Simple traditional Italian BYOB, with good food and a nice atmosphere. The owner is friendly and helpful, the food is standard but quite good. And it is more modestly priced than most comparable restaurants. But then again it is not trying to be a fancy high end gastronomic experience. I would consider it ideal for a regular night out in midweek and/or for just me and my partner, though prob not my first choice for a special occasion - but a good tasty meal had a good value. Cash only.
(4)
Dingus M.
2 Stars for the service. 4 Stars for the food. We went with a party of more than ten and they accomodated us. The server was an elderly woman who was very pushy and rude when taking our order and giving us the food. It's a shame because I thought the food was pretty good and reasonably priced. I ordered the salmon dish, it was in a lemon sauce and it came with vegetables and potatoes and I thought it was excellent. Also, the bread was really good.
(2)
Carla F.
I've been to this restaurant several times over many many years. It has that great philadelphia ByOB vibe. Unfortunately not much has changed over the years and I think the inside is very dated and almost dirty. We sat outside which was a pleasant experience. Food was very average. I would love to see a place like this evolve with the times but thus far, it hasn't.
(3)
Elise M.
Bistro La Baia is my least favorite restaurant in the history of ever. Seriously. I have never been to a restaurant with such terrible service and such a rude staff. When we entered Bistro La Baia, we were standing in the area between the door and the hostess stand, which is about 1 square foot wide. Because there wasn't much space some of the people in my party were standing in the doorway with the door open. The hostess (who I think is also the co-owner), aggressively demanded that we close the door. The entire staff spoke rudely to us the whole evening. Our party of 10 was seated in a space that should really have been for 4 people. I was so cramped and uncomfortable during my meal. When I tried to go to the bathroom, it took eons because the walkways are so skinny that only one person can pass through at a time. When I was walking back to my seat from the bathroom, a waiter was trying to get through from behind me and actually pushed me out of the way to barge through. We raised our concerns to the owner, who proceeded to scream at us. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. I've read through a bunch of the Yelp reviews, and my experience is definitely not unique. Countless other people have reported the exact same rudeness and terrible customer service. The food was fine. Wasn't bad, but was nothing too memorable.
(1)
Virginia E.
I was literally lol-ing at some of the reviews describing the service as super friendly. Our waiter was SUCH a curmudgeon, but the other 3 people I was w/ had a pretty excellent sense of humor so it was more funny than anything. It was tight in there, as other people have said, and it made it a little tough to get up w/o sticking my butt way too close to the table next to us. That said, the food was reasonably priced, delicious, and piping hot. I had the capellini monte e mari and enjoyed it very much. Giving more bread and dipping oil would have been appreciated, along w/ refilling the waters, but c'est la vie. Also, the tiramisu was just ok. Go here if you're looking more for decent Italian pasta and not a lot of atmosphere.
(3)
Mark P.
My first time going was today at lunch; it was phenom! I loved it and can't wait to go back again. I work at 17th & JFK, so its just a 5-ish minute stroll down 17th. The atmosphere is the nicest; its every bit as nice as any of the casual places I've been in Europe (London, Paris, Milan or Rome and more). When you look around and see the silver and glassware sparkling and hear the beautiful music playing, you'll know what I mean. The food was Excellent; the prices were Excellent ($$+ so its not as cheap as a hot dog cart, but you get what you pay for); the host was Excellent-- I am definitely making this my go-to spot for an awesome lunch! (LOL! Editing here after having just read some of the other reviews. I actually signed-up on Yelp just to give them my review, the owner was *that* kind to me and such a gracious host! But, its got a European flare to it- the tables are tiny and extremely close to one another; I can see how some people would be uncomfortable with that, especially if they're not expecting it. And if some of the staff were rude to someone on a busy night, well then that someone obviously never had a waiter in Paris stab the steak knife into your table top when he delivered the knife you'd requested twice; LOL! It happens! Waiting on tables is a rough business, so tip well and try not to be offended too easily! As for me; I LOVE the place!)
(5)
Jonathan H.
The food here is good. The seafood angel hair pasta I ordered was well cooked and flavorful. For calamari and mussels at a BYOB, $18 seems like a fair price. The special for the night, however, was a simple spaghetti with ground beef at $19. I thought it was overpriced for what it was. Where they really lost me was the service. The waitress, a middle aged woman with a very slight accent that could've been from any large East coast city, was rude, never cracked a smile, and insisted that our payment be recounted multiple times because, in her words, "I bet they counted wrong". I understand the need to double check, but do you really need to vocalize it in such a condescending way? I don't know how they've stayed in business with that level of service. Hopefully their other servers have more common sense.
(2)
Katie P.
I am a huge fan of Italian BYOB's and this was my first in the city. The place is small and cozy, but if you call ahead of time they can most likely accommodate larger groups. I once went with a group that took over half the place, but I have gone with a smaller group as well. Either way definitely worth checking out. Just remember it is cash only.
(4)
Randal S.
The eating experience here is better than the food. If you like to sit down and take your time eating, as I do, this is a great option. The food was good, but not great.
(3)
Kelly M.
I've been here several times for dinner and always leave happy. The service is fast and friendly and the food is good and priced appropriately. The gnocchi is always awesome and they're very accommodating with dietary needs. The only time I was ever unhappy was when I ordered the lobster ravioli. It was expensive for only receiving 5 raviolis. Highly recommend a reservation because you may wait without one!
(4)
Herbie H.
As many other reviewers have stated, it is a wonderfully tiny Mom & Pop Italian / cash only / BYOB. I went on Valentine's Day with a group of 4 total and had an enjoyable, but cramped meal. The space is TINY. And I honestly don't think they could fit another table in the space. After awkwardly climbing over people to get to our seat, the meal was good. The bread seemed a little stale, but I wasn't that put off by it. I ordered the Risotto with Salmon, which was simple and delicious. It was a pretty sizable portion, and the risotto was perfectly cooked. Service was average, but understandably busy considering the occasion. Prices were a bit higher than they appeared on the online menu, but nothing too shocking.
(4)
Anya R.
Pretty good BYOB, very reasonably priced. Had the lobster ravioli - thought it was excellent.
(4)
Erin E.
I've always said LaBaia has been one of my favorite Italian restaurants--the food is great-- but I feel like the owners need a vacation. They've gotten progressively grumpier over the years. After a terse greeting, we were seated in a tiny uncomfortable nook INCHES away from another couple. I could smell the woman next to me (she smelled fine, but I could SMELL HER). We requested to move because there were a bunch of other tables available. The specials were recited to us like we were about to audit their restaurant. The dude came over every 3 minutes and asked us "You ready?". We weren't. It made me very anxious. As a Leo, I need to constant approval of my peers. I am friendly and I don't understand why these guys don't like me. WHY WONT THEY LIKE ME? The pot brownies started to kick in when our entrees arrived so that was pretty sweet. Two and a half stars.
(3)
Natalee F.
I've never heard anyone talk about this place and I'm not sure why. It's a really cute BYOB that's worth checking out. The inside is really reminiscent of your Italian grandmother's dining room - compact and cozy. You'll be sitting close to the people next to you, so if that type of thing bothers you, then this is not the place for you. The service was really attentive and friendly and the food came out pretty quickly, which was nice, because I was starving. The meal started out with hot, freshly baked bread! That's always the best way to get on my good side. I'm never a fan of cold bread. Sicilian eggplant appetizer - the perfect accompaniment to the bread! An assortment of fresh vegetables and olives in a vinaigrette sauce. I could have used a bit more cheese. Gnocchi with red sauce - this was served in a huge portion. The sauce was flavorful and they provided lots of grated cheese for me to pour on top! I had to take about half of it home, and it actually tasted even better the next day. Desserts were just traditional Italian fare, so I decided to skip them. Cash only!
(4)
Kate V.
The staff here is friendly. They will make sure that you get the food that you want. And it is all served quickly. I would recommend this restaurant to you if you like Italian food.
(5)
Aruna A.
I've been here three times now with friends for a large party - birthday, retirement, and another birthday. In a city of really good Italian, it's good. But far from great! The starters are rather large portions, but not that creative. Each time I've been here, I've had a boring salad (honestly, it was the only option I was open to / interested in). The pasta I had was pretty darn delicious and on point (penne arrabbiata) - but honestly, that is pretty hard to get wrong - and it wasn't blow your mind good, but it was certainly good. The dessert was good - again not great. The thing that I really appreciated about this joint, was the service. We've had large parties here both times, and both times they were MORE than accommodating and helpful, which I really appreciate. There are just other Italian options I'd pursue first!
(3)
Tyler L.
Two words...Chicken Parmesan. It isn't on the menu, but ask for it. La Baia is interesting...definitely a mom and pop joint (which I love) with good italian food. Who doesn't like an inexpensive italian meal? And its a BYO. I would recommend this as a date or for a group of friends...or a double date. Just a relaxed place to grab some good food. I think one of the complaints is the service...but with all mom and pop type places, you need to engage the waiter before they will take the best care of you. So be nice and you have nothing to worry about. Solid little BYO.
(4)
Nicole H.
Still a solid 4-star establishment. If you're looking for an under-$20 meal (or $30 if you're going to spring for an appetizer) where you can bring your own favorite booze, and sit outside if you'd like, then Bistro La Baia is for you. I almost always order the Penne Arrabiatta ($14), which I love, but last time got the Salmon appetizer ($8) and Caesar Salad ($7). Both were delicious, and the bread came out so piping hot it could've burnt our hands (this is a good thing). I'm glad I live so close to this place, because it's a solid choice on a random night when my friends and I feel like going out somewhere. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to come here - I'm sure every neighborhood has their own La Baia - but if you happen to live within a 5 block radius I'd absolutely consider trying it out.
(4)
April F.
Great restaurant lobster raviolis and eggplant appetizer are decadent. Service was great and reasonably priced definitely recommend
(5)
Trish R.
Worst service I have ever received in Philadelphia. Took 25 minutes to get menus, rude host, couldn't even get check to pay. Did not get enough silverware nor napkins, our wine was never opened. I am just flabbergasted by their audacity and outright rudeness.
(1)
Laura B.
I really liked this place. We had a party of 6 during Restaurant Week and we were treated very well. Offered both Restaurant Week menu and regular menu. Allowed to sit and enjoy without being rushed. Food was great for everyone in my party. Loved the calamari appetizer! Attentive service. Will be back!
(5)
Beth B.
I came here on a Saturday night at 9pm with TEN people. We had reservations somewhere else which got messed up (WTF!) and we happened to pass by Bistro La Baia around the corner. Out of some type of good luck, the small restaurant had one large table open at that very moment! What are the chances? This restaurant is very small but it is very cozy and it didn't feel like we were eating dinner with the tables around us. It is BYO with no corkage fee. We tried the calamari, mozzarella, ceasar, and mushroom appetizer... everything was great but the Mushrooms were outstanding. The Lamb Chops will probably be the one thing that will get me to come back... ASAP. They were phenomenal, and also pretty inexpensive. They converted my boyfriend into a fan of lamb... which I have been trying to do for a few years. Pastas were fresh with delicious sauces. Service was great, which is rare for such a large group. Can't wait to go back....!
(5)
Ceasar B.
- Ordered the salmon dish for my entree. Nothing exciting, but no complaints. - Very tiny. Feels homey. - Some of the tables are stacked up in such a way that it's hard to get up without making many other people get up as well. - Cash only. BYO. - Pretty
(3)
Melissa P.
This place is a decent, classic, Italian BYOB, but nothing extraordinary. I know it's pretty small inside, but both times I've been I sat outside which was really nice. The service leaves something to be desired. Had the grilled calamari, which was good, and very simple. Just remember, it's not going to come out crispy or deep fried, so if you're not into that, don't order it. I think I've tried the fish and veal, neither left a lasting impression. I had a groupon here one of the times I came and that was a pretty good deal, so I'd definitely come back with a groupon, but probably not otherwise. Brick is right around the corner (although not BYOB) if you want good food, and La Viola and Fontana della Citta are within blocks and are better Italian BYOBs. Cash Only.
(3)
Sneha K.
Worst customer service ever. The hostess was rude the second we entered. The waiter was extremely impatient. I ordered the mushroom and shrimp appetizer and it was pretty terrible. We tried to talk to owner about the rude staff but he started SCREAMING at us. I would not go there ever again.
(1)
Arin S.
