Barra Rossa Ristorante & Wine Bar - Philadelphia Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Meats, Cheese & Olives
  • Salads
  • Entree Salads
  • Dinner Signature Entrees
  • Pasta
  • Pizza Bianca
  • Pizza Rossa
  • Sides
  • Lunch Classic Sandwiches
  • Lunch Paninis
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Barra Rossa Ristorante & Wine Bar - Philadelphia

  • Appetizers
  • Meats, Cheese & Olives
  • Salads
  • Entree Salads
  • Dinner Signature Entrees
  • Pasta
  • Pizza Bianca
  • Pizza Rossa
  • Sides
  • Lunch Classic Sandwiches
  • Lunch Paninis
  • Desserts

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  • Kat S.

    Some friends and I stopped in last night to get some dinner. This place is truly a hidden gem! I've been here for brunch but wanted to try it for dinner. We shared the calamari, which was a little bit more banana peppers than calamari. Still, it was a pretty tasty dish. For our entrees we had spaghetti and meatballs, penne vodka and the tortellini. The tortellini was amazing! I'm still dreaming about it. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was very laid back and comfortable. I will definitely be returning and would recommend to anyone.

    (4)
  • Yayi Z.

    We went to Barra Rossa when it was still Stella Rossa for a casual meal. The place was rather empty and I hadn't heard too much about it so my expectations were quite low. The pizza, we ordered the three mushroom pizza, however, was surprisingly good and we were pleasantly surprised - not any worse than Zavino and the other places I've heard so much about in the area. Good wine selection even though we chose not to drink that night. Good service but, again, the place was rather empty. I would definitely go back. One of the better "fancier" pizza places in Center City in my opinion.

    (4)
  • Janelle H.

    Excellent value, excellent service, pretty great food! I went here for a Friday night date with my siblings and our partners, a group of seven. We were seated at the 2nd floor dining room, which provided such a a chic, comfortable, homey rustic feel, it complimented the rustic italian food they serve. We started with their cheese plate. We continued with 2 pizzas and 5 entrees with some wine and beer. Serving size of each entree was perfect and that night they had a pork chop special that was absolutely delicious. Our pork chop was a tad bit over the medium temperature we ordered but it was too good that I had no need to complain about it. There was also a free meatball when you check in at yelp and the chef was nice enough to give us extras since we were a big group. Thank you btw! Our server Lisa was very pleasant and knew the menu both for food and drinks very well, something a newbie in any restaurant can appreciate. Overall I would absolutely recommend this place, specially for a big group, for what we ordered, which was plenty we only shelled out $38 each. Tips: pizza order is good for two people; cheese plate is good to share for 2-3 and order the pitcher of sangria for $20!

    (5)
  • Julie L.

    Excellent burgers never seen anything like it. 7/31/15 We ate here again. The penne pasta was excellent.

    (5)
  • John H.

    Went in this week while we got our treatments at Jeff....Service was spectacular as usual, pizza fantastic. It's a shame a company would make their employees work in such tremendous heat with no AC, let alone their valued customers...we as customers don't have to run around and work as hard as those folks! Be back in 6 weeks! Hope its fixed.

    (4)
  • Evan K.

    This place was great! Went in there while wandering around at 10:30pm. Service was still great and the food was even better! Great atmosphere and knowledgable staff. I highly recommend the antipasti

    (5)
  • Julie W.

    Looking for a not too chi-chi restaurant after over-indulging during the rest of a business trip, came across Barra Rossa. My group of 4 ordered a couple of pizzas (which were both delicious): the Margherita and the Mushroom. Great thin crust and the toppings were fresh. Also had the calamari appetizer. For an entree, I had one of the specials - linguini with shrimp and scallops in a white wine sauce. It was nice and light (despite the pasta) and perfect for summer. Really liked that the waitress specifically told us that the proteins were fresh and never frozen. You can really tell from tasting.

    (4)
  • Kelly O.

    I've only ever gotten takeout, but every time have been impressed! The meatballs are delicious!! Pizza is okay - but I think it'd be better if I had it fresh in the restaurant. The best thing I've had so far has to be their vodka penne. Amazing! Good portion and great taste!!

    (4)
  • Nate L.

    Very delicious Italian restaurant in center city. Went there for the first time last night and had a great experience. We had reservations - which I would advise doing if going for a weekend dinner. As for the food everything was great. I ordered the Pucillo pizza ($15): Tomato Sauce, Smoked Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Fresh Arugula. I really enjoyed it. Great flavors. There were a couple specials ordered - stuffed shells, chicken Marsala. All looked great and everyone was satisfied. Service was also great. Draft list was a little limited though. Eat it!

    (5)
  • Hungover I.

    Below is a snippet from our Brunch review. Check out HungoverInPhilly.com for the full review! The Good: - $3 Mimosas from 10am-3pm - Great meals - Prices were reasonable considering how much we ate and drank - Service was fantastic, we had an awesome waitress who was really on top of her game - Beautifully laid out restaurant with a very nice decor - Also, did I mention $3 Mimosas? The Bad: - Food menu was great, but a little limited with only 6 options - Bloody Marys were good, but there was nothing that made them stand out in my mind The Review: The food was great, the Mimosas were VERY reasonably priced, and the restaurant and staff were awesome. I know I keep harping on it, but $3 Mimosas. That plus some really banging food, doesn't get much better! The Review: - Food: 4/5 - Bloody Marys: 3/5 - Atmosphere: 5/5 - Price: 5/5 Overall Rating: 4/5 Barra Rossa is another Center City Gem that everyone needs to add to your list of places to visit. If I didn't run this site and force myself to go to different locations every week, I could see myself coming here much more often for some weekend drinks. This is definitely one of those places you might want to designate a driver for or grab an uber, just to be on the safe side!

    (4)
  • Sari A.

    I ordered the breakfast pizza with truffles ( not truffle oil, actual truffles ) and I didn't notice that it had prosciutto on it so I asked our waiter " Jimmy " if it was ham and he saw that I wasn't happy. My friend explained to him that I don't eat pork, and he kindly offered to replace it, even though it was not an error from his side. Great customer service! And now that I'm happy I truly enjoyed my delicious and crispy pizza. Four and half Yelp!

    (4)
  • Eunni C.

    Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.

    (2)
  • Michael A.

    I happened to be in Philly with my Mom for her Doctors Appointment and I noticed Barra Rossa on the way to her appointment. It just so happened that by the time we finished the appointment it was dinner time and my Mom and I when to Barra Rossa. We got a set right a way, the atmosphere was great and the decor was inviting. Our server Jenna was a complete gem, she was attentive and patient. We both tried their meta e meta, which is half Pizza and half Stromboli. I know you are saying, "what", yes that is what I am saying. 1/2 Pizza and 1/2 Stromboli, My Mom had the standard Meta while I ordered a Suprasata and Pepperoni Meta. The great think about Barra Rossa is everything is made fresh so you can customize you order. The Meta was great and stood up to its expectation. In fact, it was so good I ordered one to go for my wife and she had the pepperoni order. She loved it too. I would very highly recommend this restaurant. And hopefully Jenna will be your server.

    (5)
  • Juliana K.

    I stopped by for lunch one day for a pizza to go and it was delicious. Nice crunchy crust. Perfect toppings and cheese ratio. The prices are a lil pricey, but this is a fancy pizza place so I would expect that. I also got an illy latte which was great. The staff there is very friendly and my food came out quickly. I would come back to try dinner.

    (4)
  • Wade R.

    We had an excellent dinner and good service. However, when our credit card charge appeared, the amount was several dollars more than our receipt. Assuming this was just an error we called the restaurant. We called 3 times and were told someone would get back to us. No manager would ever come to the phone and no one returned our call. After the original post, we received a call from Melissa who kindly resolved the situation. We look forward to eating there again. The gluten free pizza was delicious.

    (5)
  • Jennifer T.

    I was very excited to try Stella Rosa especially after seeing some decent reviews from my fellow Yelpers, and for the most part, I wasn't steered wrong. I went with 5 other people this past Saturday, and we sampled a large variety of dishes and appetizers. The service was very friendly and timely so no complaints in that department. As for the food...well, I have mixed feelings. Some dishes were good and some definitely fell flat. Here's a rundown of what we ordered: Appetizers: Bread Basket (complimentary) - comes with a dish of seasoning (oregano + red pepper flakes?) topped with extra virgin olive oil but had absolutely no salt...so it was basically dipping bread in oil. Steamed Mussels with white wine - OK Panzanella Salad - Good, but nothing special Arancini - Risotto was over cooked IMO, and the flavor was super bland - It was a fried ball of mushy, bland, rice. Thank goodness for the marinara sauce. Main Dishes: Sausage and Peppers - delicious! This is a wood fired specialty, served with orecchiette pasta and topped with cheese. Shrimp Scampi - This was one of their specials for the day and it was super bland. Veal Saltimbocca - I didn't actually try this dish, but my friend said it was very good. Rib Eye Florentina - decent cut of steak and good "grill" taste but the steak was slightly over cooked even after a lengthy discussion with the server on what color a "medium" cooked steak should have. Procidonna Pizza - this had eggplant, zucchini, pepperoni and red sauce. The flavor was good and the pizza in general was good. I was a little disappointed in the crust; it was thin but it was floppy...I couldn't even pick it up to eat it. We opted not to get dessert and with a round of drinks for everyone and split 6 ways, our bill came to $40/person with tax and 20% tip included--not bad, I think. Overall, we had an OK time here. I wouldn't completely rule it out but I am not in a hurry to go back either.

    (3)
  • Greg L.

    Stopped in here for lunch prior to seeing an afternoon show at the Walnut Street Theater. We had reservations, but it was certainly not needed as it was not at all crowded on this particular Saturday afternoon. We had the option of brunch or lunch and we went with lunch. My wife had one of their gluten-free pizzas while I went with one of their 4-cheese pasta dishes. I enjoyed my pasta dish while my wife thought her pizza was just OK. I didn't particular care for her pizza, but it could have been because it was a GF pizza. A nice place inside and service was pretty good. For dessert, I got a couple of their dessert shooters which were pretty good. I do wish they gave you some complimentary bread or something with your meal. If you are a Walnut Street Theater subscriber, you do get a 10% discount. Would certainly come back and try some of their other pasta dishes.

    (3)
  • Amara M.

    I had the gnocchi bolognese and my boyfriend had the lobster ravioli. Both delicious. They have amazing service. Our waiter was incredibly polite and answered all of our questions. On our way out, since it was Valentine's Day, the host was giving out roses as you left and thanked you for coming. I thought it was a lovely added gesture. We definitely both left happy. I would absolutely recommend this for date night. The atmosphere is very romantic when the sun starts setting. We loved sitting by the window.

    (5)
  • Lea T.

    Decided to check out this spot on a Thursday night before seeing a show nearby at the Walnut Street Theater. I have to admit I've walked by many times and nothing about Stella Rossa really wowed me. Italian food is quite common in Philadelphia and so many places do it wonderfully without charging a lot. As for the signage... Stella Rossa currently has a vinyl banner with their restaurant name tied over top of the old Square Peg sign. Talk about bootleg... I know this place is newer, but can you at least invest some money in the outdoor sign before renovating the bar and such inside? Basically the result of this is off-putting to me and at night there is no way of knowing the name of the restaurant. HOWEVER they have a beautiful vintage looking bar inside with some bright glowing letters reading STELLA ROSSA. Do I have to be the one to tell them it might be more important to have the name of the restaurant displayed OUTSIDE the restaurant? Either way the dining experience my family had was just OK. We signed up for Stella Rossa VIP emails to earn a free appetizer (always a good marketing technique). We tried the Braised Beef Meatballs with crostini and fresh ricotta as well as the Aranchini (Classic Fried Risotto, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Provolone, Fresh Basil, Marinara Sauce). The appetizers were better than I expected, but still nothing I can't find at any other Italian restaurant. For dinner my parents tried the Local Veggie and Salumi pizza. Both pies were really nothing special. For prices comparable to Zavino and Nomad I wouldn't order pizza here again. The Local Veggie was white with vegetables and lacked cheese while the vegetables seemed undercooked. The Salumi was very tasteless also considering it had Hot Sopressata, Pepperoni, Tomato Sauce, and Fresh Mozzarella. My brother tried the Linguini with Clams which was good for $19 but on the smaller side. I had the Veal Saltimboca for $19 which was also good, but small. Overall I would consider coming here for a drink at the bar, but for a meal I would avoid ordering pizza- maybe just stick to appetizers and entrees.

    (3)
  • James G.

    Great decor, friendly staff and servers but the food was tasteless and bland. If it weren't for the $3 mimosas it would be a 1 star. Since Philly is such a great food town, I don't see this place staying in business for long. Overall, considering the decor, staff and location, very underwhelming.

    (2)
  • Sammy P.

    This place gets wild on a Thursday night. Drink specials for Jefferson students, girls making bad decisions. At one point since guy was literally slinging pizza across the bar into the mouths of eagerly waiting patrons. Check it out

    (5)
  • L S.

