Amazing food. So fresh, so comforting! The family atmosphere (family owned) makes you feel like you are over a friend's house enjoying a perfect meal. The eggplant rollitini and grilled vegetables lasagna are things I now dream about! I'm hesitant to write this review because it will become too popular!
(5)
Maggie L.
BYOB small italian restaurant, ambiance has the potential to be good however when we went, there was a large party next to us and it was VERY loud. The wait was so long, we waited close to an hour for our meals even after waiting 45 minutes to place the order. The food was not spectacular but in their defense it was a busy night for the chef. Lastly, you can definitely find another authentic italian restaurant in the area for less $$$
(2)
Kara S.
I went with a party of six (they take reservations, thankfully), and we did BYOB. It took about 20 minutes to even get the bottles opened though. The service was VERY slow, don't go if you're in a rush. That being said, the food was excellent, everyone enjoyed what they got. But they need to hire some more servers, and ones that don't seem annoyed to be serving you!
(3)
Steve T.
Chef/owner Vince Totaro continues to just kill it here at this top notch neighborhood BYOB Italian restaurant. Last night I enjoyed a brontosaurus sized veal chop entree prepared with a mushroom marsala sauce that was delicious. The lobster ravioli appetizer, prepared in a generous cheese sauce, was also outstanding. We finished the evening with a piece of chocolate cake made by the Vince's wife's sister (yeah its a family run place) that was heavenly. Plenty of street parking right out front, and be sure to call in advance as seating is limited.
(5)
Kristin N.
A friend took me here after having enjoyed many good meals herself. Staff were very friendly and everyone is family, so it adds a nice homey touch. The bread was fresh and delicious. It's a tad pricey, but my meal was solid....goat cheese ravioli. Filling was delish and the ravioli were nicely al dente and made from fresh pasta dough. BYOB is always a plus, too! I'll return with the hubby, who will want to try one of the many meat entrees.
(4)
Cait M.
Had an excellent meal here with two good friends. The food was exquisite. While the server was sweet, she was overwhelmed and understaffed for the number of people. During the evening, she had 22 tops. All in all that doesn't sound terrible, however there was little separation in timing for her.
(4)
Nico L.
A little pricey, but damn fine food. I went here on an afternoon with a couple of dogs (They are pet friendly as long as you are outside!). They take their time crafting the cuisine they serve. The bread is always fresh. I had a steak with caramelized onions and blue cheese. It was cooked to perfection and full of flavor. My girlfriend had a cheese ravioli which was immaculate and my dad had mussels and clams with spaghetti he would not stop raving about. It is a bit out of the way from 76, but there is plenty of street parking. If you're looking for a quaint little restaurant that treats you like family, come here.
(5)
Terence M.
I have been lucky enough to have dined at restaurants all over the world, and there is no place like Totaro's. The enjoyment you get from the family atmosphere is only exceeded by the quality of the food. Veal, seafood or one of their signature wild game nights, you can't go wrong. The restaurant space makes you feel like you are in someone's house. Small intimate setting with Vince working his magic in the kitchen. Service had always been excellent, often provided by one of Vince and Donna's daughters. Go there once and this place will become your go-to.
(5)
Ed M.
Went here with my wife for a one day after anniversary dinner. It was a Monday night and the Eagles were playing so at 730 it was pretty empty. Nevertheless we really liked it. Old time Italian atmosphere. The service was very good as was the food. We had lobster ravioli which was solid. Would have liked to have seen more lobster in it but the sauce and the pasta were both great. My entree was the veal saltimbocca over pasta and it was delicious. My wife had a pork loin special over apple risotto and really enjoyed it. We had a caramel cheesecake that was also good. I think it was slightly overpriced but overall this place is a good night out and we will definitely go back.
(4)
Harry M.
Great food good atmosphere great desserts awesome BYOB! Fresh homemade true Italian food, staff made us feel at home, great place to dine out with friends and have a conversation we never felt rushed to leave, would definitely recommend and will definitely go back!
(5)
Chris J.
Great atmosphere, awesome service, and specials that are out of this world! Byob and reasonable prices. Be sure get a reservation early there is limited seated.
(4)
Karen O.
Had a very dissapointing experience here on Saturday. Which is a shame since the food was good. I see the noise level is described here as loud, but our party was told we were too loud. The owner/chef decided to wait until we were done our meal - which took a lot longer since one of our party didn't receive her meal until the rest of us were finished(!). Since the owner felt comfortable enough to rudely communicate his unhappiness to us - I'm suprised he wasn't a smart enough business owner to come out earlier and communicate his unhappiness in a nicer way. When we asked for our check it took them another 10 minutes (and it was incorrect) even though they said they were in a rush to get us out. Really disappointed that a business owner decides to run his business this way.
(1)
Percy N.
Family owned place serving the community for over 50 years !! The gnocchi and boar chop special was very good.
(4)
Caitlin M.
I am in love! I can be pretty picky about my Italian food since my mother is a fabulous cook, however this place takes the cake! From the homemade pasta, to the creaminess of their sauces, to the very delicate and delicious calamari; it is just superb all around. The food: Items I have tried there are the fried calamari with the sweet and spicy chili sauce, the pescatore, gorgonzola chicken, sachetti milano, and the grilled vegetable lasagne. I would recommend ANY of these items, however if it is your first there definitely get something with pasta. It is homemade and out of this world. This last time I went I tried the gorgonzola chicken and feel in love. It is going to be difficult for me to switch and try something new the next time I am there. My dining guests ordered the pescatore and were notified before ordering that they were out of mussels but would make up for it by adding additional seafood of the customers choice. We agreed that was no problem at all because it is good to know they would only have this food item in stock if it was fresh, and they are not keeping a back up supply frozen. Parking: plenty of on street parking, but if you park in the lined spaces back in the space; I believe it is a rule in that part of Conshohocken. I would highly recommend putting in a reservation because it is a small place, however BYOB which is a nice touch. Do no be discouraged by the prices because it is all worth it. Huge portions with great quality food that is only matched in awesome small Italian places in Philly.
(5)
Alissa C.
I had a pork chop with risotto on special that was truly to die for. I'm only giving it four stars not five because it took a full two hours to get our dinner, but maybe that's the "Italian way." Also the wait staff was not very attentive. Our table was constantly littered with our empty beer bottles and not being cleared, and they didn't come to check on us much. Overall tho, everyone in my party just raved about their dinners!
(4)
Adam E.
