cool atmosphere, great drinks however mediocre salty food
(3)
Alejandra I.
Ok. I went last night, Wednesday. It was packed but we got seats at the window, our waiter was AWESOME. Very attentive, very...! I had the red table wine, it was ok. For an appetizer, polenta with brown sugar.... I didn't care for it. Then I had gnocchi- it was traditional gnocchis, dumplings, it was like one big flattened gnocchi. It also was good, not excellent, the sauce was a little ragu-ish. The best thing about dinner was dessert, we had a belgian waffle with Nutella & ice cream on it, that was delicious.. but my Tartufo... OMG. Sooooooooooooooooo............... delicious, perfect. I got goosebumps just by remembering it now. I would go back again, the ambiance was excellent.
(4)
Natalie P.
We sat at the counter because we missed our reservation due to a major car accident back up on the bridge. We ordered 5 small plates. The grilled octopus is excellent, eggplant caponato just OK, coppa with honey was very good, il tartufo (aritchoke) was outstanding, and the meatballs were good. My glass of wine was excellent but expensive ($12) and it was maybe 4 ounces. I don't mind choosing an expensive wine but I think it should be a substantial glassful
(4)
Steve M.
Awesome, Awesome. If you have never been here it is a must. Everything was amazing from host to floor Manager. One of the best I have ever been at.
(5)
Ernie N.
Was in town and had the opportunity to meet Chef Marc Vetri. He was extremely cordial, fraternizing with the patrons in the dining room, signing autographs and whatnot. I love it when Chefs personally check on the diners. It provides I nice touch that makes me feel they actually care that we are enjoying our meal. The pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu was well prepared. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the mushrooms packed plenty of flavor. I felt like there was a little too much oil for my taste however. The veel tongue was a nice savory dish with just a pinch of sodium that dissolves on your palate, ironically slapping you in the face with a sudden calm bliss. Definitely worth trying. Would like to try is flagship restaurants Osteria and/or Vetri one day.
(4)
Amanda L.
Don't expect to be seated on time. Best to make your reservation 30 minutes before you actually want to sit down. I made a reservation a month in advance for my mom's birthday and we waited in the drafty entryway for 45 minutes. This is completely unacceptable. I think if the manager had informed the previous party that someone was waiting that they would gladly have gotten up. It's very poor restaurant management. This is Philly. This isn't manhattan. You should be able to seat people remotely in the vicinity of their reservation.
(3)
Chris P.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food has always been great. However, I don't plan on returning any time soon after today's abysmal service. A few of my friends and I had a reservation for 8:45. Some tables were running a little late (which is understandable) so we waited at the bar. After about a half hour wait we watched what was supposed to be our table be given away to another group (I overheard the maître d' ask the waitress why she had given the table to the other group rather than the people waiting on their 8:45 reservation...). At 9:45, a full hour after our reservation, we still hadn't been seated. Not only that, but we didn't receive any explanation or apology for the delay. After waiting for over an hour, we gave up and were forced to eat at a pizza joint. The food was inferior, but at least they didn't ignore us for an hour...
(1)
Alyssa P.
Had my first Amis experience last night & I'm positive it won't be my last. One of the most solid meals that I can remember. I went with two friends for Dining Out For Life last night & although the restaurant was completely full, the service was attentive & the food came out quickly & accurately. I would have thought we were the only people in the place! For three people, we split some apps: Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey - to die for, gooey & delicious served with grilled bread Pecorino Arancini w/ Ragu & Peas - delicious little risotto balls w/ a nugget of cheese hidden inside Sweetbreads w/ Fennel Marmalade - very light.. usually sweetbreads are super fried in order to mask what they really are, these were the opposite - dusted w/ almond flour & pan fried Fried Brussel Sprouts - great veggie option ..and then all ordered our own pastas. I had the Spaghetti w/ Pork Jowls & Spring Onion - it was so light & the pasta was cooked perfectly. I had to refrain from inhaling the whole plate since we were trying to save room for dessert. My friends got the Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto and the Spinach Fazzoletti - both delicious as well. For dessert we split the Nutella Waffle (amazing) as well as the Tiramisu which was a special for the day. Highly recommended - go check it out for yourself! :)
(5)
Khan K.
Went out for dinner Friday night. Parking is hard to find and valet is your only option. Knowing that Anthony Bourdain had been to Amis, I really wanted to go and check this place out. We had made prior reservations and were seated right away. The seating is tight and the noise level is very loud. The server was great, knowledgeable and helpful. The service was very good. We even saw Marc Vetri floating around. We ordered: baked pecorino-good, very flavorful, great textures marinated shrimp-refreshing and delicate grilled veal tongue-best dish of the night cacio e pepe-too al dente, very salty, not impressed, this is the dish I wanted to be impressed by wild boar sausage-ehhh Overall I was disappointed by the food but the service was superb. I wanted to like this place, I really did but it was not as good as I had hoped.
(3)
Audrey D.
My husband took me on a date to Amis last Monday night and it was perfect! The food and service was beyond good! The place was pretty packed for a Monday so I was glad we made a reservation. Our server suggested ordering brussel sprouts and *damn*! These were some fantastic brussel sprouts! We can't wait to have dinner here again!
(5)
Andrew H.
The more I think about this place the less I like it. I really wanted to like it given the rapturous applause of anything Vetri on this site. Giorgio's on Pine is better and cheaper. Also, why would you give an Italian restaurant a French name?
(3)
Ariana B.
House made pasta and reasonably priced carafes of house wine in addition to a cozy yet hip atmosphere make this a great date night place. Friendly service and an open kitchen add to the overall experience as well. Definitely the best tiramisu I've ever had.
(5)
Dana S.
Based on the taste of the food alone, Amis is 5 stars. The pasta is clearly homemade and delicious, the skirt steak was perfectly cooked, and the desserts... oh the desserts. Yum. I've been to Amis 3 or 4 times and each time I've gotten the same thing (I am a creature of habit). My usual dish is the spaghetti with the pecorino romano pepper sauce "cacio e pepe" and a scoop of the salted butter semifreddo for dessert. I dream of that ice cream. My boyfriend and I have tried to recreate it with no success since we first tried it. This time I went with my parents and got the same thing as before. As always, delicious. The olive oil infused foccacia bread is magical too. My parents loved their meals... another pasta dish with some kind of corn sauce, skirt steak, scallops, etc. But I have to say, the best part was the lemon pepper ricotta cake with peach jam and vanilla semifreddo. Oh gosh. That even beats the semifreddo. So with such great food - why the star deduction? Well for one, it was $240ish dollars for the three of us. Thats a lot, especially since my dad and I had meatless pasta for our main course. Also, my mom has celiac disease and many places known for their pasta have started making gluten free pasta dishes. Maybe they could consider that but that's just a nitpick. Finally, I found a drink I like at Amis... something with peach puree... but I've also found many I don't, which is uncommon for me -- I usually like every fruity cocktail I taste.
(4)
Dawna M.
Our waiter was friendly and attentive, but not overly so. Seating was squished. We were in the booth area with full tables on either side of us, so the water had to pull our table in/out for us or the couple along the wall to be able to get out/in. Apps ------- Bufala ricotta - awesome! Sal's Meatballs - good, but I preferred the ricotta Pasta -------- Bucatini w jalapeno pesto - very good and reheated well 2 days later Pork Shoulder rigatoni - very good!! no leftovers there Dessert ----------- Tiramisu - ok Waffle with nutella - awesome!! But still couldn't plow through it all Drinks --------- Can't recall which ones we got, but the first round was very good. The second round, not-so-much. It was a **very** heavy hand with the gin.
(4)
Daniel H.
I'm glad I waited for my second dinner visit to review, because it was pretty awesome. I'll start with the part that wasn't awesome - the outdoor seating. Great idea, poor execution. Not sure if the bars were put in place because the four-tops went beyond zoning for sidewalk cafes, but this new arrangement makes it impossible to sit outside in groups, and it also kills the outdoor vibe the place had going for it. Nobody sits outside anymore, so being the lone pair felt a bit awkward (Tuesday night, July 3rd). Easily forgivable when considering the AWESOMENESS that was the food. When you think meatball, you probably think beef (if you don't think beef, indulge me for a moment) - well, you'll find Sal's meatballs on the menu, but you'll also find... wait for it... SWORDFISH MEATBALLS. What? Swordfish meatballs? Who would eat those? I DID, AND THEY'RE AWESOME (there's a whole lot of awesome). Weird part is that they taste just like regular meatballs. So, so good. The Mixed Salumi plate - not as awesome, but good. Salami, liver, and mortadella. The salami was my favorite of the three, and the liver in second. That was to start. The oil-infused bread was also very nice. For mains we split the quail and the gnocchi sardi (not potato gnocchi, more like shell pasta)... the quail was so good... it was my first time eating it and I think it's my favorite fowl after that experience. Thighs and legs (and maybe breast) are served over polenta (just okay), crispy and salty on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. More AWESOME. The gnocchi sardi was served with lamb bacon, broccoli, and some sort of cheese sauce. Very delicious. Finished it off with the salted butter semifreddo sundae. OH MY GOODNESS. I didn't want this dessert, but we got it, and it was SO AWESOME. Savory and sweet; creamy and crunchy. You need to have it. In summary - swordfish meatballs + quail + salted butter semifreddo sundae = a must visit in Philly.
(4)
Manoj P.
Food was alright. Came here on recommendations from a friend and Yelp. Maybe we just ordered too much cheesy dishes but found the meal way too heavy. The best part was the fried cauliflower; next best was the baked pecorino but the cheese, once it cooled down a little, got rubbery. Same thing happened with tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" and bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. Both had good flavor (I *really* liked the bucatini at first) but after a bit, it cooled down and just got really heavy and hard to eat. Service was good, though.
(3)
Jon D.
Seriously, Marc Vetri is like a bald Jesus. I came here for brunch and left just as full and amazed as I did after trying Amis for dinner. The constant creativity, depth of flavor, and flawless execution make Vetri's James Beard award well, well deserved. -Baked pecorino with almond honey: Awesome! Salty, sweet, and nutty, with crunchy toasted bread that everyone at the table will fight over. How did they come up with such a simplistic masterpiece like this? -Polenta pancakes: Light and fluffy but nowhere near your typical pancake. Embrace the polenta...it works in this dish. -Soft scrambled eggs: Eggs were cooked to perfection and served as a perfect palette for the deliciously marinated mushrooms, which packed awesome flavor but did not overwhelm the dish. -Jersey cannonball: Instinctually, I try to avoid anything from Jersey like the plague...but thank god my Mom is much more open-minded because I ended up eating half of hers. Nutmeg and garlic scented handmade pork, pepper relish, homemade biale...another work of art. Oh, and our waitress was attentive, friendly, and really into food, which was good. Great experience.
(5)
Naz O.
Amis is absolutely wonderful! Everything from the decor/atmosphere/mood, to the staff, to the food is perfect. We went there with a group of 6 friends, and all of our dishes were extremely delicious. One thing that they could improve would be to add a little more variety to their menu, because I felt that it was very pasta/carbohydrate focused, and there weren't as many options if you wanted to avoid that and have some red/white meat.
(4)
Rick K.
Amis was my first experience with Marc Vetri and his restaurants. If Yelp allowed half stars, this would be a 3.5 rating. Overall, the food was okay to moderately good. Nothing stood out to me as having been good enough to entice me to return to Amis and try it again. In order from what I liked the most to the least: 1) Swordfish Meatballs - Recommended by the waiter, who eased my concerns of the potential of swordfish being overcooked and coming out dry. To my delight, the meatballs were not dry and paired very well with the creamy polenta. 2) Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto - Pasta was well prepared and the sauce was good. However, the pasta didn't jump out to me the same way that Il Pittore's pasta did. 3) Roasted Zucchini - Good side dish to pair with the entrees. Nothing fancy but I love zucchini. 4) Fried Cauliflower - Pretty simple dish but it was too salty (which says something because I eat a lot of salt). 5) Pork Chop alla Milanese - Decent piece of pork chop but the dish overall felt very underwhelming (the average person could have made this with some directions online). The breading wasn't very good and it barely stuck on to the meat. It was served with an arugula salad and was not worth $24. I'll probably try Osteria or Vetri before I think about giving Amis a try again. It just felt very underwhelming and I would rather go for some place new next time.
(3)
Jess K.
I was in town visiting a friend who is moving back to NYC next week and this was on her list of restaurants to try before leaving Philly. When we first got there we were told we would have to wait for a short while so we ordered drinks at the bar. But by the time we placed our drink order, our table was ready and the hostess was not too pleased to have to wait for us to get our drinks. She was the one who told us to wait at the bar so come on! Also, first the hostess asked us if we wouldn't mind being seated at the area where the chefs are cooking. We considered it but the restaurant was really loud and we thought conversation would be difficult so we declined and said we would wait for a table. A table opened up for us pretty immediately so that was good. Or perhaps they knew they would have free tables but wanted them for other reservations. Who knows. Our waitress was super nice although she never told us her name so I can't pass that info on to you. She told us most tables order a few appetizers to share and then a pasta and a main dish depending on the hunger level. I was with two friends so we decided to order 4 appetizers and to split 1 pasta and 1 main dish and to save room for dessert (always my main focus). For us that was the perfect amount of food. None of us are super tiny/non-eater types so I think you can trust our opinion when going yourself. We also ordered a carafe of the house red wine which was quite tasty. My favorite appetizer we ordered was the eggplant caponata that goes on the slightly too hard bread. We also ordered a pasta that was really simple and a bit creamy with black pepper as the main flavoring. It was amazing. Delicious. We ordered the duck and in reality duck isn't my favorite so I didn't eat that much of it. I thought I would like it but then I remembered how fatty duck is and how much I dislike chewing it! For dessert we got THREE things because I was so excited for dessert. We wanted the tiramisu but the QUITE rowdy table next to us ordered about 15 pieces and so they were out. Instead we got the waffle with nutella and ice cream, the blueberry tart and the polenta shortcake which was hands down my favorite dessert of those three. Each of us ended up spending about $50 which really isn't too bad. I thought the prices were reasonable, I liked the ambiance and the food itself was fresh and delicious. I would definitely go back here if I am in Philly again.
(4)
John A.
We were originally suppose to go to a Russet BYOB; however, we forget the beverage laws on Sunday so we had to cancel our reservation at Russet Called up and got a table ASAP. Price: not expensive Decor: Okay... We were both bored when we were there..... Food: Good ... It isn't anything to go nuts about... I am annoyed I didn't come prepared and bring wine to Russet. We walked in the night before at that place and the vibe is great.....
(3)
Grace G.
This place was very good, having been to both Vetri and Osteria we had high expectations. We got the baked pecorino with honey, the old school meatballs and the veal croquettes special, which was insanely good. The only downside was that the small plates were not spaced out like normal tapas. Two of them came out together and the next one a few minutes later. The entrees were very good, we got pork shoulder and duck. Nothing out of this world about them, but enjoyable. For dessert, we got the salted butter sundae, which was tasty.
(4)
Aimee T.
I really wanted to like AMIS. I've heard amazing things about Vetri's places and have eaten at Osteria and loved it. Since my normal dinner budget isn't large enough to afford Vetri, my friends and I decided to check out AMIS on a random Friday night. We had reservations for 4 at 9:30PM. The meal started out well enough. I met up with two of my friends at the bar as we waited for our table. The space is modern and the energy from the open kitchen invades the dining area in a good way. Once seated after about a 5 minute wait..the appetizers came quickly and our server was friendly and competent. We ordered the sweetbreads, arancini, meat balls and the salami. All tasted great initially but everything other than the arancini was over seasoned. My first taste of the sweet breads were delicious but my second piece was way over salted. We tried our best to power through the appetizers and we moved on to the pasta. We only ordered two pastas to save room for dessert. I chose the fettucine with lamb ragu and the other pasta was the tonnerelli. The fettucine was completely oversalted. I had 3 bites and had to stop eating. I wanted to eat more because the texture of the pasta was spot-on but it was just completely overseasoned. The tonnerelli was better and not quite as salty as the fettucini ...but it was still salty. I had to keep gulping my water to conteract all the sodium. If it weren't for the great company, the tiramisu and waffle dessert that we ordered, I think this dinner would have been a complete fail. I walked out of AMIS with 80% of the fettucine left untouched. Maybe it was an off night for the chef...or maybe they just like really really seasoned food at AMIS but it was not for me. If looking for good italian food in the city I would hesitate to recommend AMIS. Sorry Marc...I loved Osteria 2 years ago.
