Ordered the corned beef sandwich for takeout. $12 was a little high for a sandwich and it wasn't as big as I thought it would be for the price but it was tasty none the less. Not sure how I feel about the Rutabaga Sauerkraut. Cabbage sauerkraut is the way to go in my opinion. Ambiance of Sovana was rustic, warm and inviting. Staff were all friendly as I waited for my order. I've heard/read lovely things about Sovana, so I intend to go for dinner in my very near future.
(3)
Jennifer V.
Very good. Would highly recommend. I had a really fun cocktail with tons of fresh berries. Our shrimp and grits app was really good. We should know being from Louisiana. I just wish they had used real gulf shrimp instead of the small shrimp for the dish. My salad was dressed perfectly and tasted great I only wish the lettuce was a little more crisp and cold, minor detail would still order it again. I had the half chicken and my husband had the crab ravioli as mains both were fantastic. Will be back. Service was great too!
(4)
Josh T.
Sovana Bistro is the perfect spot to have a glass of wine and a bite to eat. I go here often for business meetings. The quality of their selection is consistent and the staff is very knowledgeable and they present themselves with great professionalism. The outdoor seating is perfect during the spring and summer and inside the ambiance is tasteful and relaxed. Sovana Bistro is always my first recommendation for dining in Kennett Square!
(5)
Charlie C.
Wonderful place in Kennett Square .. best ambiance around. A bit crowded. Service is sketchy as the first time we were there a couple weeks ago we sat for 10 minutes without Any notice from the Wait staff walking by. Beef brisket very rich and tasty. Awesome pizza. Salads are very good also. Cocktails are Hit and Miss .. Had a very good Manhattan. Also had the worst Sidecar I've ever had. Despite being on their "cocktail" list, bartender had no idea how to make it, and the glassware was a curious choice. Passed it around the table for tasting just to make sure it wasn't me and sent it back - something I almost never do.
(4)
Gwendolyn P.
Sovana is one of my all time favorite restaurants. My idea of a perfect day is brunch or lunch at Sovana and then an afternoon over at Longwood Gardens. The food here is inventive and delicious. The staff professional, attentive and well-versed on the menu. The atmosphere is great and they have some wonderful signature cocktails to choose from.
(5)
Gretchen G.
We had a nice dinner with very friendly service (call it 3.5 stars). The beef carpaccio was excellent. Highly recommend. The pepperoni pizza tasted strongly of basil in the best way possible, nice crisp crust. The salmon was cooked nice and crispy on the outside but the vegetable hash was very sweet. The gnocchi was a disappointment- while it looked beautiful and was filled with fresh vegetable ribbons, the gnocchi was decidedly bland and tasted of butter rather then ricotta. The cheese menu looked good so I'd go back to try that and have the pizza again.
(3)
Liz S.
Having been someone who worked at Sovana Bistro for a few years, I have had the pleasure of continuing to go as a patron. I can honestly say that the quality of food, freshness and level of service have sustained the test of time. While I miss getting to enjoy the delectable dishes of Nick Farrell and his team on a daily basis, we now enjoy Sovana as a specialty spot for an occasion since we have a toddler and don't go out as much as we used to. Kudos to Sovana's crew for continued success!
(4)
Pamela S.
Went for a birthday dinner. The food was good. Service good. The downside wast, we had to wait to be seated until exactly 5 o'clock. Not a minute sooner. If you bring a birthday cake, they charge a cutting fee of $5.00 per PERSON! With all the lovely restaurants in the area, none of us (8) will return.
(2)
Lauren J.
One of our favorites near Kennett! The local and seasonal menu is always a hit. Waiters are friendly and knowledgable.
(5)
Eric R.
What a fantastic dinner!!! I took my girlfriend for her birthday and it was just an all round amazing dinning experience!!! We got the Ahi Tuna to start and I had the crab ravioli while she enjoyed the brisket, superb. Finished off with the butterscotch dessert and that's how you do it!!! Special thanks to Phil the chef for coming out personally to ensure we were enjoying our meal. Sovano is the embodiment of class and quality, thanks again!
(5)
Melissa S.
A few years ago, me and a few friends decided to try Sovana for our annual holiday meal and it was fantastic! The service, the food... I would have recommended it to anyone. Last night, a friend and I decided to go there for dinner. I was looking forward to it since the first time was so amazing. The second we walked in the door.. Literally the second we walked in the door we wanted to leave. The two hostesses that 'greeted' us were so incredibly rude. At one point they even said, "Let me see where we can fit you in"... As if we were bothering them or didn't have a reservation which would be no excuse either! After we sat down, we tried to just relax and enjoy ourselves and not let that shocking experience ruin our one night out together. Then the food came.. The food was simply sub-par. The appetizer and entrees both were less than exciting. Neither of us ate much of either. Nothing like my experience the first time. It was almost like everyone there just doesn't care anymore. It was so incredibly disappointing and I will no longer recommend this place to anyone. After today and speaking to a few friends and family members, a few of them said that their last experience at Sovana bistro wasn't a positive one either. Such a shame! I really used to love this place. It's not an inexpensive restaurant either. I would have rather spent my money elsewhere. If it was Sovana a few years ago, I would tell you go go go! But simply don't waste your time or money here. Hope this was helpful!
(2)
Donna G.
Valentines Day Dinner, very busy! Regular menu plus some specials. Andrew was a great waiter. Beau is the best bartender! Started with the best cheese plate we have ever had. Their house salad was so lightly dressed it tasted great. They split it very nicely for us. Husband had the spaghetti and he loved the al dente homemade pasta. I had a wonderful piece of salmon with an arugula salad. Yummy! Too full for salad. Great meal for a holiday dinner. Did I mention they were VERY busy?
(5)
Howard S.
We went for the $35 restaurant week menu. Cleverly or coincidentally, Sovana also has a $40 price fix menu on Tuesday - Thursday. This latter offering was more complete, so that is how we proceeded. Added a cheese plate and several Old Fashioneds. Total with tip was $160, so slightly more than might have been planned, but worth it. The cheese plate was very enjoyable and a great starter. We shared the tuna tartare and apple salad. The tuna was only good if you included the sauce on the side of the plate. Otherwise, somewhat without taste. For entrees, we had the papardelle boar bolognese and steak pallaird. The pasta was really cooked well & absorbed the sauce beautifully. The steak was covered with a salad, which added all layers of flavor, but the meat could not stand on it's own. I was stuffed & had to bring home the dessert. Why four stars? 1. The table was ridiculously small. I wise-cracked about it to the hostess, who left us where she put us. With a reservation, we were at the very back of the restaurant, across from the kitchen. Probably not the worst table in the place, but not by much. 2. The chef sent out a tasting which contains mushrooms. My wife is deathly allergic to mushrooms - no way for them to know, and it is Kennett Square - but might have asked before putting the plates on the table. Would dine here again, except 45 minutes from the house. Will save it for when I've run out of other ideas.
(4)
Mike P.
Pretentious and with variable service quality I struggle with the popularity of Sovana. The crowded main dining area, with small tables makes for a noisy experience. The food is fine, portions are very small and the offered 'tastings' are silly. Our friends like the place, we've been back several times, with growing disappointments.
(2)
Jeff M.
GREAT place in the middle of nowhere. We had a fantastic meal for my wife's birthday. It's like a downtown restaurant in a strip-mall in the country. But, and this is the only but, the prices are as if we were in a downtown restaurant. Service was perfect. The food was excellent and inventive, just a bit overpriced. Wouldn't stop me from going again though.
(4)
Paul G.
Sovana is always a great spot whether you are having a romantic dinner, a quick lunch or a family brunch. We always have top notch service here. No detail goes unnoticed. It is BYO with a corkage($8 I think) but they also have a full bar that serves seasonal cocktails. The cucumber cocktail in the summer is to die for. We have never had a bad meal but they thing I always go back to is the cheese plate. Let your waiter surprise you, you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Elisa M.
We went to this unassuming BYOB with bottles of wine from the nearby Chadd's Ford Winery. We had the artisinal cheese plate and a selection of desserts. Everything was perfect!
(5)
J. Christopher E.
Went here before the Pat Benatar concert at Longwood Gardens. Had a very good meal. Food was interesting and well prepared. Service a little slow, but mostly good and the waiter was very friendly and accommodating. A nicely decorated and pleasant place. Lot's of information in other reviews, so here I only mention the surprisingly large number of 5 star ratings for this place. I think this is a little skewed. Five stars is supposed to be 'As good as it gets'. Five starts should be reserved for a perfect place and in my opinion Sovana Bistro is good (I'd say 3.5 if I could give half stars) but Sovana Bistro isn't a perfect restaurant. As an example, I've never been to the nearby Talula's Table but I have a good idea what it's about, and are Yelp reviewers here suggesting that Sovana Bistro and Talula's Table are in the same league? If yes, then skip Talula's Table and go to the much much cheaper Sovana Bistro! By the way, I also don't think perfect means $$$. I've been to several perfect cheap Chinese and Mexican restaurants. So.....this is a very good but not perfect place to have dinner. But that's Ok because mostly we don't get to go to perfect places.
(4)
Don B.
Five stars is not enough. Great food. Great drinks. You can't go wrong at this place.
(5)
Atul G.
OMG. The honey barbecue lamb ribs here are so amazing. They are so tender, they just melt in your mouth! Other big plus was the corn pizza, which was interesting with a nice spicy kick from the jalepenos. We also ordered two cocktails that were both very delicious. One in particular was quite interesting and made with beet juice and was bright magenta! I was sadly disappointed by the mushroom side dish (which I was expecting to be a lot more interesting -- we are in Kennett Square after all!) which was a bit salty, so the flavors of the mushrooms were washed out. Otherwise, a lovely dining experience in this area!
(4)
Doug J.
VERY disappointed with Sovana Bistro. They have become inconsistent, which is never a good sign. After the return of the wonderful Antipasta that is so adored...it's gone again! Portions seem smaller and the service was less than expected. We saw our server just once....taking our order...never to be seen again! We were pleased to see Borscht on the specials for the night...but three of us had it and all commented we could not taste beets. It tasted like mushroom soup! So after many years of great food and service, we're done with this place...and you can see from earlier posts that we loved this place for many years.
(2)
Kaitlyn F.
Yah know those restaurants that when you leave you know that nothing could have been done better? Yah, Sovana Bistro makes you feel that way. My friend and I had tickets to see a show at Longwood Gardens last week and, just for a change of scenery, wanted to try a restaurant out in the suburbs instead of in the city. We did a quick Google search and stumbled upon Sovana Bistro's menu. We saw they had an artisanal cheese plate and were done searching (I have an affinity for cheese plates :/ ) The decor is very chic, trendy, and relaxing! Our server was very knowledgable and friendly. There were all different types of food runners and bussers that serviced our table and every single one of them was friendly. To start, we both had a glass of Montepulciano and split the cheese plate. Instead of the server just telling you what cheeses they had, they were written out on the dessert menu, with a short little description. We had a blue cheese, an Italian one, and an American cheddar. Each was paired with a spread and some candied assorted nuts. The cheese plate was just phenomenal. Another nice touch, one of the multiple food runners brought us out a taste of rainbow chard and some vegetable (I can't remember what), which were compliments of the chef. Very classy, Sovana Bistro, very classy! After the cheese plate we each had salads. I had the apple salad which was just great- beautiful presentation, so fresh and light! For my entree, I had the Moroccan-braised lamb that came with couscous, pita, chick pea fritters, and a mint-pesto sauce. The lamb was falling apart and the presentation was, once again, perfect. For dessert, we shared some of the homemade ice cream. OMG GET THE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM. We had 2 scoops of chocolate and the ice cream special which was banana stracciatella. It did not disappoint. Do be aware that this restaurant is on the pricey side but is totally TOTALLY worth it.
(5)
Craig H.
A delightful surprise with creative and well prepared food, upscale decor, and impressive service. Only complaint was that the tables were a little tight for a restaurant in the country.
(4)
Daisy A.
This is our second visit to Sovana and it was as amazing as the first time. We were a group of six wine lovers. We love that we can bring our wine and the corking fee is extremely reasonable. Center stage though is the amazing menu. We loved all our dinner selections, except the suckling pig dish. Definitely the chef is extremely creative. They did not have the Couscous Mac & cheese, which are to die for, but had truffle mac & cheese which were just as delicious! Last but not least, the service from Risk was awesome!!! He was very knowledgeable about the menu, but also a wine connoisseur. I strongly recommend Savona!
(4)
Bradford G.
This is a fantastic restaurant and one of my favorites in the area. This last time, we started with cocktails in the bar. Now I am not a fancy drink kind of guy but I had to try the bacon maple syrup Manhattan. I reminded me why I don't like fancy drinks. It was tasty, the sweet syrup and warm bourbon nicely complimenting each other, but it was too much after a few gulps. And it kicked my ass, setting in motion the remainder of my night. Our server Michael was outstanding, knowledgeable and friendly. I started with the petite cassoulet, hard to describe beyond just amazing. In my draft review I wrote "has sausage and stuff". Damn Manhattan. Switched to beer(s). They have nice local brew on tap, no not the Yueng. And this unfortunately didn't slow the party train. Later I would claim the beer must have had high alcohol content. Or something. My date ordered the cheese plate which Michael helped us in the selection and pairings. Delicious. I've had a lot of fancy cheese plates, they are all the rage, but SB has unique and local selections, and carefully served, eg you don't get a piece of inedible rind, or the cheese isn't dry, or the server doesn't know the names or pairings, etc. Veal with potato au gratin and sweetbreads main course. Fantastic. So tasty you want to order another after the first bite. I considered it. By now I'm so overwhelmed and effusive in my delight that my girlfriend says, "pull back, you're scaring the waiter." What? I can't love food now? Deconstructed chocolate brownie. I'm not against pulling a recipe apart for art sake. This was perfect, but only after I put it back together. The bill arrived and it was surprisingly affordable. Highly recommended. You don't hear much about this place; you should go now. It's sophisticated yet most people are casually dressed. It used to be BYO but now has a full bar.
(5)
Christina G.
Went for my birthday based on a friend's recommendation. I was pretty disappointed. First, the corking fee was NOT disclosed ahead of time so we were pretty upset having that unwelcome surprise when the bill came. When we questioned the waiter about it he was VERY rude. I see from other reviewers that they now serve alcohol and have lowered their corking fee. Second the food was ok at best. Two of us had the hanger steak. It was chewy and not appetizing for two steak lovers. Another person had the pizza and it was just ok. It was rather pricey for the quality of food we received. Have not been back and probably won't go back in the future.
(2)
Kristin H.
Most things about my dinner at Sovana were good, but most things also did not blow me away. When reading over the menu, a lot of the dishes and ingredients sounded wonderful, however, the overall taste (and even plating, in one case) was disappointing. We decided to order and split three small plates, a pizza, and one main dish (this turned out to be quite a bit of food, FYI). Not a an eater of red meat or poultry, there were definitely still options for me to choose from. One dish that leapt out at me right away when choosing from the small plates was the Tuna Tartare. This turned out to be the best thing I tried at Sovana. The tuna and everything within in tasted fresh. I especially enjoyed the balance of the avocado within the mix (I'm also going to guess that's how it maintained it's perfectly round structure). The potato chips that accompanied the tartare were tasty, although I kind of wish it would have been served with corn chips. I felt like the lime vinaigrette would have gone wonderfully with this. The decline kind of went like this: the texture of the Fried Green Tomatoes were nice with their corn breading, but they were under-seasoned. The Scallop Ceviche special sounded like it was going to be totally amazing and I'm bummed to say that it wasn't. Although I'm always going to value taste first, the dish came out looking a lot unlike something I expected: this was my first time experiencing ceviche served in a big, soupy pile in a bowl. On it's accompanying plate, there were several small slices of avocado and a few leaves of dark lettuce. Our approach was, decidedly, to make little wraps out of the three ingredients, however, the combination was not a good taste. The ceviche was not very appetizing in itself...I've tasted fresher scallops. Fish Dujour was completely unmemorable. After a bite or two, it was wrapped so we could take it home with us. It went home with us because it was $30. The Ratatouille Pizza was pretty good . The crust had a great balance of crispy/doughy. I wouldn't have minded if it had twice the vegetables. The decor and ambiance is nice in Sovana. I enjoyed checking out the seasonal touches like watermelons growing from their indoor flower boxes above the middle seating barrier. The service, although seemingly a little new in their serving careers, were friendly and attentive. As another reviewer mentioned, they live in Philly and tried to explain that, perhaps, their guilt for giving Sovana only a couple of stars. Although I'm sure that this is probably one of best restaurants in town and it's great that the residents have a more upscale place like this to go to in their neck of the woods, I'm going to be honest and say that I've experienced a lot better in Philly at these prices, or lower (luckily, a gift card was involved, in our case). There were just too many dishes that need help. Sorry about all the mehs, but Sovana just didn't do it for me.
(2)
Dave M.
Tonight we had dinner at Savona Bistro with an old friend. It was very good indeed. The (local) asparagus soup was delectable, and the hanger steak very well prepared. Everyone enjoyed their meal. We are not wine drinkers and can't comment on the cellar. I did order decaffeinated coffee, which was rather lackluster; they could beef it up a little. Unfortunately, we are too old for dessert, but I bet they're very good. Service was friendly and professional, and the seating was comfortable.
(4)
D F.
I just had an outstanding evening out with my wife at Sovano. The ambiance was perfect for a night out with out our children. However in the end it's about the food and we were slightly disappointed. The menu had many interesting dishes outside of the standard menu's you find in so many places these days. That was refreshing. My wife had the suckling pig dish. The meat was very dry and lacked flavor, the supporting pasta, peas, and mushrooms were very good. I sadly chickened out on the veal with sweetbreads dish and ordered the Parpadelle with wild boar bolgnese. This was an average dish that I would say has been bested by the 100's of simple pasta with meat sauce dishes I have eaten in firehouses over my 20yr career. I guess ground meat is ground meat cause I never could have guessed it was Wild Boar. The Amuse-bouche from the chef was the best item, truffle mashed taters wrapped in asparagus was memorable!
(3)
Hilary Z.
Sovana Bistro is the perfect place for lunch before or after visiting Winterthur or Longwood Gardens. Lunch prices are reasonable (though not cheap), and the menu has many options. Today, I had the Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella Panini, and my dad had the Char-Grilled Hamburger. Both were excellent, and came with lightly-dressed, very-fresh side salads. The highlight of our meal, though, was the service. The hostess gladly moved us to more-comfortable seating for my dad. Jill, our server, was friendly, pleasant, outgoing, and fantastic!
(5)
Ryan N.
Although its far from Philly, this restaurant is worth the trip. (First course) 3 flight cheese platter: to be honest I didn't know half the stuff I was eating on this platter. Me and my girlfriend aren't cheese experts so picking from their extensive list was a challenge. So we left it up to our waiter to decide the best combination. He didn't let us down and the different combinations of cheeses, jams, nuts and bread was a great way to start our meal. We also ordered the fried tomato appetizer which also tasted different but incredible! You can pretty much fry anything and this combination along with pico de gallo was excellent. (Main Course) I ordered their flat bread pizza (the meatball to be specific). Did not disappoint. Not too much sauce not too much cheese everything came out perfectly! We also ordered the gnocchi with pork cheek. Full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Both our main courses were prepared perfectly no complaints. (Dessert) Chocolate ice box cake..... So rich perfect way to end an excellent meal. Thank you! We will be back
(5)
Ann M.
Service outstanding . Portions small and the food was overpriced. Nice atmosphere but nothing special . Very average.$8 cork fee. W
(2)
Kristopher M.
I love the food at Sovana Bistro. The regular menu has two sections -- one of which contains only local offerings, the other their traditional menu. Then there are the specials. I am by no means a foodie, but know quality ingredients when I taste them. They have a tuna tartare on the first course menu that is amazing. Add in the outdoor seating and the fact that you can bring your own wine for a small corkage fee and this place earns 5 stars.
(5)
Jesca D.
Great spot for a great dinner! My friend treated me to a birthday here a few nights ago and we both had a delicious meal. I love me some homemade pasta! We sat at the bar and enjoyed the attentive, friendly bartender. The rest of the bar was full of people who eat there on a regular basis which speaks volumes. We shared the calamari to start, which was mouth watering. I almost wished I ordered the whole dish for myself! We also split the mixed greens salad which may be the best in its category in the area, at least in my opinion. I want it again, now. Yum! I ordered the spinach and goat cheese ravioli in a black olive sauce which was cooked to perfection, I unfortunately was too full to enjoy more than a few bites but it was just as good for lunch the next day. My friend ordered the gnocchi with fresh vegetables which were like little pillows in our mouths. This was my first time here but not the last. I had a great dinner and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)
Catherine G.
I've lived in the Kennett Square are my whole life and this has always been the best restaurant in the area. They opened up the space to include a bar room in addition to the main dining room to allow more diners. It is a beautiful space and on nice nights you can eat outside! The menu is full of local fresh ingredients and dishes. The pizzas are always a safe bet, as is the caesar salad. My favorite dish is the boar bolognese - my favorite pasta dish ever! The boar has such a rich flavor and the pasta itself is perfect. Safe room for dessert as well! Their seasonal desserts are to die for and won't disappoint. I would recommend making a reservation. It can get a bit noisy, so if you prefer a quieter dinner make an early reservation! The service is always friendly, fast, and helpful. A great spot for a date or a family dinner!