This place reminds me of home. An Italian lady sees you waiting there with 3 other couples who, much like myself and my cousins at a holiday meal, look at each other with smiling suspicion. "Enjoy your meal and don't you fucking dare take the last order of calamari," we say to each other with our eyes. Then the Italian lady greets you quickly as she rushes around, telling you, "I think we'll have a table. Hold on." You should probably hold on and not give up. Because the meal I had here was some of the best Italian food I've ever had. My gf and I were 3rd in line and waited quite a while on a Saturday night at peak rush hour (8:30 or so). There isn't a lot of room to stand and wait, but we didn't care because we like each other and we liked looking at the food as it came out to the tables. We liked it even more when we finally sat down, poured our own beverages, and got a basket of the most delicious bread on the planet. The crust was perfectly crunchy without cutting your mouth up. And I'm trying my best not to describe the inside in womb-like terminology, but it was warm and soft and I cried when it was over. After the amazing bread, we got our even more amazing entrees. We wanted calamari, but wouldn't you know one of those couples in line beat us to the last one. The server was more apologetic than I could've imagined. It's nice to have that kind of treatment instead of, "yeah we ran out, it's late," like you get some places. Again, it felt like family. Anyway, we sent for the safe bet of chicken parm as one entree, and rotini with broccoli rabe and sausage for the other. We went halvesies on them, which was the correct decision. They were both absolutely perfect. The red sauce, which no one ever gets right, was 100% right! And my god, the rotini might have been even better than the chicken. Both were very generous portions, especially considering the quality of the food and the reasonable price. Entrees hovered around $20-25, and you easily get 2 friggin awesome meals out of them. If you can handle a long, somewhat disorganized-feeling (but not actually disorganized) wait and a very loud atmosphere (lots of Italian families celebrating stuff here), get in there and enjoy.
There is nothing like a first-rate Italian BYOB in New Jersey or Philadelphia. It's even better when you go to a residential neighborhood that's not obvious and get to sit outside. And it's better still when the menu has 20 items you want to order and then the server, whose father owns the place, tells you about the specials. which included a marvelous thick pork chop in marsala wine sauce with risotto. Deb had a seafood pasta Cardinale that was so good she scooped up all the remaining sauce with bread. You may need a GPS to find this spot but do find it. And call to get one of the sidewalk seats.
(5)
Aaron O.
Had a terrific Valentine's dinner here. First, BYOB is great. You get to save money there. The waitresses were very friendly; they were busy but still kept us happy. The complimentary bread was terrific and plentiful. We had the prix fixe menu (3 courses $50 which is very reasonable. Had a terrific salad, bacon wrapped shrimp, and Surf and Turf. In the end i was very full and happy. The location is a bit strange but the inside is very nice. It's small but quiet. Great spot for a date-again the byob... Would love to go back
(5)
Alona K.
I wish I could give minus 5 stars for this place. I must admit it did look fishy on the outside but the reviews were good so I convinced my gf to give it a try. It started with the water that tasted like something out of a sewer. When we mentioned it our only option was to pay for bottled water or pellegrino, waitress never offered to taste the water after our complaint. Then my gf wanted salad with some grilled chicken which at the end once they saw our dining out card they decided to add on $5 extra, for the total cost of $21???!!!? Her greens as well as mine were so bitter we could only eat half of it. My main dish veal shank was ok not much tenderness or flavor. I can probably make it better at home. As for service it was terrible with so much attitude that we just paid our bill and ran out to never return. Please be aware. I've dined at some shady and very expensive places all over the world and this was by far the biggest gotcha I ever got in my own backyard.
(1)
Vince G.
A neighborhood gem that is by far the best Italian BYO in the area. The restaurant's decor adds to the charm and the food's quality is unmatched. Note, get the veggie lasagna. Will definitely be back soon!
(5)
Deborah B.
We chose Trattoria Totaro on the recommendation/suggestion of my daughter who had dined here recently for a family dinner to celebrate our son and daughter-in-law moving. There were five of us with one gluten free eater. It is a BYO so we brought wine and our server took good care of opening and serving it. There are quite a number of wonderful sounding dishes, most with home made pasta, We all loved our choices including appetizers of calimari and roasted pear salad. The gluten free person was very happy with his vegetable lasagna layered with risotto instead of pasta and shrimp on top. Shrimp Fra Diablo kept two more lifting their forks with pleasure and lastly the Rigatoni Alio Olio with home made pasta substituted for the riggies was wonderful. Some came home with us from the generous portions, The deserts were delish (canolis and blueberry crumble, home made and warm) and again generous portions. We will be back. It is an unassuming little corner place on quiet Spring Mill Ave, Charming and comfortable. Give it a try.
(4)
Scott F.
My best friend lives in the apartment above this place and we went on a double date here recently. To my surprise, it was outstanding food. The service was a little slow, but if you're with good company that shouldn't matter much. The space was very loud as two birthday parties were in what is a very small dinning room area, but once again if you're with a good crowd you'll be just as loud. I got the osso bucco with wild mushroom risotto and it was out of this world. Soooo good. I recommend this for anyone in the Conshohocken area. Don't forget to bring a nice bottle with you when you go.
(4)
Jennifer T.
Maybe the best meal I've had in years. Every person in our 7 person party was amazed. Fresh and the chef comes out to speak with you about the meal. A keeper for sure.
Great food and friendly service. The place is small, but cozy. The only issue is the fact that the place is a bit noisy, so you have to yell to get heard at your table.
(5)
Heather-Anne P.
Excellent authentic Italian food. House-made pasta, flavorful authentic dishes... Fantastic! The desserts are worth saving room for (if you can)! The ambiance is so-so--the restaurant is small and somewhat cramped, but clean, functional, and adequately lit. It may take a while to get your food if it's busy, but they will keep you happy with freshly baked bread and house-made olive oil. Reservations are required to get into this gem. I highly recommend this restaurant. Do not be fooled by the exterior, which is not an eyesore by any means, but nothing special or froufrou. Follow your nose; the moment you step into the restaurant you'll be glad you came. It's BYOB, but they do not charge a corking fee. The restaurant is a tad expensive, but not inappropriately so for the quality of the food you get (and the quantity). Again, I highly recommend this restaurant. They can seat groups, but it will be a bit cramped. It can get noisy on a Friday night, but not out of control. It is not as though they have loud music building or anything. The sounds are just those of happy people enjoying good food. No TVs. No DJ. Again, just excellent food (even better with excellent company).
