (who was good), said he'd try to see if he could get it since they had the ingredients. Shockingly, he came back and said they wouldn't make it for me. I explained that we didn't get our table on time (45 minutes late) and I really wanted that pizza. He tried again, but no dice. He did speak to the manager and they comped us a bit, so I appreciated the effort. Dinner was average, I had the veal milanese, it was ok. My wife's is much, much better. Her dinner wasn't very good (pork chop), it was dry. Pasta was good, steak was ok. I ran into some friends who hadn't been there before and was sorry I set a high expectation, as they were a bit disappointed as well. Perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen, everything seemed a bit off. Hopefully, it is just a bad night and they will be back on top of their game for next time.
(4)Michael P.
Excellent food and impeccable service, in a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance on the fine dining side of the house. A more affordable menu with the same ambiance on the bistro side of the house.
(5)marc g.
We went for drinks and drinks only. I'm not going to comment on the food but your bill for two and wine will be $250. It's jammed and is a typical main line restaurant with pricey cars and a lot of self important people. Anyhow, the bar is completely annoying. There are too many rules regarding who can sit at the bar and the bar tables. Most are reserved for people to eat, yet you stand around in the way of polite servers trying to figure it out. It's not easy to get a drink despite the intimate nature of the bar. Their cocktails are inventive and the food looked great, however, you can do better for the price. A bottle of Monk's sour ale is billed at $16 (I'm not kidding)..this beer is $4 in a bottle shop....that's quite a mark up. I was unimpressed. It's a nice place but this joint thinks it's in Manhattan.
(3)Diana A.
A local favorite for service and food! After an exhausting search for a great birthday venue, (+20 painful phone calls to local and Philly restaurants) I finally decided to go with Savona's wine cellar. They offered the best menu, space, and service. During the planning process and the night of the event, Savona staff was very professional, pleasant, and constructive. It was a great evening. Thanks, Savona!!
(5)Tina C.
Savona is Consistently good. Ate some delicious short ribs for $26 and asked for a leftover bag because I had only finished half. The server forgot to give it to me so I left without it. Other than that, we still keep it on our list of favorite Mainline restaurants to take our teenage kids.
(3)Dave H.
All of our dishes at Savona had an emphasis on presentation. Their staff has an eye for detail. For starters, the complimentary l'amuse bouche (see photos) was a dumpling filled with seafood - it was a promising start to the meal. Our appetizers were also promising. The foie gras was a treat, and a little tougher than I'm used to. (Tough isn't a word I often associate with foie gras, but whatever.) The bouillabaisse was herby and delicious. Our entrees were well-prepared but didn't taste as good as they looked. The Berkshire pork and the halibut were both fine but lacking "oompf" (plain flavor). The pork had great pickles on the side and the halibut had earl grey tea (never seen this before) poured into the bowl as it was delivered to us. Don't get me wrong; their menu is creative and I recommend their tasting menu for the adventurous. Complimentary profiteroles helped close the meal. For dessert, we also ordered the sweet tropical cobbler (vanilla gelato, cinnamon crust, spiced tropical fruit). Service (Adrian, Huey, and others) was wonderful (as-expected for a restaurant of its caliber). The staff paid attention to us and even gave us a tour after the meal (appreciated)! I've been meaning to try out Savona for quite some time. I'm not sure when I would go back (not anytime soon due to the high prices), but I would recommend anyone try it for a special occasion... Mother's Day is coming up!
(4)Percy N.
Hadn't been back to Savona for a while until last night. The updated sleek modern decor, menus, staff and Chef Drew are great. Though we had a custom menu, we did try a few things from the regular menu which were great. Recommend the pizza, lobster, oysters, ox tail and bread. The efficient yet non-intrusive service is comparable to NYC (dare I say even Per Se?) and if you are looking for wine suggestions, you are in safe hands with well known sommelier Melissa Monosoff. Closest to 3 star dining you will find in the burbs.
(4)Jeff M.
The food is excellent but is lacks that wow factor that blows you away. It something that is hard to put your finger one. Don't get me wrong I am huge fan of Savona but a little something more could push them into Michelin territory. (Please keep in mind that I am not and do not think I am at the level of an inspector.) I've been here many times and am rarely disappointed. The atmosphere and service is perfectly unpretentious. The wine list is great and mostly affordable with many bottles under $100. Savona has always been accommodating to special request and special occasions. I've never left hungry like I have at many other 'fine' dining establishments. I'd recommend Savona to almost anyone. The one bad experience I've had at Savona was a dinner in the middle of winter when a tropical fruit cobbler desert arrived with fruit far from fresh. I wonder why this was on the menu in January. Highlights include Dover Sole, octopus ravioli in its own ink, frog's legs, the cheese course and chocolate souffle.
(4)Michael C.
Awesome in every way. I've dined up stairs in Bar Savona twice, but never the formal downstairs. Service is absolutely immaculate. I've never seen such front of the house efficiency. The Bar Savona menu is a little bare, but i've never been less than pleased with the food or the price. There are more than enough specials to make up for the fact that the menu doesn't seem to change very often. I've had the eggplant parm, (which is great, but nothing revolutionary) and the braised shortrib special with brussel sprouts and celeriac (10/10 dish). If I had to complain about something it would be the overuse of pasta on the bar savona menu. That being said, I'm not a big fan of pasta/itilian cuisine but i still love everything they do. On both visits to the restaurant I felt my glass of wine was shorted an oz or two, but it could just be the way the glasses are shaped. I haven't had a cocktail from there in a long time so I can't comment too much on the bar.
(5)Shannon G.
Ferrari behind me, Porsche in front of me. Yep, we're in Gulph Mills now. We were a little early for our already early reservation, so they had no problem seating us in the sleek, modern dining room. Large wine and beer lists. I had an Allagash White. It was glorious. Asparagus, shaved Mushroom, and a gently poached egg with pancetta vinaigrette. WTF. This was insanely good, one of the most amazingly savory appetizers I've had. Mushrooms and the vinaigrette were perfect together. Wife had the spring vegetable and quinoa salad with homemade cheese and carrot oil. Also really good, just not as good. I was proud of my superior selection. Then we got to the entrees, where everyone lost. Lamb loin was kind of tough and flavor was meh. The poached halibut over white asparagus with pistachio tapenade suffered from the same problem. Hint of pistachio was evident, but it was pretty boring. Presentation was excellent, just wished it tasted as good as it looked though. Parking lot is valet only.
(3)Amanda J.
The service was excellent, I wish I could remember his name. He was attentive, made great suggestions and really made it a good experience. The food was YUMMY!!! I can't say enough good things about the incredible food!!! We each had a tomato mozzarella salad and split the eggplant napolean. TO DIE FOR :) The wine was tasty and complimented dinner well. Since we were traveling there from Texas we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather in PA. What a wonderful patio!!! A truly serene surrounding with lovely trees. Overall Savona was one of the best places I have ever visited. So why not 5 stars then??? The incredibly RUDE couple who sat next to us, that's why. The patio tables are maybe a foot and a half from each other, fairly tight quarters. This couple was probably in their late 60's and spent the entire time talking about my girlfriend and I. Now, I'll be honest, I couldn't hear EXACTLY what was being said but there was whispering and pointing. So much so that at one point, I did over hear the husband ask "How old do you think that one is" pointing his finger at me while trying to shield it with his other hand, "26 maybe 27?" he hissed across the table to his wife. I had had enough, looked straight at him and answered, "I'm 33" tight lipped smile! His response, "Oh I guess I talk too loudly!" Then THEY had the nerve to act offended as if I had been the rude one!!! They left not too long after, THANK GOODNESS!!! We mentioned the incident to the waiter who laughed and told us they're "V.I.P's" Whatever...we paid, left a nice tip and left. Definitely go eat there but beware of old, gossipy people on the patio!
(4)John R.
Savona, they name alone just screams class. I was there not long ago for a company Christmas party in the wine cellar. Talk about a jaw dropping sight! The walls are beautifully kept wine racks with exposed brick. And the food, The fillet mignon was perfectly seasoned and seared. The roased shallots complimented the fillet perfectly. Overall a great experience.
(4)Bella G.
This is by far the best fine dinning option in the burbs. I had 3 wonderful meals here. i feel the Dinning room is a little too stuffy but what would I expect. The bar area is delightful and the cocktails are superb. it can get very crowded on the weekends but i guess thats what happens when you are as good as Savona...and not much competition in the area.
(4)Charles R.
