Be careful on saturday night we went there and they didn't honor our reservation so we had to go elsewhere
(1)
Carolyn W.
Always a great night at Vecchia Osteria!! Love Pasquale and his consistency with fine food and great service. The tiramisu is the best I've ever had outside of Rome!
(5)
Debby H.
My second visit yesterday...this time for lunch with a friend. It was absolutely delicious. I had chicken vegetable soup & the roast pork and broccoli rabe sandwich. Yummy as it gets. My friend had the chicken limone and loved ever bite. Everything was great. Seconds on coffee were not offered, but we managed to get a second cup after flagging down the waiter. Highly recommend Vecchia Osteria for lunch. Oh, we sat there for 2 1/2 hours and found it just the best place to talk and catch up. GO!
(4)
Amy L.
The portions are generous. The service was great. The pasta pouches are great. Definitely a gem in the Newtown area.
(3)
Nikki G.
I feel compelled to write a review for this restaurant due to a very poor experience. It wasn't that the food was terrible, it was the service. Allow me to explain. My fiance and I went with a group of people to have a nice authentic Italian dinner. My fiance ordered the gnocchi dish and everyone else ordered their own respective meals. When the food was served we were all excited to dig in. Except my fiance of course. As the waiter put the plate full of pasta down in front of my fiance, he informed us "We were out of gnocchi, so we substituted for ________ (insert random pasta that is not even on the same wave length as gnocchi)." My fiance was shocked, as was I, that the waiter did not tell us sooner. Had he been told immediately (before all the food was cooked and served!!!), he would've chosen a different dish. What my fiance wound up with was plain old pasta with red spaghetti sauce. We could have made that at home just as good and we would've been spared the aggravation. At this point, my fiance was starving and did not want to order another dish since everyone else had started eating. He would've had to wait at least 15 min to receive something else and by that time, we all would've been finished our dishes. So my fiance began eating the dish. Eventually the waiter came back to check on us and that's when we told him we were not happy. Then he sends the manager out. The manager had the audacity to say to my fiance, "You should have told me immediately." Have your staff take your advice, sir. They did take his meal off of the bill but that was not enough for me. All we wanted was a delicious satisfying dinner and good service. My dinner was good but it wasn't amazing and I could definitely get it just as good if not better somewhere else. I will never go back again nor would I recommend this restaurant to anyone else. Another one bites the dust!
(2)
Theresa P.
We had dinner at Vecchia Osteria in April, 2014 and were thrilled to have an authentic Italian restaurant close to home. We were anxious to return and recently brought several friends with us for dinner on a Tuesday evening. We were sat outside in an overcrowded dining area that was incredibly loud. I had difficulty hearing my friends across the table and we all ended up having one-on-one conversations with the person next to us rather than a group centered conversation. We initially ordered drinks which seemed to take forever to come. The salads we chose to share were mediocre at best. We had asked for butter for the bread which never arrived. I ordered a side of cavetelli pasta with olive oil and garlic, and requested "very light" on the garlic. The pasta was delivered and appeared to have more garlic than pasta on the plate. In fact, the pasta had a brown color because of the overload of garlic. I did not eat it and when the server asked why, I explained that it had way too much garlic. He corrected me and stated that I ordered cavetelli with garlic and oil. I reminded him that I asked for "very light" garlic. He asked others at the table if they wanted to take it home. No one was interested. He responded rather sarcastically and said "what a shame - it is homemade pasta." Really? He later returned with the check and informed us that he took the pasta off the check. My friends agreed that our trip was very disappointing and only rated their entrees as "okay - nothing special."
(2)
Rose S.
Just okay. My second time there. Both times felt so cramped and crowded. Herded to the back, where the noise level was high. We had a large party. The waiter was friendly, but he didn't write anything down (I guess he wanted to impress), and forgot the pasta side dish a friend ordered and had to be reminded of mine which was missing.. Entrees weren't timed and therefore came out after others had started way into their meals. The calamari was tough and tasteless. My fish entree presentation looked like it was thrown into the dish in a hurry. My oil and garlic pasta side had so much oil on the bottom, I could not eat it. To be fair, my husband's vodka sauce/pasta was delicious. I don't like the chaos and crowded atmosphere. I think they should probably stick to a simpler menu and present better..One last thing. I ordered caffeinated coffee. I got it. I asked for a refill and he came out with the pot (orange handled) decaf. pot. When I asked him if this was caffeinated, he lied. I guess he didnt want to make another pot.
(2)
David Y.
The food and service here is great. I didn't pay for my meal so I can't judge by the price but it's nice to get an authentic meal in Newtown that doesn't come delivered on a truck to be thawed and served. I ordered fish, and it was excellent. I will be returning.
(4)
Kim B.
Some of the best Italian food and desserts I've ever had. The owners are from Sicily and are very friendly, it doesn't get more authentic than that. The server was very knowledgable and the staff paid us full attention. It has charming decor with paintings on the ceiling. The fried zucchini, bruschetta, and buffalo mozzerella appetizers were delicious. The seafood medley on linguini was absolutely scrumptous. I tried the spaghetti sauce and it was homemade and delictable. Other ppl were raving about the chicken being very tender. The dessert sampler was amazing! I hate cake, but I wish I had more on the plates! I felt bad, but some ppl barely got any dessert b/c it was so good. The cake was so moist and tasted like the best tiramisu, almond cake, chocolate mousse with cream puff, and lemon cake I've ever had. I would love to go back. We even got free bruschetta compliments from the chef.
(5)
Bob J.
Very good meal. Food was fresh, server was attentive. Prices were reasonable, we will for sure be going back. Every aspect was above average.
(4)
Jack G.
The food was simple , Pasquale salad and two rigatoni with meat sauce and meatballs. One order tiramisu = 76.00. I thought it was over priced and probably will be visiting less often. A friend had a similar experience for four women eating pasta = 396.00 , outrageous! And it's byob!
(2)
gregory s.
Wonderful home cooked Southern Italian food in a comfortable friendly setting with excellent service. We took my mom there for her 84th and it became a very special day indeed. Thank you La Vecchia Osteria.
(4)
Lex H.
Great food & service! Nice family atmosphere, good portion sizes, everything was seasoned and cooked perfectly!
(5)
Fracesca T.
Very good food and service. The menu is somewhat limited for pescatarians and vegetarians not seeking pasta. Check out the specials; we had the zucchini blossoms stuffed with mozzarella and long hots stuffed with mozzarella and wrapped on prosciutto. Both delicious, but costly ($14 each). The mussels (white) were delicious. The espresso tiramisu was homemade and outstanding! I would say it is more like $$&$ and NOT $$! The outdoor terrace was lovely!
(4)
Vincent M.
Ohhh yes. This is the real deal. Excellent italian restaurant. There is nothing in Newtown or Yardley that can compare if italian is your wish. In fact, I may stop trying others because I already know I am in for a treat every visit. By the way, this is no secret ... from the line out the door on weekends and the tight quarters, I am not the only that knows where to go for the best italian dining in the area!
(5)
Hart R.
What a surprise! In the area on business, selected the restaurant based on Yelp recommendations. Great food. Wonderful personal service. The fish special (branzini) was well prepared and served. And has that neighborhood feel...nice when traveling.
(4)
Susan M.
Went last Friday night for a 7:30 reservation. Left outside standing in the rain waiting to 8:30. We were a party of 6 for dinner. No one seemed to care or would give us a reason for the long wait. Phoned Florintinos in Newtown they told us a table would be ready for us in 5 min. We had an amazing dinner and won't be back to the other place again. Love Florintiono's thanks again for another wonderful meal!
(1)
Jim G.
I went to this establishment for a retirement gathering for one of my colleagues. There were 9 people in our party. I ordered the veal parm and it was average at best...certainly nothing special. Comparable to what you might find at the Olive Garden or another Italian chain. The so-so food coupled with sweat dripping off my brow and down my back did not make for a pleasurable dining experience...(apparently the AC doesn't work very well) We didn't even bother to stay for dessert. Needless to say, I will not be returning....
(1)
Lauren L.
Great restaurant. Good service, good ambiance, great options, wonderful specials. Highlights were the fried zucchini flowers, pesto shrimp with homemade pasta, lemon cake and the tiramisu. Would stay away from the calamari which was tough. Had a group of 9 and they managed us great. It is BYOB and there is a liquor/beer store right around the corner. Great for families and late romantic dinner.
(4)
Ellie J.
Its awesome place. Great atmosphere and great food. Service is good. Sometimes they serve grilled pepper and vegetables with bread while we are waiting for our meal. Its BYOB.
(5)
Michael H.
We were seated in their outside dining area during a cold January evening. They said it was heated, but it was still pretty cold. Our server was very polite and attentive. Their soup was good and very satisfying (possibly because I was cold from the outside seating) I ordered a squid ink rice special which was really great. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner. My wife ordered a chicken dish and asked for it with no cheese. It came out with cheese, but easily came off. Kind of annoying, but worse things have happened in the world. Now that it's summer time, I'd probably have to go back and try this place again. But, since it's nice out they would probably seat us indoors. The irony! But seriously, I would give this place more stars had it not been for the feezing outdoor dining area that isn't nearly as warm as it should be.
(3)
Tony L.
This Italian fare restaurant deserves five stars. I feel like I am both eating in my mothers dinning room and being hosted by a close friend.
(5)
Renata M.
I have eaten at Vecchia Osteria twice in the last few weeks, once in the restaurant and then for take out. Both experiences were very good. When dining-in the service was prompt and the owner very friendly and accommodating to a large party. The place has a very nice atmosphere with outside seating available. Some stand-out dishes were the lamb chops, gorgonzola gnocchi, and the desserts were great - amazing cannolis, tiramisu, and a lemon cake. It is a bit pricey, but fair in comparison to other local italian restaurants.
(4)
Tom W.
Good food, but the $32.00 overpriced special, "eggplant lasagna," wasn't worth it. For that amount, I could have had a steak dinner instead of pasta. Service was good and fast. The place could use a little updating.
(3)
Mary M.
This is our favorite Italian restaurant in Newtown. The food is wonderful ...the service is friendly... Love the arugula salads and the eggplant Parmesan and so much more.....
Terrific food, service and ambiance! We will definitely return soon. Our waiter and all of the staff were friendly and catered to our every wish. It was clear they wanted us to be comfortable and to enjoy our dining experience.
(5)
Ken D.
Love the family style meals.
(5)
Tanya R.
I was there with a group last week and the food was simply mediocre. Nothing special. Pasta tasted like it was from the grocery store. Veal was tender but did not have much flavor.
(3)
Jill T.