(5)
Sean W.
The food is out of this world. The sweet Italian sausage, the striped bass, the salmon. Delicious! And Victoria is the best.waitress.ever. She took such great care of us. No one better.
(5)
Sharon G.
Victoria was our server for our.dinner and she was wonderful. We went to Totaro's for my mom's 80 th birthday. The meal was wonderful and the atmosphere relaxed.
(5)
Moira T.
Great food and atmosphere. The staff is wonderful and friendly. Had the pork chop and risotto. Dessert was a lemon cake that was awesome. I'd definitely dine here again!
(3)
Nick D.
Great family owned neighborhood gem. Never disappointed . Been here on numerous occasions either with a party of 4-6 or a family party of 10 or more and have always left feeling completely satisfied with the service and of course the quality and presentation of dishes. No need to go into the big city. This small byob has the old world Italy, village type feel with the authentic dishes you would expect. Bring a few bottles and enjoy. Keep up the great work, Vince and Donna. Nick d.
(5)
Deborah W.
The food is amazing. This is a perfect example of why you can't judge a book by its cover. The chef is creative and committed to excellence. Thank goodness this gem is hidden in Conshy. Shhhhh... Our secret.
(5)
ruth k.
Dined at the restaurant for the first time tonight. The food was excellent. The kitchen is most accommodating. I ordered the roasted pear salad which was listed on the menu as being served with gorgonzola cheese and a red wine vinegrette. I asked if they could substitute goat cheese and the apricot vinaigrette which was served on another salad - NO PROBLEM, Osso Bucco is my favorite veal dish and Trattoria Totaro's is one of the best I have ever had. It was served with risotto and broccoli rate - both excellent. My friend loved her Veal Vivian. Portions are very generous and the food is served piping hot and plated well. The lemon cake we shared for dessert was delicious - very light and refreshing. Our server Donna could not have been nicer. Will certainly return very soon.
(5)
Nate P.
My wife and I stopped by here for their Wild Game Night dinner last night, it was my first time eating here, and my wife's second. We had a generally positive experience. Although this is a BYOB, the dinner event included a paired beer from Conshohocken Brewery with each course, provided by staff from the brewery. For $55 a person, we each had a high quality five course meal and five 6-8oz glasses of great beer that paired well with the food. The rabbit and pumpkin stew that started the meal off was a favorite, although it could have been served slightly warmer. The pasta course included pumpkin ravioli with wild boar andoule sausage, which was also amazing. Not all courses were pumpkin-oriented but those were my favorites. The atmosphere is generally casual to dressy. It is a small space and can get noisy, given that it's "cozy" your experience will probably depend on your fellow diners. The only real negative was that the service staff was a little disconnected. Our food was plopped in front of us without any real acknowledgement before they turned away and headed somewhere else. I'm not the type of person who requires a server to dote on my hand and foot, but for a special event dinner it's always nice to have a quick explanation of what the dish was so we didn't have to constantly refer to the menu. This was contrasted by the Conshohocken Brewery staff who did a good job of serving the beer, explaining what to look for in the style being served, and why they paired it with that dish.
(4)
Emily N.
I live right around the corner, literally, and I went for the first time tonight. I had a great meal and wonderful time. I got the vegetarian lasagna with crab and my boyfriend got the veal special. Both were delicious. For me the real highlight was the appetizer. We got the eggplant with the duck in it (can't remember the name for the life of me) but I would make a meal out of that if I could! BYO was a nice option and I would highly recommend this place to anyone!
(5)
Tom H.
Have been wanting to come here for a long time, finally got around to it and was a little disappointed. The staff was super friendly and the atmosphere was nice but it took over an hour to get our appetizer. Must have been a off night.
(3)
Kevin C.
We had 16 people for a birthday celebration. Wonderful, wonderful. Everything from apps to dinner came out perfection. The walk in size kitchen puts outs the best meal, the ballet in the kitchen must be a masterpiece. All of the meals came out at the same time, hot...hot...hot, and delicious. This is my first visit, my wife's second and she reports the same. I must give my praise to chef Vincent and Chef Ryan and our hostess Donna. I'm a Cape may resident and I would only hope we had a spot like that down here. The best veal chop I've had in years. Kevin and Barbara from Cape May N J
(5)
Chelsea C.
Great atmosphere and incredible food!! Love that it is byob. We will be coming back here a lot.
(5)
Susan H.
This is our absolute favorite restaurant. I lived in South Philly for 10 years and nothing ever came close to being as good. Service is always warm and welcoming. The food is consistently delicious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)
Tom G.
I was here on a date with my fiancee recently. It was my first visit. I'd definitely classify this as an old-school Italian neighborhood gem. The food was outstanding with good, attentive service. The room we dined in had murals on the walls, which made for some nice ambiance. The fact that its a BYOB makes it even better since you don't get clubbed over the head for a bottle of wine. It was a great experience and we will definitely be back.
(4)
Jay G.
Expecting much from this neighborhood Italian restaurant. Alas, it didn't really deliver. This is a homey Italian restaurant in the old school tradition with old tables and high school cafeteria like chairs. A bit dated but it seems to work for the locals. The menu is very large which puts me off straight away. Can't do all those dishes with any great skill. I had the veal which was chewy over home made pasta which was way way over done. My dining partner had the vegetable lasagne which by the way had no pasta. Much like a vegetable casserole. Interesting but nothing special. The service was awful and the servers chaotic and scatter-brained, and we waited an hour for the entrees. Salad is extra which is unusual for the rather pricey menu. We had to repeatedly ask for bread which which was insufficient for the number of guest at our table. Pass on this one
(2)
Scott B.
One of the best meals ever. Surf and turf could cut the steak with a butter knife.
(5)
Nancy C.
I was with the group of 10 mentioned earlier. I have never been treated the way we were treated by the chef/owner. We were celebrating a birthday and having a good time. When he came out to our table and made the excuse that he "forgot" one of the dinners because "he was rushing our order to get us out of the restaurant" I was shocked. We are reasonable people and if they wanted us to quiet down, why couldn't they have said something earlier instead of making excuses and being rude? I don't get it. Totally unprofessional. I guess they must do a good enough business that they can afford to act this way to 10 people--who will by word of mouth dissuade others from trying the restaurant. That's a lot of business.
(1)
Jane L.