La Baia is small and seems to be family-owned, and I love the vibe. More than that I love the affordable prices and that it's BYO with no corkage fee. The bread and soups are amazing, the service is good, and we've never had to wait to be seated (with a reservation). It loses a star because the food, though sometimes good, is sometimes pretty mediocre.
(4)
Kumar S.
Had a groupon deal here. The food was ok, service sucked. 2 old men work there greet you at the door and seat you. Very small, AC (on a hot day) barely made the place cool. Cash only. Advice to owners: the food wasn't that great, so you should at the least make it up with better service so people don't leave thinking "I'll never come back to this place"
(2)
Molly P.
The food was delicious, but the service was only standard. We sat outside, it's a cute romantic place. Its BYOB and cash only. My boyfriend LOVED the lobster ravioli.
(4)
Carolyn L.
Groupon strikes again! Groupon is great because it allows you to try places you've never been... if you don't like it, you have the satisfaction of knowing you didn't pay full price. If you do, then you have the satisfaction of knowing you'll be bringing your business back to said establishment. Regrettably, this time, it was the former of the two. Upon walking in to white tablecloths and neatly set place settings, I thought this place might have some class and hoped the food would follow suit... I was sorely disappointed. The service here is very curt. I can usually overlook sub par service if the food compensates. Unfortunately, in this case...it did no such thing. The food here is just bland and boring. I received overcooked pasta in a flavorless vodka sauce with some sweet italian sausage. My dining companion had a similar opinion of his dish which was the pasta special of the day. The only thing that was enjoyable was the Mozzarella La Baia... though it is pretty difficult to mess up slicing a ball of mozzarella, a tomato, and some roasted red pepper and slapping basil on top. Even here, the tomato was not ripe. I was, for the first time, mad at how bad the food was for the price. Better pasta can be had at most ordinary pizza shops for half the price. I was very surprised to see that most of the people that joined us in the dining room that evening had made reservations! If you're thinking about going here, don't. Go to one of the many, far better Italian BYOs this city has to offer. Off of the top of my head I can think of: Popolino, Il Cantuccio, Modo Mio, Monsu... Each having perfectly executed food, good service, and a far more imaginative menu. If you for some reason decide to eat here, note that it is cash only. Luckily, we did our homework and were prepared.
(2)
Julia K.
For months, I've been wanting to go to La Baia for dinner, and last night my boyfriend suggested an impromtu date night...woo hoo! We grabbed a bottle of wine and walked over, and we knew immediately that it would be delicious. You walk in, and it feels like you're in your grandmother's living room. There is something so incredibly homey about this place from the decor to the staff. I love the kind of places that are more hole-in-the-wall where you can hear the server just verbalize the order to the chef, and La Baia is certainly that kind of place! We started with the fungi appetizer, which was absolutely enough for the two of us to share with the bread basket before our entrees came out. I got the gnocci with pesto and my boyfriend got pasta with sausage in a vodka cream sauce. They were both very filling, and the perfect comfort food for a chilly night. For dessert we shared the "Dark Side of the Moon" cake...chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and ganache...how could you possibly go wrong?! The prices were also completely reasonable. Our check came to a total of about $50 including tax and everything. There were only two other tables in the time that we were sitting (it was a Wednesday night), and the waitstaff knew them both. Bistra La Baia is the kind of place where I'd love to be a regular and feel like I'm part of the family too! I cannot wait for our next date night--I've already picked out what my next meal will be!
(5)
Gia M.
The food here is good. The staff is horrible. Our meal was so rushed, the owner even had the nerve to tell us that we needed to hurry up and order so they could turn the table. Yet, we waited 40 minutes for bread. Would never go back. There are much nicer Italian BYOBS in the area with better food, WAY better service, and comparable prices. Go to La Viola or La Fontana instead.
(2)
Johnson H.
I was introduced to LaBaia for the first time from my sister that's now living in Philly. I must say that this is one of my favorite Italian places I've ever been too! We were starving and so of course over ordered for any two people should for a late dinner :P BUT it was so delicious and well worth the pounds we put on!! We started off with a wonderfully grilled calamari served w/ a lemon herb oil dip. (It was freaking awesome!) 2nd appetizer was a baked portabella mushroom topped w/ herbs, garlic, parmigiana shrimp. Also delcious! Then we had mussels in white wine sauce that was so good we had to ask for more bread to sop up the sauce. Along w/ the mussels we shared an order of pappardella w/ sausage in a cream sauce that was just prepared wonderfully. the pappardella was al dente throughout the dish. It has been a while since I had really good italian food that even makes me excited just thinking back as I write this here at home in the washington dc metropolitan area. Only thing to remember when you visit here is that its CASH ONLY!! Kind of a inconvenience if you forget and have to go looking for an ATM. Also it's BYOB so bring a good bottle of wine with your visit :)
(4)
Vichet O.
I arrived here a bit ahead of the party that I was joining. The host seated me promptly, and offered to open the bottle of Malbec I'd brought with me. I thanked him and poured myself a glass while I waited. And then my dates arrived. All 16 of them. Just kidding, though I was in fact the only guy at the table - thank you, ballet class. Wine gets poured, orders are taken - soup of the day and calamari - and all the usual comings and goings of a restaurant occur thereafter. I know complimentary bread with olive oil is a standard thing, but I still find it to be delicious, so that was pleasant. The food came out, and I thoroughly I enjoyed their mushroom soup. Their grilled calamari was also good - nice charred flavoring, while at the same time retaining a moist, springy-but-not-chewy texture. Service was quick and efficient, if not overly familial. Suggestions came out quickly, along with answers to any questions we had. Bottles were opened when they needed to be, water was poured when it was empty, nd empty bottles were taken away. All in all, this place is nice - cozy and quaint. Nothing I'd write home about, but definitely worth a visit. You may love it. Also, I like that it's a BYO. Though, I may want to hit it on less busy nights. Pro-tip: Be prepared to be around a lot of college aged folks. Meaning you may make guest appearances in lots of Facebook pictures. Also, this place is cash only!
(3)
Ricky A.
Experience was mediocre to the point that I won't go back: The restaurant is extremely! packed and all the diners are crowded into two small rooms. Hard to get the attention of the servers - on top of that, they are pretty rude. Food is decent, but I'll choose to go to larger, more hospitable BYOs where the food is just as good or better.
(2)
Michael S.
La Baia is an interesting place. The italian food here isn't amazing, however for the money and service its pretty good. I've never had a bad experience here, but I've never left craving for more. The first time I went I ordered a stuffed pork chop which was delicious. The second time I had the seafood spaghetti plate which was average. Its BYOB which is a huge plus. Service is very good.
(3)
Beth W.
I came back to update my review of La Baia because we have been there several times over the last year and a half and every single time we love it. We eat out a lot in the city, and it is almost impossible to find a BYOB as friendly, consistent, and delicious as La Baia. Last Friday night four of us stopped into La Baia around 7:30 thinking we might be able to grab a table, and sure enough the waiter sat us at a comfy table in the back corner. I have to point out first that the service here is impeccable, they time everything just right so you don't feel rushed or waiting around for anything. They had our wine opened and served quickly (always important!) and were attentive and accommodating throughout our meal. Our wine glasses and water glasses were always full, and our meals all came to the table at the same time. All of this sounds like normal restaurant behavior, but after being let down by a few well known places, it is refreshing to be treated like a GUEST and not just another customer. I ordered the Talapia special, with capers in a white wine sauce - it was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. I like to try to eat healthy when I go out to dinner and this was a nice light option that was still full of flavor. My boyfriend loves lamb so he ordered the lamb shank, and it was amazing. We were both thrilled with it and look forward to having it again next time we go. Our friends we equally happy with their meals. As we moved our way through dinner the restaurant had filled completely and some tables had 6 or more people. Even though they were extremely busy, our check came when we asked for it, and we paid without any waiting at all. In addition, the waiter thanked us on our way out for coming in.
(4)
Mike F.
I have no idea why the ratings are the way they are for this place, the food is great and they always have great specials. Just moved in the area and can't wait to be back soon.
(4)
Rubinsohn M.
Place is classic. A bit crowded at times but great down home Italian food. Try the Caesar, funghi app, and don't be afraid to taste those specials!
(4)
Diana W.
I had a groupon for the bistro, so I took my friend this week and headed over. It was 6pm on a Wednesday- and the place was empty when we got there. The host (owner?) was....grumpy is a nice way to put it. Not friendly. The woman who took our orders was a bit more friendly, but only a bit. As we got there the other couple in the restaurant expressed displeasure at their mushroom appetizer (something about them being burned?) so we went with the calamari appetizer. It was divine. Very flavorful! I had the linguini special- w/ pancetta, peas and vodka sauce. My friend had veal with mushrooms. My pasta was amazing- seriously, delicious. But the veal- left a lot to be desired. The portions were very generous- but my friend's meat was tasteless. Overall i'm giving it 3 stars because i enjoyed my appetizer and meal- but the service left lots to be desires, as did my friend's meat dish. oh- i will say- the bread is out of this world. it was warm and crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. if you want good bread and pasta served by grumpy people- this is definitely your place.
(3)
Lisa S.
While in Philly last weekend, my friend and I went to dinner at Bistro La Baia. It's one of her favorite restaurants, and she was excited to have me try it. We arrived around 6:30 on a Friday night. We didn't have reservations, and there were a few larger parties that night, so we had a choice of a cramped table in the corner (with a 1 hour limit, as they'd need the table for someone with a 7:30pm reservation), or a table right in front of the door. The restaurant was tiny, like most good Philly BYOB restaurants. However, the number of tables and arrangement made it feel a bit cramped. I think the restaurant is owned by a couple and the waiter is their son (pure conjecture!). Throughout the dinner, I couldn't tell if the staff was friendly or unfriendly- they were just very straight-forward and to the point. However, there were a few regulars there who they talked to for awhile and seemed friendly with. They promptly opened up our bottle of wine, and then brought us some bread. It was delicious, and served with a bowl of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We ran out of bread quickly and asked for more- they brought us some, but didn't refill our olive oil (sadface). For appetizers, we both ordered Caesar salads ($7 each). I ordered mine without cheese and with dressing on the side (I'm not supposed to eat dairy), and not only was he nice about me being high maintenance, the salad also came out correctly. For our entrees, I ordered potato gnocchi in pesto sauce ($12) and my friend ordered the lobster ravioli ($14). I didn't try her ravioli, but she said it was her favorite dish there. My gnocchi was delicious but the sauce was a tiny bit heavier than I was hoping (but still good). We ate ourselves full and still had plenty of pasta left to take home. Overall, Bistro La Baia was cute, small, inexpensive, and had minimal frills. Most importantly, the food was tasty and came in quantity. I would definitely go back next time I was in Philly!
(4)
Melissa W.
The food here isn't bad per se, but neither is it particularly good. The pasta was not al dente enough. When the centerpiece of your dish is pasta, it had better be cooked to perfection. The sauces were fine, nothing out of the ordinary. The mushroom appetizer was sauteed with onions, breadcrumbs and parmesan crumbles. There may also have been a few pieces of shrimp hidden in there. While tasty, it was nothing I couldn't make myself. The grilled calamari was also fine: a little on the rubbery side, but the lemon butter herb dip was good. Portion sizes were pretty decent, but prices were a little expensive for what you were getting (~$17 per home-style pasta dish). Service wasn't overtly friendly, but neither was it rude. It was perfunctory and serviceable. Also the lighting is now super bright. It used to be super dark. Find a happy medium, people! All in all, there are better Italian BYOS that cost the same or less, so I would say skip this place unless you're in the area and don't mind paying a lot of money for blandish homecooked food.
(2)
Jackie B.
La Baia is right outside my door, which makes it a super convenient spot to grab dinner. You can usually get a table outside when it's nice out with no wait. It's a BYOB and there's no corkage fee. The staff is friendly. I only wish the food were a little better. It's basic Italian food. Nothing modern or fancy. And it's not bad, but it's not amazing, either. The texture of the gnocchi is great, but the pesto it comes in is way too salty. The best bet is the special of the day, which is often lamb. Also... this place is cash only. I almost never have any money on me, so I always have to plan in advance before going here.
(3)
Rob H.