I've visited this BYOB a few times now, and each time is as remarkable as the first. They are always busy, but always accommodating. Let's start with the service, as this can make or break the dining experience. The servers are all extremely knowledgeable, polite, and attentive. They will do everything they can to ensure that you have an excellent dining experience. The Chef, Pasquale, even visits the tables to make sure everything is as you requested. Moving onto the food... every single thing I have eaten in this restaurant has been delicious. Over the weekend, my fiance decided to be a bit daring and ordered the Antelope (which was a special that day). I expected the meat to be gamey, regardless of how well it had been cooked. When the dish arrived it looked, and tasted, like Filet Mignon. I was extremely impressed. I cannot even begin to recommend a specific dish, as I am sure they are all wonderful. I do, however, highly recommend their Mediterranean Salad as an appetizer, it's amazing.
(5)
Donna S.
A number of people told me about this restaurant. Each conversation went something like this, "We found a gem of an Italian restaurant hidden in Newtown!" Finally I decided I needed to check the place out so I grabbed my sister and we headed out last night to see what all the fuss was about. The place is hidden! I probably drove by it a 100 times and never once noticed it. We walked in and we were greeted by I think the owner. He immediately showed us to a table outside... they have a gorgeous outside garden area. There were some leaves on our table from the towering tree right next door. He apologized and gave us a free antipasto! This blew me away especially because the leaves didn't bother me one bit. My sister ordered the Fusilli alla Polpa di Granchio onions, jumbo lump crab meat, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, touch of hot pepper in a pink cream sauce. IT WAS AMAZING!! (I forced her to split it with me!) I ordered the Penne Toscana vidalia onions, grape tomatoes and ricotta salata in marinara sauce. It didn't blow me away but I think it was my fault for ordering something rather plain. The meal came to an even $30 which I thought was reasonable for the quality and ambiance. La Vecchia Osteria is truly lovely and I will be back!
I took my mom here for lunch on Friday. The food was excellent and I knocked one star off for the language barrier between us and the waiter. We could not understand his answer to my mom's question and he seemed to get a little irritated at that. Also the salmon my mom ordered came out very undercooked in the middle and had to be sent back, but she was able to get it recooked pretty quickly. I would return - definitely - everyone has an off day.
(4)
Joseph B.
Great Spot!!! Pasquale, always takes great care of us. Food is always fantastic and the service is 2nd to None. Great Grreat Place!!
(5)
Margo K.
Went here for dinner with my boyfriend and his father. The food was perfect. Great quality, creative Italian food. The service was top notch as well. We were seated in a pretty outdoor section, and ordered the Rustico Napoletano. This app involved prosciutto, which I am a sucker for. Awesome. Complimentary bread and oil. I ordered the Farfalle with smoked salmon, onions, and brandy cream sauce. I have to say, the sauce was tangy and magnificent. Here you will find large portions, decent prices, and very gracious and knowledgeable staff. It's several days later and I'm still thinking about how delicious that pasta was! I was reminded how much I love Italian food. I hope I get the chance to eat here again soon!
(5)
John C.
Very nice authentic Italian restaurant in Newtown, not Italian American like many others throughout the area. This family-run establishment serves fresh cuisine that has never disappointed. It is BYOB; however, they do serve complimentary home made wine. The establishment feels like a home more than a restaurant, I always end up with the zuppa de pesce or linguini pescatore, you must check this place out. Make sure to make a reservation on weekends, the place gets packed.
(5)
Jenn B.
A spontaneous lunch date with my husband, what a happy accident! Great atmosphere, friendly service, and fabulous food; we will definitely be back.
(5)
M G.
Not only was the food very good and well prepared but the service was great. Place was packed for a Tuesday night. We made a reservation one hour in advance and came 20 minutes early. We were seated right away. The owner makes his rounds and ensures everyone is comfortable and well taken care of. The atmosphere is great feels like a friend's home but with better cooking. It kind of sucks that everyone already knows about this place. But I did not experience any of the lacking service that was mentioned in previous reports. If you want a good home cooked meal in a great causal place, come here for sure!!!
(5)
James B.
Just had dinner for nine. Everything was fantastic. We ordered heavily from the specials. Eggplant Rollatini, amazing. Stuffed zucchini flowers, awesome. The arugula salad with crab and raw tuna was quite satisfying. Entrees were also large and delicious. Complementary antipasto and Sambuca shots were a nice touch. No complaints from our group. BYOB helps keep the cost down. Great authentic feel with flawless service.
(5)
Kevin S.
This place thinks they are more special than they are. Made a reservation for 6:30 pm on a Saturday. Got there on time and still had to wait half an hour to be seated. Oddly, when we were finally taken back there were many open tables. Not sure why my pregnant wife had to wait half an hour in a cold waiting room to be seated when we had a reservation AND there are open tables, but whatever. Food was pretty good but nothing spectacular, and the service came with the kind of arrogance that suggested we should be honored to be dining at their establishment. Well, I don't get it. This is basically a converted pizza joint, with italian food way more expensive but not particularly better than the pizza places that preceded it (Mossimo's, Sal's Las Vegas pizza, etc.). Not sure what all the hype, or attitude is about. A week later my wife's company of 20 went for their holiday party, spent well over $1k, and got similar treatment. Every member of the party said they would not return.
(2)
Frank I.
This is a 5 star restaurant for numerous reasons.The food is out of this world.Simply put the best me and my girlfriend have ever tasted.Only the best and freshest ingredients are used.The decor is amazing and makes you feel like your back in italy.The staff is very professional,attentive and always there for you.Anna,Pasquale and there staff make you feel like family.So much love and hard work go into this 5 star culinary dream i dont know why some customers write negative reviews.If you have to wait there is a very good reason why,because its the best.Why do you think this restaurant is packed,not because they overbook,because people know its the best italian food they will ever taste.Everything is homemade so be patient,enjoy your wine (its byob) and buon appetito.
(5)
C B.
Great food, service and atmosphere! Calamari and scungili salad was very fresh and tasty. Chef came out to check on us several times. Not only did we walk in late, but we didn't realize it was BYOB. Not only were encouraged to take our time, but they were also kind enough to share some of their wine with us!
(4)
D B.
Went with a party of five. We all had something different (all seafood dishes) and each meal was fantastic. The place did't have many people there on a Sunday night, so our waiter was very attentive. We drove from MontCo. Our experience was well worth the trip. We enjoyed sitting outside having an excellent dinner on a lovely summer night. Will definitely come back in the future.
(4)
Helen D.
Vecchia Osteria is an italian restaurant tucked away in a little Newtown shopping center. We were treated to the family style dinner created by Pasquale the chef/owner. The service was VERY GOOD & the courses were... TOO MANY.... I'm not complaining but seriously by the end we were all ready to explode. I just had a little taste of all the courses so I would be able to report on everything. First we had the Antipasto platter with cheeses & meats, tomato & mozzarella - all very tasty. Caesar salad followed that. Fried Calamari was another course - was "good" but not GREAT. Two pasta dishes were up next. A pappardelle pasta was served with bolognese sauce that wasn't quite "meaty" enough. The other pasta dish was cavatelli with broccoli. NEXT.... was Rosemary Chicken which I was told was good (i don't really eat bird); the tilapia francaise was moist & tasty. ALL enjoyed the dessert plate with two types of tiramisu, cannolis & chocolate cake. It is BYOB so that's a bonus in my eyes. It's a newer restaurant, it's quaint & I think they are still learning..... We'd give it another try & maybe order from the menu vs family style.
(3)
Joe M.
Pasquale the chef owner has done an amazing job transforming this lil pizzeria into Newtown's finest Italian Italian restaurant. Generous Portions, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere. a nice grilled vegetable plate complimentary with crispy airy bread set the tone.Very satisfying large Arugula Salad with lemon & shaved cheese.Entre of Griled Veal chop done to perfection capped off an amazing meal. Gf enjoyed a complimentary Lemonchello also. Impressive to say the least.
(5)
Andrew A.
I had to revisit my previous review after my most recent experience here. We returned with a larger party and decided to go family style. It was phenomenal. Food was great and the staff was excellent. There were some pretty horrendous down pours that day (we sat outside under the canopy) and the staff did everything in their power to make our visit, as well as all other patrons visits, as good as possible. I elected to give 5 stars this time around because my only gripe with my previous review was a very long wait time after our reservation time, but this time, with a much larger party nonetheless, we were sat immediately.
(5)
Monica K.
My boyfriend and I LOVED it here! BYOB and the wait staff is awesome! Outdoor eating has a great layout; peaceful, great atmosphere and open (not too cramped). If you are looking for a comfortable and delicious restaurant, COME HERE! The owners are so cute and you can tell that they take great pride in their work!
(5)
Rowena Q.
"Fusilli with crabmeat and tiramisu! Yum! Love when they have bruschetta"
(5)
Richard L.
Fantastic appetizers, average service, average main course. As a couple we had calamari and steak carpaccio for appetizer. Some of the best cooked calamari I've ever had. Had langoustine with pasta and gnocchi. Pasta didn't seem hand made. Gnocchi was but was heavy. Large portions. Decor ok. Looked like the back office was in the restaurant which was a little off-putting. Will likely go back just, if just for the calamari!
(3)
Deb W.
My sister and brother-in-law took us to this restaurant. I'm surprised we never made it before now. We had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is cozy and the food was excellent. The pasta was to die for and the Bronzino was out of this world. The desserts were among the best I've ever had. Would definitely go back!
(5)
Jennifer M.
When we are here we are home. There is simply no finer Italian food in all of Bucks County. Simple, fresh and never pretentious. Gotta love Pasquale.
(5)
Michael R.
Went here for a surprise BD dinner for my Sis. We had 7pm reservations and they put us outside ( the rain had just stopped- the table settings were still wet)...but the weather was kind that evening, and so was Pasquale, who came out to greet us and suggest a family-style meal.....bring it on! And they did- on HUGE platters non/stop for 6 courses! Antipasto, wonderful Calamari Frito, baked clams, Linguini w/ seafood, another pasta with garlic and rabe/broccoli (excellent!),a steamed fish dish, a meat selection of steak and lamb chops, a very tasty veal dish.....we had a party of 9!...what an incredible meal! No matter what you order, Pasquale puts his heart into the preparation and his love of Italy comes shining through! This is a BYOB place (we brought 5 and got through 3). The dessert was purchased from a small bakery in Newtown called Caketeria- and was a phenomenal custom chocolate mousse cake ...oy vey! Go hungry my friend. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)
John M.
Some of the best Italian food you'll find in Newtown!
(5)
Mike P.
Not great - we had the family portions and the waiter totally upsold us on the amount of food to get - by the time the appetizers were done, everyone was full... so even for big parties, just get the individual entre's or share one... the food is okay, not great but they do have outdoor seating
(3)
Sonya C.
By far the best authentic Italian food in the area. I have been here over 10 times and each time is always great! The food is fresh and full of flavor. The service is even better. The staff truly makes you feel welcome. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Lynn S.