The appetizers were great,the salads as always were great, the wine was delicious and the drinks were amazing. The entrees were not so good. It was pretty pricey for mediocre food. The coffee and chili rubbed lamb neck tasted like pot roast, bland pot roast. The pasta special tasted like leftovers, mushy creamy concoction with mushrooms and meat and whatever else they needed to use up. The fish and steak dishes were OK but at more than $30 a plate I expect more than OK. I would stick with the pizza here. Don't want to end on a bad note, our server was simply awesome.
(3)
Nicole L.
My boyfriend and I came here on a Wednesday night for our one year anniversary. We made a reservation and had our table within a few minutes of arriving. It was a great experience from start to finish and we were both impressed with what excellent service we received. Our waiter, Jason, was particularly professional, attentive, and knowledgeable. The restaurant was quite full the night we went, but we never had empty drinks and dirty plates were taken away promptly. There were clearly plenty of staff to help keep things running smoothly, which was an enormous plus and is something that is lacking at many other restaurants. The decor was very nice, however the lighting was too low for our taste and we found it a bit difficult to read the menu because of this. It was also a bit loud for our taste, however we were seated very close to the bar and there was a particularly loud group there. This made conversation somewhat difficult while we were there, but that seemed to be more of a reflection on our particular table and the specific group at the bar. Our food was perfectly cooked. We ordered from the prix fixe menu and had three courses each. The calamari was tender and had just the right amount of aioli sauce on top. The apple salad had the right balance of fruit, lettuce, and crunch. The mahi mahi, which was the fish of the day, was cooked thoroughly, but still gave way easily to my fork. The rice and cauliflower pilaf it was served on had just the right spices to compliment the fish. My boyfriend found his pork milanese was cooked perfectly and was juicy, not tough. The bitter greens served with it complimented the pork flavor. For dessert we order the molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and the white chocolate/orange ice cream. The ice cream is made in house and was to die for. It had a rich texture with a little bit of crunch to it and was hands down the best ice cream either of us has ever had. The chocolate molten cake did not have much of a lava center, but this was a plus as the rest of the cake was quite rich and would have been too rich with a gooier center. We also had an intermezzo and amuse-bouche which were just the right combinations of flavors for single bites. To acknowledge our anniversary, and which was truly a cute touch, our waiter brought out a single candle on a dish for us to blow out before our desserts were brought to us. It was a small gesture, but it showed that they truly acknowledged that it was a special occasion for us. Overall, it was a very pleasurable meal with exceptional service and we would certainly go back and recommend it given the opportunity.
(5)
Seb R.
Great selection of craft beers and wines. I have been here twice, both times the service and ambiance were very classy and friendly. Most recently I got the margherita pizza which was authentic Italian and very good.
(4)
HanaDC T.
I was visiting Longwood Garden from DC to celebrate my Bday. My husband took me to this restaurant. Before we picked this, we of course checked Yelp. Once gain, Yelp review was correct. Everything I had was wonderful. I am glad that I found this place and celebrate my bday.
(5)
Chris S.
Excellent pasta. They know what al dente means, which I find to be rare. Salad and pizza were good as well. Excellent service.
(4)
Ahsiya S.
Seriously, everything we ordered was delicious. From the amuse bouche - a broccoli puree that we wish we'd had a bucket of, not just a shot - to both the seasonal items, the specials, or regular menu items. It's so rare to have a perfect Cesar salad these days - it was perfect. The octopus (on the seasonal fall 2012 menu) was awesome, perfectly cooked. I got the salmon special which came with this to-die-for cauliflower puree, and my fiancee got the seasonal gnocci, which had that melt in your mouth consistency. Get it! Hearty portions, even the bread & olive old before were delish. Cheese plate was super quality, the pick well and give lots of accompaniments. The service was really, really good. We went before a trip to Longwood gardens to we didn't know much about the area, and we couldn't have done better. Would give more stars if I could. And the food was WELL worth the price, coming from a center city couple. Go, and enjoy.
(5)
Leetha L.
Great food, but noisy. Nearly impossible to carryon a conversation at this place. Would give it 5 stars if they could do something about the acoustics!
(3)
Roo M.
Perfect! The food and service is excellent! Everything I have ever had there is delicious. The chef is top notch!
(5)
John Y.
This is a 100% true story. Last night, my lovely wife and I had dinner at Sovana. As usual, the servers were top-notch: polished, competent, friendly, relaxed. Halfway through our meal, a wasp flew in through the door and landed on our table (this is Chester County; these things happen.) It crawled over to my wife's plate, and perched on her knife. I looked at the wasp for a moment, trying to decide what to do. Do I start flailing around with my napkin? Do I overturn the table? How do I kill this wasp without smashing the stemware? Instantly, our busboy appeared; my wife says he had been tracking the wasp across the restaurant, weaving between the closely-spaced tables all the way from the door. Our busboy immediately reached down and, like Gary Busey in Lethal Weapon, GRABBED THE KNIFE AND WASP IN HIS HAND, then vanished. Moments later, he re-appeared with a new knife on a small platter: "A fresh knife for you", he murmured, then disappeared again -- possibly to run far enough out the back door so that we would not be discomfited by the sound of his screams. Well done, that busboy. Well done, Sovana Bistro. That was the single most impressive bit of five-star service I have ever seen.
(5)
Frank K.
My love and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience at Sovano Bistro. We were in the Kennett Square area for the Longwood Garden's fireworks display on July 3rd. We were unable to obtain seating at Longwood for their restaurant or their barbecue and made reservations at Sovano - I'm so happy that we did. The restaurant is tastefully appointed, the servers were skilled and the cooking was superb. We were thrilled with the shadings of flavors - incredible presentations and the skills of the chef. A great meal, a great experience, and a very fair cost for the quality of ingredients and the attention to detail. We shall return!
(5)
Lydia K.
This is the place I go to if I really want a special meal. The menu is unique and the food delicious. Also, the drinks are different than any I have ever had... In a good way! Very cool ambiance as well.
(5)
Martha G.
I wanted to check out the mushroom capital of the world, and in the process found Sovana bistro on yelp, and thought it was a must try. I tried to make a reservation on Open Table a few days in advance, but only 5 pm or 9pm time slots were available. We showed up instead without a reservation, granted way on the early side (turns out there's not that much to the mushroom capital). We were seated immediately. We started with the seasonal antipasto. Four out of the five morsels on it were excellent. I was underwhelmed by the salad, but I saw the purpose it served: a fresh, light, and crisp item to cut against the fat of the souffle, panini and chips and dip. Oh the chips and dip were good. I think the waiter caught me eating a piece of the dip off of the table... it's clean, right? We also had the chowder in the squash bowl. It was such a creative dish. The chowder was not overpowering which I appreciated. That you could eat the squash was so cool. We then shared the wagyu beef and eggs dish. I thought the steak was excellent; my boyfriend thought it was just average. I loved the egg with it, and the corn. We concluded with the caramel dessert. Oh. my. god. I think dessert is an even tougher hurdler than dinner, because so many chocolate cakes are essentially the same. But this caramel cake dessert was totally unique, and totally delicious. Love. Service was excellent; they put up with my boyfriend and I taking our sweet old time to order, enjoy our drinks, and just sit together. Will be checking the seasonal menu here and be back for sure when I see something I can't wait to try.
(4)
Kate D.
I have been here twice in the past month - it is well worth the trip. The first time, I went with my husband for dinner. The drinks were great, and the food was even better. I could go for the appetizers alone, which are fantastic, especially the antipasto. We enjoyed the mini mushroom and goat cheese bread pudding, and the pear fritter. I also got the butternut squash bisque, which was perfectly seasoned and I didn't want it to end. Hubby got the onion soup which was good, but not as mouthwatering as my butternut bisque. To be honest, the entrees were good, but not quite as memorable. if I go again for dinner I'd get the exact same appetizers but in double the quantity! I also brought my mom here for a girls' lunch last weekend. We really enjoyed ourselves! I got the apple salad and she got the Sovana mixed greens. The salads are huge - we felt like we got our $ worth. We also split the butternut squash pizza: A-MA-ZING!! I'd get it again in a heartbeat. There was a perfect balance of caramelized squash, apple wood smoked bacon, Gorgonzola and arugula. The only "ding" this place gets is for the chairs. They are miserably uncomfortable if you are sitting for more than 20-30 minutes.
(4)
Penny R.
One reviewer wrote couldn't do it better and that sums it up!!! Perfect meal...perfect service....we started with fried green tomatoes...amazing...perfectly cooked...still crispy...fabulous coating...along with the scallop appetizer...wonderful....cooked to perfection...and then a flight of five cheeses....simply amazing!!! For dinner I had the steak....cooked exactly how I like it...my husband had the seafood pasta and requested the homemade rigatoni instead of spaghetti...they were more than happy to accommodate his request...we eat out frequently and we both agreed it was the best meal we have ever had...impeccable service...beautiful surroundings....well worth the price!!!! Go...eat and enjoy you will not be disappointed!!!!
(5)
Paul H.
Made our first visit to Sovana last evening after hearing about it from several of our friends - don't know why we waited SO long! Great atmosphere of simple elegance with modern decor. (Too chilly to sit outside, but the patio looked wonderful as well!) Since it was our first visit, we had lots of questions for the waiter, and he was happy to help us through the menu, pointing out his personal favs, along with customer raves. We had really come to sample the pizzas, but his enthusiastic endorsement made it clear that I shouldn't miss the crispy calamari. Glad I didn't - it was light and well flavored. We ordered the "Fran's meatball" and the "butterrnut squash" pizzas. Having read the reviews, I expected them to be just like thin crust pizzas we enjoy so much in Europe, Didn't quite ring that bell, but they were both great anyway - we both ended up gravitating toward the butternut squash - the take home leftovers will make for great lunches this week. We also had the butterscotch liquid cake dessert - was expecting good - got AMAZING! Sovana used to be ONLY BYOB, but they now have a liquor license and a full bar, BUT they allow you to bring your own wine (wine only) with a corkage fee of $8.00 per bottle. (I think it says $5.00 in earlier reviews, and maybe on the website as well, but indeed, it was $8.00. When they called to confirm our Open Table reservation, that stated the option and the fee in the phone message.) We were still very much delighted with this option, and I asked our server about the history of all that. Since they were open 10 years before getting their liquor license, they still have a strong BYOB following, so they are likely to maintain that tradition. THANKS SOVANA - you have two more loyal followers just on the basis of your BYO tradition alone. Wonderful food. Lovely atmosphere. So delighted to know about this great restaurant!
(5)
Tom W.
Really enjoyed our meal here, great service and ambiance!! Nice vibe at the bar for a drink then great selection of fresh food! Scallops with morels starter was great as was the butterscotch dessert!! One of our favorite meals since moving back from the bay area.
(4)
Barbara L.
Had lunch Saturday January 12 with my bet friend Lorrie. We shared a Chalone Chardonnay we bought with us. I had the cassoulet which was tasty ow ever the meats were a little dry. Lorrie had the express lunh. The short rib panini was delicious. She said she enjoyed the onion soup and salad. The little lime bread pudding was good. We ordered two full size desserts.the deconstructed sundae and the apple crisp. Sinfully good. Cole was our waiter. He was great. Will do lunch here again. The express lunch was the better of the two orders. Either way though food was good!!!
(4)
Stephen W.
What a pleasant surprise. An elegant bistro with a full bar! I had a terrific whole wild bass, filleted (not that tasteless pretender, 'Chilean Sea Bass' otherwise known as common Toothfish). My wife had a spicy pasta dish, and we started with some lamb sausage and hummus. Thanks, Yelp users for such a nice little find only 25 minutes from home!
(4)
Catrina C.
I could go to Sovana just for the cheese plate. The service is always excellent. I enjoyed the NY Strip and Brussels sprouts on my most recent trip. The steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked medium rare as ordered. I hope the recent article in the News Journal doesn't make it impossible to get a table.
(5)
Jeffery S.
Decided to stop here after a hard day at work. Co-workers decided they wanted "fru fru" food so naturally, being a team player, I went along with it. We didn't have reservations, so naturally they seated us at a table right next to the entrance to the kitchen. Menu had items that would send a food safety geek into a state of panic, raw cows milk ice cream, cheese made with raw goats milk or brie made with raw sheeps milk. There were some pretty unique items that they claim were made ingredients produced by local farmers. One of my co-workers ordered free range chicken, the other ordered the fish du jour which was salmon marinated in a concoction that included horseradish, mushrooms and soy. I played it save and ordered a bowl of Mixed Sonova Greens and the Margharita Pizza. The chicken and salmon were prononced excellent. I really enjoyed the salad which was basically spring greens, dried cranberries and shredded parmesan with a raspberry type viniagrette. The margharita pizza was unspectacular. Very flat tasting. Big negatives were the olive oil that came with the bread at the beginning of the meal was rancid and the service tended to be a bit slow..no biggie. A meal for three with drinks for two people set us back about 100 dollars. My co-workers really enjoyed their meal but the place really didn't do too much for me. Too much style and not enough substance so far as I was concerned.
(4)
Pamela G.
I am a foodie, both an excellent cook myself and a person who appreciates exceptional cuisine. I also lived in Philadelphia for over 10 years and am well acquainted with the Philly restaurant scene. Unlike some reviewers, however, I am not a pretentious snob. Sovana Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants. Ever. I've lost count of the number of visits. Suffice to say that every meal has been outstanding, from the food, which takes advantage of their "buy local" philosophy, to the service, which is attentive but not overbearing. I cannot really speak to the noise level as I tend to frequent the place during off hours. You can't go wrong with their sandwiches, their burger, their quiche, their pizza, the fish tacos, the hangar steak or any one of their phenomenal desserts (my latest was the peach cobbler with the homemade blackberry ice cream). Do not pass up their french onion soup. A gem.
(5)
Holly W.
This is our favorite place for dinner outside of Philly. The food is always awesome and so is the staff. We like to grab dinner or a small plate at the bar with a glass of wine. The grilled octopus is delicious. Always a friendly and interesting crowd. Seasonal foods. Great atmosphere.
(5)
Whitney D.
The food was amazing, the atmosphere was cool, our server was very friendly and seemed genuinely exciting about answering questions about the menu. I love the BYO for $8 or wine list option. The somillier -Adam picked out a new "go to white wine" for us too. Fresh local and seasonal ingredients, quintessential 'farm to table' experience. European style cuisine with modern American flavors.
(5)
Chad E.
This restaraunt is quite delectable. The interior design is nice, but the con to that, is that back room in winter time is more of a tent type seating area with portable heaters. This automatically drops the rating. It is not the most desireable place to enjoy a dinner. The food was good, the caeser salad had large chunks of grated parmesean cheese as well as lots of scrumptous croutons. It was stellar. I also ordered the rigatoni with the wild boar bolgnese, it was also very good. I greatly enjoyed it. There was not enough cheese on the dish for my personal preference. For dessert, i ordered the apple bread pudding, which was not very good. I disliked it, because it was not warm, and nothing was very good about it. The ice cream was average, and the apple bread pudding was almost cold when it arrived at the table. It was $200 for 4 people to have dinner. Quite pricy if you ask my opinion. I opine that this restaraunt is good, but I may not be back so soon. There are some flaws that they need to work out.
(3)
Jay K.
Ok, we're from NY. We eat in Brooklyn often, too. There, I said it. So sue me. And yet, having access to so many excellent options here, we do reserve the right to compare other experiences to what we know is possible. For Kennett Sq, PA, Sovana was, as my dinner companion said, probably pretty good. I demur. The only thing on the Caesar that was good--and worthy of the $12 price tag--was the croutons. Tips: make it smaller, with a lower price point. Not everyone eats family style. And way too much dressing. The suckling pig--well, let's call a pig a pig. Pulled pork without the BBQ sauce is more like it. I agree with other reviewers that the pork was dry. And the peas were uncooked, assuming they hadn't been frozen and not sufficiently defrosted. The pizza--marone! Toppings were fine; very good, really. The crust was inedible. Dry and tasteless as toast, it managed to be neither crisp nor soggy, but something in between. The rigatoni, among the simplest of dishes we ordered was, not surprisingly, the best of the lot. Three demi-tasse spoons were delivered mid-meal, "compliments of the chef", one for each of us. Each had a tiny dollop of pureed beet and goat cheese. As the man said, "meh." Also, it's Summer and 90 degrees out, and specials, which should have tilted toward the cool and light, instead included broccoli cheddar soup (!), and tempura (!!). Lastly, don't try calling the restaurant directly--you'll only get lost in phone-auto-menu list hell. Maybe you can reach a live person, I could not (original reservation made through Open Table).
(2)
Colleen P.
Talula's Table gets all the raves in Kennett but less than a mile away in a little shopping/office center is Savona Bistro...and it's wonderful. To me, bistro connotes a small, rustic-type place. Savona Bistro is nothing like that. Clean lines, slate walls.. fresh and modern, it's a warm but up-to-date environment. In addition to fresh, local and organic food, they have a 100-mile beer menu and I heard they were adding a 100-mile wine menu. We've been for lunch and dinner and had delicious food both times. A nice place to go on a date or with a group.
(5)
Tom P.
Phenomenal food. You can dress it up and get steak frites, the 100 mile menu (where everything is locally sourced) fish, etc. Or you can dress it down and get pizza and salad. Hip, not sure you're in Kennett Square vibe that makes it a great place to bring visitors from out of town.
(5)
Jim B.
What an absolutely fantastic dining experience, one of the best of my life. I went on a late Sunday afternoon and it was very crowded. Me and my date didn't have reservations, so we were seated at a very tiny and awkward table by the window. Sovana Bistro is in a strip mall, so the window doesn't exactly provide a great view. The table was so cramped, I had a difficult time just getting in and out of my seat. But that would be the only complaint of the night. The waitress brought complementary glasses of champage. We had brought wine from the Chaddsford Winery, but it turned out to be unneccesary as the champagne lasted the night. And it was good. I started with the "artisanal" pepperoni pizza appetizer. I laughed at their attempt to make it sound like more than a pepperoni pizza, but it turned out to be one of the 5 best pizzas I've ever tasted, made with spicy pepperoni, fresh local mushrooms, and shallots. I ordered the free range chicken with butternut squash and brussel sprouts for an entree. Chicken can be boring, but this chicken was bursting with flavor and juiciness. The dessert was also spectacular: a vanilla bean creme brulee with fresh berries. While waiting for the appetizers and the entrees, one of the waitstaff came to the table both times with complementary samples of various items from the menu. It was a nice little touch that makes you feel special, even if you're not. All in all, the food was great, service good, and the price wasn't crippling. Made for a fine ending to a Sunday well-spent.
(5)
Sarah C.
I've been here maybe 6 or 7 times, and I think I like it more and more each time. I've been really happy with about 90% of what I've had here. The absolute best part is the antipasta appetizer. It's perfect to split between 2 people, it changes seasonally... it's just a few bites of 6 different amazing things. Their cocktails are pretty solid (yeah I'm the kind of lush that brings a bottle of wine and has a cocktail to start...) The classic ones are good, I think the ones they make up themselves are hit-or-miss, usually a little on the sweet side. The pastas are always really good. I usually get whatever fish special they have- they always do a great job on scallops as well... Oh right, the cheese plate! It's so good you guys. I know, it's a plate, with cheese, of course it's good, but they put alittle more thought into it- little toasts and nuts and things like truffled honey or fig jam to pair with whatever cheese you've picked. I think this might be my favorite restaurant ever.
(5)
Carcyn M.
One of my favorite restaurants. Whenever I'm in the area, I always make an effort to go to Sovana. I typically order from the prix fixe menu. I like the tuna tartare, which is some of the best that I've had anywhere. Then whatever seems fresh. The fish is usually a good choice and the wild mushroom ravioli are delicious. And, the molten chocolate cake is awesome! The only downside to this restaurant is the seating. Big room, lots of tables. Makes for a loud dinner and sometimes you feel like you are in your neighbors' conversations.
(4)
Damian D.
Great food. Good service. Cheese plate was very good. Sitting outside is a nice bonus.
(4)
Michael F.
I have dined at Sovana Bistro three times and had some amazing food here. They have a prized hangar steak with frites that they prepare for something like 3 days. On my first trip, they had just run out, so I ordered an alternative choice and was not disappointed. I do recall getting some homemade boar bolognese which was to die for. Similar to the other review, I would have like a bigger portion though. On my second trip, I had the prized hangar steak w/ frites, and it was to die for. A beef lovers' dream with perhaps the most perfect frites I ever consumed anywhere, ever. They also have a mushroom pizza which is a mandatory order for any mushroom lover. Sovana Bistro could get a ding for portions, prices, etc.. but I feel they earn a 5 star for the food alone!
(5)
Jason B.
Went twice, both times excellent. Menu was innovative, seasonal, and local. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Rustic decor. Upscale without being stuffy. Portions were a little larger than I expected for a place like this. All in all, one of my favorites.