(2)
L H.
Bottom line: we like this place more than the coveted Vetri. Very much enjoyed the mortadella with honey and hazelnuts, fresh pastas, and grilled steak with green onion. Also ordered a cauliflower side dish that had too much parmesan and was drowning in some sort of romesco-like sauce. Wouldn't order that again. Overall, better prices than Vetri, and better food than Vetri.
(4)
pracheta t.
Upon walking in, we both instantly feel in love with warm, romantic lighting and perfect volume of the music. The tables were rather close to one another like all small space restaurants but we didn't mind so much. (On a side note, the guy sitting next to us turned out to be Jamie Moyer from the Phillies...too bad neither of us recognized him until the waiter said how cool that was). My carne-loving foodie friend decided to be vegetarian with me for the night and even though our choices were limited, I think we made some awesome selections. The roasted squash was decent and the baked pecorino with almond honey was AMAZZZZZZZING. Honey does wonders. That dish makes me want to put honey on everything. My friend wanted some variety and ordered the arancini di riso with meat ragu but turned out to be way too dry for her. Though I didn't try it, the presentation was nice. For our pasta, we chose the persimmon and fennel lasagna and mmm mmm mmm it was soo super duper yummy. Our favorite part - desert! The belgium waffle with nutella was SO good and i wish we had ordered two. We also had the apple walnut cake with some semifriddo but it was nothing compared to the waffle. We will def be back!
(4)
Matthew I.
My wife and I just went to Amis over the weekend. I knew the food was going to be delicious, just because it is a Vetri restaurant. I had been to Vetri and Osteria and loved them. Amis had a different feel to it. I felt Amis was as close to a Roman meal as you can get in Philly. We order the tripe, veal tongue, sweetbreads, pork belly, and obviously the cacia e pepe. We ordered one other pasta that had swordfish and eggplant in it. It was very good, but the other dishes were amazing. The cacia e pepe was the star. It is such a basic meal, with only about three or four ingredients, but it was done to perfection. I would say the tripe and the pork belly were our next favorite dishes of the night. The broccoli and shaved sharp prov that came with the pork belly complimented the dish perfectly. We will def go back asap. Top three restaurant I have been to in a long time.
(5)
John C.
The first impression that I had, along with one other in my party of four, was that this place was suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. The food is Italian, reasonably priced, and delicious. The servers are wearing some sort of strange mechanic shirt, the bar has drinks that give more of a nod to the French cocktail tradition than that of Italy (although the drinks are interesting, balanced, and tasty). There does not appear to be too many private, comfortable tables in the space. The ceiling and kitchen are open, which adds to the noise, and the buzz and energy of the place. The server was informed, friendly, and attentive. The wine list is steep, short, and not entirely impressive. I found it to be one of the two glaring weaknesses of the place (yes, I did ask for the reserve list). The other problem was that they did not seem to have a sidework area to do polishing. Having the buspersons tossing silverware into a bin and holding coversation next to the table does not enhance the dining experience, especially when the place is already noisy. Bottom line the food and cocktails are good. If you aren't nitpicky, you will be satisfied. Otherwise it's a one and done visit, as it is for me.
(3)
Carla F.
I live not too far from Amis and I go here all the time. I can't think of an occasion when this restaurant would not work for you. I have taken family and friends, gone there on dates and dined at the bar myself. Great wine list and the bartenders are very knowledgable about them. Highly highly recommend the swordfish meatballs.
(5)
Ricky R.
If you are in the mood for tapas-style dining but not in the mood for one of the Jose Garces restaurants, then give this place a try. We went there recently and had an incredible meal of small plate dishes. Sure, you can get bigger entrees. But go for the smaller dishes so you can try a real variety of things. We had a pretty amazing roasted pumpkin and mozzarella dish. And a pasta with a sauce made from - ready for this - pig's head. I was a little dubious but the waiter said it was one of the favorites when they make it. After tasting iy, you could understand why. Good wine list as well. Great Vetri food at affordable prices!
(4)
Regina F.
Amis is delicious. No really, the whole restaurant is delicious. Get the squid ink pasta with chorizo- it's creamy and perfect. It's black and will probably make your smile a little silly looking, but as long as you share it, that's fine. Both you and your dining mate can have black smiles for a little bit. The bits of chorizo add just enough meat flavor to offset the otherwise too luscious nature of squid ink. The bruschetta bread is great: it's thick and grilled with just enough olive oil to add a nice juicy crunch. The imported buffalo ricotta is creamy, but that's about it. It's fluffy, but there's not much flavor.The salami, similarly, is fine. It's cured meat, and the beet jam is pretty good. If you put the salami on the buffalo ricotta, then you've created a great appetizer. The mild saltiness of the meat combines nicely with the otherwise undetected sweetness of the black pepper ricotta. As for dessert, you'd be a complete idiot not to indulge in the tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo - even if you're allergic to nuts. Basically, you've got some sort of semifreddo mousse/ice cream blend speckled with hazelnut halves covered in a dark chocolate fondant ganache. It's a hill of succulent indulgence with the perfect sweetness offset by the perfect bitterness of the dark chocolate.
(4)
Michelle C.
Not updating this review sooner has been a complete oversight. I've actually been back four or five times since my first visit, and Amis has become one of my favorite destinations for dining and/or drinks. There are several things on the menu that I have come to absolutely adore, starting with the strozzaprete alla vongole, its buttery flavors I have talked up to just about anyone who will listen. Another favorite is the bufala ricotta; rich and creamy and drizzled with olive oil, it is the perfect spread for the accompanying toasted bread. I was once offered a bite of the turkey cutlet by a distinguished gentleman sitting next to me at the bar. Normally, I'd pass without thinking twice, but this man insisted that the preparation changed his previous contempt for turkey to pure lust, at least, for this particular dish. Who could pass that up? I have to hand it to the guy, he was right on. It sounds crazy to order something so plain-sounding, but trust Vetri and his crew to turn a plain old turkey into a Cinderella story. A turkerella, if you will. Make your reservations far in advance, dolls. The tables don't come easy!
(5)
Laura B.
The food, atmosphere and service were all great at Amis but even at a late dinner (9:30 on a Friday) the restaurant was just too loud. I could barely hear the person I was with or the waiter. If they figured out a way to better the acoustics, this place would definitely get a 5 as the swordfish meatballs, duck and peach special, flank steak and tiramisu were all delicious.
(4)
Andrew W.
Amis features a very simple and interesting menu offering a variety of options for lamb, seafood, and pasta. My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was very good, although I was not totally into the unorthodox preparation of the pasta- it seemed more of a potato dish than gnocchi. My favorite part of the meal, though, was the appetizers... so many to choose from and each one was delicious. Having been extremely impressed with osteria, I guess I was hoping for a bit more... but this was still a good night out. I wish the wine list was a bit more reasonable, though.
(4)
Connie S.
Marc Vetri's third restaurant, serving up updated "Roman comfort food" in a warm, more casual atmosphere. The chef won the James Beard award last year for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic, and it's clear that Amis is not just resting on its laurels. I find that you can generally judge the quality of a restaurant by how delicious and plentiful the bread is, even before any of the menu items arrive at the table. So naturally I got really excited when our server brought us a cornucopia of freshly baked, warm and chewy foccacia and sesame-studded bread. So good. And, indeed, every single dish we ordered was phenomenal. We had a bit from several different sections of the menu: Bruschetta - Stracciatella: not to be confused with the gelato, the stracciatella here was a stretchy mozzarella-like cheese, complemented with marinated fava beans and basil, which you spread yourself on thick crostin for a beautiful DIY bruschetta Seafood Antipasti - Black Bass Crudo: on the smaller side in terms of quantity, but every bite packed a punch, especially because the fish was topped with radishes and almonds that added a nice crunch Pasta - Tonnarelli "Cacio e Pepe": almost like a square-ish spaghetti, served with with pecorino sauce and black pepper; super simple but exceptionally done Secondi - Roasted Duck Breast: slices of tender duck, with preserved scallions and this pickled mustard seed sauce that was tangy and sticky and textural all at once Dessert - Tartufo: an ultra-rich chocolate hazelnut semifreddo bombe containing a few candied amarena cherries, covered in a fresh chocolate coating -- you definitely need to be able to handle your chocolate to try this, but if you appreciate desserts, you will not be disappointed Seriously, everything was so wonderful-tasting. Our server was really friendly and attentive, and with no noticeable wait for the food to come out. I don't know if there's such a thing as a 'perfect' experience in a restaurant, but Amis came pretty close.
(5)
David A.
Went back with the family Saturday night. Got a last minute reservation at one of the outdoor tables on the street. It's fairly quiet and not bad outdoor dining (except a brief shower). Food was inconsistent, like my last visit. Good for sure, but not really worth the price. For five and a few cocktails the meal with tip was $220. The cocktails were really good, showing nice creativity. Appetizers are the star here and the entrees just didn't knock you over with so many great Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe it is the Vetri name. You just set the bar higher for his establishments. For appetizers I loved the regular meatballs served over a light layer of creamed polenta. The swordfish meatballs were way too fishy. For entrees the papperdele with a lamb argue was excellent but it was a wimpy portion size. The tuna with fennel had nice flavor but was cut too thin for my liking and unexceptional. The broiled mixed seafood had some hits and misses with this fish as well. My wife had the ribs which were a special. They were prepared with some Tuscan spices and they were excellent. The highlight was the rice pudding. Very creamy, perfect texture and served with a fruit compote on the top. I cleaned out this bowl. Delicious. I will go back. Just doesn't make you want to run back.
(3)
Kristian L.
I have eaten here twice and it has knocked my socks off both times. Reminds me a lot of the spirit of the food I have eaten when in the South of Italy, but done with local ingredients - they do a killer Caponata. Excellent convivial service- the servers know their menu. I plan on coming back many times. Thanks Amis for taking great care of me!!
(5)
Will Z.
Arrived for a 5pm dinner date reservation a couple minutes early. The restaurant was still setting up and we had to wait until they were finished. No problem. We were seated soon after and the waiter got to us right away. We ordered the swordfish meatballs, bufala ricotta bruschetta, two pastas (cacio e pepe and the jalapeño almond pesto one), and two drinks. Food arrived promptly afterward. We were first served olive oil infused focaccia, which was pretty good but I wish it was heated up a bit. Our drinks and appetizers came after. The drinks were tasty and not too strong, but come at steep prices. Swordfish meatballs were alright, but a bit too salty. The bed of pine nuts and polenta they were served on complemented them nicely though. The Bruschetta = more carbs (4 fat pieces of toasted bread). The ricotta spread was pretty good. Next came our pastas. The pastas were the biggest disappointment. They were essentially the same, creamy thick noodles just tossed with some different ingredients (cheese, black pepper for the cacio e pepe and jalapeno, almond crumbs, pesto for the other). Both pastas were REALLY salty and pretty greasy. We had the leftovers boxed, and after heating them up the next day, there was just a pool of oil on the bottom. Not very appetizing. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate hazelnut semifreddo . This was probably the best thing we ordered. If you enjoy (dark) chocolate, you'll love this. For $100+, the meal was a bit of a letdown. I will say however that the service was fantastic. Our waiter was definitely on top of his game and proactively made sure we always had what we needed. Maybe we just ordered all the wrong things, but it'll definitely take something extra for me to come back again.
(3)
David. E.
Great food!! Loved the space
(4)
Christina F.
Just got back from dinner with my parents at Amis and it was wonderful. We got there a couple of minutes early for our reservation and right away the super friendly hosts led us to our table, which had a great view of the kitchen. The open kitchen was actually one of my favorite parts of the night, but I'm a huge food nerd and get off on professional cooking. The chefs were easy on the eyes, too, if I must say. The sound level was lively, so I didn't catch our sever's name, but he was amiable and knowledgeable. The whole experience was comfy and welcoming, and most importantly, extremely tasty. I started with the monkfish speidini with pumpkin romesco. Being an upstate New York girl at heart, and a huge fan of speidis, I just couldn't resist. Plus, monkfish is awesome. The fish was cooked perfectly and the rich, autumnal sauce really complemented it--I wiped the plate clean. Big portion for an antipasti, too. For the main course I had the capon sausage with braised escarole and apples, which was perfect for the chilly, rainy night. The acidity of the greens and apples was an excellent foil to the fatty richness of the capon. Mmmm fatty richness. My parents had the special pork rotini pasta and the tagliatelle with bacon and root veg respectively and they were both really pleased. I can't wait to go back and try more! Maybe at the counter next time...
(5)
Vicki Z.
Great Roman Cuisine! Large portion and very delicious! Highly recommend!!!
(5)
D.C. P.
A business trip allowed me to enjoy a few restaurants in Philly and this was one of them. With planes not serving food anymore unless you fork over some money in addition to a three hour time difference, I was ready to eat an early dinner once we checked into our hotel. A co-worker found this place via Zagat. The overall experience was good. The servers were very friendly, attentive, and answered all our questions. The entree I ordered was the roasted scallops with summer giambotta which was 24 bucks. The scallops were cooked to perfection. They were a good size, slightly seared, and had a fresh taste to them. Giambotta is basically a vegetable stew and paired well with the scallops. To end the meal, my co-workers ordered the Belgian style waffles with Nutella. After about 5 minutes, the waiter informed us that they were having issues with the waffle maker and gave us some complimentary desserts which was very nice of them. When the waffles finally made their way out, all of my co-workers immediately took a bite and were extremely pleased. One even devoured it in less than 2 minutes. Must've been good. Nothing to complain about here. A solid 4 stars.
(4)
Kristin W.
We started with two appetizers: the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey has a great mixture of salty and sweet although the accompanying bread was a little too crunchy for my liking. Sal's Old School Meatballs had a nice rich flavor and the most tomato-y potatoes I had ever had - or was it potato-y tomatoes? It was like being in a Gershwin song. I ordered the Strozzaprete with Tuna Bolognese - surprisingly to me, the sauce was white (evidently authentic Bolognese sauce typically has little tomato concentrate). I actually preferred the Paccheri Swordfish with Eggplant Fries which had a stronger flavor and where the fish was more substantial. The open kitchen provides an interesting perspective if you're strategically positioned and when you sit at the bar, you can enjoy a view out of the big windows.
(3)
Esther Y.
I think I pretty much had the entire dinner menu here at a family dinner with 7 people. I was not impressed with the buttery and creamy flavors of anything except for the dish with the roasted skate with lemon puree and fried brussels sprouts. Probably won't be back again but that roasted skate WAS delicious...so if I had to come back, I would be happy getting that alone. This place is probably highly rated because there was a lot of cheese and cream involved. That's your fair warning...most people love cheese, butter, and cream, if so, please direct your attention to the other reviews.
(2)
Claire C.
This is a few blocks off the popular 13th and locust cross sections of restaurants, but it's totally worth it. It's a great place to catch up with friends or enjoy a bit of home cooked italian food. my only tip is to get as many plates of the meatballs as possible. you will definitely not regret this decision.
(4)
Jenny P.
A group of 5 ladies had a dinner there recently, and we'll remember it for a long time. First, we've tried to go here previously, but the restaurant was rented for a private party. My reservation was in the system with an invalid number, but that didn't deter Martin from finding me to tell me. He knew that the ladies group would be stuck without a place to dine, so he found me and secured a great table at Alla Spina. We were showered with great service and a round of drinks for our "trouble". I highly recommend the fried chicken at Alla Spina. Secondly, when we finally did have an opportunity to dine at Amis, we were treated like absolute royalty. Many of the Amis professionals - including Marc Vetri himself - introduced themselves and apologized for the trouble with getting a table. The service was excellent as was the food (papardelle with duck ragu, the swordfish meatballs and the buccatini with jalapenos were all stand outs). The cocktails and wine selection were also a bonus, and dessert (Tiramisu) was heavenly. Above all, we'll remember the feeling of being welcomed into Amis like we were family meeting for the first time. It really was a special night. With gratitude and appreciation, I highly recommend Amis!