One of the best around. Never disappoints!
(5)
Karen W.
Just another over-hyped place. My husband and I went on a weeknight, the place is tiny and cramped with locals who seemed to communicate to each other over other people's tables ... making us feel like we were uninvited guests at someone else's party. The calamari appetizer was very good, nicely crisp and tender inside, with some nicely roasted peppers. My husband's venison osso bucco was AVERAGE and lacking flavor, not even sure if there was real venison in there, and my lamb chops while tasty were overly greesy. The waiter brought us two glasses of red wine for free (a nice gesture we appreciated!) but still it did not make up for overall just OK meals while paying fine dining prices. 1 appetizer and 2 entrees (no drinks, no coffee, no dessert) came to $88 after tax and tip. Fine dining prices in my book, and if the meals were outstanding, we would not have minded paying that much. Sadly, we were disappointed that this place did not turn out the "gem" we were hoping for.
(3)
Renee F.
simply...yummmmm..
(4)
Will C.
Awesome service. Pasquell is the man. Cozy interesting place to eat.
(4)
Andy M.
Took our family here for son's 21st birthday. Absolutely wonderful. Terrific waiter, very friendly and completely knowledgable about the dishes. Yes, he accidentally forgot to tell us about the lobster special, but no biggie. We saw it at the next table and ordered it right up. Delish. This is a tiny, cramped BYOB but so very worth the visit. Certainly the best Italian food in the greater Philadelphia area and one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to, and I travel around the nation frequently, taking authors to dinner at great restaurants. This one's a keeper. Will definitely return. Oh, and did I mention the canolis? Best ANYWHERE.
(4)
Scott H.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in the area, the owner is awesome and visits all of the customers to personalize your dining experience, the food is incredible! You cannot go wrong eating here.I lobe this place.
(5)
Pat G.
Service and food are top notch. The veal is excellent! Great place for a special evening or even just for dinner.
(5)
Colin M.
Osteria in the true sense of the word, I feel like I an eating at my family home, except the food is great. The Palino family show exceptional service and rustic Italian cooking. Make yourself a regular and part of their family.
(5)
Ann P.
Went here for dinner with the girls - nice place - byob. food was excellent. alittle crowded and noisey.
(5)
barbara h.
this restaurant is fabulous -- the food is amazing and i have never had a bad meal here. the staff is wonderful and the owner/chef pasquale is a wonderful host. no need to travel far for excellent food -- this is a gem!
(5)
Aj J.
My husband and I visited Italy a couple years ago & it quickly became our favorite place in the world. EVERY time we set foot in Vecchia Osteria by Pasquale, we feel like we're right back in Italy (and that's no exaggeration)! Pasquale & his beautiful family always extend their warmest welcome & the entire experience is flawless. So delicious, so kind, so consistent. Counting down the days until my next plate of Carbonara!
(5)
Joyce M.
My husband gave me a surprise birthday dinner here in March with 15 of my closest friends & people are still talking about how great the food was! We eat here a lot & I'm so glad my husband chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner! We think it is the best Italian restaurant in Newtown! Pasquale & family do such a great job with food & hospitality
(5)
Chris B.
Ate at Vecchia Ostera Saturday night. We called at six o clock and they told us to come right down and they could fit us in. We were seated when we arrived. This was our first visit to this establishment and it was a very pleasant. The salads were fresh with fantastic dressings. The main courses were excellent! Service was outstanding. Our new Italian favorite.
(4)
Christine B.
I really love the food here. It's hard for me to get anything other than the cavatelli with broccoli, but recently I did try the penne with vodka sauce. The meatballs on my most recent visit were a little bland, but the pasta was great. We usually share a salad and/or an appetizer depending on what the specials are. It seems like they host a lot of parties in the afternoon on weekends.
(4)
Gregg R.
After eating here, I feel this restaurant is way overrated, expensive, not good, and poorly managed. They ruined a very special event for my family. We made reservations here to celebrate father's 80th birthday. We specifically requested to be seated inside because several of our guests were elderly and we were concerned about the heat in August and wanted everyone to be comfortable, in air conditioning. Additionally, we said we wanted our guests to be able to order off of the menu and that we'd be ordering several appetizers for everyone to share. When we arrived, our tables were set up outside!! When we asked about moving inside and our specific inside request when we made the reservation, we were told sorry, they didn't have anything available. The owner then came out and told us we'd be better off ordering family style and that he'd "take care of us". Well he certainly did "take care of us". That "care" included offering poor service, sub-par food, dishes that no one enjoyed, charging us significantly more then if we had ordered off the regular menu (the way WE had wanted to), and arguing with my wife when she asked about when our dessert would be served. I would NEVER patronize an establishment where the owner and manager does not understand the basics of customer service. This gentlemen was rude, offensive, sexist, and argumentative. He should be ashamed of himself the way he treated my wife and talked back to her! Unless you like being treated like CRAP by the person who is profiting from your purchase, I would find another, better restaurant to eat in Newtown.
(1)
Pat Bunny P.
Its a nice Italian BYOB with outdoor seating. Calamari was the worst I ever tasted. Patio area gets little noisy , service is fair.
(2)
Robert C.
Vodka sauce and rigatoni... Or on any pasta. Like sex in the mouth. Waiter was charming, and even though it seemed like it was going to be a long wait we were seated in under 10. Ravioli was pretty good, chicken cacciatore was only okay. Would eat here again!
(5)
Vadim M.
This is the best italian restaurant Ive ever been to. Seems like a place like this would be in the city but nope its right in newtown. Everything tastes amazing and the prices are really affordable, even the free bread they give you is amazing.
(5)
Jessie C.
Spaghetti carbonara actually done right - you don't see (taste) that often. That alone would earn four stars from this lady, frustrated with butchered "Italian" dishes over and over. My experience was kicked up to fantastic by great service and, when we requested an appetizer not on the menu, accommodation without a batted eye. Boyfriend got the Gnocchi Sorrentino and approved. I'm looking forward to trying their pesto when we return. Which we will.
(5)
Inna L.
BYOB BYOB BYOB. Did not know this before coming here but that just made it that much better. Cute little Italian place. Had the feel of a small Italian restaurant with plastic checkered table cloths and wooden chairs. The service was great. Upon arrival the waitress informed is it was byob and even advised us of the wine and spirit store down the street to stock up on wine for our early dinner. We ordered the calamari and mussels for an appetizer. The places a plate of vegetables on the table as a garnish I presume: be aware the peppers are really really spicy. Our dinners were on par we ordered different dishes (in pics) and nobody complained. The slight peculiarity was that I asked what the side dish was and the waitress advised it was steamed veggies. I asked for a substitute to spinach instead and she obliged but my side was roasted potatoes. So either they forgot to swap the side or she didn't know how it was plated but whatever no big deal it was just as delicious nevertheless. After scarfing down our apps and dinners we even sprung for desert and cleared the plates. The amaretto tiramisu was good, not high restaurant quality but nothing to complain about. Overall for 4 people: 2 appetizers, 4 dinners, 2 deserts and a few coffees came to 123. Not bad
(4)
Tom B.
This place by far is absolutely the best Authentic Italian Eatery within 50miles of Bucks County. It's is family owned and operated foodie institution that makes ever visit like coming home to your families house for dinner. I have traveled for over 25 years around the country this place by far is on the top on my list. BYBO
(5)
Sheila H.
Love this place - the food is amazing, the wait staff is really friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is nice (despite being in a strip mall). I like sitting outside. My second time here - the food is so good, you won't mind the prices. Great place.
(4)
Ashley S.
I was presently surprised by both the food and the service here. I ordered the gorgonzola gnocchi and my date had the pollo osteria. Both dishes were delicious and the portions are huge! Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is very nice as well... good date spot. I will definitely return!
(4)
Rick M.
Pasquale, Anna and their family provide not only an extremely warm and friendly atmosphere. But Italian food as it should be presented. With imagination, pride and focus on excellence. Vecchia Osteria is one of those (few) restaurants where the quality of (every) meal served is consistent. Do yourself a huge favor. Get out of your "spaghetti and meatballs", and "Veal Parm" mode. Bring a good bottle of wine, relax and order outside of your usual comfort zone. If you don't understand...ask. These gratuitous and friendly owners, and staff will be more than happy to explain. Eating should be an experience not repetition.
(5)
Sekaj R.
This place is great. authentic Italian and everyone feels like family. Food is always excellent. The place gets packed tho so show up early
(5)
Gerald S.
Is this the best Italian restaurant in Newtown? I think so. Is it the best in Bucks? I could make an argument for it, but the real point is that it is so good that people who love Italian should give it a try. Back in the day I returned to Trenton to satisfy my Napoli needs, but those days are gone, and we all must find alternatives closer to home. Pasquale is the owner/chef/creative genius of Vecchia Osteria. He takes great pride in his cuisine, and oversees the details between being on the floor checking on his customers and making everyone feel welcome. He can be generous. Complimentary glasses of wine and cannoli are not uncommon. In between, the courses are excellent and each taste follows on upon the one before building into a crescendo of taste, texture, and subtle overlay. Maestro, please continue. Last week, VO was one of several local eateries to donate dishes a for large dinner in town. They provided Chicken Cacciatore (white version), and Rigatoni Vodka, enough for 60 people. The Chicken was dark meat with lots of Rosemary covering everything. The meat and bone were easily parted, leaving a succulent light wine and vinegar sauce to bathe the dark chicken flavors. It was superb. The pasta was the larger rigatoni, which held the creamy tomato gravy in its grooves and ridges like they were born together. It was a subtle tone so as not to compete with the more robust cacciatore. Great combination. I was sure to take some leftovers home to enjoy the next day, as Chicken Cacciatore becomes even more satisfying with age. I have eaten in Pasquale's house several times, and always wondered why I waited so long to return. It always exceeds my expectations.
(5)
Paul L.
Have eaten here a multitude of times. The meal is always satisfying and delicious. Pasquale and his family really do an amazing job making fresh food with excellent service. You can definitely tell it's a family run establishment. Would highly recommend a visit. My favorite are the Bronzino fish which is usually on special, cavatelli pasta and broccoli and end with cannolis. YUM!
(5)
Mike Z.
Great authentic Italian restaurant. Also a byob. When we got here on a Friday night, it was mobbed with people and even had a packed waiting room. We had a reservation for 8pm and still had to wait for a half hour. The owner greeted us and apologized for the delay. Its a very home and warm atmosphere and just perfect to start the weekend. We started off with an arugula salad which was seasoned just perfectly. We also had grilled calamari salad and mussels marinara . Both were really good. For entree I had the veal parm with mozzarella and tomato sauce. It was fantastic! My girl had pasta with crab meat and seafood. It tasted great, but was a little bit off because there was no crab meat. The waiter first said it was shredded in there but it definitely wasnt. He apologized and gave us a free terimisu for the inconvenience. The service was fast and terrific.Our waiter said that he came from Italy just to work here... His accent was very heavy and he sounded like he was out of a movie. It was really funny but he was very pleasant. We also enjoyed our dessert. Would def come here again and will recommend it to friends.