(5)
H H.
Oh Mah Gah The meal was amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. Unfortunately we didn't think to make reservations for uh, New Year's Eve (genius alert!) but when I called they said come on in and they'd find a spot at the bar. And they did. We ordered the antipasto plate, which was like 5 amuse bouche (s). Plural amuse bouche, whatever that is. They were mind-blowing. That grilled cheese like thing? HELLO. My husband ordered wild boar bolognese with pappardelle. It was so unbelievably tasty. Amazingly so. For entrees he ordered the hangar steak, and I had pork 2 ways; belly and shoulder. I've been obsessed with pork belly since I had it at Gary Danko nearly a year ago, so there was no way I wasn't going to order it. They arrived, and the pork belly was so tender and succulent and perfectly seared. I tried some of my husband's steak, and it was good for sure, but it was no pork belly. Then he tried some of the pork shoulder and literally closed his eyes as he chewed like he was making sweet love to that dish. That's right, he had the sex face. In public. Over a pork dish. It was seriously, seriously good. Of course we ordered dessert too: apple cobbler or maybe it was a crisp? With oatmeal ice cream. DEEEELISH. I'm not in town that often, but next time I am, I'm coming back here.
(5)
Chris F.
We had dinner last night and can vouch for all positive reviews. It was a very nice experience!
(4)
Alex M.
I've been to Sovana Bistro with my family several times. The menu is consistently innovative and I love that they make an effort to keep it seasonal and local. I absolutely love the upscale, rustic decor. The servers are very professional, but the restaurant is far from stuffy. Great place for a special dinner!
(5)
Simchah O.
Sovana was a place I had randomly picked for a date before a Longwood Gardens visit. I didn't realize how diverse the menu would be but was happy that it was, as I am trying to taste to things and broaden my food spectrum. My boyfriend and I picked a few things to share- including the Cous Cous Mac N' Cheese. I would go all the way back to Kennett Square, JUST FOR THIS. It was incredible. Absolutely delectable. The malbec I had was wonderful and the dessert was fantastic. I was head over heels for all of the food we had tried. I feel as if they could benefit from a gluten free and/or vegetarian option to the menu (like its own section) but think we got by just fine with what they offered for now. The staff was friendly and there was always someone close by in case we needed anything. Only thing I felt bad about was one of the servers dropping an entire tray of glassware next to me (because I know what it is like to serve and that just sucks) and having chunks of glass and food shatter and splatter all over the girl sitting behind me. I personally think it just added to the entertainment and vibe of the place. Way to go Sovana! I would recommend you to all.
(5)
Beth K.
We went here to celebrate my birthday last year - wonderful service and good food. I didn't like my meal as much as I had hoped, but would still recommend Sovana Bistro for a special occasion.
(3)
michael c.
bad food and a server who couldn't have cared less. Had the goat cheese raviolis - terrible tasteless grey mass of dough in a bowl. $8.00/bottle corkage fee is ridiculous - had to beg for a cooler for our white wine. We had tried this restaurant before with the same result. Won't be back. There are very few restaurants in this area so it really has a captive audience.
(1)
Bill D.
Well, this is simple. Outstanding food, service and ambiance, all at a fair (not inexpensive) price. Not much more you could ask for. The pasta is homemade. (I had calamari and rock shrimp - almost as good as Mom's.) The molten butterscotch cake is a treat.
(5)
Steve G.
We had a terrific experience at Sovana. We've been there before, and we always liked it...but this was even better than we remembered. I had the artisnal cheese plate, the hangar steak, and the chocolate cake. Everything was terrific. The waiter (Ryan) was attentive and helpful. All in all, it was a top-rate experience.
(5)
Craig D.
(4.5) Stars ~ Overall the food & service is VERY good! We like how they try to use Local & Organic ingredients on their Seasonal Menus. PROS ~ Probably the BEST Cheese Plate I've ever had and their Specialty Pizzas are excellent too. CONS ~ The ONLY negative is that their tables are too close together. We made our reservation online using "Open Table" and specifically asked for an intimate table. We ended up being "sandwiched" between two parties. Looking around there may not be an intimate table at Sovana Bistro, which is their ONLY weakness. SUGGESTIONS ~ It's certainly crowded enough to expand -or- find a new location (close by) to allow for better spacing of tables.
(4)
Jeff P.
I absolutely love this place. My wife and I dine out quite frequently, and we continue to return to Sovana. We eat out in the Wilmington, Philly area and I must say this is a 5 star restaurant anywhere you go. Where shall I begin to explain why I take the time to drive up to this place from Wilmington, DE where there are plenty of options... To start off with, this place used to be a BYO only. Now they have a liqour license, but you can still bring a bottle (or two, or three..). I love that choice. To be honest I really have had nothing else than a beer or cocktail at the bar, and the occasional glass of port or complimentary glass of bubbly, so I can't expound on the wine list, but from what I have seen the bottles look good, and reasonably priced. As far as the menu goes, I dig it. The emphasis is on local ingredients, and there is always an excellent choice of specials. This is not an over the top menu with overly manipulated entrees with foam, and freeze dried monkey brains, and special heirloom pinto beans shat from capybaras from the remote regions of the Amazon, but rather creative, well prepared food that is most likely sourced somewhere nearby. This isn't a fine dining restaurant, but the food is worthy of it. As people have mentioned in their reviews, it is more of a casual neighborhood bistro. One can not go wrong with the housemade pastas, and wood fired pizzas, but I most likely order off a waiter's reccomendation or a special. Concerning the specials, there is always a whole fish option, a fileted fish, a starter of some sort (confit turkey lyonnaise salad, F yeah), and some sort of main. Desserts here are pretty well on point too. My suggestion is the house made corn or carmel corn ice cream if it is in season. I think what I love about this place is that it is solid. Service is great, food is stellar, atmosphere is not overly stuffy, and the price is right. You can easily have an incredible dinning experience for two, if you bring your own wine, for under a $100 including a nice tip. I feel like that is saying something for the level of dining, and service you receive. My only negative would be is that the word is out. This place gets packed, and there can be a real flurry of activity around your table. Waiters flying around, food runners dodging guests to get food to the table, hapless diners getting in the way, the usual hectic pace when a good restaurant is running at full steam. I have probably dined here around 20 times over the past 6 years or so, and just keep coming back. Next time I make it up there I'll try to take some pics. Bon Apetit!
(5)
Joe A.
Went for the first time last night. Managed to get a last minute table (they prefer at least 12 hours). Everything was wonderful from the hostesses opening the door to the delightful full bar menu to the tantalizing savory apps and entrees and scrumptious desserts! Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, and efficient. The food came out quickly but not too quickly and the place were pretty. If I had to pick, I would prefer a bit more spaced between table. Expect crowded upscale bistro seating when you go. And (admittedly nit picky) there are many serving assistants (bread, water, plate removal, etc.) that keep you in bread water clean plates and napkins, however because the tables are so close to each other, they appear to hover to close for my comfort. That being said it was the best meal I've had in the Kennett area and I will go again and again! Good eating!
(4)
Jill R.
A weekend away without the kids! Anniversary dinner! And then, terrible service yet again ruins what could have been an amazing experience. We were sat in a very noisy back room - totally doable for most of us, but if you are hearing impaired, this is not the restaurant for you. They have a very nice wine and cocktail list, but for $8 you can BYO and keep your bill down and save your $$ for the food. We ordered the antipasto: Grilled Eggplant, Ceci Beans, Pine Nut-Mint Pesto White Bean "Garlic Bread" Goat Cheese & Onion Torta with "Frito Misto" Warm Bacon Foccacia, Parmesan Fonduta, Fried Quail Egg Fresh Mozzarella Insalata, Salami, Pepperoncini, Basil The waiter, of dubious fame, told us this dish was for two people. The quarter-sized Goat Cheese Torta would suggest otherwise. Cutting it in half rendered it almost inedible. The rest of the tastes were good. For a second course, we split Veal and Ricotta Tortellini with Mortadella, Morels, and Grated Parmesan. This was heaven in a strangely-shaped bowl. One of the best pasta dishes I have tasted anywhere. Literally. Nirvana on my fork. For our third couse we had the whole fish, a Dorade Royale, with Chickpea Fritters and Black Olive Celery Citronette. The kitchen very nicely split our two dishes so that we could share them easily. This fish, however, was the low after my pasta high. It was overcooked, rubbery, overseasoned with the olives, and so full of bones that it was too stressful to eat. Each bite required such slow and pensive chewing, and then 2-4 bone retrievals, that it was not worth the effort (or the taste). Did I mention that our waiter was not present during 99% of this evening? He was mysteriously absent most of the evening. This may have been for the better since his only comments when asked about dishes were, "awesome." You could almost hear the silent "dude." I was a waitress - an occasional awesome is fine, as long as it's accompanied with any real content. Moose the waiter needs to go back and hang out with Archie and Jughead and give Sovana Bistro a chance to truly be as great as our tortellini. We gave Moose a chance to redeem himself at dessert. We asked a bunch of questions. "Awesome." We tried asking in other ways. "Awesome." We gave up. "Awesome." Yeah, not so much. The Apple Charlotte was stale brioche bread in a circle surrounding chopped, seasoned apples. The creme anglaise was tasty, but there wasn't enough of it to mask the tasteless apples and stale bread. Awesome.
(3)
Joseph B.
Best restaurant in Philadelphia area from start to finish. Servers are knowledge about both the wine and food. Their passion is evident and the kitchen is flawless. Large menu with lots of fresh, local options and a few not so local. Every dish is a winner. You cannot miss out on this restaurant.
(5)
Michael P.
I live within walking distance of Sovano and have been a loyal and ardent advocate for the last nine years. Unfortunately, the Farrell's have in recent years, focused on maximizing seating capacity and added new chairs that are the most uncomfortable of any restaurant that I have been to - my wife and I are thin, certainly by American standards and we feel bad for most patrons who have to squeeze into these torture chambers. The food is still good, if uneven. Our server was annoyed that I suggested a taste of a wine before pouring the full glass. Oh well, success can sometimes be the downfall of a once superb bistro.
(2)
chris d.
This place was amazing, another Yelp find. Live in the city and have been to all the top spots, and well, they all got topped by this unassuming bistro in the countryside. Cocktails from the bar while waiting for our table were amazing. Antipasta is a must, so many different flavors. Tuna Tartare with freshly cooked chips was amazing. Cheese plate was very good. Hanger steak was probably the highlight of the meal, cooked to perfection. Bought a bottle, but needed a glass with the main course, was recommended an awesome cab for $10 (didn't try to sell me on an expensive glass). Not to mention, we got two free tastings (one when we sat down and one prior to entree) that were ridiculously good and free! From the awesome presentation, to the amazing flavors, to the rustic decor, this place has it all. Will be back for sure, very soon. Pair this with a trip to Longwood Gardens and/or Brandywine River Museum and you got yourself a nice day trip from Philly.
(5)
Maureen F.
My husband and I had lunch here last week. Great experience overall. Best French onion soup ever. The apple, gorgonzola, pecan and micro-green salad with the fresh and tart apple cider vinaigrette was delightful and a nice foil to the soup. I had the strawberry and basil immersion Capirhinia and my husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich and a Belgian microbrew. Beautiful presentation and great service!
(5)
Doug P.
First timers, highly recommended and absolutely correct! We always take "The best of this, the best that...blah blah" recommendations with a grain of salt but this was one of the single best lunches we have ever had. Sovanas is in a business strip-mall complex and parking is non-existant, but it was a nice afternoon and the walk wasn't as far as I make it sound. Well worth it though! Incredible food!! Will make the hour drive soon enough for more!
(5)
Kristin H.
I never would have expected to find such a gem of a restaurant in the suburbs outside of Wilmington, DE -- but let me chime in with the other reviewers to say that this is a destination worth the trip. I was in the Chadds Ford PA area for a girls weekend and we had a lovely dinner at Sovana Bistro that was probably the highlight of the trip. (The creepy, smelly B&B where we stayed helped tip the scales in favor of Sovana Bistro...but we all agreed that it was a great find). There were 8 of us having dinner and we tried all different things: the antipasto platter with delicious tastes of things, Gazpacho soup special (creamy, rich, and somehow light all at the same time??!), the Watermelon Salad, meatball pizza, seafood sausage, and several of the homemade pasta dishes. There wasn't anything that we tried that we didn't love, although the pastas were particularly good. In addition to the high-caliber food, the service was also worthy of a "5 star" rating. The waitress was attentive but didn't rush us, and she did a great job describing the food and recommending different options. Unfortunately they had run out of the peach crisp by the end of the evening -- but we ended up ordering the cookie ice cream sandwich and a creme brulee and were not disappointed. Even though everyone said they were too full for dessert, we were licking the plates clean because it was so delicious! The only negative thing I can say about Sovana Bistro is that it isn't around the corner from where I live!
(5)
Stephen S.
This is the closest we have to a great "French Bistro" in the area. I was amazed in Paris, when I would reserve a nice bistro and consistently get the most amazing quality food. Sovana fits this precisely for me in rural PA. Tonight I had mushroom ravioli: 3 large ravioli in a complex cream based sauce with a touch of truffle oil - perfect. Second was Pork Chop Milanese. Something told me to order it, and i was delighted. Breaded and cooked perfectly, topped with a lightly dressed green salad with shredded salami and pepperoncinis. Again - perfect. I tasted some of the other dishes our group had: tuna tartare with avacado salad; beet salad with greens and walnuts; hand made mushroom pasta papardelle; feta cheese tortellini. Again - each - perfect. The handmade pasta is wonderful - I couldn't do better myself and the pizzas are crisp and delicate. I think that the dough is likely a very pliable dough (a lot of moisture) baked in a very hot wood oven, which yields a really beautiful result. This is the best pizza you will find outside of Rome or Napoli. There. I've said it. The desserts are not to be missed either. For instance: liquid butterscotch center cake with vanilla ice cream (my choice - killer), the best creme brulee that you could need (killer), strawberry shortcake with rhubarb sherbet (yes - killer). Come on, when will you find some place that makes rhubarb sherbet - and its killer! We went as a group of 10, and brought our own battalion of wine. It has been a BYOB, but now is upgraded with a liquor license. A few of our party started with martinis and other drinks. It had been a "no reservations" - but has recently upgraded to accept reservations which actually makes it much more accessible. We used to stand at the bar waiting for a table and drink our wine until we were plastered. When we got to the table it was too late for the food! The decor and setting is very pleasant, and there are a few small tables in the front and they have opened a new side patio with more tables outside. If i lived closer, this would be a constant on my restaurant schedule.
(5)
Kristin S.
This meal was easily in the top 3 of my life. I was honestly moved by the quality and love that went into each dish. The server was so awesome and recommended great wine pairings for each course. It was absolutely packed on a weeknight - love that!
(5)
Nicole K.
Great ambiance, delicious food, and fabulous service! White bean soup, corn pizza, and fish tacos were all delicious.
(5)
Undercova A.
We were toying with going to Newton's on State Street but opted to take a look at Sovana instead. Glad we did. Sovana is more upscale and has a varied menu ranging from humble pizzas for one to quail served with a foie gras "scrapple." The wine list is extensive and there are several fine choices by the glass (Pinotage: $8- excellent!). I began with the apple salad which was served with gorgonzola cheese, raisins, spiced pecans and arugula. Super good. My H had the Sovana mixed greens which was very pretty, crisp and fresh. We opted for pizza simply because that's what we wanted. I had the Corn pizza and, as the name implies, it had corn. It also had salami, jalapeno, cilantro and feta cheese. Really very good. My H had the Fran's Meatballs pizza, not as great but still tasty. It had no cheese at all and the meatballs, well let's just say, hard to tell if they were good since they were applied so sparingly (maybe two sliced up). We passed on dessert. Abby was our very wonderful server. Total cost without tip: $71.
(4)
Rebecca C.
So we decided to make a night of Kennett Square by checking out the Christmas lights at Longwood and heading to Sovana for dinner. This was our second time at Sovana and I have to say I was pretty disappointed. Last time we had one of the most amazing cheese plates ever and gnocchi in a brown butter sage sauce that was killer. This time we decided to venture through the menu with various courses and small pasta servings. We tend to be big fans of great Italian menus and this was not one of them. I know the Chef trained at Vetri, but although a lot of the dishes sound like something you might get at Amis, they don't even come close. The wild boar ragout with pappardelle tasted like beef-a-roni and the pappardelle was a paltry serving that was stuck together in a glob (I'm no chef, but I know how to keep pasta from sticking to itself.) There was gnocchi with pork, but it had almost no flavor whatsoever and a spinach and goat cheese ravioli that was ruined by a Kalamata olive pesto that is clearly designed to force you to order additional wine to counteract the salt. The antipasto was the best choice except for the crudo mixto serving which was sort of akin to hoagie dip with dried cranberries in it. (Trust me, this is not a good combo.) The pear fritters and gruyere sandwich were the high points for sure. Great wine selection and friendly staff. I regret that when they asked me how the food was, I was still on the antipasto and told them it was great, because normally I like to let the kitchen know when they fall flat. If you are in the area, and want some artful and consistently excellent Italian, take an extra 20 minutes to drive to Capers and Lemons in Wilmington. Chef O'hare makes Chef Farrell look like a line cook. If you really want to try Sovana Bistro anyway, stick with the cheese course. It's amazing!
(2)
Mike A.
I wanted to love this place. It has a cool idea. The food is fresh and produced mainly locally. Everything in there is pretty interesting, down to the bread bowl, There were long pretzel-like things in there that I had never seen before. The decor was pretty good, but I kept joking about how the windows had chain-mail curtains, that didn't quite fit. The food was delicious, but the portions were tiny. I heard the waiter say that the portions were 'realistically' sized I ordered butternut squash tortellini (for $23) and received 6 or 7 pieces of moderately sized pasta, with some mystery foam on the top. I'll say it again, it was delicious, but 6 or 7 pieces for $23??? Sovana Bistro advertises casual dining but, I'm not so sure about that. My trifted sweater seemed quite out of place. Perhaps it was my 'cutting edge hairstyle' that delivered us the corner table within elbow-bumping room of the next table (did I mention that It wasn't even busy and there was plenty of room.) And apparently, the hostess who appeared to be 16 at best decided that I didn't deserve a beverage menu. I was planning on having one...until I decided that their profit margin on the butternut squash tortellini would be large enough. I felt pretty uncomfortable there, but the food was really good and I liked the way it looked.
(3)
Katie G.
My husband and I ended up here on Valentine's Day after trying to go to The Whip Tavern for a late lunch and discovering it packed by a rugby event. A friend had recommended it, so we gave it a try. 2pm was a great time to go, actually--it was still relatively full, but most diners were in casual clothing, clearly coming from or going somewhere else. The best part was that the manager and hostess graciously allowed the guide dog puppy we are raising to come in with us. They were unbelievably positive and welcoming, and it was a great chance for the dog to practice his skills in a restaurant environment. The food was wonderful--the artisinal cheese plate was delicious, and the salads were excellent. I had the pear pizza, which was delicious, and my husband had the fish tacos, which were also fantastic. The service was great, too. We'll definitely come back.
A friend and I visited Sovana last Saturday night to celebrate her birthday. We were impressed with the freshness of the food and the quality with which it was prepared. Great local foods used in many of the dishes. We were given tiny cups of absolutely delicious butternut squash soup to taste. I liked it so much that I ordered it with dinner. I didn't realize that it was not available on the menu. The restaurant did accommodate the request though and served a nice size cup of steamy, decadent soup. Our server was delightful. She was professional, personable and offered spot-on recommendations on the cheese plate and entrees. We finished with the Apple Crisp which was just right. The ONLY downside of the experience was that we were seated at a very tiny table and very close to two other parties. It felt a bit cramped and the volume in the restaurant was very loud. That being said, it was 7:00pm on a Saturday night and we were seated immediately after walking through the door. Overall, a wonderful experience!
(4)
Jand J.
DIVINE. This was THE best meal I've ever had -- or close to it, at least (there was a meal out on the Navajo Reservation that almost made me cry, but how often do I get THERE?!) One course after another delighted: the appetizer antipasto was a culinary masterpiece-- goat cheese bread pudding, polenta with gorgonzola fondue, panini (ooooh, yeah, the panini)... and more. My fiance and I were there for Valentine's Day, and were feeling crazy romantic, otherwise, I'm fairly certain we might have had a fight over having to share. Our start salads were creative and delicious-- and large enough to be entries; our meals... sigh... our meals... were OUT of this world. My fiance had veal filet. When he ordered the filet, our server said, "the veal filet?"... I saw life in his eyes like never before.. that is, until he took his first bite, sighed, put down his fork, and, I'm pretty sure, tried not to cry with joy. I'm a vegetarian, so I had the local market vegetable platter. I'd love to tell you what was on that platter, but "heaven" is probably not descriptive enough. It...was...just...incredible. Never have I experienced such an explosion of crazy flavors. The desserts were decadent and divine (apple crisp for me, and butterscotch cake for him). We had no room for it, after nearly licking our dinner plates, but we couldn't pass it up. Vanilla oatmeal ice cream with the apple crisp. Need I say more? And the service... Classy and elegant without the attitude... and they made our Valentine's Day extra special. My fiance had a dozen long-stemmed roses delivered to the restaurant as a surprise. Not knowing this, I changed the dinner reservation on him.... and yet, even with the change, the restaurant managed to safeguard the gorgeous flowers (on what must have been one of their busiest nights) and had them on the table when we walked in. Just gorgeous. We LOVED this restaurant and will be back... often.