(5)
Jessica W.
For almost $150 for two and the Vetri name, Amis should have been great. Too bad all we got was disappointment. Vetri is known for his exquisite attention to detail, but apparently this was forgotten in the latest expansion of his mini empire. The guinea hen lacked a crisp skin and was covered in fat. It tasted like an amateur cook roasted it at too low of a temp. The oxtail gnocchi sounded amazing until I chomped on an accidental oxtail bone that was the same size, shape, and color as the gnocchi. This was the first dish I sent back to a restaurant in years, and the waitress comes back not with "I'm sorry about that can we make you another," but "that's not a bone- its cartilage so its ok." Tell my near missing tooth that. Other dishes were ok but everything was rich and greasy. The menu lacked balance due to a scarcity of vegetables and greens. The concept, location, and space are terrific. But Amis needs some serious refinement before we go back.
(2)
Christopher D.
Upon hearing that ramps were in town I made a mad dash for an early Sunday dinner to Amis. Again ensconced at the end of the bar, I had a very nice simple meal, beginning with the root vegetables served on a bed of yogurt flavored with curry. More middle eastern than Italian, but very good. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. You got delicious fish, with punches of flavor from pignoli and raisins, served on a bed of polenta. Outstanding. The highlight of the meal was the linguini with ramps and pecorino. Simple and flavorful, the ramps shined amid the al dente pasta and cheese. Dessert was a home made italian pumpkin ice cream. Delicious. Amis does things simply and lets flavors come through. Get there while the ramps are still rampant.
(4)
Derek M.
Something was definitely amiss when my wife and I went here. I thought this restaurant was going to hit the mark, but alas it was a miss. Ok, enough of the Tom Foolery. I did not like this restaurant. I thought I'd order the salami sampler plate because it was a big night out, and heck what's $16 in the grand scheme of things? It turns out to be a lot when all the salami plate consists of is a few thin cuts of bologna, liverwurst, and salami. I'm talking about like an 1/10 of a lb. total on the plate. It was OK, but not anything to speak highly about. The oil infused bread was pretty good, but it came in tiny portions. Ask for three refills throughout dinner, tiny. No deal breaker here. Then came the entree, Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu. Sounds exotic! Well it, in the words of my wife, "tastes like hamburger helper". She asked for salt (not at the table and is offered in a small bowl and spoon) which helped add a bit of taste. Unimpressed with the appetizer and entree, we saw where this meal was going and decided to head over to Max Brenner for dessert (which was delicious). P.S. Not that this affects my quantitative rating at all, since I like to rate based on food and not on the experience, we had 7pm reservations and were told that we needed to wait. We finally sat down 25 minutes later. It wasn't the end of the world. However, it added a sense of urgency to dinner, since we had a finite amount of time left on the parking meter. Then, at the end of dinner, the hostess asked for our coat tag, when they hadn't given us one in the first place. I offered to help find the coats, but she said "actually, I'd rather you didn't" in a curt tone. For the next few minutes we were treated very poorly & given attitudes by both her and her coworker. I don't care to go into trying to describe their demeanor, as I am no Hemingway, but let it suffice to say that it was a very un-customer-friendly experience.
(1)
Percy N.
I was looking forward to my brunch meal at Amis and based on the reviews and menu I saw online had high hopes. The meal started out fine - we were seated, offered still (bottled) water, etc. But then our waitress disappeared for about 15 minutes only to come back to inform us of some changes to the menu, including some items which we planned to order. So on to plan B - which can be difficult when your dining partner has a few food allergies. We asked if they could make slight alterations to some items on the menu and they said NO. This left the only item on the menu which my wife would eat - a ribeye steak. She wanted to try a few other items but was disappointed at the lack of flexibility in the kitchen. The steak was flavorful and well cooked. Wish it came with a sunny side up egg. I ordered the pasta with roasted squash and walnuts, which was filling but not as flavorful. Also had a cornetti stuffed with apricots which was good, but not sure I would pay $5/piece if it were served at a bakery. Fresh squeezed blood orange juice was a nice touch. Overall, the good was food, but I deducted 1 star for the lack of flexibility in the kitchen, slow service and very high noise level, We left a little less than impressed or full, so stopped at a Garces place on the way home.
(3)
Dana S.
Amis is nicely tucked away between Pine and Lombard St. It had a trendy atmosphere and was clean, a little fancy. Menu is Italian but not traditional Italian, there was a lot of things I wasn't familiar with and googled to have a better idea of what exactly I was considering to order. Overall the food was good.
(3)
Tracy W.
Amis is quickly becoming my favorite Italian in the city. I need to keep coming back to try new things, as well as revisit my old favorites. The cacio e pepe is outstanding. Swordfish meatballs are as good as everyone says. Squid ink pasta? Yes! Service is always spot on.
(5)
G C.
Came back for brunch and it was yummy. Definitely more on the pricy side because we only got entrees and wasn't entirely full after. The portions are Definitely not large but probably healthier. Get more app and things to share!
(4)
Jen R.
If you are going to Amis, be sure to leave your home well before your reservation time and familiarize yourself with the area. Find the parking garage before you get there or you will be late. Traffic and Parking for us was a nightmare. There was no street parking but we eventually found a small lot a few blocks away. This caused us to be late for our reservation. Luckily they didn't cancel on us. The food at Amis was really good. Unfortunately they are very small portioned tapas with a big price. Be prepared to spend over $100 for two people. The food was good but we didn't feel it was worth the price. We weren't stuffed when we left the restaurant. The tables are too close together, making it uncomfortable. There are always people moving around you. I'd like to try Amis again. I had high expectations and it could be that our ordeal with traffic and parking ruined our day for us.
Went here for one of my last dinners in Philadelphia. My gf and I wanted some real good italian before moving out west. Had a couple cocktails, appetizers, and entrees. I went here about a month ago, and can't remember every detail of the meal but here's a recap... We had pecorino and honey, roasted potatoes, squash lasagna, pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu, and belgian waffle w/ nutella and vanilla semifreddo and hazelnuts. Everything from my memory was delicious, and service was good. I would say this is more along the lines of a high 3, but rounded it up to a 4.
(4)
Alison P.
I went to Amis recently for dinner and it was absolutely fantastic. I would actually give it 5 stars except for a service snafu-- when my boyfriend and I arrived (with a reservation to celebrate his birthday) a couple was seated at a 4-top ahead of us and then we were told there was a wait. Then a group of 3 walked in without a reservation-- the hostess sent them to the bar and then seated them. I complained that we did have a reservation and felt we should have been seated first. We had to wait 10 minutes for a table. The host (maitre'd?), who was much more professional, in service as well as dress, was incredibly kind and made up for it-- as soon as we were seated he sent over an antipasti-- the bufala ricotta with grilled bread which was a perfect way to start the meal. All of the food that we ate was phenomenal! I tried the swordfish meatballs because I had read about them-- I probably wouldn't have ordered them otherwise-- and I LOVED them. So flavorful with a rich swordfish aftertaste but upfront tasted like a really good, juicy meatball, and such an interesting dish. My other favorites of the night were the pig trotter's arancini (OMG melted cheese, risotto, and bacon? yes please!) and the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. Also, if you're ordering dessert, you must must try the pizelle with salted butter semifreddo icecream sandwich. It was dessert perfection-- salty, sweet, and a little tart, with cranberry compote on top. Worth going to Amis just for drinks and dessert alone! I will absolutely be returning to Amis in the future-- Vetri does not disappoint. The dishes are small so it ends up being a bit pricey, but it is worth every penny. Go with friends and try a lot!!
(4)
Hayley Sara B.
This restaurant is a living, breathing, delectable food-producing organism. The open kitchen, boisterous Saturday night crowd, and incredible soundtrack (stones, janis joplin) gave true meaning to the term "dining out." If I could eat Amis' twice-fried artichokes and butternut squash every day for the rest of my life, I'd probably never complain again. ORDER THE SQUASH. It is incredible and served in an adorable silver serving dish. We also oo'd and ahh'd over the guinea hen leg (deboned, pounded thin, and fatty but not overly so) and the mortadella mousse (or "crack", as we kept calling it). Throw in $20 for a carafe of some delicious house red and I was in heaven. I'll take Amis over the stuffier, (WAY) pricier Vetri any day (excluding Vetri's spinach gnocci, of course, which you must try before exiting this planet). It's the perfect restaurant for a loud family birthday or a splurgy dinner with friends.
(5)
Richie G.
Had another great meal here last night. The menu remains very inventive, but this time we got to experience the chef's ability to innovate too. The specials were a trio of pork preparations, two of which we tried. A wonderful fettuccini entree featuring the pork shoulder and a pork belly and polenta preparation that was unreal. The starters, including the amazing swordfish meatballs, continue to make a trip here worth it all by themselves.
(5)
Geoff G.
I dined at Amis this past April and enjoyed a fabulous meal. I met my mom at this restaurant mid week to catch up and spend a night out on the town. We were able to get a last minute reservation at Amis and were not disappointed. A few things you need to know about this restaurant. First, it pulls in quite a happy hour bar crowd. There were a lot of suits lined up at the bar chatting away. Second, the tables are quite close together. When you combine those two elements with the fact that the restaurant has a warehouse type feel to it, the place can get obnoxiously loud. If that is a turnoff for you, then look for a different place to dine. Also, Amis is not a BYOB. This was a plus for us, since we were specifically looking for a restaurant that wasn't BYOB. Onto the food! My mom and I started off with a couple of small plates to share. We split the Eggplant Caponata which was delicious. The saltiness of the eggplant balanced out the olive oil that it was cooked in. The bread that went with the dish was delicious. We also shared swordfish meatballs. These 3 meatballs were laying on a bed of polenta with toasted pine nuts. The meatballs had so much flavor and were incredibly moist. The polenta complimented this dish wonderfully and the pine nuts added some texture to really round out the dish. For entrees, I had the lamb and my mom had a fried flounder special. The chef prepared the lamb very different from anything I have had before. The lamb seemed to be slow roasted and then shredded off the bone and crisped up on a griddle..... think almost like a jerky style texture, but not quite as dried out. The end result was shredded lamb that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The roasted potatoes that it was served with made for a memorable dish. Another highlight of the meal (besides the swordfish meatballs) was the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. I had heard so much about this dish and it did not disappoint. My mom and I split this as a side dish and it was wonderful. The rich oxtail ragu was just enough to balance out the wide pasta sheets that were cooked just a tad past el dente. Extremely tender and fresh. If you haven't made a trip to Amis, I would recommend you try it. The place isn't for everyone, but if you are a foodie that likes to get creative when dining, then this could be your next gem. The plates aren't huge, so you have to order multiple things on the menu to create a complete meal. PROS: Hip Atmosphere, Innovative Menu, Divine Food (especially the swordfish meatballs and pappardelle pasta) CONS: Small vineyard winelist, noise levels can be extremely loud, and this is not your traditional menu
(4)
Jillian M.
Best food in the city. Fresh menu with interesting combos of flavors and ingredients. We love Amis best of all the Vetri restaurants! Great cozy, laid back but trendy environment. Great spot for foodies! Make sure that you try the Alpha Box & Dice served by the glass on the wine menu. You can't find it anywhere else and it is totally worth the $$$$. Trust me.
(5)
Aj J.
The atmosphere is very romantic with a great wine selection. The fare is quite good with nice simplicity and great innovative ideas. Great for a date or a group of friends; the prices are reasonable and the staff very professional. I'd definitely recommend if you want to have great italian cuisine.
(5)
Sarah E.
I'm a little lost on what to rate this place, so I'll explain my experience first. My husband and I live on 13th and Pine, so we were excited that we were so close to a "good" restaurant (they are always packed), so we made a reservation for a Friday night. We were promptly seated and explained the specials, drinks, yadda yadda yadda. I ordered a sparkling red wine to begin with which was one of their specials and we got a bottle of rose to split during our meal. (We found both of these were good and I was pleased that they offered a sparkling red, although at $12 a glass I stuck to one) We began with the fried artichokes which were very good and then I ordered the tuna fillet with fennel and my husband the roasted lamb with potatoes. We kept our menus just in case we wanted more as I know they are a tapas style place, but since we ordered off the "main course" area we assumed that the price (Around $20 for each) would probably mean that they were larger than the standard tapas. Alright, this is where the evening takes a turn, I was presented with my dish, a very nice fillet of tuna with sauteed fennel and lemon. Flash seared on one side and raw on the other it was just to my liking. However I can't say the same for my husband's dish. The lamb was a small (about the size of a cordless telephone) and was accompanied by 4 roasted potatoes. That's. It. No sauce. No garnish. Nothing. The lamb itself was lackluster-dry and chewy-and the potatoes were..well...boring. The table next to us had the same dish and the same reaction. The service was good and I enjoyed my half, so maybe we just got them on a off night or ordered the wrong thing. I'd like to try them again, but my husband refuses to return. Total of check was around $115 (the wine totaled to about $50),and I certainly wouldn't say that it was worth that amount of money. I rate it 2.5 stars as it wasn't the worst, but I am still not convinced enough to give it 3.
(2)
Shweta N.
I'm still dreaming about this place. I came here with my sister, brother in law, and boyfriend to carb load before a race. Best. Decision. Ever. We started with the marinated olives, and then sampled the squid salad, old school meatballs, fried cauliflower, bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, chicken al mattone (perfectly cooked), one of the pasta specials for the evening- a chicken ragu pasta, and finished with a chocolate semifreddo and the tartufo al bacio. Everything was amazing, amazing, amazing. The wine list was also fabulous, and yes, even before our run the next day, we couldn't help but sample several of the selections (if you enjoy a very dry wine, the Petra Zingari is to die for, but my favorite paired with the meal was the Casolare Rosso). The highlights of the meal for me were the squid salad and the jalapeno bucatini (surprisingly spicier than I anticipated!) The best part? The price! I was actually amazed at the final bill- expecting the meal to be far more expensive than it was. I would love to come back here the next time I'm in Philly, but my guess is that the wait for a reserve is long!
(5)
Alex F.
Amis is type of restaurant that makes me totally nostalgic for Philly and that I can't seem to find in Manhattan. Over two years I went to this place a bunch of times. The food was always delicious and deceptively simple. The cooking had a warmth and hominess that always managed to give me a sense of general well being. You could go back and forth between go-to classics and stuff that was a little more organ-meat adventurous. You could get white truffles shaved on your ____ or just have a simple plate of pasta. Vetri gets flack for some reason, but this place is truly a gift. Awesome, accessible cooking that you could afford to eat at weekly if you wanted to (and stayed away from the white truffles.)
(5)
Kevin W.
I ate hear quite a few times over the last year or so and Sunday's nights meal was over the top!! Make sure you save room for dessert and order an extra! The salted butter semifreddo was excellent!
(5)
John B.
I wish I came with more people and ordered more variety. My wife, although she's eating for two nowadays, still can't handle as much as a hungry teenager. And I'm no longer in highschool basketball team. The best we could do between two of us were Baked Pecorino with almond honey Octopus with potato and olives Trippa Alla Romana roman tripe stew Sal's Old School Meatballs with tomato potato Gnocchi Alla Romana with oxtail ragu Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries I wish I didn't order Octopus and Paccheri with swordfish. Both dishes were IMHO mediocre. The octopus were slightly rubbery and tasteless compared to the delicious octopus salad at Raddicchio Cafe. The Paccheri was, no offense, nothing special. Gnocchi was interesting (-ly disappointing) because I was expecting small nibbles of gnocchi that you normally see. Instead two flat disks of "gnocchi" were served with the ragu. When you eat them, they break apart and somewhat disintegrate...making them almost the consistency of polenta/mashed potato. The baked Pecorino was good, but how hard is it to bake good cheese? Meatball was good. but I could have done without potato. Trippa stew was the highlight of the meal. The tomato-based (I think) soup was delicious and hearty, topped with stringy cheese. The tripes were chunky but tender. It wasn't too soft but wasn't too chewy: perfect tenderness. I think I could swim in the stew. Actually if I had the stew as the meal with more toast, I'd be a happy man and the review could have been a 5-star. But then again, the other dishes were disappointing (largely due to high expectation).