Dining experiences are creatures of happenstance, as indicated by the variable reviews below of this cozy and simple neighborhood bistro. Expectations can be difficult, especially for a no frills place like this that is not working especially hard to impress, but rather is focused on feeding folks a good meal at a fair price. While I concur that I would not drive across town to dine at La Baia, I would also not hesitate to return here next time I was catching a show at one of the many theaters nearby. Prices are quite reasonable, portions were perfect and well prepared, and the menu seems to have something to please just about every appetite. The menu consists of basic northern Italian dishes sprinkled with a few non-traditional Italian dishes (e.g., New York strip steak). There is nothing that is altogether fancy -- unless you consider lobster ravioli or salmon risotto "fancy." Essentially, it is reliable home cooking for neighborhood clientele and anyone else who happens to stumble upon this quiet corner. Comments about the neighborhood being sketchy are unfounded. This is a perfectly safe place to be at night. And that's coming from a guy who does not live in the city! Service was casual and polite, although I could see how these guys could also be quite frank and, yes, perhaps even a bit gruff on occasion. Whatever the case, the staff seemed genuinely loved by the regulars, who seemed to make up more than half of their customer base on this Saturday night. We arrived fairly late for dinner (10:30), but they generously accommodated us, served us quickly, and we showed our appreciation by not lingering too long. Result -- everyone was happy! All said, Bistro La Baia is a mighty fine choice for a no nonsense, inexpensive, and "home cooked" meal if and when you find yourself in the area of SE Rittenhouse Square.
(4)
Abhi K.
I went there two nights in a row because my friends love it. I don't understand why. The food was mediocre and the portions are only average. I finished my meal both nights and still had room for more food. I got lobster ravioli the first night and the calamari and linguini the second night. There just wasn't enough flavor in the sauces. As for the ravioli, I have had much better filling in a ravioli. I thought there was too much cheese and not enough lobster in there. Also, the place is extremely cramped. It is a very small restaurant and you feel like you are walking over other people to get to your table and exit the restaurant. I guess it could be considered cozy if you were on your date. But then again, if you were on a date, be prepared to have the people at the next table hear all of your mushy gushy sweet nothings
(2)
Ashley G.
The pros: Generous Portions Great Location (I'm bias since I live two blocks away) Relatively inexpensive Complementary bread with oil The cons: Crammped Stuffy Cranky and Poor Service This restaurant normally caters to large groups so it can get loud very quickly. As such, the staff tends to get impatient and cranky later in the evening. I went last Friday at 9:00 pm with a group of 8. Needless to say it took quite a while for the water and bread to be served. The food is tasty enough, nothing too earth-shattering, but not repulsive either. You also normally have leftovers which is always a plus.
(3)
Christie I.
Terrible, rude service + mediocre flavorless pasta = one start rating. I should have asked my friend to pick a new restaurant when I saw that this place had such low ratings on Yelp. If it wasn't for the great company of friends I was with, the owner/manager/head server at this place would have ruined my night. First and foremost, the servers were not doing their job. They never refilled our wine glasses. The server seemed annoyed when I asked him clarifying questions on the specials - he literally started walking away as I was still asking a question. We had to ask them to take away our plates once we were done eating because we got tired of staring at them. They seemed bothered to be doing their job - ex #1 "Could you bring back our wine to refill our glasses?" Result: Bottle gets plopped down on the table. No one serves it and they don't bother to take it back to continue chilling it. The calamari spicy marinara pasta dish had no flavor - it was not spicy, it was not flavorful and, frankly, it looked like crap when it was served on the plate. No pride in presentation what so ever. The risotto salmon that I ordered tasted good but upset my stomach all night and morning (no need to add details). The cherry on top of it all was that when the bill came, we were still finishing our wine and talking. The were other parties also wrapping up their dinners in the restaurant, empty tables, no wait. The servers stared at us from the head of our table and from the kitchen entrance way. They just kept sending us these non-verbals that they clearly wanted us to leave - but not the other customers. We hadn't been obnoxious or loud so I really don't understand what caused them to treat us so rudely. He even grabbed the finished wine bottle from our table without saying a word to us and threw it away - since I was planning on keeping the blue bottle I had to ask him to return it. The night was just full of these awkward exchanges caused by these reluctant servers who missed the memo that to be a server you should enjoy serving people.
(1)
Ari B.
Excellent and authentic Italian. Must try the mushroom and shrimp app!
(5)
Paul H.
Had a nice meal on a Tuesday evening. I think our server was actually the owner, who was attentive and charming in an old world sort of way. The food wasn't drop dead amazing, but very solid Italian fare. (I especially enjoyed the grilled calamari appetizer!) The dining area is VERY small, and a bit worn - could feel pretty crowded on a weekend night, but midweek it was quite intimate and charming. LOVE the BYOB option - don't think there was even a fee for corkage (but not sure.) Cash only - go prepared!
(3)
Daniel G.
I had my graduation party here with my family and it was a great meal. Food was delicious, but the service was so so. The woman who was working did not seem happy at all. I will definitely love to go back with a smaller group. It might be a more pleasant experience.
(3)
Christina P.
I live two doors down from this place and wanted to try it for the longest time. They are always packed when I walk by at night (only open for dinner). Luckily, one night when la viola and la fontana had ridiculous waits, this was next on my list. We arrived just as a large party was clearing out so we were seated right away which was nice. What wasn't so nice is that we were squeezed into a tiny table right by the door when there were plenty of other open tables. Anyway, looking past that the food was pretty good. We ordered the calamari, which to our surprise was grilled and not fried. It was good but kind of bland without the breading. I ordered penne with eggplant and marscapone cheese, and my date had some sort of ravioli. They were both really tasty. Nothing crazy, but good, simple italian food. The portions are large, and I had enough of my pasta to take home and eat for another meal. The prices are reasonable as well, and they have a pretty good selection on their menu, which is usually not the case at tiny BYOBs. They are cash only though, so make sure you bring some.
(4)
Mikey I.
This is a quiet neighborhood BYOB, cozy interior. The fare is basic American-Italian, nothing super authentic nor experimental. It's cheap and pretty good for the spectacular pricing. Our waiter was very friendly on the one visit we've made. I'd go again if I were in the neighborhood.
(3)
elle m.
This is the kinda place where everyone knows your name - 1. Because it is so small, you have to sit on top of the table next to you and 2. because if you aren't a regular, don't bother going. They clearly don't care to make you one either. That said, the food is pretty great. My BF is a big Italian food fan and I think I saw him contemplating licking the plate. I am not an Italian fan so I went with the steak special and loved it. The upside is the food is great and price reasonable since it is a BYO, but the downside is it looks slightly better the 1995 Days Inn.
(2)
Michelle L.
Hmm I'm giving out way too may five-star reviews, but there's really something about La Baia that I love!! It's a tiny, shabby chic Italian restaurant... Homey yet still soft and romantic. I honestly think it's great for any occasion - a date, dinner with friends, rush event... You name it. The staff is very accommodating and the food comes out QUICK, even if you have a huge party that's hijacking the restaurant. Service is a bit unintentionally brusque, nothing objectionable. Adds to the rustic atmosphere I guess!! There's something about the bread here that's so good! It's always so piping hot and tastes amazing in the olive oil. I've had two of their pastas, the linguine alla vongole (in red sauce; excellent), and a penne dish with eggplant in a pink sauce. Both were really hearty and satisfying. As long as you don't expect anything out of the box here, just some simple Italian home cooking, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Laura S.
Bistro LaBaia is one of my go-to restaurants for BYOB dinners with a large group. It's a small place, so you will definitely need to get reservations if you're planning to bring a crowd. Pin your friends down to make plans in advance, because it is definitely worth it. The menu is solid Italian food. I haven't found it to be particularly innovative, but everything is well-done. The prices are reasonable and the portions generous. The grilled calamari are delicious, and if you go with friends you're going to need more than one order to share with everyone. The pollo involtino is good, but ask about the specials of the day because they're often worth trying. I've had some great fish entrees, although I could not tell you what they were! I've had some off experiences in terms of service, but again I'm usually here with a lot of people, which can be a challenge in such a small space. It's easy to overlook a bit of inattentiveness when you've got a dozen friends and as many bottles of wine to pass around the table while you wait.
(4)
bill c.
Had a Groupon that expired on 8/1. Wife called on 7/31 to make reservation for 8/1 and the first words out are " do you have a coupon"? Yes, she replied. "Well, that's expired". She noted the coupon expired on 8/1 and he hung up?!?!?!?!! Luckily, I wasn't within walking distance when he dissed my wife.
(1)
Jessica W.
In a city full of Italian BYO's, La Baia stands out for the wrong reason--their terrible service. The two owners have been blatantly rude to us and to other guests we've sat near on multiple occasions. I had eaten there nearly a dozen times when all of a sudden they decided to arbitarily charge a corking fee. There was no mention of it when we sat down or ordered, nor was it on the menu. It was just an attempt for the hostile husband and wife owners to make an extra few bucks and aggravate good customers. They have also been known to ask guests who they deem are taking too long to leave since they want to turn over the table. Nonetheless, the food and value are pretty good; however, I can't stand to give such inconsiderate people my money.
(2)
Jessica B.
Seriously disappointing. We had a MAJOR problem (a bug!!! big one with scary legs!!!!) with our food and the apology was a dessert "to split" which one of us could not eat. When explaining that one could not eat dairy, they essentially said, sorry, oh well, then there's nothing we can do. Totally unacceptable response to bugs in food. I'll never be back and I wouldn't recommend it. Sensitivity Scale = -5
(1)
Junior M.
Friendly, inexpensive, great food, byob. What else could you ask for?
(5)
Wesley P.
Cheap solid italian food. Service is So-So
(3)
Kim B.
I was wandering around in search of dinner while on business in Philadelphia. I walked by La Baia, and the aroma coming from inside was incredible! I was the only customer at 6:30pm on a Thursday night. Seemed like a classic Italian restaurant, and I was hopeful I would have delicious food and warm, friendly hosts. I ordered the pasta special: linguine with onions, peas and vodka sauce. The peas were not fresh - probably frozen, with a chalky texture and weird flavor. The vodka sauce was just okay, and a bit on the salty side. It was a large serving I didn't finish for $20. Way over priced in my opinion, especialy when the food was just "so-so." Service was the bare minimum. Cash only. BYOB.
(2)
Julia S.
BYO which is always a good thing. Went with two of my girlfriends. The server (an older man who might be the owner or something like that) was a little arrogant. Maybe I should say unfriendly and to the point. We shared a mussels app...sauce was amazing! I had the Lobster Ravioli which was also amazing. My friends had a chicken entree and a pescatore type entree. I'd say mine was the best though. Bread was warm and addictive (especially dipped in the app's sauce). I'd recommend it for small groups. It's TINY!!! Seriously, there can't be more than maybe 30 people in there?! Great prices, too.
(4)
Caroline S.
I visited Bistro La Baia with a group of 11 for a holiday work party. The staff was extremely accommodating even when we called 10 minutes prior to our reservation and said we were running late and needed to add an extra head to our table. We were seated immediately and were assisted in opening our wine bottles. Orders were taken promptly and appetizers and bread (amazing or maybe I was just starving by this point) were served. Our food came out in a rather reasonable time for our large party. But it's the food were the lack of star comes in.. Prior to my visit to La Baia, I peaked at their menu and yelp profile and knew I wanted to try the lobster ravioli as it seemed to be a fan favorite. I found mine to be lacking, literally. There were a total of 5 ravioli on the plate. I actually had to pace myself while eating or I would have been done in minutes. The light cognac sauce had the similar robust flavor of canned spaghettiOs. Absolutely dreadful. However most of my group appeared more than pleased with their meal. The pricing was also standard at about $20 a person. If I do return to La Baia, I will be trying something else on the menu. Suggestions?
(3)
Amber P.
This was one of my favorite haunts when I lived in Philly. I found it by chance, walking around the 'hood. Anyway, it is absolutely fantastic. Great little BYOB that has food that is consistently very good. I never found it to be horribly crowded so it was always a place to drop by even if we didn't have reservations. Try the gnocchi and the grilled calamari. Yum! Be careful - they accept cash only and be sure to bring a bottle of wine or you'll be out of luck! There is an ATM in the restaurant if you need it, but it charges a fee.
(4)
Jaclyn B.
It was super crowded with lots of twenty and thirty something's, like myself. I was surprised I knew about half of them. It's so close to home, so I wanted it to be a laid back kind of spot. The food was not good.
(2)
Jeremy J.
