Great little neighborhood Italian BYO. I was looking for a little neighborhood spot when my girlfriend alerted me to a new place that just opened up. I'm so glad I stopped by. Friendly staff - loved our waitress! I believe her name was, Jillian? She was very warm and outgoing but not overbearing. I had the penne, sausage, and broccoli rabe and our waitress provided a cheese alternative to parmesan that was delicious. Wish I remembered the name. My date loved the olive oil dip provided with the bread. He practically licked the plate. He enjoyed his sea bass too but he would have preferred it if the parchment paper it was baked in was removed - he may have eaten a bit of the paper. For dessert we had the homemade apple tart and the cheesecake. Delicious! I will definitely be back!
(5)
Sally M.
Delicious food and great service! Party of 4 on a busy Saturday night- we got great service! Wine opened right away. Didn't rush us when we couldn't make up our minds because everything sounded so good! We'll be back.
(5)
Steve T.
I can honestly say this is greatest food I have ever eaten. I live around the block from this place and me, my girlfriend and a bottle of wine (byob) just went for the first time. I was blown away at how good it was just because I didn't know what to expect. My favorite part was the owner/cool tommy. Just before our food came out he came iut and introduced himself and talked for a few minutes. I'm 23 and thats the first time I have ever seen an owner do that for each and every customer. I don't ever write reviews on here but after my first bite of my appetizer (clams), I looked at my girlfriend and said "I'm going on yelp as soon as we leave" If your looking to impress a girl in the area, let this place pop in mind cause it is a guarantee success. I'm sure I'll be back plenty of more times........in the next day or two. (It's that good)
(5)
Patty S.
I had a reservation for 4 people for 7PM on A Friday night. When we arrived the place was packed and we were told that many tables had paid their check but were not leaving. I asked what table would be ours and was told Table 31.As this place is a BYOB there was no place to sit so we stood by the Hostess desk. About 7:15 a party of 6 came in. The waited about 15 minutes and were seated at Table 31 where they had moved a table of 2 to accommodate the party of 6. At this point I was totally frustrated (and hungry) and started to converse with the person at the hostess desk. I asked why the party of 6 was given our table. The response was that seating in a restaurant is like doing a puzzle and one has to make the pieces fit. BAD ANSWER! We waited another 25 minutes and finally left. We will NEVER go back to this restaurant.
(1)
Teresa K.
Nice place. Very small. It definitely was crowded and loud Chewiest chicken in the chicken sorrento I have ever had. I couldn't even eat it. Everyone else said their meals were good, nothing great. Desserts were delicious. Service was very good.
(3)
Kelly N.
Amazing. Came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner and the food and service was above and beyond. Had the bruschetta, cheesesteak egg rolls and crab raviolis. I would have all 3 again and again and certainly do recommend for everyone to try!
(5)
N T.
Good luck trying to book a private party here. Kelly is impossible to get a hold of and doesn't return calls. This has been the most difficult experience I've had with a restaurant in a long time. They're unresponsive and inconsiderate of their patron's time and expectations. It should NOT take 2 months to book a private party.
(1)
Valerie F.
I was a huge fan of pepperoncini when they were just take out because I loved their food so I was very excited to try it when it turned into a BYO restaurant! Love the ambience, very cute decorations, table settings and it looks very quaint inside. The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable and gave the small italian family vibe. The appetizers we had were not the best and we did not like the calamari at all and the bread was very hard. The entrees were all pretty good, my favorite was the crab ravioli out of all the options we ordered. Havertown was Definately in need of a moderately priced byob restaurant and this one is worth revisiting.
Start with the size of the place. Way too small. Too many tables. Had to squeeze by people to go to bathroom and after we were done. Bread was delicious as was the olive oil dipping sauce which was incredible. It's BYOB which is great. My lady had bruschetta with roasted tomatoes and mozzarella. The mozzarella tasted like it was not fresh. It was ok. Split a pep salad which was weak. Roasted peppers were out of a jar which is a major infraction in my opinion. Main course my lady had was sea bass - ok but not a piece of fish. Arrives in a plate cut up with sauce like they are hiding something. I had tuna Fra Diavolo special. Tuna did not taste fresh despite being told it was. Too mushy. Not prepared the way I asked so had to send it back. Pasta was tasty. Sampled some deserts and they were the highlight. Rum cake and tiramisu were very good. Service was good.
(3)
Kurt D.