(3)
Andrew P.
Very underwhelming. Do not buy into the hype. Maybe I was there on a bad night, but the staff was slow and the whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese pasta that I ate had absolutely no taste and was super overpriced (18 dollars?...come on). I also ordered the ribeye involtini with wilted spinach which was poorly seasoned and a boring dish overall. The only good thing on the menu is Sal's Old school meatballs. Other then that, save your time and your money. You are better off going to Modo Mio in NoLibs. If you do decide to go to Amis, its probably wiser to just go for a glass of wine and a small app at the bar. I really did expect better out of this restaurant. Trust me, I am saddened that I had to write a review such as this one.
(2)
Robert K.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, I entered this little gem of Philly and had on of the best meals I've had ever. Period. This is Italian with a capital I. The menu is organized and easy to read but full of delightful and unusual fare that would fit any palat. I began with swordfish meatballs and polenta that was out of this world. My dining partner had bruchetta riccotta. The ricotta was unbeleivable and melted in your mouth. We followed up with a quail appetizer thas was also cooked to perfection and succulent beyond measure. The manager treated us to a raviolo dish and being that the pasta here is the nations top ten according to bon appetit, it did not dissapoint. For the main course we had lamb and potatoes. Although a simple sounding dish, the meat was cooked in an orignal way that made the meat full of texture and taste at the same time. The potatoes were simple and wonderful and the mark of any good kitchen, the entrees were served steaming. The decore was modern and subtle yet sophifsticated and not stuffy. The open kitchen gave a great vibe and buzz to the place made the whole experience effortless. Amazing meal, service and staff. Highly reccomended!
(5)
Christina P.
The thing that initially drew me in with Amis is their adorable outdoor seating on a shady block of 13th street. Me and a friend grabbed a two top by the door and we were soon greeted by our waitress, who was awesome. They start you off with something she called 'olive oil bread' which was basically chewy, pleasantly greasy goodness. Be careful not to down whole loaves by yourself because it will be tempting. The wine list was definitely on the expensive side we split a carafe of the house red for $20, and it was actually really good for the most basic wine choice. After spending 15 minutes changing my mind, we both settled on the eggplant lasagna with heirloom tomatoes. The waitress seemed surprised and a little put off that we didn't order any salads, appetizers, or sides, and when the lasagna arrived I realized why. The portions are pretty stingy (and by stingy I mean what people should be eating but tiny compared to normal ginormous restaurant portions). I wouldn't have minded the small portion if it matched the price, but for $16 I expected to have leftovers to take home. It was a lot flatter than normal lasagna and almost looked like a crepe, but you could tell the pasta was homemade. I might go out on a limb and say this was the best lasagna I've ever had. The top was cheesy and broiled so it was melty and crispy at the same time. The sauce was flavorful and fresh and there were lots of chunks of fresh tomatoes. So. Good. For dessert, I got the chocolate hazelnut tartufo from the raving review of our waitress. It was $10, which is really steep for dessert by my standards, but I figured I would go for it. Turns out, it was more than worth it. This tartufo was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Rich chocolate cake topped with a chocolate/hazlenut semifreddo (our waitress described this as if ice cream and gelato had a baby) with whole hazlenuts and candied cherries, all covered in a hard chocolate shell. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars (or more if I could) to Amis is the price to portion ratio. I wish it wasn't so pricey because everything I had was beyond delicious. I will probably end up going back and trying to ignore my bank account's cries after I leave.
(4)
Holly H.
So tasty, so cozy, so crowded on a Thursday night. We were there after 9, and the party was still going strong, but with crafes of house wine for $20, I shouldn't be so surprised. We had a great time, but for us, it was all about the appetizers. The ricotta with olive oil and black pepper bruccetta was great bang for the buck, the homemade salumi with marmalade was tasty (although a bit tiny, even for places like this), and the swordfish meatballs were absurdly good (may all your meatballs be swordfish!!). My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was tasy but the cheese on top was pretty closed to crispy (as opposed to melty) and the large pan baked gnocchi hasn't won me as a fan. Husband's pork chop was a tasty pork chop, but it also didn't wish any blue ribbon prizes for presentation or inventiveness (although it gets the ribbon for being a good pork chop). I'm surprised it was on the menu if they couldn't really get it to the place that matches so many of the other dishes. We'll absolutely return - because even with 3 apps, 2 entrees, dessert, wine crafe, and cappacino, we just hit the $100 mark (pre tip), and thats a great Thursday night in my book. We shall, however, stick with the first courses.
(4)
Alyssa G.
Absolutely amazing! Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable, and very nice. The food - wow the food is AWESOME. The baked aged parmesan small plate served with honey and crostini was to die for...how can something so simple be THAT good?? Two of us got the lamb shank which was cooked to perfection (falling off the bone, melt in your mouth perfection). The other two got some sort of steak and sausage - I tried both and they were equally delicious. The two bottles of wine we ordered were outstanding. So good, in fact, that my boyfriends Dad had a case shipped to his house. Amis has such a great atmosphere; we had a fantastic time and will definitely be back. Hands down one of the best restaurants in Philly! Certainly one of my favorites.
(5)
Georgia H.
Probably the best Italian I have EVER had. And not only is the food delicious, but the ambience is classy, understated, warm, and welcoming. Our server, Amanda, was very sweet and helpful in recommending items on the menu as well as explaining their "family table" concept. My boyfriend and I chose to sit by the open kitchen, which was fun to see the kitchen staff of chefs at work preparing all the tasty dishes. The chef even sent over a dish of amazing steamed mussels for us "first-timers". We were almost completely full off the baked pecorino, heirloom tomato bruschetta, and the loaves of delicious rosemary-olive oil bread. However, when our main dishes arrived, we couldn't resist the housemade pasta and seared chicken. We ate almost half and Amanda boxed up the rest of it for us to take home. The carafe of house wine was also a perfect accompaniment to a delectable meal. All in all, decently priced, high-quality, complex ingredients, and a fabulous place to sit, sip, munch, and enjoy the ambience. Can't wait to come back! Oh and did I mention it's only a block or so away from our apartment??
(5)
Felicia D.
Out of Marc Vetri's tasteful little empire -- grand Vetri, scene-y Osteria and new little brother AmÃs -- I can write with certainty that AmÃs is my favorite outpost. Deliciousness, value and a real "fun factor" all combine here to provide a memorable night out, whether you go full-bore in the lively dining room or just pick at a few appetizers at the comfortable bar. Though AmÃs is a bit more design-forward than the casual Roman trattorie that inspired it, the conviviality and spirit of the originals is absolutely evident. An energetic and ultra-informed staff complete the atmosphere, providing explanation of unfamiliar ingredients or obscure preparations without attitude. A selection of high-quality cocktails, craft beers and reasonably-priced wines sharpen the appetite for the rich spread the menu offers. So many pastas tempt, it's a battle of wills to choose just two for a two-person date. The best of the lot was the melting oxtail ragu over super-soft gnocchi (Gnocchi Alla Romana); conversely, the cacio e pepe, touted as a signature dish, was just too simple to justify the price, though the handmade tonnarelli was elegantly made and perfectly cooked al dente. A wide variety of house-made charcuterie and offal dishes were hits with the fatso foodies who populate my dining-out circle. Much fuss was made over the mortadella mousse and pork liver terrine with mostarda. If you enjoy over-the-top meaty richness, don't skip these. The lightly fried lamb's tongue with salsa rossa was easily my personal favorite of the night -- if you've never had tongue, this preparation is the ideal point of entry. Every first Monday of the month, AmÃs hosts an "Industry Night" with free food and drink specials for restaurant worker bees. We were offered a chance to sample a few dishes that will be on the new menu -- standouts included a braised squid dish and a baked pecorino that could supplant queso fundido as my fat-kid guilty pleasure. Fresh waffles dripped with Nutella and crushed hazelnuts finish you off. I will confess, there are lighter desserts, including lovely gelati and sorbetti -- but you know what they say -- "When in Roma, eat everything you want."
(5)
shaw g.
Great meal last night! Special appitizer and pasta were tasty and perfect to share. Beer was tasty. Would have ordered a side if something green on the menu.
(4)
Tyler R.
Amis is a wonderful place for quality small-plate dishes and entrees. Your server will most likely suggest 2-3 small plates for a couple, as well as one entree each. Do yourself a big favor and get the bufala ricotta with olive oil, black pepper and grilled bread. It's simplicity is what makes it so delectable. Also, the sweetbreads, if you don't mind organ meat, was the best I've ever had. For small-plates, we also had the swordfish meatball with polenta and pignoli. Of the entrees, the lamb shank with creamy polenta was amazing, though my girlfriend's pasta dish (oxtail cannelloni with roasted mushrooms) was a bit dense. Lastly, since it was our anniversary, they gave up a highball of vanilla bean semifreddo. Very nice overall.
(4)
Andrea T.
Amis will you be my Amis? First you must go here with friends or people who you like and know how often they wash their hands. I say this because we all have sketchy office-mates. Order lots of small dishes like the amazing fried baby artichokes. If you came to me and sad I could only have eat these and nothing else for the rest of my life...I wouldn't even balk or raise or an eyebrow. The salami with honey and hazelnuts! A must! The salami is perfect. Thinly shaved, smoky yet almost sweet. The honey ( yes I am a honey fiend) perfectly complements this ever so perfectly without being cloying. The hazelnuts round out this plate giving it a bit of crunch. Vetri you are a genius!!!! The onion focaccia that comes out in a tin.......sublime. Oniony without being overbearing. The saffron honey that comes with the cheese plate? Could he start a vetri-trading company like Jose and sell it? Hmm what else did we nosh on? The olives. Don't get them. You are expecting Amada-y olives. These are olives drowing in a bowl of oil without any vinegar. It's the only thing I would pass up. The ricotta is also not worthy of getting the next time I go. It's not as sweet and lovely as the ricotta at Village Whiskey that comes with the pickles. The eggplant spread is nice, but I'm not such a fan. The girls enjoyed it. The gnocchi with oxtail ragu is heavenly a cloud of potato cheese love drapped in a tender ragu of oxtail. Sara was not so in love, but I have dreams of this dish every now and then. The girls had the pasta in the cheese/blackpepper sauce that was also earthshattering simplicity done ever so well. We had the olive torta, tiramisu and waffle with marscapone semifreddo. The girls dug the olive torta, I'm just not into this whole olive oil cake movement. I loved the deconstructed tiramisu and the waffle.....heaven. It was a dreary dismal rainy night, but Kyle( our delightful waiter) and Amis made it the most wonderful dining experience I have had in Philly in a very long time. Did I mention I met Marc Vetri outside the loo?
(5)
Ken E.
Amis is a real gem. Tucked away off 13th street between Pine and South, this Vetri cousin does it right in spades. My sense is Amis is supposed to be a casual version of M. Vetri's more elaborate offerings and they hit the mark across the board. The location is ideal, the neighborhood is accessible and charming and the decor is rustic modern and very fresh. The wines are all Italian, which aren't my favorite, but you can find something you like on their reasonably priced menu. The food is a hit: more northern italian and very well done. I especially enjoyed the grilled octopus small plate and Nutella waffle for dessert (do not miss this). Amis is a worthy meal destination and M. Vetri deserves high praise for maintaining the culinary standards he set with Vetri and Osteria. Thumbs up.
(4)
Danan R.
Okay, I confess: I come here just to get the delicious, decadent, and indulgent belgian waffles with nutella, vanilla, and hazelnuts. The waffles are a perfect golden brown with a crispy exterior, soft and warm eggy-cakey interior, and topped with a smooth nutella-chocolate-hazelnut sauce. It is a perfect blend of my favorite dessert flavors in one pretty fantastic concoction. It's actually a dessert but I consider it to be the much anticipated highlight. The pomegranate roasted quail was pretty solid with a nice seasoning that was both savory and refreshing and tender quail, and the black spaghetti with squid and spinach was flavorful with fresh squid and perfectly cooked pasta that had just the right balance of elasticity and tenderness. I also tried the roasted bass with beets and eggplant, and wasn't a huge fan of the combination of eggplant, beets, and fish in a single dish, but that's just a personal taste preference. The sea bass was very fresh and tender (not at all dry!) with a good, firm texture. The pork pate was decent although it didn't really stand out. Service was very attentive and it didn't take very long for our food to arrive, which was much appreciated because we were hungry. Portions are on the small side and prices are a bit steep but the ambiance is great, the service friendly, and the food very tasty. Great for a special meal...or just for the waffles, if you have a sweet tooth.
(4)
Chris W.
Amis earns all 5 of these stars as this was one of the best all around meals I've had in Philly. I was wary going into a 7:45 reservation on a Saturday night after reading all the other reviews about getting pushed back but we were seated promptly. We had a very friendly waitress who throughout the meal was there when needed and out of sight when not. The menu selections were based on a combination of yelp reviews and waitress recommendations and every dish was a home run. We started with the baked pecorino which came out bubbling hot. The honey took this dish to another level with the delicious toasted bread. Oh yea, the olive oil bread to start lived up to the hype also (not burnt at all). We even requested more of the dipping bread which was not a problem. We also tried the sweetbreads which were perfectly fried and just an overall delicious bite. There were 5 solid hunks in our order with just the right amount of marmalade to accompany. For an entree I had the skate. Although not as good as the skate at Fish, this was still a memorable dish. The lemon puree was creamy and the skate was perfectly cooked. It was a nice size piece of fish for $18. The brussel sprouts were also nice and smoky to complete a perfect bite. Since about every other table I took a peak at had the black linguine with squid and chorizo, we split that also. This dish is a salt lovers dream but in a good balanced way. Great presentation and an even better taste. We split a carafe of red also as it would be a crime to not drink wine with Italian food of this caliber. To close the deal we dabbled in the waffles which could have used more ice cream and nutella but still were a nice finishing touch. Overall, $140 with a generous tip for this luxurious a meal is a steal in my opinion, thanks Vetri!
(5)
Brian H.
I used to "love" this place, haven't been there in a year, but was there 3 times in the prior year. Now, I only "like" the place. Wow, the ultimate lover break-up, "I like you, but I am not in love with you anymore". Don't cry, please! I started with a measured (yes, with a jigger) serving of gin in my martini "up", so the glass came up half full for $14. A very pretty glass, though. :-P The eggplant caponata, was perfect to eat with our drinks, 4 half slices of grilled bread and a small little tiny dish of roasted eggplant, very tasty. The sweetbreads, served fried, although very tender and perfectly cooked and served with a fennel marmalade, had no taste whatsoever. The marmalade needs some serious work, I liked the idea, but it did not deliver to the palate. For entrees, the skate was a very good dish served with fried brussel sprouts which matched, in my opinion, the flavor and texture of the fried artichokes which I used to adore here. The skate was tender and moist. A good dish overall. On the other hand, our other dish of the rotini pasta with the boar ragu and pears was just average. The pasta itself was inconsistently cooked, some al dente, some mushy, some stuck together. The boar ragu was above average in flavor, but the pears? Huh, there was supposed to be at least a pear flavor in there....notta. The dish was served smothered in grated cheese, which turned what could have been a delight into just a pasta with a ragu and cheese. The service was good, the time between dishes was perfect. I am not writing this one off yet, let's get through the winter and maybe the spring will bring new life into this relationship.
(3)
L M.
Had a great meal with the family at Amis. If you're looking for a more quiet & relaxing experience, definitely choose a table outside! It was nice to be able to hear each other talk. All of the food we had was delicious -- the eggplant caponata, pecorino with almond honey, duck pasta special, and Mom Mom's rice pudding being a few standouts. Beer is reasonably priced and they have a good variety on draft. My mom and brother really loved the peach cocktail. Service is friendly and Mr. Marc Vetri himself even stopped by to refill our waters and make sure we were having a nice time.
