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Name: Ulivo
Address: 521 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Telephone: (215) 351-1550
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.78

Ulivo

521 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147

(215) 351-1550
Store is closed

Ulivo Menu

Starters

Bruschetta Toscane

Little Gem

Speck

Tomato Arancini

Mozzarella Di Bufala

Bruschetta Toscane

Little Gem

Speck

Tomato Arancini

Mozzarella Di Bufala
Salads

Radicchio Salad

Radicchio Salad
Pasta

Squid Ink Linguine

Orecchiette

Ricotta Gnocchi

Spinach Fettuccine

Spaghetti Carbonara

Squid Ink Linguine

Orecchiette

Ricotta Gnocchi

Spinach Fettuccine

Spaghetti Carbonara
Mains

Duck

Salmon

Chicken Alla Mattone

Wild Mushroom-Corn Risotto

Hanger Steak

Duck

Salmon

Chicken Alla Mattone

Wild Mushroom-Corn Risotto

Hanger Steak
Vegetables $6

Grilled Broccoli Rabe

Cavolo Nero

Roasted Cauliflower

Grilled Broccoli Rabe

Cavolo Nero

Roasted Cauliflower

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ulivo

Starters

Bruschetta Toscane [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Gem [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Speck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Arancini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mozzarella Di Bufala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bruschetta Toscane [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Gem [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Speck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tomato Arancini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mozzarella Di Bufala [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Radicchio Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Radicchio Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Pasta

Squid Ink Linguine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orecchiette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Fettuccine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Squid Ink Linguine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Orecchiette [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ricotta Gnocchi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spinach Fettuccine [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spaghetti Carbonara [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Mains

Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Alla Mattone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Mushroom-Corn Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hanger Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Duck [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Alla Mattone [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Mushroom-Corn Risotto [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hanger Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetables $6

Grilled Broccoli Rabe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cavolo Nero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Broccoli Rabe [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cavolo Nero [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Cauliflower [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Amanda N.

We were invited here by family for a birthday dinner and the experience was horrible. When we arrived the hostess just stared at me. I saw the coat rack and hung up my coat and then walked myself to the table. Kind of how I do things at home when I'm not paying to be greeted and "hosted". I sat down and we were waiting for one other person. If the restaurant was full I would understand pushing us to order but we were the ONLY table in there at the time. The guest of honor asked the server to give us a few minutes. She came back 90 seconds later and said to us - "ok. What does everyone want?" Her "I am in Philly and you people obviously don't live in the city so I'm better than you attitude" was written all over her sourpuss face. I asked a question about what "pomarola" is ... I lived in Italy for years, worked in a restaurant there and NEVER heard of this word before. Her response - a snarky giggle and "its a chunky tomato sauce. With vegetables in it. You'll like it". My bro-in-law asked the server to make a recommendation btw two dishes and her response - "either. There are both good". Wtf? This is a pet peeve of mine - it is your JOB to help us navigate the menu. I can write down dishes and walk plates to the table myself. The highlight was the actual food - good portions and yummy. Good gluten free and vegetarian options. The meal ended and you would have thought that the restaurant was packed with a line of people waiting at the door. We were visiting with our relatives and enjoying our wine after dinner while they brought the bill and cleared the table. The ENTIRE TABLE including my wine glass that I was drinking from and a bottle that still had 1/4 left in it. We were not disruptive, loud or anything more than a civilized groups of adults ranging from 30-68 who were spending 10-15 min post dinner catching up. It was OUTRAGEOUS that they would do this. I would steer clear of this place unless they clear out the front of the house and replace with new people. If I want to hang around snobs who treat you poorly, I certainly don't want to PAY for it. Do yourself a favor - go to one of the other amazing BYOs in Philly where the service and food is sure to beat this place.
(1)
Ravi A.

Had a fantastic meal. Kids loved it too. The gnocchi is to die for. Flat iron steak was good - the potatoes that came with it were amazing. The ragu got wiped clean as did the spaghetti. Desserts were good as well - so save room for the gelato and the espresso drink. And it's a BYOB - definitely going back more often
(5)
Matt S.

We had a private dinner here for about 50 people and it was outstanding. The owner Joe worked with us on the menu, courses, alcohol, etc. He was very reachable through email and extremely helpful. Food is fantastic, we had polenta cucchiaio and risotto fritters as starters, gnocchi and ziti as pasta, and chicken mattone/short rib/striped bass as entrees. Got compliments for all, but gnocchi and chicken were my favorites. Great place for a private event or for BYO on a weekend night. Recommend.
(5)
Claire L.

This is a great little byob in queen village. The pastas are so good and filling. Gnocchi was fluffy and had a delicious truffle sauce. Can be a little loud when it's filled with diners, but on a weeknight it's quiet and cozy. Staff has always been nice and attentive.
(5)
Laura K.

Where do I start regarding this NIGHTMARE? So about 2 1/2 weeks before my 30th birthday, my boyfriend made reservations for 10 people based on the good reviews on here. More of my friends wanted to join the dinner party so about 12 days before the actual date- my bf attempted to modify the reservation to add 7 people and was told that this was impossible to do and the reservation would have to be moved from 8:15 to 9pm to accommodate everyone. Now this would have been understandable if they didn't also have a 10 person table reservation open on open table for 8:30pm the same night (so a 15 minute difference from the reservation we already had and the second one we booked). He was told that they usually try to take larger parties either in the beginning of the night or the end. Ummm...on what planet does a restaurant who takes reservations not accommodate a large reservation if they have the available space on a Saturday night? Odd. So finally after 3 phone calls attempting to get our reservations set- we finally get our reservation for 17 people for 8:45 (because obviously 15 minutes makes such a huge difference esp. with a byob- sarcasm intended). What a hassle. The day of the dinner party brought some of the worst weather the area has seen all year so many of my friends who were traveling from various areas were unable to make it. My boyfriend phoned the restaurant earlier in the day and gave them a heads up that there might be less people than originally expected because of the weather and he was told that we might be charged for the extra seats. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Absolutely ridiculous. Fast forward to the dinner- a small group of us walk in together on time to an almost completely empty restaurant (not surprising given the treacherous weather) and we are met with a blank stare from the hostess. No "Hi how are you guys tonight?" No "Are you here for the party or meeting people here?" Nothing. Good thing my one friend was already seated so we knew where to sit. Ok on to some of the RUDEST service I have ever had in Philadelphia that I can remember. The server approaches our table gruffly and her sour attitude is immediately noticed by the entire table. (I'm sorry does our sheer presence here annoy you?!). Way to put a damper on the mood. She tries to convince us to go for a family style selection which is "ideal for large tables". Did I mention that we are now 8 people? Since when is an 8 top considered a large group? We politely decline and order appetizers and entrees individually instead. Nothing on the menu is explained to us at all so when the $12 mozzarella appetizer comes out, the tiny portion of one slice of Mozzarella is sort of shocking. Delicious but overpriced for the portion. We are periodically brought out bread and olive oil- which is wonderful but only a relatively small bread plate for 8 of us when it would have been easily remedied by bringing two plates of bread out (keep in mind the restaurant was almost completely empty so this can't be chalked up to busyness). Several times we had to ask for our wine bottles to be opened and were met with some attitude- I have never had this problem at any of the other byobs in the area EVER, in fact quite the opposite. The gnocchi I had was very good and most of the other guests seemed to enjoy their other dishes so two stars for the food alone. Oh and let's not forget the automatic gratuity that was added into the bill- 20% for some of the sourest, snottiest service I've ever experienced. I was a server for 12 years at various different restaurants so I'm an extremely generous tipper if the service warrants but this was one of the only times that I was actually livid that I had to pay an auto-grat. I was so embarrassed that we had chosen this place with so many other fantastic options in the area like Cucina Forte (which is a smaller byob but with equal if not better food and FAR more friendly and accommodating). NEVER AGAIN and I will be warning all my friends in the neighborhood to steer clear until they get their service act together. Very unfortunate.
(2)
Rebecca S.