    A good friend and I went here for Happy Hour on a Monday just so we could enjoy the 1/2 priced pizza! We got the fried mozzarella, Margherita, the Chicken pesto pizza (without the pesto due to my nut allergy...we subbed with Marinara Sauce) and a couple of strawberry bellinis. We enjoyed ourselves SO much, we were the loudest people there but weren't treated like outcasts lol the staff was so friendly and great...oh and the food was yuuummy. Can't wait to go back!

    (4)
  • L M.

    Disappointing... The atmosphere was nice but our service was slow. We (three of us) started off with a bottle of Pellegrino and after we ordered our food some bread (made in the pizza oven) was delivered hot. It was decent... we had been walking around all day and were pretty hungry so the five small pieces did not last long. We were offered a second basket that never came... We ordered two salads as a starter... a large Caesar Salad and a Pear Endive Salad. The Caesar salad was meh... no shaved Parmesan and little anchovy taste. The pear endive salad was tasty but only had 6 small slices of pear on a large bed of greens with some bleu cheese and candied walnuts. Most of the time you were eating greens with no cheese, walnuts or pear... The entrees we ordered were the Margherita pizza, Penne Pinoli, and Chicken Piccata. The pizza was good but a little on the sparse side as far as the Margherita toppings went, the Penne Pinoli was good, but the Chicken Piccata was a joke... Usually when you order something with 'chicken' in the title you expect some chicken in the dish. O_o The chicken piccata plate had a small piece of chicken about the size of a half of a deck of cards and another tiny piece which was cut from probably another smaller chicken breast. It was served on top of vermicelli with plenty of mushrooms but not many capers. When the dish arrived I asked the waitress about it to see if this was typical of the dish... she seemed to not really know so I asked for a manager. The manager came over and said (after I asked about the portion of chicken) "that she thought they gave me extra chicken and she could take the cut (smaller) piece back if I wanted her to do so"... I almost laughed out loud! Seriously? You want to take away the chicken when I'm questioning the small amount of chicken in a dish called "Chicken Piccata" where the chicken is usually featured? Ridiculous... I'd recommend the 1/2 Caraffe of house red wine... it made the ridiculousness of the manager seem less idiotic. We skipped dessert and stopped at a local bakery on the way back to our hotel instead. You may have better results if you stick to the pizza or aren't that hungry. **UPDATE** -------------- After Melissa had replied to my review I was contacted by the general manager, Nick Longobardi, about our dinner at the restaurant. Nick was very concerned and was extremely apologetic that our dinner experience was less than stellar at Barra Rossa. I really appreciated Nick's genuine concern that we didn't have the best meal experience the restaurant could have offered us, and after speaking with him I sincerely felt that our experience was not typical of the restaurant. We will definitely give Barra Rossa another try the next time we visit Philly.

    (2)
  • Richard E.

    We had 10 people on a Saturday night to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday. Everybody left saying they loved Barra Rossa and would be back - might be a first for me that everyone uniformly enjoyed a restaurant. Our server, Melissa, was wonderful!!! The food was great and tasted like home-cooked Italian way more than you would find at the chain Italian places that populate downtown. Excellent restaurant for groups, after-theater, after work!

    (5)
  • LISA N.

    Came for my cousins graduation with a large party. It was nice of them to accommodate such a large group, I think there was 14 of us and a baby. They sat us upstairs and unfortunately upstairs isn't wheelchair or baby stroller accessible so we just had to carry the stroller upstairs. The decor was really cute inside I loved the way it looked but everything else was just meh. Starting with the host, or the manager whoever he is didn't even greet us at the door so I'm just smiling at random people hoping that someone would be like Hi how many or something. Like a minute later just standing in the small front of the restaurant people are walking past us and the host was like do you need help? WTH. So we finally sat upstairs and they gave us a prefixed menu that didn't leave much choice, either a regular salad, a caprese salad (with totally old flavorless cheese, and a choice of chicken, eggplant, or salmon. I ended up getting the eggplant, but you can't go wrong with breaded and fried anything. Although I wish I got the salmon it looked delicious. And the chicken was bland and dry, nothing to brag about. The service was good, we had this wonderful super friendly waitress who was just kind and I'm sure it was a hassle already for her to deal with so many of us. We also ordered from their regular menu too and ordered fried calamari. It's a scam though they threw in some fried jalapeno rings that looked like calamari to fill up the plate. The charcuterie sampler was delicious at least. Dessert was awful, we had some little mousse oreo sampling and a nutella one, and they also left us some crappy cannoli's (being from NY no cannoli can compare).

    (3)
  • Giuliano P.

    Oh barra you tried really hard but fell short. 3 stars because of the place it's self. Really liked the atmosphere and our waitress was awesome. I forget her name unfortunately but she was great. Did restaurant week to see if we could find a new spot to enjoy but we didn't. Appetizer- Arancini was extremely mushy inside, clams casino were okay mostly filler, calamari was tasty I have to say. Cold appetizer- prosciutto was old could tell from it being a hard slice of prosciutto probably a couple days old. Vegi came out of a jar and the pepper had zero seasoning Pizza- had a shrimp far diavola (which means spicy) when it came out it look really good, cooked properly. But it wasn't spicy at all and the bottom was literally white like it was still raw. I had a filet with asparagus and rice. Filet was cooked perfectly but was bland as all hell. Rice was super undercooked felt like I was eating crackers. My date had the chicken rollotini which was also bland and dried out. But she had mash potatoes which were really good. Dessert was sub par nothing really to remember. Side note: im pretty sure a fight broke out in the kitchen amongst the staff which was really noticeable and unproffessional. Overall 2.5 rounded to 3, but we won't be going back.

    (3)
  • Michelle P.

    Looking for a late dinner last night, my group decided to check out Stella Rossa based on their special offers and because the restaurant looked pretty from the outside. Drink Philly had posted about an offer for a free beer and free meatball for dropping their name when you order. Their blog post didn't specify an expiration date for this offer but the restaurant was no longer honoring it. Luckily we still got our meatball with the trusty Yelp check-in offer. Usually we are on top of our drink selections however we were hungry and on a mission for dinner so we placed our food order first. We mentioned we needed a little extra time with the beverage menu, but it took a while for our server to come back to get our drink orders. Our server dropped off at the end of the night too so we had a little wait to get our bill. It wasn't crowded and she didn't seem busy so I would have liked if she stopped by to check on us a little more than she did. In addition to our meatballs, we went with the Procidonna (Zucchini, Eggplant, Pepperoni, Tomato Sauce), Meta e Meta (Half Pizza, Half Stromboli, Provolone, Sweet Red Peppers) and the Gaetano (Broccoli Rabe, Sweet Italian Sausage, Roasted Garlic, Asiago). They were each good in their own way but I wasn't blown away. The crust for each pie was a little too thick and doughy. The Procidonna was interesting because I don't usually see an eggplant and pepperoni combo; it's usually totally veggie or doesn't have eggplant. The veggies were a little bland and I would have liked them to be seasoned with oil or pesto. The pepperoni was on point. The Meta e Meta was interesting since it was half pizza and half Stromboli. Upon further thought, a Stromboli is similar to pizza folded in half. Since I didn't love the crust, this pizza fell a little short for me too. My favorite of the three was the Gaetano. The broccoli rabe was seasoned pretty well and the garlic tasted fresh. The sausage pieces were pretty small and neither here nor there. I felt the same way about the meatballs. They were a nice size but they were nothing extraordinary. The marinara sauce for the meatballs was pretty tasty though. The beer list was on the smaller side so I decided to go with a glass of their red wine. I really like the way they presented their wine options. There were four sizes you could select from: 4 oz, 7 oz, half carafe and a bottle. Everything was pretty reasonably priced as well. Stella Rossa was dimly lit in a romantic sense. It was a nice place to have a conversation whiling enjoying a meal. It's close enough to my friend's new pad so I'd definitely be willing to give some of their other menu items a try at some point. I noticed that they have an unlimited mimosa special for brunch so my interest is certainly piqued for a return visit. I'm not sure if I'll be rushing back for the pizza though.

    (3)
  • Theresa V.

    Food was good. We had reservations at 7:45 and didn't get seated until 8:45. Should have gotten a free appetizer or something!

    (3)
  • Jezelle R.

    Stopped by here to get a drink after an anatomy and physiology exam on a Thursday night. Atmosphere: Great! It has an intimate downstairs, with a fun smaller bar upstairs, and next to the bar upstairs was a nicer dinning room area with another bar. They have a great space for any type of dinning you're looking for. People seemed to be enjoying themselves and appreciating the food! Service: Service was good, my friend didn't like her drink, we made sure to tell the bartender and we were not charged- that I always appreciate. They also have great Jefferson happy hours as well- $2 beer? I'm going to say yes. Restrooms were clean. Food: Yum! I would HIGHLY recommend the Mozzarella Frittes. They melt in your mouth. We also got some pizza and it was good! Not the best pizza in the world, but it satisfied the spot. I would easily come back for those frittes.

    (4)
  • Ashley L.

    I will admit, after reading the reviews I was pretty skeptical of coming here. But since I constantly find myself passing by, it would be silly not to give it a chance. And I'm so glad I did! To start, the space and ambiance are great. I've dined here when it was Marathon and then Square Peg, so it's really more the character of the building than the restaurant. Nonetheless, I really liked upgrade they made to the bar and front coffee/takeout area. My boyfriend and I came in around 7pm on a Thursday night and were surprised to find there was a wait. What I quickly realized was that there was more of a service (or lack there of) issue, than a lack of available tables. Luckily we were seated in a booth in about 10 minutes. We started with drinks and an appetizer. The drinks took quite a bit of time to come out, so I think they should consider bringing on a second bartender (there was one bartender for both levels). Surprisingly, the food came out in a timely fashion. And it was delicious. I had the shrimp scampi, which was topped with a generous size shrimp, and very flavorful. My date had the chicken parm, served with a side of fettuccine alfredo. The portions were pretty large, so we both loved it! Overall it was a great experience, and I wouldn't hesitate about dining here again.

    (4)
  • Bri C.

    Good food, great service. Nice ambience. The food: I ordered the eggplant parm and it was great...among the best eggplant parm I've ever had. Also, I liked the dressing on the chopped salad. It was light but flavorful. All the ingredients tasted fresh. One small but noticeable issue was, the bread in our bread basket was burnt on the edges. Also, the oil for dipping could have used a bit more seasoning. But overall, I really enjoyed my dinner. The service: our server was Jerry, and he was fantastic. We had a busy table and a lot of different requests and he was extremely accommodating and cheerful!

    (4)
  • Christine H.

    My new favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. Right off the bat, the ambiance and the staff won me over. Everyone is friendly and smiling, and we were seated quickly. The decor is tasteful. Our waitress Samantha was super nice and very helpful when it came to the menu. My mom and I decided to split the four cheese pizza Bianca and each get an appetizer (Caesar salad for me, braised meatballs for her). I also got a cocktail from the menu, which was delicious. The appetizers came out quickly and were so tasty. I definitely recommend the braised meatballs--not too rich or heavy. Our pizza was to die for. All in all, an excellent experience. We'll be back for sure!

    (5)
  • Greg L.

    WOW what a find! After listening to my kids whine about walking around the city and that they were hungry, we came across this place. It was either plead guilty after putting my kids on Ebay or enter the next available restaurant, I went with avoiding the courts and public opinion for a great surprise. Our server Antonia was ACES!! Took care of the kids needs ASAP. Pizza and Fettuccine Alfredo. My wife and I enjoyed a bottle of the staff suggest Chianti. Sautéed Calamari app was great. Chicken Parm and the Bolognese, I had it with spaghetti and not the gnocchi, was AWESOME! When I return to Philly this us a place I will remember.

    (5)
  • Graham M.

    Met up with a friend of mine a few weeks ago here for an early dinner. The service was good. The food was good. A decent spot to grab something to eat in Center City. Prices are fair for what you get. I'd grab food from here again at some point on my travels to Center City.

    (4)
  • Bridget P.

    Excellent sautéed calamari and gnocchi bolognese, and pleasant and knowledgeable staff all for an affordable price that's well worth its quality.

    (4)
  • Jacqui S.

    The atmosphere was the best thing about this place. They have outdoor seating and an open window atmosphere when the weather is nice. We ended up sitting upstairs which had a little more upscale decor from the downstairs. I went with three other people, so we ordered appetizers, cheese, olives and a caprese salad. The cheese and olives were delicious, but the tomatoes in the caprese weren't ripe. Two of the guys I was with ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and the other a pizza margherita. I had the Penne Pinoli which had really good flavor. The penne wasn't great...it was just plain old dried pasta (I thought it would be fresh). The same with the spaghetti....but I guess that's what you get when you only pay $14 for a dish. The pizza crust could have been cooked longer so the bottom browned more. I would return to this place only to sit outside for drinks.

    (2)
  • Herbie H.

    I was a little hesitant going into Stella Rossa on a Friday night, after reading a few of these reviews. But, I was very pleasantly surprised both by the food and service. The 3 of us started with the olives, which were a nice mix of flavors and a generous portion. I ordered the Fiachetto pizza (a salt lovers dream - pizza with prosciutto, olives, artichokes, etc.) - and it was great. It was a big pizza, and I brought a few slices home for lunch the next day. Other dishes ordered: the Gaetano pizza (broccoli rabe, sausage) and the Eggplant Parmesan - both of which were enjoyed as well. Our waiter was very friendly and personable. I did not witness any of the 'waiters talking behind customers back' that some reviews here mention - but can definitely see how it could happen, as the service stations are close to customer seats. Will definitely return!