(5)
Trish C.
Have been here many times - food is great. Which, is why when booking a bridal shower I called for pricing. Was asked what my range was - I said around $25 a person. I was then told that their price was $70 a person and, I quote verbatim, "GOOD LUCK GETTING A PIZZA PLACE TO DO IT FOR THAT PRICE" So, I found a list of places in the area that will do it for that price (please note, no pizza places were contacted): 1 - The Brick Hotel (Newtown) - between $20-$30 2 - The Plumsteadville Inn (Plumsteadville) - $20 3 - Baci (Doylestown) - $23 4 - Momma Mia - (Langhorne ) - $15 - $20 5 - Yardley Inn (Yardley) - $25 6 - Vince's (Yardley) - $20 7 - Triumph (New Hope) - $22 8 - Churchville Inn (Churchville) - $20 9 - Dolce Carini (Newtown) - $22 10 - Revere (West Trenton/River Road) - $20 :)
(1)
Steve B.
Met friends here for lunch. Glad we did! The last time I was here, it was a pizza place. Now it's an upscale Italian restaurant. Prices and food were very good. Service was efficient and courteous. Recommended if in the Newtown area!
(4)
Renate V.
Our new family favorite! Delicious food and wonderful waiters. We always have a great experience. We just love coming here.
(5)
George M.
Best BYOB Italain place in our area. We love it here and have nothing bad to say about this family run establishment. Have done some private events here, dined with firends, and take the kids here all the time. Amazing food, great atmosphere, nice little area for outdoor dining in the nice weather. 1st class meal eveytime we visit.
(5)
Dave B.
We came here on Sunday December 29th, 2013 and we had a VERY LARGE dinner party. We sat out on the covered patio section and we had an amazing time. The staff was super amazing in dealing with our large and loud crowd, they showed patience and professionalism. We did the family style for many reason, mainly to help the staff and we loved each course that was chosen. The portions were generous and being BYOB made it even better. We started with salads and calamari for appetizers and they were delish. The past with lobster in pink sauce was my absolute favorite dish. The veal parm was thin, flavorful and decadent. The fish option we had that was served in a lemon white wine sauce was crispy on the outside, juicy and perfectly prepared. We had so many dessert options like Tiramisu, cheesecake and canoli's and they were just all great. We all had a great time because they accommodated us. I'm a fan and I would definitely return if I'm ever in this area considering its quite a distance from Philadelphia.
(4)
Karmen P.
I went here a few years ago for my birthday. Seating takes forever! We had to wait for about two hours before we were seated. At least they offered to open our wine bottle for us to enjoy. We did opt out for that as we rather sit and enjoy the food. Once we got our table, they gave us a comp veg dish. It was just steamed with some seasoning. Still a nice thought. I do remember that the food was good! I can't say much about the service though. So if you don't mind that, go for the food.
(3)
Rob M.
I have been here 3 times All times have been okay or bad. Tonight was the last straw though...so i for one will not be back. All 3 times me and my fiance have gone the wait at the door attitude is lets hang out on the phone and carelessness for the guest. All have been weekdays. Next the attitude of the server is whatever....here are the specials what to do you want.... I dont need wine and dine but attitude towards us isn't necessary. Food is basic food....the hot peppers...eh boring..not spicy not cheesey..all about the prosciutto. The veal saltinbucco boring and the shells if crab in the pasta...no good....Coffee was cooks and tasted old. If i felt like anyone cared I would have tried to have it fixed.....
(1)
Kimberly G.
The thing is, I'd like to give this place a 5 star, but after Saturday night and the treatment we received, I can't honor this place a 5 star. To begin, we had an 8:30 reservation. Once we checked in with the hostess, she said it'd be a 5 minute wait maximum. A half hour later we were still waiting for our table. Then finally we get called to our table. IT WAS OUTDOORS ON A COLD NIGHT!!!!!!! We weren't asked a preference, we were just seated. We requested to be inside, and luckily for us they were clearing a table. We sat down around 9:10. 9:30 we were still waiting for a waitress or waiter to come around to get our drink orders and menus. We were so annoyed we walked out without ordering anything. This place lost a devoted customer and family. Bottom line is we used to frequent here, but will no longer. Food is fabolous(if they decide to give you a menu)
(1)
Lauren P.
Avoid this place. The management is horrible, they have teens with no management skills as hostesses, they force you to wait for reservations for at least 45 minutes, and the food is fair. We had an 8 o'clock reservation, didn't sit until 9..they ran out of most of the food we ordered, and served us the wrong things, and we didn't get out until 11:30. Seriously, this place is awful.
Great little authentic Italian restaurant. We eat there regularly never had a bad meal. Gets really crowded on weekends so make reservations. It's byob which is really nice.
(4)
Gadi N.
Just had a lovely experience here. Special appetizer was grilled langostino over bed of arugula. Haven't had such succulent langostino plancha since a long ago vacation on the coast of Spain. By the way, the Sardegna Salad(arugula with goat cheese) and the eggplant Parmesan were just as delicious.
(5)
Bree M.
Easily the best restaurant in town. Absolutely delicious food, very authentic, great outdoor patio. Every meal that I have had (or my family/friends) have had received rave reviews. Prices are a little on the high side, but always leave thoroughly satisfied. Things I've ordered that I would definitely recommend: -As an app-- Long Hot Peppers: mottz stuffed hot peppers wrapped in proscuitto, lightly pan fried. I've ordered them every time that I have visited. -Entrees: Fusilli Alla Polpa Di Granchio (one of my favorites), Pollo Sorrentino, Pollo Donatella (another favorite), & Pollo Ai Funghi Definitely give this restaurant a try.
(5)
Harry E.
Amazing food amazing service. This is real deal Italian food that is worth writing home about. Pasquale is a great chef and a very hospitable host! He is always around the kitchen and will come out to greet most people.
(5)
Joey R.
Incredible Italian food--and this stuff is authentic. Homemade pasta, appetizers fresh and well-plated, and legitimate Italian bread that you know is made on premise. The owner himself is very involved with the customers and has oftentimes given my family a free appetizer or glass of wine. Definitely try the pappardelle bolognese; it is the best item on the menu. The only negative about going to this place is that it will raise your standards for Italian food so much so that not many other places will be able to satisfy!
(5)
Mark A.
The food was great! I didn't like the side room where we were eating because it was cold, but otherwise it was a good place to go.
(4)
Christopher S.
I wish I ate at the same place many of the other reviewers ate here. Vecchia Osteria falls completely short on the 24 of August 2013. Restaurant was quite crowded so I figured something had to be good. Service was flat out abysmal from start to finish. Our waiter could never be found and our water glasses were consistently empty. The worst part about the service was between the salad/apps and the entree was 40 FORTY minutes. Not once did he come to our table at that time. As for the food, we went with the specials. Both were mixed shellfish over risotto. Clams and mussels were entirely overcooked while the risotto was mushy and wet. The arugula salad was decent while the rustica mixed cheese and meets was average. Price was $84 pre-tip. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing but there was no excuse for the service. After we observed meals going back from other tables, I knew something was up.
(2)
Dan R.
This never happened to me before in my life. I walked in, plenty of open tables, it seems kinds busy. Being new to the restaurant I wait to be seated... Nothing. It didn't feel like good service. I'm not going to beg them to feed me. Wake up!!!
(1)
Heather M.
Pretty good food, no complaints really. Portions were huge, my son got three meals out of his lasagna. It didn't wow me like I wanted it to though.
(3)
Tim D.
Had reservations for 7:30 on a Friday night. Along with 5 other groups. It's now 8:30 and STILL standing outside. Don't come unless you have LOTS of time to wait.
(1)
Martin M.
We have been here before. Had a 7:30 reservation tonight, for 6 people. Got there at 7:30 to find about 20 people waiting outside. Hostess said we would be seated in a minute. Waited another 20 or 25 minutes, never saw the hostess again & left. Very disappointing that reservations are not honored.
(1)
Gianna K.
Rude people. they know they have a great business so they don't care. People from Newtown will eat anywhere. They also reuse food from customers, esp. the bread basket and the owner laughs about it. ( Heard this from a former employee)
(1)
Syvan T.
Authentic FRESH Italian food. Their pasta is fantastic. Try the sacotini. It's homemade and so are the desserts! This is my all time favorite Italian restaurant! The staff is always very nice and helpful and the owners are awesome!
(5)
Brad C.
First time. Great meal, friendly waiter. Glad we had reservations, there was a line at 6pm Sat nite waiting, and an even longer line at 8pm when we left. Very pleased and happy to recommend it to others. Dinner for 4 was $45/pp including our tip. BYOB probably kept the cost down a bit too.
(5)
Beans B.
Everything from service to atmosphere and especially food is amazing!!! Thank you Pasquale for making my day out with my Dad amazing! We will be definitly be coming back again and again!!
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes 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.
Lee J.
Be careful on saturday night we went there and they didn't honor our reservation so we had to go elsewhere
(1)Carolyn W.
Always a great night at Vecchia Osteria!! Love Pasquale and his consistency with fine food and great service. The tiramisu is the best I've ever had outside of Rome!
(5)Debby H.
My second visit yesterday...this time for lunch with a friend. It was absolutely delicious. I had chicken vegetable soup & the roast pork and broccoli rabe sandwich. Yummy as it gets. My friend had the chicken limone and loved ever bite. Everything was great. Seconds on coffee were not offered, but we managed to get a second cup after flagging down the waiter. Highly recommend Vecchia Osteria for lunch. Oh, we sat there for 2 1/2 hours and found it just the best place to talk and catch up. GO!
(4)Amy L.
The portions are generous. The service was great. The pasta pouches are great. Definitely a gem in the Newtown area.
(3)Nikki G.