Fabulous! My wife and I showed up at 6:50 for our 7pm reservation that we had made online, we were seated within minutes. The decor is minimalistic but soothing, orange walls, black wall hangings, and black ceiling. The lighting was perfect, we felt immediately relaxed. The two top by the front window was large enough to not feel cramped, but small enough to be intimate. My only complaint would be that the headlights from the parking lot shone in at eye level, a barrier outside would be nice. The specials were written on a big blackboard on the wall of the dining area in addition to being read to us by our fantastic waitress Kelly. I had the grilled octopus appetizer from the specials menu, my wife had the fried calamari off the menu. The octopus was served over a bed of pureed white beans with capers and pitted olives. The portion was quite ample, and it was so good I got lost in the flavors! If it's on the board try it! One of the best dishes I've ever had! My wife's calamari was very good, light breading and cooked just right. The creamy pesto dipping sause was brilliant, the marina was well above average. We shared a caesar salad that was average, (no points off here!). And then the entrees came..... Wow! I had the rack of lamb special, and my wife had the veal special, (I forget the name sorry!). The lamb was a full rack of 8, served two thick, (4 pieces). It was perfect! The veal was breaded medallions served with shrimp, (big), and crabmeat, (lots), in an amazing blush sauce. If you're thinking these flavors don't go together you couldn't be more wrong. This concoction, served over linguini, took top 5 of our favorite dishes ever! For dessert we chose the German chocolate cake. It was dense and moist, delicious! The portion could have easily served three, but we did our best! The evening ended up being a lovely night out. Wonderful fare, great wine, (you have to bring your own!), and great atmosphere. The service was attentive but not intrusive, it was easy to get lost in conversation. The expense was about average for a "date night", coming in at just over $100, (not including wine and tip). I think we're going to make this at least a monthly regular stop, you should try it at least once!
(5)
Sam R.
My husband and I stopped in for dinner last night. Pepperoncini wasn't too hard to find! There is a small parking lot located right in front of the restaurant which I found very convenient. We both walked inside and wow, were they busy! All the tables inside the restaurant were filled with dining patrons. The hostess told us it would be a 25 minute wait. We agreed to wait. They have a few small tables outside if this is where you prefer to sit. However, it is right smack in front of their parking lot. While waiting outside we were given menus and enjoyed bread with olive oil. The bread was a sesame seed loaf that was fluffy and pillowy. The olive oil had some Italian herbs and had a parmesan cheese flavor. You could taste the parmesan cheese that must have been added to their blend of spices. I couldn't just have one bite. I had to have a few. They really did a great job with this. The hostess was incredibly nice, she came outside and apologized for the wait and chatted with us. I was totally blown away. Typically, a hostess does not come outside and apologize. If you have to wait for a table you wait or you leave. The customer service was already proving to be phenomenal. Once a seat opened up inside we were seated promptly. We were told what the specials of the day were and the specials are also written at the very back of the restaurant on a chalkboard. I found this to be a very nice touch. Pepperoncini has a very small and intimate feel. We ordered calamari as an appetizer. The calamari came with two dipping sauces a marinara sauce and the other sauce is a lemon basil aioli. The calamari was very fresh and crispy. It was battered nicely and full of flavor. I could have had them without any marinara, they were that good. The marinara sauce had chunks of tomato, and had a rich flavorful taste. The lemon basil aioli tasted creamy and smooth and had just the right amount of zing to it. Both were so good! For dinner I had the Mediterranean Sea Bass. The Sea Bass was baked in parchment paper and I was given the honor of removing it. I am a huge fan of baking with parchment paper! It is a lot healthier than baking with aluminum. Aluminum can cause Alzheimer's and many other health conditions. Pepperoncini, Please keep up with the parchment paper!!! The sea bass was baked well and had this nice flaky texture. The sea bass seemed to fall apart once I put my fork in. It was delish. It also came with artichokes and tomato and seemed to have been baked in a white wine sauce. The vegetables that came as a side tasted as if they were seasoned with olive oil and butter. My husband had the Chicken Sorrento. The Chicken Sorrento was chicken topped with eggplant, roasted peppers and melted mozzarella. I had a small bite of his and it was so rich and full of all these awesome flavors. By the time we finished our entrees we were stuffed. We had no room left for dessert. We will have to make room for dessert next time. I will also make sure to bring a bottle of wine since it is a BYOB. Pepperoncini please keep up the good work!
(5)
Nina J.
Every time I step into Pepperoncini, I'd feel I'm space traveling into this cozy, romantic, laidback little dining room somewhere in rural Europe. I have been a fan since the first time, but finally I think I've tried enough varieties to review it: Shrimp Scampi - 4 to 4.5 stars. Very flavorful sauce! Nice portion, even though I was hoping for more shrimp with $20. Penne, sausage & Broccoli Babe - 5 stars. One of the best I've ever had! We ordered it a little spicy to kick up the flavor--Oh it was amazing! Chicken Sorrento - 3.5 to 4 stars. This dish gets recommended every time, but not my favorite. There is a inconsistency every time we ordered it, but nice complexity and balance of the chicken and vegetables nevertheless. Linguini With Meatballs & Sausages - 4.5 stars. The meatballs were good sized, and I've always liked their sausage so ordered with both. Simple dish, but fantastic. Services gets a 5 star because they always get it perfectly right with our special requests such as "spicy enough for a kick but keep the original flavor" or "a little less cheese, but not to lose the texture". It's a rare thing nowadays. Lastly, don't forget to bring your favorite Italian wine to pair the deliciousness.
(4)
Linda B.