I find it hard that Bistro La Baia stays in business with all the competition from other top notch Italian Byo's neary by. (La Fontana, La Viola). Italian food is my favorite kind of food so when I step into an italian place the work is already half done in terms of pleasing me. However, the inside was cramped. The food was subpar and overall I was unimpressed. I was with a party of 4. We started out with an appetizer of caprese. The tomato was nowhere near ripe. (and when your serving a dish that consist of mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil and seasoning the tomato must be a good tomato). My dish was not memorable. I think the dish of the night went to the person that ordered the lobster ravioli. I think that the best thing that night was the wine however.
(2)
Marisa F.
We were brought here by my sister the first time we visited her in Philly. La Baia is definitely yummy, with generous portions of traditional Italian fare. I am a fan of BYOB, but the cash-only policy is a little frustrating (my husband had to walk down a shady side street to grab a wad of cash from an ATM after we were done eating). The restaurant is cramped, so if noisy isn't your thing this might not be the place for you. But if you can get past the screaming kiddies or go later in the evening, I could definitely see this being a cute date spot. A solid 3 stars.
(3)
Rachel O.
I have gone here a bunch of times, and always really enjoy the cozy atmosphere. If you have a problem with cramped tables and possibly the smallest sit down restaurant size ever, then you probably won't like it. The mushroom appetizer is out of this world, and I've always had great pasta dishes from here (Lobster Ravioli, Penne Arrabiata, and some other Chicken dish). Last time I went, we ordered the Salmon Carpaccio expecting carpaccio...but really we got lox. That's the only downside that I've experienced so far. But all in all, its a cute neighborhood byob with character.
(4)
Vinh T.
i LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!! I love italian food for sure but La Baia is some place i will bring my friends here again and again. Maybe this place is a little small but i love it cuz it's coxy and cute. The menu is ok compare to other italian restaurants i've been to. I love the calamari and the pasta they have here. Did i mention the cheescake? Get ready to loose your button cuz you'll love this place and its food will keep you eating.
(5)
PP F.
Went for a huge group dinner where we basically filled every seat of this small restaurant. The staff was amazing in terms of getting all our food out in a timely manner. We ordered several appetizers to share. So I tried the baked mushrooms and shrimp as well as the grilled eggplant. Both appetizers were just so so. Got the walnut encrusted salmon for my entree, which I was pleased with. The salmon was cooked well and the orange zest give it a little tang while the walnuts gave it more texture. Had their homemade tiramisu for dessert. You can taste the coffee and liquor a little too much in each bite. Their dessert portions are huge, meant to be shared.
(3)
marykris g.
I have to say, after reading all of the negative reviews of this place, I was very impressed. My friend and I had dinner there this week and found the staff to be helpful as well as attentive. The lobster ravioli is amazing and so was the baked mushroom app that we split. For two entrees and an app, our bill was surprisingly cheap. Great outdoor seating as well. The place is small so I would suggest making a reservation.
(4)
Parisa S.
Fresh bread that's piping hot? Check. Fabulous outdoor seating? Check. Good food? Check. Reasonable prices? Check. BYOB? Check. What's not to love? -1 star b/c the staff isn't the friendliest.
(4)
Shawn M.
We ate here a few weeks ago and it isn't a place that I think I would definitely revisit. The grilled calamari was great however the Lobster Ravioli dish we had was below par. The dish didn't have a great taste and was very minimal in size. This restaurant is a BYOB which makes it much more appealing. If you are looking for a moderate priced italian restaurant it might tempt your palate but I think there are much better options in Philly.
(2)
Laura H.
I went here with my 4 friends. It is a small place and since it was nice out, we sat outside. We had purchased a groupon for 4 dinners and 2 app. We ordered the calamari for an app and it was amazing. I ordered the capellini mare monti and it was great and a huge portion. My friends ordered the risotto and lobster ravioli. Both were good but you only got 5 ravioli. I wish I had gotten another groupon and will definitely go back
(4)
Emma D.
I actually had a wonderful experience here. We made reservations - definitely necessary, and when we arrived a bit early we were actually seated quite quickly. We sat outside even though it was a bit chilly, but it was entertaining people watching.... Quite a crowd of young college kids which could have definitely been annoying if we'd had to sit inside when they took the place over. I also loved the food. Starting out with grilled calamari - it was tender with a definite grill flavor and the dipping sauce was delicious olive oil/lemon/garlic. We split gnocci (half pomodoro sauce, half with pesto) and one of the evenings specials lamb chops. The gnocci was rich and both sauces were quite good. The lamb chops were absolutely incredible though - 5 decent size lamb chops with a lovely marsala-type red wine based sauce and mashed potatoes that even someone from the midwest can approve. I do wish they'd listed the specials somewhere, as it was a bit difficult to clearly understand the waiter when he described them. Service was not the most attentive ever, but our waters were refilled often and we did not have to wait long either to order or to get our food.
(5)
Ken C.
Excellent restaurant for a small group or a dinner for two. BYOB. The melanzane eggplant appetizer is excellent. The salmon is always fresh and a huge portion. The owner George is there most evenings and greets you at your table. The chefs have been there for years and have consistent food. The mare a Monte is excellent. Once when I ordered it the owner came and apologized that he did not want to serve the mussels to me as he thought they could be more fresh. At the end of the meal, he provided a free chocolate cake for dessert for the inconvenience. I live two blocks from this restaurant and go once a week. If you are seeking a quiet private dinner this may not be the place especially on a weekend as it is always packed.
(5)
Louis T.
The food's slightly gloopy and overly sweet. Then again, the service is good and some people go for that kind of thing.
(2)
Becky S.
Delicious! The pasta selections are great. I love La Viola and always go there but wanted to try somewhere new and I was very happy. They have similar menus but I think the service is better here - seems more family run and authentic. Can't go wrong with a good italian byo!
(4)
Pauline S.
large posteriors + small walking areas = frequent invasion of personal space but thankfully (BYO + good company + delicious food) is greater than annoyance of squishy butts
(3)
Me C.
My husband and I ate here on our anniversary and it was crap. The wait staff were rude, making us move tables to accommodate friends of theirs halfway through our starters. Seriously, we had to pick up our plates with half- eaten starters and find another table. My husband's food was bland and I got sick later that night after eating the mussels.
(1)
Caitlin C.
For some reason, people love this little Italian eatery. It is wicked small, and can get loud. But such makes a great Italian BYOB eatery's atmosphere. The reason it gets 3 stars from me was the food. It wasn't spectacular Italian at all. Actually there is another reason: service. The wait is usually ridiculous (make reservations) and the servers are kinda cold and unfriendly. And if you are in an aisle seat, prepared to get bumped by the servers going in and out of the kitchen!
(3)
maia w.
I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT. i come here to celebrate, or to mope after a difficult week. the service is terrific! they always remember my face AND what my favorites are. it's affordable for the area. being a BYO doesn't hurt. i recommend reservations, but if you want to walk in, do it early in the evening. the neighborhood crowd starts walking in by around 8pm most nights. it's a fantastic place, but snug in seating. what they lack in space they make up for in freshness of food and friendly service. best italian for me in the city without a doubt.
(5)
Xiao C.
I advise anyone to stay away from this place, unless you enjoy being insulted/yelled at by the restaurant owners. Service was rude from the minute we walked in. We were meeting friends who had been holding a table for us. Granted we were running a bit late, but there was NO ONE else waiting so we really didn't think it was necessary to treat us like criminals. The restaurant is so crowded that one has hardly room to breathe. When the lady who would later serve us (presumably one of the restaurant owners) was standing by the door, my friend could not get up to go to the bathroom. I asked her politely if she could move to the side so my friend could go use the restroom, she told me in a very rude voice to "just wait" (not sure what she was doing...). We were also told that we would have to vacate the table in 45 min (although it turned out no one had reserved our table) We were later joined by two other friends who did not eat an entree (but four of us ordered appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee, spending over $30 per person), but at no point in the process did they have to make ANYONE wait on a table or turn anyone away because we were "taking up" their precious seats. I suppose this was still enough reason for them to categorize us as customers who came to take advantage of their restaurant. Our candle at the table was never lit, and every one of our dishes was served with a good dose of contempt. When the bill came, we were quite surprised to find corking charges and roughly 20% gratuity added to our bill (neither was mentioned anywhere on the menu or by our server). When we politely inquired about these charges, we were yelled at by the restaurant owner (presumably husband of afore-mentioned lady) that he had been in the restaurant business for over 20 years and that we were not in a position to tell him what to do. Food was decent but by far did not offset even a fraction of the terrible experience.
(1)
Angela C.
We went on a friday night around 7:30pm and it was pretty empty. The crowd started to roll in around 8:30pm to 9pm. It is a small and crowded place but very charming like La Viola. The specials included pork chops, shell pasta with sausage, lamb chops and tilapia. My future father in law had the shell pasta with sausage and it came in a large portion. It was creamy and the sausage was very flavorful. My fiance had the lobster ravioli -- I couldn't taste much lobster from my bite but he loved it. It had the same creamy sauce as the sausage pasta dish. I had the veal with porcinni mushroom. It came with mashed potatoes and veggies. Pretty good as well. The veal was cooked just right and thin. The sauce was good. Our favorite was really the dessert course. We had the 3 layer chocolate cake and the ice cream rolled in chocolate shavings. The ice cream was great. Dense but also light in flavor and the shavings were delightfully crunchy. We will go again.
(4)
Nadine J.
Decent place, service very accomodating. Like La Viola, is very cramped but personable. I had the penne arrabiata but wasn't the biggest fan of it, which may be why i'm holding out on the last star. It didn't have that much sauce and was a bit more spicy than I was comfortable with (and I can handle my spicy!). I tried some of my friend's dishes though, and they seemed better. With the prices though, definitely worth a try. Just be sure to get reservations because this place gets packed!
(3)
Sharon G.
Really disappointing! They cut corners everywhere and the food seriously suffers for it. One of the worst restaurants I've been to in Philly. Just sad, really.
(1)
Siobhan C.
I live near La Baia and eat there fairly often. It's my standard go-to place, because the food is always delicious and it's reasonably priced. I absolutely adore the grilled calamari and the eggplant pasta entree. I agree with previous reviewers that the staff is not overly friendly, but I always thought they were very efficient and certainly never rude. If you don't have time to dine in, a take-out order is usually ready in 20!
(4)
callie b.
I'd heard good things about this place, but my friend and I were not impressed. The food was fine, but nothing I would go back for. We split a salad that said it included apples, which turned out to be something unrecognizable that looked like it came from a can. Our chicken was weirdly chewy. While the penne vodka was good, it was not any better (probably worse) than the penne vodka at comparable Italian BYOs in the area. Will not be going back anytime soon, if ever. Big disappointment.
(2)
Ray D.
The key to this place is knowing what to order because there really are a few duds on the menu. Also, I think that the specials are the same every time I come here--with one very important exception. They occasionally have veal osso buco which they prepare expertly. I often call ahead to see if they're serving it before I decide to come in. The mushroom appetizer is also very good and the lobster ravioli is the best I've ever had. It's a great place to eat outside when the weather permits but the comfort of that osso buco keeps me coming back during the cold winter months.
(4)
matthew l.
Dependably good food at reasonable prices. Outdoor tables in fair weather can be pleasant as there is worse outdoor dining in Philly than on this shady section of Spruce Street.. Service is jadedly professional and as rote as one can expect from senior staff working a room decades longer than their original plan. But food arrives timely and sometimes there is little difficulty getting your glass refilled.
(3)
Jason B.
Good food. Prices are reasonable. BYOB a huge plus. I had the penne amatriciana with some chicken on top and it was great. Salads were delicious as well. It's a small menu, but presumably they do a few dishes and do them right. The restaurant is somewhat cramped to put it lightly. If it's full, don't expect to move around too much, and expect a good amount of noise. All in all though, it's a nice place with good food. I'm not really sure what the other reviews are talking about with the service. The woman (I'm guessing the owner), was extremely gracious and chatted with us after our meal, even inviting us back for restaurant week and telling us what would be on the menu. It wasn't crowded, but still the service was exceptionally fast.
(3)
Sharon W.
This eatery like many others in Philly is a BYOB and is small and cozy. The grilled calamari was pretty good; however the pastas were too salty. Since most restaurants in the city do a decent job with calamari. I really don't think this restaurant is that spectacular since there are so many other Italian restaurants in Philly that are more worthy. A stellar example would have been Melogranos, but unfortunately they are closed now.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Ron C.