I feel compelled to write a review for this restaurant due to a very poor experience. It wasn't that the food was terrible, it was the service. Allow me to explain. My fiance and I went with a group of people to have a nice authentic Italian dinner. My fiance ordered the gnocchi dish and everyone else ordered their own respective meals. When the food was served we were all excited to dig in. Except my fiance of course. As the waiter put the plate full of pasta down in front of my fiance, he informed us "We were out of gnocchi, so we substituted for ________ (insert random pasta that is not even on the same wave length as gnocchi)." My fiance was shocked, as was I, that the waiter did not tell us sooner. Had he been told immediately (before all the food was cooked and served!!!), he would've chosen a different dish. What my fiance wound up with was plain old pasta with red spaghetti sauce. We could have made that at home just as good and we would've been spared the aggravation. At this point, my fiance was starving and did not want to order another dish since everyone else had started eating. He would've had to wait at least 15 min to receive something else and by that time, we all would've been finished our dishes. So my fiance began eating the dish. Eventually the waiter came back to check on us and that's when we told him we were not happy. Then he sends the manager out. The manager had the audacity to say to my fiance, "You should have told me immediately." Have your staff take your advice, sir. They did take his meal off of the bill but that was not enough for me. All we wanted was a delicious satisfying dinner and good service. My dinner was good but it wasn't amazing and I could definitely get it just as good if not better somewhere else. I will never go back again nor would I recommend this restaurant to anyone else. Another one bites the dust!
(2)Theresa P.
We had dinner at Vecchia Osteria in April, 2014 and were thrilled to have an authentic Italian restaurant close to home. We were anxious to return and recently brought several friends with us for dinner on a Tuesday evening. We were sat outside in an overcrowded dining area that was incredibly loud. I had difficulty hearing my friends across the table and we all ended up having one-on-one conversations with the person next to us rather than a group centered conversation. We initially ordered drinks which seemed to take forever to come. The salads we chose to share were mediocre at best. We had asked for butter for the bread which never arrived. I ordered a side of cavetelli pasta with olive oil and garlic, and requested "very light" on the garlic. The pasta was delivered and appeared to have more garlic than pasta on the plate. In fact, the pasta had a brown color because of the overload of garlic. I did not eat it and when the server asked why, I explained that it had way too much garlic. He corrected me and stated that I ordered cavetelli with garlic and oil. I reminded him that I asked for "very light" garlic. He asked others at the table if they wanted to take it home. No one was interested. He responded rather sarcastically and said "what a shame - it is homemade pasta." Really? He later returned with the check and informed us that he took the pasta off the check. My friends agreed that our trip was very disappointing and only rated their entrees as "okay - nothing special."
(2)Rose S.
Just okay. My second time there. Both times felt so cramped and crowded. Herded to the back, where the noise level was high. We had a large party. The waiter was friendly, but he didn't write anything down (I guess he wanted to impress), and forgot the pasta side dish a friend ordered and had to be reminded of mine which was missing.. Entrees weren't timed and therefore came out after others had started way into their meals. The calamari was tough and tasteless. My fish entree presentation looked like it was thrown into the dish in a hurry. My oil and garlic pasta side had so much oil on the bottom, I could not eat it. To be fair, my husband's vodka sauce/pasta was delicious. I don't like the chaos and crowded atmosphere. I think they should probably stick to a simpler menu and present better..One last thing. I ordered caffeinated coffee. I got it. I asked for a refill and he came out with the pot (orange handled) decaf. pot. When I asked him if this was caffeinated, he lied. I guess he didnt want to make another pot.
(2)David Y.
The food and service here is great. I didn't pay for my meal so I can't judge by the price but it's nice to get an authentic meal in Newtown that doesn't come delivered on a truck to be thawed and served. I ordered fish, and it was excellent. I will be returning.
(4)Kim B.
Some of the best Italian food and desserts I've ever had. The owners are from Sicily and are very friendly, it doesn't get more authentic than that. The server was very knowledgable and the staff paid us full attention. It has charming decor with paintings on the ceiling. The fried zucchini, bruschetta, and buffalo mozzerella appetizers were delicious. The seafood medley on linguini was absolutely scrumptous. I tried the spaghetti sauce and it was homemade and delictable. Other ppl were raving about the chicken being very tender. The dessert sampler was amazing! I hate cake, but I wish I had more on the plates! I felt bad, but some ppl barely got any dessert b/c it was so good. The cake was so moist and tasted like the best tiramisu, almond cake, chocolate mousse with cream puff, and lemon cake I've ever had. I would love to go back. We even got free bruschetta compliments from the chef.
(5)Bob J.
Very good meal. Food was fresh, server was attentive. Prices were reasonable, we will for sure be going back. Every aspect was above average.
(4)Jack G.
The food was simple , Pasquale salad and two rigatoni with meat sauce and meatballs. One order tiramisu = 76.00. I thought it was over priced and probably will be visiting less often. A friend had a similar experience for four women eating pasta = 396.00 , outrageous! And it's byob!
(2)gregory s.
Wonderful home cooked Southern Italian food in a comfortable friendly setting with excellent service. We took my mom there for her 84th and it became a very special day indeed. Thank you La Vecchia Osteria.
(4)Lex H.
Great food & service! Nice family atmosphere, good portion sizes, everything was seasoned and cooked perfectly!
(5)Fracesca T.
Very good food and service. The menu is somewhat limited for pescatarians and vegetarians not seeking pasta. Check out the specials; we had the zucchini blossoms stuffed with mozzarella and long hots stuffed with mozzarella and wrapped on prosciutto. Both delicious, but costly ($14 each). The mussels (white) were delicious. The espresso tiramisu was homemade and outstanding! I would say it is more like $$&$ and NOT $$! The outdoor terrace was lovely!
(4)Vincent M.
Ohhh yes. This is the real deal. Excellent italian restaurant. There is nothing in Newtown or Yardley that can compare if italian is your wish. In fact, I may stop trying others because I already know I am in for a treat every visit. By the way, this is no secret ... from the line out the door on weekends and the tight quarters, I am not the only that knows where to go for the best italian dining in the area!
(5)Hart R.
What a surprise! In the area on business, selected the restaurant based on Yelp recommendations. Great food. Wonderful personal service. The fish special (branzini) was well prepared and served. And has that neighborhood feel...nice when traveling.
(4)Susan M.
Went last Friday night for a 7:30 reservation. Left outside standing in the rain waiting to 8:30. We were a party of 6 for dinner. No one seemed to care or would give us a reason for the long wait. Phoned Florintinos in Newtown they told us a table would be ready for us in 5 min. We had an amazing dinner and won't be back to the other place again. Love Florintiono's thanks again for another wonderful meal!
(1)Jim G.
I went to this establishment for a retirement gathering for one of my colleagues. There were 9 people in our party. I ordered the veal parm and it was average at best...certainly nothing special. Comparable to what you might find at the Olive Garden or another Italian chain. The so-so food coupled with sweat dripping off my brow and down my back did not make for a pleasurable dining experience...(apparently the AC doesn't work very well) We didn't even bother to stay for dessert. Needless to say, I will not be returning....
(1)Lauren L.
Great restaurant. Good service, good ambiance, great options, wonderful specials. Highlights were the fried zucchini flowers, pesto shrimp with homemade pasta, lemon cake and the tiramisu. Would stay away from the calamari which was tough. Had a group of 9 and they managed us great. It is BYOB and there is a liquor/beer store right around the corner. Great for families and late romantic dinner.
(4)Ellie J.
Its awesome place. Great atmosphere and great food. Service is good. Sometimes they serve grilled pepper and vegetables with bread while we are waiting for our meal. Its BYOB.
(5)Michael H.
We were seated in their outside dining area during a cold January evening. They said it was heated, but it was still pretty cold. Our server was very polite and attentive. Their soup was good and very satisfying (possibly because I was cold from the outside seating) I ordered a squid ink rice special which was really great. I thoroughly enjoyed my dinner. My wife ordered a chicken dish and asked for it with no cheese. It came out with cheese, but easily came off. Kind of annoying, but worse things have happened in the world. Now that it's summer time, I'd probably have to go back and try this place again. But, since it's nice out they would probably seat us indoors. The irony! But seriously, I would give this place more stars had it not been for the feezing outdoor dining area that isn't nearly as warm as it should be.
(3)Tony L.
This Italian fare restaurant deserves five stars. I feel like I am both eating in my mothers dinning room and being hosted by a close friend.
(5)Renata M.
I have eaten at Vecchia Osteria twice in the last few weeks, once in the restaurant and then for take out. Both experiences were very good. When dining-in the service was prompt and the owner very friendly and accommodating to a large party. The place has a very nice atmosphere with outside seating available. Some stand-out dishes were the lamb chops, gorgonzola gnocchi, and the desserts were great - amazing cannolis, tiramisu, and a lemon cake. It is a bit pricey, but fair in comparison to other local italian restaurants.
(4)Tom W.
Good food, but the $32.00 overpriced special, "eggplant lasagna," wasn't worth it. For that amount, I could have had a steak dinner instead of pasta. Service was good and fast. The place could use a little updating.
(3)Mary M.
This is our favorite Italian restaurant in Newtown. The food is wonderful ...the service is friendly... Love the arugula salads and the eggplant Parmesan and so much more.....
(5)Chris B.
I'll stick just to the facts. Our reservations meant little on a Saturday night 8:00 dinner since me and my wife had to wait outside for 20 minutes. We were seated outside, which was disappointing but the inside was cramped and smokey so it actually worked out better.. My wife had heard good things about it which is why I figured to just ignore it since the food would be worth it. Well our appetizer was a red flag that something was wrong. It was a "seafood" salad with arugula. It was three shrimp, a few calamari rings and clams. The calamari and clams were extremely fishy and the entire dish had a sulfur flavor to it. It was so bad we would've complained to our waiter except we never saw him after he took our order. Next, I ordered Chicken Sorrentino, a staple in Italian food. The "marinara" sauce was a blush sauce and the butter in it started to separate a few minutes after it sat on my plate. My wife ordered the special, pesto with grilled shrimp. It had a four pieces of medium-sized sautéed shrimp for an extra $10 off the base price. She was also disappointed with her dish's bland flavor despite her positive outlook. Once again, no waiter, just bus boys. I actually created this account to counter some of the positive feedback. It was extremely disappointing and left us wanting for good local Italian...
(1)Linda F.
Terrific food, service and ambiance! We will definitely return soon. Our waiter and all of the staff were friendly and catered to our every wish. It was clear they wanted us to be comfortable and to enjoy our dining experience.
(5)Ken D.
Love the family style meals.
(5)Tanya R.
I was there with a group last week and the food was simply mediocre. Nothing special. Pasta tasted like it was from the grocery store. Veal was tender but did not have much flavor.
(3)Jill T.
I've visited this BYOB a few times now, and each time is as remarkable as the first. They are always busy, but always accommodating. Let's start with the service, as this can make or break the dining experience. The servers are all extremely knowledgeable, polite, and attentive. They will do everything they can to ensure that you have an excellent dining experience. The Chef, Pasquale, even visits the tables to make sure everything is as you requested. Moving onto the food... every single thing I have eaten in this restaurant has been delicious. Over the weekend, my fiance decided to be a bit daring and ordered the Antelope (which was a special that day). I expected the meat to be gamey, regardless of how well it had been cooked. When the dish arrived it looked, and tasted, like Filet Mignon. I was extremely impressed. I cannot even begin to recommend a specific dish, as I am sure they are all wonderful. I do, however, highly recommend their Mediterranean Salad as an appetizer, it's amazing.