Actually this review is for Bar Savona. Sat outside after a day of rain and everything was very nice. I've been here a few times, especially in the summer when I can sit on the patio, and always have a good meal. We had the fried artichokes, which I think are a favorite of most people that go there, and the squash blossoms, which were excellent. Dinner we both had the Veal Francese, which was very tender and came with greens in a nice light summer dressing. Had wines by the glass, and while some are a little pricey you can find some that are good without going over the top. $12 a glass is ok, but they have a couple that are $16 and the pours aren't overly generous, so if you both drink the same type of wine I would go with a bottle. I do have one HUGE problem with Savona's pricing of liquor. When you the nerve to charge $23.00 for Oban Scotch, that's a joke. Even top steakhouses downtown charge $16-18. Savona is really gouging people at $23, especially when a bottle costs them $69.00. Whoever the manager is that sets the pricing, this is over the top pricing.
(4)Brett M.
My wife and i went to Bar Savona this past Saturday night, in part based on the rave reviews herein. For us, the experience wasnt quite as fabulous. Lets start w the food. It was ok. I suppose in the suburbs of philly, ths is considered fabulous italian. Having grown up in an italian household and having travelled often to italy, this is ok but unremarkable italian food. Maybe youll love it. We didnt. It was a solid B. The point of my review is the "great" service i had read about. ( if the food is 2.5 stars, the service is -1.5, hence my 1-star rating.) its nor that they dont try....they do, they really do. However, we ordered 3 couses -- salads, pizza, pasta, with a drink to start and wine w dinner -- we we out the door 48 minutes after sitting. They cleared my salad plate the second i put my fork down after hovering with the pizza. I had yet to take my third sip of my drink. They cleared my pizza plate while my wife was still eating. Reached across her to give her new silverware while she still had pizza on her plate and food in her mouth, then cleared her plate with a slice left, while she was still chewing, to make room for the rapidly arriving pasta, which we ate with server-ass hanging over our two-top table as the servers rushed the tables to the right and left if us. 48 mins. 3 courses. At least we had a leisurely meal. The couples on either side of us arrived after and left before us. Bar savona = FAST food.
(1)Larry C.
great food. A bit pricey, so for the same quality food and better price head upstairs to their Savona Bar. Food is the same but slight less choices on the menu. Went there couple of times and the food is very consistent and high quality.
(4)Martha M.
I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a disappointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expectation of great food. Very low on taste and high on price. I had the filet of sole. It was acceptable but not taste bursting. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert. The pricing at Savona ($250 for the meal for two) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great disappointment.
(2)Lenny B.
I absolutely Love this place. We have enjoyed this restaurant many times. Thanks
(5)Amy R.
I struggled with the number of stars on this--it wasn't terrible; it was just mediocre which is unacceptable considering the price. My husband and I started the evening in the bar where my husband was served a delicious whiskey sour. We were encouraged. We were seated upstairs and the service was pleasant. My first inkling that this was truly just another suburban restaurant was that our appetizers appeared within a minute of ordering them. Fried zucchini was good but the beat salad was unimpressive with undercooked beets and crappy, grocery store (and not Wegmans!) bought goat cheese. Only a few minutes after those plates were cleared our main courses arrived. I had extremely al dente cavatelli and my husband had under seasoned veal. It wasn't inedible, but, again, for the price I expect much, much better than this. Dessert was nothing special (I can't even remember what it was and dessert is always my favorite part of the meal), but the sommelier did help us find a good wine. After having lived in Philadelphia for many years I am used to even the little mom and pop shops providing excellent service and food for much less money. So it is a bit disappointing to spend $$$ and have a rushed meal of so-so food. If you are looking for Philadelphia-grade service and fare in the suburbs without paying through the nose, skip this one and head to Majolica in Phoenixville.
(2)Statia M.
When I was living in Conshohocken, I used to drive past this restaurant every day. And every day, I'd say to myself "self, you really need to just go already. You know you want to." And I'd say, "you know self, you're right, you DO want to go, but it's one of those places where you don't go by yourself, and it looks a little on the expensive side, and what are you, made of money?" Yeah, the voices in my head, are sometimes not overly reasonable. Then again, when are they reasonable? So, I drove past here every day for nearly two years, and never went. And then I moved away for three years. And then I came back, and while I didn't drive past every day, I would start the same song and dance whenever I did drive by, and I'd say to my husband "we really need to try this place out." And with two kids and lack of sitting, you know how THAT goes. So anyway, a friend of mine had mentioned that they have a Saturday morning cooking class, and I thought that would have been a great idea for my husband, who is the cook in the house. We both enjoy a good meal. So I signed us up. Since this wasn't exactly going to the restaurant for dinner and sitting in the dining room and getting served, my review is a little different. I will say that while the Saturday class was pretty cool (their stove? Oh my god, I am not a fan of cooking, but it's TO DIE FOR), it was more of a cooking demonstration, but it was still a pretty cool experience nonetheless and I would recommend it to anyone, because I actually did learn some new things, even though it wasn't exactly hands on. After we watched/ kind of helped him cook a meal, they brought us down to the wine cellar to eat. It was really great. They served us our lunch and the chef sat down with us. It was a really great experience and the food was good too. They do have two separate menus, one formal dining and one more casual, so if you think you might not be able to afford it, go for their casual menu, of pizza and more pub type fare. The atmosphere will make up for the fact that you're buying a burger instead of filet.
(4)C Y S.
OK, I decided to give this place a chance again, and I realized that I prefer eating here at the bar vs. the restaurant. It has a much livelier vibe than the dining area. I have frequented the bar here several times over the last 2 years, and I have to say that the service and food are superb. It's a little pretentious, and for me to say it, it's pretty pretentious. But, the drinks are great, the food is extremely well-executed, and I like the small cozy bar. It's typically a middle-aged mainline crowd, but it's not too stuffy They also serve Stumptown coffee, (micro-roasted coffee from Portland) which alone could be a reason to come here.
(4)Obviously Better T.
The best DOVER SOLE around. I've had dinner over 15 plus times very close to my house, French cuisine does not get much better then this for the area. FYI anyone that complains about food/wine price shouldn't be in there.
(5)Adam B.
The food here is excellent. The lamb chops with the lamb shoulder is a stand-out entree. And the service is some of the best I've had in a Philadelphia area restaurant.
(5)Alex S.
I went to Savona for dinner on a Saturday. Was seated in the bar area "outside" as they had no availability inside though the place looked half empty. They didn't mention that the menus are different but I assume the quality of food coming out from the kitchen must be equivalent. The appetizers were underwhelming. The main dish was just OK nothing exquisite. The dessert was fairly mediocre - Olive Garden quality. Nothing special at all. I can think of quite a few places that are at least as good. Not sure what the raving reviews are all about.
(3)Steve I.
Celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday here tonight and despite of a few service glitches still believe that Savona deserves the 5 stars for the way they handled the problems. We ordered a bottle of wine with our appetizers and received it promptly. The red wine we ordered with our entrees arrived after we mostly had finished them. They apologized profusely and comped our entire dessert course. As for all other aspects of service it was excellent. We were seated promptly water glasses filled quickly and dishes cleared promptly. The food was outstanding from the pizza margherita to the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella tasted very fresh and probably was made that day. The braised short ribs on polenta was fork tender and very tasty, and the homemade pappardelle bolognese was a big hit with my wife and daughter. All in all a very pleasant way to celebrate our daughter's 30th. I was also surprised to see that the place was packed on a Wednesday night, another good indicator of excellent food and service.
(5)Amy H.
Love their Friday night wine tastings! Good pizza too
(5)Ray V.
We were seated upstairs at rhe barsavona right away, the service was great and the food was fantastic. It's a bit pricey but very good. Portions were just right.
(5)Eduardo C.
Savona is a great restaurant (focus on European food and style). We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender (and mix-master) "Papi," who's a character and makes great drinks. Both drinks we ordered were perfect, and Papi's showmanship was greatly appreciated. After we were seated, we were attended very well by a waiter and a wine specialist. Although the menu is a little short (compared to the wine list, which was extravagant), it seems that it changes often. Both meals we ordered were on the spot and the serving was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our dessert and evening, and will continue to go here (budget permitting) for special occasions. They do have special events, like wine tastings and mixed drinks specials throughout the week that we're going to attend. They seem very well priced for these gatherings and what they offer for each event.
(5)Joe M.
Fantastic dinner at bar Savona. Outstanding pastas at reasonable prices. Try the spag chitarra w ricotta meatballs and the bolognese. An amazing wine list. Helpful, appropriate service. Wonderful!
(5)Emmy K.
I wanted to love this place. Unfortunately the entire experience felt similar to the old Citicard commercial (long wait to get a reservation, great atmosphere, but elf food portions). I admit the service was exceptional...every request was granted with a smile and the ambience was warm. The wine list is extensive, but the menu is limited. When the entrees arrived, we were stunned. While plated beautifully, portions were tiny and the taste was only all right. A majority of our party left the table still hungry. Given the price for Savona, I'd sum up the experience as disappointing.
(3)Mary M.