Our group of 10 dined at this neighborhood BYOB last night and had wonderful time. We all worked together years ago and had a lot of catching up to do. The food was wonderful, the portions were huge and the staff was attentive and accommodating. Vince, the owner stopped by the table several times to check on us but we were never rushed or made to feel anything but welcome. In this age of chain restaurants and pretentious eateries, Totaro's is a throwback, an old fashioned neighborhood place whose owner and staff take pride in their restaurant, their food, and their guest's comfort. I will be recommending this place often.
(5)
Spencer L.
This is a BYOB. Off the beaten track kind of place - good food, good prices - excellent wait staff. The restaurant is kind of small, so calling ahead might be a good idea. Not opened Sundays - kind of a drag.
(3)
Caitlin L.
Went here on a first date and it was delicious. I got the Veal Vivian and it was just wonderful.BYOB made it even better! The staff was very nice and made sure everything was perfect. I highly recommend, as I will be going again.
(4)
Holly H.
The husband spotted this spot when I started to insist that he handle one meal a week all by himself. So this was his solution for about 3 weeks until I had enough of the pretty uninspired and re-heated bland Italian take out food that comprises this menu and insisted on taking over cooking. Seriously, the idea of Italian pasta take out is nice, but this just didn't work. Things were always prepared hot and fast, and that service was always so nice, but the food was just not good. The chicken is over pounded, wafer thin, and over baked/fried. The pasta is pretty mushy. Reminded me of the Spaghetti Factory in Philly - and that's not my kind of food, either.
(2)
Michele K.
My favorite restaurant in the Conshohocken area. Food is fresh and tastes AMAZING.
(5)
Sam W.
Service is great. Food a bit pricey, but really excellent.
(4)
Chris M.
Solid byob, great lunch and dinner menu and specials good is always very hood especially forte price. Service and staff is very friendly, sometimes a little forgetful but good none the less. For the price a great value, hidden little gem on consh. Only problem is it is extremely small
(3)
Ted E.
Decided to go out during this string of snow and ice storms. The establishment was probably a corner grocery store - reminded me of my grandmother's little corner store from years ago. Cozy place - friendly upon entrance. Several tables in the "front" room - them more in the side room. Not fancy by any means - open kitchen. We were seated in the side room. Tables are nicely spaced and noise level was fine. Menu was complete and interesting. I had very good calamari for an app. Main course was a tasty lasagna with risotto. Portions were ample. Service was very friendly - Vince the owner/chef came around the room twice to greet the diners. He chatted with us about the dishes and asked how the food was. We were a party of 4 and everyone loved it. We didn't have desert or coffee so no comment here. We will be back. This is BYO and the glasses and wine service was fine. This would be a great place for a wine dinner.
(4)
Lauren M.
Went here last week for my Dad's surprise 60th birthday. My mom was very excited as the two of them have had great experiences there in the past and it's a BYOB (maybe that's what I was excited about?). My brothers and I showed up to ensure that everything was set up, wine/beers were prepared, and our family members were greeted and parked discreetly. First, my brother and I had to scramble to find a marker and cross off the tacky price-per-person listed on the bottom of each pre-fixe menu (yes it was $50 a head but no you don't need know that is what we are paying for you to celebrate my dad's birthday). My 3 little nieces and nephews who can't drink and my grandpop who doesn't drink were not offered sodas/juices which was weird to me - what 10 year old just wants water? The menu said we would receive an antipasta plate with artichokes, and asparagus. No artichokes, no asparagus. Salad course was a fine option - fruit/nut salad, Caesar, some other fruit/nut combo salad (garden or Italian salad with gorgonzola lovers, look elsewhere). For dinner, I chose the salmon & crab scampi. The salmon was very good but the crab scampi/pasta was swimming in oil. And not the good garlicky-buttery-oily sauce that we know and love with our scampi...just EVOO - drippy and...just not good. Lastly, the anticipated dessert course. I was going to have a custom made Phillies shirt cake for my Dad for his birthday but the menu listed the family style dessert as, "Family Style dessert sampler featuring our homemade cakes, bread puddings, cannolies and other specialty desserts." so I though another cake would be way too much. Boy was I wrong. 3 "samplers" came out on regularly sized entree plates with 1 small slice (not a huge chunk I was expecting from back in the Viggiano's days) of chocolate cake, 1 very watery cannoli, and 3 cookies. Yes. Cookies. For adults. Not biscotti. Chocolate chip or sugar cookies. My 11 year old nephew was ecstatic - the rest of us? Underwhelmed and unsatisfied. I am wondering if Trattoria is too small to handle a large party (17 of us total) at one time - maybe going in small groups is the better way to go. Our servers were phenomenal and the chef poked his head out of the kitchen to say hello a few times and he was a genuinely nice man, but I can say I will not be bringing anyone back to Trattoria for a large group. My Father had a great time and surprised which is what was most important. However, when I am back in my hometown of Conshohocken, I'll stick to Pepperoncini's for my Italian upscale fix.
(2)
Justin S.
Amazing. Some of the best Italian food I've had. I don't throw around a five-star rating like it's nothing. It's for how good the food is at such a good price. I often come here for lunch and I've yet to come across something I haven't liked. There's even things I've tried that I thought I didn't like that were delicious here. It's hard for me to get to trying everything I want to on the menu because I usually go with one of the specials. Yesterday I had the bbq pulled turkey with cole slaw on a kaiser roll. Not tradidtional Italian fare but it was awesome and only 6.95. I've only gone for dinner once and that was traditional pasta dishes. It was a big plus for me that it's BYOB, really helps save some money which isn't my specialty. Overall, no real complaints. The service is good, except for when it's really busy, but I can understand that. I'll definitely keep coming back, maybe I'll actually make it through the menu some day.
(5)
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Address :639 Spring Mill Ave
Conshohocken, PA, 19428
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Erin C.
Amazing food. So fresh, so comforting! The family atmosphere (family owned) makes you feel like you are over a friend's house enjoying a perfect meal. The eggplant rollitini and grilled vegetables lasagna are things I now dream about! I'm hesitant to write this review because it will become too popular!
(5)Maggie L.
BYOB small italian restaurant, ambiance has the potential to be good however when we went, there was a large party next to us and it was VERY loud. The wait was so long, we waited close to an hour for our meals even after waiting 45 minutes to place the order. The food was not spectacular but in their defense it was a busy night for the chef. Lastly, you can definitely find another authentic italian restaurant in the area for less $$$
(2)Kara S.