I'm not one to place a heavy emphasis on my birthday mostly because it falls between Thanksgiving and Christmas and growing up meant that when birthday parties really started to mean something (middle school/high school) that I had to be conscious of friends budgets drawing near to the holiday season. With that mindset in place, I've never gone out of my way to plan anything extravagant but have always valued great friends around a table sharing wine and having a few good laughs. The last two years I have booked a table in my neighborhood at Ulivo because not only is it close, but their food is great, they're BYO, and they've always been more than accommodating. Last year my lady loves and I kicked off the evening around the corner at Lacquer Lounge for a little pampering and boozing before dinner and finished the night at Ela so truth be told, most of dinner and onward was a blur. This year however, turning 30 meant having a bigger dinner with more friends and given that this would be taking place the Sunday after Thanksgiving, needed to find a restaurant that could seat us all and be flexible on the menu. After a few calls to other neighborhood restaurants I realized that it was going to be a challenge finding a spot that had availability for close to 20, but that also didn't demand us to participate in a multi-course tasting menu. My friends are not cheap by any means and would have made the table worth their waiters while, but that was not my decision to make and so at the last minute I decided to give Ulivo a shot to do a 29th birthday remix. When discussing options with the restaurant on how to handle a party of 18 they suggested doing family style appetizers and an abbreviated entree menu. My only requests were that the (excuse my french) bomb ass gnocchi with truffle butter made it onto the menu, as well as the hanger steak because many of the guys are strict carnivores; all was taken into consideration and we arrived at 6:00 to a menu that showcased 5 appetizers including: a raddichio and apple salad that even my boyfriend ate (an absolute shock), fresh mozzarella with roasted peppers, a salumi/cheese board, loads of olives and spiced almonds, breads and olive oils, and orrechiette with a delicious lamb ragu. My only complaint on appetizers was that the lamb ragu came on one plate for each of our two tables as opposed to the three or four for every other appetizer. With the pasta only on the one plate and no notice from the servers that this was the only dish not to be served in multiples, not everyone had the chance to try it. I guess that's a small price to pay, they didn't seem terribly upset by it, but I still would have liked for them to have had their share. Dinner options were their gnocchi with truffle butter and spinach, I want to say striped bass with maitake mushrooms but I could be way off (I only tried the mushrooms off of Aaliyah P's plate and they were delicious), their well known chicken alla matone (though I don't think anyone ordered it), and a hanger steak with crispy potatoes. I honestly think that 14 of the 18 in attendance ordered the gnocchi and no one was disappointed. Dinner was capped off with orders of sorbet and coffee, they serve ReAnimator a local favorite in Philadelphia, and everyone left with full stomachs, happy wine buzzes and I got exactly what I wanted....my favorite people around two big tables at a nice neighborhood BYO. Thanks Ulivo for doing birthdays right two years in a row!
(4)
Rachel S.

Dinner reservation for 5 long-time friends on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We had a great time and a delicious meal. We shared 3 appetizers and each got an entree. I thought the portions were perfect in size, although some might say too big? I thought it was great.
(4)
Alyssa D.

I dined with 4 other people on a Saturday night. I requested a quieter table and we were given one which is huge (thank you ulivo!) and shows how accommodating this restaurant is. the decor is clean, simple and comfortable and our food was very tasty. i liked that there were a good assortment of things to share as a table, as well as good assortment of items on the menu (varying meats, pasta, salads) to please everyone (often difficult with my group). make a reservation, get a bottle of wine and go here!
(4)
Ky T.

The food here is ok and the prices are a little expensive for how much food you get and the service you get. The menu was pretty small as well. Bread and olive oil was sub-par. The gnocchi was really good. Light fluffy and paired with a delicious sauce. The short rib and seabass were good but not great. Dessert was a waste of money and calories. Their budino is crap compared to Barbuzzos. Come for the gnocchi
(2)
Kathleen K.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Ulivo. Having great Italian food next door to us, it's hard to try a new Italian place, but we heard good things about this place. We got reservations relatively easily (I think because of the holiday weekend) and sat down to a lovely atmosphere. Our waitress (can't remember her name, but she had pink hair). Was very nice, attentive, and knowledgeable. For appetizers we ordered the buffalo mozzarella and the prosciutto dish. Both were fantastic, but we preferred the mozzarella. It was extremely fresh and the flavors paired well together. We both ordered pasta for the main meal. He ordered the gnocchi (supposedly some of the best around) and I ordered the special. Mine was the clear winner. It was a rigatoni with a brown butter and sweet corn sauce with chanterelle mushrooms. I could have eaten 3 servings of that. The gnocchi was good as well, but couldn't compare to how fantastic my dish was. For dessert we shared a blueberry cake with a coconut crÃ¨me. The cake tasted like a blueberry muffin (in a good way!) and I think I could have drank a cup of that coconut crÃ¨me. Overall we had a very nice meal and it was pretty affordable as well. I think if we had gone for "main" dishes, we would have spent a bit more, but we are pasta people to begin with.
(4)
Hunter Y.

Italian is hard to mess up and Ulivo does a good job in not messing it up. The food here is great, go eat there, the taste will leave you happy. The portion, however, will not. The menu looks reasonably priced but all the dishes are child-portioned. If the portion size and price did not deceive the diner, I would happily give this place another star.
(3)
Alex N.

Ulivo quietly, without high-profile fanfare, goes about its business of providing top-notch cuisine. I and family have been going there since it opened, approx. twice per year, and have consistently had memorable meals. We went yesterday evening, and the ricotto gnocchi were superb, and the fried polenta with pepper relish was shared and fully enjoyed by all. The cheese plate (incl. gorgonzola dolce, pecorino and fig compore), ravioli agnolotti and rigatoni ragoti were consumed with a 2007 Perusso Barolo. A dessert must-try is the affogato. On the basis of this consistent excellence, I am compelled to give Ulivo 5 stars. Bravo Ulivo!
(5)
J J.

I live in the neighborhood and couldn't resist checking this place out after walking through all of the delicious smells emanating from their kitchen so many times. The experience did not disappoint. The food was as good as it smelled and the atmosphere is very inviting. They also seem to host a lot of bridal & baby showers as well as rehearsal dinners. Seems like the perfect space for them all, especially during nice weather when the big window/doors can be open to the sidewalk.
(5)
Jamie S.

Great meal there, cozy but not cramped inside which is hard to find in an Italian BYO in this city. Crispy skate was excellent. The foie gras and pear agnolotti special was truly divine- we had it as a shared appetizer.
(4)
Dru H.

I can't wait to go back. We had a wonderful dinner. You have to get the truffle butter gnocchi and pork ragu pasta. Best of my life. We had the soft shell crab special which was good, but the pasta is the star of this BYOB. Chocolate torta dessert was out of this world. Service was cool and calm with great suggestions.
(4)
C. M.

We just threw my sister a wedding shower at Ulivo. We flew to Philly from Chicago so I kind of blindly picked a restaurant that I thought looked nice online. The chef/owner was really easy to work with. I pick a menu, added things here and there and everything turned out perfect. The staff was friendly and we had a great time. The food was amazing! We had a shaved asparagus salad to start, Risotto and a chicken dish. Then an amazing dessert. No complaints here! Just an amazing time with family and friends. Thanks Again Ulivo!
(5)
Kelly S.

What a cute place with great service! Byob. Try the bruscheta, peaches and ricotta, Yummmm! Great quality pasta with tasty sauces as well. We tried the bucatini and the sauce was just spicy enough.
(4)
Julia E.

Such a great spot. I've been here twice, both with big groups, and the service is great even for large parties. We've tried arancini, bussels sprouts, crispy polenta, and orrichiete and everything was so fresh and flavorful. Sizable portions and DELICIOUS gelato/sorbet to finish. Great meal from top to bottom.
(5)
Allison B.

It's hard to say, friends. Is it fair to review a restaurant within a week of their opening? While I give this BYOB three stars, I do think it has potential to be a four-star establishment. Our hostess, Simone, was extremely sweet and helpful. She set up our table (we had made a reservation) and we were seating within just a few minutes of arriving. While we did have to wait a bit for wine/water glasses, we were given baskets of foccacia and small dishes of olive oil immediately. Foreshadowing, perhaps: even the servers knew the food was going to take a long time. I ordered the gnocchi and a side of kale. Zack ordered the spaghetti and arugula salad. Jim ordered the salmon. Becca ordered the ravioli, as did Brian. We ate our bread, poured our wine and waited...for almost an hour. Our server brought us more bread, and spiced almonds to hold us over, which was nice. I hold nothing against the folks at Ulivo for taking such a long time with the food. Again, they had been open for a week. Our server came out to tell us that there was only enough ravioli left for one order, and so Becca and Brian decided to split it, along with an entree dish. "Surprise us," said Becca. The server chose the steak. Nice. My gnocchi, however plentiful (there must have been at least 20 on my plate for a whopping $14), was not particularly flavorful. They were mushy, and I had a hard time tasting the truffle oil. My side of kale was sauteed with onions and yellow raisins and yeah, it sounds a little odd, but it was delicious. Zack's plate of spaghetti ($12) was bigger than his head, and he devoured his salad. The steak got rave reviews, as did the ravioli (though there was a complaint that they were barely stuffed) and though Jim loved his salmon, there was no side. Even the steak came with fried potatoes. The $19 salmon entree was just a filet of salmon. That's it. Jim wasn't too happy about that one. Inside, there are high ceilings and crown molding and soft, warm, green tones. I liked the atmosphere but Ulivo still has a few kinks to work out for sure.
(3)
Brian M.

Debated 4 stars here, but if I compare it against what I consider somewhat similar places down here (August, Kris) who I gave 4 stars Ulivo just isn't in that same class. I'll get the bad out of the way first. Grilled octopus appetizer. I always try to order octopus. Partly because I know it is a challenge to prepare thus a good indicator of the kitchen. The upside with octopus is very high, the downside very low. And paired with something as strong as grapefruit? Damn, if they pull this off I will give them huge props. They didn't. At all. Octopus was very chewy, sinewy and the grapefruit overpowered everything. It was bad. Luckily the rest of the meal didn't follow suit but see how I gave this appetizer it's own paragraph? Yeah, that should tell you something. My girlfriend had an app that was on special that night, a foie gras arancini. It was really, really well done. I only had a bite but she loved it and my bite was thoroughly enjoyed. For main course she had the gnocchi. Wow. Think I could've eaten it with a straw it was so light. Some of the best I've ever had. Too much truffle oil? Probably, but whatever. I had a special pasta on the menu with pulled lamb and I forget what else. I thought it was good, large portion but not in the class of her gnocchi or arancini. Service was very, very good. Engaging, attentive but not intrusive. Just what it should be. Overall a 3.5 but that octopus really killed it for me.
(3)
Christopher C.