I was at Savona for lunch recently. My companion and I were seated on the porch initially. After about 30 minutes, the sun coming through the window along with the heat right next to our chairs made it unbearably hot and our server graciously moved us to the interior dining room. We then went on to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Generous portions of salad for both of us, along with a nice glass of chardonnay. The food was good, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was quiet (it was virtually empty the day we were there). I like a place that's a little more lively, even if it just means a few more occupied tables. I have plans to revisit the restaurant for dinner in the near future.
(2)J. J.
Very upscale dining experience. Beautifully arranged and unique french food. HUGE beer and wine menu, they even have a really cool wine cellar and original fire places in the establishment. They will even allow vegetarian's to order from the "bar" menu which has alot of italian and risotta dishes. We had a large party of 8 and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. We were celebrating two milestone birthdays and they even prepared the desert on a special dish with " happy birthday" written in chocolate on the dishes (without our request!) It was a unique and superb dining experience and the food was amazing.
(5)Steve K.
We loved Savona even before it remodelled itself a couple of years ago however, back then, we reserved it only for special occasions. Now with the choice of "fine dining" or "casual dining" it has become our unconditional favorite restaurant in the entire greater Philly area. The combination of truly great food, wine, decor and service are the best we've experienced... well, anywhere. This praise seems to be shared as reservations are frequently hard to secure on short notice but, nevertheless, the highest reviews are well deserved.
(5)Gladys C.
We had an awesome meal here last night - service was fantastic as well as food.
(4)Edward B.
We have not been to this restaurant in the last 2 years because it was so pretentious and costly. Upon hearing of their new look and menu we decided to give it a second chance. Sadly to say that this experience was a disaster. While at the bar having a drink and deciding what bar food we would order we were informed that the bar and all the bar tables were reserved and that we would have to Leave by 8:00. I can not begin to tell you how upset we became at this ridiculous policy. In all my years in the food service industry I have never heard or encountered a policy like this. It is the most absurd thing I have ever witnessed within a restaurant. Needless to say we left and will never return. We did inform the manager of our feelings and his reaction was one of total indifference.
(1)Lydia B.
We have mixed reviews about Bar-Savona. I really like it... My husband "doesn't think it's that great". I'm pretty obsessed with their brick chicken... I will go back and order it again for sure. The wine pour was minimal, the atmosphere is Business or Uber romantic stuffy. The main dining room has a different menu that is pricey with a wonderful cheese cart. I look forward to going back to this restaurant but I'm not sure I can convince my husband to take me. If you love olives order them on the appetizer menu they give you a huge bowl of them.
(3)Reid F.
I hadn't eaten here in a long time (since before Yelp), and I always remembered how good it is. Well, I went back recently and was not disappointed. Great service, a good wine list, and excellent food including superb Bolognese. Yummm.
(5)Rich W.
Took the ole ball and chain here for dinner a few months ago.....EXCELLENT! Food was off the charts good, we had a one-way ticket to flavor town. Upscale dining, minus the "Main Line" pretentiousness. Although we did feel a little out of place at the bar, but the bartenders and staff were cool and made sure we had a pre-dinner cocktail despite the amount of people jammed into the bar :) To start I had the mozzarella di bufala appetizer....fantastic. Very tasty, especially with the pesto sauce on the side! She had (I think) the Caesar salad, and she thought it was excellent. I had the braised short rib, she had the veal milanese with arugula salad. The veal was by far the most exceptional plate you will order. Don't get me wrong my short rib was fantastic, but the veal was out of this world. Can't remember if we got dessert or not, so I can't comment on that....but I'm sure it's incredible. The wine list is a major plus here. Top quality wine, plus they recommend the pairings on the menu....major plus to those of a novice wine drinking status...cough...me....cough. FYI - VALET PARKING ONLY. I didn't know that going in. Not a problem at all, just a heads up. The valets were pretty cool dudes....probably b/c they were closer to my age versus their usual "parental aged" customers. LOL *My only caveat was that we ordered a bottle of wine for the table, and they kept it in a separate location while we ate (no biggie). However, we were told by the end of the dinner that we had drank it all. Not that this was to any surprise, it just didn't feel like we had that many glasses of wine so that rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)Jason T.
Was introduced to Savona by a business associate here in the Philadelphia area. I was so impressed with the quality and authenticity of the cuisine. The ingredients were noticeably fresh and the flavors were remarkable. Ask for the veal meatballs - even if they're not on the limited menu, they are worth a go as an appetizer. Highly recommend this establishment for authentic Italian cuisine.
(5)Frank F.
Super good food. Beautiful room. Service was a little weird - a couple of very young teenagers, basically trainees, doing their awkward best. It was ok, more amusing than anything else. The staff did make a big phony spectacle over "presenting the Dover Sole", in its copper skillet, to one person who ordered Dover Sole. Also amusing. But the food was great, and I would definitely go back.
(4)Bradford G.
I would pay a lot for a great meal, and one will surely do that here, but I wouldn't call it great. There was a time it was better, but these days it just costs more than other better places. I'm not saying you should never go, just that it doesn't top the list. I do like the bar at an off time for a quick cocktail.
(3)David S.
Savona is one of the very best, period. The service is impeccable. The food has never failed to impress. The ambiance is great and the service is always top-notch. Savona has an amazing wine selection, and a great assortment of drinks. The bartenders are professional and can make anything your little heart desires. The food is delectable, and the menu will never fail to impress. Having eaten here numerous times, everything on the menu will impress and anything featured will blow your mind. If the featured items don't tickle-your-fancy the dover sole is always stellar. Fish is cooked perfectly, served table side, and the sauce is a decadent masterpiece. You are doing yourself a disservice by not eating at Savona.
(5)YelpHatesMe Y.
Very very nice. Recently moved back to the burbs from Philly and have always wanted to try this place. It was very good. Had the octopus. Was a bit slimy for my taste but all in all not that bad. Had the duck breast as the entree and it was phenomenal. The only other duck that I had that was better was from the now defunct Avance. I would definitely get it again. My wife had the scallops and risotto. The scallops were literally cooked perfectly and the risotto they give you is sweet and filling - but may be a gut buster for some. My only cons are that it took quite some time to get my first drink and after that the two scotchs that I asked for they were out of. They did give me a higher quality one though for a cheaper price. I'd still expect a place of this caliber to have ample stock of common drinks. Service was spotty as they had a new guy and there seemed to be a lot of missed communication. The parking lot was full of high end snobby main line cars like Ferraris and Porsche's and Maseratis but don't let that dissuade you. There definitely was a LOT of pretentious conversation going on in this place that certainly made us roll our eyes a lot. I've certainly had nicer dinners in the city but for the burbs this inst a bad place.
(4)NIna L.
I book a private dinner for 10 through Andrea who couldn't have been more gracious or more helpful. The restaurant is lovely and in a beautiful setting. The private dining room was perfect and the service was exceptional. The food was fantastic and being able to choose from both a formal & informal menu was extremely helpful and consumer friendly. The birthday cake was special thanks to the extraordinary efforts on Andrea. I would highly recommend this restaurant from every perspective to one and all. It was wonderful.
(5)Shari A.
We were taken here by friends of ours who live just a few miles away from the Merion restaurant, which is housed in a very lovely Victorian style home with beautiful and more contemporary furnishings inside. This establishment is long on charm but just a touch short on cuisine...which is why I hesitated and couldn't award four stars. But it is obvious from both the service and the food, that the chef and his staff are trying hard. Overall, we had a wonderful experience here and would return to give it another go. The wine and cocktail list is very nice and there are plenty of options for all tastes. We enjoyed our glasses of rose while our servers described a few specials. I opted for the hamachi crudo with blueberry-lime composta. My husband's charred octopus was spectacular but sadly, I cannot say the same of my appetizer. The small pieces of hamachi were room temperature and on a hot end of summer evening, one would think the raw fish would be served chilled. To me this was a huge misstep since raw fish should be served cool to the touch and with some acid. The lime citrus flavor was obscured by what I can describe only as the filling you might find in a blueberry pie. It was thick and sweet and just didn't pair very well with the hamachi. That said, the Bronzino entree made up for the poorly executed appetizer. It was filleted and cooked to perfection..moist and flakey. And the peppers and onions that accompanied it were very tasty. They accommodated my request for a side order of broccoli rabe which was fine. The duck entree over succotash seemed to be a big hit with my hubby. Dessert was really the star here. We ordered the twice baked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting flavor gelato topped with a delectable caramel sauce. The cake was really a loaf of carrot cake..incredibly moist. What was spectacular was the absence of frosting. The gelato that accompanied the cake was the perfect addition to the cake and the sweetness and tartness cream cheese frozen dessert really paired perfectly. Our friends had a sampling of the gelato and the flavors were divine. Even the hot coffee was very good. The front of the restaurant features a trendy bar scene and a lighter menu. There is seating on the patio which is a plus. The service is very professional even if the experience of their young staff shows a little. All in all, a fine dining experience in a cute setting. I would love to return and try some other menu items.