(5)Donna S.
A number of people told me about this restaurant. Each conversation went something like this, "We found a gem of an Italian restaurant hidden in Newtown!" Finally I decided I needed to check the place out so I grabbed my sister and we headed out last night to see what all the fuss was about. The place is hidden! I probably drove by it a 100 times and never once noticed it. We walked in and we were greeted by I think the owner. He immediately showed us to a table outside... they have a gorgeous outside garden area. There were some leaves on our table from the towering tree right next door. He apologized and gave us a free antipasto! This blew me away especially because the leaves didn't bother me one bit. My sister ordered the Fusilli alla Polpa di Granchio onions, jumbo lump crab meat, cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, touch of hot pepper in a pink cream sauce. IT WAS AMAZING!! (I forced her to split it with me!) I ordered the Penne Toscana vidalia onions, grape tomatoes and ricotta salata in marinara sauce. It didn't blow me away but I think it was my fault for ordering something rather plain. The meal came to an even $30 which I thought was reasonable for the quality and ambiance. La Vecchia Osteria is truly lovely and I will be back!
(5)Irina L.
I cannot believe this restaurant is not yet on the Yelp radar! And I am honored to be the one to bring it to everyone's attention. All - stand up and take notice! This is a gem, which must be shared, enjoyed and savored. La Vecchia Osteria [an old tavern] is a charming family-owned Italian restaurant, tucked away off the beaten path. It was a pizza joint / Italian-restaurant-wanna-be, which was transformed by the chef-owner Pasquale and his wife, Anna, into a warm, cozy, inviting space. The food is an absolute pleasure - whether you order a la carte, specials from the menu, or partake of a banquet feast. I have tried it all: but I cannot possibly go through each appetizer or entrée, singing the chef's praises. My faves: calamari fritti [always fresh, perfectly balanced between the crunchy outside and a tender squid]; seafood salad [abundant assortment of seafood over fresh arugula with a perfect vinaigrette dressing]; the whole braised fish literally melts in your mouth - succulent, delicious; and the absolute worth-the-wait dish: lamb chops. They are heavenly, and done right every single time. Every other dish I tried over the last two years, or my family and friends enjoyed - not a single negative comment or bad experience. Best thing - BYOB, so you don't overpay for wine & drinks. Also, the patio in the warm weather: so relaxing. Challenge - getting seated on time: this place is extremely popular with the locals, so be patient, or take the early booking.
(4)Anony-mom C.
I took my mom here for lunch on Friday. The food was excellent and I knocked one star off for the language barrier between us and the waiter. We could not understand his answer to my mom's question and he seemed to get a little irritated at that. Also the salmon my mom ordered came out very undercooked in the middle and had to be sent back, but she was able to get it recooked pretty quickly. I would return - definitely - everyone has an off day.
(4)Joseph B.
Great Spot!!! Pasquale, always takes great care of us. Food is always fantastic and the service is 2nd to None. Great Grreat Place!!
(5)Margo K.
Went here for dinner with my boyfriend and his father. The food was perfect. Great quality, creative Italian food. The service was top notch as well. We were seated in a pretty outdoor section, and ordered the Rustico Napoletano. This app involved prosciutto, which I am a sucker for. Awesome. Complimentary bread and oil. I ordered the Farfalle with smoked salmon, onions, and brandy cream sauce. I have to say, the sauce was tangy and magnificent. Here you will find large portions, decent prices, and very gracious and knowledgeable staff. It's several days later and I'm still thinking about how delicious that pasta was! I was reminded how much I love Italian food. I hope I get the chance to eat here again soon!
(5)John C.
Very nice authentic Italian restaurant in Newtown, not Italian American like many others throughout the area. This family-run establishment serves fresh cuisine that has never disappointed. It is BYOB; however, they do serve complimentary home made wine. The establishment feels like a home more than a restaurant, I always end up with the zuppa de pesce or linguini pescatore, you must check this place out. Make sure to make a reservation on weekends, the place gets packed.
(5)Jenn B.
A spontaneous lunch date with my husband, what a happy accident! Great atmosphere, friendly service, and fabulous food; we will definitely be back.
(5)M G.
Not only was the food very good and well prepared but the service was great. Place was packed for a Tuesday night. We made a reservation one hour in advance and came 20 minutes early. We were seated right away. The owner makes his rounds and ensures everyone is comfortable and well taken care of. The atmosphere is great feels like a friend's home but with better cooking. It kind of sucks that everyone already knows about this place. But I did not experience any of the lacking service that was mentioned in previous reports. If you want a good home cooked meal in a great causal place, come here for sure!!!
(5)James B.
Just had dinner for nine. Everything was fantastic. We ordered heavily from the specials. Eggplant Rollatini, amazing. Stuffed zucchini flowers, awesome. The arugula salad with crab and raw tuna was quite satisfying. Entrees were also large and delicious. Complementary antipasto and Sambuca shots were a nice touch. No complaints from our group. BYOB helps keep the cost down. Great authentic feel with flawless service.
(5)Kevin S.
This place thinks they are more special than they are. Made a reservation for 6:30 pm on a Saturday. Got there on time and still had to wait half an hour to be seated. Oddly, when we were finally taken back there were many open tables. Not sure why my pregnant wife had to wait half an hour in a cold waiting room to be seated when we had a reservation AND there are open tables, but whatever. Food was pretty good but nothing spectacular, and the service came with the kind of arrogance that suggested we should be honored to be dining at their establishment. Well, I don't get it. This is basically a converted pizza joint, with italian food way more expensive but not particularly better than the pizza places that preceded it (Mossimo's, Sal's Las Vegas pizza, etc.). Not sure what all the hype, or attitude is about. A week later my wife's company of 20 went for their holiday party, spent well over $1k, and got similar treatment. Every member of the party said they would not return.
(2)Frank I.
This is a 5 star restaurant for numerous reasons.The food is out of this world.Simply put the best me and my girlfriend have ever tasted.Only the best and freshest ingredients are used.The decor is amazing and makes you feel like your back in italy.The staff is very professional,attentive and always there for you.Anna,Pasquale and there staff make you feel like family.So much love and hard work go into this 5 star culinary dream i dont know why some customers write negative reviews.If you have to wait there is a very good reason why,because its the best.Why do you think this restaurant is packed,not because they overbook,because people know its the best italian food they will ever taste.Everything is homemade so be patient,enjoy your wine (its byob) and buon appetito.
(5)C B.
Great food, service and atmosphere! Calamari and scungili salad was very fresh and tasty. Chef came out to check on us several times. Not only did we walk in late, but we didn't realize it was BYOB. Not only were encouraged to take our time, but they were also kind enough to share some of their wine with us!
(4)D B.
Went with a party of five. We all had something different (all seafood dishes) and each meal was fantastic. The place did't have many people there on a Sunday night, so our waiter was very attentive. We drove from MontCo. Our experience was well worth the trip. We enjoyed sitting outside having an excellent dinner on a lovely summer night. Will definitely come back in the future.
(4)Helen D.
Vecchia Osteria is an italian restaurant tucked away in a little Newtown shopping center. We were treated to the family style dinner created by Pasquale the chef/owner. The service was VERY GOOD & the courses were... TOO MANY.... I'm not complaining but seriously by the end we were all ready to explode. I just had a little taste of all the courses so I would be able to report on everything. First we had the Antipasto platter with cheeses & meats, tomato & mozzarella - all very tasty. Caesar salad followed that. Fried Calamari was another course - was "good" but not GREAT. Two pasta dishes were up next. A pappardelle pasta was served with bolognese sauce that wasn't quite "meaty" enough. The other pasta dish was cavatelli with broccoli. NEXT.... was Rosemary Chicken which I was told was good (i don't really eat bird); the tilapia francaise was moist & tasty. ALL enjoyed the dessert plate with two types of tiramisu, cannolis & chocolate cake. It is BYOB so that's a bonus in my eyes. It's a newer restaurant, it's quaint & I think they are still learning..... We'd give it another try & maybe order from the menu vs family style.
(3)Joe M.
Pasquale the chef owner has done an amazing job transforming this lil pizzeria into Newtown's finest Italian Italian restaurant. Generous Portions, friendly service, and cozy atmosphere. a nice grilled vegetable plate complimentary with crispy airy bread set the tone.Very satisfying large Arugula Salad with lemon & shaved cheese.Entre of Griled Veal chop done to perfection capped off an amazing meal. Gf enjoyed a complimentary Lemonchello also. Impressive to say the least.
(5)Andrew A.
I had to revisit my previous review after my most recent experience here. We returned with a larger party and decided to go family style. It was phenomenal. Food was great and the staff was excellent. There were some pretty horrendous down pours that day (we sat outside under the canopy) and the staff did everything in their power to make our visit, as well as all other patrons visits, as good as possible. I elected to give 5 stars this time around because my only gripe with my previous review was a very long wait time after our reservation time, but this time, with a much larger party nonetheless, we were sat immediately.
(5)Monica K.
My boyfriend and I LOVED it here! BYOB and the wait staff is awesome! Outdoor eating has a great layout; peaceful, great atmosphere and open (not too cramped). If you are looking for a comfortable and delicious restaurant, COME HERE! The owners are so cute and you can tell that they take great pride in their work!
(5)Rowena Q.
"Fusilli with crabmeat and tiramisu! Yum! Love when they have bruschetta"
(5)Richard L.
Fantastic appetizers, average service, average main course. As a couple we had calamari and steak carpaccio for appetizer. Some of the best cooked calamari I've ever had. Had langoustine with pasta and gnocchi. Pasta didn't seem hand made. Gnocchi was but was heavy. Large portions. Decor ok. Looked like the back office was in the restaurant which was a little off-putting. Will likely go back just, if just for the calamari!
(3)Deb W.
My sister and brother-in-law took us to this restaurant. I'm surprised we never made it before now. We had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere is cozy and the food was excellent. The pasta was to die for and the Bronzino was out of this world. The desserts were among the best I've ever had. Would definitely go back!
(5)Jennifer M.
When we are here we are home. There is simply no finer Italian food in all of Bucks County. Simple, fresh and never pretentious. Gotta love Pasquale.
(5)Michael R.
Went here for a surprise BD dinner for my Sis. We had 7pm reservations and they put us outside ( the rain had just stopped- the table settings were still wet)...but the weather was kind that evening, and so was Pasquale, who came out to greet us and suggest a family-style meal.....bring it on! And they did- on HUGE platters non/stop for 6 courses! Antipasto, wonderful Calamari Frito, baked clams, Linguini w/ seafood, another pasta with garlic and rabe/broccoli (excellent!),a steamed fish dish, a meat selection of steak and lamb chops, a very tasty veal dish.....we had a party of 9!...what an incredible meal! No matter what you order, Pasquale puts his heart into the preparation and his love of Italy comes shining through! This is a BYOB place (we brought 5 and got through 3). The dessert was purchased from a small bakery in Newtown called Caketeria- and was a phenomenal custom chocolate mousse cake ...oy vey! Go hungry my friend. You won't be disappointed!!