    (4)
  • Ashley B.

    They were able to accommodate 9 of us on Friday night and put us in our own private room! Great service and everyone enjoyed their meal! Prices were reasonable. Definitely will be back!

    (4)
  • Luigi C.

    I thought the pizza was reasonably good, but I was unhappy with the final check: $100 (including tip) for two pizzas, an appetizer and three drinks (i.e. a glass of cheap rose' for $11, a two glasses of house cork-taint Cabernet for $9 each). Absurd for a place like this. I wonder what happens if one orders a steak....

    (2)
  • Andrew W.

    I stopped in for a Friday happy hour with some friends this past week and had a pretty good experience. The HH apps were pretty well sized for $5, we got a pizza (big enough, pretty good) and the calamari (which also had friend banana peppers in it... never seen that before and I'm not sure if it was for an additional flavor or to make it appear like you have more than you paid for). The HH drink list seemed a bit limited, but it might have been because of what was the selected items on it. They offer a signature cocktail (which didn't sound appealing), wines, sangria and a few beers (which, admittedly I gave up for lent so I guess I kind of shot myself in the foot there). Service was good, but nothing to really write home about. We had seats at the bar and the bartender (while kind of a novice) was working to keep us happy. In all it came out to about $45 for three people with a few drinks each and 2 apps for the group. Not a bad deal, and not a bad option for happy hours.

    (3)
  • Holly R.

    we came here on valentines day with a group of 7 girls for a bachelorette party. because of the holiday, it was very busy, and we had to wait for our table (we had reservations). however, as soon as we were seated, the general manager came over, apologized, and gave us a complimentary bottle of champagne (and returned later in the meal with a second). the ambiance of this place was great, service was exceptional and quick, and everyone loved their food. also, because of the holiday, they handed each of us a rose as we left. nice touch! I'd definitely recommend this place.

    (5)
  • Christine D.

    At the Philadephia Food Expo a few weeks ago on Jefferson campus, I won a $25 gift card to go. As I was debating when to use it, they also informed me I won a free happy hour. My boyfriend and I decided to go for dinner and happy hour. Now, my free "happy hour" was not explained well in the slightest. (Since then, I had won another one, and the details were more well explained). Due to the confusion, the manager was more than accommodating for my 9 happy hour friends (even allowing my alcohol-free friend to get half-priced apps even though she didn't pay for a package). Drink selection was decent and we made our money worth it for the alcohol! Boyfriend and I also had dinner before hand. The servers were attentive and had excellent mannerisms. Our bread and oil came out quickly - it was a foccacia-herb type loaf with excellent flavoring. I ordered the Cavatelli Tartufo while he ordered the Rigatoni Pizzaioli. The flavoring was rich without being overpowering or too heavy. The portion sizes were generous for the price. I would definitely return again.

    (4)
  • Ron H.

    It seems that gourmet pizza is available on every street corner these days, which should be a good thing...but kust like everything else in life, just because its everywhere, doesnt mean the quality is all the same, or its all worth having. The 1/2 price pizzas at happy hour is yempting, and the combinations look great. The procidonna (zucchini, eggplant, pepperoni) looked delish, the veggies were perfectly roasted and seasoned, the sauce fresh and bright, but the crust tasted like sawdust...as if they ran out of salt and used generic our for the dough (does any real pizza place still use anything other than Caputo 00?). The calamari was the best dish we had, with a peppery-spicey red sauce for dipping. A large enough portion to share with 3-4 people as an app, and a nice crispy breaded exterior with a moist and springy but not rubbery interior. The cheese plate was the biggest disappointment. Loaded on a plate with iver toasted baguettes and a sode of honey and some type of fruit paste, ive had a better sampling of cheeses at the supermarkets free deli tray. Seriously, just take this off the menu because there was nothing about this dish done right (portion size, selection, variety, pairing, condiments, even the roasted peppers and garlic on the plate all combined to make this dish even worse). Wine selection is a little thin, but they're happy to offer you taste's ofoat of whats on the menu...with that said , there's no excuse For serving everything (including the prosecco) in a small rocks type glass. How do you have an entire page of wines by the glass and serve everything in a small water glass! Service was friendly buy disorganized (came back to the table 3x's for the wine order, final time still brought an italian prosecco instead if the spanish rose cava ordered).

    (2)
  • Lauren S.

    Good spot, especially pre-theatre. Pizzas were especially good. Definitely recommend making a reservations as they fill up pretty quickly.

    (4)
  • Zoe P.

    My brother-in-law and niece were in town visiting friends, and after spending the day all together the adults realized that four kids running around all day were definitely going to be hungry for dinner - but too soon to make anything. My niece has a gluten intolerance, but luckily their friends remembered that Stella Rossa offered gluten-free options and it was just up the street from their house! A quick call secured a reservation for our large party and we immediately trekked over. They seated us upstairs at a long table across from the upstairs bar, likely because of the kids but they were so well behaved it was nicer for the adults to have privacy from other patrons and a quieter atmosphere. They gave the kids place mats and crayons to draw with, which was awesome and occupied them (and me) for all of dinner. We ordered a bunch of different pizzas, pastas, and appetizers - I made sure that my niece got their gluten-free margherita pizza, and I ordered their meatball appetizer and beet salad. Her pizza came out and...it didn't look appetizing, at least compared to her best friend's plain cheese pizza. The crust looked like a flat, uncooked dish of dough (although it was definitely baked), the tomato sauce was thinly spread, and the cheese was haphazardly slapped on like large slices of mozzarella instead of shreds with a few small pieces of basil. She took one look at it and didn't want to eat it, I had to convince her to try and she only took bites where there was cheese, so we had half a pizza leftover by the time a few adults decided to 'try' as well. I can make a better gluten-free pizza easily. My meatballs were delicious, however, 3 in a thick tomato sauce with a few slices of toast and small dish of ricotta, and the salad was ok although barely any pieces of beets (and they were really small pieces). The others seemed satisfied with their pastas and regular pizzas, but we opted to skip dessert because of the amount of sugar the kids had earlier that day. Staff was nice and accommodating to our large group, especially the young children with us.

    (3)
  • Walter O.

    Good, solid Italian food. I had an antipasto, then veal scaloppine with mushrooms and asparagus in a cream sauce followed by a key lime mousse. All was very good. I washed this down with Sangiovese. The only downside was the double espresso with Sambuca on the side. The espresso was cold probably because of the type of cup they served it in. Also, the Sambuca was served with water and ice, hardly what I expected. Had they served the espresso in the right cup, hot, and the Sambuca, pure, in a shot glass, it would have been an outstanding meal worthy of five stars. drinks.seriouseats.com/2… has a perfect picture of what espresso with Sambuca should look like. (caffe corretto in Italian)

    (4)
  • Jennifer R.

    Finally got to try this place down the street from me for center city sips. The drinks were incredibly tasty and strong. Service was great and although we didn't get to try the food this time, it looked fantastic and not too overpriced. Atmosphere was pretty unique and lovely. Thoroughly enjoyed being here. I'll write an updated review once we try the food!

    (4)
  • Leslie G.

    We went here before a show at the Forrest Theater (bonus: 10% off your bill if you show them your tickets!). For appetizers, we ordered the assorted olives and fried mozzarella. I will never find a reason to complain about a bowl of olives, and it was a nice assortment. The breading on the fried mozzarella kind of tasted like ham, which was strange, but not enough to deter my husband. The rolls were nice and warm and soft, with a great seasoning blend on top. For a main course, I had the capellini pomodoro. It came out with cheese sprinkled on it, when the menu said nothing about cheese. Our server said that they sprinkle cheese on everything, whether the menu says it or not, so make sure you speak up if you have issues with dairy! Otherwise it had a nice flavour, although the dime sized slices of garlic weren't very appealing, and I picked around them (you're welcome, dear). My husband had the gnocchi bolognese. The chunks of beef were a nice alternative to ground meat, and they were very tender... however he said that the sauce tasted more like beef gravy than anything with tomatoes in it. The gnocchi definitely weren't made in house, but they weren't awful. On a random note, the water glasses were very small. I guess they're trying to encourage you to buy a drink, but I expected a bigger glass to come when I said I only wanted water. Our server was constantly coming by with a pitcher to refill. It was good that my glass was never empty for long, but it seems like his time could have been used for something else. Overall, it was ok. I wouldn't rule out a return trip, but it's definitely not my new favourite Italian restaurant.

    (3)
  • Meridith D.

    I've visited Stella Rosa five times now, always on off days/times (Thursday evenings, Sunday afternoons) and it has yet to disappoint. There's never a wait, no need to make a reservation - two things that are appreciated. They seem to be doing a good business so I'm looking at the no wait as a good thing. We are always seated at the high top tables along the back wall, which works well although they are a bit on the small side. Usually my husband and I opt for pizza - Special Red - although we've tried many items on their menu, from the Mozzarella Fritte appetizer (yum!) to the Pear Salad. The desserts are okay, I'm not a huge fan so I usually skip them... Which works out for the best anyway.

    (4)
  • Bill C.

    Just had to write my first review -- the cocktails, wine, food and ambiance were all quite good. But the real reason I'm writing is I had a billing snafu (the server inadvertently swiped my card twice and I found out only later). As soon as I saw what had happened, I called the restaurant and got a very sympathetic young woman who promised to relay the info to the manager. The next morning I got a call from Melissa who resolved my problem right away --- giving me a credit on my AmEx, at the restaurant's expense (they had neglected to swipe the card of my dinner companion.) I was super-impressed with the speed and niceness of her response. (Hope our waiter does not get in trouble --- it'd be an easy mistake to make.)

    (5)
  • Diana C.

    ICK. Not sure why there are such high ratings. At best this place is a 2.5. I agreed to come here based on the decent yelp reviews but YELP FAILED me!! Service 2 stars: probably worst service I've had in a long time Food 3 stars at best I came here on a Saturday evening with a party of 4. We had reservations at 6:45 yet were left standing about 20 minutes until we got seated. We were offered 4 consecutive seats at a bar initially - thanks for the sentiment, but no thank you ... we have a reservation for an actual table...? We were finally seated on the 2nd floor - we were able to scope out the dining scene in the whole restaurant during the walk up. There were a bunch of empty tables .... so I was left wondering, why did we have to wait so long again? The service - our Stanley Tucci lookalike was the WORST SERVER. Maybe he was off his game but he mentioned bringing us bread about 4 times before we actually got any. It took an extraordinary amount of time to get simple beverages. My friend ordered the Cello of the day- he came back about 10 minutes later saying he had to wait from the bartender to see if they still had that flavor. Isn't it simply a "Yes we have it" or "No we don't" when it is ordered? When we finally got our bread the accompanying dipping oil arrived when half the bread was gone - Thanks we didn't know it came with it..... We felt like an afterthought. There was a party of about 10 seated next to us who was on their second helping of bread before we even got our one and only basket. Lets move on to appetizers- I got the Arancini Balls and our friend ordered the Calamari. WORST ARANCINI BALLS EVER. They were lukewarm, not cheesy, and pretty sure the frozen ones from Trader Joes would school the heck out of what we were served. My friend ordered the Calamari - which interestingly enough was served with fried peppers that were cut and cooked to look just like the calamari - Maybe Stella Rossa thinks this is a genius idea but it's actually really annoying not knowing if you're about to bite into a calamari or a pepper. Rethink this one. PLEASE. We finally get our entrees - salumi pizza, chicken parmagiana, gnocchi bolognese, and the pasta with lump crab. The pizza - it had potential but was undercooked- the crust was soggy from the get go. Who wants to eat fresh soggy pizza from a place that is supposed to have good pizza? Nobody. My gnocchi bolognese was more of a ragu - with shredded meat. If i had known I was going to get shredded meat I would have ordered something else. The gnocchi itself was good. I didn't taste the chicken parm or the pasta with lump crab but it did not look all too impressive (I think Olive Garden has got this place beat). Lets go back to Stanley Tucci lookalike server who starts grating cheese onto my friend's entree and ends up dropping the ENTIRE handheld block into his chicken parm. He said sorry..... offered to bring some club soda (to soak the stains on my friend's shirt)... but didn't offer to bring a NEW entree that hasn't been contaminated by the handheld (by how many hands who knows) cheese? GROSS. Add to that at least 3 additional times when asking if we want additional cocktails or coffee the server would keep joking about how he wouldn't drop cheese on it. NOT FUNNY. He could have redeemed himself a little by offering something up for free- maybe some free coffee or free dessert but he didn't even offer us dessert while we saw him showing off a tray of goodies to the party next to us. I wish I could take this evening back and have gone somewhere else to spend my money and appetite. I made a special trip to Philadelphia and this was a horrendous dinner. I will NEVER go back here. Pick some place else - you won't be sorry as there are much better dining options around.

    (2)
  • Jackie B.