(3)Alex V.
We went to Savona last week for dinner, and overall it was not well executed. My sardine first course was pretty good, but my wife's grilled octopus was horrible. The octopus was not cooked properly, either the grill temperature was too low, or the fish was just not good. Either way, it was a charred chewy mess. My lobster roll was pretty good but not exceptional by any means, and my wife's scallops were ok but the risotto was overcooked, not seasoned well, and greasy. The service was a bright spot in typical French fashion we were asked several times about our meal, but overall its hard to justify the price of a meal at this place given the amateurish execution and cost per head.
(2)Eric K.
My fiancé and I had dinner there last night and it was excellent. I had the roasted winter vegetables to start and then the duck breast--both were seasoned perfectly and so delicious. The latter was probably one of my favorite dishes ever. She had the polenta and ham dish followed by the bistecca (steak), which was cooked exactly to her liking. We ended the meal by sharing the best soufflé I've had in a while. For drinks, I just had a glass of scotch and a Bordeaux. The service was great as well and the food came out and a comfortable pace. We had gone to Savona before about two years ago and it was just ok then. But they have really made a lot of improvements. I was so surprised at how good the food was last night. We live in center city and usually go out to the restaurants there. But we were on the mainline and wanted to get dinner after seeing a movie. We ended up at Savona because it was a 1000 point option on OpenTable. Needless to say, we will definitely be back soon. Their food last night rivals any of the best restaurants in Philly.
(5)Daniel E.
Savona is our favorite restaurant, period. Everything is exceptional. Try the chef's tasting menu. They have an extensive wine cellar as well. Yelp seems to have this restaurant miscategorized. It's a very upscale French influenced restaurant. You pay top dollar, but the whole experience is reliably great so it's totally worth it.
(5)Matt D.
I ordered a chicken caeser salad for take-out. I received two tins. One tin with wet iceberg lettuce and dressing. The second tin contained a chicken drum. Yes, an actual chicken drum - but accompanied by a plastic fork and knife! I then began the journey of cutting the chicken drum to create my chicken caeser salad myself. Turns out, not only was it too difficult for Savona to create the salad but also too painstaking to cook the chicken! I've added a few pictures for reference.
(1)Laurie M.
Our party of six sat down at 6:30 and we finally got up at 10:00. There were only 3, maybe 4 other tables on the entire floor seated. Drinks took forever and after sending my son out to find out where the food was and it finally arrived, some meals were good and others not so. I'm really dis because I'd been given the nod by my manager who ate upstairs and had a lovely meal. Being busy was not the excuse for the kitchen but I will say that when food was served we were smothered with wait staff so something was amiss. Wouldn't recommend this place especially given the prices. I've heard the upstairs is quite good but it's still the same kitchen. And you can't park yourself. Another unnecessary money maker given the small parking lot and not that many patrons!
(2)Valerie D.
We had a very nice tenth anniversary experience at SAVONA. Its not an inexpensive restaurant at almost $300 a couple including an inexpensive bottle of wine by comparison. (Our bottle was $75 whereas the average bottle was $350 all the way up to $1100) We had a lot of servers who were very attentive to our table. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and very attentive but we had an issue with the wine sommelier who had only started two weeks ago. She was a very nice but very inexperienced young girl who truly didn't do her job very well. I specifically said that I cannot drink very sweet wines and when my husband asked her for a choice within his price range she kept pointing to two that she liked in a more expensive range when he kept asking about the other four in his range. When he finally had her comment on the four he specifically stated a few times- (I chimed in as well) that he did NOT want anything sweet. A few minutes later she appeared with a bottle that she recommended and my husband tried it and said that it was very sweet, I tried it and said I didn't care for it and that it was WAY too sweet. She never offered to take it back, she never offered us anything else to replace it and it was of course on our bill. We even left half of the bottle it was so awful and frankly undrinkable. When our dinner was almost done and AFTER we had had dessert, she came over with a sip's worth in a wine glass of another wine she wanted me to try not offering me that wine or offering to substitute it she just said she wanted to show me this one for our next time at Savona. (of course this one was one of the more expensive bottles) I almost wanted to call management the next day but of course realize she is inexperienced and didn't want to get her into trouble. But I was quite annoyed that we had to pay for a bottle that was awful when we both specifically stated numerous times that we wanted a dryer wine and both hated sweet. We did love the risotto and I loved my chilean sea bass, my husband loved his veal shank but again I am not happy with the way we were treated by the sommelier
(3)Brian H.
I was getting tired of the Main Line restaurant scene, and with tentative weather causing me not wanting to drive into the city, a spark lit inside my exhausted brain when a friend called me an arrogant bastard, and I said "ahhhhh, the 22oz. Arrogant Bastard sounds wonderful, let's go back to the oft forgotten Savona". It was early in the evening, and getting old is becoming synonymous with eating early, so we thought without a reservation on a Saturday we could sit at the bar. Well low and behold they had tables available on the beautifully furnished patio at that hour, probably awaiting the later younger crowd. This is a 5 star patio, so get comfortable and enjoy the evening air. Dinner again was consistent and consistently very very good. I started with the Tuscan Bean Soup. Rich and full of scrumptious flavor, I wish I skipped my entree and went right to dessert. The entree I chose was the swordfish, served with Roma beans, in a sauce vierge. The swordfish was a small, perfectly medium cooked fish atop the under cooked, slightly tough to chew green beans (and I love my veggies crisp) but the flavors, even with the sauce, although simple and anticipated simple, were just not excellent this time. My friend had a terrific beet salad, full of yummy-ness, and a great size. And for the entree she had the brick chicken, 5 star all the way (see my old review below for a description). Dessert was a lovely 4 star carrot cake, with diced pineapple and small dollops of a semifreddo. Service is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable. The valet attendants are very kind to the cars, just a tad short of wearing white glove treatment. I just hope I don't need to be called names to remember that Savona is a great go-to place, no matter whether you are early, want to sit at the bar, or plan in advance with reservations.
(4)Stephen S.
Two stars only because our severs were very nice. Our appetizers took 40 minutes to arrive. While the original story was that the chef did not like the way they turned out, our server admitted the food was dropped. Ok accidents happen, no problem but tell the truth and fix the problem. Neither the manager nor chef came to apologize While I had high hopes based on reviews, the food was good but not overly great. Now it was my first and last time there and only tried couple items so it's a limited opinion but the pompous attitude of the manager sealed the fact I will never go back
(2)Bill M.
For fanciful yet unpretentious dining, and a restaurant with a well rounded bar selection and an impressive selection of cheeses on the Main Line; It really doesn't get much better than Savona. I learned that before but it took a successful Mother's Day brunch to rekindle that memory. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Gulph Mills Road, Savona is an intriguing restaurant in an older building with an updated a modernized decor, especially were it counts in the dining room. the bar featured an amicable selection of brews from the likes of Dogfish Head, Yards, and Ommegang; as well a a satisfactory cocktail list. But in the tradition of brunch I opted for a Grey Goose Bloody Mary which yielded a subtle spicy kick. Whether it was a cream of goat cheese in a crimini mushroom soup, pecorino romano in a risotto with bacon, or a parmesean reggiano melt in a Tuscan white bean soup; I was really in awe of the ways that cheese was utilized in the menu. And they succeeded in the rare task of opening a monger like me up to some previously unheard of varieties like Creme Royale and a smooth but slightly salty triple creme goat cheese that I really wish I could remember the name of. Overall the farm to table food menu was very thought out and featured some well played twists. The aforementioned mushroom soup might have been the best that I've ever had. And my eggs Benedict with asparagus and a smoked Scottish salmon was one of those rare egg dishes that had me wanting to lick the yolk off my plate. and my mom and dad were satisfied with their blue claw crab scrambled eggs. Really the only flaw to this successful brunch was that it was a brunch menu that they only offered on special occasions like Mother's Day. But it definitely impressed me enough to check them out on a regular dinner or lunch. And they definitely have a variety of other special occasions like cooking classes and beer events.
(5)Jeff M.
Visiting from out of town and well worth the drive. This place was amazing. Food was exceptional. Chocolate smores soufflé was incredible. Great service at the bar. This is as good as any culinary farm to table restaurant in a major city... And it's in suburban PA. Wow!
(5)Rich L.