Looking for a place to accommodate a large dinner party for a birthday celebration and Ulivo came through my mind. I had passed this place many times before and I finally had a chance to stop in. I quickly reserved a table for 10 on opentable and later asked to amend the reservation when I had a final headcount (17). The hostess/server was somewhat helpful, however we had to bump back the dinner time, which was not that big of a deal. Unfortunately that evening saw a snowstorm move in that put our total dinner reservation to 8, which I kept updating the restaurant throughout the night. When arriving, the place was pretty empty, pretty standard for a snowy evening, however, we were hardly welcomed warmly by the hostess and the server seemed very annoyed that we didn't want to go with the recommended family style type dinner. Everyone wanted to do their own thing and we weren't worried about prices. The food was lackluster. It wasn't terrible, but it did not deserve the rave reviews I have read previously. The mozzarella di bufalo was way too small for the price suggested and the gnocchi was just ok. I've experienced and worked in restaurants where dishes are small and prices are high, but the quality is always there to fill the gap. This was not the case. Furthermore, while service was not horrendous, it was hardly professional and rather disappointing. I understand the weather and us being a later table was hardly something they wanted to deal with, but I felt like we were constantly bothering them when we had to ask any server for something. Our table was hardly demanding and there was no oversight as to how the table was doing. Because of the lack of oversight and since Ulivo is a BYOB, and we had to scavenge for someone to open the wine multiple times. Overall, I will keep to passing this place on purpose. Ambiance is nice and the space is large; other than these benefits, not much else going on.
(2)
Frank L C.

Went here with a group including one wheelchair-bound guest. Chair accessibility was not ideal, but workable. Food quality was excellent, with a wide range of appetizers and main dishes. We brought several bottles of good wine, so the dishes at the end of the evening blurred into each other bit.
(5)
Brittini S.

I loved dining at Ulivo. It was the quintessential BYOB experience you crave when going out to eat in Philadelphia. The service was spot on and knowledgeable. My girlfriend and I split the arugula salad to start which they plated to share. I had the tonnarelli with crabmeat which was a perfect portion and had a nice spice. My girlfriend got the penne with mushrooms which was delicious. We also shared the corn polenta which the waiter somewhat undersold to us but turned out to be fresh and light. We ended up sharing the zucchini bread with lemon zest which was a huge slice and we didn't even finish it. It was very moist and fresh. We closed down the restaurant while the older diners slowly trickled out. I would definitely return to Ulivo and try a different pasta dish (and bring even more wine). I love that they take credit cards too. Great neighborhood spot!
(4)
Aaliyah P.

Ulivo was bookmarked after Allison B's gave it 3 stars after dining within the first week of this place being open. I must say its still only good for 3 stars based on my dinner here this past friday night. Our server was super sweet but lacked a little basic knowledge of service .... like bringing water to the table, sugar for coffee that type of thing. I must say the menu on paper makes sense but once you sit down things getting a little hairy. We as a table shared the gnocchi (BEST DISH ), a few people got salads and pretty much everyone ordered pasta. The Ziti was the most popular dish ordered and the overall response was that it was just OK. I opted for the linguine with crab and arugula. There wasn't really alot of crab in the sauce but the pasta was cooked perfectly.The leftovers made for a great sunday night supper. Come here order the gnocchi you won't be disappointed. This place is BYOB and they take cards ...
(3)
Brent K.

Everything about our dinner at Ulivo was enjoyable UNTIL we left for the evening. I won't share the details of how great the dinner was because it was actions of the restaurant afterwards that nullified our enjoyment. However, I will say that the most of the food was great and the service was polite and timely. Now, let me get to why I'm unable to give a positive review. After having dinner with friends, we went home for the evening. Around 10pm that same night (a Thursday), the friends that we dined with reached out to me and said someone from Ulivo called them to say that we were undercharged for our meal. Specifically, we were presented with our correct check but when our cards were run, they were run under someone else's check. We were unaware of this mistake and had it been identified why we were still at the restaurant, we would've gladly make things whole. Why not?... the meals and service were all great. So whats the big deal? Folks, this is Customer Service 101... the difference in cost due to the mistake was marginal and the restaurant, having been the one to make the mistake, should've absorbed the cost. Instead, we were called back that same night and told that they made a mistake and WE, not the restaurant, had to fix it. To be precise, they voided out all of our payments and asked us to pay the correct amount. Again, we have no problem paying for what we owed but to call a customer after the fact and track down money is just TACKY, RUDE, and has now secured them the worst review I've ever given. BTW, it was the chef (and I'm assuming he's an owner) was the one who ordered the manager (our waiter) to call us and demand the money. I wonder if they wouldve called us to pay us back if we had mistakenly overpaid. HERE IS THE TAKE-AWAY MESSAGE: In a city with such a vibrant food scene, there are PLENTY of other Italian BYOs. I recommend taking your money to other BYO establishments that value customer service such as LA VIOLLA, COCHON, or MELOGRANO.
(1)
Nico D.

After an underwhelming experience at Amis, what a nice change. Everything was delightful. The ricotta gnocchi are as good as they get, my slow-roasted pork shoulder was flavorful and tender, my wife's pasta with pork ragu was great. Even the ice creams (mokka and vanilla) were the perfect end to a memorable meal. Maybe the decor and service are not as snazzy as Amis but who cares? The food is much better, and that's all that matters. They are BYOB but not cash only (take that, Cochon!).
(5)
Goldie G.

Gnocchi is the BOMBBBB!! Melt into mouth mmmm we had a LARGE party they were super flexible and accommodating. Love the byo and let us bring in our own desserts very yummy! Brussels sprouts delish. Bathroom is freezing the heat blasts then it's cold otherwise great!
(5)
Elle W.

We ate at Ulivo on Saturday night. It was really good food and we enjoyed our meals. The spiced almonds were very spiced, so make sure you like alot of spices before ordering. The bread that comes with them is delicious. Also, the sweet corn side is so incredibly good. I highly recommend. For entrees I got the Monkfish dish. I talked to the waitress about this and was telling her how indecisive I was about the Monkfish or the Gnocchi's. I chose the Monkfish. I was thinking to go a little lighter rather than a whole plate of pasta. Well I was sort of wrong because it was a whole plate of pasta with Monkfish mixed in. Don't get me wrong it was delicious, I was just not prepared for a whole plate of pasta. The dessert was amazing and all we got was the sorbetto. I recommend this place. Next time I will get the gnocchi's instead as I have heard it is their signature dish :)
(3)
Jessica W.

Great little restaurant on East Passyunk. Went with my parents for dinner and we all really enjoyed our main courses of ricotta gnocchi (must order-little pillows of heaven) and the chicken, which our server suggested. Love that it's BYOB, and service was wonderful. Only complaint was the broccoli rabe was too smokey, tasted burnt, but they took it off our bill, so no harm done. Definitely worth trying, especially for the menu options and affordable prices.
(4)
Joshua M.

Decided to venture out into another part of Philly for Valentine's Day. I usually eat in center city more for convenience. This place did not disappoint at all. This place has the feel of a local place bc it's right there on the corner of the intersection right in the Queen Village neighborhood. We were seated very quickly. This place is BYOB, though I'm not a big wine drinker. Our dinner lived up to the hype. Appetizer was bruschetta which was really good. Our dinners were awesome. My girlfriend had spaghetti with scallions, spinach, and mussels. I had the chicken alla matte with potatoes and zucchini. Portions were perfect. This place was awesomeI can't wait for my next visit.
(5)
Keely C.

Closed permanently. mobile.philly.com/blogs/â€¦
(1)
Michelle C.