Simple traditional Italian BYOB, with good food and a nice atmosphere. The owner is friendly and helpful, the food is standard but quite good. And it is more modestly priced than most comparable restaurants. But then again it is not trying to be a fancy high end gastronomic experience. I would consider it ideal for a regular night out in midweek and/or for just me and my partner, though prob not my first choice for a special occasion - but a good tasty meal had a good value. Cash only.
(4)Dingus M.
2 Stars for the service. 4 Stars for the food. We went with a party of more than ten and they accomodated us. The server was an elderly woman who was very pushy and rude when taking our order and giving us the food. It's a shame because I thought the food was pretty good and reasonably priced. I ordered the salmon dish, it was in a lemon sauce and it came with vegetables and potatoes and I thought it was excellent. Also, the bread was really good.
(2)Carla F.
I've been to this restaurant several times over many many years. It has that great philadelphia ByOB vibe. Unfortunately not much has changed over the years and I think the inside is very dated and almost dirty. We sat outside which was a pleasant experience. Food was very average. I would love to see a place like this evolve with the times but thus far, it hasn't.
(3)Elise M.
Bistro La Baia is my least favorite restaurant in the history of ever. Seriously. I have never been to a restaurant with such terrible service and such a rude staff. When we entered Bistro La Baia, we were standing in the area between the door and the hostess stand, which is about 1 square foot wide. Because there wasn't much space some of the people in my party were standing in the doorway with the door open. The hostess (who I think is also the co-owner), aggressively demanded that we close the door. The entire staff spoke rudely to us the whole evening. Our party of 10 was seated in a space that should really have been for 4 people. I was so cramped and uncomfortable during my meal. When I tried to go to the bathroom, it took eons because the walkways are so skinny that only one person can pass through at a time. When I was walking back to my seat from the bathroom, a waiter was trying to get through from behind me and actually pushed me out of the way to barge through. We raised our concerns to the owner, who proceeded to scream at us. TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. I've read through a bunch of the Yelp reviews, and my experience is definitely not unique. Countless other people have reported the exact same rudeness and terrible customer service. The food was fine. Wasn't bad, but was nothing too memorable.
(1)Virginia E.
I was literally lol-ing at some of the reviews describing the service as super friendly. Our waiter was SUCH a curmudgeon, but the other 3 people I was w/ had a pretty excellent sense of humor so it was more funny than anything. It was tight in there, as other people have said, and it made it a little tough to get up w/o sticking my butt way too close to the table next to us. That said, the food was reasonably priced, delicious, and piping hot. I had the capellini monte e mari and enjoyed it very much. Giving more bread and dipping oil would have been appreciated, along w/ refilling the waters, but c'est la vie. Also, the tiramisu was just ok. Go here if you're looking more for decent Italian pasta and not a lot of atmosphere.
(3)Mark P.
My first time going was today at lunch; it was phenom! I loved it and can't wait to go back again. I work at 17th & JFK, so its just a 5-ish minute stroll down 17th. The atmosphere is the nicest; its every bit as nice as any of the casual places I've been in Europe (London, Paris, Milan or Rome and more). When you look around and see the silver and glassware sparkling and hear the beautiful music playing, you'll know what I mean. The food was Excellent; the prices were Excellent ($$+ so its not as cheap as a hot dog cart, but you get what you pay for); the host was Excellent-- I am definitely making this my go-to spot for an awesome lunch! (LOL! Editing here after having just read some of the other reviews. I actually signed-up on Yelp just to give them my review, the owner was *that* kind to me and such a gracious host! But, its got a European flare to it- the tables are tiny and extremely close to one another; I can see how some people would be uncomfortable with that, especially if they're not expecting it. And if some of the staff were rude to someone on a busy night, well then that someone obviously never had a waiter in Paris stab the steak knife into your table top when he delivered the knife you'd requested twice; LOL! It happens! Waiting on tables is a rough business, so tip well and try not to be offended too easily! As for me; I LOVE the place!)
(5)Jonathan H.
The food here is good. The seafood angel hair pasta I ordered was well cooked and flavorful. For calamari and mussels at a BYOB, $18 seems like a fair price. The special for the night, however, was a simple spaghetti with ground beef at $19. I thought it was overpriced for what it was. Where they really lost me was the service. The waitress, a middle aged woman with a very slight accent that could've been from any large East coast city, was rude, never cracked a smile, and insisted that our payment be recounted multiple times because, in her words, "I bet they counted wrong". I understand the need to double check, but do you really need to vocalize it in such a condescending way? I don't know how they've stayed in business with that level of service. Hopefully their other servers have more common sense.
(2)Katie P.
I am a huge fan of Italian BYOB's and this was my first in the city. The place is small and cozy, but if you call ahead of time they can most likely accommodate larger groups. I once went with a group that took over half the place, but I have gone with a smaller group as well. Either way definitely worth checking out. Just remember it is cash only.
(4)Randal S.
The eating experience here is better than the food. If you like to sit down and take your time eating, as I do, this is a great option. The food was good, but not great.
(3)Kelly M.
I've been here several times for dinner and always leave happy. The service is fast and friendly and the food is good and priced appropriately. The gnocchi is always awesome and they're very accommodating with dietary needs. The only time I was ever unhappy was when I ordered the lobster ravioli. It was expensive for only receiving 5 raviolis. Highly recommend a reservation because you may wait without one!
(4)Herbie H.
As many other reviewers have stated, it is a wonderfully tiny Mom & Pop Italian / cash only / BYOB. I went on Valentine's Day with a group of 4 total and had an enjoyable, but cramped meal. The space is TINY. And I honestly don't think they could fit another table in the space. After awkwardly climbing over people to get to our seat, the meal was good. The bread seemed a little stale, but I wasn't that put off by it. I ordered the Risotto with Salmon, which was simple and delicious. It was a pretty sizable portion, and the risotto was perfectly cooked. Service was average, but understandably busy considering the occasion. Prices were a bit higher than they appeared on the online menu, but nothing too shocking.
(4)Anya R.
Pretty good BYOB, very reasonably priced. Had the lobster ravioli - thought it was excellent.
(4)Erin E.
I've always said LaBaia has been one of my favorite Italian restaurants--the food is great-- but I feel like the owners need a vacation. They've gotten progressively grumpier over the years. After a terse greeting, we were seated in a tiny uncomfortable nook INCHES away from another couple. I could smell the woman next to me (she smelled fine, but I could SMELL HER). We requested to move because there were a bunch of other tables available. The specials were recited to us like we were about to audit their restaurant. The dude came over every 3 minutes and asked us "You ready?". We weren't. It made me very anxious. As a Leo, I need to constant approval of my peers. I am friendly and I don't understand why these guys don't like me. WHY WONT THEY LIKE ME? The pot brownies started to kick in when our entrees arrived so that was pretty sweet. Two and a half stars.
(3)Natalee F.
I've never heard anyone talk about this place and I'm not sure why. It's a really cute BYOB that's worth checking out. The inside is really reminiscent of your Italian grandmother's dining room - compact and cozy. You'll be sitting close to the people next to you, so if that type of thing bothers you, then this is not the place for you. The service was really attentive and friendly and the food came out pretty quickly, which was nice, because I was starving. The meal started out with hot, freshly baked bread! That's always the best way to get on my good side. I'm never a fan of cold bread. Sicilian eggplant appetizer - the perfect accompaniment to the bread! An assortment of fresh vegetables and olives in a vinaigrette sauce. I could have used a bit more cheese. Gnocchi with red sauce - this was served in a huge portion. The sauce was flavorful and they provided lots of grated cheese for me to pour on top! I had to take about half of it home, and it actually tasted even better the next day. Desserts were just traditional Italian fare, so I decided to skip them. Cash only!
(4)Kate V.
The staff here is friendly. They will make sure that you get the food that you want. And it is all served quickly. I would recommend this restaurant to you if you like Italian food.
(5)Aruna A.
I've been here three times now with friends for a large party - birthday, retirement, and another birthday. In a city of really good Italian, it's good. But far from great! The starters are rather large portions, but not that creative. Each time I've been here, I've had a boring salad (honestly, it was the only option I was open to / interested in). The pasta I had was pretty darn delicious and on point (penne arrabbiata) - but honestly, that is pretty hard to get wrong - and it wasn't blow your mind good, but it was certainly good. The dessert was good - again not great. The thing that I really appreciated about this joint, was the service. We've had large parties here both times, and both times they were MORE than accommodating and helpful, which I really appreciate. There are just other Italian options I'd pursue first!
(3)Tyler L.
Two words...Chicken Parmesan. It isn't on the menu, but ask for it. La Baia is interesting...definitely a mom and pop joint (which I love) with good italian food. Who doesn't like an inexpensive italian meal? And its a BYO. I would recommend this as a date or for a group of friends...or a double date. Just a relaxed place to grab some good food. I think one of the complaints is the service...but with all mom and pop type places, you need to engage the waiter before they will take the best care of you. So be nice and you have nothing to worry about. Solid little BYO.
(4)Nicole H.
Still a solid 4-star establishment. If you're looking for an under-$20 meal (or $30 if you're going to spring for an appetizer) where you can bring your own favorite booze, and sit outside if you'd like, then Bistro La Baia is for you. I almost always order the Penne Arrabiatta ($14), which I love, but last time got the Salmon appetizer ($8) and Caesar Salad ($7). Both were delicious, and the bread came out so piping hot it could've burnt our hands (this is a good thing). I'm glad I live so close to this place, because it's a solid choice on a random night when my friends and I feel like going out somewhere. I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to come here - I'm sure every neighborhood has their own La Baia - but if you happen to live within a 5 block radius I'd absolutely consider trying it out.
(4)April F.
Great restaurant lobster raviolis and eggplant appetizer are decadent. Service was great and reasonably priced definitely recommend
(5)Trish R.
Worst service I have ever received in Philadelphia. Took 25 minutes to get menus, rude host, couldn't even get check to pay. Did not get enough silverware nor napkins, our wine was never opened. I am just flabbergasted by their audacity and outright rudeness.
(1)Laura B.
I really liked this place. We had a party of 6 during Restaurant Week and we were treated very well. Offered both Restaurant Week menu and regular menu. Allowed to sit and enjoy without being rushed. Food was great for everyone in my party. Loved the calamari appetizer! Attentive service. Will be back!
(5)Beth B.
I came here on a Saturday night at 9pm with TEN people. We had reservations somewhere else which got messed up (WTF!) and we happened to pass by Bistro La Baia around the corner. Out of some type of good luck, the small restaurant had one large table open at that very moment! What are the chances? This restaurant is very small but it is very cozy and it didn't feel like we were eating dinner with the tables around us. It is BYO with no corkage fee. We tried the calamari, mozzarella, ceasar, and mushroom appetizer... everything was great but the Mushrooms were outstanding. The Lamb Chops will probably be the one thing that will get me to come back... ASAP. They were phenomenal, and also pretty inexpensive. They converted my boyfriend into a fan of lamb... which I have been trying to do for a few years. Pastas were fresh with delicious sauces. Service was great, which is rare for such a large group. Can't wait to go back....!
(5)Ceasar B.
- Ordered the salmon dish for my entree. Nothing exciting, but no complaints. - Very tiny. Feels homey. - Some of the tables are stacked up in such a way that it's hard to get up without making many other people get up as well. - Cash only. BYO. - Pretty
(3)Melissa P.
This place is a decent, classic, Italian BYOB, but nothing extraordinary. I know it's pretty small inside, but both times I've been I sat outside which was really nice. The service leaves something to be desired. Had the grilled calamari, which was good, and very simple. Just remember, it's not going to come out crispy or deep fried, so if you're not into that, don't order it. I think I've tried the fish and veal, neither left a lasting impression. I had a groupon here one of the times I came and that was a pretty good deal, so I'd definitely come back with a groupon, but probably not otherwise. Brick is right around the corner (although not BYOB) if you want good food, and La Viola and Fontana della Citta are within blocks and are better Italian BYOBs. Cash Only.
(3)Sneha K.
Worst customer service ever. The hostess was rude the second we entered. The waiter was extremely impatient. I ordered the mushroom and shrimp appetizer and it was pretty terrible. We tried to talk to owner about the rude staff but he started SCREAMING at us. I would not go there ever again.
(1)Arin S.