Ate here on a Monday night. First the bar doesn't open till 5:30 pm. We were there a bit early and managed to wangle a drink at 5:15...a nicely made Manhattan. I t felt though like I was imposing upon the bartender. C'mon guys open the bar at 4:30-5:00 pm. How hard is that? Resv was for 5:30. Wanted to sit down at 5:25...they weren't quite ready. Ok..a bit much for me..but on to the food. First, they have a downstairs menu with 2 appys and 6 entrees, 1 special I believe. Dover sole $55! Fortunately from reading the Yelp reviews I knew they had an upstairs menu that you could request. They don't bother telling you that, which I didn't like, but like I said I knew enough to request it. Way more choices, this is where the chicken that people have reviewed is, and in my opinion the prices were a notch lower. I had a appy portion of pasta Bolognese and the chicken which were both very good. So...this is my second time here in a little over a year, not on my dime again, but I really don't need to go back. Just not a fan of the vibe/attitude I get from this place at all.
(3)Steve K.
We loved Savona even before it remodelled itself a couple of years ago however, back then, we reserved it only for special occasions. Now with the choice of "fine dining" or "casual dining" it has become our unconditional favorite restaurant in the entire greater Philly area. The combination of truly great food, wine, decor and service are the best we've experienced... well, anywhere. This praise seems to be shared as reservations are frequently hard to secure on short notice but, nevertheless, the highest reviews are well deserved.
(5)Gladys C.
We had an awesome meal here last night - service was fantastic as well as food.
(4)Edward B.
We have not been to this restaurant in the last 2 years because it was so pretentious and costly. Upon hearing of their new look and menu we decided to give it a second chance. Sadly to say that this experience was a disaster. While at the bar having a drink and deciding what bar food we would order we were informed that the bar and all the bar tables were reserved and that we would have to Leave by 8:00. I can not begin to tell you how upset we became at this ridiculous policy. In all my years in the food service industry I have never heard or encountered a policy like this. It is the most absurd thing I have ever witnessed within a restaurant. Needless to say we left and will never return. We did inform the manager of our feelings and his reaction was one of total indifference.
(1)Ralph O.
The décor was definitely Bistro, plain and neat, rather lacking in thought. We were greeted by our waiter and the menus, and by the way a wine/liquor list. After explaining the menu, a young lady came to tell us she would be our "beverage/dessert" person. She took our drink orders and left. OK...cocktail time: I don't know about you, but for me, cocktail time should not interfere with dinner time. Let me explain. I am a bit of a whiskey nut and I don't order just anything. I'm pretty specific as to what whiskey, bourbon, rye, or scotch I want, the age, and the region. It has always been my experience that once one eats something, the salt in the food will interfere with the whiskey. It puts an edge on the distillate that was not intended. So when the drinks took 15 minutes to arrive, the time for cocktails and chat was compressed. Shortly thereafter our first course arrived. It was right on the heels of my Macallan Scotch and Gretchen's Prosecco. Ok...strike one. The course, a parsley risotto adorned with escargot and elephant garlic chips. It was rather lovely, although, the Arborio was a bit undercooked (almost crunchy) . But as Gretchen says...better a bit firm than mushy, and I agree. The flavor was wonderful. But I had to hold off because I had just gotten my scotch... a disappointment. Before dinner; a complimentary amuse-bouche. It was a tuna tartar served on a tiny wheat cracker topped with water cress...sophisticated at the very least. For the main course we both went with the Seared Bronzino over a green (French I think) lentil salad and pomegranate. This was rather elegant. The portion was perfect. It was presented correctly, on a suitable sized plate (don't you hate it when they bring it out in a plate that could be mistaken for the moon?) and it wasn't food architecture. The chef knows what he's doing. The service: strange and confused at best. It seemed like the wait staff was all on their first night on the job. All, except for Sheena our beverage person, were less than personable, with the focused intent of a worried figure skater in the Olympics. I live with a chef. If I want "over-the-top" food all I have to do is come home. When I go out, I want the total package; the experience. We quite literally felt out of place. So focused on the task at hand, they managed to bang into my chair a half dozen times. If there were a smile, it was forced...except for Sheena. I felt like I was in the ER room at a busy hospital. Now we have been to plenty of upscale restaurants with staff sommeliers. They have a job to do...some go to the extent of tasting the wine for the client to insure its quality. But to my mind, this should be done a bit more inconspicuously. If you're going to taste and spit...be less obvious. The dessert: You have to have dessert on Valentine's Day and it has to be special and Chocolate. We selected the Chocolate Hazelnut Bombe with Hazelnut gelato, cranberry and orange in a cap of white chocolate...This...was yummy. I thought "Chocolat" was brown...it is! Along with dessert, arrived a complimentary sweet from the chef...classy. Sheena took our dessert order to which we added a cappuccino for Gretchen and an espresso for me. I asked for Sambuca on the side. By the time the Sambuca came, my espresso was frozen over...bar late again. I guess they were so busy making those multi-colored kiddy drinks that the simple orders fell behind. Add to the above, we were between what seemed to be the result of a dating.com couple gone wrong and a family including two very small, noisy children. I can take the loud discussion of the awkward couple (he had no game), but noisy children in an upscale bistro...not so much. And did I see jeans and a sweater?!...ugh. Gone are the days when you dressed for dinner as a sign of respect for your dinner companion...gone are the days of the Garden Restaurant in Philadelphia where if a gentleman arrived in a fit of absentmindedness without a coat for dinner, one was provided by the Maitre D'. I guess I'm old and with that old fashioned, but I felt surrounded by people who I assume had the ability to pay for a chic eating event but confused the ability to pay with the taste to enjoy it. Ok, meal over, bill paid and off to the car. The valet ran over, took my ticket, tip attached, ran to get the car, brought it back, left my door open and ran off. So to sum it up, Savona was a delightful food experience with everything else so pretentious in execution and lacking in personality that I will have to put this one in the minus column.
(2)Zig Z.
Just Shoot Me I attended a small group Pharma affair here tonight and can promise you I will never go back. Honestly, you couldn't pay me to do so, and I had to post this right away I was so pissed off! The food was mediocre at best, the arugula bed under my Bronzino was filled with so much sand and small rocks I had to stop eating it for fear of breaking teeth. But the real problem is the management and their failure to intelligently guide the wait staff on how to maintain flow and pace of a meal with a group of 14. We were on a timeline that went a full hour over and most left with no coffee or dessert. Terribly long delays between each stage of the meal, 45 minutes between clearing dinner plates and carrying out desserts which had been ordered 2 hours prior, no coffee 20 minutes after coffee orders were taken, wine that went unfilled for most of the dinner. I left without dessert, confused wait staff wondering why 90% of my group peeled away out of frustration. Oh, and then the 25 minute line after all of that to get my damned car back from the valets, who couldn't find one attendee's car. Fire the chef, the manager, the wait staff, and the valets and start all over: this place used to be good, (food, service, and all) but now it is a painful experience. I'd prefer a hot poker in the eye, thanks! Event planners and Pharma reps: AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE! Your clients will hold you personally responsible for the misery!
(1)Steve T.
Savona...where have you been my whole life? I knew something special awaited us when we showed up on Tuesday night...late...and the place was packed. Tuesday night after the holidays...packed? Yep. Savona continues to be an upscale, white tablecloth Italian restaurant that is one of the landmarks on the Main Line, with an emphasis on Abruzzese cuisine. However, Savona is now two concepts in one. In addition to the aforementioned fine dining room, there is also "Bar Savona," which is more of a bistro. We ate in the latter, and this review is limited to Bar Savona. Its been years since I've been there, and the place was completely remodeled about three years ago. What is now even more compelling about Savona is this upscale bar/bistro they've set up, with a separate menu that brings Osteria to the neighborhood and, perhaps, exceeds it. We started off with the fried artichoke hearts. Delicious. The second appetizer was the Marco Castro, a margherita pizza with copius amounts of fresh arugula, red onion, and pancetta. Let's now expand the list to 1002 good uses for bacon. Superb. Served with thin crust and fresh ingredients, you will be hard pressed to find a better gourmet pizza. Our dinner entrees were the shrimp fra diabolo, which was served with five jumbo shrimp and homemade pappardelle. While my lady would've preferred it spicier, it was a solid dish. My entree was the pappardelle bolognese, also served with homemade pasta (as is all their pasta) in a meaty bolognese sauce. This was the best presentation of this classic Abruzzese dish I've ever had. If you are venturing to Bar Savona, as you really should, be aware that you will need reservations most nights. Do not even for one second think you will get in on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night without one. Not even a made man wearing a silk suite with black shirt and tie flouting $100 tips to the hostess will get you in. There is mandatory valet parking as the on site lot is small. While a bistro concept, it is not inexpensive, but the dishes were all fantastic and, frankly, this may be the best restaurant I've eaten in and certainly matches Sola for nearby dining.
(5)Peg K.