    Severely underrated. I housed a chicken parm sandwich on my lunch break today (came out super fresh & hot) and continued to drink with the off duty pastry chef and the bartender, Dan, was as attentive and fun as they come. I love that Stella is so close to my office that when I have a particularly slow week or the boss is out for the week, I can indulge in a bit of liquid lunch. Great menu & variety, They were changing out their menu as I was there so they didn't have the prosecco I was wanting, but more than made up for it with delicious custom concoctions. Went alone to have a relaxing lunch at the bar and ended up makin 2 new friends. Great all around!

    (5)
  • Joshua G.

    I came here with my girlfriend and one of her friends after a concert and I have to say it wasn't what I was expecting. The layout was a little funky, with a narrow area around the hostess podium and large staircase right when you enter, probably making it awkward to wait for a table when/if this place gets busy. Now I will admit that on the night we went it was pretty cold and there was still a little residual snow and ice from the last storm on the sidewalks, but this place was kind of dead for a Saturday night. It really seems that this place is situated in a relatively quiet corner of the city. If this is your sort of thing, you found your mecca, otherwise its a little underwhelming, And thats where we get to the service. While we were seated rather quickly (getting an upstairs table after walking up glossy wooden steps, the second half of which didn't have grip tape, which made no sense) and had a comfortable seat...thats where the comfort ended. The waiter we got seemed disinterested in us, corrected the pronunciation of my order a little passive aggressively under his breath, and ordered us to basically clean up after ourselves/help him clean once he realized we were done. He seemed a little pissed too that we didn't want dessert. He was little pissy for my taste. Oh, and I know reclaiming an old factory or manufacturing building is cool and all, but please insulate the windows correctly. There was a strong draft coming from the window frame...I considered putting my coat back on! Now to the food. It was serviceable. By that I mean it did what is was supposed to (satisfy us without killing us) and did it at a seemingly reasonable price of $14 each. I would put the tastiness between Olive Garden and the Cheesecake Factory Italian entrees. Not so "meh" but not as flavorful as it looked (I had the gnocchi bolognese btw). Nothing to write home about. Will I go back? Probably not. But this trip did check another restaurant off the list, so thats something....if underwhelming.

    (2)
  • Kristine B.

    Went in for a work lunch today. It seems they just started working a lunch hour at this particular location. The food was great! I had the Salumi Panini which was a bit on the spicy side, loved it. It did say it comes with either Garlic Fries or a Side Salad, which normally if you don't specify which one you want, you automatically get fries, however we did get the side salad. The salad tasted fine, but the restaurant was out of fries apparently. Because of the inconvenience the waiter gave us a free dessert tasting. I chose the Cannoli Mousse which was fantastic. I think they have some work to do before their lunch hour is perfected, but they handled things as best they could. I'll definitely be back in a week or two.

    (4)
  • Larry G.

    Ordered a Margherita Pizza to go with mushrooms, onions and garlic. Got it home - NO FRESH BASIL!!!!! Seriously ??? It was awful. The pizza was terrible. Never again

    (1)
  • Claire L.

    This locations has turned over a few times so were already skeptical about how the experience would be at stella rossa. When we checked in for our reservation we had to wait a few minutes and listen as the hostess, possibly another host, and a waiter or two debated over who was getting seated where. Clearly they were new at this. But I guess that was to be expected at such a new place. We were seated a table in the front, by the windows which was nice. However, the Sinatra singer was very close to us and it was really loud. In fact, the table next to us asked to me moved due to the volume of the guy's singing. Our waiter gave us "recommendations" but really he just listed two items out of every section of the menu which were supposed to be their most popular items. We ordered arancini (very bland and severely under salted and seasoned) and fried mozzarella (seasoned well, but very thick breading and were just ok, but our fault for ordering fried mozzarella anyway) as appetizers. Good news is they came out very fast. Bad news is as I described- so bland. The bread to start was awesome though. For entrees we ordered carbonara (it was VERY greasy), pizza (too much crust and bland- they need salt at this place!), and baked stuffed rigatoni dish- drowning in pepperoni grease. The wine was so expensive, about $12 for a "7oz" pour), and the 1/2 carafe option was such a rip off (about $23). In conclusion, I will never return and I could never recommend this place when there are way better options in the area for dinner. Sadly, that MIGHT even include the Olive Garden.

    (2)
  • Brett M.

    Great food and service!! We had Celeste and she was great to us. We will definitely go back!

    (5)
  • John Z.

    The bartenders are charismatic and attentive. The food is affordable and good. I've only come for happy hour, but it's a nice spot while in Center City or Old City.

    (5)
  • Ashley E.

    My wife and I came here with some of her coworkers a week or two after they opened. We had a fantastic experience. The bartender Steve was so friendly and easy going. We asked him if they had a happy hour menu. They didn't at the time but the next time we came in they did. The happy hour menu is unbeatable! $3 beers, $4 wines, $5 special drinks, $5 pizzas! We eat here often and do happy hour every Monday. The atmosphere and service is great. Their full menu is full of delicious Italian food. I've had many things on the menu and haven't found a thing I dislike. I highly recommend Stella Rossa Ristorante!

    (5)
  • Steve S.

    Just tried this place for the first time and was pleasantly surprised. It is in the old Square Peg location and that restaurant was awful. They have an extensive wine list and great Italian beers. Also $10 wine flights is a good deal to try a bunch of different ones. The beef meatball appetizer was amazing. Fantastic red sauce too. The chicken piccatta and chicken parm dinners were plentiful portions with pasta too. This is a not mind-blowing Italian, but the Wash Square West neighborhood really needed a mid-range dependable Italian joint and now we have it. I will definitely be back to try the pizzas. 2 entrees, an app, wine and tip got us our of there for under $65. Can't beat that.

    (4)
  • Kelly K.

    We ate here for lunch and were very impressed. We started off with the calamari which I highly recommend and then ordered the pear arugula salad and the "Special Red" pizza. Everything tasted very fresh and was nicely presented. I have seen that some people in past reviews complained about portion sizes but I thought it was plenty of food. For two people, splitting an appetizer and a pizza was more than enough. Our server was very polite and attentive and was very knowledgable about the menu. We will definitely be going back. The decor was great too! :) Can't complain about a thing!

    (5)
  • Kristine D.

    I love Stella Rossa. Since my first lunch experience, I have been back numerous times for lunch and happy hour. Steve at the bar is the friendliest, nicest person in the service industry. He treats you like you are the only customer that matters when he is waiting on a whole bar. Steve is actually the reason me and my friends have made weekly happy hour a thing. Stuff to try: the margarita pizza, the Fru Fru pizza, the mussels, the minestrone...they really do offer something for everyone. Other huge selling points: multiple bars and seating in the restaurant. It has such a classic atmosphere, I feel like a bridal or baby shower would be beautiful here. Especially in the larger room upstairs. Gary, the general manager, runs a smooth operation here. He is always there! And always has a smile or something funny to say. Gary truly cares about this restaurant and I feel that this place is going to flourish as one of the top restaurants to visit is center city because of him. This is absolutely the restaurant to take your whole family to. Excellent bar, wide variety on the menu, and a staff that makes you feel like you are in a restaurant in your hometown. 5 stars, absolutely.

    (5)
  • Stephanie P.

    Gluten free menu contained many choices, including pasta, which was delicious. Cool atmosphere, we were seated upstairs which was nice and quiet. Loved the exposed brick and architecture inside. Good service, good food.

    (4)
  • Ryan J.

    Great food! Its has become one of my favorite lunch spots in Philly. Staff is friendly and decor is warm and inviting. I have yet to try something on the menu we have not enjoyed. The have great drinks as well.

    (5)
  • Eric S.

    Ordered takeout. Three different pizzas. Restaurant was clean. Staff was courteous. Most of all the pizza was delicious.

    (5)
  • Bill U.

    Went in last night. I was surprised at how empty it was considering the fact that my friend who recommended Stella Rossa told me to make a reservation. We didn't make one and we were sat right away. In fact, the place was half empty. I hope they get more business because we loved everything. The waitress (Jackie) was friendly but she was a little quirky. And not as attentive as we had hoped. She gave us a 5 minute story about the menu that was a little awkward. She also was a little unprofessional when we asked for recommendations- her response was "I can tell you what other customers like, but we aren't allowed to eat here, so it's hard to give a solid recommendation". Other than that, we loved everything. The food was almost too good. Not a good place to go if you are on a diet!! We practically licked our plates. The desserts were very nicely presented but I don't know how anyone would have room for dessert after the pasta over-indulgence!! The prices are VERY reasonable for the city. We even had 2 managers stop by our table. Perhaps the one gentleman was the manager and the other the hostess. Nevertheless, it seemed like everyone really wanted to make sure we had a good experience. The music is all Sinatra which got a little annoying. And I will make a reservation next time because the manager told us any night there is a show at Walnut Street Theater, they are packed to the gills. I think we would prefer to have another server next time, but all things considered, we had a great experience and will definitely be back!!

    (5)
  • Ernie F.

    Great place to go for a quick meal before a show at The Walnut. Friendly staff and great service. Kids menu (pizza) is also a great value.

    (4)
  • Anita L.

    Simpler is better with this place. The pizza and salads are good. Anything beyond that expect to wait for a while. They need to staff up. They had one bartender working the bar, making drinks for the entire restaurant and trying to keep up with people ordering food at the bar. It takes forever to get your food there - or to get attention once you've placed an order. Until they get the service kinks worked out, prepare to wait. A friend had to wait 45 minutes for appetizers when he brought a group. They won't be back. I know it's new - but I don't feel like I can trust the place if I'm going to the theatre with my friends or if I'm hungry.

    (2)
  • Noelle A.

    I visited Stella Rossa with my husband, sister, and brother in law a few weeks ago. It was cold and there was snow on the ground, so maybe that is why the restaurant had plenty of seating. It was not very warm and inviting; the vibe was actually grumpy and quiet and the service was really bad from the beginning. We were seated right near the front so that we got hit with cold air every time the front door opened. We kindly asked to move, and even joked around to show there were no hard feelings. We were greeted with eye rolls and sighs. It took 20 minutes for them to approve our move and clean a new table. We thought they forgot we asked. During this time, our waitress had appeared, but literally walked away in the middle of our ordering drinks once she found out the table was to be moved. Before she left, I had asked to sample two of the wines I was between. She told me no, I could not, but I could pay for two small servings. I have never heard this before!! Really??? Most restaurants let you try a tiny taste if it's wine by the glass. But I was nice about it since my sister and brother in law were visiting and I didn't want things to be awkward. I told her I would try to just pick one myself. She did not offer any help, which ended up not mattering since she literally walked off during the drink order. We were finally allowed to change tables, but we had to move our own plates and silverware and bread. (Bread had arrived even though we had not yet been able to order drinks). We were next to a window at this point and it was still cold. We didn't say anything this time and just wore our coats. I tried again to purchase samples of the two wines I was interested in with our waiter, who was much friendlier than the waitress. Everyone else placed their orders too and drinks finally arrived 40 to 45 minutes after we got to the restaurant. Well, all the drinks except mine. They were out of the wines I wanted. The waiter made his alternate recommendations but they were completely different than what I was going for and it was clear that the staff hadn't been trained in wine. I just went with whatever he recommended and it was fine. At this point, an hour after we got there, we were finally asked if we would like to order food. The meal was passable, which I why I gave two stars. It was a very solid OK. Nothing memorable at all, but nothing bad. We got pizza and pasta dishes and a calamari appetizer. In the meantime, I noticed another party being seated at our original table. They eventually moved as well. The waiter tried really hard to be friendly, but it got a little annoying. He kept coming over and joking and talking loudly and telling us what his wait style was. He also mentioned some tables were mean, but he could tell our table was chill so he knew he could kid around. Which was true, it just got to be a bit much. He was trying to do a good job, so we stayed polite and smiling. But by that point, we just wanted to get out of there. We finally paid the bill but had to help clear our own table since only part of the dishes were taken away and the bill was placed among leftover food and dirty plates. Overall, it seems like maybe Stella Rossa is run by first time owners and staffed by inexperienced waiters. At least that's what I began to wonder. With SO many other amazing, delicious restaurants with professional severs from which to choose, I will not go back. Especially when Pizzeria Stella by Steven Starr (MY FAVORITE!!) is not much further away!!

    (2)
  • Pattio F.

    Stopped in for lunch today. Let's say the food completely made up for the service, which was pretty poor. We were seated immediately and then a good 6-7 minutes until our waiter came to greet us. Without taking a drink order, he started explaining the menu. I would have been happier had he had done that after serving the drinks. Anyway... He went away. And we waited. Oddly enough, 3 managers were cruising the floor never once glanced our way. A very nice bartender came over and asked if we would like something to drink. I explained we already had an order in, so now we were confused. And thirsty. I had ordered a glass of water and a beer, it took asking 3 more times for the water. Our waiter was trying way to hard to stay on script, but being newly opened, I guess we can give it a pass and let them settle in. So we ordered 2 apps and a pizza, and all were delicious. Another round of drinks and a $70 tab with tip tells me I won't be a frequent flyer, but might try some other items for takeout.

    (3)
  • Melanie D.