We've been wanting to check out Pepperoncini for quite some time, as I have read numerous positive reviews. I generally do not write online reviews, but the meal we had last night was such a complete waste of money that I had to sign up for Yelp just to write this review. As many people have mentioned, the atmosphere is pretty basic, but great food is more important to me. For the appetizer, we got the calamari. I am not a fan, and I thought it was cut too wide and had the texture of a rubber band, but my husband thought it was good, so I let that one go. But my pasta dish, penne with broccoli rabe and sausage, was such a disappointment. The pasta was seriously overcooked, and it was all floating in a thin liquid that seemed unnecessary. My husband had the crab ravioli, and although I didn't try it, he was not at all impressed. So overall, the dinner was unacceptable. Unfortunately I did not ask the waitress for a new entree with al dente pasta, so I cannot comment on how they would have responded. I am really sorry that I didn't do that, as the waitperson was very nice, and would probably have brought me a new plate. So to sum up, if the food was marginally better we would give it another try, but I don't think we'll be wasting $80+ dollars there again any time soon.
(2)
Alex O.
Pepperoncini's is a cozy BYO in Havertown that always leaves me feeling satisfied. My fiance and I try to eat her at least once a month. Every meal we have eaten here we have really enjoyed, especially their fish dishes. I don't think we have ever actually ordered off the menu because they always have fantastic specials each time we go. The staff is always friendly, especially Maria--she is such a delight!!! Overall, great spot with delicious food. Make sure to make a reservation on the weekends, it is always packed!
We went tonight - dinner. The food is second to none. Figs stuffed with cheese and caprese salad apps were awesome! Then things got a little off. Dinner ordered at 7:00. At 8:00 the waitress came by and let us know she had dropped the ticket, but food would be out soon. 8:15 food was out. So the question is, was it worth waiting that long? Broccoli rabe and sausage pasta was worth it. Not sure about the ravioli. I think we should have been offered a free desert or something but we weren't. Maybe my expectations are too fancy pants. I'll go back again. Dinner came to $60 without tip. Would be interested to hear other folks experiences.
Went there a couple of weeks ago, later after the rush, so they r not busy, ordered a steak (medium) it came in very well done, I don't normally send food back however I really want my steak as ordered to enjoy my weekend night out, so I show it to the waitress who was very pleasant and nice, she agreed it's well done, took it in, brought back another, asked me to let her know how this one is cooked, just touching it with the back of the knife I told her that's how a medium steak should feel like. Although it was perfectly cooked Unfortunately it was the stringiest piece of meet I ever had, I don't know if they ran out of good pieces or the cook was punishing r for his mistake of over cooking my first steak, I know I went there to have a good time pay good money for a good meal and unfortunately I ended up paying the good money for what ended up being a bad meal/ experience and will not go back again !!!
(2)
Melissa S.
We went here on a Saturday night- full restaurant and only 2 servers! Needless to say, those poor servers seemed pretty overwhelmed. The food was good, though the price for the special scallop entree at $26 was a little high. My husband had the penne with broccoli rabe and he enjoyed it. We brought our 2 young children, and I would say this place is definitely kid friendly (kid menu is offered) though the tables are tightly packed together so beware. I think we would go back but I hope the 2 server thing was an anomaly and not the norm.
(3)
Mark R.
My wife and I had our first visit to Pepperoncini after wanting to try it for sometime. It is cozy and I was surprised by the number of people they accommodated. The server was amazing. She was very nice, witty, and helpful. I had the Chicken Sorrento and my wife had the Chicken Mazza. Both dishes were attractively presented with fresh ingredients. Both dishes were good but we were un-amazed. Prices are a bit high for what you get. The dessert was a delicious cheesecake & carrot cake combination. It was very good. We will try Pepperoncini at least one more time.
(3)
Stephen S.
Ordered the antipasto. Out comes the largest dinner plate I have ever seen, completely filled edge to edge with delicacies of every possible description, from cheese-filled olives, roasted red peppers, artichokes, fresh mozzarella, to salami and prosciutto. Each tasted unique, as though it had been marinated in its own special spices. By far the best antipasto I've had in my life.
(5)
Robin G.
Went last night with friends. Really excellent. Sadly they had sold out of their short rib special. It looked amazing! I had shrimp scampi and shared with my partner who chose the pork loin special. really excellent - brined loin wrapped around broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and cheese. . Our friends chose the sausage and broccoli rabe pasta and parchment wrapped fish. They both loved their dishes. So happy they're here and local.
(5)
Kayla W.
I've been wanting to try this little BYOB for quite some time. Finally, as a group of four, had dinner there last night. The room is tiny. I found the tables way to close for comfort and the noise level was barely tolerable. We were seated directly across from the water/ice/prep station which is not hidden from view and the clinking of glasses and bussle really was distracting from the dinner conversation (which was barely audible anyway). Menu and specials are well thought out and I have to say that the food was pretty good. My dinner companions all agreed that the salad, app and dinner prices were high. Not a cheap date, although the place was packed. Server was helpful although I felt that her style was a little intrusive. Not a horrible experience, but not great either. I would perhaps try one more time, but only at an off peak time (early or late) and only with a coupon (if offered through Clipper, etc).
(2)
Unknown U.