Before the week leading up to New Year's Eve, I had never even heard of Ulivo. Turns out, it's a newish BYO that opened sometime in the fall. For some reason, it seems to have gotten a little lost in the shuffle of restaurant news. Maybe that's why we were so fortunate to score a table for eight just a week or so before the big night. Granted, it wasn't until 9:30, but beggars can't be choosers on the busiest night of the year. Six of the eight arrived on time, while another couple showed up a little while later. Since it was already late enough, we decided to order the appetizers and pastas in a family style way, so we were able to try a little bit of everything. That kept things running smoothly when our friends rolled in. Our server was great and kept us on track despite the distractions of friends and a table covered with bottles of wine, beer and champagne. We had a bunch of apps but the only two I really recall are the octopus and polenta. The octopus was okay, a little chewy, but the polenta was great. And that's saying something, because I typically hate polenta. It's a dish I've long lamented and just don't understand. But Ulivo presented it in an appetizing way - thickly fried sticks with marinara on the side - so I was willing to give it a go. It was hot, cheesy and flavored just right. I love when a restaurant changes my mind about something I think I don't like. Next up was the pasta course. We ordered one of everything so I got to try it all. Standouts were the buttery pasta mixed with shrimp and the penne with cheese and potatoes. I realize these descriptions don't sound very gourmet, and I'm typically much better with details, but we got the party started early on New Year's Eve and by the time dinner rolled around, my brain wasn't really on full alert. The gnocchi was also good and had a nice truffle butter sauce, but the taste was really one note and needed some sort of kick. By the time entrees came around I really wasn't even hungry anymore. My roasted chicken was very nice, though. The crispy skin was super flavorful and the chicken was moist. The side of lemony pearl pasta that came with was okay, but I instead opted for forkfuls of the risotto across the way. An espresso followed by an affogato revved things back up as we toasted the New Year. I enjoyed my dinner at Ulivo but I wasn't wowed by it. If I do end up there again that would be fine, but it would definitely be for a group dinner where the focus is more on a nice night out with friends than one where the focus is on the food.
(3)
Eileen T.

We ate here recently with friends and each of us left the place completely satisfied. The quality of the food was very good and the service was friendly and helpful. What we ate: Beef ragu-filled rice fritters (crunchy outer layer with creamy rice and a flavorful meat center), raddichio salad (dressed lightly and everything fresh), bruschetta, Salmon, pork cheeks (braised - oh, my, I love those cheeks!), bucatini with guanciale, and flat iron steak. All of the dishes were prepared properly, were tasty, and were sized so that our stomachs were full but not stuffed. We finished the dinner with rice pudding - a lovely end to this delicious meal. it's BYOB, which adds to the appeal.
(4)
Alex G.

Very nice restaurant with the quintessential Philly byob ambience. My wife and I started off by splitting the ricotta gnocchi in truffle oil. It was the best part of the entire meal. The ricotta gnocchi were light and soft. We had the pan roasted trout and yellow fish tuna entrees. The trout was very good. It was served in a very tasty vinaigrette. However, I didn't care for the yellow fish tuna. It was pretty tasteless.
(4)
Krystal B.

You BETTER have a reservation, even if it's at 6pm on a Friday & the place is completely empty or you'll be turned away! This really bothers me because as someone that lives literally five minutes away from this place, you would think they would want to do locals right. Repeat business is what keeps places like this afloat during the off-season. Granted, they really have no way to tell that one is local, but I showed up there...starving... on a Friday at 6pm. The restaurant was COMPLETELY EMPTY less ONE table (that includes no one at the bar) at 6pm and I was turned away saying, and I QUOTE: "We are all booked up." Really? Like 200 people are suddenly going to come rushing in at all once in the less than forty five minutes it would take for me to chow down? I find that very hard to believe. The hostess was extremely haughty. This could be that I don't "dress like I have money," but booooooy oh booooy did they miss the mark on that one. You can't judge a book by it's cover. The whole thing put me off soooo much that I will NEVER eat there. EVER! I'd rather go to 10 Arts inside the Ritz-Carlton because, at least then, even dressed casually they are always welcoming and ready to serve their guests. Disgusted by this place. BIG TIME! On the upside, it DID look beautifully decorated inside, but I wouldn't really know, because I wasn't allowed in.
(1)
Christina G.

I went with two others for the first time on Friday night. We were lucky to get reservations on a Friday night two hours before going out. The restaurant was very busy so I strongly recommend making a reservation. There were a number of people that came in after us that waited a while to get a table. Service was very good. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and made great recommendations. I thought the food was brought out at the perfect timing. We didn't wait long, but at the same time, we didn't feel rushed. We had the perfect amount of time to drink our wine and enjoy our bread and appetizers before the entrees came. The octopus was very good but I wish the serving was bigger. I think there were only 4 pieces of octopus total on our plate which was annoying to share between 3 people. The gnocchi was amazing. All 3 of us at my table absolutely loved it. Some of the best I ever had and I can't think of a place in Philly that has better gnocchi. I had the mahi and it was amazing. I have no idea how they made it but it was so delicious. We didn't try any sides so I can't comment on the sides. My fellow diners were happy with the entrees. I didn't try their entrees but they both felt like the mahi and gnocchi was the best out of everything we ordered. Plus this place is byob and accepts credit card. The only annoying thing is that this place raised their prices in the last week (the day after getting a good review). So when we went, the prices on the menu were more than listed online. One item that was $16 is now $20. It seems like each menu item was raised a few bucks after getting a good review. I think it is a little shitty to raise your prices just a month or two after opening and to have a different price online than what you get in the restaurant. I would have rated this place 4 stars but dropped it a star due to the pricing change.
(3)
Tom S.

We ate dinner at Ulivo for an anniversary - in such cases, it's a spoken rule that we're out for a treat, and shouldn't worry about what we're paying out. In the past, this mindset has procured some exquisite plates of food for us, but also some frightening final bills. Ulivo, a BYOB waiting just around the corner, was a different experience. We waited around a little for our server, a friendly girl named Lacey who was pretty damn busy but doing a good job of hiding it. She popped our bottle of wine and took an appetizer order for what was a tasty, crispy plate of calamari. We didn't get our entree order in until after we'd taken down half the appetizer, so we had some time to sit and get hungry again. Soon enough, I was given one of the better cuts of skirt steak I've had, with a glorious mess of chilled veggie salad on the side. This was all very delicious, but I was glad I ordered a side of fingerling potatoes as well, or else something would have been missing. My lady's ravioli special was not too heavy and extremely flavorful, and we had plenty on the table to fill us both. For good measure, she put down the bread pudding, and I the chocolate torte for dessert. All this plus espressos came to the very excellent price of about $79.50. Service was a little slow but very friendly, and therefore not an issue to us. We were out to enjoy ourselves at a leisurely pace, and did quite well, which I'd most certainly suggest you come here to do too.
(4)
Carlo M.

A pretty nice Italian spot just across the street from Cochon. Staff was very friendly. The atmosphere was nice but a little strange to me because there was no music. The noise permeating the restaurant was just the hum of people's conversations. The food was pretty good. The mozzarella & the olives were great appetizers. Really love the olives though -- they had some kick, and they came with some roasted almonds and really good bread. Tried the gnocchi for a primi dish. Gnocchi was cooked perfectly, but wasn't the biggest fan of the preparation. I'm more of a red sauce person, but I think this was a truffle oil preparation. I really liked the pork chop with the smoked pancetta vinaigrette. Pork on pork is always good in my opinion. Loved the dessert. The dark chocalate torta with hazelnut crema was spectacular. This place is BYOB If you bring beer, they'll store the bottles in the fridge for you.
(4)
Dan F.

Maybe I'm just on a 5-star jag ... Ulivo was absolutely delicious from start to finish. I began with a half-order of the penne with lamb and mint pesto, a thigh-clapper if I ever tasted one. I was skeptical going in as of all the pasta offerings, it was the only one not homemade. (I tend to ask these things.) But skepticism washed away with every focaccia wipe of the bowl. Speaking of the focaccia, it was wonderful. I would like to thank and make out with the person who made it. It had a light dance of salt atop it that made my heart sing. And now for my entree, the butterfish special. For those of you who, like me, fear the ocean bottom has been thoroughly trawled of anything interesting, leaving us with carp and a harmonica fishbone, I have to tell you, the butterfish was astonishingly flavorful and first-string. Imagine sea bass married with ... a marshmallow just perfectly toasted over a camp fire. That sort of white hot burst when you take a bite, with the skin teething out the perfect whisper of crust. It was served over a homemade chewy pasta - these little nuggets of bliss, that cannot be questioned, just inhaled. My dessert - not that I had room, but never mind - was a chocolate flourless cake with orange tarragon sauce. As described, it was lighter and less predictable than the traditional flourless, and very lovely indeed with absolutely true chocolate notes with an even hand on the sweet. It did not wow me to the level the fish did, but it was a high performer and should be considered if your hips and posterior need filling, as mine apparently do. Finally I really had wonderful service - you can't put a price on that. In closing I will mention the couple who sat behind me featuring an awful little man who spent the entire meal curmudging about how it didn't meet his allegedly pristine standard and then redoubled his bleats when the check came in as it was more than $9.99. The type who weaves into conversation eleventeen times how he's a lawyer and whose dining companion suffers the terrible personality in a gray cloud of silence. If you're this type of person, absolutely do not enter. Ulivo will be lost on you. As for everyone else: please come and see what all the happy fuss is about.
(5)
Ben P.

I want to move in to Ulivo. Our dinner here exemplified what an absolutely perfect, comfortable, relaxing dining experience should be. Great atmosphere, incredibly fresh and delicious food and 100% perfect service. We had a salad with dates and red cabbage and pine nuts (among other things) that they served on two plates for us (without us asking). The ingredients were obviously fresh and well-selected. Roasted pepper and fontina arancini were little balls of heaven...(uhhh huh huh...you said balls). Entrees were a pork tagliatelle and a steak that melted. Broccoli rabe which was just bitter enough and balls (more balls!) of potatoes fried lightly and crispy on the outside and fluffy like little clouds of starchy wonderfulness on the inside. Dessert...oh dessert...where so many places can entirely screw up a meal...these guys round the bases for home. A coconut panacotta with citrus and basil that absolutely blew my mind out of ears and onto the floor. Yeah, I had to pick my brain up after dessert. What? Our server was efficient, described specials in a way that made sense, was just friendly enough without trying to BE our friends, and was genuine and cordial. Perfect. Seriously, I want to move in.
(5)
Ryan D.