(5)
Steve S.
My wife and I have been longtime patrons of Sovana Bistro and have eaten here hundreds of times since it opened in the late 90's. Even though occasionally, you will find that you will get an exception meal, the probability that you will get a mediocre meal is increasing with frequency. Over the past year, the meals have been getting much worse. This is a shame because, It had been my favorite restaurant. If Sovana Bistro would go back to offering some better dishes as they did 10 years ago, I hope they can improve.
(1)
Julie R.
Fun, happenin' place. Interesting menu and wine list. Attentive staff. Our fav restaurant while in the area visiting Longwood Gardens.
(4)
Keith D.
Great wine list with reasonably priced selections. Lunch was amazing. The best pizza I have had on this continent. Very interesting menu. Come and be happy!
(5)
Warren J.
I had the wild boar and the tuna tartar and loved it!
(5)
Barbara R.
Love this place! The margarita pizza is fabulous!
(4)
Adam W.
This has quickly emerged as my go-to premiere regional dining establishment. The ambiance is very appealing (despite being in a suburban strip mall), featuring a central dining area with high ceilings allowing for natural light to penetrate the restaurant; plus a bar/cocktails area and side dining room for a more romantic and private experience. The menu is diverse and features local or regional ingredients, from Pocono Trout to thin-crust pizzas including local mushrooms. The service is well-trained, knowledgeable of the menu and not over-bearing. Sovana is also an ideal place to have lunch, with a variety of pizzas, salads, sandwiches and other tasty specials to choose from.
(5)
R. M.
WOW - every course of the meal is outstanding. Love the "amuse bouche" - a little appetizer between the first course and the main course of the meal. The wine selection is great. The presentation is great. The food is great. The service is great. The atmosphere is very good, but I think they actually deserve better than an (admittedly upscale) strip mall location. We've eaten in restaurants all over the world and we must say that this is one of our favourites. Compares favourably to Dilworthtown Inn, although a different dining experience. One thing - although they're great, they're not really "French", but darned if I'd know how to classify them. Perhaps "eclectic" would be a better description.
(5)
Barbie M.
I chose this restaurant based on all the rave reviews, but now, well, I'm baffled by them. It's a cute place, with great service, but I was really not impressed by the food. The menu looked great, both visually and in terms of what was on it, but the two entrees my husband and I ordered were just not all that impressive. They weren't horrible or send-backable--just not good. I had the Crispy Chicken, which managed somehow to be both over- and underseasoned, and the chicken itself was dry and tasteless, and also, NOT CRISPY. It came with goopy mashed potatoes and mushrooms and had a splash of marsala that just made things worse. My husband's describes his whole fish as "kind of ordinary" and "nothing special." The friends we were with characterized their food as "OK, but not a repeat." I would not have gone to the trouble to write a review about this sweet, well-meaning, but to my mind, utterly mediocre restaurant were it not for the pretentiousness of its menu and overall approach. To serve a mouthful of diced cucumber with a light vinaigrette in a cute bendy spoon as if it is an amuse bouche is like putting a Chanel dress on a cute suburban pig. And the prices struck us as higher than they ought to be for what this place is: a restaurant in a shopping mall. The room is also so incredibly acoustically challenged that it was nearly impossible to carry on a conversation. I give Sovana points for trying, and for the niceness and professionalism of its staff, but we were really disappointed.
Great service- really great salad...grilled asparagus and fresh mozzarella!
(5)
Bobbie J.
Good pasta, bad experience. Started off with an argument over the table we were given. We, party of 4, wanted different table, one by the wall and not in the middle of the room. But it was a problem even though it was 5:20pm on a sunday. We were granted our request, but with a warning that we must leave by 6:45 pm. We left at 7 pm with no one waiting for this table and other 4 people tables available. Our server was not providing service. Took long time with bread AFTER we asked for it, 5 slices for 4 people, wow, so generous. Took long time getting a glass of wine. My friend's cocktail arrived before my wine. Figure that. We ordered 2 appetizers, fried calamari and tuna tartar, so we really surprised when after maybe 20 min our main course showed up, no appetizers in sight. Our server told us that he forgot, was very sorry, and offered to get them in 5 min, but with our dinner on the table we declined. I got salmon, of was slightly undercooked, under seasoned, but decent. My mom got spaghetti marinara, and let me tell you, it is not marinara, it is fra diavlo, was good, but too spicy for her, so i swapped my salmon with her spaghetti. My sister's rigatoni, small portion was COMPLETELY COLD, not even room temperature - makes you wonder where it came from. Our server did not check on us and we had to ask for him. Too many strikes for what it is, so it was first and last time for us.
(1)
Mike P.
Very hip place-had great service, too. Our entrèes arrived in a flurry of two runners, all four dishes placed correctly, fresh pepper offered, then they were *poof* gone. Waiter ( Ethan) checked on us a minute later& at the right times throughout meal. Def. Recommend-great food, atmos& design, service. As Ethan said tonight, ya gotta make the food sexy, and they do.
(4)
Jenni R.
I'll start off by admitting that I consider myself a spoiled little foodie. Living in Philadelphia, we have a plethora of restaurants at our fingertips and we definitely take advantage of it! I'm not dissing suburban restaurants, I'm just trying to be fair in saying that I have high expectations. That being said, Sovana was soooooo disappointing. Our food was bland and way overpriced. So disappointing, in fact, that by the time we were ready for dessert we decided to just cut our loses, get the bill and go elsewhere. On the positive: our server was quite sweet and accomodating. She did her best to be attentive, even though she was quite busy with tables outside. We had other staff repeatedly peek around the corner into our dining space, literally, twenty times or more, (and we were the only ones in that section for the first 45 minutes or so) but no one ever refilled our empty water glasses, cleared our plates or asked us how we were doing. Not sure exactly what it was they were so frequently "checking" for (?). Another postive: I started off with a watermelon basil margarita that was quite refreshing and something I've never had before, always a good thing. Sadly, that was the first and last thing I tasted all night that was tasty. We started off with a five-piece cheese plate. How can a cheese plate not be what you expect? Well, it disappointed. Mostly, because the portions of cheese were insanely small. Literally, two small bites of each cheese (=1 bite each, for both of us). Also, the temperature wasn't quite right on all the cheeses. Namely, the La Tur, one of my favorite cheeses, was almost warm when served, it was really unappetizing. Where's Jose Garces when you need him? He needs to teach them a thing or to. Next I had the watermelon salad. The watermelon was perfectly ripe (thumbs up) but unfortunately the arugula was soggy which really killed the texture of the dish (soft watermelon + soft feta + soggy arugula = mushy food). My husband ordered the tuna tartar, it was GRAY...enough said. For an entree I ordered the gnocchi with morels and fava beans. I was excited, as this entree combined three of my favorite things all in one! What could go wrong? Weeelllll, apparently lots could go wrong. The biggest offender was the bland sauce that covered everything. Basically browned butter that wasn't browned effectively, it really drowned the dish in a sea of bland. I had to ask for salt, which I feel is insulting and very rarely do; but desperate times call for desperate measures. Also, the gnocchis were off, they didn't have that 'melt in your mouth' quality that makes gnocchis what they are. (I was even open to forgiving this, given that I live in south philly and have a very high standard for gnocchis) but read on... As far as the morels, fava beans and aged goat cheese: they were missing in action. There were, literally, about 2 morels: chopped into tiny little bits, too small to savor, about 5-6 fava beans and the goat cheese....maybe that was the scant sprinkle on top, certaintly too small an amount to add any appreciable flavor. The real offender, though, was the price: a staggering $26 dollars for a vegetarian pasta entree is a lot, especially when all the side-kicks are missing from the party. My husband had the fish du jour and it was criminal. I don't even eat fish and the first thing I noticed was that it was ridiculously over-cooked. He said it tasted as bad as it looked. It was especially shocking given that this was the special. Overall, I would have been disappointed to eat this food anywhere, but given the amount of money we spent, it was just wrong! There was nothing seasonal or fresh about what we had, with the exception of the watermelon. There were two morels in my pasta entree...we're in Kennet Square, for God's sake! I feel that the menu massively misrepresented the food.
(2)
Jason B.
I have eaten at Sovana numerous times over the past few years and each time the experience brings me back. Pros: 1. The Food. Consistently good (even Craig LaBan gave it a rave review last year) and the menu changes from time to time. There is a 100 mile section of their menu as well, meaning they try to incorporate at least 90% of the ingredients from local sources. 2. Service. They don't let the high school kids ruin your meal by being your server. Some of the servers appear to stay for many months and they are knowledgeable about most things on the menu. (to include their artisianal cheese plates) 3. BYOB. It used to be BYOB only. Now, they have a full bar, but for a $5 corkage fee, you can still bring your own. 4. More space. They have recently expanded, which means more seating, which means less waiting, which means better overall experience. 5. Pizza. While I don't order it there as a main course, I know those who have and they are always happy. Also, if you have kids, its nice to be able to have an adult meal and let them have some pizza. 6. Near Longwood Gardens (for those out of town tourist looking for a good meal, it is only 2 miles away). Cons: None really. Quality food, consistent service after many years. The true sign of a good restaurant. Check it out.
(5)
Charles R.
1 complaint. but overall very good. Had a 7:30 reservation , but didn't get seated until 7:50. Restaurants say they can give your table away if you're 20 minutes late, but as a diner you have no recourse. Outside of standing around for a while the meal itself was very good. I liked their old menu better, but maybe people requested more pasta's and pizza's. The mushroom soup and the harvest salad were both very good, although next time I would have the mixed green salad. They offered 2 fish specials and the rock fish was flaky and well prepared. The hanger steak was very tender and had a lot of taste. Didn't have dessert. Never had a bad meal here, and the service was attentive without being rushed. One thing I really like is even though they have a full bar and wines by the glass, they do have corkage at the moderate price of $8 per bottle. I would say 50% of the people brought their own wine. I think if restaurants are going to offer corkage that the amount should be fair. Some of the places downtown say corkage, but when you call them they want $20 or more per bottle. You have to make reservations since the place is jammed. Since it's jammed, having to wait 20 minutes with no place to sit can be a pain. They take most plastic and plenty of free parking in the lot around the restaurant. One of the better choices in the Kennet Square area.
(4)
Peter D.
Nice place, great staff, but unfortunately, pretty mediocre food. I ordered soup which had all the right ingredients in it, but didn't have much of a base, and the crispy chicken, which distinctly tasted like it had been frozen, then thawed. I wanted to like this place, and maybe they were just having on off night, but the meal itself was something of a letdown.
(2)
Jamie B.
Very Cozy atmosphere. Great selection of classic menu items and locally produced food.
(5)
M. T.
homemade pasta, cool drinks, tasty bread, great service
(5)
Jen S.
WOW! If I opened a restaurant, I'd want it to be Sovana! What a beautiful atmosphere. We went at 7:30 on a Friday night and sat outside at a big farmhouse table under the tent. All the tables were full, but our waiter Phillip was so prompt and attentive, you would've believed we were the only ones there. He talked about the specials and local ingredients with the passion and familiarity I've only heard on Iron Chef! Later, he offered some spot-on wine pairings based on what we told him we liked, e.g. "Usually we drink New Zealand Sauv Blanc, but want to venture out." So that's the service and the ambiance. Lively crowd, BTW, excellent first date or private party place. The cadence of the meal, too, was perfect. We were neither waiting nor rushed. The food. You must order the mushroom side! Kale salad was also delectable and we enjoyed the skirt steak. My father-in-law, who never cleans his plate, raved about the Arctic Char on special. And the craft cocktails were unique, well-balanced and inventive. The only slight disappointment was the ice cream and cheesecake desserts, but will give them a pass since they lost everything due to a power outage that week. Will definitely be back. In fact, looking for an excuse to return immediately!
(5)
Sarah D.
If this review was based on food and atmosphere I would give 5 stars. I've had many items on the menu I've enjoyed... kale Caesar, pizza, Bolognese, cheese platter. However the attitude of the staff can come off a bit brown-nose. The last time I went for lunch there were only five tables in the restaurant but our waiter was nowhere to be found most of the meal and our food came out staggered. We also had asked if we could get the lunch special (a half sandwich and salad) but instead have a whole sandwich and the waiter made it seem like we were asking the world of him. Another occasion our waiter recommended a whiskey to my husband but neglected to mention it was $30 a glass! Another surprise on our bill was a $3 charge for an ice cube. The waiter asked my husband if he wanted a globe ice cube for his whiskey and he replied yes. Surely we didn't think we would be charged for a piece of ice! I'll continue to go there simply because I love the food but service could use an overhaul.
(3)
Andrew S.
Came here for late evening repast after a long day at Longwood Gardens. Food [A] The duck breast here is prepared quite well. Juicy inside and delicate crust outside with aptly paired sides. The honey BBQ lamb ribs (seasonal appetizer) intrigued me, and didn't disappoint. Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their entrees. Pricing was reasonable for the quality of food. Service [A] There were no hiccups for this price point. Drinks were refilled regularly and food came out at a reasonable pace. Waitstaff were pleasant and enthusiastic, which is always a plus. Ambiance [A] My initial impression while driving down the two-lane road became more skeptical the more rural the landscape became. When you arrive at the complex, it's like a mix of office buildings and strip mall. At that point, I basically had no expectations. Perhaps that elevated my observation. The place was already packed, but luckily seating was available. I think just 10-15 min after my arrival, the wait time soared to 1 hour or more. Poisson distribution :) Anyways, don't let the drive in and the surrounding commercial-ish area deter you. The interior is well decorated, and has a modern, but rustic feel. The environment is lively with appropriate lighting and reasonable spacing. All in all, pleasantly surprised by this charming restaurant in the "countryside."
(5)
Robert P.
I had dinner there with friends on Sunday. I have eaten here at least 6 times so...... The food and service is good. The prices they charge are high for what you get and it was fine when they are BYOB but now that they serve a full liquor and wine selection come on!! If your running a 20% food cost your killing your guests.
(3)
Kathleen A.
My parents and I were being tourists in Kennett Square for the weekend. We found this place online, and it had good reviews, so gave it a shot. It was a busy place -- loud and crowded on a Saturday night, which seemed like a good sign upon walking in the door. If I was ranking on food alone, this place would get 4 stars easily. Unfortunately, we encountered a number of service flaws that left me less-than-impressed. Starting with the food and drinks, we got cocktails at the bar. I would not recommend the Pisco Sour, but I really liked my Negroni. We got a bottle of wine with dinner, but be advised we saw several tables BYOB, so I guess this is an option, just not highly advertised. We had salads, which were quite large for one person, shared the fig and prosciutto pizza, and had the duck breast, skirt steak, and pork loin as entrees. Everything was definitely tasty, the portions were sizeable, and nicely presented. On to the service...1. took forever to get ice water upon getting seated, finally had to ask. 2. After ordering and waiter telling us bread was coming, bread never came. Once again asked, got bread, and then our appetizers came out 2 seconds later. 3. I asked for my salad to be wrapped up so I didn't spoil my appetite. Never got the salad back after they took it back to the kitchen to pack up. 4. Took way to long to get our entrees. 5. Never actually got silverware to eat dessert. Went ahead and used our coffee spoons, instead. I will say, they get some credit for trying to remedy the service flaws. They brought out 3 glasses of champagne, and our desserts were on the house. We didn't even have to say anything, they just did this, knowing that we waited a long time for our entrees. If you have good service, this place would be spot on. Unfortunately, I probably won't be rushing back next time we are in the area.
(3)
David N.
We were in the area for the Kennett Square mushroom festival. The menu and yelp reviews sounded very good. Decor and atmosphere were very nice, our waitress was pleasant and knowledgeable. Very good cocktails However, the food left something to be desired. Fried green tomatoes had a very thick and soggy breading although attractively presented and plentiful. Lamb tacos had a thick tortilla and the filling was too sweet and lacking in flavor. Roasted brussels sprouts were undercooked and again, except for salt, lacked flavor. The roasted chicken was overcooked and the dark meat ( my favorite part) was rubbery. Polenta and mushrooms skimpy given price and amount of chicken. My wife returned the tortellini which had been recommended by the waitress but were undercooked, on a heavy sauce and had only a few vegetables. Instead she took a Caesar salad which was lacking in flavor. An amuse Bouche of fig and whipped feta cheese was very pretty; small tart also brought to table as an extra surprise was the tastiest thing we had all night. Why was the restaurant so busy and other guests so happy? Maybe we had an off night.
(2)
Melissa V.
Fresh, creative and exceptionally delicious. Priced very reasonably too. Service was on point and very professional. The decor is charming too. Seats are a bit uncomfortable but go with the rustic theme. I would highly recommend this place. We drove about 40 mins to eat here and will do it again!
(5)
Ainsley A.
I haven't set foot in this place in four years-I had no idea they expanded into another bar, room, and outside terrace. I had remembered that everything I ate from this restaurant years ago was executed nicely and was creative. This holds true as of last evening. Beau-the bartender- provided the best service to us (a group of cackling women enjoying multiple cosmos and glasses of wine). He was friendly and prompt- I was never without a beverage. Now the good stuff: the food. We ordered a corn pizza- ugh it was so good, complete with jalepeno, and salami. We also ordered the asparagus and egg pizza which was equally as delicious. For my main, I ordered the small size of the wild boar papardelle- the flavors were amazing, but the temperature was luke warm. I was impatient so I did not send it back. The smaller of the two portions is the perfect size when ordering appetizers. This restaurant is very pricey, but the quality of food is worth it. I definitely will be back when I visit my parents.
(4)
GoBlue G.
Well I've heard so many good reviews about this place so Joey and I tried it out on the way back to his moms. We entered on a Sunday without a reservation and they sat us immediately. Place was quite around 6 but by 8 when we left it was busy. We started with a three flight cheese course- it was flavorful and the garnishes of roasted nuts, fig jam, fresh honey comb and grilled bread all came together very nicely. I had two apps the crispy calamari and the lamb tacos both delicious and flavorful. Presented well. Joey had a hand tossed pepperoni pie. He loved it. Food was great, our server and the rest of the service staff executed table maintenance with professionalism..... So tell me this, with the menu prices as high as they are, the level of quality is there. What's the friggin deal with those lousy, very uncomfortable and narrow dining room chairs. I would have enjoyed everything so so much better had it not been for the crapy chairs.... Use some of the capital and invest in chairs that provide comfort like the food and service does..... Pretty Please with a cherry on top.
(3)
Christina K.
After many years of enjoying the food at this restaurant, last week's unpleasant experience has caused me to decide never to return. Our server was condescending, dismissive and clearly could not have cared less. Amazingly, he was not even embarrassed to tell my sister when she ordered a glass of Chardonnay that the restaurant had run out - and it was only 7PM. His attitude got worse, if that was possible, when we told him we had a $40 coupon. I've found on my last 3 visits to Sovana that the waiters have become less and less interested in providing friendly service. There are too many great alternatives in Chester County to put up with disrespect.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy, Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Stefanie Y.
Sovana has been a family favorite for the last decade - their fare has evolved from simpler bistro standards to innovative gourmet dishes, but their commitment to quality of food and service remains unchanged. For our most recent meal, we ordered the roasted quail appetizer - the portion was huge (one whole stuffed quail!), the stuffing was melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the black truffle-carrot puree was perfect. For our entrées we ordered the Hudson Valley duck breast and the ricotta gnocchi with duck ragù special. The duck breast was lean yet succulent, well-complemented by the earthy flavors of the celery root purée and braised red cabbage. The duck ragù component of the gnocchi dish was delicious - rich, tender, and perfectly savory. However, the gnocchi...was unlike any other gnocchi I'd ever had before. Rather than the fluffy texture of ricotta gnocchi, I felt the texture more resembled mozzarella string cheese sticks. They were dense, chewy, weirdly bouncy, and looked like they'd been sliced from a tube. I ended up only eating a few bites of the "gnocchi" and instead enjoyed the ragù as a super-rich standalone stew. The gnocchi was the only stumble in an otherwise excellent meal. Everything from the service to the food to the desserts (the butterscotch cake is to die for) reflected the ever-rising quality of Sovana Bistro. It's thrilling to know each time we come back to Sovana, something will have improved, and somehow, they will have pushed the borders of creativity a little further. Definitely give this place a try.
(4)Brigit B.
Ordered the corned beef sandwich for takeout. $12 was a little high for a sandwich and it wasn't as big as I thought it would be for the price but it was tasty none the less. Not sure how I feel about the Rutabaga Sauerkraut. Cabbage sauerkraut is the way to go in my opinion. Ambiance of Sovana was rustic, warm and inviting. Staff were all friendly as I waited for my order. I've heard/read lovely things about Sovana, so I intend to go for dinner in my very near future.
(3)Jennifer V.