    Went here after trying to go to Zavino, which had a 2 1/2 hour wait. We didn't have a reservation and were told it would be a few minutes but were seated at a booth upstairs within 2 minutes of arriving. For appetizers, my boyfriend and I shared the mozzarella and tomato antipasto and I had the beet salad. Both were excellent. They get all of their meats and cheeses from DiBrunos. The antipasto was huge and authentic. The highlight of the antipasto was the garlic flatbread! The salad was fresh, crisp, and perfectly dressed. The goat cheese in it was perfect; it didn't have that funny after taste that is sometimes noticeable with lower quality goat cheese. For our entree, we ordered the Gaetano and Fiachetto pizzas. The Gaetano (sausage, broccoli rabe, roasted garlic) was delicious and very flavorful. The broccoli rabe was spot on and had just the right amount of bitterness, I didn't feel like I was eating spinach! The Fiachetto pizza (olives, tomatoes, artichokes, mozzarella, topped with prosciutto), we didn't care for. Everything on it obviously came straight from a can/jar. I saw in previous reviews people complained about service, but I beg to differ: our service noticed we didn't really eat the Fiachetto, asked if anything was wrong with it, and when we told him we just didn't really care for the flavor, he took it off our bill! Other points on the service: drinks were a little slow, my boyfriend got his second beer as we were finishing our meal despite having ordered it well before then. Overall, a decent experience. I agree with the other reviews about the pizza being slightly underdone, especially on the bottom which was surprising because their bread is delicious! I think I would return for the items we ordered but don't know about venturing beyond that.

    (3)
  • Kat S.

    Some friends and I stopped in last night to get some dinner. This place is truly a hidden gem! I've been here for brunch but wanted to try it for dinner. We shared the calamari, which was a little bit more banana peppers than calamari. Still, it was a pretty tasty dish. For our entrees we had spaghetti and meatballs, penne vodka and the tortellini. The tortellini was amazing! I'm still dreaming about it. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was very laid back and comfortable. I will definitely be returning and would recommend to anyone.

    (4)
  • Yayi Z.

    We went to Barra Rossa when it was still Stella Rossa for a casual meal. The place was rather empty and I hadn't heard too much about it so my expectations were quite low. The pizza, we ordered the three mushroom pizza, however, was surprisingly good and we were pleasantly surprised - not any worse than Zavino and the other places I've heard so much about in the area. Good wine selection even though we chose not to drink that night. Good service but, again, the place was rather empty. I would definitely go back. One of the better "fancier" pizza places in Center City in my opinion.

    (4)
  • Kelly O.

    I've only ever gotten takeout, but every time have been impressed! The meatballs are delicious!! Pizza is okay - but I think it'd be better if I had it fresh in the restaurant. The best thing I've had so far has to be their vodka penne. Amazing! Good portion and great taste!!

    (4)
  • Janelle H.

    Excellent value, excellent service, pretty great food! I went here for a Friday night date with my siblings and our partners, a group of seven. We were seated at the 2nd floor dining room, which provided such a a chic, comfortable, homey rustic feel, it complimented the rustic italian food they serve. We started with their cheese plate. We continued with 2 pizzas and 5 entrees with some wine and beer. Serving size of each entree was perfect and that night they had a pork chop special that was absolutely delicious. Our pork chop was a tad bit over the medium temperature we ordered but it was too good that I had no need to complain about it. There was also a free meatball when you check in at yelp and the chef was nice enough to give us extras since we were a big group. Thank you btw! Our server Lisa was very pleasant and knew the menu both for food and drinks very well, something a newbie in any restaurant can appreciate. Overall I would absolutely recommend this place, specially for a big group, for what we ordered, which was plenty we only shelled out $38 each. Tips: pizza order is good for two people; cheese plate is good to share for 2-3 and order the pitcher of sangria for $20!

    (5)
  • Julie L.

    Excellent burgers never seen anything like it. 7/31/15 We ate here again. The penne pasta was excellent.

    (5)
  • John H.

    Went in this week while we got our treatments at Jeff....Service was spectacular as usual, pizza fantastic. It's a shame a company would make their employees work in such tremendous heat with no AC, let alone their valued customers...we as customers don't have to run around and work as hard as those folks! Be back in 6 weeks! Hope its fixed.

    (4)
  • Evan K.

    This place was great! Went in there while wandering around at 10:30pm. Service was still great and the food was even better! Great atmosphere and knowledgable staff. I highly recommend the antipasti

    (5)
  • Julie W.

    Looking for a not too chi-chi restaurant after over-indulging during the rest of a business trip, came across Barra Rossa. My group of 4 ordered a couple of pizzas (which were both delicious): the Margherita and the Mushroom. Great thin crust and the toppings were fresh. Also had the calamari appetizer. For an entree, I had one of the specials - linguini with shrimp and scallops in a white wine sauce. It was nice and light (despite the pasta) and perfect for summer. Really liked that the waitress specifically told us that the proteins were fresh and never frozen. You can really tell from tasting.

    (4)
  • Hungover I.

    Below is a snippet from our Brunch review. Check out HungoverInPhilly.com for the full review! The Good: - $3 Mimosas from 10am-3pm - Great meals - Prices were reasonable considering how much we ate and drank - Service was fantastic, we had an awesome waitress who was really on top of her game - Beautifully laid out restaurant with a very nice decor - Also, did I mention $3 Mimosas? The Bad: - Food menu was great, but a little limited with only 6 options - Bloody Marys were good, but there was nothing that made them stand out in my mind The Review: The food was great, the Mimosas were VERY reasonably priced, and the restaurant and staff were awesome. I know I keep harping on it, but $3 Mimosas. That plus some really banging food, doesn't get much better! The Review: - Food: 4/5 - Bloody Marys: 3/5 - Atmosphere: 5/5 - Price: 5/5 Overall Rating: 4/5 Barra Rossa is another Center City Gem that everyone needs to add to your list of places to visit. If I didn't run this site and force myself to go to different locations every week, I could see myself coming here much more often for some weekend drinks. This is definitely one of those places you might want to designate a driver for or grab an uber, just to be on the safe side!

    (4)
  • Sari A.

    I ordered the breakfast pizza with truffles ( not truffle oil, actual truffles ) and I didn't notice that it had prosciutto on it so I asked our waiter " Jimmy " if it was ham and he saw that I wasn't happy. My friend explained to him that I don't eat pork, and he kindly offered to replace it, even though it was not an error from his side. Great customer service! And now that I'm happy I truly enjoyed my delicious and crispy pizza. Four and half Yelp!

    (4)
  • Eunni C.

    Went there for one of friends Bday. Think they booked this place because she was on gluten free diet and needed private space for the event. Wasn't completely private but they did have sort of separated group dining space. Ambiance reminded me modern cafeteria and wasn't impressed. We were waited to be seated a bit so I had glimpsed on others pasta dishes and quickly made up my mind to order something safe. I got cheese platter. It's gonna be safe bet c The platter was HUGE. They gave me so much cheese and that was very generous. Sadly my cheese was not good. Some of them I did not taste any flavor. Kind of rubbery texture when you chew on not so good quality of cheese. No one really enjoyed it.. Boo.

    (2)
  • Ashley B.

    They were able to accommodate 9 of us on Friday night and put us in our own private room! Great service and everyone enjoyed their meal! Prices were reasonable. Definitely will be back!

    (4)
  • Luigi C.

    I thought the pizza was reasonably good, but I was unhappy with the final check: $100 (including tip) for two pizzas, an appetizer and three drinks (i.e. a glass of cheap rose' for $11, a two glasses of house cork-taint Cabernet for $9 each). Absurd for a place like this. I wonder what happens if one orders a steak....

    (2)
  • Michael A.

    I happened to be in Philly with my Mom for her Doctors Appointment and I noticed Barra Rossa on the way to her appointment. It just so happened that by the time we finished the appointment it was dinner time and my Mom and I when to Barra Rossa. We got a set right a way, the atmosphere was great and the decor was inviting. Our server Jenna was a complete gem, she was attentive and patient. We both tried their meta e meta, which is half Pizza and half Stromboli. I know you are saying, "what", yes that is what I am saying. 1/2 Pizza and 1/2 Stromboli, My Mom had the standard Meta while I ordered a Suprasata and Pepperoni Meta. The great think about Barra Rossa is everything is made fresh so you can customize you order. The Meta was great and stood up to its expectation. In fact, it was so good I ordered one to go for my wife and she had the pepperoni order. She loved it too. I would very highly recommend this restaurant. And hopefully Jenna will be your server.

    (5)
  • Juliana K.

    I stopped by for lunch one day for a pizza to go and it was delicious. Nice crunchy crust. Perfect toppings and cheese ratio. The prices are a lil pricey, but this is a fancy pizza place so I would expect that. I also got an illy latte which was great. The staff there is very friendly and my food came out quickly. I would come back to try dinner.

    (4)
  • Jennifer T.

    I was very excited to try Stella Rosa especially after seeing some decent reviews from my fellow Yelpers, and for the most part, I wasn't steered wrong. I went with 5 other people this past Saturday, and we sampled a large variety of dishes and appetizers. The service was very friendly and timely so no complaints in that department. As for the food...well, I have mixed feelings. Some dishes were good and some definitely fell flat. Here's a rundown of what we ordered: Appetizers: Bread Basket (complimentary) - comes with a dish of seasoning (oregano + red pepper flakes?) topped with extra virgin olive oil but had absolutely no salt...so it was basically dipping bread in oil. Steamed Mussels with white wine - OK Panzanella Salad - Good, but nothing special Arancini - Risotto was over cooked IMO, and the flavor was super bland - It was a fried ball of mushy, bland, rice. Thank goodness for the marinara sauce. Main Dishes: Sausage and Peppers - delicious! This is a wood fired specialty, served with orecchiette pasta and topped with cheese. Shrimp Scampi - This was one of their specials for the day and it was super bland. Veal Saltimbocca - I didn't actually try this dish, but my friend said it was very good. Rib Eye Florentina - decent cut of steak and good "grill" taste but the steak was slightly over cooked even after a lengthy discussion with the server on what color a "medium" cooked steak should have. Procidonna Pizza - this had eggplant, zucchini, pepperoni and red sauce. The flavor was good and the pizza in general was good. I was a little disappointed in the crust; it was thin but it was floppy...I couldn't even pick it up to eat it. We opted not to get dessert and with a round of drinks for everyone and split 6 ways, our bill came to $40/person with tax and 20% tip included--not bad, I think. Overall, we had an OK time here. I wouldn't completely rule it out but I am not in a hurry to go back either.

    (3)
  • Greg L.

    Stopped in here for lunch prior to seeing an afternoon show at the Walnut Street Theater. We had reservations, but it was certainly not needed as it was not at all crowded on this particular Saturday afternoon. We had the option of brunch or lunch and we went with lunch. My wife had one of their gluten-free pizzas while I went with one of their 4-cheese pasta dishes. I enjoyed my pasta dish while my wife thought her pizza was just OK. I didn't particular care for her pizza, but it could have been because it was a GF pizza. A nice place inside and service was pretty good. For dessert, I got a couple of their dessert shooters which were pretty good. I do wish they gave you some complimentary bread or something with your meal. If you are a Walnut Street Theater subscriber, you do get a 10% discount. Would certainly come back and try some of their other pasta dishes.

    (3)
  • Amara M.

    I had the gnocchi bolognese and my boyfriend had the lobster ravioli. Both delicious. They have amazing service. Our waiter was incredibly polite and answered all of our questions. On our way out, since it was Valentine's Day, the host was giving out roses as you left and thanked you for coming. I thought it was a lovely added gesture. We definitely both left happy. I would absolutely recommend this for date night. The atmosphere is very romantic when the sun starts setting. We loved sitting by the window.

    (5)
  • Wade R.

    We had an excellent dinner and good service. However, when our credit card charge appeared, the amount was several dollars more than our receipt. Assuming this was just an error we called the restaurant. We called 3 times and were told someone would get back to us. No manager would ever come to the phone and no one returned our call. After the original post, we received a call from Melissa who kindly resolved the situation. We look forward to eating there again. The gluten free pizza was delicious.

    (5)
  • Lea T.

    Decided to check out this spot on a Thursday night before seeing a show nearby at the Walnut Street Theater. I have to admit I've walked by many times and nothing about Stella Rossa really wowed me. Italian food is quite common in Philadelphia and so many places do it wonderfully without charging a lot. As for the signage... Stella Rossa currently has a vinyl banner with their restaurant name tied over top of the old Square Peg sign. Talk about bootleg... I know this place is newer, but can you at least invest some money in the outdoor sign before renovating the bar and such inside? Basically the result of this is off-putting to me and at night there is no way of knowing the name of the restaurant. HOWEVER they have a beautiful vintage looking bar inside with some bright glowing letters reading STELLA ROSSA. Do I have to be the one to tell them it might be more important to have the name of the restaurant displayed OUTSIDE the restaurant? Either way the dining experience my family had was just OK. We signed up for Stella Rossa VIP emails to earn a free appetizer (always a good marketing technique). We tried the Braised Beef Meatballs with crostini and fresh ricotta as well as the Aranchini (Classic Fried Risotto, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Provolone, Fresh Basil, Marinara Sauce). The appetizers were better than I expected, but still nothing I can't find at any other Italian restaurant. For dinner my parents tried the Local Veggie and Salumi pizza. Both pies were really nothing special. For prices comparable to Zavino and Nomad I wouldn't order pizza here again. The Local Veggie was white with vegetables and lacked cheese while the vegetables seemed undercooked. The Salumi was very tasteless also considering it had Hot Sopressata, Pepperoni, Tomato Sauce, and Fresh Mozzarella. My brother tried the Linguini with Clams which was good for $19 but on the smaller side. I had the Veal Saltimboca for $19 which was also good, but small. Overall I would consider coming here for a drink at the bar, but for a meal I would avoid ordering pizza- maybe just stick to appetizers and entrees.