I went with a party of six (they take reservations, thankfully), and we did BYOB. It took about 20 minutes to even get the bottles opened though. The service was VERY slow, don't go if you're in a rush. That being said, the food was excellent, everyone enjoyed what they got. But they need to hire some more servers, and ones that don't seem annoyed to be serving you!
(3)Steve T.
Chef/owner Vince Totaro continues to just kill it here at this top notch neighborhood BYOB Italian restaurant. Last night I enjoyed a brontosaurus sized veal chop entree prepared with a mushroom marsala sauce that was delicious. The lobster ravioli appetizer, prepared in a generous cheese sauce, was also outstanding. We finished the evening with a piece of chocolate cake made by the Vince's wife's sister (yeah its a family run place) that was heavenly. Plenty of street parking right out front, and be sure to call in advance as seating is limited.
(5)Kristin N.
A friend took me here after having enjoyed many good meals herself. Staff were very friendly and everyone is family, so it adds a nice homey touch. The bread was fresh and delicious. It's a tad pricey, but my meal was solid....goat cheese ravioli. Filling was delish and the ravioli were nicely al dente and made from fresh pasta dough. BYOB is always a plus, too! I'll return with the hubby, who will want to try one of the many meat entrees.
(4)Cait M.
Had an excellent meal here with two good friends. The food was exquisite. While the server was sweet, she was overwhelmed and understaffed for the number of people. During the evening, she had 22 tops. All in all that doesn't sound terrible, however there was little separation in timing for her.
(4)Nico L.
A little pricey, but damn fine food. I went here on an afternoon with a couple of dogs (They are pet friendly as long as you are outside!). They take their time crafting the cuisine they serve. The bread is always fresh. I had a steak with caramelized onions and blue cheese. It was cooked to perfection and full of flavor. My girlfriend had a cheese ravioli which was immaculate and my dad had mussels and clams with spaghetti he would not stop raving about. It is a bit out of the way from 76, but there is plenty of street parking. If you're looking for a quaint little restaurant that treats you like family, come here.
(5)Terence M.
I have been lucky enough to have dined at restaurants all over the world, and there is no place like Totaro's. The enjoyment you get from the family atmosphere is only exceeded by the quality of the food. Veal, seafood or one of their signature wild game nights, you can't go wrong. The restaurant space makes you feel like you are in someone's house. Small intimate setting with Vince working his magic in the kitchen. Service had always been excellent, often provided by one of Vince and Donna's daughters. Go there once and this place will become your go-to.
(5)Ed M.
Went here with my wife for a one day after anniversary dinner. It was a Monday night and the Eagles were playing so at 730 it was pretty empty. Nevertheless we really liked it. Old time Italian atmosphere. The service was very good as was the food. We had lobster ravioli which was solid. Would have liked to have seen more lobster in it but the sauce and the pasta were both great. My entree was the veal saltimbocca over pasta and it was delicious. My wife had a pork loin special over apple risotto and really enjoyed it. We had a caramel cheesecake that was also good. I think it was slightly overpriced but overall this place is a good night out and we will definitely go back.
(4)Harry M.
Great food good atmosphere great desserts awesome BYOB! Fresh homemade true Italian food, staff made us feel at home, great place to dine out with friends and have a conversation we never felt rushed to leave, would definitely recommend and will definitely go back!
(5)Chris J.
Great atmosphere, awesome service, and specials that are out of this world! Byob and reasonable prices. Be sure get a reservation early there is limited seated.
(4)Karen O.
Had a very dissapointing experience here on Saturday. Which is a shame since the food was good. I see the noise level is described here as loud, but our party was told we were too loud. The owner/chef decided to wait until we were done our meal - which took a lot longer since one of our party didn't receive her meal until the rest of us were finished(!). Since the owner felt comfortable enough to rudely communicate his unhappiness to us - I'm suprised he wasn't a smart enough business owner to come out earlier and communicate his unhappiness in a nicer way. When we asked for our check it took them another 10 minutes (and it was incorrect) even though they said they were in a rush to get us out. Really disappointed that a business owner decides to run his business this way.
(1)Percy N.
Family owned place serving the community for over 50 years !! The gnocchi and boar chop special was very good.
(4)Caitlin M.
I am in love! I can be pretty picky about my Italian food since my mother is a fabulous cook, however this place takes the cake! From the homemade pasta, to the creaminess of their sauces, to the very delicate and delicious calamari; it is just superb all around. The food: Items I have tried there are the fried calamari with the sweet and spicy chili sauce, the pescatore, gorgonzola chicken, sachetti milano, and the grilled vegetable lasagne. I would recommend ANY of these items, however if it is your first there definitely get something with pasta. It is homemade and out of this world. This last time I went I tried the gorgonzola chicken and feel in love. It is going to be difficult for me to switch and try something new the next time I am there. My dining guests ordered the pescatore and were notified before ordering that they were out of mussels but would make up for it by adding additional seafood of the customers choice. We agreed that was no problem at all because it is good to know they would only have this food item in stock if it was fresh, and they are not keeping a back up supply frozen. Parking: plenty of on street parking, but if you park in the lined spaces back in the space; I believe it is a rule in that part of Conshohocken. I would highly recommend putting in a reservation because it is a small place, however BYOB which is a nice touch. Do no be discouraged by the prices because it is all worth it. Huge portions with great quality food that is only matched in awesome small Italian places in Philly.
(5)Alissa C.
I had a pork chop with risotto on special that was truly to die for. I'm only giving it four stars not five because it took a full two hours to get our dinner, but maybe that's the "Italian way." Also the wait staff was not very attentive. Our table was constantly littered with our empty beer bottles and not being cleared, and they didn't come to check on us much. Overall tho, everyone in my party just raved about their dinners!
(4)Adam E.