Fine dining at Savona has roled out "Family Dinner" on Monday nights. Dinner is served family style to one's table, three courses, for $40pp. Both/all parties need to order the set menu. The food is meticulously prepared, delicious, plentiful, and beautifully presented; the service is impeccable. The menu changes each week affording the chef the opportunity to show off the creative and expansive talents of the kitchen. Slight adjustments can be made reflecting food allergies, etc. but best to place oneself in the hands of the capable kitchen and enjoy the delights of the evening.
(5)Ana C.
Horrible experience. Awful service. Spend your money somewhere else that deserves it.
(1)Emma T.
Savona does everything right: food, service, ambiance, wine. Their pizzas are divine with great flavors and a crispy, thin crust. One pizza comes topped with a perfectly runny egg. The wine sommelier is very knowledgeable and will help you choose a great wine from their cellar. It's a fun place for a nice New Year's Eve dinner. When we went, they had a pink champagne drink specially for the occasion.
(5)JJ M.
My boss's boss was coming to town so I booked us at Savona. All up, a really fine dining experience, great room, great service, pretty good food. Ambitious, classy, elegant. This was my third attempt to get to Savona. On each of the other two occasions, the traffic was so bad from Malvern to Conshy that we just gave up. So we left extra early and were still 15 minutes late! What a beautiful place! I remember the Picket Post c1978 and the folks at Savona have done a fabulous job creating a destination restaurant. The bar was cute and intimate. The crowd was obviously well heeled, dressed in traditional Main Line preppie style. Folks were dining al fresco on the small patio. We were greeted immediately and made to feel at home, even though we were late. Apps - I had the Sweetbreads, served with a three minute egg, greens and mushrooms. Light and crispy, nicely prepared, a tad salty. My dining companions had the salmon carpaccio and lobster salad. All the plates were beautifully composed, and the lobster salad was spectacular. Entrees - Both my companions had the plancha seared striped bass and scrupulously cleaned their plates. I had Dayboat Scallops with pancetta and eggplant. I ate about half. The scallops were overdone. I wasn't sure if the kitchen was trying to evoke the essence of the sea, but every component of the dish, little scallop boats, frothy eggplant waves, pancetta sun setting, reinforced the tide of salinity that began with my sweetbreads. Dessert was a spectacularly good baked apple wrapped in pastry and topped with icecream and a delicate, beautiful, sugar leaf. Great coffee (La Columbe?). We did not see the cheese trolley, but will look for it next trip. Wine list was really good. We had a nice bottle of Bergstrom PN - yeah I love my Oregon wines. Ok beer list. Pedestrian martini, no onions avaliable :-(. We all enjoyed the amuse bouche before each course. So, if you are out to impress, or to have a really world class dining experience, Savona is as good as I've seen along the Main Line, especially West Conshohoken.
(4)Bill F.
What a great place! Food is outstanding! Service is superb! The wine cellar is a great place for groups! Go and enjoy the outdoor dining and fun bar!
(5)Mark W.
Savona has a fantastic restaurant, and a more casual bar/restaurant called Bar Savona. I have been to the restaurant several times, and am a big fan. I have not yet been to Bar Savona. The restaurant offers good choices, reasonable portions, and an outstanding wine list. Following dinner, there is an excellent cheese trolley that comes table-side, and/or desserts. Savona offers a wine cellar dining room for groups up to 12-16 people. It's a lovely space and very distinctive. During warmer months, the terrace outside of the bar area is open for seating, drinking and dining.
(4)Julian B.
This year for our two year wedding anniversary, I had a hard time deciding where to take my wife. We had already done a bunch of the big time Center City restaurants and I wanted to do something different. Different ended up letting my friends on Facebook decide where we were going to go. I wasn't thrilled with a lot of the suggestions until one friend said Savona. I know Savona! It's about 15 minutes away from us and we had never been there and I had heard nothing but good things about it. I immediately looked at the BarSavona menu and decided this is where we were going. My five star rating says it all. This place really is as good as it gets. We arrived at the restaurant about twenty minutes early, but were seated right away. The host took us upstairs and sat us down right next to the wine room where we saw wines all the way back from 1961. On the wine note, we were both extremely impressed with the wine sommelier. Besides the fact that he was actually French, he was knowledgeable and very friendly. After dinner, he actually treated us to some champagne to celebrate out anniversary which was a really nice gesture. As far as our wine selection, we ended up getting a 2010 Kaiken Malbec that was outstanding. It was fruity and quite drinkable so be warned. The food was just as good as the wine. For appetizers we both got soups; for myself the bisnona minestra and for my wife the tuscan white bean. Usually when you rode soup at a restaurant these days, you get a small portion. Both soups could have been meals themselves. Huge portions that were both fantastic that made me happy that there was a bit of a wait between courses. For Dinner, I ordered one of the two steak specials which was a hanger stake with palenta and baby carrots in a red wine veal reduction. This dish was perfectly cooked medium rare and was just a perfectly balanced dish. My wife ordered the market fish which was a Fluke that night. It came with broccoli rabe and a lemon caper sauce. This dish was equally just as good. For dessert we had a chocolate-hazelnut soufflé which was absolutely to die for. It was cooked perfectly and the taste was just delightful. Another added touch was the Happy Anniversary written in chocolate on the plate. I have nothing but good things to say about this place. Our waitress was amazing and was quick to make sure we had everything we needed. Obviously my wife and I will be returning to Savona.
(5)Danan R.
Part of the appeal of dining here is in the divine food presentation. Every dish has looked fit for at least a Viceroy, if not King. The food itself is quite good. The salmon tartare is very fresh and paired well with a hint of lemon. They were served with these delicious hand-cut fingerling "chips." The foie gras was nice but not the best that I have had. The veal sweetbreads were cooked to the perfect degree of crispiness and very nicely seasoned. The entrees were lovely and some were excellent. The sauteed sole was cooked to perfection in a delicious lemon butter sauce and topped off with pine nuts. It almost looked too pretty to eat. Almost. Nothing can stop me from consuming a plate of good food once it is set in front of me. I also tried the roast rack of lamb, which was very flavorfully seasoned (rosemary, if I recall) and tender, it was served with peas and carrots. The Napolean with banana bread, nutella mouse, and gelato was the perfect finish, although the honey marscarpone crepe does come in a close second. The wine selection is excellent, in particular the Gosset Grande Rose. Love the vintage collection. Service is on par with Le-Bec Fin so it is superb. Definitely one of the nicest restaurants in close proximity to the Main Line. Yes, it is slightly pricey but the ambiance is almost unsurpassed.
(4)Stu G.
This is a very tough one for me. I'm giving my rating based on many prior meals, last night was not so good. When my wife tells me we are going to Savona, I'm always excited. It is one of my favorite places and it has always been great. I was very disappointed last night, but I'm not going to give them a overall bad rating because sometimes you have to chalk it up to a bad night. The bar area is a bit small, which is why it was surprising that it took a long time for the six of us to get drinks. You always feel like you're in the way of the servers. Everyone is polite, but it was a bit annoying. Wine selection is good by the glass, not out of bounds on price. Mixed drinks were a bit expensive, but tasty. I usually love the pizzas. The one I like the most has an egg that they break on top with sausage...love it. It wasn't on the menu, but our waiter (who was good), said he'd try to see if he could get it since they had the ingredients. Shockingly, he came back and said they wouldn't make it for me. I explained that we didn't get our table on time (45 minutes late) and I really wanted that pizza. He tried again, but no dice. He did speak to the manager and they comped us a bit, so I appreciated the effort. Dinner was average, I had the veal milanese, it was ok. My wife's is much, much better. Her dinner wasn't very good (pork chop), it was dry. Pasta was good, steak was ok. I ran into some friends who hadn't been there before and was sorry I set a high expectation, as they were a bit disappointed as well. Perhaps they just had a bad night in the kitchen, everything seemed a bit off. Hopefully, it is just a bad night and they will be back on top of their game for next time.
(4)Michael P.
Excellent food and impeccable service, in a sophisticated, yet casual ambiance on the fine dining side of the house. A more affordable menu with the same ambiance on the bistro side of the house.
(5)marc g.
We went for drinks and drinks only. I'm not going to comment on the food but your bill for two and wine will be $250. It's jammed and is a typical main line restaurant with pricey cars and a lot of self important people. Anyhow, the bar is completely annoying. There are too many rules regarding who can sit at the bar and the bar tables. Most are reserved for people to eat, yet you stand around in the way of polite servers trying to figure it out. It's not easy to get a drink despite the intimate nature of the bar. Their cocktails are inventive and the food looked great, however, you can do better for the price. A bottle of Monk's sour ale is billed at $16 (I'm not kidding)..this beer is $4 in a bottle shop....that's quite a mark up. I was unimpressed. It's a nice place but this joint thinks it's in Manhattan.
(3)Diana A.
A local favorite for service and food! After an exhausting search for a great birthday venue, (+20 painful phone calls to local and Philly restaurants) I finally decided to go with Savona's wine cellar. They offered the best menu, space, and service. During the planning process and the night of the event, Savona staff was very professional, pleasant, and constructive. It was a great evening. Thanks, Savona!!