    (3)
  • Richard E.

    We had 10 people on a Saturday night to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday. Everybody left saying they loved Barra Rossa and would be back - might be a first for me that everyone uniformly enjoyed a restaurant. Our server, Melissa, was wonderful!!! The food was great and tasted like home-cooked Italian way more than you would find at the chain Italian places that populate downtown. Excellent restaurant for groups, after-theater, after work!

    (5)
  • Herbie H.

    I was a little hesitant going into Stella Rossa on a Friday night, after reading a few of these reviews. But, I was very pleasantly surprised both by the food and service. The 3 of us started with the olives, which were a nice mix of flavors and a generous portion. I ordered the Fiachetto pizza (a salt lovers dream - pizza with prosciutto, olives, artichokes, etc.) - and it was great. It was a big pizza, and I brought a few slices home for lunch the next day. Other dishes ordered: the Gaetano pizza (broccoli rabe, sausage) and the Eggplant Parmesan - both of which were enjoyed as well. Our waiter was very friendly and personable. I did not witness any of the 'waiters talking behind customers back' that some reviews here mention - but can definitely see how it could happen, as the service stations are close to customer seats. Will definitely return!

    (4)
  • L M.

    Disappointing... The atmosphere was nice but our service was slow. We (three of us) started off with a bottle of Pellegrino and after we ordered our food some bread (made in the pizza oven) was delivered hot. It was decent... we had been walking around all day and were pretty hungry so the five small pieces did not last long. We were offered a second basket that never came... We ordered two salads as a starter... a large Caesar Salad and a Pear Endive Salad. The Caesar salad was meh... no shaved Parmesan and little anchovy taste. The pear endive salad was tasty but only had 6 small slices of pear on a large bed of greens with some bleu cheese and candied walnuts. Most of the time you were eating greens with no cheese, walnuts or pear... The entrees we ordered were the Margherita pizza, Penne Pinoli, and Chicken Piccata. The pizza was good but a little on the sparse side as far as the Margherita toppings went, the Penne Pinoli was good, but the Chicken Piccata was a joke... Usually when you order something with 'chicken' in the title you expect some chicken in the dish. O_o The chicken piccata plate had a small piece of chicken about the size of a half of a deck of cards and another tiny piece which was cut from probably another smaller chicken breast. It was served on top of vermicelli with plenty of mushrooms but not many capers. When the dish arrived I asked the waitress about it to see if this was typical of the dish... she seemed to not really know so I asked for a manager. The manager came over and said (after I asked about the portion of chicken) "that she thought they gave me extra chicken and she could take the cut (smaller) piece back if I wanted her to do so"... I almost laughed out loud! Seriously? You want to take away the chicken when I'm questioning the small amount of chicken in a dish called "Chicken Piccata" where the chicken is usually featured? Ridiculous... I'd recommend the 1/2 Caraffe of house red wine... it made the ridiculousness of the manager seem less idiotic. We skipped dessert and stopped at a local bakery on the way back to our hotel instead. You may have better results if you stick to the pizza or aren't that hungry. **UPDATE** -------------- After Melissa had replied to my review I was contacted by the general manager, Nick Longobardi, about our dinner at the restaurant. Nick was very concerned and was extremely apologetic that our dinner experience was less than stellar at Barra Rossa. I really appreciated Nick's genuine concern that we didn't have the best meal experience the restaurant could have offered us, and after speaking with him I sincerely felt that our experience was not typical of the restaurant. We will definitely give Barra Rossa another try the next time we visit Philly.

    (2)
  • LISA N.

    Came for my cousins graduation with a large party. It was nice of them to accommodate such a large group, I think there was 14 of us and a baby. They sat us upstairs and unfortunately upstairs isn't wheelchair or baby stroller accessible so we just had to carry the stroller upstairs. The decor was really cute inside I loved the way it looked but everything else was just meh. Starting with the host, or the manager whoever he is didn't even greet us at the door so I'm just smiling at random people hoping that someone would be like Hi how many or something. Like a minute later just standing in the small front of the restaurant people are walking past us and the host was like do you need help? WTH. So we finally sat upstairs and they gave us a prefixed menu that didn't leave much choice, either a regular salad, a caprese salad (with totally old flavorless cheese, and a choice of chicken, eggplant, or salmon. I ended up getting the eggplant, but you can't go wrong with breaded and fried anything. Although I wish I got the salmon it looked delicious. And the chicken was bland and dry, nothing to brag about. The service was good, we had this wonderful super friendly waitress who was just kind and I'm sure it was a hassle already for her to deal with so many of us. We also ordered from their regular menu too and ordered fried calamari. It's a scam though they threw in some fried jalapeno rings that looked like calamari to fill up the plate. The charcuterie sampler was delicious at least. Dessert was awful, we had some little mousse oreo sampling and a nutella one, and they also left us some crappy cannoli's (being from NY no cannoli can compare).

    (3)
  • Giuliano P.

    Oh barra you tried really hard but fell short. 3 stars because of the place it's self. Really liked the atmosphere and our waitress was awesome. I forget her name unfortunately but she was great. Did restaurant week to see if we could find a new spot to enjoy but we didn't. Appetizer- Arancini was extremely mushy inside, clams casino were okay mostly filler, calamari was tasty I have to say. Cold appetizer- prosciutto was old could tell from it being a hard slice of prosciutto probably a couple days old. Vegi came out of a jar and the pepper had zero seasoning Pizza- had a shrimp far diavola (which means spicy) when it came out it look really good, cooked properly. But it wasn't spicy at all and the bottom was literally white like it was still raw. I had a filet with asparagus and rice. Filet was cooked perfectly but was bland as all hell. Rice was super undercooked felt like I was eating crackers. My date had the chicken rollotini which was also bland and dried out. But she had mash potatoes which were really good. Dessert was sub par nothing really to remember. Side note: im pretty sure a fight broke out in the kitchen amongst the staff which was really noticeable and unproffessional. Overall 2.5 rounded to 3, but we won't be going back.

    (3)
  • Michelle P.

    Looking for a late dinner last night, my group decided to check out Stella Rossa based on their special offers and because the restaurant looked pretty from the outside. Drink Philly had posted about an offer for a free beer and free meatball for dropping their name when you order. Their blog post didn't specify an expiration date for this offer but the restaurant was no longer honoring it. Luckily we still got our meatball with the trusty Yelp check-in offer. Usually we are on top of our drink selections however we were hungry and on a mission for dinner so we placed our food order first. We mentioned we needed a little extra time with the beverage menu, but it took a while for our server to come back to get our drink orders. Our server dropped off at the end of the night too so we had a little wait to get our bill. It wasn't crowded and she didn't seem busy so I would have liked if she stopped by to check on us a little more than she did. In addition to our meatballs, we went with the Procidonna (Zucchini, Eggplant, Pepperoni, Tomato Sauce), Meta e Meta (Half Pizza, Half Stromboli, Provolone, Sweet Red Peppers) and the Gaetano (Broccoli Rabe, Sweet Italian Sausage, Roasted Garlic, Asiago). They were each good in their own way but I wasn't blown away. The crust for each pie was a little too thick and doughy. The Procidonna was interesting because I don't usually see an eggplant and pepperoni combo; it's usually totally veggie or doesn't have eggplant. The veggies were a little bland and I would have liked them to be seasoned with oil or pesto. The pepperoni was on point. The Meta e Meta was interesting since it was half pizza and half Stromboli. Upon further thought, a Stromboli is similar to pizza folded in half. Since I didn't love the crust, this pizza fell a little short for me too. My favorite of the three was the Gaetano. The broccoli rabe was seasoned pretty well and the garlic tasted fresh. The sausage pieces were pretty small and neither here nor there. I felt the same way about the meatballs. They were a nice size but they were nothing extraordinary. The marinara sauce for the meatballs was pretty tasty though. The beer list was on the smaller side so I decided to go with a glass of their red wine. I really like the way they presented their wine options. There were four sizes you could select from: 4 oz, 7 oz, half carafe and a bottle. Everything was pretty reasonably priced as well. Stella Rossa was dimly lit in a romantic sense. It was a nice place to have a conversation whiling enjoying a meal. It's close enough to my friend's new pad so I'd definitely be willing to give some of their other menu items a try at some point. I noticed that they have an unlimited mimosa special for brunch so my interest is certainly piqued for a return visit. I'm not sure if I'll be rushing back for the pizza though.

    (3)
  • Jezelle R.

    Stopped by here to get a drink after an anatomy and physiology exam on a Thursday night. Atmosphere: Great! It has an intimate downstairs, with a fun smaller bar upstairs, and next to the bar upstairs was a nicer dinning room area with another bar. They have a great space for any type of dinning you're looking for. People seemed to be enjoying themselves and appreciating the food! Service: Service was good, my friend didn't like her drink, we made sure to tell the bartender and we were not charged- that I always appreciate. They also have great Jefferson happy hours as well- $2 beer? I'm going to say yes. Restrooms were clean. Food: Yum! I would HIGHLY recommend the Mozzarella Frittes. They melt in your mouth. We also got some pizza and it was good! Not the best pizza in the world, but it satisfied the spot. I would easily come back for those frittes.

    (4)
  • Ashley L.

    I will admit, after reading the reviews I was pretty skeptical of coming here. But since I constantly find myself passing by, it would be silly not to give it a chance. And I'm so glad I did! To start, the space and ambiance are great. I've dined here when it was Marathon and then Square Peg, so it's really more the character of the building than the restaurant. Nonetheless, I really liked upgrade they made to the bar and front coffee/takeout area. My boyfriend and I came in around 7pm on a Thursday night and were surprised to find there was a wait. What I quickly realized was that there was more of a service (or lack there of) issue, than a lack of available tables. Luckily we were seated in a booth in about 10 minutes. We started with drinks and an appetizer. The drinks took quite a bit of time to come out, so I think they should consider bringing on a second bartender (there was one bartender for both levels). Surprisingly, the food came out in a timely fashion. And it was delicious. I had the shrimp scampi, which was topped with a generous size shrimp, and very flavorful. My date had the chicken parm, served with a side of fettuccine alfredo. The portions were pretty large, so we both loved it! Overall it was a great experience, and I wouldn't hesitate about dining here again.

    (4)
  • Bri C.

    Good food, great service. Nice ambience. The food: I ordered the eggplant parm and it was great...among the best eggplant parm I've ever had. Also, I liked the dressing on the chopped salad. It was light but flavorful. All the ingredients tasted fresh. One small but noticeable issue was, the bread in our bread basket was burnt on the edges. Also, the oil for dipping could have used a bit more seasoning. But overall, I really enjoyed my dinner. The service: our server was Jerry, and he was fantastic. We had a busy table and a lot of different requests and he was extremely accommodating and cheerful!

    (4)
  • Christine H.

    My new favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. Right off the bat, the ambiance and the staff won me over. Everyone is friendly and smiling, and we were seated quickly. The decor is tasteful. Our waitress Samantha was super nice and very helpful when it came to the menu. My mom and I decided to split the four cheese pizza Bianca and each get an appetizer (Caesar salad for me, braised meatballs for her). I also got a cocktail from the menu, which was delicious. The appetizers came out quickly and were so tasty. I definitely recommend the braised meatballs--not too rich or heavy. Our pizza was to die for. All in all, an excellent experience. We'll be back for sure!

    (5)
  • Greg L.

    WOW what a find! After listening to my kids whine about walking around the city and that they were hungry, we came across this place. It was either plead guilty after putting my kids on Ebay or enter the next available restaurant, I went with avoiding the courts and public opinion for a great surprise. Our server Antonia was ACES!! Took care of the kids needs ASAP. Pizza and Fettuccine Alfredo. My wife and I enjoyed a bottle of the staff suggest Chianti. Sautéed Calamari app was great. Chicken Parm and the Bolognese, I had it with spaghetti and not the gnocchi, was AWESOME! When I return to Philly this us a place I will remember.

    (5)
  • Graham M.

    Met up with a friend of mine a few weeks ago here for an early dinner. The service was good. The food was good. A decent spot to grab something to eat in Center City. Prices are fair for what you get. I'd grab food from here again at some point on my travels to Center City.

    (4)
  • Bridget P.

    Excellent sautéed calamari and gnocchi bolognese, and pleasant and knowledgeable staff all for an affordable price that's well worth its quality.

    (4)
  • Jacqui S.