I really don't have much to say that hasn't already been said. They food was delicious starting with the bread and continuing through dessert. I was there on a Wednesday night and they had a good crowd so it seems like it is probably a good idea to make a reservation. My favorite menu item that we had was the ziti with lamb. I didn't order it because I was a little scared of the mint pesto since mint isn't always my favorite ingredient, but it was absolutely delicious. It's not overly minty at all. The service was what really stood out. The hostess and the waiter and the person filling our glasses were attentive, but not to the point of annoyance. Good, friendly service really means the most and we got it here. Although this may be trivial one of my favorite things here was the size of the water glass! I love my water and they serve theirs in large pint glasses so you never have to worry about running out.
(5)
Steve S.

Had an exceptional meal here last night. The bread was way above average. Our server was well versed on the menu and very nice - although service did drop off toward the end of the meal (the place got busy and we couldn't get our server or anyone else to fill our water). The crispy calamari was great. We had two of the 3 specials offered (the pork loin cutlets over a seasoned polenta and frisee salad, and dorado over roasted vegs. We also had a side of broccoli rabe that was prepared perfectly. (Note to Ralph's: You could learn from this place how to cook and serve broccoli rabe correctly.) We decided to get the dark chocolate tort w/ crÃ¨me fraÃ®che for dessert. It was made in house and was spectacular! We'll definitely be going back. Surprised Craig LaBan hasn't reviewed this place yet. I would give it a strong two bells. Have to try it 2 more times before I could give it three - but a strong 2 bells is respectful.
(5)
Steven W.

Ok I normally don't review places after only going a single time, but I really liked Ulivo. I had avoided it because I had such a bad experience at the previous spot at the same location. Ulivo is light years better. I showed up with wine and no reservations. Even though it was pretty busy, we were seated within 5 minutes. Our server was very attentive and actually a lot of fun. I had the all'amatriciana and it was fantastic and the portion size was perfect for me. The desserts looked great but I just just couldn't fit any more. I am definitely looking forward to going back.
(4)
G C.

Very affordable for the quality of food. byo makes it even better. the paparadelle with pork cheek wad so good. the gnocchi was good but I can't imagine only getting that because it's pretty rich. the waiter was kind to do half and half so I could try both. my friend had the chicken and the portion was large. the olives were a good choice as well
(4)
Ronna L.

Usually it's a bad sign when you arrive at a BYO with a reservation, only to find two large groups ahead of you ... still waiting for their tables. And, apparently, waiting long enough that they'd decided to open the wine they'd brought with them and start drinking. Oy. But it wasn't as bad as we feared. Sure, dinner turned into a three-hour affair (our server apologized for the kitchen being so slow), but the food was worth the wait. Amazing how almost any dining faux pas can be forgiven with a good meal. We had the buffalo mozzarella with the crostini, the pork chop, housemade tagliatelle with pork, and the hunter chicken with polenta--all delicious, made with fresh ingredients, well-seasoned and perfectly cooked. Desserts weren't Ulivo's strongest point (our espresso poundcake was dry), but the chocolate torte was solid. Ulivo only opened late last year, so I'll give them a few more months to work out some of the kinks. Especially if they keep dishing out food this damn good.
(4)
Catherine L.

Philly has no shortage of Italian restaurants, so if you're new in town and offering Italian fare, and a BYOB at that, you better make it and you better make it well. WIth Ulivo, also comes Monsu, Il Pittore and Alla Spina all in span of six months - lots of Italian cuisine, lots of interpretations and lots of options. One must stand out. With the Northern Liberties Sovalo pedigree, the offerings did not disappoint, but they did not sing either. The space is ample, airy and roomy which is always such a departure from your run of the mill BYO, which I appreciated. Great place to bring big parties. Decor is rustic, basic and clean. Service is friendly but a maybe spread a bit too thin. As for the food, the cibo, my friends, the food was pretty solid and the portions generous. Strongest options fiound in the starters and the lone pasta dish, and the best picks being the octopus and fried polenta starters, and as I remember the Sovalo specialty, the most dreamiest gnocchi: a ricotta gnocchi with spinach and black truffle butter - good to share as a starter (because of the richness), but you could definitely spoil yourself by just ordering it for yourself. That plate alone could elevate Ulivo to four stars, but YELP being YELP we can never give half stars (seriously, I need half stars!!!). But in all honesty, what prevents me from giving Ulivo a full four stars is for a couple reasons: first, the desserts are really what sunk the ship for me, both a ricotta cake and an olive oil cake fell totally flat. Both cakes were dry, crumbly and nearly flavorless, which was not a a nice way to end the meal. Second, though we were offered a complimentary glass of wine when we waited over 45 minutes after our reservation time to be seated, and though I know it's the nature of the BYO beast, it was a bit frustrating to get such a late start and then feel like we were getting rushed at the end of our meal to leave as we were, evidently, the last table in there finishing up. Lastly, the other courses, did not seem to shine as much as the starters and pasta mentioned above - and had they been just as strong and tasty as the others, it might have propelled me into giving Ulivo at least four stars. In the sea of Italian offerings, this is just one more sailboat bopping in the water.
(3)
C. M.

The decor of the restaurant is so adorable and the food was amazing as well. The food tastes very authentic Italian and they offer complimentary bread/olives/roasted almonds. Our server, Jen, made the experience dining at the restaurant unforgettable. She gave suggestions for sides that went well with our entrees and was very attentive to our party of 12! Love the fact that they are BYOB!
(4)
Chris G.

BYOB - that's a positive; Fresh pasta - 'nother positive; unobtrusive, very good service - one more positive; tables too close - NEGATIVE (I didn't want to hear the fight about why somebody wouldn't go to dinner w/other somebody's parents). I'll go back definitely - - - - - but maybe with earplugs
(4)
Andrew K.

Before I start, on food alone, I'd give this place 4 stars. We shared the calamari and fig salad apps, gnocchi and hanger steak mains, and an affogato to finish. Everything we ordered was tasty and came out quickly. The portions were big too and we left stuffed. The pricing was also very affordable. The service wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. It took a little while for our server to greet us after we were seated. We also had to ask for water. Otherwise, this is a nice BYOB with great food. I'd recommend to friends.
(3)
Christopher P.

Having had a great meal there in the spring, we used Ulivo in June 2012 for our wedding rehearsal dinner, and the experience was outstanding! The management did a great job working with us ahead of time to plan a menu that would feature both seasonal dishes and the house specialities, while all being within our budget. The service was great! Our waitress remembered us form our brief visit over 6 weeks earlier. And the food? Truly top notch. The ricotta gnocci is easily the best gnocci I have had in Philly, like little fluffy pillows of heaven. And I've tried a lot of gnocci. The ziti with white beans and lamb, the rosemary cake, and all the seasonal specials: excellent. We highly recommend Ulivo for anyone looking for a great meal, whether just a regular Friday night, or a special occasion!!
(5)
Thor T.

I have been a fan of Joe Scarpone's cooking since his Sovalo days in Northern Liberties and am very glad to see that his excellent way with Italian-style food continues here at Ulivo. Case in point: the crispy polenta with romesco sauce starter - beautifully fried sticks of coarse polenta that could make a meal in themselves, especially when eaten with a salad such as the heady mixture of radicchio, bibb lettuce, date, pine nuts and pecorino. A great combination of textures and flavors. The pastas are uniformly excellent: feathery ricotta gnocchi with spinach (I would prefer them without the "truffle" butter), tagliatelle with an intense pork ragÃ¹, and any of the house-made fresh pastas that rotate on the menu. I like the porchetta main dish with Tuscan kale and rosemary potatoes and the various fish preparations, e.g. the salmon with farro. Desserts are hewing close to typical Italian choices, that is, they are a bit of an afterthought: canaroli rice pudding (delicious), espresso pound cake (good), and olive oil cake (could have a lot more olive oil for my taste). Service is friendly and eager to please, I hope that frequent turn-over can be avoided so that the promising serving staff can grow with the kitchen. The space is a bit awkward and has no features that would reduce the noise level when the restaurant is full. Prices are fair. In sum - Ulivo is a neighborhood restaurant that I really like and will return to regularly.
(4)
Danit H.

What a nice place. Started with grilled octopus that was cooked very well, then had half order of gnocchi and shared the cauliflowers side dish that was extremely tasty. the waitress forgot about my salad, but they were very busy that night, so no biggie.. everything was really good, beside the dessert.. Im not sure if its a new thing or what, but I did not have a good dessert in this city in a while!!!
(4)
Doug H.