This was my first time there and the food was very delicious and the atmosphere was also very enjoyable. With that said I think that they maybe getting ahead of themselves in the pricing department. I had called in regards to having my rehearsal dinner there since I had previously enjoyed it but they said that they would need to make $2300 not including tax and gratuities. That breaks down to about $72.45 per person including tax and gratuity times about 40 people which would be a grand total of $2898 (the restaurant seats 40 people). Also this does not include alcohol!! I was rather disappointed with number and found it to be a little outrageous. When calling other restaurants in the area they were much more reasonable in prices. Not sure where pepperoncini is getting their numbers from however they should reconsider private party prices.
(1)
Dena H.
My husband and I had dinner at Pepperoncini's tonight. Absolutely delicious. We are thrilled to have this great place so close to home. First fresh Italian bread was placed on our table with an oil dipping sauce better than any we have ever tasted. The calamari appetizer was fun with both red and pesto dipping sauces. Our Caesar salads were fresh with unusually great tasting homemade croutons. My entree of crab ravioli had a perfectly spiced light red sauce with chopped fresh tomatoes and plenty of garlic. The swordfish special my husband ordered was moist with roasted vegetables that were particularly tasty. Too bad we didn't have room for the desserts that passed us by...perhaps because the portions were so generous? We will be regulars in this bright and very comfortable hometown gem. One note: I may never get used to being addressed as 'guy' by the waitstaff such as "Can I get you guys anything else?". How hard is it to change it to "Can I get either of you anything else?"
(5)
Jessie S.
This place is beyond amazing. I have never taken the time to come on here & write a review about any place I have ever eaten at but I definitely want to get this place out there. The food & service were great and the atmosphere was perfect. Everyone was very friendly & made you feel welcomed, even the owner/chef Tommy came out & introduced himself and talked to us for a bit which you really don't see much these days. I ordered the bruschetta as an app which was deliciousss, my boyfriend ordered the clams which he claimed were the best he has had so far. For our entrees' my boyfriend & I both ordered the seafood pescatore, he ordered it in the white sauce - me in the red sauce - both were cooked to perfection! I highly recommend this place! Very excited to go back
(5)
Mark E.
My wife and I ordered take out in the hopes that this restaurant would be our new go-to in an area that has only a few good spots. Unfortunately, we were both disappointed. My wife ordered the shrimp scampi and it was overloaded with oil, when scampi is a white wine based sauce. The shrimp were also not thoroughly clean. I ordered the chicken parm, and it was immediately obvious that the chicken was deep fried. The marinara sauce lacked flavor. It cost us $42 for this meal, and we felt it wasn't worth the expense.
(2)
Joe R.
I decided to treat my family to a dinner at a place we never been that's a byob. Jumped on computer and found that place in my own backyard.Made a reservation for five@6:30 on a Friday night. We were seated promptly had our wine opened and were told the specials of the day what a nice touch they were also listed on a blackboard written big enough to read along with the price.How nice is that not having the awkward feeling of asking what is the cost not to mention asking the waitress to repeat the third item that you can't remember... We had 3 appetizers shrimp wrapped in bacon,Brucetta,a scallop ceviche all of which were superb. Entrees were likewise tasty, nicely presented,very satisfying even for large appetites. Although our waitress had to use notes for the specials she was superb at being there when she was needed.Our table mentioned to send our compliments to the chef for a job well done. Much to my surprise he came out before we left an introduced himself. Can't wait to go back.... Havertown needs more of these...
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average 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.
Diem L.
Great little neighborhood Italian BYO. I was looking for a little neighborhood spot when my girlfriend alerted me to a new place that just opened up. I'm so glad I stopped by. Friendly staff - loved our waitress! I believe her name was, Jillian? She was very warm and outgoing but not overbearing. I had the penne, sausage, and broccoli rabe and our waitress provided a cheese alternative to parmesan that was delicious. Wish I remembered the name. My date loved the olive oil dip provided with the bread. He practically licked the plate. He enjoyed his sea bass too but he would have preferred it if the parchment paper it was baked in was removed - he may have eaten a bit of the paper. For dessert we had the homemade apple tart and the cheesecake. Delicious! I will definitely be back!
(5)Sally M.
Delicious food and great service! Party of 4 on a busy Saturday night- we got great service! Wine opened right away. Didn't rush us when we couldn't make up our minds because everything sounded so good! We'll be back.
(5)Steve T.
I can honestly say this is greatest food I have ever eaten. I live around the block from this place and me, my girlfriend and a bottle of wine (byob) just went for the first time. I was blown away at how good it was just because I didn't know what to expect. My favorite part was the owner/cool tommy. Just before our food came out he came iut and introduced himself and talked for a few minutes. I'm 23 and thats the first time I have ever seen an owner do that for each and every customer. I don't ever write reviews on here but after my first bite of my appetizer (clams), I looked at my girlfriend and said "I'm going on yelp as soon as we leave" If your looking to impress a girl in the area, let this place pop in mind cause it is a guarantee success. I'm sure I'll be back plenty of more times........in the next day or two. (It's that good)
(5)Patty S.