(5)John M.
Some of the best Italian food you'll find in Newtown!
(5)Mike P.
Not great - we had the family portions and the waiter totally upsold us on the amount of food to get - by the time the appetizers were done, everyone was full... so even for big parties, just get the individual entre's or share one... the food is okay, not great but they do have outdoor seating
(3)Sonya C.
By far the best authentic Italian food in the area. I have been here over 10 times and each time is always great! The food is fresh and full of flavor. The service is even better. The staff truly makes you feel welcome. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Lynn S.
One of the best around. Never disappoints!
(5)Karen W.
Just another over-hyped place. My husband and I went on a weeknight, the place is tiny and cramped with locals who seemed to communicate to each other over other people's tables ... making us feel like we were uninvited guests at someone else's party. The calamari appetizer was very good, nicely crisp and tender inside, with some nicely roasted peppers. My husband's venison osso bucco was AVERAGE and lacking flavor, not even sure if there was real venison in there, and my lamb chops while tasty were overly greesy. The waiter brought us two glasses of red wine for free (a nice gesture we appreciated!) but still it did not make up for overall just OK meals while paying fine dining prices. 1 appetizer and 2 entrees (no drinks, no coffee, no dessert) came to $88 after tax and tip. Fine dining prices in my book, and if the meals were outstanding, we would not have minded paying that much. Sadly, we were disappointed that this place did not turn out the "gem" we were hoping for.
(3)Renee F.
simply...yummmmm..
(4)Will C.
Awesome service. Pasquell is the man. Cozy interesting place to eat.
(4)Andy M.
Took our family here for son's 21st birthday. Absolutely wonderful. Terrific waiter, very friendly and completely knowledgable about the dishes. Yes, he accidentally forgot to tell us about the lobster special, but no biggie. We saw it at the next table and ordered it right up. Delish. This is a tiny, cramped BYOB but so very worth the visit. Certainly the best Italian food in the greater Philadelphia area and one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to, and I travel around the nation frequently, taking authors to dinner at great restaurants. This one's a keeper. Will definitely return. Oh, and did I mention the canolis? Best ANYWHERE.
(4)Scott H.
Hands down one of the best restaurants in the area, the owner is awesome and visits all of the customers to personalize your dining experience, the food is incredible! You cannot go wrong eating here.I lobe this place.
(5)Pat G.
Service and food are top notch. The veal is excellent! Great place for a special evening or even just for dinner.
(5)Colin M.
Osteria in the true sense of the word, I feel like I an eating at my family home, except the food is great. The Palino family show exceptional service and rustic Italian cooking. Make yourself a regular and part of their family.
(5)Ann P.
Went here for dinner with the girls - nice place - byob. food was excellent. alittle crowded and noisey.
(5)barbara h.
this restaurant is fabulous -- the food is amazing and i have never had a bad meal here. the staff is wonderful and the owner/chef pasquale is a wonderful host. no need to travel far for excellent food -- this is a gem!
(5)Aj J.
My husband and I visited Italy a couple years ago & it quickly became our favorite place in the world. EVERY time we set foot in Vecchia Osteria by Pasquale, we feel like we're right back in Italy (and that's no exaggeration)! Pasquale & his beautiful family always extend their warmest welcome & the entire experience is flawless. So delicious, so kind, so consistent. Counting down the days until my next plate of Carbonara!
(5)Joyce M.
My husband gave me a surprise birthday dinner here in March with 15 of my closest friends & people are still talking about how great the food was! We eat here a lot & I'm so glad my husband chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner! We think it is the best Italian restaurant in Newtown! Pasquale & family do such a great job with food & hospitality
(5)Chris B.
Ate at Vecchia Ostera Saturday night. We called at six o clock and they told us to come right down and they could fit us in. We were seated when we arrived. This was our first visit to this establishment and it was a very pleasant. The salads were fresh with fantastic dressings. The main courses were excellent! Service was outstanding. Our new Italian favorite.
(4)Christine B.
I really love the food here. It's hard for me to get anything other than the cavatelli with broccoli, but recently I did try the penne with vodka sauce. The meatballs on my most recent visit were a little bland, but the pasta was great. We usually share a salad and/or an appetizer depending on what the specials are. It seems like they host a lot of parties in the afternoon on weekends.
(4)Gregg R.
After eating here, I feel this restaurant is way overrated, expensive, not good, and poorly managed. They ruined a very special event for my family. We made reservations here to celebrate father's 80th birthday. We specifically requested to be seated inside because several of our guests were elderly and we were concerned about the heat in August and wanted everyone to be comfortable, in air conditioning. Additionally, we said we wanted our guests to be able to order off of the menu and that we'd be ordering several appetizers for everyone to share. When we arrived, our tables were set up outside!! When we asked about moving inside and our specific inside request when we made the reservation, we were told sorry, they didn't have anything available. The owner then came out and told us we'd be better off ordering family style and that he'd "take care of us". Well he certainly did "take care of us". That "care" included offering poor service, sub-par food, dishes that no one enjoyed, charging us significantly more then if we had ordered off the regular menu (the way WE had wanted to), and arguing with my wife when she asked about when our dessert would be served. I would NEVER patronize an establishment where the owner and manager does not understand the basics of customer service. This gentlemen was rude, offensive, sexist, and argumentative. He should be ashamed of himself the way he treated my wife and talked back to her! Unless you like being treated like CRAP by the person who is profiting from your purchase, I would find another, better restaurant to eat in Newtown.
(1)Pat Bunny P.
Its a nice Italian BYOB with outdoor seating. Calamari was the worst I ever tasted. Patio area gets little noisy , service is fair.
(2)Robert C.
Vodka sauce and rigatoni... Or on any pasta. Like sex in the mouth. Waiter was charming, and even though it seemed like it was going to be a long wait we were seated in under 10. Ravioli was pretty good, chicken cacciatore was only okay. Would eat here again!
(5)Vadim M.
This is the best italian restaurant Ive ever been to. Seems like a place like this would be in the city but nope its right in newtown. Everything tastes amazing and the prices are really affordable, even the free bread they give you is amazing.
(5)Jessie C.
Spaghetti carbonara actually done right - you don't see (taste) that often. That alone would earn four stars from this lady, frustrated with butchered "Italian" dishes over and over. My experience was kicked up to fantastic by great service and, when we requested an appetizer not on the menu, accommodation without a batted eye. Boyfriend got the Gnocchi Sorrentino and approved. I'm looking forward to trying their pesto when we return. Which we will.
(5)Inna L.
BYOB BYOB BYOB. Did not know this before coming here but that just made it that much better. Cute little Italian place. Had the feel of a small Italian restaurant with plastic checkered table cloths and wooden chairs. The service was great. Upon arrival the waitress informed is it was byob and even advised us of the wine and spirit store down the street to stock up on wine for our early dinner. We ordered the calamari and mussels for an appetizer. The places a plate of vegetables on the table as a garnish I presume: be aware the peppers are really really spicy. Our dinners were on par we ordered different dishes (in pics) and nobody complained. The slight peculiarity was that I asked what the side dish was and the waitress advised it was steamed veggies. I asked for a substitute to spinach instead and she obliged but my side was roasted potatoes. So either they forgot to swap the side or she didn't know how it was plated but whatever no big deal it was just as delicious nevertheless. After scarfing down our apps and dinners we even sprung for desert and cleared the plates. The amaretto tiramisu was good, not high restaurant quality but nothing to complain about. Overall for 4 people: 2 appetizers, 4 dinners, 2 deserts and a few coffees came to 123. Not bad
(4)Tom B.
This place by far is absolutely the best Authentic Italian Eatery within 50miles of Bucks County. It's is family owned and operated foodie institution that makes ever visit like coming home to your families house for dinner. I have traveled for over 25 years around the country this place by far is on the top on my list. BYBO
(5)Sheila H.
Love this place - the food is amazing, the wait staff is really friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is nice (despite being in a strip mall). I like sitting outside. My second time here - the food is so good, you won't mind the prices. Great place.
(4)Ashley S.
I was presently surprised by both the food and the service here. I ordered the gorgonzola gnocchi and my date had the pollo osteria. Both dishes were delicious and the portions are huge! Our waiter was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is very nice as well... good date spot. I will definitely return!
(4)Rick M.
Pasquale, Anna and their family provide not only an extremely warm and friendly atmosphere. But Italian food as it should be presented. With imagination, pride and focus on excellence. Vecchia Osteria is one of those (few) restaurants where the quality of (every) meal served is consistent. Do yourself a huge favor. Get out of your "spaghetti and meatballs", and "Veal Parm" mode. Bring a good bottle of wine, relax and order outside of your usual comfort zone. If you don't understand...ask. These gratuitous and friendly owners, and staff will be more than happy to explain. Eating should be an experience not repetition.
(5)Sekaj R.
This place is great. authentic Italian and everyone feels like family. Food is always excellent. The place gets packed tho so show up early
(5)Gerald S.
Is this the best Italian restaurant in Newtown? I think so. Is it the best in Bucks? I could make an argument for it, but the real point is that it is so good that people who love Italian should give it a try. Back in the day I returned to Trenton to satisfy my Napoli needs, but those days are gone, and we all must find alternatives closer to home. Pasquale is the owner/chef/creative genius of Vecchia Osteria. He takes great pride in his cuisine, and oversees the details between being on the floor checking on his customers and making everyone feel welcome. He can be generous. Complimentary glasses of wine and cannoli are not uncommon. In between, the courses are excellent and each taste follows on upon the one before building into a crescendo of taste, texture, and subtle overlay. Maestro, please continue. Last week, VO was one of several local eateries to donate dishes a for large dinner in town. They provided Chicken Cacciatore (white version), and Rigatoni Vodka, enough for 60 people. The Chicken was dark meat with lots of Rosemary covering everything. The meat and bone were easily parted, leaving a succulent light wine and vinegar sauce to bathe the dark chicken flavors. It was superb. The pasta was the larger rigatoni, which held the creamy tomato gravy in its grooves and ridges like they were born together. It was a subtle tone so as not to compete with the more robust cacciatore. Great combination. I was sure to take some leftovers home to enjoy the next day, as Chicken Cacciatore becomes even more satisfying with age. I have eaten in Pasquale's house several times, and always wondered why I waited so long to return. It always exceeds my expectations.
(5)Paul L.