(5)
Matt W.
absoluletly fantastic.
(5)
Sean T.
I've been here a few times and always had a wonderful meal. The things they do with cauliflower and brussels sprouts! Fantastic atmosphere. Good beer selection. The staff are friendly and informed on all the menu items.
(5)
Dave S.
The food and set up was great. Not a place for someone who likes quiet. From start to finish everything was spot on.
Given the fact that Amis opened on Thursday and I ate there today (Monday) I'm very impressed with how well and smoothly the restaurant is running. All the major players were on site supervising service, including Marc Vetri, who popped in and out the kitchen several times while we were there. The atmosphere is warm, fairly loud (both the acoustics and the rock music), and a mix of high-end and casual. Service overall was excellent and so was the food. Any kinks they still have to work out are minor and the caliber of the food makes up for any shortcomings. This is a small plates restaurant so don't go in expecting heaping portions of Olive Garden slop. Do get the oxtail ragu gnocchi. It's exceptional. The sweatbreads are tender and delicious. The drink menu (we had the alto and the ginginber) is well put together and the desserts are very good. Overall you get a well rounded high quality meal for about $40-$65 per person. This will easily be one of the best restaurants in the city from what I've experienced so far.
(4)
Robert M.
The service was excellent and the food is at the top of its class, We waited a long time for our dessert to be made so the manager gave it to us on the house, and we didn't even complain about the wait in the first place! that's excellent management .
(5)
Rose F.
Off the beaten path for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Go here for the wine and appetizers. Let's talk about the: Food: I enjoyed the appetizers more then my main dish, scallops & polenta and baked pecorino with almond honey a must!!!! I had the rabbit for the main dish and I can tell it was good, but my taste buds didn't agree. the wine is excellent! the Service: it was wasn't memorable and it's neither a good or bad thing. Dining experience: I left more than safisfied with the food, i left stuffed. If you can eat here, do so, but don't be bummed if you didn't.
(3)
Brian J.
Maybe it's me. I'm not much of a tapas guy but I really expected more. We got there early so they seated us right next to the front door with bar stools for seats, we said we'd wait for another table and after 15 minutes they seated us right next to the back door. The wine they served me was fine but they only gave me a quarter of the glass worth. Food was OK. If you go you'll be shelling out a lot of cash for nothing much.
(1)
Robert N.
Meh is what it says when you give a restaurant a two star rating here, and meh is exactly how I felt upon walking out after my meal. Don't get me wrong, the food was wonderful, a real treat and a luscious throw back to the best trattorias of southern Italy. And I'm really not a complainer when it comes to restaurants, but my experience made me want to take the time and sit to write a review. The overall experience fell well short of the expectations we have of the the top restauranteurs in this city. The service was mediocre at best. Most of the staff left me with the feeling they were "overtrained" to be nice. I like a more relaxed natural discourse with the staff than that especially in this type setting. The waiter was confusing in explaining the menu, eventually admitting there were no special. It was just that the menu had recently and completely changed. The bus boy whisked a dish away without first asking. I really wanted some more of that sauce on my arancina oopss...too late. He never bothered asking if I was done before grabbing the dish. Also Marc, and I know you and your staff read these reviews, would it kill you to put more than one amarena cherry in the tartufo? I know they're a little pricey, but often people want to share desserts. It would be nice for each person to get a full effect of the flavors the chef intended. Especially since the menu says cherries (plural). After touting the flavorgasm of amarena cherries to my significant other, upon finally finding one and digging through the rest of my tartufo it was "Oh sorry honey, I had the only one they put in the dessert. And jury's still out on that bread. I'm pretty sure I can bake the same thing in my bread baker and the recipe that came with it now that I know to just add sea salt on top. And salt does seem to be a common flavor which stands out in most of the dishes. Particularly the pasta. The ambiance was very nice, but rather loud if you like conversation that's especially personal in nature given the next tables are five inches away from your elbow. I did enjoy hearing about the sex life of the two energetic young ladies at the table next to ours though. The four of us decided we're going out together next week to try a Garcas restaurant. Thanks Marc! Seriously, it's quite a shame when the food is this good that so many other things seemingly have fallen through the cracks.
(2)
Kathy D.
Wow, their pasta is worth the visit!!!! That was definitely the highlight of the meal. We got a scallop app, with a red wine carafe, which were both delicious. The skate entree was a little salty, but the pork pasta ragu and Nutella waffle dessert were out of this world! The layout is cozy and they also offer outdoor seating. There are a few seats that overlooked the kitchen and a small bar in the restaurant as well. The meal was a little expensive, and the atmosphere was casual. Will be back for a special occasion.
(4)
Jim L.
Amis has become a true favorite of mine since discovering the restaurant a little more than a year ago. My girl and I dined there on Friday evening and it easily lived up to our expectations. The place has a nice, cozy feel to it and the service by our waiter, Graham, was right on the money. We started with a cocktail each. Dirty martini for me and a signature cocktail from the menu for girlfriend. Smiling faces and warm fuzzy feeling. Thank you bartender. For appetizers we shared the swordfish meatballs, tasty and highly recommended, and an appetizer special of lamb sausage, excellent. After the appetizers, we shared a second course of pasta. I can't see going to Amis and not getting one of their delicious pastas. We went with the tonnarelli with pecorino and black pepper and it was excellent. For entres, my girl went with the scallop dish and absolutely raved about it. I love Amis' meat dishes and couldn't resist the grilled rib eye over arugula salad. Here is where I could make one minor complaint. I ordered the steak medium, figuring it's the safest bet for rib eye. The steak was actually served rare but I couldn't help but laugh when I realized it was such a fine cut of meat that the rare serving actually turned out to be quite appropriate. I think my girl and I actually wanted to skip dessert but they're so delicious at Amis that our will power was quickly reduced to nothing. Girlfriend absolutely love the olive oil torta and was in dessert heaven. I went with the Graham recommended tiramisu. Graham promised perfection and Amis delivered. Excellent dessert. I can't get enough of this place. Walking distance from home and It never disappoints. Very highly recommended. Enjoy.
(4)
Howard I.
Overall, a good experience. The service was great. The atmosphere was lovely (except for the unkempt bathroom). The only thing that didn't standout was the food. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't anything special. We had a party of six and ate family style, so I had a chance to try a number of dishes, but nothing blew me away, and for the prices, they should have. If money is no object, then by all means, go have a nice night out, but if this is your choice to blow your paycheck and impress, go somewhere else.
(3)
Steve M.
Amis, I love you. I love your delicious, slightly-al-dente pastas. I love the simplicity of your pasta with just cheese and pepper. I love the perfect combination of baked pecorino with honey and almonds. I love your decor. I more-than-love your almond-dusted sweetbreads. I even love your martini glasses. I'm not so into Italian desserts (I like mine way, way sweeter than most Italian desserts allow), but that just means I have more room for pasta! Oh... and the skate. Try the skate. The thinnest fried crust on perfectly tender skate with that terrific lemon sauce and perfectly crispy fried brussel sprouts... I loved that, too :)
(5)
Charles W.
I really liked the layout of the space. Nice mix of contemporary and rustic italian decor. We got there for a 5pm Saturday seating, which is awesome because there were no crowds and we got the full attention of the waitstaff. The way the tables were placed very close together, I suspect we would have felt claustrophobic it the house was packed. As for the food, it was very satisfying. The squid ink pasta had a hint of the pier in it's aroma, which I like. The rotini with black trumpet mushroom was out of this world. The herb butter sauce truly highlighted the texture and shape of the handmade spiral pasta. The kale side dish and the eggplant caponata were decent and well executed, but not anything unique. By far, the star of the meal was the sweetbreads with almond dust and fennel jam. The breading was was light and airy, the sweetbreads themselves were unbelievably creamy, and the jam was very subtly tart, and perfectly balanced the entire dish. I would seriously get two orders of this dish next time around!
(4)
Taylor H.
very good italian, definitely good for a weekend night out, good for small groups. Enjoyed it very much.
(4)
Jeffrey G.
Had a fabulous dinner on March 5th. Everything we had was so tasty. Portions were perfect for the two of us because it gave us the opportunity to try lots of things. The staff was great, especially our waitress, Maris! Can't wait to return.
(4)
Diane G.
Outstanding food and service. Depending on where you sit you could be very cramped. Very loud the evening we were there.
(4)
Christine L.
I came to Amis with a friend for a celebratory dinner; I had just read that it was one of the best places in America to get pasta, so we were hoping for something extraordinary. We had a salumi to start with, I had a pappardelle dish, and she had a rigatoni dish. We enjoyed the meal, but it didn't seem worth the hype.
(3)
Jonas B.
Have been to this restaurant several times during recent project work in Philadelphia, and I can say that I'm consistently impressed with the food and service, particularly given the relatively modest price point. Atmosphere is terrific, very relaxed and comfortable. Service is consistent with the best service at much more expensive restaurants, but with a friendliness that you won't find elsewhere. The food is dependably terrific. I've tried 10-12 things off the menu now after several visits, and I have been happy with everything. The swordfish meatballs were standouts - buttery and delicious. Also, the roasted lamb - really amazing.
(5)
Annie M.
2.5 ..... Come eat here if you want hypertension..... Came here with three other people so we were able to order 6 dishes to share. 3 appetizers, 2 pastas, and 1 entree. With so many different dishes and flavors, nothing really stood out except that everything was WAY TOO SALTY. The only thing that tasted okay was the baked pecorino (though it was so ordinary still). Maybe I could've commented more on the taste of everything if I tasted more than just salt. I don't usually drink that much water but man I had to keep getting my cup refilled. Even then, the waitress was not coming by to refill our cups often enough..... On top of that, everything was teeny tiny and overpriced. Disappointed to the max. In case you wanted to know what NOT to order... - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (tasted like a normal meatball, just loaded with salt) - almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade (smallest appetizer ever... it looked like 4 small pieces of calamari) - rotini with pork ragu and stone fruit (more salt...) - strozzaprete with cockles (the extreme of SALT OVERLOAD) - abbacchio con patate (overcooked, beef jerkey-like, the potatoes were good though)
(2)
Michael K.
Really enjoyed our meal here. Highlights were the Swordfish Meatballs, Pig Foot Ragu, and Mama's Rice Pudding (the best I've ever eaten...and I've had lots). I'm not writing a lot because this place doesn't need flowery prose to prove itself. Just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
M P.
Went here for valentine's day. Had a lot of small dishes, including: Baked pecorino cheese with almond honey (appetizer) - really really good, lots of melted cheese Root vegetable salad - so so, probably should have skipped it Mussels - in Romanesco sauce, with awesome bread for soaking up the sauce Rotini with black trumpet mushrooms - Amazing. Salted butter gelato waffle pizzele - enormous and worth going back just for that. Best thing we had. Bottle of Cava - always good Service was pretty attentive and professional. They also have chef's table style seats facing the kitchen, which might be cool to check out next time.
(5)
Ann E.
If you are in Philly, don't miss this restaurant. We shared small plates. Standouts included swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower, squid salad, almond dusted sweetbreads. But, the truly wonderful dish was the mortadella with hazelnut honey. We had 2 servings and I would have loved to have a jar of that wonderful honey just to have spoonful whenever I want it! The staff at this restaurant is as impressive as the food. We had one dish that was not what we expected. When our server checked on us, we mentioned this dish and he reacted immediately. You would have thought we told him our entire meal was a disaster! They brought another small plate for us, gave us an extra dessert and were truly concerned about the quality of everything they served. By the way, the extra dessert they brought was Mom's Rice Pudding-outstanding!
(5)
Ashley L.
My new favorite restaurant! The decor is clean and modern. The staff are friendly and attentive. And the food... YUM! You must get the fettuccini. The table next to us was enjoying it while we were being seated. We couldn't help but stare; it just looked so good! And it was. Homemade pasta in a creamy sauce with scallions and corn, adding the perfect amount of texture. Note- the pasta dishes are served as a smaller portion, best for splitting as an app. For my entree I had the duck breast with farro and stone fruit. The duck was extremely flavorful and had a perfectly crisped skin. The fruit mixed in with the farro added a great contrast to the flavors of the dish. I also got to taste the roasted scallop, which was equally delicious. Again, the dishes are modestly portioned, but between the split pasta dish and my entree, I was completely satisfied. Dinner can get a little pricey, but it's well worth it!
(5)
Emily W.
We've been here twice and have had a blast each time. It's approachable Italian food and honestly, reminds me some of the best meals I had when I was living in Italy. Between the food and the service, I really can't say enough good things. The key is to go with a group of people who don't mind sharing. It's worth trying as many dishes as you can. The bread that comes out is supposedly focaccia, but it's richer and more buttery than any other focaccia I've tasted. For five people, we got the braised snails, bufala ricotta crostini, a mixed salumi plate, and arancini to start. The arancini normally only comes with 4 portions, but they kindly added on a fifth for us. The snails were tasty and not too chewy; and the ricotta was creamy, but I wish it would have had more of the tang that I associate with ricotta di bufala. That didn't stop me from asking for more bread to finish it off though. I'm never one to order mixed salumi by myself, but let's just say that my sister, who rarely eats meat, set up camp at the pork terrine. And the arancini are little pops of goodness with their creamy, savory interior and crispy exterior. For our entrees, we decided to tackle the pasta section since it all looked so good and seemed to take advantage of spring's bounty. We ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe," the bucatini ai fagioli, the fettucine with lamb ragu and mint, the chard ravioli, and the wilted spinach as a side dish. And they brought us a dish of their special pasta that night- a sweet pea agnolotti- "on the house." It's so hard to pick a favorite pasta here, and in fact, when we all went around to name our favorite, we each picked a different one! I loved all of them as the pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauces clung to each of them beautifully. But if i could only eat one dish again, I would go for the fettucine with the lamb ragu and mint. Now I'm normally not a lamb fan, but the tiny shreds of gamy lamb worked so well with the brightness of the mint. The sauce had body that helped it cling to each noodle, but it didn't overpower the flavor of the pasta. If you're going for the first time, definitely order the tonnarelli in your mix. It's a super-luscious version of the butter, noodles, and cheese dish you used to make 9or still make) for yourself in college. And even though we were all full, we all wanted a little something sweet to round out the meal. Their dessert menu was well-thought; each of their desserts brought a little something different depending on what you were craving- sweet, doughy, cheesy, icy, fruity, crunchy, chocolatey, and nutty. We settled on the ricotta crumble tart, the polenta shortcake with strawberries and (killer) salted butter semifreddo, the Belgian style waffles, the special tiramisu, and the prosecco rhubarb granita. I'm usually a chocolate or nut fanatic, but my favorite of the bunch was the polenta shortcake. It wasn't overly sweet, and the corn/ strawberry combo with buttery ice cream was satisfying without being too rich. My second choice would be for the Belgian waffle because it's just so fun to eat, but the other desserts are not far behind. For five people with all of this food and two carafes of house wine, it was about 50pp. And we got a lot of food. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Philly, so I'm sad to hear that other people didn't have great experiences. I know I'll be back though!
(5)
elanya m.
Great place! Ate the octopus, bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta, Sal's meatball and lamb for the main course. Friends had the seafood grill and the hen leg; all very good. Def. recommend but I still enjoy Osteria a tad bit more.
(4)
Sean G.
Food: 3.5 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 4 stars Location: 3.5 stars Price: 3.5 stars Recommendations: I would recommend starting off with a combination of the bruschetta and salumi for appetizer. The 'imported bufala ricotta and black pepper' is a must have. The whipped ricotta is so smooth and creamy; it literally melts in your mouth. The 'mixed salumi' plate is a great addition to the ricotta. The variety and quality of the salumi is excellent. The main courses unfortunately did not match the quality of the appetizers. The initial pasta we ordered was the 'spinach pasta with sausage'. It definitely was the better of the 3 main courses. The pasta was very fresh but the sauce was a little flat. The 'gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu' was far too salty as was the "mixed seafood grill' secondi. My girlfriend who enjoys food on the saltier side was overwhelmed by the amount of salt used in the dishes. Overall, we had a great time at the restaurant. The ambiance is great and the service is wonderful too. The general consensus was that the food did not meet all the initial hype and expectations. I'm not sure if we will return for another dining experience. Overall: 3.5 stars
(3)
Zach Y.