Very good. Would highly recommend. I had a really fun cocktail with tons of fresh berries. Our shrimp and grits app was really good. We should know being from Louisiana. I just wish they had used real gulf shrimp instead of the small shrimp for the dish. My salad was dressed perfectly and tasted great I only wish the lettuce was a little more crisp and cold, minor detail would still order it again. I had the half chicken and my husband had the crab ravioli as mains both were fantastic. Will be back. Service was great too!
(4)Josh T.
Sovana Bistro is the perfect spot to have a glass of wine and a bite to eat. I go here often for business meetings. The quality of their selection is consistent and the staff is very knowledgeable and they present themselves with great professionalism. The outdoor seating is perfect during the spring and summer and inside the ambiance is tasteful and relaxed. Sovana Bistro is always my first recommendation for dining in Kennett Square!
(5)Charlie C.
Wonderful place in Kennett Square .. best ambiance around. A bit crowded. Service is sketchy as the first time we were there a couple weeks ago we sat for 10 minutes without Any notice from the Wait staff walking by. Beef brisket very rich and tasty. Awesome pizza. Salads are very good also. Cocktails are Hit and Miss .. Had a very good Manhattan. Also had the worst Sidecar I've ever had. Despite being on their "cocktail" list, bartender had no idea how to make it, and the glassware was a curious choice. Passed it around the table for tasting just to make sure it wasn't me and sent it back - something I almost never do.
(4)Gwendolyn P.
Sovana is one of my all time favorite restaurants. My idea of a perfect day is brunch or lunch at Sovana and then an afternoon over at Longwood Gardens. The food here is inventive and delicious. The staff professional, attentive and well-versed on the menu. The atmosphere is great and they have some wonderful signature cocktails to choose from.
(5)Gretchen G.
We had a nice dinner with very friendly service (call it 3.5 stars). The beef carpaccio was excellent. Highly recommend. The pepperoni pizza tasted strongly of basil in the best way possible, nice crisp crust. The salmon was cooked nice and crispy on the outside but the vegetable hash was very sweet. The gnocchi was a disappointment- while it looked beautiful and was filled with fresh vegetable ribbons, the gnocchi was decidedly bland and tasted of butter rather then ricotta. The cheese menu looked good so I'd go back to try that and have the pizza again.
(3)Liz S.
Having been someone who worked at Sovana Bistro for a few years, I have had the pleasure of continuing to go as a patron. I can honestly say that the quality of food, freshness and level of service have sustained the test of time. While I miss getting to enjoy the delectable dishes of Nick Farrell and his team on a daily basis, we now enjoy Sovana as a specialty spot for an occasion since we have a toddler and don't go out as much as we used to. Kudos to Sovana's crew for continued success!
(4)Pamela S.
Went for a birthday dinner. The food was good. Service good. The downside wast, we had to wait to be seated until exactly 5 o'clock. Not a minute sooner. If you bring a birthday cake, they charge a cutting fee of $5.00 per PERSON! With all the lovely restaurants in the area, none of us (8) will return.
(2)Lauren J.
One of our favorites near Kennett! The local and seasonal menu is always a hit. Waiters are friendly and knowledgable.
(5)Eric R.
What a fantastic dinner!!! I took my girlfriend for her birthday and it was just an all round amazing dinning experience!!! We got the Ahi Tuna to start and I had the crab ravioli while she enjoyed the brisket, superb. Finished off with the butterscotch dessert and that's how you do it!!! Special thanks to Phil the chef for coming out personally to ensure we were enjoying our meal. Sovano is the embodiment of class and quality, thanks again!
(5)Melissa S.
A few years ago, me and a few friends decided to try Sovana for our annual holiday meal and it was fantastic! The service, the food... I would have recommended it to anyone. Last night, a friend and I decided to go there for dinner. I was looking forward to it since the first time was so amazing. The second we walked in the door.. Literally the second we walked in the door we wanted to leave. The two hostesses that 'greeted' us were so incredibly rude. At one point they even said, "Let me see where we can fit you in"... As if we were bothering them or didn't have a reservation which would be no excuse either! After we sat down, we tried to just relax and enjoy ourselves and not let that shocking experience ruin our one night out together. Then the food came.. The food was simply sub-par. The appetizer and entrees both were less than exciting. Neither of us ate much of either. Nothing like my experience the first time. It was almost like everyone there just doesn't care anymore. It was so incredibly disappointing and I will no longer recommend this place to anyone. After today and speaking to a few friends and family members, a few of them said that their last experience at Sovana bistro wasn't a positive one either. Such a shame! I really used to love this place. It's not an inexpensive restaurant either. I would have rather spent my money elsewhere. If it was Sovana a few years ago, I would tell you go go go! But simply don't waste your time or money here. Hope this was helpful!
(2)Donna G.
Valentines Day Dinner, very busy! Regular menu plus some specials. Andrew was a great waiter. Beau is the best bartender! Started with the best cheese plate we have ever had. Their house salad was so lightly dressed it tasted great. They split it very nicely for us. Husband had the spaghetti and he loved the al dente homemade pasta. I had a wonderful piece of salmon with an arugula salad. Yummy! Too full for salad. Great meal for a holiday dinner. Did I mention they were VERY busy?
(5)Howard S.
We went for the $35 restaurant week menu. Cleverly or coincidentally, Sovana also has a $40 price fix menu on Tuesday - Thursday. This latter offering was more complete, so that is how we proceeded. Added a cheese plate and several Old Fashioneds. Total with tip was $160, so slightly more than might have been planned, but worth it. The cheese plate was very enjoyable and a great starter. We shared the tuna tartare and apple salad. The tuna was only good if you included the sauce on the side of the plate. Otherwise, somewhat without taste. For entrees, we had the papardelle boar bolognese and steak pallaird. The pasta was really cooked well & absorbed the sauce beautifully. The steak was covered with a salad, which added all layers of flavor, but the meat could not stand on it's own. I was stuffed & had to bring home the dessert. Why four stars? 1. The table was ridiculously small. I wise-cracked about it to the hostess, who left us where she put us. With a reservation, we were at the very back of the restaurant, across from the kitchen. Probably not the worst table in the place, but not by much. 2. The chef sent out a tasting which contains mushrooms. My wife is deathly allergic to mushrooms - no way for them to know, and it is Kennett Square - but might have asked before putting the plates on the table. Would dine here again, except 45 minutes from the house. Will save it for when I've run out of other ideas.
(4)Mike P.
Pretentious and with variable service quality I struggle with the popularity of Sovana. The crowded main dining area, with small tables makes for a noisy experience. The food is fine, portions are very small and the offered 'tastings' are silly. Our friends like the place, we've been back several times, with growing disappointments.
(2)Jeff M.
GREAT place in the middle of nowhere. We had a fantastic meal for my wife's birthday. It's like a downtown restaurant in a strip-mall in the country. But, and this is the only but, the prices are as if we were in a downtown restaurant. Service was perfect. The food was excellent and inventive, just a bit overpriced. Wouldn't stop me from going again though.
(4)Paul G.
Sovana is always a great spot whether you are having a romantic dinner, a quick lunch or a family brunch. We always have top notch service here. No detail goes unnoticed. It is BYO with a corkage($8 I think) but they also have a full bar that serves seasonal cocktails. The cucumber cocktail in the summer is to die for. We have never had a bad meal but they thing I always go back to is the cheese plate. Let your waiter surprise you, you won't be disappointed!
(5)Elisa M.
We went to this unassuming BYOB with bottles of wine from the nearby Chadd's Ford Winery. We had the artisinal cheese plate and a selection of desserts. Everything was perfect!
(5)J. Christopher E.
Went here before the Pat Benatar concert at Longwood Gardens. Had a very good meal. Food was interesting and well prepared. Service a little slow, but mostly good and the waiter was very friendly and accommodating. A nicely decorated and pleasant place. Lot's of information in other reviews, so here I only mention the surprisingly large number of 5 star ratings for this place. I think this is a little skewed. Five stars is supposed to be 'As good as it gets'. Five starts should be reserved for a perfect place and in my opinion Sovana Bistro is good (I'd say 3.5 if I could give half stars) but Sovana Bistro isn't a perfect restaurant. As an example, I've never been to the nearby Talula's Table but I have a good idea what it's about, and are Yelp reviewers here suggesting that Sovana Bistro and Talula's Table are in the same league? If yes, then skip Talula's Table and go to the much much cheaper Sovana Bistro! By the way, I also don't think perfect means $$$. I've been to several perfect cheap Chinese and Mexican restaurants. So.....this is a very good but not perfect place to have dinner. But that's Ok because mostly we don't get to go to perfect places.
(4)Don B.
Five stars is not enough. Great food. Great drinks. You can't go wrong at this place.
(5)Atul G.
OMG. The honey barbecue lamb ribs here are so amazing. They are so tender, they just melt in your mouth! Other big plus was the corn pizza, which was interesting with a nice spicy kick from the jalepenos. We also ordered two cocktails that were both very delicious. One in particular was quite interesting and made with beet juice and was bright magenta! I was sadly disappointed by the mushroom side dish (which I was expecting to be a lot more interesting -- we are in Kennett Square after all!) which was a bit salty, so the flavors of the mushrooms were washed out. Otherwise, a lovely dining experience in this area!
(4)Doug J.
VERY disappointed with Sovana Bistro. They have become inconsistent, which is never a good sign. After the return of the wonderful Antipasta that is so adored...it's gone again! Portions seem smaller and the service was less than expected. We saw our server just once....taking our order...never to be seen again! We were pleased to see Borscht on the specials for the night...but three of us had it and all commented we could not taste beets. It tasted like mushroom soup! So after many years of great food and service, we're done with this place...and you can see from earlier posts that we loved this place for many years.
(2)Kaitlyn F.
Yah know those restaurants that when you leave you know that nothing could have been done better? Yah, Sovana Bistro makes you feel that way. My friend and I had tickets to see a show at Longwood Gardens last week and, just for a change of scenery, wanted to try a restaurant out in the suburbs instead of in the city. We did a quick Google search and stumbled upon Sovana Bistro's menu. We saw they had an artisanal cheese plate and were done searching (I have an affinity for cheese plates :/ ) The decor is very chic, trendy, and relaxing! Our server was very knowledgable and friendly. There were all different types of food runners and bussers that serviced our table and every single one of them was friendly. To start, we both had a glass of Montepulciano and split the cheese plate. Instead of the server just telling you what cheeses they had, they were written out on the dessert menu, with a short little description. We had a blue cheese, an Italian one, and an American cheddar. Each was paired with a spread and some candied assorted nuts. The cheese plate was just phenomenal. Another nice touch, one of the multiple food runners brought us out a taste of rainbow chard and some vegetable (I can't remember what), which were compliments of the chef. Very classy, Sovana Bistro, very classy! After the cheese plate we each had salads. I had the apple salad which was just great- beautiful presentation, so fresh and light! For my entree, I had the Moroccan-braised lamb that came with couscous, pita, chick pea fritters, and a mint-pesto sauce. The lamb was falling apart and the presentation was, once again, perfect. For dessert, we shared some of the homemade ice cream. OMG GET THE HOMEMADE ICE CREAM. We had 2 scoops of chocolate and the ice cream special which was banana stracciatella. It did not disappoint. Do be aware that this restaurant is on the pricey side but is totally TOTALLY worth it.
(5)Craig H.
A delightful surprise with creative and well prepared food, upscale decor, and impressive service. Only complaint was that the tables were a little tight for a restaurant in the country.
(4)Daisy A.
This is our second visit to Sovana and it was as amazing as the first time. We were a group of six wine lovers. We love that we can bring our wine and the corking fee is extremely reasonable. Center stage though is the amazing menu. We loved all our dinner selections, except the suckling pig dish. Definitely the chef is extremely creative. They did not have the Couscous Mac & cheese, which are to die for, but had truffle mac & cheese which were just as delicious! Last but not least, the service from Risk was awesome!!! He was very knowledgeable about the menu, but also a wine connoisseur. I strongly recommend Savona!
(4)Bradford G.
This is a fantastic restaurant and one of my favorites in the area. This last time, we started with cocktails in the bar. Now I am not a fancy drink kind of guy but I had to try the bacon maple syrup Manhattan. I reminded me why I don't like fancy drinks. It was tasty, the sweet syrup and warm bourbon nicely complimenting each other, but it was too much after a few gulps. And it kicked my ass, setting in motion the remainder of my night. Our server Michael was outstanding, knowledgeable and friendly. I started with the petite cassoulet, hard to describe beyond just amazing. In my draft review I wrote "has sausage and stuff". Damn Manhattan. Switched to beer(s). They have nice local brew on tap, no not the Yueng. And this unfortunately didn't slow the party train. Later I would claim the beer must have had high alcohol content. Or something. My date ordered the cheese plate which Michael helped us in the selection and pairings. Delicious. I've had a lot of fancy cheese plates, they are all the rage, but SB has unique and local selections, and carefully served, eg you don't get a piece of inedible rind, or the cheese isn't dry, or the server doesn't know the names or pairings, etc. Veal with potato au gratin and sweetbreads main course. Fantastic. So tasty you want to order another after the first bite. I considered it. By now I'm so overwhelmed and effusive in my delight that my girlfriend says, "pull back, you're scaring the waiter." What? I can't love food now? Deconstructed chocolate brownie. I'm not against pulling a recipe apart for art sake. This was perfect, but only after I put it back together. The bill arrived and it was surprisingly affordable. Highly recommended. You don't hear much about this place; you should go now. It's sophisticated yet most people are casually dressed. It used to be BYO but now has a full bar.
(5)Christina G.
Went for my birthday based on a friend's recommendation. I was pretty disappointed. First, the corking fee was NOT disclosed ahead of time so we were pretty upset having that unwelcome surprise when the bill came. When we questioned the waiter about it he was VERY rude. I see from other reviewers that they now serve alcohol and have lowered their corking fee. Second the food was ok at best. Two of us had the hanger steak. It was chewy and not appetizing for two steak lovers. Another person had the pizza and it was just ok. It was rather pricey for the quality of food we received. Have not been back and probably won't go back in the future.
(2)Kristin H.
Most things about my dinner at Sovana were good, but most things also did not blow me away. When reading over the menu, a lot of the dishes and ingredients sounded wonderful, however, the overall taste (and even plating, in one case) was disappointing. We decided to order and split three small plates, a pizza, and one main dish (this turned out to be quite a bit of food, FYI). Not a an eater of red meat or poultry, there were definitely still options for me to choose from. One dish that leapt out at me right away when choosing from the small plates was the Tuna Tartare. This turned out to be the best thing I tried at Sovana. The tuna and everything within in tasted fresh. I especially enjoyed the balance of the avocado within the mix (I'm also going to guess that's how it maintained it's perfectly round structure). The potato chips that accompanied the tartare were tasty, although I kind of wish it would have been served with corn chips. I felt like the lime vinaigrette would have gone wonderfully with this. The decline kind of went like this: the texture of the Fried Green Tomatoes were nice with their corn breading, but they were under-seasoned. The Scallop Ceviche special sounded like it was going to be totally amazing and I'm bummed to say that it wasn't. Although I'm always going to value taste first, the dish came out looking a lot unlike something I expected: this was my first time experiencing ceviche served in a big, soupy pile in a bowl. On it's accompanying plate, there were several small slices of avocado and a few leaves of dark lettuce. Our approach was, decidedly, to make little wraps out of the three ingredients, however, the combination was not a good taste. The ceviche was not very appetizing in itself...I've tasted fresher scallops. Fish Dujour was completely unmemorable. After a bite or two, it was wrapped so we could take it home with us. It went home with us because it was $30. The Ratatouille Pizza was pretty good . The crust had a great balance of crispy/doughy. I wouldn't have minded if it had twice the vegetables. The decor and ambiance is nice in Sovana. I enjoyed checking out the seasonal touches like watermelons growing from their indoor flower boxes above the middle seating barrier. The service, although seemingly a little new in their serving careers, were friendly and attentive. As another reviewer mentioned, they live in Philly and tried to explain that, perhaps, their guilt for giving Sovana only a couple of stars. Although I'm sure that this is probably one of best restaurants in town and it's great that the residents have a more upscale place like this to go to in their neck of the woods, I'm going to be honest and say that I've experienced a lot better in Philly at these prices, or lower (luckily, a gift card was involved, in our case). There were just too many dishes that need help. Sorry about all the mehs, but Sovana just didn't do it for me.
(2)Dave M.
Tonight we had dinner at Savona Bistro with an old friend. It was very good indeed. The (local) asparagus soup was delectable, and the hanger steak very well prepared. Everyone enjoyed their meal. We are not wine drinkers and can't comment on the cellar. I did order decaffeinated coffee, which was rather lackluster; they could beef it up a little. Unfortunately, we are too old for dessert, but I bet they're very good. Service was friendly and professional, and the seating was comfortable.
(4)D F.
I just had an outstanding evening out with my wife at Sovano. The ambiance was perfect for a night out with out our children. However in the end it's about the food and we were slightly disappointed. The menu had many interesting dishes outside of the standard menu's you find in so many places these days. That was refreshing. My wife had the suckling pig dish. The meat was very dry and lacked flavor, the supporting pasta, peas, and mushrooms were very good. I sadly chickened out on the veal with sweetbreads dish and ordered the Parpadelle with wild boar bolgnese. This was an average dish that I would say has been bested by the 100's of simple pasta with meat sauce dishes I have eaten in firehouses over my 20yr career. I guess ground meat is ground meat cause I never could have guessed it was Wild Boar. The Amuse-bouche from the chef was the best item, truffle mashed taters wrapped in asparagus was memorable!
(3)Hilary Z.
Sovana Bistro is the perfect place for lunch before or after visiting Winterthur or Longwood Gardens. Lunch prices are reasonable (though not cheap), and the menu has many options. Today, I had the Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella Panini, and my dad had the Char-Grilled Hamburger. Both were excellent, and came with lightly-dressed, very-fresh side salads. The highlight of our meal, though, was the service. The hostess gladly moved us to more-comfortable seating for my dad. Jill, our server, was friendly, pleasant, outgoing, and fantastic!
(5)Ryan N.
Although its far from Philly, this restaurant is worth the trip. (First course) 3 flight cheese platter: to be honest I didn't know half the stuff I was eating on this platter. Me and my girlfriend aren't cheese experts so picking from their extensive list was a challenge. So we left it up to our waiter to decide the best combination. He didn't let us down and the different combinations of cheeses, jams, nuts and bread was a great way to start our meal. We also ordered the fried tomato appetizer which also tasted different but incredible! You can pretty much fry anything and this combination along with pico de gallo was excellent. (Main Course) I ordered their flat bread pizza (the meatball to be specific). Did not disappoint. Not too much sauce not too much cheese everything came out perfectly! We also ordered the gnocchi with pork cheek. Full of flavor and cooked perfectly. Both our main courses were prepared perfectly no complaints. (Dessert) Chocolate ice box cake..... So rich perfect way to end an excellent meal. Thank you! We will be back
(5)Ann M.
Service outstanding . Portions small and the food was overpriced. Nice atmosphere but nothing special . Very average.$8 cork fee. W
(2)Kristopher M.
I love the food at Sovana Bistro. The regular menu has two sections -- one of which contains only local offerings, the other their traditional menu. Then there are the specials. I am by no means a foodie, but know quality ingredients when I taste them. They have a tuna tartare on the first course menu that is amazing. Add in the outdoor seating and the fact that you can bring your own wine for a small corkage fee and this place earns 5 stars.
(5)Jesca D.
Great spot for a great dinner! My friend treated me to a birthday here a few nights ago and we both had a delicious meal. I love me some homemade pasta! We sat at the bar and enjoyed the attentive, friendly bartender. The rest of the bar was full of people who eat there on a regular basis which speaks volumes. We shared the calamari to start, which was mouth watering. I almost wished I ordered the whole dish for myself! We also split the mixed greens salad which may be the best in its category in the area, at least in my opinion. I want it again, now. Yum! I ordered the spinach and goat cheese ravioli in a black olive sauce which was cooked to perfection, I unfortunately was too full to enjoy more than a few bites but it was just as good for lunch the next day. My friend ordered the gnocchi with fresh vegetables which were like little pillows in our mouths. This was my first time here but not the last. I had a great dinner and I would recommend this restaurant to anyone.
(4)Catherine G.
I've lived in the Kennett Square are my whole life and this has always been the best restaurant in the area. They opened up the space to include a bar room in addition to the main dining room to allow more diners. It is a beautiful space and on nice nights you can eat outside! The menu is full of local fresh ingredients and dishes. The pizzas are always a safe bet, as is the caesar salad. My favorite dish is the boar bolognese - my favorite pasta dish ever! The boar has such a rich flavor and the pasta itself is perfect. Safe room for dessert as well! Their seasonal desserts are to die for and won't disappoint. I would recommend making a reservation. It can get a bit noisy, so if you prefer a quieter dinner make an early reservation! The service is always friendly, fast, and helpful. A great spot for a date or a family dinner!
(4)Harry B.
We had dinner a week ago. It was disappointing. In one dinner, we had bitter squash purée, burned Brussels sprouts and two relatively small in size scallops. We were told the chef liked the sprouts to have some crunch when we mentioned they were burned. The price was expensive for one poor meal and one adequate one. They are a bit full of themselves to be putting out this kind of food.