(5)Tina C.
Savona is Consistently good. Ate some delicious short ribs for $26 and asked for a leftover bag because I had only finished half. The server forgot to give it to me so I left without it. Other than that, we still keep it on our list of favorite Mainline restaurants to take our teenage kids.
(3)Dave H.
All of our dishes at Savona had an emphasis on presentation. Their staff has an eye for detail. For starters, the complimentary l'amuse bouche (see photos) was a dumpling filled with seafood - it was a promising start to the meal. Our appetizers were also promising. The foie gras was a treat, and a little tougher than I'm used to. (Tough isn't a word I often associate with foie gras, but whatever.) The bouillabaisse was herby and delicious. Our entrees were well-prepared but didn't taste as good as they looked. The Berkshire pork and the halibut were both fine but lacking "oompf" (plain flavor). The pork had great pickles on the side and the halibut had earl grey tea (never seen this before) poured into the bowl as it was delivered to us. Don't get me wrong; their menu is creative and I recommend their tasting menu for the adventurous. Complimentary profiteroles helped close the meal. For dessert, we also ordered the sweet tropical cobbler (vanilla gelato, cinnamon crust, spiced tropical fruit). Service (Adrian, Huey, and others) was wonderful (as-expected for a restaurant of its caliber). The staff paid attention to us and even gave us a tour after the meal (appreciated)! I've been meaning to try out Savona for quite some time. I'm not sure when I would go back (not anytime soon due to the high prices), but I would recommend anyone try it for a special occasion... Mother's Day is coming up!
(4)Percy N.
Hadn't been back to Savona for a while until last night. The updated sleek modern decor, menus, staff and Chef Drew are great. Though we had a custom menu, we did try a few things from the regular menu which were great. Recommend the pizza, lobster, oysters, ox tail and bread. The efficient yet non-intrusive service is comparable to NYC (dare I say even Per Se?) and if you are looking for wine suggestions, you are in safe hands with well known sommelier Melissa Monosoff. Closest to 3 star dining you will find in the burbs.
(4)Jeff M.
The food is excellent but is lacks that wow factor that blows you away. It something that is hard to put your finger one. Don't get me wrong I am huge fan of Savona but a little something more could push them into Michelin territory. (Please keep in mind that I am not and do not think I am at the level of an inspector.) I've been here many times and am rarely disappointed. The atmosphere and service is perfectly unpretentious. The wine list is great and mostly affordable with many bottles under $100. Savona has always been accommodating to special request and special occasions. I've never left hungry like I have at many other 'fine' dining establishments. I'd recommend Savona to almost anyone. The one bad experience I've had at Savona was a dinner in the middle of winter when a tropical fruit cobbler desert arrived with fruit far from fresh. I wonder why this was on the menu in January. Highlights include Dover Sole, octopus ravioli in its own ink, frog's legs, the cheese course and chocolate souffle.
(4)Michael C.
Awesome in every way. I've dined up stairs in Bar Savona twice, but never the formal downstairs. Service is absolutely immaculate. I've never seen such front of the house efficiency. The Bar Savona menu is a little bare, but i've never been less than pleased with the food or the price. There are more than enough specials to make up for the fact that the menu doesn't seem to change very often. I've had the eggplant parm, (which is great, but nothing revolutionary) and the braised shortrib special with brussel sprouts and celeriac (10/10 dish). If I had to complain about something it would be the overuse of pasta on the bar savona menu. That being said, I'm not a big fan of pasta/itilian cuisine but i still love everything they do. On both visits to the restaurant I felt my glass of wine was shorted an oz or two, but it could just be the way the glasses are shaped. I haven't had a cocktail from there in a long time so I can't comment too much on the bar.
(5)Joseph B.
Avoid the fine dining menu and sit in the bar or on the patio. Bar and bar menu are fantastic but dinner is a crap shoot. Service is great. Dinner rolls were stale. Nothing special about 1st course (tuna tartare or quinoa salad). Pasta dishes are excellent, highly recommend. Duck was undercooked (raw) and rubbery. Fish was good, not great. A small fly ended up in my wine glass. And ended the meal with the kitchen failing twice on souffle preparation so my server refused to bring either to the table (which I appreciated). What a disappointing night for me and my wife. Get it together because I love the bar and bar menu but having serious doubts of patronizing further.
(1)Shannon G.
Ferrari behind me, Porsche in front of me. Yep, we're in Gulph Mills now. We were a little early for our already early reservation, so they had no problem seating us in the sleek, modern dining room. Large wine and beer lists. I had an Allagash White. It was glorious. Asparagus, shaved Mushroom, and a gently poached egg with pancetta vinaigrette. WTF. This was insanely good, one of the most amazingly savory appetizers I've had. Mushrooms and the vinaigrette were perfect together. Wife had the spring vegetable and quinoa salad with homemade cheese and carrot oil. Also really good, just not as good. I was proud of my superior selection. Then we got to the entrees, where everyone lost. Lamb loin was kind of tough and flavor was meh. The poached halibut over white asparagus with pistachio tapenade suffered from the same problem. Hint of pistachio was evident, but it was pretty boring. Presentation was excellent, just wished it tasted as good as it looked though. Parking lot is valet only.
(3)Amanda J.
The service was excellent, I wish I could remember his name. He was attentive, made great suggestions and really made it a good experience. The food was YUMMY!!! I can't say enough good things about the incredible food!!! We each had a tomato mozzarella salad and split the eggplant napolean. TO DIE FOR :) The wine was tasty and complimented dinner well. Since we were traveling there from Texas we wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather in PA. What a wonderful patio!!! A truly serene surrounding with lovely trees. Overall Savona was one of the best places I have ever visited. So why not 5 stars then??? The incredibly RUDE couple who sat next to us, that's why. The patio tables are maybe a foot and a half from each other, fairly tight quarters. This couple was probably in their late 60's and spent the entire time talking about my girlfriend and I. Now, I'll be honest, I couldn't hear EXACTLY what was being said but there was whispering and pointing. So much so that at one point, I did over hear the husband ask "How old do you think that one is" pointing his finger at me while trying to shield it with his other hand, "26 maybe 27?" he hissed across the table to his wife. I had had enough, looked straight at him and answered, "I'm 33" tight lipped smile! His response, "Oh I guess I talk too loudly!" Then THEY had the nerve to act offended as if I had been the rude one!!! They left not too long after, THANK GOODNESS!!! We mentioned the incident to the waiter who laughed and told us they're "V.I.P's" Whatever...we paid, left a nice tip and left. Definitely go eat there but beware of old, gossipy people on the patio!
(4)John R.
Savona, they name alone just screams class. I was there not long ago for a company Christmas party in the wine cellar. Talk about a jaw dropping sight! The walls are beautifully kept wine racks with exposed brick. And the food, The fillet mignon was perfectly seasoned and seared. The roased shallots complimented the fillet perfectly. Overall a great experience.
(4)Bella G.
This is by far the best fine dinning option in the burbs. I had 3 wonderful meals here. i feel the Dinning room is a little too stuffy but what would I expect. The bar area is delightful and the cocktails are superb. it can get very crowded on the weekends but i guess thats what happens when you are as good as Savona...and not much competition in the area.
(4)Charles R.
Actually this review is for Bar Savona. Sat outside after a day of rain and everything was very nice. I've been here a few times, especially in the summer when I can sit on the patio, and always have a good meal. We had the fried artichokes, which I think are a favorite of most people that go there, and the squash blossoms, which were excellent. Dinner we both had the Veal Francese, which was very tender and came with greens in a nice light summer dressing. Had wines by the glass, and while some are a little pricey you can find some that are good without going over the top. $12 a glass is ok, but they have a couple that are $16 and the pours aren't overly generous, so if you both drink the same type of wine I would go with a bottle. I do have one HUGE problem with Savona's pricing of liquor. When you the nerve to charge $23.00 for Oban Scotch, that's a joke. Even top steakhouses downtown charge $16-18. Savona is really gouging people at $23, especially when a bottle costs them $69.00. Whoever the manager is that sets the pricing, this is over the top pricing.
(4)Statia M.