For as classy as this place looks and sophistication of the wait staff, I was unimpressed with the food. I found it pretty common and bland. I do have to say the porscuitto and figs appetizer was very tasty
(3)
Marie D.
The best part about birthdays in my family is going out for dinner. Birthday boys and girls get to choose the spot of celebrating and over-eating. My choice was Amis. Looking for parking was painful and by the time I scored a spot (in a lot on Broad) my family was inside already imbibing at the bar. Time to play catch-up. One Alto (prosecco cocktail with blood orange bitters a macerated cherry and a lemon twist) for me, barkeep! Very refreshing. That's all I tried of their drink selection. We brought our own wine which they'll gladly open for about a $25 corkage fee per bottle. What I'm going to say next may seem like an exaggeration but I wouldn't lie to you: the 8 of us devoured 90% of the menu with not one crumb left. I've eaten almost all of it here and here are the things you must have: mortadella mousse brushcetta, pork liver terrine, gnocchi with oxtail ragu, buccatini with pork jowl, marinated lamb. It's a lot of spare parts, I know, but you'll love it all. The rusticity, the exposed ceiling, distressed woods, books on the shelves and an open kitchen that seems so tangible from any corner of the room all make you feel right at home. Reminds me of a Sunday dinner in a tiny Philly rowhome where you could ask for seconds from the kitchen while parked in front of the TV in the parlor. Amis staff is so amiable they just might oblige.
(4)
Philly P.
OK, I get the whole Amis is owned or related to the restaurant Vetri... BLA BLA BLA... Both are over-priced over-rated places that serve mediocre food. Both are more concerned with their "fancy" ingredients they add rather than looking at the greater picture of things and asking... "Is this good?" I ordered pasta that was supposed to have a touch of mint in it. Cool, I get it, mint in pasta, different, unique... Not for me and I am sure NOT for several others. After eating my breath was minty fresh because he added way too much. Service was good, food was pricey, looked nice (I guess) but was lacking some sort of soul in it... Maybe Jose Garces and Marc Vetri can open up a restaurant together... M-E-D-I-O-C-R-E !!!
(3)
Mandy H.
This was my first Mark Vetri experience and I hope to have more in the future. I made a reservation for 4 at 5:45 on a Sunday night to have dinner with my boyfriend and his parents after exploring the city a bit. However, my pre-dinner plans weren't as time consuming as I thought they would be so I called Amis to see if I would be able to move my reservation up to 5. The host told me it was no problem. When we arrived at 5 of 5 the restaurant had just opened for dinner and the waitstaff were actually having their nightly meeting with the managers. The same host I spoke to on the phone happily sat us at the bar and grabbed a bartender to serve us while we waited for our table, which was really nice. Especially since the restaurant wasn't ready for us. Also, even though we were the first table to arrive, I could see how people say the restaurant can get really loud as the ceilings are really high and everything reverberated off of them. We ordered the house red wine in a carafe, which wasn't too full bodied and nice. 500 ML for $20 isn't too bad either. I think the bartender said it was a mix of Cabernet and Grenache. Very soon after we had a few sips of our first round of drinks, we were seated at a table near the kitchen. Our waiter was very helpful in answering any questions we had about the menu and quickly got our orders out to us. Since it was Sunday we had the opportunity to do the Sal's Sunday family-style dinner, but we all opted to go with the regular menu since this was our first time at Amis. l I ordered the seafood grill which came with 2 butterflied shrimp, two small squid tentacles, 1 calamari ring, 1 small fillet of swordfish, 1 buttery scallop, and a side of polenta. Be warned the portions are tiny. I'm a small person and I was still hungry after scarfing my meal in about 5 mins. My boyfriend ordered the guinea hen special, which was topped with mushrooms. Because of the mushrooms I didn't partake in that meal, but it looked good. My boyfriend's parents both had the pork ribs. His dad was clearly disappointed with the a la carte set up of the meal at first glance. However, after he finished his meal, he said he got over the fact that it didn't come with mashed potatoes haha. I tried one of the ribs and it was very good. I had heard the pasta was the best, but I was pretty hungry by the time we got to Amis that I chickened out on being a little more adventurous and stuck with my usual seafood meal. After dinner (since I was still pretty hungry) we ordered cappuccinos and desert. I had the cafe affogato which is italian vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over top. The combination of the sweet vanilla ice cream and bitter espresso was perfect. My boyfriend and his dad ordered mom-mom's rice pudding. They're both suckers for puddings I'm learning. I'm not a big fan of the texture of rice pudding, but I gave it a whirl and it was REALLY good. If you like rice pudding, this is definitely a good one to try. Overall, the service at Amis was really great. They made you feel very welcome and at home. The portions were pretty tiny and although everything I tasted had a good flavor, I thought it was a little too simplistic. Nothing I tried really wowed me. However, the deserts were really delicious and I would probably come back just for desert.
(3)
Lawrence K.
Went here on a Weds night a few weeks ago. Great, lively, bustleing and noisy space; lots of fun. delicious food. very stylish and chic clientel. go with friends and get to know your neighbors. Upon arrival, there were no tables immediately available so the maitre'd offered us seats at "The Chefs Table." He made this sound exclusive but it's just seating at the counter looking over the open kitchen. We actually liked this since it's fun to watch the line cooks do their thing and you get to see all the food going out. We ordered our selections based more from seeing the dishes than by reading the menu. The wine list was way too expensive for my BYO-preferred palate so we just ordered a carafe of the house white which was, I believe, Trebbiano (a simple Italian/Tuscan varietal). The wine stems/glasses were of excellent quality which made it a pleasure to sip this simple but fresh and tasty house wine. It was a good match with the swordfish meatballs which were tasty and interesting. We also ordered the mussels which were very good with awesome sauce to mop up with the bread. Also had an incredilbly good cucumber salad with hot pepper, mint and super creamy, delicious ricotta cheese. really really good; sort of like an Italian-style Isreali salad. With a carafe of house red this time (blend of Sangiovese and Merlot) we ordered the eggplant lasagna. just a fabulous mess of homemade pasta, eggplant, tomato and cheese, all broiled to perfect bubbly deliciousness. I also ordered the duck with grilled peaches which was great too. We were also comped an order of Sals "old school" meatballs; again they made it sound like "the chef" sent them over out of the goodness of his heart but we saw a waiter bring them back from the dining room a minute before, but we didn't mind because these meatballs were OUT OF THIS WORLD - very rich tasting from (what tasted like to me) parmegiano reggiano (the real deal) added to the forcemeat before cooking. These were, bar none, the best meatballs I've ever had! I felt sorry for whoever sent them back. We liked them so much we got anoher order! The service was friendly and attentive and, even though a little disengenuous, the free meatballs that were sent back was a nice touch. Overall, i thought the food at Amis was outstanding. I'd give it 5 stars except I thought it was just a little too pricey for what the place is trying to be. But if you've got some cash to spend and dont mind a little noise (and lots of fun) I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)
Peter H.
After all the raves over Vetri and Osteria, I expected my first Vetri experience to be something special. I foresaw contented bellies, drunk-ish smiles of the post-coital variety, happy babbling about our favorite dishes, and significantly lightened wallets. Checkmark for the lightened wallets. That's about it. We did our research and anxiously awaited the Fried Artichokes, Oxtail Ragu, and various Mediterranean small plates. Artichokes: bland and over-salted. Just because its sea-salt doesn't mean it's class. Oxtail Ragu: okay, this is kind of tasty, but its tiny. This is supposed to be a highlight? I adore oxtail in its many forms. This version ranks near the bottom of my list. Did not get the swordfish rigatoni, but maybe we should have. No matter how good it was it could not have saved our experience. Great decor, classy service, dessert chocolate waffle was delicious, but money's a little too tight to pay princely sums for small portions of just okay food.
(2)
Retset Y.
I was skeptical after reading the mediocre reviews of Amis before dining there for my birthday but thankfully, my caution was not warranted. It was a fine meal. Through and through a very satisfying dinner. Service was outstanding. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu items. Support staff was always on task as well. My boyfriend and I sipped on Saison while we munched on delicious Salumi, eggplant capponata and seafood frito. Our second course consisted of a veal canneloni, roasted lamb and tuna steak. All delicious and well-portioned. The rhubarb tart for dessert was the perfect nightcap as well as their freshly brewed coffee. The best cup of coffee I've had in a very long time. Despite people's gripes on Amis' portion sizes, I left the restaurant feeling so very full and happy.
(4)
Candace C.
Amis is an absolutely adorable restaurant that came highly recommended to me by my foodie friends. I took my sister here, and we both left thinking it was a good meal but nothing extraordinary. We started with glasses of wine each; both were red and to our liking. The meatballs with polenta went nicely together. The polenta by itself was a little bland and the meatballs were too salty. By together, they were were well balanced. The mussels here were delightful. They were well-seasoned and accompanied by delicious hearty pieces of bread. The pasta was not very memorable, despite being the special of the night. I will likely come back to Amis to give it another try; maybe I'll consult Yelpers before I come back!
(3)
Chris S.
A colleague wanted to go here so we gave it a try. Bread is olive oil infused and pretty amazing. First time I have ever had that. Favorite appetizer was the swordfish meatballs. I went with the seafood mixed grill which was lightly grilled and drizzled with olive oil. Felt very healthy after eating that meal. Moderately priced and I would eat here constantly if I lived in Philadelphia and was paying. I would come back but would want to explore other places in Philadelphia before making this a staple.
(3)
Zee W.
this is a review for their sunday brunch: as a waffle-lover, i was excited to try their "philly's best" waffles - unfortunately, i was left disappointed. it was dripping in syrup. i love sweets, but too sweet for my taste buds. my s.o. ordered sausage and it was tasty, though too salty. the polenta was okay. service was good, but considering the price, i'd have to say i was underwhelmed. they also charged us for water! i requested still (as opposed to sparkling), thinking that would be tap, but they charged us $5!! i was happy to find that on a sunday (late) morning, the restaurant wasn't too crowded. now, i know why. too expensive, quality not up to par. don't think i will be going back.
(2)
Karl S.
Really? Nope. sorry. Overpriced mediocre BS. I'm not cheap. Really. But $60 for 2 appetizers, including what looked like and tasted like lunch meat, house cured or not, it's lunch meat, and 2 half pours of wine. Pour me a real glass of wine damn it! Beautiful space, pleasant, if not slightly over selling the BS, bartender, is not enough. Drink the cool-aide folks.
(2)
Chris H.
Went to this restaurant with my bf on his birthday. We walked in and were immediately sat at a table right across from a party that had two young, vocal children. I love babies, but it did make it difficult to enjoy our meal, which is overall not a reflection on the restaurant, but it was definitely not a smart place to seat us, especially bc we were placed in a very dark corner. Anyways we ordered food and drinks, the waitress accidentally brought my bf the wrong drink, but we didn't really care since we were curious about trying it anyways. Apps come out and they're delicious, and make us excited for whats to come next... ...which was a major disappointment. My boyfriends entree, the eggplant lasagna, while delicious, was an embarrassingly small portion. My entree, the pork chop milanese, was HUGE and not exciting. The best part of it was the arugula and tomato side salad, which was also lacking. The pork chop itself was dry and tough. boyf says: was very excited to try this place. i have a powerful fetish for lasagna and their eggplant lasagna looked scrumptious online. trudged to the place with the girlfriend and although the decor was pleasant, we found the lighting to be way too dim and personally, i thought the selection of music (mostly loud classic rock) heavily detracted from the restaurant's atmosphere (0.5 star deduction). we were also not expecting the place to be a family-friendly joint (as it was certainly not advertised as such), and the preponderance of whining babies was uncomfortably jarring (0.5 star deduction). while the beer and wine list looked very nice, our waitress mixed up my order and brought me the wrong beer (0.25 star deduction), and service in general seemed to be hampered by those god damned babies (0.25 star deduction). anyway, i thought the appetizer i ordered (peppered buffalo milk ricotta bruschetta) was phenomenal, but my main (the eggplant lasagna), although delicious, was so small it was a joke. it was near-paper thin and for 18 dollars, felt like an absurd rip off (1 star deduction). i would not recommend this place for younger couples, children-free couples, single folks, or anyone looking for hearty lasagna. overall, 2.5 stars. a restaurant with high potential, that was heavily brought down by its 'family friendly' atmosphere, poor music selection and overpriced pasta.
(3)
Joan V.
Glad they did away with the sidewalk bar as outdoor seating.
(4)
Beth K.
Incredible pasta, great location from where we live and a laid back but still semi-formal for a nice occasion atmosphere.
(4)
Jim F.
Went to diner here on Saturday night. This is my 4th or 5th time at Amis. Started off with an Amis punch which wasn't too sweet and pretty good though a little small (with lots of ice). Had a Deep Fried Pork balls special which had great flavor but the texture was too mushy for my liking. Had the Melon & Cucumber Salad. AWESOME! Corn & Tomato salad was very good. Enjoyed the Baked Cheese and almond honey very much. Had the Spaghetti with Chiles. Good but a little hot and not much flavor going on. Overall very good. I didn't care much for their Sunday brunch on a prior visit but still Amis is a SOLID 4.5 star experience.
(4)
Kimberly S.
I've been to all of Vetri's restaurants and although they are all outstanding and noteworthy, I think my recent dinner at Amis proved that Amis is my favorite. I came with a party of 6 and we had a 5 star flawless dinner. Each couple ordered about 3 dishes and we passed everything around, so I was able to try a good variety of the menu. Every dish was mind blowingly delicious, from the monkfish spiedini to the squid ink pasta; from the hen ragu to the fried brussel sprouts; from the roasted scallops to the tiramisu! Something as simple as the tonarelli cacio e pepe was done to perfection. I even loved the Amis Punch cocktail. Service was great, and really, the only complaint I have is that the reservationist never properly saved the change to my reservation when I had called a few days prior to change it from 5 people to 6. We promptly arrived to the restaurant and had to wait 20-30 min. for a table because of the confusion, but in the end it was no big deal. I would love to become a regular at Amis and will definitely be returning.
(5)
Anna Marie C.
marc vetri is like, a superstar in my eyes. my birthday experience at osteria last year with my bestie was one of my favorite meals ever. so i came to amis with higher than high expectations, and i think that was its downfall. the space is cozy, cute, perfect. really. i walked in, promptly greeted, and was already a little bit happier. we sat at the counter (which is how we roll) and it all started going downhill from there. the plus was watching the every-bustling kitchen, which is always fun. i had the fried artichokes, buccatini, seafood fritto (apparently i was on a fried kick)... my friend had the olives and seared tuna. everything was good... but no dish made me scream and yell and want to go back for more. the waiter was extremely awkward, making me feel like i was somehow a nuisance or something. he never offered tastes of wine, just so we could figure out what we wanted to drink (which i feel like is a must at this price point). the crowning moment was the hair found among my too-soggy tiramisu, which it took prompting by the kitchen for the server to notice. he took it away (thankfully)... but instead of asking if i wanted another, or a replacement, he just silently dropped off another bill with the dessert taken off. really? isn't your job to talk and be friendly? and in the end, my bill came out to be about the same as osteria, but my experience here was not even half. sad.
(2)
Jeff S.
This was an excellent choice for a upscale casual night. The service was classy but not over the top, the atmosphere energetic, and the food was delicious. The seating is very close to other patrons so don't expect quiet.
(4)
Carol P.
All the comments about the size of the portions are spot on. Amis serves small plates at regular plate prices. Even Garces restaurants give you more food except during restaurant week. Luckily, I went to a party afterward.
(3)
Felicia Q.