I had a reservation for 4 people for 7PM on A Friday night. When we arrived the place was packed and we were told that many tables had paid their check but were not leaving. I asked what table would be ours and was told Table 31.As this place is a BYOB there was no place to sit so we stood by the Hostess desk. About 7:15 a party of 6 came in. The waited about 15 minutes and were seated at Table 31 where they had moved a table of 2 to accommodate the party of 6. At this point I was totally frustrated (and hungry) and started to converse with the person at the hostess desk. I asked why the party of 6 was given our table. The response was that seating in a restaurant is like doing a puzzle and one has to make the pieces fit. BAD ANSWER! We waited another 25 minutes and finally left. We will NEVER go back to this restaurant.
(1)Teresa K.
Nice place. Very small. It definitely was crowded and loud Chewiest chicken in the chicken sorrento I have ever had. I couldn't even eat it. Everyone else said their meals were good, nothing great. Desserts were delicious. Service was very good.
(3)Kelly N.
Amazing. Came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner and the food and service was above and beyond. Had the bruschetta, cheesesteak egg rolls and crab raviolis. I would have all 3 again and again and certainly do recommend for everyone to try!
(5)N T.
Good luck trying to book a private party here. Kelly is impossible to get a hold of and doesn't return calls. This has been the most difficult experience I've had with a restaurant in a long time. They're unresponsive and inconsiderate of their patron's time and expectations. It should NOT take 2 months to book a private party.
(1)Valerie F.
I was a huge fan of pepperoncini when they were just take out because I loved their food so I was very excited to try it when it turned into a BYO restaurant! Love the ambience, very cute decorations, table settings and it looks very quaint inside. The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable and gave the small italian family vibe. The appetizers we had were not the best and we did not like the calamari at all and the bread was very hard. The entrees were all pretty good, my favorite was the crab ravioli out of all the options we ordered. Havertown was Definately in need of a moderately priced byob restaurant and this one is worth revisiting.
(4)Steven B.
These folks have reinvented themselves and the lovely wife and I had the honor and pleasure of attending their soft opening on Wednesday. Their GRAND OPENING was Friday. They closed for a few weeks and they are now a beautifully remodeled Italian BYOB! Let's talk atmosphere. They didn't have much to work with, it's basically a square room, but they did a darn good job with what they had. It's a small place with about a dozen two and four tops. Spacing is fine. The wife and I both commented that their chairs are very comfortable. The colors they choose are nice and the lighting was just right for us. The menu has plenty of variety and should please most folks. We choose a simple appetizer of Cheese Steak Egg Rolls for $9. The ribeye steak was juicy and flavorful. The accompanying spicy ketchup was spiked with Sriracha and has a nice kick. For her entrée the wife choose Mediterranean Sea Bass for $21. This beautiful piece of fish was baked in parchment paper along with artichokes, diced tomatoes, red onion, white wine, olive oil and herbs. She had a choice of having the chef remove the paper or doing it herself. That was a nice touch. She proclaimed it delicious and was especially pleased that it was not too heavy. I choose Girasol Raviolis for $18. They were filled with buffalo mozzarella and served was roasted vegetables, and lots of grilled chicken in a rosa sauce. As you can see from my picture it was a large portion. I thought the vegetables were slightly overcooked but it was still a very tasty dish. For desert we were served a trio of house made deliciousness. See my picture and you know we walked out stuffed and smiling. This is one of three locations for these folks. My fellow Yelpers enjoy the other two and it looks like this location is poised to join the party! We'll be back.
(4)Tom E.
Start with the size of the place. Way too small. Too many tables. Had to squeeze by people to go to bathroom and after we were done. Bread was delicious as was the olive oil dipping sauce which was incredible. It's BYOB which is great. My lady had bruschetta with roasted tomatoes and mozzarella. The mozzarella tasted like it was not fresh. It was ok. Split a pep salad which was weak. Roasted peppers were out of a jar which is a major infraction in my opinion. Main course my lady had was sea bass - ok but not a piece of fish. Arrives in a plate cut up with sauce like they are hiding something. I had tuna Fra Diavolo special. Tuna did not taste fresh despite being told it was. Too mushy. Not prepared the way I asked so had to send it back. Pasta was tasty. Sampled some deserts and they were the highlight. Rum cake and tiramisu were very good. Service was good.
(3)Kurt D.