This place reminds me of home. An Italian lady sees you waiting there with 3 other couples who, much like myself and my cousins at a holiday meal, look at each other with smiling suspicion. "Enjoy your meal and don't you fucking dare take the last order of calamari," we say to each other with our eyes. Then the Italian lady greets you quickly as she rushes around, telling you, "I think we'll have a table. Hold on." You should probably hold on and not give up. Because the meal I had here was some of the best Italian food I've ever had. My gf and I were 3rd in line and waited quite a while on a Saturday night at peak rush hour (8:30 or so). There isn't a lot of room to stand and wait, but we didn't care because we like each other and we liked looking at the food as it came out to the tables. We liked it even more when we finally sat down, poured our own beverages, and got a basket of the most delicious bread on the planet. The crust was perfectly crunchy without cutting your mouth up. And I'm trying my best not to describe the inside in womb-like terminology, but it was warm and soft and I cried when it was over. After the amazing bread, we got our even more amazing entrees. We wanted calamari, but wouldn't you know one of those couples in line beat us to the last one. The server was more apologetic than I could've imagined. It's nice to have that kind of treatment instead of, "yeah we ran out, it's late," like you get some places. Again, it felt like family. Anyway, we sent for the safe bet of chicken parm as one entree, and rotini with broccoli rabe and sausage for the other. We went halvesies on them, which was the correct decision. They were both absolutely perfect. The red sauce, which no one ever gets right, was 100% right! And my god, the rotini might have been even better than the chicken. Both were very generous portions, especially considering the quality of the food and the reasonable price. Entrees hovered around $20-25, and you easily get 2 friggin awesome meals out of them. If you can handle a long, somewhat disorganized-feeling (but not actually disorganized) wait and a very loud atmosphere (lots of Italian families celebrating stuff here), get in there and enjoy.
(5)John G.
So if you ever wanted to know what the Philadelphia area is all about by exploring it's people and food and only have 90 minutes to do so? Well, you have found its best possibility. Donna and Vince started this place about 20 years ago as take out and 10 years ago started seating people and it's pure perfection. Family run and operated, this hand crafted Italian restaurant is easily the Top 5 Italian places in Philadelphia. BYOB, the bread is freshly made 1 block away and Heavenly, Vince takes the reigns from there and you'll be glad he does with such quality and obvious love put into his dishes from appetizer to entrée. I have grown up in the Philly area and have been lucky enough to dine at such praised locations like Victors, Four Seasons, Tre Scalini, Le Bec-Fin ect, ect... Great atmosphere, warm and friendly staff with wonderful food, and BYOB to boot.
(5)Jeffrey K.
There is nothing like a first-rate Italian BYOB in New Jersey or Philadelphia. It's even better when you go to a residential neighborhood that's not obvious and get to sit outside. And it's better still when the menu has 20 items you want to order and then the server, whose father owns the place, tells you about the specials. which included a marvelous thick pork chop in marsala wine sauce with risotto. Deb had a seafood pasta Cardinale that was so good she scooped up all the remaining sauce with bread. You may need a GPS to find this spot but do find it. And call to get one of the sidewalk seats.
(5)Aaron O.
Had a terrific Valentine's dinner here. First, BYOB is great. You get to save money there. The waitresses were very friendly; they were busy but still kept us happy. The complimentary bread was terrific and plentiful. We had the prix fixe menu (3 courses $50 which is very reasonable. Had a terrific salad, bacon wrapped shrimp, and Surf and Turf. In the end i was very full and happy. The location is a bit strange but the inside is very nice. It's small but quiet. Great spot for a date-again the byob... Would love to go back
(5)Alona K.
I wish I could give minus 5 stars for this place. I must admit it did look fishy on the outside but the reviews were good so I convinced my gf to give it a try. It started with the water that tasted like something out of a sewer. When we mentioned it our only option was to pay for bottled water or pellegrino, waitress never offered to taste the water after our complaint. Then my gf wanted salad with some grilled chicken which at the end once they saw our dining out card they decided to add on $5 extra, for the total cost of $21???!!!? Her greens as well as mine were so bitter we could only eat half of it. My main dish veal shank was ok not much tenderness or flavor. I can probably make it better at home. As for service it was terrible with so much attitude that we just paid our bill and ran out to never return. Please be aware. I've dined at some shady and very expensive places all over the world and this was by far the biggest gotcha I ever got in my own backyard.
(1)Vince G.
A neighborhood gem that is by far the best Italian BYO in the area. The restaurant's decor adds to the charm and the food's quality is unmatched. Note, get the veggie lasagna. Will definitely be back soon!
(5)Deborah B.
We chose Trattoria Totaro on the recommendation/suggestion of my daughter who had dined here recently for a family dinner to celebrate our son and daughter-in-law moving. There were five of us with one gluten free eater. It is a BYO so we brought wine and our server took good care of opening and serving it. There are quite a number of wonderful sounding dishes, most with home made pasta, We all loved our choices including appetizers of calimari and roasted pear salad. The gluten free person was very happy with his vegetable lasagna layered with risotto instead of pasta and shrimp on top. Shrimp Fra Diablo kept two more lifting their forks with pleasure and lastly the Rigatoni Alio Olio with home made pasta substituted for the riggies was wonderful. Some came home with us from the generous portions, The deserts were delish (canolis and blueberry crumble, home made and warm) and again generous portions. We will be back. It is an unassuming little corner place on quiet Spring Mill Ave, Charming and comfortable. Give it a try.
(4)Scott F.
My best friend lives in the apartment above this place and we went on a double date here recently. To my surprise, it was outstanding food. The service was a little slow, but if you're with good company that shouldn't matter much. The space was very loud as two birthday parties were in what is a very small dinning room area, but once again if you're with a good crowd you'll be just as loud. I got the osso bucco with wild mushroom risotto and it was out of this world. Soooo good. I recommend this for anyone in the Conshohocken area. Don't forget to bring a nice bottle with you when you go.
(4)Jennifer T.
Maybe the best meal I've had in years. Every person in our 7 person party was amazed. Fresh and the chef comes out to speak with you about the meal. A keeper for sure.
(5)Charles G.
I've only eaten here for lunch, as I work in the area, but live in NYC. The food here is great (They could make a killing up in NYC), service is great. Décor is a bit rustic, and a step "down" from the few Michelin 3 stars I've eaten at, but I prefer it that way (you don't eat the décor - and you don't need a jacket and tie) What would I change? Not a thing (unless you could figure out how to deliver to Bayside Queens in 45 minutes or less) Yes, they can get busy. If you try and place a lunch special at 2:00pm, you might get a "let me check with the kitchen if we have that left" if they had a run on a particular special At the office, we have a saying, if in doubt, order the Ciabatta special. They are THAT good, every day
(5)Gamal A.
Great food and friendly service. The place is small, but cozy. The only issue is the fact that the place is a bit noisy, so you have to yell to get heard at your table.
(5)Heather-Anne P.