Not a great experience. "Special" Disappointment Mahi Mahi with roasted potatoes, fennel and orange. Mahi Mahi was raw in the middle, likely frozen orginially. How do I know this? Even though grilled on both sides, the middle of the fish was red/pink, gelatinous and unappetizing. Sad because the other flavors were great. Not taken off the bill, despite being brought to the attention of the owner.
(1)
Geronimo G.

Excellent: Pillowy ricotta gnocchi Tasty roast pork Lamb ziti Service (super excellent) Okay: Soft-shell crab Chocolate tart thing Decaf espresso I would come here a million times over and over again. Proper neighborhood resto.
(5)
Jeff M.

The food here was all very good. Probably the best meal I had at a BYOB in 2012. The waiter was extremely helpful and the price was reasonable.
(5)
Danielle L.

We ate here when it was new and had a great experience. Excellent service and delicious food. We recently went back , around 7:40 at night and with half the restaurant empty, they had no reservations until after 9. Don't know what they are doing turning away business. We will not be returning.
(1)
Gabrielle W.

I was very pleasantly surprised with this restaurant. It's clean, the tables are not too close together, you can actually hear the convo that is being had at the table (unlike so many other restaurants that are so loud), the food is excellent, and it's a BYOB. I would recommend the short rib dish and the gnocchi entrees. Oh- and I liked our waitress. I couldn't pronounce a couple things on the menu and she helped me in a normal way. Not like the waiters who try to correct you and give you the eye like they are so much more refined than you, and then you have to give them the all knowing eye like "you are the one waiting on me and you make like $15 an hour" look. I was happy that it didn't have to go down because I hate showing someone their role when I'm at the dinner table!
(5)
Tim B.

This is a close call--I would say this place hovers on the edge of being four stars, really something like 3.8 in my book. It's a neighborhood joint. If I lived within six blocks or so, I'd eat here a fair amount, it's good trattoria-ish Italian food. Servers are amiable, it's got a relaxed feeling, it's BYO. The food's somewhat uneven, though: I've been a bit underwhelmed by some of it even in its own terms.
(4)
L R.

Excellent food and service. It's all about their pasta and I'm not one to typically order pasta (no one makes gnocchi than grandma, except maybe Ulivo). The only reason we aren't regulars here is the ambience. Beautiful exterior corner building nicely painted in hip but classic color... But it's the inside. It echoes. It's a large space with high ceilings. They need table clothes and big curtains or something to soften it up. I feel like we're in a dining hall when inside. It's lovely food but with their prices I expect ambience to boot. That's the reason I left off the 4th star. I'd even give it five stars if the prices dropped a dollar or two per dish!
(3)
Karen D.

Tried to eat here two times and turned away without reservations. Third time, a weekday, was the charm. Had the arancini to start - delicious. For my main course, a special; tuna with diced red pepper and spinach over rigatoni with olive oil, lemon and garlic. It was light and delicious. I also tried the gnocchi and I'm getting those next time. They were unlike any gnocchi I've ever had - melt in your mouth. For dessert we shared the rice pudding with nuts and fruit - it was perfect. Also, a dark chocolate torte with orange tarragon sauce - yum. Thought the wait staff was pleasant and loved the atmosphere and the space. I would recommend Ulivo.
(5)
Dee G.

My husband and I went there with another couple last night. I really liked this place. The ambiance is elegant yet unpretentious. The food was very good. We tried out 4 appetizers - the chicken liver crostini, calamari, kunik, and salami. All were delicious. My favorite was the salami. For the main course I had the Berkshire pork chop and hubby had the gnocchi. Being more of a meat person, I preferred my dish but hubby relished the gnocchi. Dessert was a bit of a downer. I tried the dark chocolate torte with hazelnut cream. It was a little too sweet, in my opinion, and not quite dark enough. A friend tried the almond cake and liked it very much. I would definitely give this place 5 stars if I had liked the dessert more. Will definitely be back.
(4)
Chelsea W.

My gorgeous man-piece and I went here in October for his birthday dinner (A little late? Maybe.) We literally live right across the street and had been talking about this place since the building was painted and the "Ulivo" sign went up. We'd always been curious. On top of that, every time we walk by the tall, sometimes open, window-doors on the west side of the building...it's always packed! Not a bad sign. Made our res online that day, got home from work, grabbed a couple bottles of vino and raced across the street. We. Could. Not. Wait. We were seated right away and spoke with our server, Jen, about the nights specials and she offered to uncork our wine and to put my white wine on ice. We looked over the menu, having already (mostly) made up our minds on what we wanted. (It changed) I ordered the apple-frisee salad to start and my husband got the mussels. Both were absolutely beautiful. I could eat that salad all day every day and then some. For our main course, I ordered the spiced chicken alla mattone with a side of the marinated beets while he ordered the flat iron steak and a side of the pappardelle on special that night. Oh my gaahhhhhhsh! We couldn't even look at each other. We were too involved in our plates. I didn't even want to talk to him and it was his birthday. I think I mustered a full-mouthed "How is it?" at some point. He may have replied, I don't know. I was too in love with my food. The chicken was perfect and moist and spiced and generous! The beets were to die for. I love beets. But these were out of this world. We were undecided on dessert, as they all looked so good, but the cheesecake stood out as something we knew and loved and would thoroughly enjoy. We split a piece. Amazing!! Perfect end to a perfect meal. And then there's Jen, our server. She was outstanding. It's been a month since we visited and I am still so impressed with how awesome she was and feel the need to bring it up! She's great. Her suggestions were on point and she was incredibly friendly and sweet. I cannot wait to go back again soon. Especially, because I live so close, I can always smell the food on my way home from my car. It's calling me! "Chelsea, you know you want to". Yes. I do.
(5)
Jesse E.

Easily one of the best byo's in the city. We went here on a dead night which can be good or bad, but this time definitely seemed like a bonus. The typical italian antipasta-primi-secondi menu rules here so you have some options depending how hungry you are. We chose to share antipastas and pasta dishes and get our own secondis. Every app and pasta we got was fantastic, I don't think there was a single complaint about them from anyone at the table. Our second courses (the meat dishes) were a little hit or miss but nothing was sub par and nothing was outstanding. I almost wish we had just ordered another round of pasta dishes ... maybe next time. Desserts were a little limited but we ended up getting just about all of them and sharing ... they were all quite good but nothing was out of this world. Our service was perfectly timed and all around pretty perfect. Although since there were only 2 other seated tables this may have added to our experience. At first glance you may be thinking oh great another italian BYO but you'd be wrong, this is definitely one of the best italian places in the city. We have already set a date to go back and I suggest you do the same (or your first date if that happens to be the case :)
(4)
Katilyn B.

Everything at Ulivo was delicious! I loved the food and the atmosphere was great. I am sad that most of the reviews on here say it was only so-so, because that is definitely NOT true. Dishes my boyfriend and I had: butternut squash risotto and three cheese ravioli in a mushroom cream sauce. We decided to just go for those because it's what we were in the mood for. We weren't particularly hungry but by the end of the meal both of us had cleaned our plates completely. The ravioli was delicious, but the butternut squash risotto was even better! Loved it with the goat cheese. Lastly, the lovely hostess, Casey, was super-awesome. I would definitely recommend anyone looking for a nice dinner to come here.
(5)
Lu M.

The first time was ok. Wanted to give it a second chance. There will not be a third one. Major disappointment. Small, expensive and substandard appetizers; needed glasses to find the under cooked salmon on the plate; chocolate tart too sugary; expresso good, but arrived cold. It took too long to be served and was asked to rush out because another party was waiting. The bill was the only memorable item. Expensive.....
(1)
Ivan C.

Awesome gnocchi but sandy cockles shi**y service...pass
(2)
Kathleen M.

Since I live close by, I wanted to like it....but after having to wait 10mins WITH a reservation, in a half empty dining room, and being left at the table for another 10-15mins without our wine being open, or water or bread on the table, I just can't rave about Ulivo! After we placed our orders for 2 apps (Speck, which does not have to be cooked, and grilled octopus), we waited for over an hour! When they came out, the Speck was deemed very good, however I found my octopus to be without that great grill flavor, and no grill marks. Yes, they were soft and tender, but I fear they never hit a grill, or a grill with low heat! I find the octopus at Amis to be much better!!! Luckily, the entrees came out quicker. The pork ragu was great! However the pasta witht he lamb sausage and potato's was odd. Not to mention it was served with cheese on top, and the cheese looked like the shreds out of a bag, not a great finely grated cheese (as you would get using a microplane). I will go back, eventually. Perhaps they need to iron out the kinks, but until then....Cochon is next door!!!!
(2)
Steve P.

Five star food, four star service, and three stars for noise. If you are not bothered by the noise this is a must visit.
(4)
Cook P.

After several months away, we returned to find Ulivo changed for the poorer. Everything was decidedly mediocre and not thoughtfully prepared -- with one exception. Portion sizes on the salads and soups were quite small for the prices and the "special" pork ragu, which was to be braised pork shoulder, was nothing more than stringy and tough cuts of pork thrown over pasta. The once ethereal ricotta gnocchi were served luke warm on top of watery tomato sauce. The side dish the waiter forgot to order was delivered late having obviously been put on too high heat and rushed out. The one bright spot was the zucchini cake. We can only conclude that the chef has changed in the interim.
(2)
jill b.