Fabulous! My wife and I showed up at 6:50 for our 7pm reservation that we had made online, we were seated within minutes. The decor is minimalistic but soothing, orange walls, black wall hangings, and black ceiling. The lighting was perfect, we felt immediately relaxed. The two top by the front window was large enough to not feel cramped, but small enough to be intimate. My only complaint would be that the headlights from the parking lot shone in at eye level, a barrier outside would be nice. The specials were written on a big blackboard on the wall of the dining area in addition to being read to us by our fantastic waitress Kelly. I had the grilled octopus appetizer from the specials menu, my wife had the fried calamari off the menu. The octopus was served over a bed of pureed white beans with capers and pitted olives. The portion was quite ample, and it was so good I got lost in the flavors! If it's on the board try it! One of the best dishes I've ever had! My wife's calamari was very good, light breading and cooked just right. The creamy pesto dipping sause was brilliant, the marina was well above average. We shared a caesar salad that was average, (no points off here!). And then the entrees came..... Wow! I had the rack of lamb special, and my wife had the veal special, (I forget the name sorry!). The lamb was a full rack of 8, served two thick, (4 pieces). It was perfect! The veal was breaded medallions served with shrimp, (big), and crabmeat, (lots), in an amazing blush sauce. If you're thinking these flavors don't go together you couldn't be more wrong. This concoction, served over linguini, took top 5 of our favorite dishes ever! For dessert we chose the German chocolate cake. It was dense and moist, delicious! The portion could have easily served three, but we did our best! The evening ended up being a lovely night out. Wonderful fare, great wine, (you have to bring your own!), and great atmosphere. The service was attentive but not intrusive, it was easy to get lost in conversation. The expense was about average for a "date night", coming in at just over $100, (not including wine and tip). I think we're going to make this at least a monthly regular stop, you should try it at least once!
(5)Sam R.
My husband and I stopped in for dinner last night. Pepperoncini wasn't too hard to find! There is a small parking lot located right in front of the restaurant which I found very convenient. We both walked inside and wow, were they busy! All the tables inside the restaurant were filled with dining patrons. The hostess told us it would be a 25 minute wait. We agreed to wait. They have a few small tables outside if this is where you prefer to sit. However, it is right smack in front of their parking lot. While waiting outside we were given menus and enjoyed bread with olive oil. The bread was a sesame seed loaf that was fluffy and pillowy. The olive oil had some Italian herbs and had a parmesan cheese flavor. You could taste the parmesan cheese that must have been added to their blend of spices. I couldn't just have one bite. I had to have a few. They really did a great job with this. The hostess was incredibly nice, she came outside and apologized for the wait and chatted with us. I was totally blown away. Typically, a hostess does not come outside and apologize. If you have to wait for a table you wait or you leave. The customer service was already proving to be phenomenal. Once a seat opened up inside we were seated promptly. We were told what the specials of the day were and the specials are also written at the very back of the restaurant on a chalkboard. I found this to be a very nice touch. Pepperoncini has a very small and intimate feel. We ordered calamari as an appetizer. The calamari came with two dipping sauces a marinara sauce and the other sauce is a lemon basil aioli. The calamari was very fresh and crispy. It was battered nicely and full of flavor. I could have had them without any marinara, they were that good. The marinara sauce had chunks of tomato, and had a rich flavorful taste. The lemon basil aioli tasted creamy and smooth and had just the right amount of zing to it. Both were so good! For dinner I had the Mediterranean Sea Bass. The Sea Bass was baked in parchment paper and I was given the honor of removing it. I am a huge fan of baking with parchment paper! It is a lot healthier than baking with aluminum. Aluminum can cause Alzheimer's and many other health conditions. Pepperoncini, Please keep up with the parchment paper!!! The sea bass was baked well and had this nice flaky texture. The sea bass seemed to fall apart once I put my fork in. It was delish. It also came with artichokes and tomato and seemed to have been baked in a white wine sauce. The vegetables that came as a side tasted as if they were seasoned with olive oil and butter. My husband had the Chicken Sorrento. The Chicken Sorrento was chicken topped with eggplant, roasted peppers and melted mozzarella. I had a small bite of his and it was so rich and full of all these awesome flavors. By the time we finished our entrees we were stuffed. We had no room left for dessert. We will have to make room for dessert next time. I will also make sure to bring a bottle of wine since it is a BYOB. Pepperoncini please keep up the good work!
(5)Nina J.
Every time I step into Pepperoncini, I'd feel I'm space traveling into this cozy, romantic, laidback little dining room somewhere in rural Europe. I have been a fan since the first time, but finally I think I've tried enough varieties to review it: Shrimp Scampi - 4 to 4.5 stars. Very flavorful sauce! Nice portion, even though I was hoping for more shrimp with $20. Penne, sausage & Broccoli Babe - 5 stars. One of the best I've ever had! We ordered it a little spicy to kick up the flavor--Oh it was amazing! Chicken Sorrento - 3.5 to 4 stars. This dish gets recommended every time, but not my favorite. There is a inconsistency every time we ordered it, but nice complexity and balance of the chicken and vegetables nevertheless. Linguini With Meatballs & Sausages - 4.5 stars. The meatballs were good sized, and I've always liked their sausage so ordered with both. Simple dish, but fantastic. Services gets a 5 star because they always get it perfectly right with our special requests such as "spicy enough for a kick but keep the original flavor" or "a little less cheese, but not to lose the texture". It's a rare thing nowadays. Lastly, don't forget to bring your favorite Italian wine to pair the deliciousness.
(4)Linda B.