    The atmosphere was the best thing about this place. They have outdoor seating and an open window atmosphere when the weather is nice. We ended up sitting upstairs which had a little more upscale decor from the downstairs. I went with three other people, so we ordered appetizers, cheese, olives and a caprese salad. The cheese and olives were delicious, but the tomatoes in the caprese weren't ripe. Two of the guys I was with ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and the other a pizza margherita. I had the Penne Pinoli which had really good flavor. The penne wasn't great...it was just plain old dried pasta (I thought it would be fresh). The same with the spaghetti....but I guess that's what you get when you only pay $14 for a dish. The pizza crust could have been cooked longer so the bottom browned more. I would return to this place only to sit outside for drinks.

    (2)
  • Andrew W.

    I stopped in for a Friday happy hour with some friends this past week and had a pretty good experience. The HH apps were pretty well sized for $5, we got a pizza (big enough, pretty good) and the calamari (which also had friend banana peppers in it... never seen that before and I'm not sure if it was for an additional flavor or to make it appear like you have more than you paid for). The HH drink list seemed a bit limited, but it might have been because of what was the selected items on it. They offer a signature cocktail (which didn't sound appealing), wines, sangria and a few beers (which, admittedly I gave up for lent so I guess I kind of shot myself in the foot there). Service was good, but nothing to really write home about. We had seats at the bar and the bartender (while kind of a novice) was working to keep us happy. In all it came out to about $45 for three people with a few drinks each and 2 apps for the group. Not a bad deal, and not a bad option for happy hours.

    (3)
  • Christine D.

    At the Philadephia Food Expo a few weeks ago on Jefferson campus, I won a $25 gift card to go. As I was debating when to use it, they also informed me I won a free happy hour. My boyfriend and I decided to go for dinner and happy hour. Now, my free "happy hour" was not explained well in the slightest. (Since then, I had won another one, and the details were more well explained). Due to the confusion, the manager was more than accommodating for my 9 happy hour friends (even allowing my alcohol-free friend to get half-priced apps even though she didn't pay for a package). Drink selection was decent and we made our money worth it for the alcohol! Boyfriend and I also had dinner before hand. The servers were attentive and had excellent mannerisms. Our bread and oil came out quickly - it was a foccacia-herb type loaf with excellent flavoring. I ordered the Cavatelli Tartufo while he ordered the Rigatoni Pizzaioli. The flavoring was rich without being overpowering or too heavy. The portion sizes were generous for the price. I would definitely return again.

    (4)
  • Ron H.

    It seems that gourmet pizza is available on every street corner these days, which should be a good thing...but kust like everything else in life, just because its everywhere, doesnt mean the quality is all the same, or its all worth having. The 1/2 price pizzas at happy hour is yempting, and the combinations look great. The procidonna (zucchini, eggplant, pepperoni) looked delish, the veggies were perfectly roasted and seasoned, the sauce fresh and bright, but the crust tasted like sawdust...as if they ran out of salt and used generic our for the dough (does any real pizza place still use anything other than Caputo 00?). The calamari was the best dish we had, with a peppery-spicey red sauce for dipping. A large enough portion to share with 3-4 people as an app, and a nice crispy breaded exterior with a moist and springy but not rubbery interior. The cheese plate was the biggest disappointment. Loaded on a plate with iver toasted baguettes and a sode of honey and some type of fruit paste, ive had a better sampling of cheeses at the supermarkets free deli tray. Seriously, just take this off the menu because there was nothing about this dish done right (portion size, selection, variety, pairing, condiments, even the roasted peppers and garlic on the plate all combined to make this dish even worse). Wine selection is a little thin, but they're happy to offer you taste's ofoat of whats on the menu...with that said , there's no excuse For serving everything (including the prosecco) in a small rocks type glass. How do you have an entire page of wines by the glass and serve everything in a small water glass! Service was friendly buy disorganized (came back to the table 3x's for the wine order, final time still brought an italian prosecco instead if the spanish rose cava ordered).

    (2)
  • Lauren S.

    Good spot, especially pre-theatre. Pizzas were especially good. Definitely recommend making a reservations as they fill up pretty quickly.

    (4)
  • Zoe P.

    My brother-in-law and niece were in town visiting friends, and after spending the day all together the adults realized that four kids running around all day were definitely going to be hungry for dinner - but too soon to make anything. My niece has a gluten intolerance, but luckily their friends remembered that Stella Rossa offered gluten-free options and it was just up the street from their house! A quick call secured a reservation for our large party and we immediately trekked over. They seated us upstairs at a long table across from the upstairs bar, likely because of the kids but they were so well behaved it was nicer for the adults to have privacy from other patrons and a quieter atmosphere. They gave the kids place mats and crayons to draw with, which was awesome and occupied them (and me) for all of dinner. We ordered a bunch of different pizzas, pastas, and appetizers - I made sure that my niece got their gluten-free margherita pizza, and I ordered their meatball appetizer and beet salad. Her pizza came out and...it didn't look appetizing, at least compared to her best friend's plain cheese pizza. The crust looked like a flat, uncooked dish of dough (although it was definitely baked), the tomato sauce was thinly spread, and the cheese was haphazardly slapped on like large slices of mozzarella instead of shreds with a few small pieces of basil. She took one look at it and didn't want to eat it, I had to convince her to try and she only took bites where there was cheese, so we had half a pizza leftover by the time a few adults decided to 'try' as well. I can make a better gluten-free pizza easily. My meatballs were delicious, however, 3 in a thick tomato sauce with a few slices of toast and small dish of ricotta, and the salad was ok although barely any pieces of beets (and they were really small pieces). The others seemed satisfied with their pastas and regular pizzas, but we opted to skip dessert because of the amount of sugar the kids had earlier that day. Staff was nice and accommodating to our large group, especially the young children with us.

    (3)
  • Nate L.

    Very delicious Italian restaurant in center city. Went there for the first time last night and had a great experience. We had reservations - which I would advise doing if going for a weekend dinner. As for the food everything was great. I ordered the Pucillo pizza ($15): Tomato Sauce, Smoked Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Fresh Arugula. I really enjoyed it. Great flavors. There were a couple specials ordered - stuffed shells, chicken Marsala. All looked great and everyone was satisfied. Service was also great. Draft list was a little limited though. Eat it!

    (5)
  • Larry M.

    This was my first visit to Stella Rossa and I would go back. I went with a friend earlier in the evening before a show. There were only a couple of tables filled it wasn't a packed house. The service was great, the food was pretty good, the food and wine were reasonably priced.

    (4)
  • Kirby J.

    Tasty food, great drink menu, incredibly affordable, really funky atmosphere... but holy crap, our server was terrible. She immediately asked for our food order, and stood there staring at us when we mentioned we'd need some more time. She repeatedly informed us of discounts we weren't eligible for (that we weren't aware of in the first place), and after our food came out, she disappeared. Completely. For over an hour. She finally brought our check, and then disappeared for another half hour or so. It wasn't until we threw down some cash and stood up to leave that she ran over and said something about "being right with us." Uhhh... sure. The food was great but I'd be hesitant to come back until they step up their staff training, especially after reading similar reviews.

    (3)
  • Megan O.

    I came here with my boyfriend for dinner, we made a reservation but it wasn't needed. It took a few minutes for us to be greeted once we sat but I didn't mind. We started with calamari and mussels in a spicy red sauce. Both were great and we ate everything. Our entree was the salumi pizza which honestly just tasted like a regular pepperoni pizza but still delicious none the less. I think the pricing was fair and our waiter said most nights you do need a reservation so maybe it was an off night. I am only giving this a 4 because the behavior of a few select waiters in the dining room was a tiny bit unprofessional (I.E cursing, talking loudly about personal matters) but I'm sure they will work those kinks out. Overall, I will be back and would definitely recommend.

    (4)
  • Idella S.

    My guy and I, after not being seated at this place at least 3 times, finally get a chance to stop in. Perhaps those 3 times were tell us something. Beside the server being terrible, he also believed of not letting go of a situation without conflict. The pizza we had was cheap in quality, there are pizza places everywhere in that area and for the price we paid, we would have been better off in a grease spot. I'm thinking all the money was spent on decor and not ingredients. So... The server first asked..."Well do you make pizzas" and I knew the situation was going downhill. We were trying to be polite, just wanted to pay and leave, server offered to make us something else but we did not want it so strike two was "you've only tried two things, you can't base your opinion off those two things". But the issue is, this is a specialty pizza place, the menus is not so big therefore everything on the menus should be up to par. And finally the last thing the server said "Well everyone else likes it"... To say that "well everyone else likes it" diminishes individuals. We will not be returning. Money is better spent elsewhere. Also the Blood Orange Mojito was weak and I do not know why we had to wait for Mint .

    (1)
  • Micki O.

    Went tonight for a pre-show dinner. They seated us right way with no reservation, but the service was inattentive and the food was mediocre. We waited 15 minutes with no server, so I asked the busboy to send over the waitress and he offered to take our order. Everything came out choppy from there. Bread first - then oil 5 minutes later. Each of our drink orders came out with a 5 minute lag between. First my wine - then 5 minutes later my husband's coke - then five minutes later my daughter's milk. Appetizers were delivered about 20 minutes later and just as we were digging into those the entrees arrived. Then FINALLY our waitress showed up to check on us - the first time we saw her that night. The food was ok. I enjoyed the appetizers. We ordered the cheese plate, olives, and prosciutto. Nice presentation and tasty. The entrees were not anything special. I ordered the Rigatoni Pizzaioli - the sausage was good, but the pasta was overcooked and bland. My husband's Sausage and Peppers was barely ok - needed more Sausage and Peppers and less pasta. My daughter ate one slice of her cheese pizza. The decent apps can't make up for the entree and the shameful lack of service, so I will stick to a 2 star rating and have no intention of returning.

    (2)
  • Jess M.

    I went here with two of my friends for the Monday night pizza deal. We walked in and sat at the bar because there were only two other people in the restaurant. The bartender had a horrible attitude and was completely rude to me and my friends. He was insulting us to our faces. I don't know if he thought he was being funny or what. We opted out of staying for the pizza and left before ordering.

    (1)
  • Edward S.

    From outside it looks like it looks like a really cool place, inside details including the lighting and seating further this impression. I'm not sure if this is corporate or not but after being seated and looking over the menu it sure seemed like it. I will say they had some decent wines available in increments up to a bottle, which is nice. Service was nice enough albeit slightly unpolished. We ordered arancini and calamari to start. The calamari was really good actually, and the fried hot peppers with it and aioli were nice complements. By contrast the arancini were absolutely horrible- the outside was fried but not crunchy, the inside was gummy and oddly enough some of the rice was crunchy and underdone. And it wasn't even really hot when it arrived. We also ordered two sandwiches that came with cold fries and wilted freezer burnt lettuce. The pork sandwich was good, but when you're in Philadelphia and serving a $12 pork sandwich it needs to be great- little meat and broccoli rabe although the cheese on it was good. The other sandwich was forgettable as well. Two stars for good wine, the space and the calamari. I would return to try pizza at some point but probably not at my own suggestion.

    (2)
  • S L.

    I was hungry, went to the restaurant without searching for good reviewed restaurant, ordered calamari and margarita, the food didn't disappointed me. The service was pretty good. Anyhow, you can't go wrong with calamari and margarita pizza :)

    (4)
  • Clifford Q.

    We are always willing to try a new place and we wanted home cooked Italian and though why not. Overall the experience was great until we left and the hostess insisted on challenging us on a comment we made as we left. The service was great - Josh a very energetic server took care of us and intermittently we chatted with the manager Vinnie who made us feel welcome and he was incredibly entertaining. Both Josh and Vinnie made sure our experience was a good one. They seated us at booth 56 upstairs in the back against the front window. We had asked for a booth back and this was fine until we saw them setting up a buffet table next to us for a private party. As the guests gathered at the bar for the private party we asked to have our table moved so we would not be part of their evening. The noise level was annoying to say the least. Josh quickly moved us to a booth further up front which was fine. Service / food was fine. It was not the best in the neighborhood but well worth it for the cost. Josh was overwhelmed trying to serve tables in the midst of the party. Not fair to him or the folks sitting at tables in the middle of the party. When we left I told the hostess the everything was great except sitting where we did during a private party. She insisted it was not a private party and they were supposed to stay at the bar. If they were supposed to stay at the bar why then set up a table at the end of the room with their food next to the tables where other people like us were sitting. She said that the table we were at was the only one available. I replied well we moved and she came back with " when another table was available" NOT TRUE - The booth we moved to was empty the entire time. Now - maybe they do not consider 30+ people upstairs at the bar with a buffet table against the wall a private party but NEVER argue with a customer. I mean really - what ever happened to the customer is always right. Customer service just went out the window here. She is the first and last face you see.

    (3)
  • Rodrigo A.

    First time here on a Friday night after work. It was easy to get a reservation for 4 using OpenTable. Service was better than chain restaurants, they were very friendly. I had the Crab and Linguini Rossa. The flavor was good, but thinner slices would have blended the garlic flavor better in the dish. I hear they are known for their pizzas, so I will try one next time. Overall not a bad little spot nearby to grab a quick meal. I hope the foot traffic and/or some aggressive marketing will keep their doors open.

    (3)
  • Robert H.