What a disappointment! We came in from the suburbs of Philly to meet friends who live in Center City. They really wanted to take us to another restaurant but we insisted we try Ulivo. I am so sorry we did. Upon arriving for our 8:15 reservation we were told they would check on our table. The restaurant while small was barely half filled and there were many four tops open. Still we had to wait about 15 minutes for them to seat us. This was no big deal but we should have know that things were just gonna get worse from here. We waited for about 20 minutes for the waitress to take our order and then about another 20 minutes till bread was brought to our table. At this point we were a hungry group! Salads came out shortly after and were just mediocre, my Caesar salad had no taste...really??? Unfortunately, our entrees did not arrive for a good hour later. Even though we asked the waitress what is taking so long. Her response, "I have no idea". FInally, our meal comes and our dining guest who clearly explained to the waitress that he had a dairy allergy and no cheese should be on his pasta had to send back his pasta with cheese on it! My husband and my chicken looked great but the side of asparagus we ordered was never delivered, instead the waitress gave him cauliflower. So...she took back our guests pasta and said a new one would be ready in 4 minutes, NOT! And returned with asparagus for my husband. At this point we were so over this meal and she shows up with our friends pasta and we ask for the check. They did take his pasta dish off the check but that was the least they could do. They never offered us any dessert as an apology or anything. We came to this restaurant because we use to love Savolo this chef's last Northern Liberties gem. What a shame he is missing all the ingredients in Ulivo that Savolo excelled at. We won't be returning and hope that the staff learns how to be inviting to their guests and the kitchen can turn out a simple two course meal in less than 2 hours.
(2)
John V.

The menu is a great mix of tried and true (a favorite of many: flat iron steak), variations of staples (e.g., pasta and gnocchi), seasonal treats (like a recent treat: homemade mozzarella with white anchovies salad). We have brought many friends here and most love it and return on their own, introducing others. Atmosphere is a little bland though they have worked on making it better with success.
(5)
Jenna M.

Really beautiful space and the food and service were top notch. I had amazing arancini di riso as an appetizer and then the gnocchi for a main (it was more of a gnudi though), that was wonderful as well. Will definitely go back!
(4)
Beth R.

Nice new addition to the neighborhood! It has the simple chic atmosphere, a la Audrey Claire. It has wonderfully reasonable prices (pastas aroud $15, entrees around $19). It is a BYO. And the food was delicious. I had the soft, pillowy gnocchi with spinach and truffle butter, followed by the flourless chocolate torte with an orange sauce. This was one of the better flourless chocolate things I've had in a while. Will be back!
(4)
Asha L.

delicious gnocchi and spinach papardelle, wow! and the buffalo goat cheese melts in your mouth... not your typical south philly italian, more yuppy style atmosphere n menu and very high quality dining experience.
(4)
Scott L.

I'm not sure where to begin.. Having been a Queen Village resident for the past 11 years, I've had my fair share of neighborhood supporting meals. I definitely have my go to spot that fill the need when in a dinner bind. A few months ago, my fiance and I decided to try Ulivo as we pass it walking home daily. Our first meal was truly amazing. Everything tasted so fresh and delicate and the best part when the check came I was shocked out how reasonable it was. Obviously being a BYO, I still think it is as good as Amis for considerably less money! We've been back since perhaps 5 or 6 times and it has always been equally as enjoyable as the first time. Flash forward a few months... My fiance and I were planning our wedding and because we wanted it to be intimate but also focusing on supporting local businesses we elected to have our ceremony at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens and find a place to rent out for dinner. We chose Ulivo! The chef/owner Joe Scarpone is truly and all around great guy. A pleasantly nice person and an amazing chef. His crew of sous chefs and front of the house staff are so nice and friendly they made everyone feel comfortable on our special day. We had catered hor d'oeuvres at the Magic Gardens for about 70 friends and family to noss on during an hour cocktail ceremony. Joe allowed us to make our own menu for the evening comprising of some of our favorite dished we previously had mixed with some of his own additions not on the menu. For the cocktail ceremony we have mixed cheeses, strawberries wrapped in prosciutto drizzled with reduced aged balsamic, shrimp cocktail soaked in a secret sauce that people couldn't stop commenting on, fresh bruschetta, veggie trays etc. His crew manned the bar pouring wine and offering beers to our guests. As we said farewell to our friends, my wife and our extended families walked over to Ulivo to seriously get our feast on! We elected for a buffet style for everyone. Available were bone-in chicken breast, grilled salmon, ziti with fennel, carrots, and sausage, his famous gnocchi, risottos cakes paired with an eggplant puree, roasted potatoes, asparagus, and of course a house salad. After we all enjoyed a pleasant meal, then came dessert! We did bring in a small wedding cake to cut from Isgro's but that's only because Ulivo's desserts are amazing themselves. Hazelnut cake, chocolate tort, anise biscotti, fresh fruit, you name it. I honestly feel everyone thoroughly was stuffed and enjoyed every bite of their meals. For our special day we chose Ulivo and they delivered! Granted I don't expect any of you reading this to rush out and have your wedding at Ulivo, but do treat yourself perhaps on your anniversary or first date to a great meal by Joe and Co. at Ulivo. You will not be disappointed. My wife and I hope this place is around for ever so we can head back to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Thanks to Joe and his crew at Ulivo, Scott + Holly
(5)
Leah G.

A great new addition to the neighborhood. Always appreciated when a BYO takes both reservations AND credit cards!! I had the radicchio salad and asked them to sub speck for the dates (I don't like sweet in my salad) - this was a great starter. I then had the gnocchi, this was delicious and I would definitely order again. Only downfalls, bread plate was less than ample and bring a coat, it was quite drafty!
(4)
Robby N.

Hands down "THE BEST BYOB" in Philadelphia. My only problem is that it's become too popular and reservations are a must! Amazing!
(5)
Monica L.

The first time a friend and I went to Ulivo on a Friday night, we were turned away because we didn't have a reservation. I was disappointed, because only a few tables were full, and I didn't understand why they wouldn't seat us. Luckily, I returned a few weeks later with a reservation and now I absolutely understand - the place is not that big and gets absolutely packed on the weekends. With good reason - the food is amazing. I lived in Italy for a few years, and I am not exaggerating when I say that the ricotta gnocchi at Ulivo are the best that I've tried anywhere outside of Italy, and hands down the best in Philadelphia. As opposed to some of the chewy, heavier types of gnocchi that other Italian restaurants serve, Ulivo's gnocchi are pillowy mouthfuls of delight. Now, whenever I go here with friends who haven't been before, I demand that they order the gnocchi and they always agree with me that they are hands-down the best gnocchi ever. In fact, I rarely ever order any other entree, which is a shame because there are so many other delicious-looking meals on the menu. I must also give kudos to the delicious starters, including the grilled octopus and the creamy winter squash soup. The desserts I have tried, on the rare occasion that I'm not stuffed from the other courses, are also divine. Ulivo is a BYO, which is yet another perk of this fabulous neighborhood restaurant. Oh, and the service has always been delightful. I've had the same waitress everytime and she is always attentive, kind, and great at recommending things to try. I look forward to going back many more times.
(5)
Kristin D.

Don't order the risotto. Get the gnocchi if you can. Not ideal location for gluten free diets.
(2)
george k.

Had dinner at Ulivo last night. It was excellent. We loved Joe's cooking when he owned Sovalo. Nice to have Joe back in a BYOB restaurant. My wife had the Tuscan bean soup, it was delicious. I had the grilled shrimp with fregola pasta and capo, a proscuitto type of ham. The flavors blended well, the shrimp was perfectly grilled. We both ordered pasta, wife had the oricchette with guanciale and I had the gnocci. Both were home made pastas and were very flavorful. The truffle butter sauce with the gnocchi was terrific. We both shared the pistachio tart. A wonderful way to spend time in a rainstorm. Since we have been there only once, I can only give 4 stars. We plan to go back and explore the menu. Looks like a keeper. Welcome back Joe.
(4)
Molly R.

Yum!! Went to Ulivo for a Saturday 8:30 reservation with another couple. We were seated almost immediately. The appetizers were good, but nothing over the top amazing. The calamari was a little too heavily fried, but still tasty. The tomato mozzarella was very good though. As for the entrees, everyone loved itheirs. The gnocchis were outrageously good. Light, but filling. The other entrees were equally delicious. Service was good. Atmosphere was nice as well. Would definitely return. Price for party of 4, each getting an appetizer and an entree was just under $160.
(5)
Charles R.

Would say 3 1/2 stars for this BYO. The special soup of the day was hot , well seasoned, and creamy. I forget , but I think it was asparagus. The marinated anchovies were a couple white anchovies with a small salad. While it was good, I thought it was a little small on the anchovy portion. I also tasted anchovy the rest of the night. Judging by the orders of calamari that went by, I think I would have been better off ordering that, as it looked very light and crisp. The Monkfish was a decent portion with limas and spring peas. The dish was good, but again the portion was on the small side. The best suggestion from the waitress, who was very nice, was to order 2 small plates of the pastas. The gemelli with pork belly was my favorite. Great taste and the pasta was cooked to perfection I also had the gnocchi was good, not sure it was as good as Cucina Forte. but hard to compare. You can tell the pasta is made in house and not frozen. Desserts are very limited. 3 items are lacking for a restaurant like this. Service was very good, parking is where you can find it on the street and they take everything but Discover. I thought the prices were moderate. Like I said, the protions are a little small and the lack of desserts keep me from giving this a 4 star.
(3)
Cristy M.