Excellent authentic Italian food. House-made pasta, flavorful authentic dishes... Fantastic! The desserts are worth saving room for (if you can)! The ambiance is so-so--the restaurant is small and somewhat cramped, but clean, functional, and adequately lit. It may take a while to get your food if it's busy, but they will keep you happy with freshly baked bread and house-made olive oil. Reservations are required to get into this gem. I highly recommend this restaurant. Do not be fooled by the exterior, which is not an eyesore by any means, but nothing special or froufrou. Follow your nose; the moment you step into the restaurant you'll be glad you came. It's BYOB, but they do not charge a corking fee. The restaurant is a tad expensive, but not inappropriately so for the quality of the food you get (and the quantity). Again, I highly recommend this restaurant. They can seat groups, but it will be a bit cramped. It can get noisy on a Friday night, but not out of control. It is not as though they have loud music building or anything. The sounds are just those of happy people enjoying good food. No TVs. No DJ. Again, just excellent food (even better with excellent company).
(5)Sean W.
The food is out of this world. The sweet Italian sausage, the striped bass, the salmon. Delicious! And Victoria is the best.waitress.ever. She took such great care of us. No one better.
(5)Sharon G.
Victoria was our server for our.dinner and she was wonderful. We went to Totaro's for my mom's 80 th birthday. The meal was wonderful and the atmosphere relaxed.
(5)Moira T.
Great food and atmosphere. The staff is wonderful and friendly. Had the pork chop and risotto. Dessert was a lemon cake that was awesome. I'd definitely dine here again!
(3)Nick D.
Great family owned neighborhood gem. Never disappointed . Been here on numerous occasions either with a party of 4-6 or a family party of 10 or more and have always left feeling completely satisfied with the service and of course the quality and presentation of dishes. No need to go into the big city. This small byob has the old world Italy, village type feel with the authentic dishes you would expect. Bring a few bottles and enjoy. Keep up the great work, Vince and Donna. Nick d.
(5)Deborah W.
The food is amazing. This is a perfect example of why you can't judge a book by its cover. The chef is creative and committed to excellence. Thank goodness this gem is hidden in Conshy. Shhhhh... Our secret.
(5)ruth k.
Dined at the restaurant for the first time tonight. The food was excellent. The kitchen is most accommodating. I ordered the roasted pear salad which was listed on the menu as being served with gorgonzola cheese and a red wine vinegrette. I asked if they could substitute goat cheese and the apricot vinaigrette which was served on another salad - NO PROBLEM, Osso Bucco is my favorite veal dish and Trattoria Totaro's is one of the best I have ever had. It was served with risotto and broccoli rate - both excellent. My friend loved her Veal Vivian. Portions are very generous and the food is served piping hot and plated well. The lemon cake we shared for dessert was delicious - very light and refreshing. Our server Donna could not have been nicer. Will certainly return very soon.
(5)Nate P.
My wife and I stopped by here for their Wild Game Night dinner last night, it was my first time eating here, and my wife's second. We had a generally positive experience. Although this is a BYOB, the dinner event included a paired beer from Conshohocken Brewery with each course, provided by staff from the brewery. For $55 a person, we each had a high quality five course meal and five 6-8oz glasses of great beer that paired well with the food. The rabbit and pumpkin stew that started the meal off was a favorite, although it could have been served slightly warmer. The pasta course included pumpkin ravioli with wild boar andoule sausage, which was also amazing. Not all courses were pumpkin-oriented but those were my favorites. The atmosphere is generally casual to dressy. It is a small space and can get noisy, given that it's "cozy" your experience will probably depend on your fellow diners. The only real negative was that the service staff was a little disconnected. Our food was plopped in front of us without any real acknowledgement before they turned away and headed somewhere else. I'm not the type of person who requires a server to dote on my hand and foot, but for a special event dinner it's always nice to have a quick explanation of what the dish was so we didn't have to constantly refer to the menu. This was contrasted by the Conshohocken Brewery staff who did a good job of serving the beer, explaining what to look for in the style being served, and why they paired it with that dish.
(4)Emily N.
I live right around the corner, literally, and I went for the first time tonight. I had a great meal and wonderful time. I got the vegetarian lasagna with crab and my boyfriend got the veal special. Both were delicious. For me the real highlight was the appetizer. We got the eggplant with the duck in it (can't remember the name for the life of me) but I would make a meal out of that if I could! BYO was a nice option and I would highly recommend this place to anyone!
(5)Tom H.
Have been wanting to come here for a long time, finally got around to it and was a little disappointed. The staff was super friendly and the atmosphere was nice but it took over an hour to get our appetizer. Must have been a off night.
(3)Kevin C.
We had 16 people for a birthday celebration. Wonderful, wonderful. Everything from apps to dinner came out perfection. The walk in size kitchen puts outs the best meal, the ballet in the kitchen must be a masterpiece. All of the meals came out at the same time, hot...hot...hot, and delicious. This is my first visit, my wife's second and she reports the same. I must give my praise to chef Vincent and Chef Ryan and our hostess Donna. I'm a Cape may resident and I would only hope we had a spot like that down here. The best veal chop I've had in years. Kevin and Barbara from Cape May N J
(5)Chelsea C.
Great atmosphere and incredible food!! Love that it is byob. We will be coming back here a lot.
(5)Susan H.
This is our absolute favorite restaurant. I lived in South Philly for 10 years and nothing ever came close to being as good. Service is always warm and welcoming. The food is consistently delicious. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
(5)Tom G.
I was here on a date with my fiancee recently. It was my first visit. I'd definitely classify this as an old-school Italian neighborhood gem. The food was outstanding with good, attentive service. The room we dined in had murals on the walls, which made for some nice ambiance. The fact that its a BYOB makes it even better since you don't get clubbed over the head for a bottle of wine. It was a great experience and we will definitely be back.
(4)Jay G.
Expecting much from this neighborhood Italian restaurant. Alas, it didn't really deliver. This is a homey Italian restaurant in the old school tradition with old tables and high school cafeteria like chairs. A bit dated but it seems to work for the locals. The menu is very large which puts me off straight away. Can't do all those dishes with any great skill. I had the veal which was chewy over home made pasta which was way way over done. My dining partner had the vegetable lasagne which by the way had no pasta. Much like a vegetable casserole. Interesting but nothing special. The service was awful and the servers chaotic and scatter-brained, and we waited an hour for the entrees. Salad is extra which is unusual for the rather pricey menu. We had to repeatedly ask for bread which which was insufficient for the number of guest at our table. Pass on this one
(2)Scott B.