(2)Annie H.
The appetizers were great,the salads as always were great, the wine was delicious and the drinks were amazing. The entrees were not so good. It was pretty pricey for mediocre food. The coffee and chili rubbed lamb neck tasted like pot roast, bland pot roast. The pasta special tasted like leftovers, mushy creamy concoction with mushrooms and meat and whatever else they needed to use up. The fish and steak dishes were OK but at more than $30 a plate I expect more than OK. I would stick with the pizza here. Don't want to end on a bad note, our server was simply awesome.
(3)Nicole L.
My boyfriend and I came here on a Wednesday night for our one year anniversary. We made a reservation and had our table within a few minutes of arriving. It was a great experience from start to finish and we were both impressed with what excellent service we received. Our waiter, Jason, was particularly professional, attentive, and knowledgeable. The restaurant was quite full the night we went, but we never had empty drinks and dirty plates were taken away promptly. There were clearly plenty of staff to help keep things running smoothly, which was an enormous plus and is something that is lacking at many other restaurants. The decor was very nice, however the lighting was too low for our taste and we found it a bit difficult to read the menu because of this. It was also a bit loud for our taste, however we were seated very close to the bar and there was a particularly loud group there. This made conversation somewhat difficult while we were there, but that seemed to be more of a reflection on our particular table and the specific group at the bar. Our food was perfectly cooked. We ordered from the prix fixe menu and had three courses each. The calamari was tender and had just the right amount of aioli sauce on top. The apple salad had the right balance of fruit, lettuce, and crunch. The mahi mahi, which was the fish of the day, was cooked thoroughly, but still gave way easily to my fork. The rice and cauliflower pilaf it was served on had just the right spices to compliment the fish. My boyfriend found his pork milanese was cooked perfectly and was juicy, not tough. The bitter greens served with it complimented the pork flavor. For dessert we order the molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and the white chocolate/orange ice cream. The ice cream is made in house and was to die for. It had a rich texture with a little bit of crunch to it and was hands down the best ice cream either of us has ever had. The chocolate molten cake did not have much of a lava center, but this was a plus as the rest of the cake was quite rich and would have been too rich with a gooier center. We also had an intermezzo and amuse-bouche which were just the right combinations of flavors for single bites. To acknowledge our anniversary, and which was truly a cute touch, our waiter brought out a single candle on a dish for us to blow out before our desserts were brought to us. It was a small gesture, but it showed that they truly acknowledged that it was a special occasion for us. Overall, it was a very pleasurable meal with exceptional service and we would certainly go back and recommend it given the opportunity.
(5)Seb R.
Great selection of craft beers and wines. I have been here twice, both times the service and ambiance were very classy and friendly. Most recently I got the margherita pizza which was authentic Italian and very good.
(4)HanaDC T.
I was visiting Longwood Garden from DC to celebrate my Bday. My husband took me to this restaurant. Before we picked this, we of course checked Yelp. Once gain, Yelp review was correct. Everything I had was wonderful. I am glad that I found this place and celebrate my bday.
(5)Chris S.
Excellent pasta. They know what al dente means, which I find to be rare. Salad and pizza were good as well. Excellent service.
(4)Ahsiya S.
Seriously, everything we ordered was delicious. From the amuse bouche - a broccoli puree that we wish we'd had a bucket of, not just a shot - to both the seasonal items, the specials, or regular menu items. It's so rare to have a perfect Cesar salad these days - it was perfect. The octopus (on the seasonal fall 2012 menu) was awesome, perfectly cooked. I got the salmon special which came with this to-die-for cauliflower puree, and my fiancee got the seasonal gnocci, which had that melt in your mouth consistency. Get it! Hearty portions, even the bread & olive old before were delish. Cheese plate was super quality, the pick well and give lots of accompaniments. The service was really, really good. We went before a trip to Longwood gardens to we didn't know much about the area, and we couldn't have done better. Would give more stars if I could. And the food was WELL worth the price, coming from a center city couple. Go, and enjoy.
(5)Leetha L.
Great food, but noisy. Nearly impossible to carryon a conversation at this place. Would give it 5 stars if they could do something about the acoustics!
(3)Roo M.
Perfect! The food and service is excellent! Everything I have ever had there is delicious. The chef is top notch!
(5)John Y.
This is a 100% true story. Last night, my lovely wife and I had dinner at Sovana. As usual, the servers were top-notch: polished, competent, friendly, relaxed. Halfway through our meal, a wasp flew in through the door and landed on our table (this is Chester County; these things happen.) It crawled over to my wife's plate, and perched on her knife. I looked at the wasp for a moment, trying to decide what to do. Do I start flailing around with my napkin? Do I overturn the table? How do I kill this wasp without smashing the stemware? Instantly, our busboy appeared; my wife says he had been tracking the wasp across the restaurant, weaving between the closely-spaced tables all the way from the door. Our busboy immediately reached down and, like Gary Busey in Lethal Weapon, GRABBED THE KNIFE AND WASP IN HIS HAND, then vanished. Moments later, he re-appeared with a new knife on a small platter: "A fresh knife for you", he murmured, then disappeared again -- possibly to run far enough out the back door so that we would not be discomfited by the sound of his screams. Well done, that busboy. Well done, Sovana Bistro. That was the single most impressive bit of five-star service I have ever seen.
(5)Frank K.
My love and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience at Sovano Bistro. We were in the Kennett Square area for the Longwood Garden's fireworks display on July 3rd. We were unable to obtain seating at Longwood for their restaurant or their barbecue and made reservations at Sovano - I'm so happy that we did. The restaurant is tastefully appointed, the servers were skilled and the cooking was superb. We were thrilled with the shadings of flavors - incredible presentations and the skills of the chef. A great meal, a great experience, and a very fair cost for the quality of ingredients and the attention to detail. We shall return!
(5)Lydia K.
This is the place I go to if I really want a special meal. The menu is unique and the food delicious. Also, the drinks are different than any I have ever had... In a good way! Very cool ambiance as well.
(5)Martha G.
I wanted to check out the mushroom capital of the world, and in the process found Sovana bistro on yelp, and thought it was a must try. I tried to make a reservation on Open Table a few days in advance, but only 5 pm or 9pm time slots were available. We showed up instead without a reservation, granted way on the early side (turns out there's not that much to the mushroom capital). We were seated immediately. We started with the seasonal antipasto. Four out of the five morsels on it were excellent. I was underwhelmed by the salad, but I saw the purpose it served: a fresh, light, and crisp item to cut against the fat of the souffle, panini and chips and dip. Oh the chips and dip were good. I think the waiter caught me eating a piece of the dip off of the table... it's clean, right? We also had the chowder in the squash bowl. It was such a creative dish. The chowder was not overpowering which I appreciated. That you could eat the squash was so cool. We then shared the wagyu beef and eggs dish. I thought the steak was excellent; my boyfriend thought it was just average. I loved the egg with it, and the corn. We concluded with the caramel dessert. Oh. my. god. I think dessert is an even tougher hurdler than dinner, because so many chocolate cakes are essentially the same. But this caramel cake dessert was totally unique, and totally delicious. Love. Service was excellent; they put up with my boyfriend and I taking our sweet old time to order, enjoy our drinks, and just sit together. Will be checking the seasonal menu here and be back for sure when I see something I can't wait to try.
(4)Kate D.
I have been here twice in the past month - it is well worth the trip. The first time, I went with my husband for dinner. The drinks were great, and the food was even better. I could go for the appetizers alone, which are fantastic, especially the antipasto. We enjoyed the mini mushroom and goat cheese bread pudding, and the pear fritter. I also got the butternut squash bisque, which was perfectly seasoned and I didn't want it to end. Hubby got the onion soup which was good, but not as mouthwatering as my butternut bisque. To be honest, the entrees were good, but not quite as memorable. if I go again for dinner I'd get the exact same appetizers but in double the quantity! I also brought my mom here for a girls' lunch last weekend. We really enjoyed ourselves! I got the apple salad and she got the Sovana mixed greens. The salads are huge - we felt like we got our $ worth. We also split the butternut squash pizza: A-MA-ZING!! I'd get it again in a heartbeat. There was a perfect balance of caramelized squash, apple wood smoked bacon, Gorgonzola and arugula. The only "ding" this place gets is for the chairs. They are miserably uncomfortable if you are sitting for more than 20-30 minutes.
(4)Penny R.
One reviewer wrote couldn't do it better and that sums it up!!! Perfect meal...perfect service....we started with fried green tomatoes...amazing...perfectly cooked...still crispy...fabulous coating...along with the scallop appetizer...wonderful....cooked to perfection...and then a flight of five cheeses....simply amazing!!! For dinner I had the steak....cooked exactly how I like it...my husband had the seafood pasta and requested the homemade rigatoni instead of spaghetti...they were more than happy to accommodate his request...we eat out frequently and we both agreed it was the best meal we have ever had...impeccable service...beautiful surroundings....well worth the price!!!! Go...eat and enjoy you will not be disappointed!!!!
(5)Paul H.
Made our first visit to Sovana last evening after hearing about it from several of our friends - don't know why we waited SO long! Great atmosphere of simple elegance with modern decor. (Too chilly to sit outside, but the patio looked wonderful as well!) Since it was our first visit, we had lots of questions for the waiter, and he was happy to help us through the menu, pointing out his personal favs, along with customer raves. We had really come to sample the pizzas, but his enthusiastic endorsement made it clear that I shouldn't miss the crispy calamari. Glad I didn't - it was light and well flavored. We ordered the "Fran's meatball" and the "butterrnut squash" pizzas. Having read the reviews, I expected them to be just like thin crust pizzas we enjoy so much in Europe, Didn't quite ring that bell, but they were both great anyway - we both ended up gravitating toward the butternut squash - the take home leftovers will make for great lunches this week. We also had the butterscotch liquid cake dessert - was expecting good - got AMAZING! Sovana used to be ONLY BYOB, but they now have a liquor license and a full bar, BUT they allow you to bring your own wine (wine only) with a corkage fee of $8.00 per bottle. (I think it says $5.00 in earlier reviews, and maybe on the website as well, but indeed, it was $8.00. When they called to confirm our Open Table reservation, that stated the option and the fee in the phone message.) We were still very much delighted with this option, and I asked our server about the history of all that. Since they were open 10 years before getting their liquor license, they still have a strong BYOB following, so they are likely to maintain that tradition. THANKS SOVANA - you have two more loyal followers just on the basis of your BYO tradition alone. Wonderful food. Lovely atmosphere. So delighted to know about this great restaurant!
(5)Tom W.
Really enjoyed our meal here, great service and ambiance!! Nice vibe at the bar for a drink then great selection of fresh food! Scallops with morels starter was great as was the butterscotch dessert!! One of our favorite meals since moving back from the bay area.
(4)Barbara L.
Had lunch Saturday January 12 with my bet friend Lorrie. We shared a Chalone Chardonnay we bought with us. I had the cassoulet which was tasty ow ever the meats were a little dry. Lorrie had the express lunh. The short rib panini was delicious. She said she enjoyed the onion soup and salad. The little lime bread pudding was good. We ordered two full size desserts.the deconstructed sundae and the apple crisp. Sinfully good. Cole was our waiter. He was great. Will do lunch here again. The express lunch was the better of the two orders. Either way though food was good!!!
(4)Stephen W.
What a pleasant surprise. An elegant bistro with a full bar! I had a terrific whole wild bass, filleted (not that tasteless pretender, 'Chilean Sea Bass' otherwise known as common Toothfish). My wife had a spicy pasta dish, and we started with some lamb sausage and hummus. Thanks, Yelp users for such a nice little find only 25 minutes from home!
(4)Catrina C.
I could go to Sovana just for the cheese plate. The service is always excellent. I enjoyed the NY Strip and Brussels sprouts on my most recent trip. The steak was perfectly seasoned and cooked medium rare as ordered. I hope the recent article in the News Journal doesn't make it impossible to get a table.
(5)Jeffery S.
Decided to stop here after a hard day at work. Co-workers decided they wanted "fru fru" food so naturally, being a team player, I went along with it. We didn't have reservations, so naturally they seated us at a table right next to the entrance to the kitchen. Menu had items that would send a food safety geek into a state of panic, raw cows milk ice cream, cheese made with raw goats milk or brie made with raw sheeps milk. There were some pretty unique items that they claim were made ingredients produced by local farmers. One of my co-workers ordered free range chicken, the other ordered the fish du jour which was salmon marinated in a concoction that included horseradish, mushrooms and soy. I played it save and ordered a bowl of Mixed Sonova Greens and the Margharita Pizza. The chicken and salmon were prononced excellent. I really enjoyed the salad which was basically spring greens, dried cranberries and shredded parmesan with a raspberry type viniagrette. The margharita pizza was unspectacular. Very flat tasting. Big negatives were the olive oil that came with the bread at the beginning of the meal was rancid and the service tended to be a bit slow..no biggie. A meal for three with drinks for two people set us back about 100 dollars. My co-workers really enjoyed their meal but the place really didn't do too much for me. Too much style and not enough substance so far as I was concerned.
(4)Pamela G.
I am a foodie, both an excellent cook myself and a person who appreciates exceptional cuisine. I also lived in Philadelphia for over 10 years and am well acquainted with the Philly restaurant scene. Unlike some reviewers, however, I am not a pretentious snob. Sovana Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants. Ever. I've lost count of the number of visits. Suffice to say that every meal has been outstanding, from the food, which takes advantage of their "buy local" philosophy, to the service, which is attentive but not overbearing. I cannot really speak to the noise level as I tend to frequent the place during off hours. You can't go wrong with their sandwiches, their burger, their quiche, their pizza, the fish tacos, the hangar steak or any one of their phenomenal desserts (my latest was the peach cobbler with the homemade blackberry ice cream). Do not pass up their french onion soup. A gem.
(5)Holly W.
This is our favorite place for dinner outside of Philly. The food is always awesome and so is the staff. We like to grab dinner or a small plate at the bar with a glass of wine. The grilled octopus is delicious. Always a friendly and interesting crowd. Seasonal foods. Great atmosphere.
(5)Whitney D.
The food was amazing, the atmosphere was cool, our server was very friendly and seemed genuinely exciting about answering questions about the menu. I love the BYO for $8 or wine list option. The somillier -Adam picked out a new "go to white wine" for us too. Fresh local and seasonal ingredients, quintessential 'farm to table' experience. European style cuisine with modern American flavors.
(5)Chad E.
This restaraunt is quite delectable. The interior design is nice, but the con to that, is that back room in winter time is more of a tent type seating area with portable heaters. This automatically drops the rating. It is not the most desireable place to enjoy a dinner. The food was good, the caeser salad had large chunks of grated parmesean cheese as well as lots of scrumptous croutons. It was stellar. I also ordered the rigatoni with the wild boar bolgnese, it was also very good. I greatly enjoyed it. There was not enough cheese on the dish for my personal preference. For dessert, i ordered the apple bread pudding, which was not very good. I disliked it, because it was not warm, and nothing was very good about it. The ice cream was average, and the apple bread pudding was almost cold when it arrived at the table. It was $200 for 4 people to have dinner. Quite pricy if you ask my opinion. I opine that this restaraunt is good, but I may not be back so soon. There are some flaws that they need to work out.
(3)Jay K.
Ok, we're from NY. We eat in Brooklyn often, too. There, I said it. So sue me. And yet, having access to so many excellent options here, we do reserve the right to compare other experiences to what we know is possible. For Kennett Sq, PA, Sovana was, as my dinner companion said, probably pretty good. I demur. The only thing on the Caesar that was good--and worthy of the $12 price tag--was the croutons. Tips: make it smaller, with a lower price point. Not everyone eats family style. And way too much dressing. The suckling pig--well, let's call a pig a pig. Pulled pork without the BBQ sauce is more like it. I agree with other reviewers that the pork was dry. And the peas were uncooked, assuming they hadn't been frozen and not sufficiently defrosted. The pizza--marone! Toppings were fine; very good, really. The crust was inedible. Dry and tasteless as toast, it managed to be neither crisp nor soggy, but something in between. The rigatoni, among the simplest of dishes we ordered was, not surprisingly, the best of the lot. Three demi-tasse spoons were delivered mid-meal, "compliments of the chef", one for each of us. Each had a tiny dollop of pureed beet and goat cheese. As the man said, "meh." Also, it's Summer and 90 degrees out, and specials, which should have tilted toward the cool and light, instead included broccoli cheddar soup (!), and tempura (!!). Lastly, don't try calling the restaurant directly--you'll only get lost in phone-auto-menu list hell. Maybe you can reach a live person, I could not (original reservation made through Open Table).
(2)Colleen P.
Talula's Table gets all the raves in Kennett but less than a mile away in a little shopping/office center is Savona Bistro...and it's wonderful. To me, bistro connotes a small, rustic-type place. Savona Bistro is nothing like that. Clean lines, slate walls.. fresh and modern, it's a warm but up-to-date environment. In addition to fresh, local and organic food, they have a 100-mile beer menu and I heard they were adding a 100-mile wine menu. We've been for lunch and dinner and had delicious food both times. A nice place to go on a date or with a group.
(5)Tom P.
Phenomenal food. You can dress it up and get steak frites, the 100 mile menu (where everything is locally sourced) fish, etc. Or you can dress it down and get pizza and salad. Hip, not sure you're in Kennett Square vibe that makes it a great place to bring visitors from out of town.
(5)Jim B.
What an absolutely fantastic dining experience, one of the best of my life. I went on a late Sunday afternoon and it was very crowded. Me and my date didn't have reservations, so we were seated at a very tiny and awkward table by the window. Sovana Bistro is in a strip mall, so the window doesn't exactly provide a great view. The table was so cramped, I had a difficult time just getting in and out of my seat. But that would be the only complaint of the night. The waitress brought complementary glasses of champage. We had brought wine from the Chaddsford Winery, but it turned out to be unneccesary as the champagne lasted the night. And it was good. I started with the "artisanal" pepperoni pizza appetizer. I laughed at their attempt to make it sound like more than a pepperoni pizza, but it turned out to be one of the 5 best pizzas I've ever tasted, made with spicy pepperoni, fresh local mushrooms, and shallots. I ordered the free range chicken with butternut squash and brussel sprouts for an entree. Chicken can be boring, but this chicken was bursting with flavor and juiciness. The dessert was also spectacular: a vanilla bean creme brulee with fresh berries. While waiting for the appetizers and the entrees, one of the waitstaff came to the table both times with complementary samples of various items from the menu. It was a nice little touch that makes you feel special, even if you're not. All in all, the food was great, service good, and the price wasn't crippling. Made for a fine ending to a Sunday well-spent.
(5)Sarah C.
I've been here maybe 6 or 7 times, and I think I like it more and more each time. I've been really happy with about 90% of what I've had here. The absolute best part is the antipasta appetizer. It's perfect to split between 2 people, it changes seasonally... it's just a few bites of 6 different amazing things. Their cocktails are pretty solid (yeah I'm the kind of lush that brings a bottle of wine and has a cocktail to start...) The classic ones are good, I think the ones they make up themselves are hit-or-miss, usually a little on the sweet side. The pastas are always really good. I usually get whatever fish special they have- they always do a great job on scallops as well... Oh right, the cheese plate! It's so good you guys. I know, it's a plate, with cheese, of course it's good, but they put alittle more thought into it- little toasts and nuts and things like truffled honey or fig jam to pair with whatever cheese you've picked. I think this might be my favorite restaurant ever.
(5)Carcyn M.
One of my favorite restaurants. Whenever I'm in the area, I always make an effort to go to Sovana. I typically order from the prix fixe menu. I like the tuna tartare, which is some of the best that I've had anywhere. Then whatever seems fresh. The fish is usually a good choice and the wild mushroom ravioli are delicious. And, the molten chocolate cake is awesome! The only downside to this restaurant is the seating. Big room, lots of tables. Makes for a loud dinner and sometimes you feel like you are in your neighbors' conversations.
(4)Damian D.
Great food. Good service. Cheese plate was very good. Sitting outside is a nice bonus.
(4)Michael F.
I have dined at Sovana Bistro three times and had some amazing food here. They have a prized hangar steak with frites that they prepare for something like 3 days. On my first trip, they had just run out, so I ordered an alternative choice and was not disappointed. I do recall getting some homemade boar bolognese which was to die for. Similar to the other review, I would have like a bigger portion though. On my second trip, I had the prized hangar steak w/ frites, and it was to die for. A beef lovers' dream with perhaps the most perfect frites I ever consumed anywhere, ever. They also have a mushroom pizza which is a mandatory order for any mushroom lover. Sovana Bistro could get a ding for portions, prices, etc.. but I feel they earn a 5 star for the food alone!
(5)Jason B.
Went twice, both times excellent. Menu was innovative, seasonal, and local. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. Rustic decor. Upscale without being stuffy. Portions were a little larger than I expected for a place like this. All in all, one of my favorites.
(5)H H.