La Baia is small and seems to be family-owned, and I love the vibe. More than that I love the affordable prices and that it's BYO with no corkage fee. The bread and soups are amazing, the service is good, and we've never had to wait to be seated (with a reservation). It loses a star because the food, though sometimes good, is sometimes pretty mediocre.
(4)Kumar S.
Had a groupon deal here. The food was ok, service sucked. 2 old men work there greet you at the door and seat you. Very small, AC (on a hot day) barely made the place cool. Cash only. Advice to owners: the food wasn't that great, so you should at the least make it up with better service so people don't leave thinking "I'll never come back to this place"
(2)Molly P.
The food was delicious, but the service was only standard. We sat outside, it's a cute romantic place. Its BYOB and cash only. My boyfriend LOVED the lobster ravioli.
(4)Carolyn L.
Groupon strikes again! Groupon is great because it allows you to try places you've never been... if you don't like it, you have the satisfaction of knowing you didn't pay full price. If you do, then you have the satisfaction of knowing you'll be bringing your business back to said establishment. Regrettably, this time, it was the former of the two. Upon walking in to white tablecloths and neatly set place settings, I thought this place might have some class and hoped the food would follow suit... I was sorely disappointed. The service here is very curt. I can usually overlook sub par service if the food compensates. Unfortunately, in this case...it did no such thing. The food here is just bland and boring. I received overcooked pasta in a flavorless vodka sauce with some sweet italian sausage. My dining companion had a similar opinion of his dish which was the pasta special of the day. The only thing that was enjoyable was the Mozzarella La Baia... though it is pretty difficult to mess up slicing a ball of mozzarella, a tomato, and some roasted red pepper and slapping basil on top. Even here, the tomato was not ripe. I was, for the first time, mad at how bad the food was for the price. Better pasta can be had at most ordinary pizza shops for half the price. I was very surprised to see that most of the people that joined us in the dining room that evening had made reservations! If you're thinking about going here, don't. Go to one of the many, far better Italian BYOs this city has to offer. Off of the top of my head I can think of: Popolino, Il Cantuccio, Modo Mio, Monsu... Each having perfectly executed food, good service, and a far more imaginative menu. If you for some reason decide to eat here, note that it is cash only. Luckily, we did our homework and were prepared.
(2)Julia K.
For months, I've been wanting to go to La Baia for dinner, and last night my boyfriend suggested an impromtu date night...woo hoo! We grabbed a bottle of wine and walked over, and we knew immediately that it would be delicious. You walk in, and it feels like you're in your grandmother's living room. There is something so incredibly homey about this place from the decor to the staff. I love the kind of places that are more hole-in-the-wall where you can hear the server just verbalize the order to the chef, and La Baia is certainly that kind of place! We started with the fungi appetizer, which was absolutely enough for the two of us to share with the bread basket before our entrees came out. I got the gnocci with pesto and my boyfriend got pasta with sausage in a vodka cream sauce. They were both very filling, and the perfect comfort food for a chilly night. For dessert we shared the "Dark Side of the Moon" cake...chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and ganache...how could you possibly go wrong?! The prices were also completely reasonable. Our check came to a total of about $50 including tax and everything. There were only two other tables in the time that we were sitting (it was a Wednesday night), and the waitstaff knew them both. Bistra La Baia is the kind of place where I'd love to be a regular and feel like I'm part of the family too! I cannot wait for our next date night--I've already picked out what my next meal will be!
(5)Gia M.
The food here is good. The staff is horrible. Our meal was so rushed, the owner even had the nerve to tell us that we needed to hurry up and order so they could turn the table. Yet, we waited 40 minutes for bread. Would never go back. There are much nicer Italian BYOBS in the area with better food, WAY better service, and comparable prices. Go to La Viola or La Fontana instead.
(2)Johnson H.
I was introduced to LaBaia for the first time from my sister that's now living in Philly. I must say that this is one of my favorite Italian places I've ever been too! We were starving and so of course over ordered for any two people should for a late dinner :P BUT it was so delicious and well worth the pounds we put on!! We started off with a wonderfully grilled calamari served w/ a lemon herb oil dip. (It was freaking awesome!) 2nd appetizer was a baked portabella mushroom topped w/ herbs, garlic, parmigiana shrimp. Also delcious! Then we had mussels in white wine sauce that was so good we had to ask for more bread to sop up the sauce. Along w/ the mussels we shared an order of pappardella w/ sausage in a cream sauce that was just prepared wonderfully. the pappardella was al dente throughout the dish. It has been a while since I had really good italian food that even makes me excited just thinking back as I write this here at home in the washington dc metropolitan area. Only thing to remember when you visit here is that its CASH ONLY!! Kind of a inconvenience if you forget and have to go looking for an ATM. Also it's BYOB so bring a good bottle of wine with your visit :)
(4)Vichet O.
I arrived here a bit ahead of the party that I was joining. The host seated me promptly, and offered to open the bottle of Malbec I'd brought with me. I thanked him and poured myself a glass while I waited. And then my dates arrived. All 16 of them. Just kidding, though I was in fact the only guy at the table - thank you, ballet class. Wine gets poured, orders are taken - soup of the day and calamari - and all the usual comings and goings of a restaurant occur thereafter. I know complimentary bread with olive oil is a standard thing, but I still find it to be delicious, so that was pleasant. The food came out, and I thoroughly I enjoyed their mushroom soup. Their grilled calamari was also good - nice charred flavoring, while at the same time retaining a moist, springy-but-not-chewy texture. Service was quick and efficient, if not overly familial. Suggestions came out quickly, along with answers to any questions we had. Bottles were opened when they needed to be, water was poured when it was empty, nd empty bottles were taken away. All in all, this place is nice - cozy and quaint. Nothing I'd write home about, but definitely worth a visit. You may love it. Also, I like that it's a BYO. Though, I may want to hit it on less busy nights. Pro-tip: Be prepared to be around a lot of college aged folks. Meaning you may make guest appearances in lots of Facebook pictures. Also, this place is cash only!
(3)Ricky A.
Experience was mediocre to the point that I won't go back: The restaurant is extremely! packed and all the diners are crowded into two small rooms. Hard to get the attention of the servers - on top of that, they are pretty rude. Food is decent, but I'll choose to go to larger, more hospitable BYOs where the food is just as good or better.
(2)Michael S.
La Baia is an interesting place. The italian food here isn't amazing, however for the money and service its pretty good. I've never had a bad experience here, but I've never left craving for more. The first time I went I ordered a stuffed pork chop which was delicious. The second time I had the seafood spaghetti plate which was average. Its BYOB which is a huge plus. Service is very good.
(3)Beth W.
I came back to update my review of La Baia because we have been there several times over the last year and a half and every single time we love it. We eat out a lot in the city, and it is almost impossible to find a BYOB as friendly, consistent, and delicious as La Baia. Last Friday night four of us stopped into La Baia around 7:30 thinking we might be able to grab a table, and sure enough the waiter sat us at a comfy table in the back corner. I have to point out first that the service here is impeccable, they time everything just right so you don't feel rushed or waiting around for anything. They had our wine opened and served quickly (always important!) and were attentive and accommodating throughout our meal. Our wine glasses and water glasses were always full, and our meals all came to the table at the same time. All of this sounds like normal restaurant behavior, but after being let down by a few well known places, it is refreshing to be treated like a GUEST and not just another customer. I ordered the Talapia special, with capers in a white wine sauce - it was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. I like to try to eat healthy when I go out to dinner and this was a nice light option that was still full of flavor. My boyfriend loves lamb so he ordered the lamb shank, and it was amazing. We were both thrilled with it and look forward to having it again next time we go. Our friends we equally happy with their meals. As we moved our way through dinner the restaurant had filled completely and some tables had 6 or more people. Even though they were extremely busy, our check came when we asked for it, and we paid without any waiting at all. In addition, the waiter thanked us on our way out for coming in.
(4)Mike F.
I have no idea why the ratings are the way they are for this place, the food is great and they always have great specials. Just moved in the area and can't wait to be back soon.
(4)Rubinsohn M.
Place is classic. A bit crowded at times but great down home Italian food. Try the Caesar, funghi app, and don't be afraid to taste those specials!
(4)Diana W.
I had a groupon for the bistro, so I took my friend this week and headed over. It was 6pm on a Wednesday- and the place was empty when we got there. The host (owner?) was....grumpy is a nice way to put it. Not friendly. The woman who took our orders was a bit more friendly, but only a bit. As we got there the other couple in the restaurant expressed displeasure at their mushroom appetizer (something about them being burned?) so we went with the calamari appetizer. It was divine. Very flavorful! I had the linguini special- w/ pancetta, peas and vodka sauce. My friend had veal with mushrooms. My pasta was amazing- seriously, delicious. But the veal- left a lot to be desired. The portions were very generous- but my friend's meat was tasteless. Overall i'm giving it 3 stars because i enjoyed my appetizer and meal- but the service left lots to be desires, as did my friend's meat dish. oh- i will say- the bread is out of this world. it was warm and crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. if you want good bread and pasta served by grumpy people- this is definitely your place.
(3)Lisa S.
While in Philly last weekend, my friend and I went to dinner at Bistro La Baia. It's one of her favorite restaurants, and she was excited to have me try it. We arrived around 6:30 on a Friday night. We didn't have reservations, and there were a few larger parties that night, so we had a choice of a cramped table in the corner (with a 1 hour limit, as they'd need the table for someone with a 7:30pm reservation), or a table right in front of the door. The restaurant was tiny, like most good Philly BYOB restaurants. However, the number of tables and arrangement made it feel a bit cramped. I think the restaurant is owned by a couple and the waiter is their son (pure conjecture!). Throughout the dinner, I couldn't tell if the staff was friendly or unfriendly- they were just very straight-forward and to the point. However, there were a few regulars there who they talked to for awhile and seemed friendly with. They promptly opened up our bottle of wine, and then brought us some bread. It was delicious, and served with a bowl of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We ran out of bread quickly and asked for more- they brought us some, but didn't refill our olive oil (sadface). For appetizers, we both ordered Caesar salads ($7 each). I ordered mine without cheese and with dressing on the side (I'm not supposed to eat dairy), and not only was he nice about me being high maintenance, the salad also came out correctly. For our entrees, I ordered potato gnocchi in pesto sauce ($12) and my friend ordered the lobster ravioli ($14). I didn't try her ravioli, but she said it was her favorite dish there. My gnocchi was delicious but the sauce was a tiny bit heavier than I was hoping (but still good). We ate ourselves full and still had plenty of pasta left to take home. Overall, Bistro La Baia was cute, small, inexpensive, and had minimal frills. Most importantly, the food was tasty and came in quantity. I would definitely go back next time I was in Philly!
(4)Melissa W.
The food here isn't bad per se, but neither is it particularly good. The pasta was not al dente enough. When the centerpiece of your dish is pasta, it had better be cooked to perfection. The sauces were fine, nothing out of the ordinary. The mushroom appetizer was sauteed with onions, breadcrumbs and parmesan crumbles. There may also have been a few pieces of shrimp hidden in there. While tasty, it was nothing I couldn't make myself. The grilled calamari was also fine: a little on the rubbery side, but the lemon butter herb dip was good. Portion sizes were pretty decent, but prices were a little expensive for what you were getting (~$17 per home-style pasta dish). Service wasn't overtly friendly, but neither was it rude. It was perfunctory and serviceable. Also the lighting is now super bright. It used to be super dark. Find a happy medium, people! All in all, there are better Italian BYOS that cost the same or less, so I would say skip this place unless you're in the area and don't mind paying a lot of money for blandish homecooked food.
(2)Jackie B.
La Baia is right outside my door, which makes it a super convenient spot to grab dinner. You can usually get a table outside when it's nice out with no wait. It's a BYOB and there's no corkage fee. The staff is friendly. I only wish the food were a little better. It's basic Italian food. Nothing modern or fancy. And it's not bad, but it's not amazing, either. The texture of the gnocchi is great, but the pesto it comes in is way too salty. The best bet is the special of the day, which is often lamb. Also... this place is cash only. I almost never have any money on me, so I always have to plan in advance before going here.
(3)Rob H.