Have eaten here a multitude of times. The meal is always satisfying and delicious. Pasquale and his family really do an amazing job making fresh food with excellent service. You can definitely tell it's a family run establishment. Would highly recommend a visit. My favorite are the Bronzino fish which is usually on special, cavatelli pasta and broccoli and end with cannolis. YUM!
(5)Mike Z.
Great authentic Italian restaurant. Also a byob. When we got here on a Friday night, it was mobbed with people and even had a packed waiting room. We had a reservation for 8pm and still had to wait for a half hour. The owner greeted us and apologized for the delay. Its a very home and warm atmosphere and just perfect to start the weekend. We started off with an arugula salad which was seasoned just perfectly. We also had grilled calamari salad and mussels marinara . Both were really good. For entree I had the veal parm with mozzarella and tomato sauce. It was fantastic! My girl had pasta with crab meat and seafood. It tasted great, but was a little bit off because there was no crab meat. The waiter first said it was shredded in there but it definitely wasnt. He apologized and gave us a free terimisu for the inconvenience. The service was fast and terrific.Our waiter said that he came from Italy just to work here... His accent was very heavy and he sounded like he was out of a movie. It was really funny but he was very pleasant. We also enjoyed our dessert. Would def come here again and will recommend it to friends.
(5)Trish C.
Have been here many times - food is great. Which, is why when booking a bridal shower I called for pricing. Was asked what my range was - I said around $25 a person. I was then told that their price was $70 a person and, I quote verbatim, "GOOD LUCK GETTING A PIZZA PLACE TO DO IT FOR THAT PRICE" So, I found a list of places in the area that will do it for that price (please note, no pizza places were contacted): 1 - The Brick Hotel (Newtown) - between $20-$30 2 - The Plumsteadville Inn (Plumsteadville) - $20 3 - Baci (Doylestown) - $23 4 - Momma Mia - (Langhorne ) - $15 - $20 5 - Yardley Inn (Yardley) - $25 6 - Vince's (Yardley) - $20 7 - Triumph (New Hope) - $22 8 - Churchville Inn (Churchville) - $20 9 - Dolce Carini (Newtown) - $22 10 - Revere (West Trenton/River Road) - $20 :)
(1)Steve B.
Met friends here for lunch. Glad we did! The last time I was here, it was a pizza place. Now it's an upscale Italian restaurant. Prices and food were very good. Service was efficient and courteous. Recommended if in the Newtown area!
(4)Renate V.
Our new family favorite! Delicious food and wonderful waiters. We always have a great experience. We just love coming here.
(5)George M.
Best BYOB Italain place in our area. We love it here and have nothing bad to say about this family run establishment. Have done some private events here, dined with firends, and take the kids here all the time. Amazing food, great atmosphere, nice little area for outdoor dining in the nice weather. 1st class meal eveytime we visit.
(5)Dave B.
We came here on Sunday December 29th, 2013 and we had a VERY LARGE dinner party. We sat out on the covered patio section and we had an amazing time. The staff was super amazing in dealing with our large and loud crowd, they showed patience and professionalism. We did the family style for many reason, mainly to help the staff and we loved each course that was chosen. The portions were generous and being BYOB made it even better. We started with salads and calamari for appetizers and they were delish. The past with lobster in pink sauce was my absolute favorite dish. The veal parm was thin, flavorful and decadent. The fish option we had that was served in a lemon white wine sauce was crispy on the outside, juicy and perfectly prepared. We had so many dessert options like Tiramisu, cheesecake and canoli's and they were just all great. We all had a great time because they accommodated us. I'm a fan and I would definitely return if I'm ever in this area considering its quite a distance from Philadelphia.
(4)Karmen P.
I went here a few years ago for my birthday. Seating takes forever! We had to wait for about two hours before we were seated. At least they offered to open our wine bottle for us to enjoy. We did opt out for that as we rather sit and enjoy the food. Once we got our table, they gave us a comp veg dish. It was just steamed with some seasoning. Still a nice thought. I do remember that the food was good! I can't say much about the service though. So if you don't mind that, go for the food.
(3)Rob M.
I have been here 3 times All times have been okay or bad. Tonight was the last straw though...so i for one will not be back. All 3 times me and my fiance have gone the wait at the door attitude is lets hang out on the phone and carelessness for the guest. All have been weekdays. Next the attitude of the server is whatever....here are the specials what to do you want.... I dont need wine and dine but attitude towards us isn't necessary. Food is basic food....the hot peppers...eh boring..not spicy not cheesey..all about the prosciutto. The veal saltinbucco boring and the shells if crab in the pasta...no good....Coffee was cooks and tasted old. If i felt like anyone cared I would have tried to have it fixed.....
(1)Kimberly G.
The thing is, I'd like to give this place a 5 star, but after Saturday night and the treatment we received, I can't honor this place a 5 star. To begin, we had an 8:30 reservation. Once we checked in with the hostess, she said it'd be a 5 minute wait maximum. A half hour later we were still waiting for our table. Then finally we get called to our table. IT WAS OUTDOORS ON A COLD NIGHT!!!!!!! We weren't asked a preference, we were just seated. We requested to be inside, and luckily for us they were clearing a table. We sat down around 9:10. 9:30 we were still waiting for a waitress or waiter to come around to get our drink orders and menus. We were so annoyed we walked out without ordering anything. This place lost a devoted customer and family. Bottom line is we used to frequent here, but will no longer. Food is fabolous(if they decide to give you a menu)
(1)Lauren P.
Avoid this place. The management is horrible, they have teens with no management skills as hostesses, they force you to wait for reservations for at least 45 minutes, and the food is fair. We had an 8 o'clock reservation, didn't sit until 9..they ran out of most of the food we ordered, and served us the wrong things, and we didn't get out until 11:30. Seriously, this place is awful.
(1)Jacqueline L.
Honestly, I think the company I was with is why this place is getting 4 starts more than anything else. I had a great time! Based on what people have told me about Vecchia and all the reviews, I had very high hopes and high standards for my meal. For me, my favorite South Philly spots are still number one but I was very happy with my meal here with that aside. I had the Veal Osteria (Vitello Osteria) and it did not disappoint from a recommendation from our very nice waiter. We had a few other dishes, and in particular the guests who had the Chicken Osteria, and eggplant rollatini were happy with their choices. I think my only qualm was the obnoxiously loud Italian pop music playing behind us since we were right by a speaker. I know it's cliché, but give me some Dean Martin or at least some classical Italian music. Keep the pop music away. It was a little much. Haha. Very enjoyable and worth a trip in Newtown!
(4)Fred C.
Great little authentic Italian restaurant. We eat there regularly never had a bad meal. Gets really crowded on weekends so make reservations. It's byob which is really nice.
(4)Gadi N.
Just had a lovely experience here. Special appetizer was grilled langostino over bed of arugula. Haven't had such succulent langostino plancha since a long ago vacation on the coast of Spain. By the way, the Sardegna Salad(arugula with goat cheese) and the eggplant Parmesan were just as delicious.
(5)Bree M.
Easily the best restaurant in town. Absolutely delicious food, very authentic, great outdoor patio. Every meal that I have had (or my family/friends) have had received rave reviews. Prices are a little on the high side, but always leave thoroughly satisfied. Things I've ordered that I would definitely recommend: -As an app-- Long Hot Peppers: mottz stuffed hot peppers wrapped in proscuitto, lightly pan fried. I've ordered them every time that I have visited. -Entrees: Fusilli Alla Polpa Di Granchio (one of my favorites), Pollo Sorrentino, Pollo Donatella (another favorite), & Pollo Ai Funghi Definitely give this restaurant a try.
(5)Harry E.
Amazing food amazing service. This is real deal Italian food that is worth writing home about. Pasquale is a great chef and a very hospitable host! He is always around the kitchen and will come out to greet most people.
(5)Joey R.
Incredible Italian food--and this stuff is authentic. Homemade pasta, appetizers fresh and well-plated, and legitimate Italian bread that you know is made on premise. The owner himself is very involved with the customers and has oftentimes given my family a free appetizer or glass of wine. Definitely try the pappardelle bolognese; it is the best item on the menu. The only negative about going to this place is that it will raise your standards for Italian food so much so that not many other places will be able to satisfy!
(5)Mark A.
The food was great! I didn't like the side room where we were eating because it was cold, but otherwise it was a good place to go.
(4)Christopher S.
I wish I ate at the same place many of the other reviewers ate here. Vecchia Osteria falls completely short on the 24 of August 2013. Restaurant was quite crowded so I figured something had to be good. Service was flat out abysmal from start to finish. Our waiter could never be found and our water glasses were consistently empty. The worst part about the service was between the salad/apps and the entree was 40 FORTY minutes. Not once did he come to our table at that time. As for the food, we went with the specials. Both were mixed shellfish over risotto. Clams and mussels were entirely overcooked while the risotto was mushy and wet. The arugula salad was decent while the rustica mixed cheese and meets was average. Price was $84 pre-tip. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing but there was no excuse for the service. After we observed meals going back from other tables, I knew something was up.
(2)Dan R.
This never happened to me before in my life. I walked in, plenty of open tables, it seems kinds busy. Being new to the restaurant I wait to be seated... Nothing. It didn't feel like good service. I'm not going to beg them to feed me. Wake up!!!
(1)Heather M.
Pretty good food, no complaints really. Portions were huge, my son got three meals out of his lasagna. It didn't wow me like I wanted it to though.
(3)Tim D.
Had reservations for 7:30 on a Friday night. Along with 5 other groups. It's now 8:30 and STILL standing outside. Don't come unless you have LOTS of time to wait.
(1)Martin M.
We have been here before. Had a 7:30 reservation tonight, for 6 people. Got there at 7:30 to find about 20 people waiting outside. Hostess said we would be seated in a minute. Waited another 20 or 25 minutes, never saw the hostess again & left. Very disappointing that reservations are not honored.
(1)Gianna K.
Rude people. they know they have a great business so they don't care. People from Newtown will eat anywhere. They also reuse food from customers, esp. the bread basket and the owner laughs about it. ( Heard this from a former employee)
(1)Syvan T.
Authentic FRESH Italian food. Their pasta is fantastic. Try the sacotini. It's homemade and so are the desserts! This is my all time favorite Italian restaurant! The staff is always very nice and helpful and the owners are awesome!
(5)Brad C.
First time. Great meal, friendly waiter. Glad we had reservations, there was a line at 6pm Sat nite waiting, and an even longer line at 8pm when we left. Very pleased and happy to recommend it to others. Dinner for 4 was $45/pp including our tip. BYOB probably kept the cost down a bit too.
(5)Beans B.
Everything from service to atmosphere and especially food is amazing!!! Thank you Pasquale for making my day out with my Dad amazing! We will be definitly be coming back again and again!!
(5)