Oh Mah Gah The meal was amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. Unfortunately we didn't think to make reservations for uh, New Year's Eve (genius alert!) but when I called they said come on in and they'd find a spot at the bar. And they did. We ordered the antipasto plate, which was like 5 amuse bouche (s). Plural amuse bouche, whatever that is. They were mind-blowing. That grilled cheese like thing? HELLO. My husband ordered wild boar bolognese with pappardelle. It was so unbelievably tasty. Amazingly so. For entrees he ordered the hangar steak, and I had pork 2 ways; belly and shoulder. I've been obsessed with pork belly since I had it at Gary Danko nearly a year ago, so there was no way I wasn't going to order it. They arrived, and the pork belly was so tender and succulent and perfectly seared. I tried some of my husband's steak, and it was good for sure, but it was no pork belly. Then he tried some of the pork shoulder and literally closed his eyes as he chewed like he was making sweet love to that dish. That's right, he had the sex face. In public. Over a pork dish. It was seriously, seriously good. Of course we ordered dessert too: apple cobbler or maybe it was a crisp? With oatmeal ice cream. DEEEELISH. I'm not in town that often, but next time I am, I'm coming back here.
(5)Chris F.
We had dinner last night and can vouch for all positive reviews. It was a very nice experience!
(4)Alex M.
I've been to Sovana Bistro with my family several times. The menu is consistently innovative and I love that they make an effort to keep it seasonal and local. I absolutely love the upscale, rustic decor. The servers are very professional, but the restaurant is far from stuffy. Great place for a special dinner!
(5)Simchah O.
Sovana was a place I had randomly picked for a date before a Longwood Gardens visit. I didn't realize how diverse the menu would be but was happy that it was, as I am trying to taste to things and broaden my food spectrum. My boyfriend and I picked a few things to share- including the Cous Cous Mac N' Cheese. I would go all the way back to Kennett Square, JUST FOR THIS. It was incredible. Absolutely delectable. The malbec I had was wonderful and the dessert was fantastic. I was head over heels for all of the food we had tried. I feel as if they could benefit from a gluten free and/or vegetarian option to the menu (like its own section) but think we got by just fine with what they offered for now. The staff was friendly and there was always someone close by in case we needed anything. Only thing I felt bad about was one of the servers dropping an entire tray of glassware next to me (because I know what it is like to serve and that just sucks) and having chunks of glass and food shatter and splatter all over the girl sitting behind me. I personally think it just added to the entertainment and vibe of the place. Way to go Sovana! I would recommend you to all.
(5)Beth K.
We went here to celebrate my birthday last year - wonderful service and good food. I didn't like my meal as much as I had hoped, but would still recommend Sovana Bistro for a special occasion.
(3)michael c.
bad food and a server who couldn't have cared less. Had the goat cheese raviolis - terrible tasteless grey mass of dough in a bowl. $8.00/bottle corkage fee is ridiculous - had to beg for a cooler for our white wine. We had tried this restaurant before with the same result. Won't be back. There are very few restaurants in this area so it really has a captive audience.
(1)Bill D.
Well, this is simple. Outstanding food, service and ambiance, all at a fair (not inexpensive) price. Not much more you could ask for. The pasta is homemade. (I had calamari and rock shrimp - almost as good as Mom's.) The molten butterscotch cake is a treat.
(5)Steve G.
We had a terrific experience at Sovana. We've been there before, and we always liked it...but this was even better than we remembered. I had the artisnal cheese plate, the hangar steak, and the chocolate cake. Everything was terrific. The waiter (Ryan) was attentive and helpful. All in all, it was a top-rate experience.
(5)Craig D.
(4.5) Stars ~ Overall the food & service is VERY good! We like how they try to use Local & Organic ingredients on their Seasonal Menus. PROS ~ Probably the BEST Cheese Plate I've ever had and their Specialty Pizzas are excellent too. CONS ~ The ONLY negative is that their tables are too close together. We made our reservation online using "Open Table" and specifically asked for an intimate table. We ended up being "sandwiched" between two parties. Looking around there may not be an intimate table at Sovana Bistro, which is their ONLY weakness. SUGGESTIONS ~ It's certainly crowded enough to expand -or- find a new location (close by) to allow for better spacing of tables.
(4)Jeff P.
I absolutely love this place. My wife and I dine out quite frequently, and we continue to return to Sovana. We eat out in the Wilmington, Philly area and I must say this is a 5 star restaurant anywhere you go. Where shall I begin to explain why I take the time to drive up to this place from Wilmington, DE where there are plenty of options... To start off with, this place used to be a BYO only. Now they have a liqour license, but you can still bring a bottle (or two, or three..). I love that choice. To be honest I really have had nothing else than a beer or cocktail at the bar, and the occasional glass of port or complimentary glass of bubbly, so I can't expound on the wine list, but from what I have seen the bottles look good, and reasonably priced. As far as the menu goes, I dig it. The emphasis is on local ingredients, and there is always an excellent choice of specials. This is not an over the top menu with overly manipulated entrees with foam, and freeze dried monkey brains, and special heirloom pinto beans shat from capybaras from the remote regions of the Amazon, but rather creative, well prepared food that is most likely sourced somewhere nearby. This isn't a fine dining restaurant, but the food is worthy of it. As people have mentioned in their reviews, it is more of a casual neighborhood bistro. One can not go wrong with the housemade pastas, and wood fired pizzas, but I most likely order off a waiter's reccomendation or a special. Concerning the specials, there is always a whole fish option, a fileted fish, a starter of some sort (confit turkey lyonnaise salad, F yeah), and some sort of main. Desserts here are pretty well on point too. My suggestion is the house made corn or carmel corn ice cream if it is in season. I think what I love about this place is that it is solid. Service is great, food is stellar, atmosphere is not overly stuffy, and the price is right. You can easily have an incredible dinning experience for two, if you bring your own wine, for under a $100 including a nice tip. I feel like that is saying something for the level of dining, and service you receive. My only negative would be is that the word is out. This place gets packed, and there can be a real flurry of activity around your table. Waiters flying around, food runners dodging guests to get food to the table, hapless diners getting in the way, the usual hectic pace when a good restaurant is running at full steam. I have probably dined here around 20 times over the past 6 years or so, and just keep coming back. Next time I make it up there I'll try to take some pics. Bon Apetit!
(5)Joe A.
Went for the first time last night. Managed to get a last minute table (they prefer at least 12 hours). Everything was wonderful from the hostesses opening the door to the delightful full bar menu to the tantalizing savory apps and entrees and scrumptious desserts! Our server was knowledgeable, pleasant, and efficient. The food came out quickly but not too quickly and the place were pretty. If I had to pick, I would prefer a bit more spaced between table. Expect crowded upscale bistro seating when you go. And (admittedly nit picky) there are many serving assistants (bread, water, plate removal, etc.) that keep you in bread water clean plates and napkins, however because the tables are so close to each other, they appear to hover to close for my comfort. That being said it was the best meal I've had in the Kennett area and I will go again and again! Good eating!
(4)Jill R.
A weekend away without the kids! Anniversary dinner! And then, terrible service yet again ruins what could have been an amazing experience. We were sat in a very noisy back room - totally doable for most of us, but if you are hearing impaired, this is not the restaurant for you. They have a very nice wine and cocktail list, but for $8 you can BYO and keep your bill down and save your $$ for the food. We ordered the antipasto: Grilled Eggplant, Ceci Beans, Pine Nut-Mint Pesto White Bean "Garlic Bread" Goat Cheese & Onion Torta with "Frito Misto" Warm Bacon Foccacia, Parmesan Fonduta, Fried Quail Egg Fresh Mozzarella Insalata, Salami, Pepperoncini, Basil The waiter, of dubious fame, told us this dish was for two people. The quarter-sized Goat Cheese Torta would suggest otherwise. Cutting it in half rendered it almost inedible. The rest of the tastes were good. For a second course, we split Veal and Ricotta Tortellini with Mortadella, Morels, and Grated Parmesan. This was heaven in a strangely-shaped bowl. One of the best pasta dishes I have tasted anywhere. Literally. Nirvana on my fork. For our third couse we had the whole fish, a Dorade Royale, with Chickpea Fritters and Black Olive Celery Citronette. The kitchen very nicely split our two dishes so that we could share them easily. This fish, however, was the low after my pasta high. It was overcooked, rubbery, overseasoned with the olives, and so full of bones that it was too stressful to eat. Each bite required such slow and pensive chewing, and then 2-4 bone retrievals, that it was not worth the effort (or the taste). Did I mention that our waiter was not present during 99% of this evening? He was mysteriously absent most of the evening. This may have been for the better since his only comments when asked about dishes were, "awesome." You could almost hear the silent "dude." I was a waitress - an occasional awesome is fine, as long as it's accompanied with any real content. Moose the waiter needs to go back and hang out with Archie and Jughead and give Sovana Bistro a chance to truly be as great as our tortellini. We gave Moose a chance to redeem himself at dessert. We asked a bunch of questions. "Awesome." We tried asking in other ways. "Awesome." We gave up. "Awesome." Yeah, not so much. The Apple Charlotte was stale brioche bread in a circle surrounding chopped, seasoned apples. The creme anglaise was tasty, but there wasn't enough of it to mask the tasteless apples and stale bread. Awesome.
(3)Joseph B.
Best restaurant in Philadelphia area from start to finish. Servers are knowledge about both the wine and food. Their passion is evident and the kitchen is flawless. Large menu with lots of fresh, local options and a few not so local. Every dish is a winner. You cannot miss out on this restaurant.
(5)Michael P.
I live within walking distance of Sovano and have been a loyal and ardent advocate for the last nine years. Unfortunately, the Farrell's have in recent years, focused on maximizing seating capacity and added new chairs that are the most uncomfortable of any restaurant that I have been to - my wife and I are thin, certainly by American standards and we feel bad for most patrons who have to squeeze into these torture chambers. The food is still good, if uneven. Our server was annoyed that I suggested a taste of a wine before pouring the full glass. Oh well, success can sometimes be the downfall of a once superb bistro.
(2)chris d.
This place was amazing, another Yelp find. Live in the city and have been to all the top spots, and well, they all got topped by this unassuming bistro in the countryside. Cocktails from the bar while waiting for our table were amazing. Antipasta is a must, so many different flavors. Tuna Tartare with freshly cooked chips was amazing. Cheese plate was very good. Hanger steak was probably the highlight of the meal, cooked to perfection. Bought a bottle, but needed a glass with the main course, was recommended an awesome cab for $10 (didn't try to sell me on an expensive glass). Not to mention, we got two free tastings (one when we sat down and one prior to entree) that were ridiculously good and free! From the awesome presentation, to the amazing flavors, to the rustic decor, this place has it all. Will be back for sure, very soon. Pair this with a trip to Longwood Gardens and/or Brandywine River Museum and you got yourself a nice day trip from Philly.
(5)Maureen F.
My husband and I had lunch here last week. Great experience overall. Best French onion soup ever. The apple, gorgonzola, pecan and micro-green salad with the fresh and tart apple cider vinaigrette was delightful and a nice foil to the soup. I had the strawberry and basil immersion Capirhinia and my husband enjoyed his Cuban sandwich and a Belgian microbrew. Beautiful presentation and great service!
(5)Doug P.
First timers, highly recommended and absolutely correct! We always take "The best of this, the best that...blah blah" recommendations with a grain of salt but this was one of the single best lunches we have ever had. Sovanas is in a business strip-mall complex and parking is non-existant, but it was a nice afternoon and the walk wasn't as far as I make it sound. Well worth it though! Incredible food!! Will make the hour drive soon enough for more!
(5)Kristin H.
I never would have expected to find such a gem of a restaurant in the suburbs outside of Wilmington, DE -- but let me chime in with the other reviewers to say that this is a destination worth the trip. I was in the Chadds Ford PA area for a girls weekend and we had a lovely dinner at Sovana Bistro that was probably the highlight of the trip. (The creepy, smelly B&B where we stayed helped tip the scales in favor of Sovana Bistro...but we all agreed that it was a great find). There were 8 of us having dinner and we tried all different things: the antipasto platter with delicious tastes of things, Gazpacho soup special (creamy, rich, and somehow light all at the same time??!), the Watermelon Salad, meatball pizza, seafood sausage, and several of the homemade pasta dishes. There wasn't anything that we tried that we didn't love, although the pastas were particularly good. In addition to the high-caliber food, the service was also worthy of a "5 star" rating. The waitress was attentive but didn't rush us, and she did a great job describing the food and recommending different options. Unfortunately they had run out of the peach crisp by the end of the evening -- but we ended up ordering the cookie ice cream sandwich and a creme brulee and were not disappointed. Even though everyone said they were too full for dessert, we were licking the plates clean because it was so delicious! The only negative thing I can say about Sovana Bistro is that it isn't around the corner from where I live!
(5)Stephen S.
This is the closest we have to a great "French Bistro" in the area. I was amazed in Paris, when I would reserve a nice bistro and consistently get the most amazing quality food. Sovana fits this precisely for me in rural PA. Tonight I had mushroom ravioli: 3 large ravioli in a complex cream based sauce with a touch of truffle oil - perfect. Second was Pork Chop Milanese. Something told me to order it, and i was delighted. Breaded and cooked perfectly, topped with a lightly dressed green salad with shredded salami and pepperoncinis. Again - perfect. I tasted some of the other dishes our group had: tuna tartare with avacado salad; beet salad with greens and walnuts; hand made mushroom pasta papardelle; feta cheese tortellini. Again - each - perfect. The handmade pasta is wonderful - I couldn't do better myself and the pizzas are crisp and delicate. I think that the dough is likely a very pliable dough (a lot of moisture) baked in a very hot wood oven, which yields a really beautiful result. This is the best pizza you will find outside of Rome or Napoli. There. I've said it. The desserts are not to be missed either. For instance: liquid butterscotch center cake with vanilla ice cream (my choice - killer), the best creme brulee that you could need (killer), strawberry shortcake with rhubarb sherbet (yes - killer). Come on, when will you find some place that makes rhubarb sherbet - and its killer! We went as a group of 10, and brought our own battalion of wine. It has been a BYOB, but now is upgraded with a liquor license. A few of our party started with martinis and other drinks. It had been a "no reservations" - but has recently upgraded to accept reservations which actually makes it much more accessible. We used to stand at the bar waiting for a table and drink our wine until we were plastered. When we got to the table it was too late for the food! The decor and setting is very pleasant, and there are a few small tables in the front and they have opened a new side patio with more tables outside. If i lived closer, this would be a constant on my restaurant schedule.
(5)Kristin S.
This meal was easily in the top 3 of my life. I was honestly moved by the quality and love that went into each dish. The server was so awesome and recommended great wine pairings for each course. It was absolutely packed on a weeknight - love that!
(5)Nicole K.
Great ambiance, delicious food, and fabulous service! White bean soup, corn pizza, and fish tacos were all delicious.
(5)Undercova A.
We were toying with going to Newton's on State Street but opted to take a look at Sovana instead. Glad we did. Sovana is more upscale and has a varied menu ranging from humble pizzas for one to quail served with a foie gras "scrapple." The wine list is extensive and there are several fine choices by the glass (Pinotage: $8- excellent!). I began with the apple salad which was served with gorgonzola cheese, raisins, spiced pecans and arugula. Super good. My H had the Sovana mixed greens which was very pretty, crisp and fresh. We opted for pizza simply because that's what we wanted. I had the Corn pizza and, as the name implies, it had corn. It also had salami, jalapeno, cilantro and feta cheese. Really very good. My H had the Fran's Meatballs pizza, not as great but still tasty. It had no cheese at all and the meatballs, well let's just say, hard to tell if they were good since they were applied so sparingly (maybe two sliced up). We passed on dessert. Abby was our very wonderful server. Total cost without tip: $71.
(4)Rebecca C.
So we decided to make a night of Kennett Square by checking out the Christmas lights at Longwood and heading to Sovana for dinner. This was our second time at Sovana and I have to say I was pretty disappointed. Last time we had one of the most amazing cheese plates ever and gnocchi in a brown butter sage sauce that was killer. This time we decided to venture through the menu with various courses and small pasta servings. We tend to be big fans of great Italian menus and this was not one of them. I know the Chef trained at Vetri, but although a lot of the dishes sound like something you might get at Amis, they don't even come close. The wild boar ragout with pappardelle tasted like beef-a-roni and the pappardelle was a paltry serving that was stuck together in a glob (I'm no chef, but I know how to keep pasta from sticking to itself.) There was gnocchi with pork, but it had almost no flavor whatsoever and a spinach and goat cheese ravioli that was ruined by a Kalamata olive pesto that is clearly designed to force you to order additional wine to counteract the salt. The antipasto was the best choice except for the crudo mixto serving which was sort of akin to hoagie dip with dried cranberries in it. (Trust me, this is not a good combo.) The pear fritters and gruyere sandwich were the high points for sure. Great wine selection and friendly staff. I regret that when they asked me how the food was, I was still on the antipasto and told them it was great, because normally I like to let the kitchen know when they fall flat. If you are in the area, and want some artful and consistently excellent Italian, take an extra 20 minutes to drive to Capers and Lemons in Wilmington. Chef O'hare makes Chef Farrell look like a line cook. If you really want to try Sovana Bistro anyway, stick with the cheese course. It's amazing!
(2)Mike A.
I wanted to love this place. It has a cool idea. The food is fresh and produced mainly locally. Everything in there is pretty interesting, down to the bread bowl, There were long pretzel-like things in there that I had never seen before. The decor was pretty good, but I kept joking about how the windows had chain-mail curtains, that didn't quite fit. The food was delicious, but the portions were tiny. I heard the waiter say that the portions were 'realistically' sized I ordered butternut squash tortellini (for $23) and received 6 or 7 pieces of moderately sized pasta, with some mystery foam on the top. I'll say it again, it was delicious, but 6 or 7 pieces for $23??? Sovana Bistro advertises casual dining but, I'm not so sure about that. My trifted sweater seemed quite out of place. Perhaps it was my 'cutting edge hairstyle' that delivered us the corner table within elbow-bumping room of the next table (did I mention that It wasn't even busy and there was plenty of room.) And apparently, the hostess who appeared to be 16 at best decided that I didn't deserve a beverage menu. I was planning on having one...until I decided that their profit margin on the butternut squash tortellini would be large enough. I felt pretty uncomfortable there, but the food was really good and I liked the way it looked.
(3)Katie G.
My husband and I ended up here on Valentine's Day after trying to go to The Whip Tavern for a late lunch and discovering it packed by a rugby event. A friend had recommended it, so we gave it a try. 2pm was a great time to go, actually--it was still relatively full, but most diners were in casual clothing, clearly coming from or going somewhere else. The best part was that the manager and hostess graciously allowed the guide dog puppy we are raising to come in with us. They were unbelievably positive and welcoming, and it was a great chance for the dog to practice his skills in a restaurant environment. The food was wonderful--the artisinal cheese plate was delicious, and the salads were excellent. I had the pear pizza, which was delicious, and my husband had the fish tacos, which were also fantastic. The service was great, too. We'll definitely come back.
(4)m t.
Friends and I were visiting from NYC and our local friend highly recommended Sovana. What a pleasure! The food was ranged from very good to outstanding, service was excellent, and the setting that was a bit dressier than casual, yet perfect after a day of touring the Brandywine Valley. The menu included a prix fixe option for $35 which include appetizer, entree, and dessert. Three of us chose that, I went a la carte. We all shared an appetizer-tickling antipasto starter that included mini-empanadas, cabbage slaw with apples, butter squash bread pudding, and a crunch ham/potato croquette. The steak tartare appetizer, a special for the day, simply blew us out of the water. The tuna tartare, served on a bed of avocado, was delicious. We also ordered Scottish salmon and roasted chicken which were moist, flavorful, and very good. A fourth ordered cavatelli with wild boar sauce which didn't disappoint. For dessert, we ordered a molten chocolate cake (excellent), the vanilla creme brûlée (pretty good), and the pear crisp (very good). With wine and gratuities, the tab came to about $70 per person. Not inexpensive but fair for the quality of food and service we received. We have paid that and more at other restaurants and left feeling short-changed.
(4)Danielle G.
A friend and I visited Sovana last Saturday night to celebrate her birthday. We were impressed with the freshness of the food and the quality with which it was prepared. Great local foods used in many of the dishes. We were given tiny cups of absolutely delicious butternut squash soup to taste. I liked it so much that I ordered it with dinner. I didn't realize that it was not available on the menu. The restaurant did accommodate the request though and served a nice size cup of steamy, decadent soup. Our server was delightful. She was professional, personable and offered spot-on recommendations on the cheese plate and entrees. We finished with the Apple Crisp which was just right. The ONLY downside of the experience was that we were seated at a very tiny table and very close to two other parties. It felt a bit cramped and the volume in the restaurant was very loud. That being said, it was 7:00pm on a Saturday night and we were seated immediately after walking through the door. Overall, a wonderful experience!
(4)Jand J.