Dining experiences are creatures of happenstance, as indicated by the variable reviews below of this cozy and simple neighborhood bistro. Expectations can be difficult, especially for a no frills place like this that is not working especially hard to impress, but rather is focused on feeding folks a good meal at a fair price. While I concur that I would not drive across town to dine at La Baia, I would also not hesitate to return here next time I was catching a show at one of the many theaters nearby. Prices are quite reasonable, portions were perfect and well prepared, and the menu seems to have something to please just about every appetite. The menu consists of basic northern Italian dishes sprinkled with a few non-traditional Italian dishes (e.g., New York strip steak). There is nothing that is altogether fancy -- unless you consider lobster ravioli or salmon risotto "fancy." Essentially, it is reliable home cooking for neighborhood clientele and anyone else who happens to stumble upon this quiet corner. Comments about the neighborhood being sketchy are unfounded. This is a perfectly safe place to be at night. And that's coming from a guy who does not live in the city! Service was casual and polite, although I could see how these guys could also be quite frank and, yes, perhaps even a bit gruff on occasion. Whatever the case, the staff seemed genuinely loved by the regulars, who seemed to make up more than half of their customer base on this Saturday night. We arrived fairly late for dinner (10:30), but they generously accommodated us, served us quickly, and we showed our appreciation by not lingering too long. Result -- everyone was happy! All said, Bistro La Baia is a mighty fine choice for a no nonsense, inexpensive, and "home cooked" meal if and when you find yourself in the area of SE Rittenhouse Square.
(4)Abhi K.
I went there two nights in a row because my friends love it. I don't understand why. The food was mediocre and the portions are only average. I finished my meal both nights and still had room for more food. I got lobster ravioli the first night and the calamari and linguini the second night. There just wasn't enough flavor in the sauces. As for the ravioli, I have had much better filling in a ravioli. I thought there was too much cheese and not enough lobster in there. Also, the place is extremely cramped. It is a very small restaurant and you feel like you are walking over other people to get to your table and exit the restaurant. I guess it could be considered cozy if you were on your date. But then again, if you were on a date, be prepared to have the people at the next table hear all of your mushy gushy sweet nothings
(2)Ashley G.
The pros: Generous Portions Great Location (I'm bias since I live two blocks away) Relatively inexpensive Complementary bread with oil The cons: Crammped Stuffy Cranky and Poor Service This restaurant normally caters to large groups so it can get loud very quickly. As such, the staff tends to get impatient and cranky later in the evening. I went last Friday at 9:00 pm with a group of 8. Needless to say it took quite a while for the water and bread to be served. The food is tasty enough, nothing too earth-shattering, but not repulsive either. You also normally have leftovers which is always a plus.
(3)Christie I.
Terrible, rude service + mediocre flavorless pasta = one start rating. I should have asked my friend to pick a new restaurant when I saw that this place had such low ratings on Yelp. If it wasn't for the great company of friends I was with, the owner/manager/head server at this place would have ruined my night. First and foremost, the servers were not doing their job. They never refilled our wine glasses. The server seemed annoyed when I asked him clarifying questions on the specials - he literally started walking away as I was still asking a question. We had to ask them to take away our plates once we were done eating because we got tired of staring at them. They seemed bothered to be doing their job - ex #1 "Could you bring back our wine to refill our glasses?" Result: Bottle gets plopped down on the table. No one serves it and they don't bother to take it back to continue chilling it. The calamari spicy marinara pasta dish had no flavor - it was not spicy, it was not flavorful and, frankly, it looked like crap when it was served on the plate. No pride in presentation what so ever. The risotto salmon that I ordered tasted good but upset my stomach all night and morning (no need to add details). The cherry on top of it all was that when the bill came, we were still finishing our wine and talking. The were other parties also wrapping up their dinners in the restaurant, empty tables, no wait. The servers stared at us from the head of our table and from the kitchen entrance way. They just kept sending us these non-verbals that they clearly wanted us to leave - but not the other customers. We hadn't been obnoxious or loud so I really don't understand what caused them to treat us so rudely. He even grabbed the finished wine bottle from our table without saying a word to us and threw it away - since I was planning on keeping the blue bottle I had to ask him to return it. The night was just full of these awkward exchanges caused by these reluctant servers who missed the memo that to be a server you should enjoy serving people.
(1)Ari B.
Excellent and authentic Italian. Must try the mushroom and shrimp app!
(5)Paul H.
Had a nice meal on a Tuesday evening. I think our server was actually the owner, who was attentive and charming in an old world sort of way. The food wasn't drop dead amazing, but very solid Italian fare. (I especially enjoyed the grilled calamari appetizer!) The dining area is VERY small, and a bit worn - could feel pretty crowded on a weekend night, but midweek it was quite intimate and charming. LOVE the BYOB option - don't think there was even a fee for corkage (but not sure.) Cash only - go prepared!
(3)Daniel G.
I had my graduation party here with my family and it was a great meal. Food was delicious, but the service was so so. The woman who was working did not seem happy at all. I will definitely love to go back with a smaller group. It might be a more pleasant experience.
(3)Christina P.
I live two doors down from this place and wanted to try it for the longest time. They are always packed when I walk by at night (only open for dinner). Luckily, one night when la viola and la fontana had ridiculous waits, this was next on my list. We arrived just as a large party was clearing out so we were seated right away which was nice. What wasn't so nice is that we were squeezed into a tiny table right by the door when there were plenty of other open tables. Anyway, looking past that the food was pretty good. We ordered the calamari, which to our surprise was grilled and not fried. It was good but kind of bland without the breading. I ordered penne with eggplant and marscapone cheese, and my date had some sort of ravioli. They were both really tasty. Nothing crazy, but good, simple italian food. The portions are large, and I had enough of my pasta to take home and eat for another meal. The prices are reasonable as well, and they have a pretty good selection on their menu, which is usually not the case at tiny BYOBs. They are cash only though, so make sure you bring some.
(4)Mikey I.
This is a quiet neighborhood BYOB, cozy interior. The fare is basic American-Italian, nothing super authentic nor experimental. It's cheap and pretty good for the spectacular pricing. Our waiter was very friendly on the one visit we've made. I'd go again if I were in the neighborhood.
(3)elle m.
This is the kinda place where everyone knows your name - 1. Because it is so small, you have to sit on top of the table next to you and 2. because if you aren't a regular, don't bother going. They clearly don't care to make you one either. That said, the food is pretty great. My BF is a big Italian food fan and I think I saw him contemplating licking the plate. I am not an Italian fan so I went with the steak special and loved it. The upside is the food is great and price reasonable since it is a BYO, but the downside is it looks slightly better the 1995 Days Inn.
(2)Michelle L.
Hmm I'm giving out way too may five-star reviews, but there's really something about La Baia that I love!! It's a tiny, shabby chic Italian restaurant... Homey yet still soft and romantic. I honestly think it's great for any occasion - a date, dinner with friends, rush event... You name it. The staff is very accommodating and the food comes out QUICK, even if you have a huge party that's hijacking the restaurant. Service is a bit unintentionally brusque, nothing objectionable. Adds to the rustic atmosphere I guess!! There's something about the bread here that's so good! It's always so piping hot and tastes amazing in the olive oil. I've had two of their pastas, the linguine alla vongole (in red sauce; excellent), and a penne dish with eggplant in a pink sauce. Both were really hearty and satisfying. As long as you don't expect anything out of the box here, just some simple Italian home cooking, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Laura S.
Bistro LaBaia is one of my go-to restaurants for BYOB dinners with a large group. It's a small place, so you will definitely need to get reservations if you're planning to bring a crowd. Pin your friends down to make plans in advance, because it is definitely worth it. The menu is solid Italian food. I haven't found it to be particularly innovative, but everything is well-done. The prices are reasonable and the portions generous. The grilled calamari are delicious, and if you go with friends you're going to need more than one order to share with everyone. The pollo involtino is good, but ask about the specials of the day because they're often worth trying. I've had some great fish entrees, although I could not tell you what they were! I've had some off experiences in terms of service, but again I'm usually here with a lot of people, which can be a challenge in such a small space. It's easy to overlook a bit of inattentiveness when you've got a dozen friends and as many bottles of wine to pass around the table while you wait.
(4)bill c.
Had a Groupon that expired on 8/1. Wife called on 7/31 to make reservation for 8/1 and the first words out are " do you have a coupon"? Yes, she replied. "Well, that's expired". She noted the coupon expired on 8/1 and he hung up?!?!?!?!! Luckily, I wasn't within walking distance when he dissed my wife.
(1)Jessica W.
In a city full of Italian BYO's, La Baia stands out for the wrong reason--their terrible service. The two owners have been blatantly rude to us and to other guests we've sat near on multiple occasions. I had eaten there nearly a dozen times when all of a sudden they decided to arbitarily charge a corking fee. There was no mention of it when we sat down or ordered, nor was it on the menu. It was just an attempt for the hostile husband and wife owners to make an extra few bucks and aggravate good customers. They have also been known to ask guests who they deem are taking too long to leave since they want to turn over the table. Nonetheless, the food and value are pretty good; however, I can't stand to give such inconsiderate people my money.
(2)Jessica B.
Seriously disappointing. We had a MAJOR problem (a bug!!! big one with scary legs!!!!) with our food and the apology was a dessert "to split" which one of us could not eat. When explaining that one could not eat dairy, they essentially said, sorry, oh well, then there's nothing we can do. Totally unacceptable response to bugs in food. I'll never be back and I wouldn't recommend it. Sensitivity Scale = -5
(1)Junior M.
Friendly, inexpensive, great food, byob. What else could you ask for?
(5)Wesley P.
Cheap solid italian food. Service is So-So
(3)Kim B.
I was wandering around in search of dinner while on business in Philadelphia. I walked by La Baia, and the aroma coming from inside was incredible! I was the only customer at 6:30pm on a Thursday night. Seemed like a classic Italian restaurant, and I was hopeful I would have delicious food and warm, friendly hosts. I ordered the pasta special: linguine with onions, peas and vodka sauce. The peas were not fresh - probably frozen, with a chalky texture and weird flavor. The vodka sauce was just okay, and a bit on the salty side. It was a large serving I didn't finish for $20. Way over priced in my opinion, especialy when the food was just "so-so." Service was the bare minimum. Cash only. BYOB.
(2)Julia S.
BYO which is always a good thing. Went with two of my girlfriends. The server (an older man who might be the owner or something like that) was a little arrogant. Maybe I should say unfriendly and to the point. We shared a mussels app...sauce was amazing! I had the Lobster Ravioli which was also amazing. My friends had a chicken entree and a pescatore type entree. I'd say mine was the best though. Bread was warm and addictive (especially dipped in the app's sauce). I'd recommend it for small groups. It's TINY!!! Seriously, there can't be more than maybe 30 people in there?! Great prices, too.
(4)Caroline S.
I visited Bistro La Baia with a group of 11 for a holiday work party. The staff was extremely accommodating even when we called 10 minutes prior to our reservation and said we were running late and needed to add an extra head to our table. We were seated immediately and were assisted in opening our wine bottles. Orders were taken promptly and appetizers and bread (amazing or maybe I was just starving by this point) were served. Our food came out in a rather reasonable time for our large party. But it's the food were the lack of star comes in.. Prior to my visit to La Baia, I peaked at their menu and yelp profile and knew I wanted to try the lobster ravioli as it seemed to be a fan favorite. I found mine to be lacking, literally. There were a total of 5 ravioli on the plate. I actually had to pace myself while eating or I would have been done in minutes. The light cognac sauce had the similar robust flavor of canned spaghettiOs. Absolutely dreadful. However most of my group appeared more than pleased with their meal. The pricing was also standard at about $20 a person. If I do return to La Baia, I will be trying something else on the menu. Suggestions?
(3)Amber P.
This was one of my favorite haunts when I lived in Philly. I found it by chance, walking around the 'hood. Anyway, it is absolutely fantastic. Great little BYOB that has food that is consistently very good. I never found it to be horribly crowded so it was always a place to drop by even if we didn't have reservations. Try the gnocchi and the grilled calamari. Yum! Be careful - they accept cash only and be sure to bring a bottle of wine or you'll be out of luck! There is an ATM in the restaurant if you need it, but it charges a fee.
(4)Jaclyn B.
It was super crowded with lots of twenty and thirty something's, like myself. I was surprised I knew about half of them. It's so close to home, so I wanted it to be a laid back kind of spot. The food was not good.
(2)Jeremy J.