I was nervous because the previous reviews were so-so and we were taking a really good bottle of wine. The dinner and experience couldn't have been better except for the loud party nearby. To start, we had the Brussels sprouts and the smoked mozzarella with anchovies. The mozzarella dish was not fishy at all. The anchovy just added depth. my husband made the brilliant decision to have a pasta course. We chose the gnocchi with black truffle oil and spinach. I'm not a fan of truffle oil, so I asked that they go easy. It was amazing!!!! Dreamy, little pillows soft and full of flavor. We each ordered fish. I had the salmon and my husband had the striped bass. Both were fresh and cooked perfectly. Dessert was a cappuccino and spice cake with orange. Service was prompt and friendly and we can't wait to go back!
(5)
Carol S.

We eat at Ulivo frequently and love their food. Since we live in the neighborhood, we like to go there during the week when it's not as hectic. The food is excellent and the staff is friendly and accommodating.
(5)
K M.

Ulivo was a pleasant dining experience. Our server was extremely knowledgable about the menu and gave vibrant descriptions. Our menu for the evening consisted of watermelon salad, prosciutto and cured meats, pasta course was tonnarelli and pappardelle, main course black cod and Berkshire pork...all very nice.
(3)
Mark D.

I usually dislike eating Italian out. Despite not being Italian myself, I find that I am a competent enough cook that what I make at home usually far outshines the slapped-together fare found at most Italian places. This place, along with Vetri and Modo Mio, are starting to make me change my mind. There is no way I could create gnocchi as air light as the ones I had at Ulivo. Every part of the meal was simple, but outstandingly well prepared by a chef who was a craftsman. Highly recommend.
(4)
William J.

We live around the corner and have been there 4 or 5 times, with our kids. The place is a welcome addition, nice enough decor and ambiance. BYO is a plus of course. The service has generally been good and the staff has been accomodating with respect to the little ones. The food is good, very good sometimes but not spectacular. The flattened chicken though is the best chicken dish I have ever had and I would come here just for that. Pasta dishes are also very good, the bolognese dish is superb and filling. The kids love the steak. It ends up being fairly expensive for what it is, tonight the check was $100 for one salad, steak, chicken, pasta dish, one side (cauliflower) and 2 sorbets. It would be nice if they added a few specials to mix things up a little for the regulars. We will keep coming because it's a nice place in the neighborhood which accomodates kids and is pretty good, oh, and the chicken is spectacular.
(4)
Alexa R.

I feel like I am hating on a lot of new places we have been trying. Let me preface this review by saying my husband and I went here on Valentine's Day and it was PACKED. We arrived at 6:15 and waited for about 5 minutes to be acknowledged by a server once the maitre d' sat us. Our server was very nice and told us about the specials. We waited a bit to order. Then we ordered. Bread came out, which consisted of three pieces of foccacia and olive oil. It was delicious - I wish there had been more! Appetizers were amazing: fried polenta, octopus and a half portion of the foie gras ravioli. I am not a fan of foie gras and I loved them! My favorite was the fried polenta, although the citrus kick of the octopus appetizer was delicious. Our entrees took a long, long time to come out. My husband ordered the flat iron steak and I had the pork chop. Both were delicious, it just took so long. I am not sure if this can be attributed to a more leisurely meal for Valentine's Day? We stacked up our plates and the maitre d' was the one to clear them. We saw her do this a lot, which made me feel bad for her. We ordered dessert, sorbet for me and espresso cake for my husband, which took another 10-15 minutes. The thing is, the food was really good. I think I need to give it another chance on a non-holiday to provide an accurate review! Now I feel bad.
(3)
Mike d.

Went with a group of friends for New Years. Our group was able to try most of the menu and everything was fantastic. Octopus app was great, nice and tender. The gnocchi with truffle oil was very nice, the quote for that dish was "I wish I had 3 plates of this for my dinner!". Osso Bucco and Salmon were hits as well. Risotto with quail was good. The sides we tried were great, potatoes were very tasty, brussel sprouts were good. I was supposed to share the beets with the table, they were so good nobody else got a bite! Service was great, very attentive and made good suggestions. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be visiting again. (if return visits are as good as the first, I will probably upgrade to 5 star rating, I want to be sure of consistency before doing so).
(4)
Christine G.

This restaurant is simply incredible. It is hard to out into words how great this experience was here. From the moment we walked in, the staff was friendly and welcoming. The ambience is very cozy and the decor is simple yet very detailed; which is very complimentary of the food. Our waiter was the best waiter I have ever had serve me, and I wish I remembered his name so that I could add it in! He was very knowledgable and enthusiastic about the food, and made the perfect recommendations for us. As far as the food goes, I don't believe I will ever forget eating this meal! I started with the endive salad, which included dates and Gorgonzola cheese. So simple, fresh and very tasty. For the pasta dish, my boyfriend and I shared the gnocchi ricotta which is had made and served in a truffle oil sauce. WOW - this gnocchi is hands down the best in Philly. It literally melts in your mouth and the sauce is so perfectly balanced. As a main meal I had the chicken dish, which I was skeptical about trying since chicken is not always the best option to choose when eating out. The server reassured me that it was a great choice so I went for it. I'm so happy I did. It comes over a bed of some sort of Italian cous cous like starch. and is topped with caramelized onions. So delicious! To top it off, their coffee is amazing; I'm confident enough to say its one of the best espressos in the area (they serve illy coffee). In short, GO HERE and be blown away by everything a dining experience has to offer. They seem to have everything so well managed and make it look so easy, from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave..
(5)
Sandy F.

We were blown out here. Just what we'd want to experience from good food, excited about the flavors and the creativity of the dishes. Go, it's yummy.
(5)
Amy A.

Hands down, the best gnocchi I've ever had (and I'm Italian). The service was great, loved that it was BYOB, and the ambiance was lovely. I have been craving the gnocchi ever since I left. Can't wait to go back! Definitely a restaurant worth checking out, and they do half pasta portions too, which I love.
(5)
Andrew L.

I had the sea bass. It was pretty good, nothing amazing. We had kale and brussel sprouts which were pretty good. Good seasoning. Well cooked. I think the price is set pretty accurately for the food that is served. The service was friendly and knowledgeable. I usually try to not go to the same restaurant twice within a few months, but I will definitely be back. Great addition to the neighborhood.
(3)
MC E.

I was here for the first time and it was absolutely delicious and there was nothing that I didn't like about this place. The location is fantastic. The decor is beautiful and the food is outstanding. Our server, Jen, made our experience even that much better as she was a resource and guided us though ordering and offered fantastic suggestions of side to compliment each person's order. I had the Caesar salad and while one might think "big deal", yes it was...it was hands down the BEST Caesar salad I can remember having. Not sure why as it was simple (romaine/croutons/dressing), but it was spectacular. I also had a the octopus Starter and it was prepared/grilled perfectly and was so tender. The ziti (with lamb) was again wonderful and the pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente and the ration of pasta to sauce/meat/cheese was spot on. As the main course, I had the Flat Iron Steak and again, it was prepared perfectly med. rare (as I ordered) and the fries that it is served with were so crispy and perfectly salted - they were a real treat since I do not usually order french fries. My husband had a special entree for the evening of Skate and that was wonderful as well from what I had tasted. We will be back and I recommend this spot to anyone looking for a unique BYOB with 5-star food. Mangia!
(5)
Ashley A.

Not impressed. The service was poor at best. Our waitress, Jen, appeared to having zero food knowledge. She explained the specials by saying things like "steak pairs beautifully with potatos" - well obviously. She either lacked the knowledge of sauces/spices of the specials or just didnt care to take the time to explain it. Also, we waited forever for 2 course and it was not even that busy. The table next to use sat down after us and made it through 4 courses in the time we had 2. Thats how slow the service we received was and no apologies/explanations were received regarding the ridiculous delay. The appetizer I had was lackluster and comparable to something I had at di brunos carry out. Our second course of pasta carbonara was huge and insanely saltly for a dish of its size. The pasta had only on note, salt - there was no balance. At that point, we felt so over salted and annoyed we got our check and left. I had our left over pasta wrapped and here's the kicker - they put both of our food in the same to go box. disgusting! Also, the waitress never refilled either of our wine glasses once. I was not impressed at all,
(2)
D L.

food was ok, service was damn slow
(3)

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Address : 521 Catharine St
Philadelphia, PA, 19147
Phone (215) 351-1550
Website https://www.ulivophila.com
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual, Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

Claim Restaurant

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

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Ulivo

521 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147

Ulivo Menu

Starters

Salads

Pasta

Mains

Vegetables $6

Healthy Meal suggestions for Ulivo

Starters

Salads

Pasta

Mains

Vegetables $6

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