DIVINE. This was THE best meal I've ever had -- or close to it, at least (there was a meal out on the Navajo Reservation that almost made me cry, but how often do I get THERE?!) One course after another delighted: the appetizer antipasto was a culinary masterpiece-- goat cheese bread pudding, polenta with gorgonzola fondue, panini (ooooh, yeah, the panini)... and more. My fiance and I were there for Valentine's Day, and were feeling crazy romantic, otherwise, I'm fairly certain we might have had a fight over having to share. Our start salads were creative and delicious-- and large enough to be entries; our meals... sigh... our meals... were OUT of this world. My fiance had veal filet. When he ordered the filet, our server said, "the veal filet?"... I saw life in his eyes like never before.. that is, until he took his first bite, sighed, put down his fork, and, I'm pretty sure, tried not to cry with joy. I'm a vegetarian, so I had the local market vegetable platter. I'd love to tell you what was on that platter, but "heaven" is probably not descriptive enough. It...was...just...incredible. Never have I experienced such an explosion of crazy flavors. The desserts were decadent and divine (apple crisp for me, and butterscotch cake for him). We had no room for it, after nearly licking our dinner plates, but we couldn't pass it up. Vanilla oatmeal ice cream with the apple crisp. Need I say more? And the service... Classy and elegant without the attitude... and they made our Valentine's Day extra special. My fiance had a dozen long-stemmed roses delivered to the restaurant as a surprise. Not knowing this, I changed the dinner reservation on him.... and yet, even with the change, the restaurant managed to safeguard the gorgeous flowers (on what must have been one of their busiest nights) and had them on the table when we walked in. Just gorgeous. We LOVED this restaurant and will be back... often.
(5)Steve S.
My wife and I have been longtime patrons of Sovana Bistro and have eaten here hundreds of times since it opened in the late 90's. Even though occasionally, you will find that you will get an exception meal, the probability that you will get a mediocre meal is increasing with frequency. Over the past year, the meals have been getting much worse. This is a shame because, It had been my favorite restaurant. If Sovana Bistro would go back to offering some better dishes as they did 10 years ago, I hope they can improve.
(1)Julie R.
Fun, happenin' place. Interesting menu and wine list. Attentive staff. Our fav restaurant while in the area visiting Longwood Gardens.
(4)Keith D.
Great wine list with reasonably priced selections. Lunch was amazing. The best pizza I have had on this continent. Very interesting menu. Come and be happy!
(5)Warren J.
I had the wild boar and the tuna tartar and loved it!
(5)Barbara R.
Love this place! The margarita pizza is fabulous!
(4)Adam W.
This has quickly emerged as my go-to premiere regional dining establishment. The ambiance is very appealing (despite being in a suburban strip mall), featuring a central dining area with high ceilings allowing for natural light to penetrate the restaurant; plus a bar/cocktails area and side dining room for a more romantic and private experience. The menu is diverse and features local or regional ingredients, from Pocono Trout to thin-crust pizzas including local mushrooms. The service is well-trained, knowledgeable of the menu and not over-bearing. Sovana is also an ideal place to have lunch, with a variety of pizzas, salads, sandwiches and other tasty specials to choose from.
(5)R. M.
WOW - every course of the meal is outstanding. Love the "amuse bouche" - a little appetizer between the first course and the main course of the meal. The wine selection is great. The presentation is great. The food is great. The service is great. The atmosphere is very good, but I think they actually deserve better than an (admittedly upscale) strip mall location. We've eaten in restaurants all over the world and we must say that this is one of our favourites. Compares favourably to Dilworthtown Inn, although a different dining experience. One thing - although they're great, they're not really "French", but darned if I'd know how to classify them. Perhaps "eclectic" would be a better description.
(5)Barbie M.
I chose this restaurant based on all the rave reviews, but now, well, I'm baffled by them. It's a cute place, with great service, but I was really not impressed by the food. The menu looked great, both visually and in terms of what was on it, but the two entrees my husband and I ordered were just not all that impressive. They weren't horrible or send-backable--just not good. I had the Crispy Chicken, which managed somehow to be both over- and underseasoned, and the chicken itself was dry and tasteless, and also, NOT CRISPY. It came with goopy mashed potatoes and mushrooms and had a splash of marsala that just made things worse. My husband's describes his whole fish as "kind of ordinary" and "nothing special." The friends we were with characterized their food as "OK, but not a repeat." I would not have gone to the trouble to write a review about this sweet, well-meaning, but to my mind, utterly mediocre restaurant were it not for the pretentiousness of its menu and overall approach. To serve a mouthful of diced cucumber with a light vinaigrette in a cute bendy spoon as if it is an amuse bouche is like putting a Chanel dress on a cute suburban pig. And the prices struck us as higher than they ought to be for what this place is: a restaurant in a shopping mall. The room is also so incredibly acoustically challenged that it was nearly impossible to carry on a conversation. I give Sovana points for trying, and for the niceness and professionalism of its staff, but we were really disappointed.
(3)Judy G.
We were really excited to eat here, especially since they have a junior foodies menu. I will begin by saying some things were good & some things were not. Our server actually set the tone for the evening w/her snooty attitude & arriving @ our table after we'd been seated for 10 minutes. She explained that a pizza dough could be molded into any shape & then cooked & brought 2 the table. After our son had his dessert, I asked her if she was going to cook the dough? 'Uh, ok?' Was really looking forward to cape may salts oysters. If you enjoy oysters like we do, shouldn't they be cold? Served on a bed of ice? Not! Warm, overpriced & misnamed oysters, not good. We also ordered the 5 cheese plate, telling the waitress I don't like Brie. She puts 2 bries on the plate. So, if we had gotten 3 varieties, I was SOL. Now, the good stuff, the gnocchi was homemade & the sauce delicious. My rigatoni was so-so. The creme brûlée was terrific. My husband had the Barbera wine & that was good. The pizza was yummy as well. There was many dishes that sounded really good but I'm not into gamey meats.
(3)doreen B.
Great service- really great salad...grilled asparagus and fresh mozzarella!
(5)Bobbie J.
Good pasta, bad experience. Started off with an argument over the table we were given. We, party of 4, wanted different table, one by the wall and not in the middle of the room. But it was a problem even though it was 5:20pm on a sunday. We were granted our request, but with a warning that we must leave by 6:45 pm. We left at 7 pm with no one waiting for this table and other 4 people tables available. Our server was not providing service. Took long time with bread AFTER we asked for it, 5 slices for 4 people, wow, so generous. Took long time getting a glass of wine. My friend's cocktail arrived before my wine. Figure that. We ordered 2 appetizers, fried calamari and tuna tartar, so we really surprised when after maybe 20 min our main course showed up, no appetizers in sight. Our server told us that he forgot, was very sorry, and offered to get them in 5 min, but with our dinner on the table we declined. I got salmon, of was slightly undercooked, under seasoned, but decent. My mom got spaghetti marinara, and let me tell you, it is not marinara, it is fra diavlo, was good, but too spicy for her, so i swapped my salmon with her spaghetti. My sister's rigatoni, small portion was COMPLETELY COLD, not even room temperature - makes you wonder where it came from. Our server did not check on us and we had to ask for him. Too many strikes for what it is, so it was first and last time for us.
(1)Mike P.
Very hip place-had great service, too. Our entrèes arrived in a flurry of two runners, all four dishes placed correctly, fresh pepper offered, then they were *poof* gone. Waiter ( Ethan) checked on us a minute later& at the right times throughout meal. Def. Recommend-great food, atmos& design, service. As Ethan said tonight, ya gotta make the food sexy, and they do.
(4)Jenni R.
I'll start off by admitting that I consider myself a spoiled little foodie. Living in Philadelphia, we have a plethora of restaurants at our fingertips and we definitely take advantage of it! I'm not dissing suburban restaurants, I'm just trying to be fair in saying that I have high expectations. That being said, Sovana was soooooo disappointing. Our food was bland and way overpriced. So disappointing, in fact, that by the time we were ready for dessert we decided to just cut our loses, get the bill and go elsewhere. On the positive: our server was quite sweet and accomodating. She did her best to be attentive, even though she was quite busy with tables outside. We had other staff repeatedly peek around the corner into our dining space, literally, twenty times or more, (and we were the only ones in that section for the first 45 minutes or so) but no one ever refilled our empty water glasses, cleared our plates or asked us how we were doing. Not sure exactly what it was they were so frequently "checking" for (?). Another postive: I started off with a watermelon basil margarita that was quite refreshing and something I've never had before, always a good thing. Sadly, that was the first and last thing I tasted all night that was tasty. We started off with a five-piece cheese plate. How can a cheese plate not be what you expect? Well, it disappointed. Mostly, because the portions of cheese were insanely small. Literally, two small bites of each cheese (=1 bite each, for both of us). Also, the temperature wasn't quite right on all the cheeses. Namely, the La Tur, one of my favorite cheeses, was almost warm when served, it was really unappetizing. Where's Jose Garces when you need him? He needs to teach them a thing or to. Next I had the watermelon salad. The watermelon was perfectly ripe (thumbs up) but unfortunately the arugula was soggy which really killed the texture of the dish (soft watermelon + soft feta + soggy arugula = mushy food). My husband ordered the tuna tartar, it was GRAY...enough said. For an entree I ordered the gnocchi with morels and fava beans. I was excited, as this entree combined three of my favorite things all in one! What could go wrong? Weeelllll, apparently lots could go wrong. The biggest offender was the bland sauce that covered everything. Basically browned butter that wasn't browned effectively, it really drowned the dish in a sea of bland. I had to ask for salt, which I feel is insulting and very rarely do; but desperate times call for desperate measures. Also, the gnocchis were off, they didn't have that 'melt in your mouth' quality that makes gnocchis what they are. (I was even open to forgiving this, given that I live in south philly and have a very high standard for gnocchis) but read on... As far as the morels, fava beans and aged goat cheese: they were missing in action. There were, literally, about 2 morels: chopped into tiny little bits, too small to savor, about 5-6 fava beans and the goat cheese....maybe that was the scant sprinkle on top, certaintly too small an amount to add any appreciable flavor. The real offender, though, was the price: a staggering $26 dollars for a vegetarian pasta entree is a lot, especially when all the side-kicks are missing from the party. My husband had the fish du jour and it was criminal. I don't even eat fish and the first thing I noticed was that it was ridiculously over-cooked. He said it tasted as bad as it looked. It was especially shocking given that this was the special. Overall, I would have been disappointed to eat this food anywhere, but given the amount of money we spent, it was just wrong! There was nothing seasonal or fresh about what we had, with the exception of the watermelon. There were two morels in my pasta entree...we're in Kennet Square, for God's sake! I feel that the menu massively misrepresented the food.
(2)Jason B.
I have eaten at Sovana numerous times over the past few years and each time the experience brings me back. Pros: 1. The Food. Consistently good (even Craig LaBan gave it a rave review last year) and the menu changes from time to time. There is a 100 mile section of their menu as well, meaning they try to incorporate at least 90% of the ingredients from local sources. 2. Service. They don't let the high school kids ruin your meal by being your server. Some of the servers appear to stay for many months and they are knowledgeable about most things on the menu. (to include their artisianal cheese plates) 3. BYOB. It used to be BYOB only. Now, they have a full bar, but for a $5 corkage fee, you can still bring your own. 4. More space. They have recently expanded, which means more seating, which means less waiting, which means better overall experience. 5. Pizza. While I don't order it there as a main course, I know those who have and they are always happy. Also, if you have kids, its nice to be able to have an adult meal and let them have some pizza. 6. Near Longwood Gardens (for those out of town tourist looking for a good meal, it is only 2 miles away). Cons: None really. Quality food, consistent service after many years. The true sign of a good restaurant. Check it out.
(5)Charles R.
1 complaint. but overall very good. Had a 7:30 reservation , but didn't get seated until 7:50. Restaurants say they can give your table away if you're 20 minutes late, but as a diner you have no recourse. Outside of standing around for a while the meal itself was very good. I liked their old menu better, but maybe people requested more pasta's and pizza's. The mushroom soup and the harvest salad were both very good, although next time I would have the mixed green salad. They offered 2 fish specials and the rock fish was flaky and well prepared. The hanger steak was very tender and had a lot of taste. Didn't have dessert. Never had a bad meal here, and the service was attentive without being rushed. One thing I really like is even though they have a full bar and wines by the glass, they do have corkage at the moderate price of $8 per bottle. I would say 50% of the people brought their own wine. I think if restaurants are going to offer corkage that the amount should be fair. Some of the places downtown say corkage, but when you call them they want $20 or more per bottle. You have to make reservations since the place is jammed. Since it's jammed, having to wait 20 minutes with no place to sit can be a pain. They take most plastic and plenty of free parking in the lot around the restaurant. One of the better choices in the Kennet Square area.
(4)Peter D.
Nice place, great staff, but unfortunately, pretty mediocre food. I ordered soup which had all the right ingredients in it, but didn't have much of a base, and the crispy chicken, which distinctly tasted like it had been frozen, then thawed. I wanted to like this place, and maybe they were just having on off night, but the meal itself was something of a letdown.
(2)Jamie B.
Very Cozy atmosphere. Great selection of classic menu items and locally produced food.
(5)M. T.
homemade pasta, cool drinks, tasty bread, great service
(5)Jen S.
WOW! If I opened a restaurant, I'd want it to be Sovana! What a beautiful atmosphere. We went at 7:30 on a Friday night and sat outside at a big farmhouse table under the tent. All the tables were full, but our waiter Phillip was so prompt and attentive, you would've believed we were the only ones there. He talked about the specials and local ingredients with the passion and familiarity I've only heard on Iron Chef! Later, he offered some spot-on wine pairings based on what we told him we liked, e.g. "Usually we drink New Zealand Sauv Blanc, but want to venture out." So that's the service and the ambiance. Lively crowd, BTW, excellent first date or private party place. The cadence of the meal, too, was perfect. We were neither waiting nor rushed. The food. You must order the mushroom side! Kale salad was also delectable and we enjoyed the skirt steak. My father-in-law, who never cleans his plate, raved about the Arctic Char on special. And the craft cocktails were unique, well-balanced and inventive. The only slight disappointment was the ice cream and cheesecake desserts, but will give them a pass since they lost everything due to a power outage that week. Will definitely be back. In fact, looking for an excuse to return immediately!
(5)Sarah D.
If this review was based on food and atmosphere I would give 5 stars. I've had many items on the menu I've enjoyed... kale Caesar, pizza, Bolognese, cheese platter. However the attitude of the staff can come off a bit brown-nose. The last time I went for lunch there were only five tables in the restaurant but our waiter was nowhere to be found most of the meal and our food came out staggered. We also had asked if we could get the lunch special (a half sandwich and salad) but instead have a whole sandwich and the waiter made it seem like we were asking the world of him. Another occasion our waiter recommended a whiskey to my husband but neglected to mention it was $30 a glass! Another surprise on our bill was a $3 charge for an ice cube. The waiter asked my husband if he wanted a globe ice cube for his whiskey and he replied yes. Surely we didn't think we would be charged for a piece of ice! I'll continue to go there simply because I love the food but service could use an overhaul.
(3)Andrew S.
Came here for late evening repast after a long day at Longwood Gardens. Food [A] The duck breast here is prepared quite well. Juicy inside and delicate crust outside with aptly paired sides. The honey BBQ lamb ribs (seasonal appetizer) intrigued me, and didn't disappoint. Everyone at the table seemed to enjoy their entrees. Pricing was reasonable for the quality of food. Service [A] There were no hiccups for this price point. Drinks were refilled regularly and food came out at a reasonable pace. Waitstaff were pleasant and enthusiastic, which is always a plus. Ambiance [A] My initial impression while driving down the two-lane road became more skeptical the more rural the landscape became. When you arrive at the complex, it's like a mix of office buildings and strip mall. At that point, I basically had no expectations. Perhaps that elevated my observation. The place was already packed, but luckily seating was available. I think just 10-15 min after my arrival, the wait time soared to 1 hour or more. Poisson distribution :) Anyways, don't let the drive in and the surrounding commercial-ish area deter you. The interior is well decorated, and has a modern, but rustic feel. The environment is lively with appropriate lighting and reasonable spacing. All in all, pleasantly surprised by this charming restaurant in the "countryside."
(5)Robert P.
I had dinner there with friends on Sunday. I have eaten here at least 6 times so...... The food and service is good. The prices they charge are high for what you get and it was fine when they are BYOB but now that they serve a full liquor and wine selection come on!! If your running a 20% food cost your killing your guests.
(3)Kathleen A.
My parents and I were being tourists in Kennett Square for the weekend. We found this place online, and it had good reviews, so gave it a shot. It was a busy place -- loud and crowded on a Saturday night, which seemed like a good sign upon walking in the door. If I was ranking on food alone, this place would get 4 stars easily. Unfortunately, we encountered a number of service flaws that left me less-than-impressed. Starting with the food and drinks, we got cocktails at the bar. I would not recommend the Pisco Sour, but I really liked my Negroni. We got a bottle of wine with dinner, but be advised we saw several tables BYOB, so I guess this is an option, just not highly advertised. We had salads, which were quite large for one person, shared the fig and prosciutto pizza, and had the duck breast, skirt steak, and pork loin as entrees. Everything was definitely tasty, the portions were sizeable, and nicely presented. On to the service...1. took forever to get ice water upon getting seated, finally had to ask. 2. After ordering and waiter telling us bread was coming, bread never came. Once again asked, got bread, and then our appetizers came out 2 seconds later. 3. I asked for my salad to be wrapped up so I didn't spoil my appetite. Never got the salad back after they took it back to the kitchen to pack up. 4. Took way to long to get our entrees. 5. Never actually got silverware to eat dessert. Went ahead and used our coffee spoons, instead. I will say, they get some credit for trying to remedy the service flaws. They brought out 3 glasses of champagne, and our desserts were on the house. We didn't even have to say anything, they just did this, knowing that we waited a long time for our entrees. If you have good service, this place would be spot on. Unfortunately, I probably won't be rushing back next time we are in the area.
(3)David N.
We were in the area for the Kennett Square mushroom festival. The menu and yelp reviews sounded very good. Decor and atmosphere were very nice, our waitress was pleasant and knowledgeable. Very good cocktails However, the food left something to be desired. Fried green tomatoes had a very thick and soggy breading although attractively presented and plentiful. Lamb tacos had a thick tortilla and the filling was too sweet and lacking in flavor. Roasted brussels sprouts were undercooked and again, except for salt, lacked flavor. The roasted chicken was overcooked and the dark meat ( my favorite part) was rubbery. Polenta and mushrooms skimpy given price and amount of chicken. My wife returned the tortellini which had been recommended by the waitress but were undercooked, on a heavy sauce and had only a few vegetables. Instead she took a Caesar salad which was lacking in flavor. An amuse Bouche of fig and whipped feta cheese was very pretty; small tart also brought to table as an extra surprise was the tastiest thing we had all night. Why was the restaurant so busy and other guests so happy? Maybe we had an off night.
(2)Melissa V.
Fresh, creative and exceptionally delicious. Priced very reasonably too. Service was on point and very professional. The decor is charming too. Seats are a bit uncomfortable but go with the rustic theme. I would highly recommend this place. We drove about 40 mins to eat here and will do it again!
(5)Ainsley A.
I haven't set foot in this place in four years-I had no idea they expanded into another bar, room, and outside terrace. I had remembered that everything I ate from this restaurant years ago was executed nicely and was creative. This holds true as of last evening. Beau-the bartender- provided the best service to us (a group of cackling women enjoying multiple cosmos and glasses of wine). He was friendly and prompt- I was never without a beverage. Now the good stuff: the food. We ordered a corn pizza- ugh it was so good, complete with jalepeno, and salami. We also ordered the asparagus and egg pizza which was equally as delicious. For my main, I ordered the small size of the wild boar papardelle- the flavors were amazing, but the temperature was luke warm. I was impatient so I did not send it back. The smaller of the two portions is the perfect size when ordering appetizers. This restaurant is very pricey, but the quality of food is worth it. I definitely will be back when I visit my parents.
(4)GoBlue G.
Well I've heard so many good reviews about this place so Joey and I tried it out on the way back to his moms. We entered on a Sunday without a reservation and they sat us immediately. Place was quite around 6 but by 8 when we left it was busy. We started with a three flight cheese course- it was flavorful and the garnishes of roasted nuts, fig jam, fresh honey comb and grilled bread all came together very nicely. I had two apps the crispy calamari and the lamb tacos both delicious and flavorful. Presented well. Joey had a hand tossed pepperoni pie. He loved it. Food was great, our server and the rest of the service staff executed table maintenance with professionalism..... So tell me this, with the menu prices as high as they are, the level of quality is there. What's the friggin deal with those lousy, very uncomfortable and narrow dining room chairs. I would have enjoyed everything so so much better had it not been for the crapy chairs.... Use some of the capital and invest in chairs that provide comfort like the food and service does..... Pretty Please with a cherry on top.
(3)Christina K.
After many years of enjoying the food at this restaurant, last week's unpleasant experience has caused me to decide never to return. Our server was condescending, dismissive and clearly could not have cared less. Amazingly, he was not even embarrassed to tell my sister when she ordered a glass of Chardonnay that the restaurant had run out - and it was only 7PM. His attitude got worse, if that was possible, when we told him we had a $40 coupon. I've found on my last 3 visits to Sovana that the waiters have become less and less interested in providing friendly service. There are too many great alternatives in Chester County to put up with disrespect.
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