I find it hard that Bistro La Baia stays in business with all the competition from other top notch Italian Byo's neary by. (La Fontana, La Viola). Italian food is my favorite kind of food so when I step into an italian place the work is already half done in terms of pleasing me. However, the inside was cramped. The food was subpar and overall I was unimpressed. I was with a party of 4. We started out with an appetizer of caprese. The tomato was nowhere near ripe. (and when your serving a dish that consist of mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil and seasoning the tomato must be a good tomato). My dish was not memorable. I think the dish of the night went to the person that ordered the lobster ravioli. I think that the best thing that night was the wine however.
(2)Marisa F.
We were brought here by my sister the first time we visited her in Philly. La Baia is definitely yummy, with generous portions of traditional Italian fare. I am a fan of BYOB, but the cash-only policy is a little frustrating (my husband had to walk down a shady side street to grab a wad of cash from an ATM after we were done eating). The restaurant is cramped, so if noisy isn't your thing this might not be the place for you. But if you can get past the screaming kiddies or go later in the evening, I could definitely see this being a cute date spot. A solid 3 stars.
(3)Rachel O.
I have gone here a bunch of times, and always really enjoy the cozy atmosphere. If you have a problem with cramped tables and possibly the smallest sit down restaurant size ever, then you probably won't like it. The mushroom appetizer is out of this world, and I've always had great pasta dishes from here (Lobster Ravioli, Penne Arrabiata, and some other Chicken dish). Last time I went, we ordered the Salmon Carpaccio expecting carpaccio...but really we got lox. That's the only downside that I've experienced so far. But all in all, its a cute neighborhood byob with character.
(4)Vinh T.
i LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!!!!! I love italian food for sure but La Baia is some place i will bring my friends here again and again. Maybe this place is a little small but i love it cuz it's coxy and cute. The menu is ok compare to other italian restaurants i've been to. I love the calamari and the pasta they have here. Did i mention the cheescake? Get ready to loose your button cuz you'll love this place and its food will keep you eating.
(5)PP F.
Went for a huge group dinner where we basically filled every seat of this small restaurant. The staff was amazing in terms of getting all our food out in a timely manner. We ordered several appetizers to share. So I tried the baked mushrooms and shrimp as well as the grilled eggplant. Both appetizers were just so so. Got the walnut encrusted salmon for my entree, which I was pleased with. The salmon was cooked well and the orange zest give it a little tang while the walnuts gave it more texture. Had their homemade tiramisu for dessert. You can taste the coffee and liquor a little too much in each bite. Their dessert portions are huge, meant to be shared.
(3)marykris g.
I have to say, after reading all of the negative reviews of this place, I was very impressed. My friend and I had dinner there this week and found the staff to be helpful as well as attentive. The lobster ravioli is amazing and so was the baked mushroom app that we split. For two entrees and an app, our bill was surprisingly cheap. Great outdoor seating as well. The place is small so I would suggest making a reservation.
(4)Parisa S.
Fresh bread that's piping hot? Check. Fabulous outdoor seating? Check. Good food? Check. Reasonable prices? Check. BYOB? Check. What's not to love? -1 star b/c the staff isn't the friendliest.
(4)Shawn M.
We ate here a few weeks ago and it isn't a place that I think I would definitely revisit. The grilled calamari was great however the Lobster Ravioli dish we had was below par. The dish didn't have a great taste and was very minimal in size. This restaurant is a BYOB which makes it much more appealing. If you are looking for a moderate priced italian restaurant it might tempt your palate but I think there are much better options in Philly.
(2)Laura H.
I went here with my 4 friends. It is a small place and since it was nice out, we sat outside. We had purchased a groupon for 4 dinners and 2 app. We ordered the calamari for an app and it was amazing. I ordered the capellini mare monti and it was great and a huge portion. My friends ordered the risotto and lobster ravioli. Both were good but you only got 5 ravioli. I wish I had gotten another groupon and will definitely go back
(4)Emma D.
I actually had a wonderful experience here. We made reservations - definitely necessary, and when we arrived a bit early we were actually seated quite quickly. We sat outside even though it was a bit chilly, but it was entertaining people watching.... Quite a crowd of young college kids which could have definitely been annoying if we'd had to sit inside when they took the place over. I also loved the food. Starting out with grilled calamari - it was tender with a definite grill flavor and the dipping sauce was delicious olive oil/lemon/garlic. We split gnocci (half pomodoro sauce, half with pesto) and one of the evenings specials lamb chops. The gnocci was rich and both sauces were quite good. The lamb chops were absolutely incredible though - 5 decent size lamb chops with a lovely marsala-type red wine based sauce and mashed potatoes that even someone from the midwest can approve. I do wish they'd listed the specials somewhere, as it was a bit difficult to clearly understand the waiter when he described them. Service was not the most attentive ever, but our waters were refilled often and we did not have to wait long either to order or to get our food.
(5)Ken C.
Excellent restaurant for a small group or a dinner for two. BYOB. The melanzane eggplant appetizer is excellent. The salmon is always fresh and a huge portion. The owner George is there most evenings and greets you at your table. The chefs have been there for years and have consistent food. The mare a Monte is excellent. Once when I ordered it the owner came and apologized that he did not want to serve the mussels to me as he thought they could be more fresh. At the end of the meal, he provided a free chocolate cake for dessert for the inconvenience. I live two blocks from this restaurant and go once a week. If you are seeking a quiet private dinner this may not be the place especially on a weekend as it is always packed.
(5)Louis T.
The food's slightly gloopy and overly sweet. Then again, the service is good and some people go for that kind of thing.
(2)Becky S.
Delicious! The pasta selections are great. I love La Viola and always go there but wanted to try somewhere new and I was very happy. They have similar menus but I think the service is better here - seems more family run and authentic. Can't go wrong with a good italian byo!
(4)Pauline S.
large posteriors + small walking areas = frequent invasion of personal space but thankfully (BYO + good company + delicious food) is greater than annoyance of squishy butts
(3)Me C.
My husband and I ate here on our anniversary and it was crap. The wait staff were rude, making us move tables to accommodate friends of theirs halfway through our starters. Seriously, we had to pick up our plates with half- eaten starters and find another table. My husband's food was bland and I got sick later that night after eating the mussels.
(1)Caitlin C.
For some reason, people love this little Italian eatery. It is wicked small, and can get loud. But such makes a great Italian BYOB eatery's atmosphere. The reason it gets 3 stars from me was the food. It wasn't spectacular Italian at all. Actually there is another reason: service. The wait is usually ridiculous (make reservations) and the servers are kinda cold and unfriendly. And if you are in an aisle seat, prepared to get bumped by the servers going in and out of the kitchen!
(3)maia w.
I LOVE THIS RESTAURANT. i come here to celebrate, or to mope after a difficult week. the service is terrific! they always remember my face AND what my favorites are. it's affordable for the area. being a BYO doesn't hurt. i recommend reservations, but if you want to walk in, do it early in the evening. the neighborhood crowd starts walking in by around 8pm most nights. it's a fantastic place, but snug in seating. what they lack in space they make up for in freshness of food and friendly service. best italian for me in the city without a doubt.
(5)Xiao C.
I advise anyone to stay away from this place, unless you enjoy being insulted/yelled at by the restaurant owners. Service was rude from the minute we walked in. We were meeting friends who had been holding a table for us. Granted we were running a bit late, but there was NO ONE else waiting so we really didn't think it was necessary to treat us like criminals. The restaurant is so crowded that one has hardly room to breathe. When the lady who would later serve us (presumably one of the restaurant owners) was standing by the door, my friend could not get up to go to the bathroom. I asked her politely if she could move to the side so my friend could go use the restroom, she told me in a very rude voice to "just wait" (not sure what she was doing...). We were also told that we would have to vacate the table in 45 min (although it turned out no one had reserved our table) We were later joined by two other friends who did not eat an entree (but four of us ordered appetizer, entree, dessert and coffee, spending over $30 per person), but at no point in the process did they have to make ANYONE wait on a table or turn anyone away because we were "taking up" their precious seats. I suppose this was still enough reason for them to categorize us as customers who came to take advantage of their restaurant. Our candle at the table was never lit, and every one of our dishes was served with a good dose of contempt. When the bill came, we were quite surprised to find corking charges and roughly 20% gratuity added to our bill (neither was mentioned anywhere on the menu or by our server). When we politely inquired about these charges, we were yelled at by the restaurant owner (presumably husband of afore-mentioned lady) that he had been in the restaurant business for over 20 years and that we were not in a position to tell him what to do. Food was decent but by far did not offset even a fraction of the terrible experience.
(1)Angela C.
We went on a friday night around 7:30pm and it was pretty empty. The crowd started to roll in around 8:30pm to 9pm. It is a small and crowded place but very charming like La Viola. The specials included pork chops, shell pasta with sausage, lamb chops and tilapia. My future father in law had the shell pasta with sausage and it came in a large portion. It was creamy and the sausage was very flavorful. My fiance had the lobster ravioli -- I couldn't taste much lobster from my bite but he loved it. It had the same creamy sauce as the sausage pasta dish. I had the veal with porcinni mushroom. It came with mashed potatoes and veggies. Pretty good as well. The veal was cooked just right and thin. The sauce was good. Our favorite was really the dessert course. We had the 3 layer chocolate cake and the ice cream rolled in chocolate shavings. The ice cream was great. Dense but also light in flavor and the shavings were delightfully crunchy. We will go again.
(4)Nadine J.
Decent place, service very accomodating. Like La Viola, is very cramped but personable. I had the penne arrabiata but wasn't the biggest fan of it, which may be why i'm holding out on the last star. It didn't have that much sauce and was a bit more spicy than I was comfortable with (and I can handle my spicy!). I tried some of my friend's dishes though, and they seemed better. With the prices though, definitely worth a try. Just be sure to get reservations because this place gets packed!
(3)Sharon G.
Really disappointing! They cut corners everywhere and the food seriously suffers for it. One of the worst restaurants I've been to in Philly. Just sad, really.
(1)Siobhan C.
I live near La Baia and eat there fairly often. It's my standard go-to place, because the food is always delicious and it's reasonably priced. I absolutely adore the grilled calamari and the eggplant pasta entree. I agree with previous reviewers that the staff is not overly friendly, but I always thought they were very efficient and certainly never rude. If you don't have time to dine in, a take-out order is usually ready in 20!
(4)callie b.
I'd heard good things about this place, but my friend and I were not impressed. The food was fine, but nothing I would go back for. We split a salad that said it included apples, which turned out to be something unrecognizable that looked like it came from a can. Our chicken was weirdly chewy. While the penne vodka was good, it was not any better (probably worse) than the penne vodka at comparable Italian BYOs in the area. Will not be going back anytime soon, if ever. Big disappointment.
(2)Ray D.
The key to this place is knowing what to order because there really are a few duds on the menu. Also, I think that the specials are the same every time I come here--with one very important exception. They occasionally have veal osso buco which they prepare expertly. I often call ahead to see if they're serving it before I decide to come in. The mushroom appetizer is also very good and the lobster ravioli is the best I've ever had. It's a great place to eat outside when the weather permits but the comfort of that osso buco keeps me coming back during the cold winter months.
(4)matthew l.
Dependably good food at reasonable prices. Outdoor tables in fair weather can be pleasant as there is worse outdoor dining in Philly than on this shady section of Spruce Street.. Service is jadedly professional and as rote as one can expect from senior staff working a room decades longer than their original plan. But food arrives timely and sometimes there is little difficulty getting your glass refilled.
(3)Jason B.
Good food. Prices are reasonable. BYOB a huge plus. I had the penne amatriciana with some chicken on top and it was great. Salads were delicious as well. It's a small menu, but presumably they do a few dishes and do them right. The restaurant is somewhat cramped to put it lightly. If it's full, don't expect to move around too much, and expect a good amount of noise. All in all though, it's a nice place with good food. I'm not really sure what the other reviews are talking about with the service. The woman (I'm guessing the owner), was extremely gracious and chatted with us after our meal, even inviting us back for restaurant week and telling us what would be on the menu. It wasn't crowded, but still the service was exceptionally fast.
(3)Sharon W.
This eatery like many others in Philly is a BYOB and is small and cozy. The grilled calamari was pretty good; however the pastas were too salty. Since most restaurants in the city do a decent job with calamari. I really don't think this restaurant is that spectacular since there are so many other Italian restaurants in Philly that are more worthy. A stellar example would have been Melogranos, but unfortunately they are closed now.
(2)