We've been wanting to check out Pepperoncini for quite some time, as I have read numerous positive reviews. I generally do not write online reviews, but the meal we had last night was such a complete waste of money that I had to sign up for Yelp just to write this review. As many people have mentioned, the atmosphere is pretty basic, but great food is more important to me. For the appetizer, we got the calamari. I am not a fan, and I thought it was cut too wide and had the texture of a rubber band, but my husband thought it was good, so I let that one go. But my pasta dish, penne with broccoli rabe and sausage, was such a disappointment. The pasta was seriously overcooked, and it was all floating in a thin liquid that seemed unnecessary. My husband had the crab ravioli, and although I didn't try it, he was not at all impressed. So overall, the dinner was unacceptable. Unfortunately I did not ask the waitress for a new entree with al dente pasta, so I cannot comment on how they would have responded. I am really sorry that I didn't do that, as the waitperson was very nice, and would probably have brought me a new plate. So to sum up, if the food was marginally better we would give it another try, but I don't think we'll be wasting $80+ dollars there again any time soon.
(2)Alex O.
Pepperoncini's is a cozy BYO in Havertown that always leaves me feeling satisfied. My fiance and I try to eat her at least once a month. Every meal we have eaten here we have really enjoyed, especially their fish dishes. I don't think we have ever actually ordered off the menu because they always have fantastic specials each time we go. The staff is always friendly, especially Maria--she is such a delight!!! Overall, great spot with delicious food. Make sure to make a reservation on the weekends, it is always packed!
(5)Jenny T.
Ok, so I had a craving for some calamari and didn't want to settle for Olive Garden. So I yelped a few local places. I came across Pepperoncini and the menu looked average. I was a bit hungry so I ordered calamari and chicken parm to-go. I shared about 2 rings with my fiancé and devoured the calamari. The two sauces were tasty, some sort of lemon basil aioli and marinara. It was fresh and delicious!! As for the chicken parm, it was mediocre. It probably would've been better served at the restaurant so I won't deduct many stars for that. So far so good Pepperoncini. I'll be back to try other menu items and some more calamari for certain!
(4)Craig L.
We went tonight - dinner. The food is second to none. Figs stuffed with cheese and caprese salad apps were awesome! Then things got a little off. Dinner ordered at 7:00. At 8:00 the waitress came by and let us know she had dropped the ticket, but food would be out soon. 8:15 food was out. So the question is, was it worth waiting that long? Broccoli rabe and sausage pasta was worth it. Not sure about the ravioli. I think we should have been offered a free desert or something but we weren't. Maybe my expectations are too fancy pants. I'll go back again. Dinner came to $60 without tip. Would be interested to hear other folks experiences.
(3)Ann T.
My husband and I showed up without a reservation on a Friday night about 6:30 and were able to be seated. The waitress immediately approached us and read the specials which were also posted on a blackboard in the restaurant. We were pleasantly surprised by the nice décor of this little store front BYOB right near our house. We brought a bottle of white wine and were immediately offered an ice bucket. We started with the fried calamari which is our pet peeve as we are rarely able to find a restaurant that prepares this without being chewy and over cooked. The calamari did not seemed cooked enough and was chewy. My husband ordered the baby lamb chops with gorgonzola risotto. The lamb was cooked to his liking and ample but he felt it lacked flavor. He raved about the risotto. I had chicken parmesan with linguini. It was delicious with a slight garlicky flavor and the sauce was fresh and flavorful. The bread with olive oil dipping sauce was also good and we were too filled to order dessert. The only minor complaint I had was the way the hostess was dressed. She was wearing flip flops, cropped spandex pants and a jean jacket. Her appearance kind of detracted from the atmosphere of the place. Service was very good. We will definitely return.
(3)Sherif S.
Went there a couple of weeks ago, later after the rush, so they r not busy, ordered a steak (medium) it came in very well done, I don't normally send food back however I really want my steak as ordered to enjoy my weekend night out, so I show it to the waitress who was very pleasant and nice, she agreed it's well done, took it in, brought back another, asked me to let her know how this one is cooked, just touching it with the back of the knife I told her that's how a medium steak should feel like. Although it was perfectly cooked Unfortunately it was the stringiest piece of meet I ever had, I don't know if they ran out of good pieces or the cook was punishing r for his mistake of over cooking my first steak, I know I went there to have a good time pay good money for a good meal and unfortunately I ended up paying the good money for what ended up being a bad meal/ experience and will not go back again !!!
(2)Melissa S.
We went here on a Saturday night- full restaurant and only 2 servers! Needless to say, those poor servers seemed pretty overwhelmed. The food was good, though the price for the special scallop entree at $26 was a little high. My husband had the penne with broccoli rabe and he enjoyed it. We brought our 2 young children, and I would say this place is definitely kid friendly (kid menu is offered) though the tables are tightly packed together so beware. I think we would go back but I hope the 2 server thing was an anomaly and not the norm.
(3)Mark R.
My wife and I had our first visit to Pepperoncini after wanting to try it for sometime. It is cozy and I was surprised by the number of people they accommodated. The server was amazing. She was very nice, witty, and helpful. I had the Chicken Sorrento and my wife had the Chicken Mazza. Both dishes were attractively presented with fresh ingredients. Both dishes were good but we were un-amazed. Prices are a bit high for what you get. The dessert was a delicious cheesecake & carrot cake combination. It was very good. We will try Pepperoncini at least one more time.