One of the best meals ever. Surf and turf could cut the steak with a butter knife.
(5)Nancy C.
I was with the group of 10 mentioned earlier. I have never been treated the way we were treated by the chef/owner. We were celebrating a birthday and having a good time. When he came out to our table and made the excuse that he "forgot" one of the dinners because "he was rushing our order to get us out of the restaurant" I was shocked. We are reasonable people and if they wanted us to quiet down, why couldn't they have said something earlier instead of making excuses and being rude? I don't get it. Totally unprofessional. I guess they must do a good enough business that they can afford to act this way to 10 people--who will by word of mouth dissuade others from trying the restaurant. That's a lot of business.
(1)Jane L.
Our group of 10 dined at this neighborhood BYOB last night and had wonderful time. We all worked together years ago and had a lot of catching up to do. The food was wonderful, the portions were huge and the staff was attentive and accommodating. Vince, the owner stopped by the table several times to check on us but we were never rushed or made to feel anything but welcome. In this age of chain restaurants and pretentious eateries, Totaro's is a throwback, an old fashioned neighborhood place whose owner and staff take pride in their restaurant, their food, and their guest's comfort. I will be recommending this place often.
(5)Spencer L.
This is a BYOB. Off the beaten track kind of place - good food, good prices - excellent wait staff. The restaurant is kind of small, so calling ahead might be a good idea. Not opened Sundays - kind of a drag.
(3)Caitlin L.
Went here on a first date and it was delicious. I got the Veal Vivian and it was just wonderful.BYOB made it even better! The staff was very nice and made sure everything was perfect. I highly recommend, as I will be going again.
(4)Holly H.
The husband spotted this spot when I started to insist that he handle one meal a week all by himself. So this was his solution for about 3 weeks until I had enough of the pretty uninspired and re-heated bland Italian take out food that comprises this menu and insisted on taking over cooking. Seriously, the idea of Italian pasta take out is nice, but this just didn't work. Things were always prepared hot and fast, and that service was always so nice, but the food was just not good. The chicken is over pounded, wafer thin, and over baked/fried. The pasta is pretty mushy. Reminded me of the Spaghetti Factory in Philly - and that's not my kind of food, either.
(2)Michele K.
My favorite restaurant in the Conshohocken area. Food is fresh and tastes AMAZING.
(5)Sam W.
Service is great. Food a bit pricey, but really excellent.
(4)Chris M.
Solid byob, great lunch and dinner menu and specials good is always very hood especially forte price. Service and staff is very friendly, sometimes a little forgetful but good none the less. For the price a great value, hidden little gem on consh. Only problem is it is extremely small
(3)Ted E.
Decided to go out during this string of snow and ice storms. The establishment was probably a corner grocery store - reminded me of my grandmother's little corner store from years ago. Cozy place - friendly upon entrance. Several tables in the "front" room - them more in the side room. Not fancy by any means - open kitchen. We were seated in the side room. Tables are nicely spaced and noise level was fine. Menu was complete and interesting. I had very good calamari for an app. Main course was a tasty lasagna with risotto. Portions were ample. Service was very friendly - Vince the owner/chef came around the room twice to greet the diners. He chatted with us about the dishes and asked how the food was. We were a party of 4 and everyone loved it. We didn't have desert or coffee so no comment here. We will be back. This is BYO and the glasses and wine service was fine. This would be a great place for a wine dinner.
(4)Lauren M.
Went here last week for my Dad's surprise 60th birthday. My mom was very excited as the two of them have had great experiences there in the past and it's a BYOB (maybe that's what I was excited about?). My brothers and I showed up to ensure that everything was set up, wine/beers were prepared, and our family members were greeted and parked discreetly. First, my brother and I had to scramble to find a marker and cross off the tacky price-per-person listed on the bottom of each pre-fixe menu (yes it was $50 a head but no you don't need know that is what we are paying for you to celebrate my dad's birthday). My 3 little nieces and nephews who can't drink and my grandpop who doesn't drink were not offered sodas/juices which was weird to me - what 10 year old just wants water? The menu said we would receive an antipasta plate with artichokes, and asparagus. No artichokes, no asparagus. Salad course was a fine option - fruit/nut salad, Caesar, some other fruit/nut combo salad (garden or Italian salad with gorgonzola lovers, look elsewhere). For dinner, I chose the salmon & crab scampi. The salmon was very good but the crab scampi/pasta was swimming in oil. And not the good garlicky-buttery-oily sauce that we know and love with our scampi...just EVOO - drippy and...just not good. Lastly, the anticipated dessert course. I was going to have a custom made Phillies shirt cake for my Dad for his birthday but the menu listed the family style dessert as, "Family Style dessert sampler featuring our homemade cakes, bread puddings, cannolies and other specialty desserts." so I though another cake would be way too much. Boy was I wrong. 3 "samplers" came out on regularly sized entree plates with 1 small slice (not a huge chunk I was expecting from back in the Viggiano's days) of chocolate cake, 1 very watery cannoli, and 3 cookies. Yes. Cookies. For adults. Not biscotti. Chocolate chip or sugar cookies. My 11 year old nephew was ecstatic - the rest of us? Underwhelmed and unsatisfied. I am wondering if Trattoria is too small to handle a large party (17 of us total) at one time - maybe going in small groups is the better way to go. Our servers were phenomenal and the chef poked his head out of the kitchen to say hello a few times and he was a genuinely nice man, but I can say I will not be bringing anyone back to Trattoria for a large group. My Father had a great time and surprised which is what was most important. However, when I am back in my hometown of Conshohocken, I'll stick to Pepperoncini's for my Italian upscale fix.
(2)Justin S.
Amazing. Some of the best Italian food I've had. I don't throw around a five-star rating like it's nothing. It's for how good the food is at such a good price. I often come here for lunch and I've yet to come across something I haven't liked. There's even things I've tried that I thought I didn't like that were delicious here. It's hard for me to get to trying everything I want to on the menu because I usually go with one of the specials. Yesterday I had the bbq pulled turkey with cole slaw on a kaiser roll. Not tradidtional Italian fare but it was awesome and only 6.95. I've only gone for dinner once and that was traditional pasta dishes. It was a big plus for me that it's BYOB, really helps save some money which isn't my specialty. Overall, no real complaints. The service is good, except for when it's really busy, but I can understand that. I'll definitely keep coming back, maybe I'll actually make it through the menu some day.
(5)