When I was living in Conshohocken, I used to drive past this restaurant every day. And every day, I'd say to myself "self, you really need to just go already. You know you want to." And I'd say, "you know self, you're right, you DO want to go, but it's one of those places where you don't go by yourself, and it looks a little on the expensive side, and what are you, made of money?" Yeah, the voices in my head, are sometimes not overly reasonable. Then again, when are they reasonable? So, I drove past here every day for nearly two years, and never went. And then I moved away for three years. And then I came back, and while I didn't drive past every day, I would start the same song and dance whenever I did drive by, and I'd say to my husband "we really need to try this place out." And with two kids and lack of sitting, you know how THAT goes. So anyway, a friend of mine had mentioned that they have a Saturday morning cooking class, and I thought that would have been a great idea for my husband, who is the cook in the house. We both enjoy a good meal. So I signed us up. Since this wasn't exactly going to the restaurant for dinner and sitting in the dining room and getting served, my review is a little different. I will say that while the Saturday class was pretty cool (their stove? Oh my god, I am not a fan of cooking, but it's TO DIE FOR), it was more of a cooking demonstration, but it was still a pretty cool experience nonetheless and I would recommend it to anyone, because I actually did learn some new things, even though it wasn't exactly hands on. After we watched/ kind of helped him cook a meal, they brought us down to the wine cellar to eat. It was really great. They served us our lunch and the chef sat down with us. It was a really great experience and the food was good too. They do have two separate menus, one formal dining and one more casual, so if you think you might not be able to afford it, go for their casual menu, of pizza and more pub type fare. The atmosphere will make up for the fact that you're buying a burger instead of filet.
(4)C Y S.
OK, I decided to give this place a chance again, and I realized that I prefer eating here at the bar vs. the restaurant. It has a much livelier vibe than the dining area. I have frequented the bar here several times over the last 2 years, and I have to say that the service and food are superb. It's a little pretentious, and for me to say it, it's pretty pretentious. But, the drinks are great, the food is extremely well-executed, and I like the small cozy bar. It's typically a middle-aged mainline crowd, but it's not too stuffy They also serve Stumptown coffee, (micro-roasted coffee from Portland) which alone could be a reason to come here.
(4)Steve I.
Celebrated our daughter's 30th birthday here tonight and despite of a few service glitches still believe that Savona deserves the 5 stars for the way they handled the problems. We ordered a bottle of wine with our appetizers and received it promptly. The red wine we ordered with our entrees arrived after we mostly had finished them. They apologized profusely and comped our entire dessert course. As for all other aspects of service it was excellent. We were seated promptly water glasses filled quickly and dishes cleared promptly. The food was outstanding from the pizza margherita to the mozzarella salad, the mozzarella tasted very fresh and probably was made that day. The braised short ribs on polenta was fork tender and very tasty, and the homemade pappardelle bolognese was a big hit with my wife and daughter. All in all a very pleasant way to celebrate our daughter's 30th. I was also surprised to see that the place was packed on a Wednesday night, another good indicator of excellent food and service.
(5)Amy H.
Love their Friday night wine tastings! Good pizza too
(5)Ray V.
We were seated upstairs at rhe barsavona right away, the service was great and the food was fantastic. It's a bit pricey but very good. Portions were just right.
(5)Eduardo C.
Savona is a great restaurant (focus on European food and style). We had to wait for a table so we sat at the bar and chatted with the bartender (and mix-master) "Papi," who's a character and makes great drinks. Both drinks we ordered were perfect, and Papi's showmanship was greatly appreciated. After we were seated, we were attended very well by a waiter and a wine specialist. Although the menu is a little short (compared to the wine list, which was extravagant), it seems that it changes often. Both meals we ordered were on the spot and the serving was good. We thoroughly enjoyed our dessert and evening, and will continue to go here (budget permitting) for special occasions. They do have special events, like wine tastings and mixed drinks specials throughout the week that we're going to attend. They seem very well priced for these gatherings and what they offer for each event.
(5)Joe M.
Fantastic dinner at bar Savona. Outstanding pastas at reasonable prices. Try the spag chitarra w ricotta meatballs and the bolognese. An amazing wine list. Helpful, appropriate service. Wonderful!
(5)Emmy K.
I wanted to love this place. Unfortunately the entire experience felt similar to the old Citicard commercial (long wait to get a reservation, great atmosphere, but elf food portions). I admit the service was exceptional...every request was granted with a smile and the ambience was warm. The wine list is extensive, but the menu is limited. When the entrees arrived, we were stunned. While plated beautifully, portions were tiny and the taste was only all right. A majority of our party left the table still hungry. Given the price for Savona, I'd sum up the experience as disappointing.
(3)Amy R.
I struggled with the number of stars on this--it wasn't terrible; it was just mediocre which is unacceptable considering the price. My husband and I started the evening in the bar where my husband was served a delicious whiskey sour. We were encouraged. We were seated upstairs and the service was pleasant. My first inkling that this was truly just another suburban restaurant was that our appetizers appeared within a minute of ordering them. Fried zucchini was good but the beat salad was unimpressive with undercooked beets and crappy, grocery store (and not Wegmans!) bought goat cheese. Only a few minutes after those plates were cleared our main courses arrived. I had extremely al dente cavatelli and my husband had under seasoned veal. It wasn't inedible, but, again, for the price I expect much, much better than this. Dessert was nothing special (I can't even remember what it was and dessert is always my favorite part of the meal), but the sommelier did help us find a good wine. After having lived in Philadelphia for many years I am used to even the little mom and pop shops providing excellent service and food for much less money. So it is a bit disappointing to spend $$$ and have a rushed meal of so-so food. If you are looking for Philadelphia-grade service and fare in the suburbs without paying through the nose, skip this one and head to Majolica in Phoenixville.
(2)Alex S.
I went to Savona for dinner on a Saturday. Was seated in the bar area "outside" as they had no availability inside though the place looked half empty. They didn't mention that the menus are different but I assume the quality of food coming out from the kitchen must be equivalent. The appetizers were underwhelming. The main dish was just OK nothing exquisite. The dessert was fairly mediocre - Olive Garden quality. Nothing special at all. I can think of quite a few places that are at least as good. Not sure what the raving reviews are all about.
(3)Mary M.
I was at Savona for lunch recently. My companion and I were seated on the porch initially. After about 30 minutes, the sun coming through the window along with the heat right next to our chairs made it unbearably hot and our server graciously moved us to the interior dining room. We then went on to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Generous portions of salad for both of us, along with a nice glass of chardonnay. The food was good, but not outstanding. The atmosphere was quiet (it was virtually empty the day we were there). I like a place that's a little more lively, even if it just means a few more occupied tables. I have plans to revisit the restaurant for dinner in the near future.
(2)Obviously Better T.
The best DOVER SOLE around. I've had dinner over 15 plus times very close to my house, French cuisine does not get much better then this for the area. FYI anyone that complains about food/wine price shouldn't be in there.
(5)Adam B.
The food here is excellent. The lamb chops with the lamb shoulder is a stand-out entree. And the service is some of the best I've had in a Philadelphia area restaurant.
(5)Brett M.
My wife and i went to Bar Savona this past Saturday night, in part based on the rave reviews herein. For us, the experience wasnt quite as fabulous. Lets start w the food. It was ok. I suppose in the suburbs of philly, ths is considered fabulous italian. Having grown up in an italian household and having travelled often to italy, this is ok but unremarkable italian food. Maybe youll love it. We didnt. It was a solid B. The point of my review is the "great" service i had read about. ( if the food is 2.5 stars, the service is -1.5, hence my 1-star rating.) its nor that they dont try....they do, they really do. However, we ordered 3 couses -- salads, pizza, pasta, with a drink to start and wine w dinner -- we we out the door 48 minutes after sitting. They cleared my salad plate the second i put my fork down after hovering with the pizza. I had yet to take my third sip of my drink. They cleared my pizza plate while my wife was still eating. Reached across her to give her new silverware while she still had pizza on her plate and food in her mouth, then cleared her plate with a slice left, while she was still chewing, to make room for the rapidly arriving pasta, which we ate with server-ass hanging over our two-top table as the servers rushed the tables to the right and left if us. 48 mins. 3 courses. At least we had a leisurely meal. The couples on either side of us arrived after and left before us. Bar savona = FAST food.
(1)Larry C.
great food. A bit pricey, so for the same quality food and better price head upstairs to their Savona Bar. Food is the same but slight less choices on the menu. Went there couple of times and the food is very consistent and high quality.
(4)Martha M.
I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a disappointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expectation of great food. Very low on taste and high on price. I had the filet of sole. It was acceptable but not taste bursting. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert. The pricing at Savona ($250 for the meal for two) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great disappointment.
(2)Lenny B.
I absolutely Love this place. We have enjoyed this restaurant many times. Thanks
(5)J. J.
Very upscale dining experience. Beautifully arranged and unique french food. HUGE beer and wine menu, they even have a really cool wine cellar and original fire places in the establishment. They will even allow vegetarian's to order from the "bar" menu which has alot of italian and risotta dishes. We had a large party of 8 and our waiter was very attentive and on top of things. We were celebrating two milestone birthdays and they even prepared the desert on a special dish with " happy birthday" written in chocolate on the dishes (without our request!) It was a unique and superb dining experience and the food was amazing.
(5)