(3)Stephen S.
Ordered the antipasto. Out comes the largest dinner plate I have ever seen, completely filled edge to edge with delicacies of every possible description, from cheese-filled olives, roasted red peppers, artichokes, fresh mozzarella, to salami and prosciutto. Each tasted unique, as though it had been marinated in its own special spices. By far the best antipasto I've had in my life.
(5)Robin G.
Went last night with friends. Really excellent. Sadly they had sold out of their short rib special. It looked amazing! I had shrimp scampi and shared with my partner who chose the pork loin special. really excellent - brined loin wrapped around broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and cheese. . Our friends chose the sausage and broccoli rabe pasta and parchment wrapped fish. They both loved their dishes. So happy they're here and local.
(5)Kayla W.
I've been wanting to try this little BYOB for quite some time. Finally, as a group of four, had dinner there last night. The room is tiny. I found the tables way to close for comfort and the noise level was barely tolerable. We were seated directly across from the water/ice/prep station which is not hidden from view and the clinking of glasses and bussle really was distracting from the dinner conversation (which was barely audible anyway). Menu and specials are well thought out and I have to say that the food was pretty good. My dinner companions all agreed that the salad, app and dinner prices were high. Not a cheap date, although the place was packed. Server was helpful although I felt that her style was a little intrusive. Not a horrible experience, but not great either. I would perhaps try one more time, but only at an off peak time (early or late) and only with a coupon (if offered through Clipper, etc).
(2)Unknown U.
This was my first time there and the food was very delicious and the atmosphere was also very enjoyable. With that said I think that they maybe getting ahead of themselves in the pricing department. I had called in regards to having my rehearsal dinner there since I had previously enjoyed it but they said that they would need to make $2300 not including tax and gratuities. That breaks down to about $72.45 per person including tax and gratuity times about 40 people which would be a grand total of $2898 (the restaurant seats 40 people). Also this does not include alcohol!! I was rather disappointed with number and found it to be a little outrageous. When calling other restaurants in the area they were much more reasonable in prices. Not sure where pepperoncini is getting their numbers from however they should reconsider private party prices.
(1)Dena H.
My husband and I had dinner at Pepperoncini's tonight. Absolutely delicious. We are thrilled to have this great place so close to home. First fresh Italian bread was placed on our table with an oil dipping sauce better than any we have ever tasted. The calamari appetizer was fun with both red and pesto dipping sauces. Our Caesar salads were fresh with unusually great tasting homemade croutons. My entree of crab ravioli had a perfectly spiced light red sauce with chopped fresh tomatoes and plenty of garlic. The swordfish special my husband ordered was moist with roasted vegetables that were particularly tasty. Too bad we didn't have room for the desserts that passed us by...perhaps because the portions were so generous? We will be regulars in this bright and very comfortable hometown gem. One note: I may never get used to being addressed as 'guy' by the waitstaff such as "Can I get you guys anything else?". How hard is it to change it to "Can I get either of you anything else?"
(5)Jessie S.
This place is beyond amazing. I have never taken the time to come on here & write a review about any place I have ever eaten at but I definitely want to get this place out there. The food & service were great and the atmosphere was perfect. Everyone was very friendly & made you feel welcomed, even the owner/chef Tommy came out & introduced himself and talked to us for a bit which you really don't see much these days. I ordered the bruschetta as an app which was deliciousss, my boyfriend ordered the clams which he claimed were the best he has had so far. For our entrees' my boyfriend & I both ordered the seafood pescatore, he ordered it in the white sauce - me in the red sauce - both were cooked to perfection! I highly recommend this place! Very excited to go back
(5)Mark E.
My wife and I ordered take out in the hopes that this restaurant would be our new go-to in an area that has only a few good spots. Unfortunately, we were both disappointed. My wife ordered the shrimp scampi and it was overloaded with oil, when scampi is a white wine based sauce. The shrimp were also not thoroughly clean. I ordered the chicken parm, and it was immediately obvious that the chicken was deep fried. The marinara sauce lacked flavor. It cost us $42 for this meal, and we felt it wasn't worth the expense.
(2)Joe R.
I decided to treat my family to a dinner at a place we never been that's a byob. Jumped on computer and found that place in my own backyard.Made a reservation for five@6:30 on a Friday night. We were seated promptly had our wine opened and were told the specials of the day what a nice touch they were also listed on a blackboard written big enough to read along with the price.How nice is that not having the awkward feeling of asking what is the cost not to mention asking the waitress to repeat the third item that you can't remember... We had 3 appetizers shrimp wrapped in bacon,Brucetta,a scallop ceviche all of which were superb. Entrees were likewise tasty, nicely presented,very satisfying even for large appetites. Although our waitress had to use notes for the specials she was superb at being there when she was needed.Our table mentioned to send our compliments to the chef for a job well done. Much to my surprise he came out before we left an introduced himself. Can't wait to go back.... Havertown needs more of these...
(5)