One word (said with pauses for emphasis): Un-in-spired. Marc Vetri - and I say this with deep sadness because I've wasted so much time reading articles about him - should return at least a couple of his awards. Last night, we decided to give Amis a second chance. And, like most second chances that are given reluctantly, it was met with profound disappointment and kicking of myself. 5 o'clock dinner reservations on a Saturday night. We arrive at 4:55 p.m. to an empty restaurant, chilly in all the wrong ways (i.e. not Vodka chilly). The place was dead, yet the host had to "see if our table was ready" so we went to the bar. The bar was dead, yet the bartender couldn't take the time to put cherries in the Manhattans. Once seated, the waitress politely insisted that we put our entree orders in, "for the sake of a Saturday night" whatever that means. Yes, I believe it's Restaurant 101 to make your customers feel rushed to order. Talk about a turn-off. But, honestly, all of this could have been wiped from my mind ala Eternal Sunshine if the food had been as delightful as the reviews promised. Meatballs were weak. (Barbuzzo's meatballs are 1,000 times better.) Pasta dishes were a snooze. Gummy squid linguine in oil. Rigatoni in what looked like the pasta water with cherry tomatoes. Meat dishes were bleak. Ribeye steak and fried veal: both served with a pile of arugula on the side. A kid at The Art Institute could have done this. A kid who isn't even in the Culinary Arts program. (No offense to that kid.) My yelp review is more inspired than Amis. Take your $300 (for four people) somewhere else where the chefs/servers/staff actually care.
(2)
Amy B.
My boyfriend, his sister and I went to Amis last night (4/19) to celebrate his sister's birthday. We didn't make a reservation and upon arriving we were told it would be 30-45 minutes. We figured this was reasonable and decided to have a drink at the bar while we waited. However, after waiting for 45 minutes, the hostess came over to us and told us that because there were no reservation cancellations they couldn't seat us. That was super annoying but luckily the bar is full service so we ordered from the awesome bartenders (didn't get their names unfortunately). This is where the night really turned around. We ordered about 6-7 tapas and the bartender very generously brought us at least 4 more tapas free of charge. Needless to say, he got an awesome tip. Our favorites were: the jalepeño pasta, the porchetta with onion marmalade, and the arancini. We enjoyed everything else we got also (ricotta and eggplant bruschetta, rabbit terrine, brussel sprouts, mussels, baked pecorino) but those were the best. Would definitely come back again next time we are in philly.
(4)
Stephen S.
Oh Marc Vetri, you maestro of pasta, guru of Italian cooking, can you do any wrong? I moved away from Philadelphia right around the time that Amis opened. I had been to Vetri and Osteria but never had the chance to go to Amis. This is a great place to come in and experience Vetri's cooking without having to order the fixed menu at Vetri. I was very impressed with everything but the star of the evening was the squash lasagna. This is not your mother's lasagna, it's thin and delicate, not overly cheesy. I also really enjoyed the swordfish with eggplant fries but thought that the eggplant fries were much better than the accompanying fish.
(5)
Jadiey C.
What can I say about, Amis... This review is primarily based on the horrible service. Can you say "Hover"!!! That's how I felt the entire night as our hostess hung over us, making the dining experience horrible. The food was pretty good, especially the fried brussles and baked pecorino. The monk fish was a bit pasty but my date loved the duck ragu. During my initial ordering I forgot to order my brussels and the hostess looked at me like I had 4 heads, when I tried to add it on later. Due to the open kitchen, we could see her go back to the chef and talk trash about our late order. Once the brussels came I was pretty much ready for the experience to end, but they were tasty. The highlight of the evening, the valet parked my car near the front door so we could leave quick... never to return again...
(2)
Dan G.
Hmmm... so many good reviews. I was being treated for my birthday (and she would not be this kind)... so we had a reservation and were seated immediately, was going to be seated at one of the two tops along the back and they were packed pretty close, so they moved us to one of the high tops near the bar... service was great, drinks were good... The appetizer was the assorted, I think it was three of their selections and it was okay but nothing special... one was good, the others were so so... my dinner was not bad, Prime Rib... but again nothing special and not much of it... thin piece of meat with a lot of fat... she on the other hand had lamb and it was the driest overdone flavorless piece of meat ever... I tasted it because she couldn't eat it and it was pretty bad... Was too bad the food was so disappointing because the ambiance was nice... price was a little up there for 4 drinks, an appetizer and dinner put us close to $200 (with tip)... that wouldn't be bad for an outstanding meal... in this case it wasn't.
(2)
Matthew G.
Great Italian food for those bored with Chicken Parm
(4)
Robin D.
i love this place... even though both times I went they screwed up first time we went on a weekend and it was busy, so they didn't seat us until an hour after our reservation. we had to stand at the bar. but before we could get angry they showered us with free drinks and food. they continued to do so at the table. the second time i went, they gave my mom the complete wrong order. when she told the waiter it was wrong he agreed and said "enjoy that while i get you what you ordered". less than 2 minutes later they brought the correct dish and we got to enjoy the other... for free. AND every bite of their food was amazing and unique. great rustic italian. i love the pasta. great food + classy handling of errors = more than good enough for me wouldn't recommend it if you're in a rush/aren't amused by free food
(4)
Jessica B.
Amis is right in my neighborhood, and it's pretty great. The food is affordable, interesting, and delicious, and they're open till midnight on weekends, which is fantastic. Service is almost completely perfect (servers are fantastic, hosts are a little TOO eager) and if you go late-ish in the evening, it's not a loud space at all. We've tried the grilled veal tongue (melt-in-your-mouth tender), the arancini (fried cheesy-ricey deliciousness) the rotini with the wild boar ragu, and the fennel gratin. All of it was delicious. Add to that a carafe of wine, and you have a very nice dinner for two. We should start going here more often... it's a great place.
(4)
Jeff P.
Let me begin, by saying I had high expectations after reading that Amis chef, Jeff Michaud, had won the James Beard award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. My wife and I had also dined at Amis' sister restaurant, Osteria, back in the winter, and both of us enjoyed our food, but felt that we horribly overpaid for our meal, so I definitely had mixed emotions walking into the restaurant. Amis is located in what is considered the "Gayborhood" section of Philly, and shares the locale with some serious restaurant heavy hitters in my book, Mercato, Barbuzzo, the somewhat underrated Bindi, and Garces Trading Company just to name a few. Happily, I can say Amis lives up to the competition. First off, I like the space. There is outdoor seating, and inside the whole ambiance is very relaxed with a hip polished industrial feel to it. Also, I like that there is a second bar area, where you can sit and watch the chefs do their work. We did not sit at that bar area, but had a two top across the aisle from it giving my wife a view of the kitchen bar. My wife picked out a 500ml carafe of house white for $20. Not sure what it was (Pinot Grigio or a blend), but it was totally drinkable on a warm summer night. Instead of ordering an app to share and two mains, we decided on a bunch of small plates. We started with braised snails with scallion crema, house made mortadella with hazelnut honey, arancini di riso with meat ragu (fried rice balls), whole roasted baby peppers with chicken conserva, and swiss chard ravioli with spring onion ragu. All dishes were on point. I especially enjoyed the pasta dish, but wished they had included a few more ravioli which were very light, and full of that earthy vegetal flavor I LOVE from good greens. Homemade pasta makes such a difference. The favorite dish for me were the fried peppers. Reminded me of the hundreds of padron peppers my wife and I scarfed on a recent trip to Spain. I am like Pac Man eating pellets with those things. They have a slight amount of heat, but nothing overwhelming, and the sweetness of the chicken confit totally worked. We ordered 2 more dishes, imported bufala ricotta and black pepper with crustinis, and Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato. I enjoyed both dishes, but was unsure if the meatballs were undercooked, or were supposed to served mid rare in the middle. I ate them anyway, as I could not find our server at the moment. The ricotta was beautifully creamy, and my wife thought it could have used a little sea salt on top. I was happy with it the way it was served. I could have kept eating, but thought better of it. No dessert this time (Termini cannolis were in the car), but will return this weekend for a second go around. We had good, but not great service, and unlike Osteria I felt that the prices were fair. I am very excited for a return visit, and will order a little more adventurously with my eye on the veal tongue and sweetbreads.
(4)
Miguel R.
I needed a quick restaurant recommendation for an after-work date with the lady. A coworker of mine suggested Amis, and I'm glad I went there. The service was great, and the food was fantastic. Mind you, we went on a Tuesday night at around 6PM - I'm sure the experience will vary on a Friday/Saturday evening. We got a kick out of ordering, since neither of us really knew what half of the stuff was on the menu - we ended up with the swordfish meatballs, calamari/shrimp/cucumber misto as appetizers, and for our next course we had the monkfish, polenta, and squid ink pasta. For dessert, I had a whiskey, and a bite of the tiramisu. I would definitely recommend the place, and look forward to visiting again.
(5)
Mike G.
Uneven, hit & amis I finally experienced the third Vetri restaurant, Amis. After reading through yelp I wasnt sure what to expect. I can say now though, it makes more sense to consider the 2 or 3 star feedback for this place. As a table of five foodies, we shared everything and critiqued each bite as we normally would. The key word, I think, is uneven. There were very delicious highs and there were surprisingly disappointing lows or "meh"s. The appetizers (or smaller dishes from the first few sections of the menu) were clearly the most adventurous payoffs. The eggplant capanota, the melon-mint-pistachio salad and the swordfish meatballs on creamy polenta were delicious and among high-points. The spaghetti with pecorino and pepper with a cheese sauce was blah. Really, it could've used a tiny more cooking and a bit more flavor. Closing my eyes, I wouldn't distinguish this dish from a corner diner experience (ouch, right?). The Mussels were tasty but as quite a lot of our meal, they were way too salty. In fact, as the meal progressed we accumulated our week's budget of sodium intake. As we spoke up about it, we shared the opinion that just about all the dishes were noticeably too salted and this is not typically something we've noted at other restaurants. That's not our usual complaint, so you can imagine our surprise to be in a Marc Vetri restaurant admitting this to each other! We ordered two main dishes, a grilled rib-eye which was very tasty and tender, though a little bit more raw than we would've ordered. However, our server never asked us how we'd like our steak. Even the nice aruguala salad on the side of this dish was a bit too salted, though a nice balance of the bitter greens to balance the rich fatty and tender meat. The other "larger" plate was the seafood platter which was sparse and less than seeming $24 worth. I had a 3" square of toasted polenta filling a third the plate even. Desserts and coffee were wonderful. We had a good ricotta crumble cake. The Baci Tartufo, however, was divine. The coffee was very good but my friends that had espresso drinks were super impressed with the cappuccino and decaf espresso, going on and on about how great they were. I do not predict any of us heading back to Amis for dinner, though we admitted it might be smart to go for cocktail hr nearby, and stop in for an appetizer and dessert after.
(2)
Shane L.
Food was good. Great ambience, good staff and busy on a tuesday night (usually a good sign). Had high expectations for this place and I think it fulfilled most of them. Pasta was al dente and meats tasted fresh (Wild Boar special - brought in that morning). Cocktails were ok, but could be a bit more exciting. The food itself reminded me of my visit to Italy which made the meal a little more enjoyable. I would give 4.5 stars if possible because price was great for the amount of food and service. 3 apps, 1 pasta, 1 entree and 3 cocktails = $115. Thats a bargain for a great dining experience in the city. Left feeling happy and complete. That is all!
(4)
Julie A.
I spent my birthday dinner here on a Tuesday night. My dinner date and I had been to Alla Spina for late night drinks and a quick bite to eat a short time ago and had a great time, so we agreed to try Amis. It was a great place for a nice, relaxing, delicious dinner during the week. It was a fairly busy night for a Tuesday, especially at the bar, but our two-person table was in a quiet enough area for us to have a conversation. It was a little too dark in there, after a pretty rich meal and about three glasses of red wine and a few cocktails, my date and I were both feeling quite sleepy. However, it was a pleasant crowd and some bonus points for having some awesome music playing the whole time we were there. Simply put: I'd come back here for the swordfish meatballs, and the swordfish meatballs alone. They're incredible. If they sold those swordfish meatballs in a take-out bucket a la KFC, I'd buy a bucket every week. All of the other food was quite delicious as well, but the meatballs won me over. Head over heels in love. The other food we ordered: Ricotta bruscetta, which was fabulously creamy and salty and peppery. The grilled bread that was served along with the little bowl of ricotta added a nice smokiness to a simple dish. Arancini with ragu and peas. I was very excited when I saw these on the menu. They were okay, nothing to really brag about, the meat was decent, the peas were a little overcooked, and the arancini balls were nicely fried, not greasy at all. Two pasta dishes, one was rotini with mushrooms and peas. the other, spaghetti with pork jowls and spring onions. I got very excited about the freshly made pasta and pork jowls. A little too excited and after about two bites, I felt incredibly full. The pasta was a nice al dente, not too heavy, nicely seasoned. The pork jowls were a great snap of salty, porky goodness but the real winner was the rotini with mushrooms and peas. It was the right pasta dish for the weather, nice and light, with a slight sweetness from the perfectly cooked peas. I could go on and on about peas, they were so fresh and buttery. A very nice compliment to the salty, meaty mushrooms. The mushrooms could have been a little less salty but overall it didn't distract from the dish. The drinks: A carafe of the house red: great deal! It was a great choice for us to start off the meal and sip between courses. It was a good wine, nothing too distracting from the overall meal but pleasant to drink throughout. We both had a cocktail with campari in it. His had rye whiskey and I believe blood orange. It was smaller but certainly more potent than my drink. I think my drink had bourbon and grapefruit in it. I'm not totally clear on what exactly it had but it was a great way to end a good birthday meal. I'd come back, not just for the swordfish meatballs, but for a nice dinner for a cute date or drinks with a small group of friends. I'd definitely recommend this place. The price is worth the amount and quality of food and drinks. The ambiance is pleasant and fun, not overly upscale where you feel uncomfortable.
(5)
Michelle T.
Loved this place! Will have to go back and try the other dishes. I took my boyfriend for his birthday. We split two aps, each had a main dish, but sadly passed on dessert. We both ate half of our main dish and took the rest home. Maybe next time we will add an ap and take away a main dish in order to have dessert. Dessert list looked great. Swordfish meatballs, braised pork bellies, black pasta, and a duck special...I'm still drooling over you.
(5)
JD H.
For me, this is as good as it gets. It may have been the kitchen counter corner seats allowing for a great view of the cooking and plating operation leading to fun conversations with the sous. Intelligent inquiries and buying a round for the kitchen staff resulted in some special attention and food we would have otherwise never tried. The staff was quite attentive and the menu has a lot to choose from. We were there on a Sunday evening when they featured their " Sal's Sunday Supper" which looked great (Spaghetti with Sunday Gravy, meatballs, sausage and a hardboiled egg) but since I was an Amis virgin, we decided to order a la carte from the many menu items that were offered. There were too many to get through on a single visit. Great starters included house made terrine, headcheese croquettes, and fantastic olives. A simple escarole and apple salad was really refreshing. The tripe stew was earthy and very cassoulet-like. It was outstanding by itself and could have served as the meal but the total stars of the night were the homemade pasta dishes we had: Tonarelli Cacio e Pepe and Buccatini with Jalapeño. I actually had dreams about those dishes afterwards because they were that good. A final recommendation would be the homemade rice pudding. . .apparently a secret recipe from the owner's grandfather. There was nothing bad that came out of the kitchen during my visit and so many things on the menu I would love to go back to try. Of the 3 nights in Philly, this was the best meal we had and one of the best I've had in my life in terms of great food execution. . .it was plain good cooking.
(5)
Andrew K.
Had a great time. I really enjoy dining out and trying new things. The Vetri group does a great job of promoting their brand, but I just couldn't justify the price tag at Vetri, so Amis was the next best thing. First off, the service was great. The waiter was on his game and easily answered all of our questions and knew the in's and out's of the wine list. we started off with the old school meatballs and baked pecorino. Both items came out very quickly. The meatballs are a must-order if you visit. The baked pecorino was very tasty, but didn't blow me away. We then ordered the sweetbreads and pork belly followed by the squid ink pasta. Of the 3, the squid ink pasta was my favorite. If you want the "Vetri" experience without the price tag I highly encourage you to visit Amis.
(4)
Christina B.