    So 2nd time here...food is not bad although ive had better pizza...now heres the problem... Server obviously, lets say, hmmm, not unstoned...but thats not even the problem as thats pretty much the nature of the industry The problems are.... Never correct a guest when pronunciating menu items...caprese is usually pronounced 2 ways...long e or short e Ordering what is listed as a bottle of wine should be just that...not here...here u order higher priced wine and then are told it comes out in 2 caraffes...then when u get the carraffe its actually a half carraffe and u honestly dont know what ur drinking Then when customer brings to ur attention dont justify by offering something free just ensure to give customer what they ordered. On a plus side tge chicken maxima is deliscious the crabs and linguini awesome...not saying i wouldnt recommend...just be careful

    (3)
  • A M.

    My dad and I went here for dinner tonight as he wanted to try it. I ordered the Strawberry Bellini, Pear Salad and the Sausage and Peppers. He ordered the Beet Salad and the Margherita pizza. The Strawberry Bellini looked like it had strawberry in it, but it just tasted like champagne. The salads were ok, except the pears were not even close to being ripe. They were hard and had no flavor. The Margherita pizza was bland - my dad actually asked for salt. Salt for pizza?!? My main course was the opposite - I couldn't even eat the Sausage and Peppers as it was too salty. I told the waiter this, which I had never done before, and he offered to make another one that wasn't so salty for me to take home and I declined the offer. Then he said he would take 50% off the pizza b/c that is their Monday night special and 50% off the rest of the food since I was not happy with my meal. We decided to get dessert from a different place. I will not be going back to this restaurant.

    (1)
  • JP G.

    Are you kidding me with this place? Food was subpar. Fake cheese on their (greasy and very soggy) pizza??! Disgusting. Never again. Too bad I ordered delivery, otherwise would've sent back to the kitchen. Skip this place and go to Pizzeria Stella on 2nd. Or Pizza Brain in Fishtown.

    (1)
  • Danit H.

    I went with my friend for casual dinner couple Fridays ago and it was awesome. the service is spectacular!! they modify the menu for us, was very attentive and overall really really nice. The food was good. nothing fancy, and for the price, very satisfying. the drinks were great and also the dessert. I'll def. go again!

    (4)
  • Peggy B.

    We had brunch reservations for 10:30 am on a Saturday. Per their sign their hours for weekend brunch is 10am-3pm. We arrived at 10:20 and the doors were locked. We knocked multiple times and no one came. We called them the person who answered the phone said he wasn't sure of their hours. We finally got into the restaurant and sat at our table for 10 mins without anyone coming to our table to take our drink orders or give us water. We were the only people in the restaurant. We got up and left.

    (1)
  • Jayna B.

    Went here for brunch with WinnyD and enjoyed the breakfast pizza without meat and the spinach, sundried tomato and goat cheese omelette. Pretty good food, the server was a little linger-y but very kind and really wanted to please us. Large coffee cups which was nice. Italian coffee. Just nothing special but I would definitely go back to try their other meals.

    (3)
  • Shelly B.

    had a great pizza with a flight of Italian and local beers The atmosphere was casual yet elegant. Servers and staff were knowledgeable and friendly. We will most certainly return.

    (5)
  • Madeline K.

    Our experience here was extremely disappointing. We had made a reservation more than a week in advance to celebrate an older family member's birthday - we were seated upstairs (despite our requests to avoid the stairs) and still were made to wait over 30 minutes at the bar for our table. Our server was incredibly disrespectful. When we told him our reason for dining that evening, his response was to look at the guest of honor and say, "Well, happy freaking birthday." When we asked him a question about a dish, he was extraordinarily condescending, and behaved as if we were stupid to even consider asking. After that encounter, he seemed to be avoiding our table at all costs - I waited an extra 10-15 minutes just to see a gluten-free menu, and we had to ask to be served glasses of tap water. He forgot more than one drink order, and more than once had to be tracked down by the bartender or another server. When it became clear that he was not in the weeds, but rather willfully inattentive, members of our party got up scavenge extra napkins and plates for the appetizers from other empty tables nearby. We waited at least 45 minutes for our entrees, so I was expecting something really spectacular. What we got was so disappointing, and not worth the wait at all. I ordered the Crab Rossa - the pasta was disgustingly over-cooked and there was no trace of crab anywhere in that dish. Other dishes were equally lackluster - requests for accommodations (no peppers, please) were blatantly ignored. Despite knowing it was a birthday celebration, the waiter never offered any kind of special action - no candles in a dessert, no special drink, nothing. I'd heard really great things about Stella Rossa, and I was really excited to go, but this experience was so disappointing I don't think we'll ever be back.

    (2)
  • Margo v.

    Pizza was bland and dough boring. Pulled pork sandwich also boring. Salad lackluster. Total disappointment.

    (2)
  • Sue S.

    My husband and I went tonight before a show. We found the food to be VERY tasty, the decor/ambience to be appealing and the service to be good. Our biggest complaint was it was muggy in the restaurant (was a very hot day outside). I got the sangria which was refreshing and my husband had a cocktail. The bread with olive oil was quite good and we got the fried mozzarella as an appetizer. It had a smoky mozzarella filling which was a great touch. I had the gnocchi con bolognese sauce- delicious had slow roast meat instead of ground meat that traditionally comes in this dish. My husband got the chicken parm with fettuccine Alfredo. Also delicious The desserts came in small shot glasses. Just enough sweet to finish out the meal. Will definitely be going back.

    (4)
  • Vince C.

    Fantastic experience for a young restaurant. Staff and servers were really friendly and efficient. Also somehow they all had pretty good senses of humor. Our server especially. The food was reasonable and very tasty. Somehow fries are pretty easy for restaurants to screw up but they were excellent. My roast pork panini was a little soggy on the bottom from all of the juice from the pork, but I didn't care because the sandwich itself was amazing. I'll be back soon for sure.

    (5)
  • Kelly P.

    Went with a co-worker for dinner last night. I had been a fan of Square Peg (the restaurant previously in this spot), and I wanted to check out what had moved in. The decor is fantastic, as is the music. Lots of modern Italian charm and a solid Sinatra soundtrack to go with it. The service was quick and friendly. But of course, it's mostly about the food, isn't? Co-worker and I had the Orange Cello Cosmopolitan and a margarita of some kind. Neither was particularly great, which was surprising considering the waiter suggested the cosmo. They weren't BAD, but for the price, I wasn't impressed. The bread served was delicious, as was the Mozzarella Fritte. The marinara served with the Mozzarella Fritte was particularly tasty and had a nice zip to it. For the meal, we split the Tortellini Alla Vodka. The tortellini was...odd. It seemed over cooked, but at the same time, the centers of them tasted like flour. The sauce was a bit weak, in terms of flavor. Overall, we both decided we wouldn't order it again. For dessert, we had some kind of chocolate mouse, which was good. For $30 a person (including tip), it wasn't a bad meal. It just wasn't a great meal. We may be coaxed back to try a pizza, which is their self proclaimed specialty. But since all portions are meant for sharing (so said our waiter), my co-worker and I had trouble agreeing on a single pizza we'd both be really into. I wish they had individual portions instead of being all about the "sharing" aspect of each entree.

    (3)
  • Max C.

    Stopped in here by chance last Sunday and was totally surprised by how much I enjoyed this place. My friend and I were rushing to see a show at the walnut and needed to grab something in a hurry. We saw this place had pizza and we hoped to grab a quick slice or two. We ended up getting a small pie (8 slices) in about 5 to 6 minutes perfectly and freshly prepared to order. It was delicious! AND to top it off: it was only $5!!! Where can you beat a deal like that? Especially when we got all sorts of toppings added to it as well. Cheap. Tasty. Plus, the whole service staff was delightful and super fun to talk to. Very accommodating to our hurried situation. I cannot wait to go back and actually sit down at a table and enjoy this place for an hour or two!

    (5)
  • Kami B.

    I was hesitant to even try this place because there were so many mixed reviews. But I was pleasantly surprised. The service was great and the food was good. We started with the mussels in white sauce which were ok, next time I would try them in the spicy sauce. We also have the tomato & mozzarella antipasta which was tasty. For my main course I had the sausage and peppers....it was absolutely delicious! I will definitely return to this place to try the pizza!

    (4)
  • Todd E.

    Great place! Good service, great food - try the Short Rib ravioli - wonderful. perfect place to go before a show at walnut street theater!!

    (4)
  • Liz G.

    Love this place! I am always looking for a good happy hour spot in center city- nothing too expensive, good atmosphere and crowd and good food (also vegetarian friendly). This place is all of those things. I have been here multiple times already for both happy hour and lunch and have no complaints. The bar staff has always been really nice and good to talk to. I could come here with coworkers, my friends, boyfriend and family- it is great for everyone. They had a great cocktail featured for happy hour for sips this week. The $5 pizza for happy hour is delicious and could be a whole meal! I really recommend stopping in.

    (5)
  • Johanna B.

    Better half loved this place, i felt there was something lacking in flavor and seemed more slapped together than crafted, but i'm a snob when it comes to pizza. Super crowded but great service even on a super busy night. Great ambiance, seems like it could be very romantic, but it's pretty loud and crowded.

    (3)
  • Tania C.

    Clam linguine was delicious but the servers are a bit too much...my friend and I were sitting near the computer ordering system and could hear them bickering and shit talking about every one. Also if you're going to ask how the food was every 3 min expect a real world answer. -2 stars for ambiance and consistent attempts to up-sell subpar/ok Italian food

    (3)
  • stephen f.

    A less than stellar evening at Stella Rosa. We arrived to a mostly empty restaurant at about 8:30 in the evening and were seated promptly. The room is quite nice and was very quiet, not surprising given the sparse crowd. Our server arrived after a bit and informed us that they had just been completely slammed by a pre-theater crowd. We thought little of it, until the confusion began. First, the server skipped over one of our party of five when taking the order and we had to give a shout to get his attention as he wandered away. Then he delivered the wrong wine. After a haphazard delivery of appetizers (one salad apparently had to be remade for some reason), our server informed us that they were out of pizza, negating one of our orders. Now, if they had known that up front, I could understand it, but to only get around to telling us halfway through the meal seemed odd. So, okay, we flowed with the change and ordered the gnocchi with meat sauce. We watched as the server started to place the order in the computer and dropped his head into his hands. He didn't have the heart to return to our table himself and sent a runner over to tell us they were out of meat sauce. The food, overall was fairly good. Nothing to rave about, but a solid three to four star effort without the service issues. So, I'll leave them at two stars. They took the price of one entree off the bill, which seemed a bit minimal. We were going to have a chat with a manager, just to let them know their effort had not been up to par, but he was no where to be found.

    (2)
  • Thomas G.

    Went this afternoon for a late lunch despite the pouring rain; so glad that we did. I received an Open Table gift cert for the holidays and redeemed it here since its close and its a new restaurant; the braised meatballs app was delicious; the pizza and rigatoni were also really good. Had a few Dogfish's as well, which are always great. The service was very good; nicely paced since we weren't in a rush, and our server, Greg, was attentive and very nice, even though it seemed he was busy at times. We look forward to returning and trying some new things, but we definitely NEED those meatballs again! :)

    (5)
  • Carly A.

    Came here last night after a show. Our server was Rachel I think, super friendly and was a wonderful waitress! Really quick and really nice. The kitchen was only open for another 15 minutes when we got there, so she made sure she got our orders in, in enough time but without rushing us. I had the gnocchi bolognese, which was delicious! My brother had the four cheese pizza, which looked really good. Really cool atmosphere and pretty well priced!

    (4)
  • Angelann M.

    Saw this place while walking back to my hotel...SO i thought i'd give it a try for dinner..I ordered the calamari and mussels...yummy...also ordered me the white pear sangria...the bartender Larry was awesome!Very helpful and nice. I will definitely go back here again when i come back to Philadelphia.

    (4)
  • Michael Y.

    I went tonight with a friend. The place looks great, and I love the design. The food was fine but wasn't extraordinary. I had spaghetti and meatballs; the gravy was slightly watery, and I prefer my gravy hearty. I ordered a blood orange mojito that wasn't quite on point; I should have stuck with wine. And I felt the service was uneven. The waiter was pleasant and friendly, but he noticeably lacked a sense of time management, which seems like Food Service 101. He was tremendously slow to get our drinks and our orders, way too fast with executing the meal, and then way too slow with administering our bill. I suppose it was commiserate with my expectations for a relatively young restaurant in a city that's saturated with Italian joints. I'm sure the server and the food will improve over time. But for now, it was just "meh."

    (2)
  • Valerie D.

    I wanted to like this place so much! The ambiance was decent, it was close to Forrest Theatre and theatre goers get 10% off. Plus, everyone was so nice. But the salad was drenched with dressing and tasteless and the crab pasta was light on the sauce and unremarkable. The desserts were in tiny glasses but only cost $3 so I won't complain about that. Overall, food left much to be desired.

    (2)
  • Robin H.

    We had a large group for a family birthday and everything - from service to drinks, apps, entrees and desserts was terrific. Our server kept up with our drinks, water and bread consumption. I had veal saltimbocca that was delicious. I would recommend Stella Rosa to anyone for a casual night or special celebration. Deliciousa!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

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.

Pizza

Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.

Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.

Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.

Barra Rossa Ristorante & Wine Bar - Philadelphia

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