It was our first time in Philadelphia & we had a fabulous dinner at Amis! One of the best Italian dinners we've had in a long while. Better than New York & similar to being in Italy. Highly recommend!! The seared scallops & the swordfish meatballs were perfectly done. We had the chicken fettuccine special which was magnificent. Their pastas are perfectly made. Thank you for a spectacular meal & the wonderful, friendly service that comes. With it!
(5)
Hector M.
Giving 3 stars to a Vetri restaurant seems like sacrilege, but I had an equal amount of hits and amÃsses. The olive oil bread basket is absolutely ridiculous (if you typically skip the bread, try this and try to each just one - good luck). After analyzing the menu and pointing out all of the recommendations, we went with the following: - chicken liver toscani: ever since I had and loved the chicken liver at The Spotted Pig (NYC), I haven't been able to find it as good anywhere else. The streak continues.... - baked pecorino with almond honey: absolutely amazing. I took more than more portion, ordered it again, and took more than my portion again (it was so good, I didn't care about the social repercussions). - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato: all parts of this appetizer were delicious - the meatballs, the sauce, and the 'tomato potato'. - grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda: I had high hopes and it was just ok (nothing memorable). - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper: I was distracted by the overcooked pasta (I didn't finish my plate which is rare) - polenta with brown butter: it was bland. I was expecting sweetness from the brown butter, but all it seemed to do was make a brown ring around the polenta. - spagetti squash with pork jowl and pecorino: I was strategically taking spoonfuls of the pork jowl (and you'll do the same) - wow.
(3)
Sunita L.
This is a great Italian restaurant. This is probably the classiest Italian restaurant we have been in. The menu is a little overwhelming only because the food is so unique. Not your average spaghetti and meatballs place. The service was great at being patient with us. She explained everything. When we finally ordered we were not disappointed. Everything was so well prepared and delicious. Highly recommend. Just be prepared to pay a little more then typical Italian cuisine. But well worth it.
(5)
Star T.
Amis never disappoints. We had a wonderful dinner: I had the pork chop alla Milanese and my friend had the scallops. Both meals were quite good but I preferred the scallops in the end. Dinner for two with wine can be a bit pricey in the end but I find Amis to be worth it, much more so than some other restaurants in its price range.
(4)
Courtney C.
We had a Valentine's weekend dinner and it was a great experience. What truly sold me, they service. (The food is excellent) they had run out of braised lamb shank, so the send over the chef's favorite pasta dish (complimentary) & they also gave us the salty semifreddo for free. On many reviews, people complained about ambience, specifically how loud it. It didn't bother me at all. We will definitely go again!
(5)
Paul B.
Amis is the stripped down, more casual incarnation of Osteria. If you are looking for a 5 star experience, go to Osteria or Vetri. If 4 stars will do, Amis is a solid choice. The service is 3 stars. The food is very solid. If I could, I would have given. 3.5 stars. Very good, but not great.
(4)
Andrew C.
If you've eaten at Vetri and been transported by the ethereal pastas and beautifully restrained and subtle elegance there, you will begin to get an idea of what Amis does. Imagine plates prepared with that same care, quality and simple creativity inspired by the freshest ingredients wearing a plain white t shirt and comfy jeans. I've eaten here at least 2 dozen times and tried about 50 plates. I love to eat at the bar and begin with a cocktail. The list has some great seasonal suggestions. They make a great Negroni. WBG selections are unusual and very high quality. Late summer fave = the Australian Sangiovese "Blood of Jupiter". Don't miss if that's on the list. Most plates are smaller, so you can taste a few. I love the Olives which are served warm with some herbs and orange peel. The Mortadella Mousse is always delish. The Bruschetta selections are always changing and usually great. Some memorable ones: Snail and Garlic, Tuna and White Bean, Preserved Lemon and Fava Bean. The Veal Tongue is outstanding with a little honey on the plate, charred green onions and weirdly sweet, fruity mostarda fruit garnish. Hard for me not to order this every time I go. DON'T MISS! Pastas are sublime. The Cacio Pepe is outstanding, the Spaghetti and Chile peppers is notable. The Fettucine and Corn Ragu is off the chain. They often butcher a poor, small, local animal (like a duck, lamb or calf) and offer it up in a variety of ways and portions as a special. It's usually awesome. Desserts are very good. The salted butter ice cream is ridiculous. The stracciatelle and figs (or whatever seasonal fruit) is killer. The Zabaglione is reliable. Get a glass of Malavasia to wash it down or maybe the best affogato in Center City. Brunch is solid. Don't miss the Jersey Cannonball. The service is uniformly comfortable, efficient and warm. Management is present, vigilant and makes sure everything is smooth and hospitable. Highly recommend.
(4)
Ryan N.
One of the best italian restaurants in the Philly area. Ordered the special known as the beast of the day or something like that. They had a pig imported from a local farm that morning and created meals featured around that meat. Started out with Wine Cheese and crackers along with this pork salmi that was very sweet. Since me and my girlfriend are still underage we decided to try their featured italian sodas. I got pineapple and she got cherry, needless to say they were delicious. Our entree's were amazing as well. We both got pasta dishes, the names have left my memory already. They both were perfect sized portion and satisfied our taste buds and left just enough room for dessert and coffee. The dessert was my favorite. A giant solid chocolate ball filled with cake, nutella and cherries. SO GOOD and the cappuccinos were equally as good. Overall the service, atmosphere, time and quality all tie together so well and make amis one of the best resteraunts I've ever ate at!
(5)
Nancy L.
Excellent food, quick service. I'm usually not impressed by Italian food because pasta just doesn't do it for me. But since we're talking about a Vetri establishment, I thought I'd give it a shot. We shared the baked honey almond pecorino, swordfish meatballs, octopus, veal tongue, cacio e pepe pasta, monkfish with San marzano tomatoes, tiramisu for dessert. I'd have to say each dish was masterfully executed. The meatballs were surprisingly moist, the veal tongue and octopus were very tender. The pasta was unlike any I'd had before because it was so dense, but it was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed it. It was a very rich meal. Come hungry.
(5)
Suzanne H.
I recently went to Amis for a friend's birthday dinner and I really liked it. We got a selection of bruschettas, octopus, and meatballs for appetizers. Everyone loved them all. For the main course, I got a homemade pasta dish and it was to die for! I will get pasta every time I go back (which will be often). The friends I was with really enjoyed their seafood dishes. For dessert we received complimentary ice cream, for the birthday girl of course. The ice cream was soooooo good I couldn't stop eating it even though I was full. I thought the menu was reasonably priced. It was a little bit loud and crowded inside and I wasn't a big fan of our waitress, but the food was delicious and overall I really liked this place.
(4)
Jeremy J.
It is close quarters with nearby diners, but we've had tighter accommodations so it is not worrisome. The noise, however, is near-deafening. I struggle to hear myself, let alone the poor quiet-voiced server who tries to relay the evening's specials. Juliet has to help translate. As the night wears on, the chaotic garble does ease slightly. I begin with a generous pour of Prosecco, with a sidecar of red wine granita. A spoonful of the frozen red wine goes into the sparkling wine. Mix. Drink. Repeat. Enjoy. It is sweet and lively on my tongue, preparing me for the roller coaster of flavors to come. Ever since dining at Joe Allen, I have been craving escargot again. As luck would have it, Amis offers braised snails in a scallion crema. They are bright green chunks coated in a thick cream sauce. Take a scoop and dump them on a toasted, burnt-edged piece of bread. Yum! These are not quite the full-bodied, wine-soaked snails I had in New York; they are more subdued and earthy, with a delicate onion taste. The combination of burned toast and creamy snails is decadent. Juliet also orders pan-fried artichokes (they are crunchy, oily, and tasty) and pork liver terrine topped with tomato marmalade (sweet, slightly greasy, and tastes much like any other pork terrine I've had). There are so many captivating entries on the menu, I'm not quite sure what to order. I really don't want to "meat it up" with a hunk of veal so I settle on seafood. Since Juliet doesn't like peas, I seldom get to eat them at home...and I love peas! My eye gravitates toward the braised squid with artichokes and spring peas. Thick-cut circles of firm squid flesh bobble in a shallow, spicy tomato broth sprinkled with green peas. Islands of quartered artichoke hearts peek out from beneath titanic wedges of more crisp-black toast...which I use to sop up the soup when I've polished off most of the calamari. The dish is demonstrative, bold, and very addictive. My only criticism is the squid seems just a smidge too firm, as if it had been slightly overcooked or left under a heat lamp. I highly doubt the latter, though. Suffice to say, it is a good dish and one which I'd happily order again. From good to great, now. While Juliet opts for crispy veal breast with marinated mushrooms, she had also been circling another plate: the fettuccine with lamb ragu and mint. Did someone say mint? As some of you might know, I'm a mint fanatic. Love it. Put it in everything, please. I, too, considered ordering the fettuccine but ultimately went the seaward route. A quick pow-wow, though, and we decide to order it for sharing. Because sharing is caring. Or something like that. Man, am I glad we ordered that pasta. The noodles are perfectly prepared, not too squishy, but slippery and glistening with olive oil. Hearty bits of shredded lamb ragu mingle under a mound of shredded Pecorino cheese. Little green specks of mint add just a hint of color. It is imperative to gather all components on your fork, so you get the full effect--salty, meaty, with a surprising lightness from the mint. It is pasta like a sexy poem in your mouth. I am full now. Dessert is totally out of the question...until I read the very bottom item on the menu: prosecco rhubarb granita with pistachio biscotti. Saving the best for last, eh, Chef? Surely there must be cracks in my stomach that need filling. The granita is sweet and very tart, actually quite refreshing. I get uncomfortably close to brain freeze as I use the biscotti as a spoon for the shaved ice. Time to stop. Time to go. Time for bed. From our little tour of Chef Michaud's cuisine, it's pretty easy to see how he earned his award. Kudos! But don't take my word for it. See what my better half has to say on our website (linked in my profile).
(4)
Amanda R.
Best friend/favorite eating partner at my side, heat wave in temporary remission, Joe Jackson playing on the stereo, we got to sit at the chef's table - all the conditions were primed for a memorable evening and Amis did not disappoint. Mortadella mousse - creamy, smooth and porktastic. Sweetbreads with fennel pollen - hot, crispy, organy and succulent. A bucatini all'amatriciana that I described as "the best drunk food ever" was chewy, salty, meaty and cheesy in all the best ways. And the meatballs! You wonder how meatballs could possibly blow your mind? Just order them, sidled up to the potato/tomato mash. Also have tried the veal tongue, carciofi, pork terrine, cacio e pepe, and strozzaprete alla vongole which were merely amazing. The only less than memorable dish was the beef carpaccio - solid, but it didn't blow our mind like so many of the other courses did. Desserts don't drop the ball - all of the semifreddos are amazing, especially the Amaretto, topped with fudge sauce and crunchy toasted almonds. Because too much is never enough in my book, I adored the tartufo - chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo studded with cherries, resting on a spongy chocolate cake and covered with a thick shell of dark chocolate - then drizzled with chocolate sauce, as if you didn't already get the point. I love gilded lilies. Yes, it's a little pricey, but if you're willing to splurge on a delightfully fun, memorable meal, it's worth it. A meal at Amis is like a fireworks display.
(5)
Vincent F.
Its been a while so I don't remember many details but I wanted to review this place since I had such a nice time there. First off, our server was really friendly and fun and that fits in with the vibe here which is a relaxed, not too quiet, fun but cozy kind of vibe. The drinks were great but we found that the caraffe of amis punch (sorry my memory is spotty) was way over priced for the size. We actually complained about this and got a free one 2 seconds later. Nice response by the manager! There were 5 of us and we like to share and try stuff so we ordered practically everything we saw and everything was pretty great. Although the portions weren't huge, they were fairly priced so we just ordered more... Mixed seafood grill was wonderful and perfectly cooked. Octopus was perfect, as were the interestingly prepared artichokes (get them). Carpaccio was good but nothing amazing (which was the case with the polenta.. skip it). The gnocci was very good but nowhere near the quality of the gnocci at Vetri. We had another pasta dish which was very good but sadly I can't remember it off hand. The best part (and I know this is odd since I usually am not a huge desert person) was the desert we had. Previously my favorite desert was from Villiage Whisky (the strawberry shortcake) but the new winner is the Waffles with Nutella and hazelnuts. Get this no matter what you do! At the end of the night we were really surprised to see that our check was a lot less than we had thought since we drank a bunch and ate whatever we wanted (ordering on the fly from course to course). Overall I'd definitely say that the value was way up there. Was this an amazing dinner? That night I was thinking that it was good and a good value but nothing really spectacular. A few days later I was still thinking about how great a time we had. Now I'm ready to go back. What do you think?
(4)
Chad B.
I clearly got this place on an off night. Had a bad experience top to bottom. Had reservations at 9 for 3 people for a friends birthday. Showed up around 8:45 and was told it would just be a few minutes. We got drinks at the bar. Pretty tasty. Checked in around 9:10 on the table - was told just a few more minutes. Checked back in at 9:20...was told "they were clearing the table". 9:30...still not seated. Checked in again and the hostess said she would send over the manager. He came over and explained that they were only 15 minutes behind and were just waiting for a few tables to finish. I was confused and said our reservation was for 9:00....He didnt say "Oh, I apologize we have you down for 9:15" he literally said "No, your reservation is 9:15". While he was standing there I pulled up the email confirmation (hoping I had it right) and of course my email confirmation showed 9:00. Upon showing him the email....he said nothing. Walked away to the host station. Strangely we were seated within 30 seconds....without apology or explanation. I know it might seem annoying or simple but we didnt get seated until 9:40. I am fine waiting...just want to be treated properly. A simple apology would have made the whole night better The food? Well it was solid but not great my favorite two items of the night....the sweetbreads and the mortadella (my favorite) mousse. Squash lasagna was just very average to me...nothing great, nothing awful. The Swordfish meatballs seemed very fishy ( I realize it was fish). I would give the Food a 3 1/2 stars. Again....I am guessing our palettes were off due to being in a pissy mood.
(2)
Lydia T.
Mixed Seafood Grill: Scallops, tender skate, calamari,swordfish. Grilled to perfection, simple salt and pepper. Palenta with brown butter: also simple and very good Escarole and radish salad: very light and refreshing. Drinks Campari and grapefruit with basil....one of the better combinations with Campari I have tasted. Limonchella and iced tea vodka total bill just about 65, including drinks. Overall very pleased with the meal. Best seat in the house is overlooking the open kitchen.
(3)
Mike C.
Awesome food. Well prepared with fresh ingredients. Mortadella with Hazelnut and Honey was awesome, a great combination of flavors. Bucatini with cheese was very good, pasta is fresh and cooked perfectly. My only regret is I wasn't hungrier so I could have eaten more
(5)
Judie G.
Great new addition to the Vetri line up! Loved the casual atmosphere and menu. Tried several of the seasonal specials that were fantastic, most notably the heirloom tomatoes with sweet corn and cream and the rice pudding with strawberries and balsamic vinegar. The ribeye was great, but a small cut for the price. But cooked and seasoned wonderfully. Great wine list of mostly southern Italian wines. Tiramisu (not on normal menu) was perfection. Am so happy this place is right around the corner from our house. Sure to become a neighborhood favorite.
(4)
Jen L.
Amis is sexy and hip and in a cool neighborhood, and I like the idea of it, but I was ultimately disappointed in our experience. The food was okay but I just don't understand their concept of small bites. These were miniscule bites, and kind of bland. The server raved about the meatballs, we ordered, (there were three to an order, like three teensey weensey meatballs) and we were like, "meh". * The arancini (two to an order, they are also super-tiny) are just boring. The shaved parmesan on top offered the only flavor. * The veal canneloni needed something, maybe salt. I'm not sure. * I liked the buffala ricotta bruschetta but $8 for two small pieces of bread is a bit redonk, Mr. Vetri. I'm not cheap in the least but I left starving after a $90 tab for two glasses of wine and what amounted to just a few bites of food. Heavy sigh.
(2)
Hannah C.
I was so excited to try out Vetri's Roman trattoria-style eatery having been to Rome twice in the past year and eating the best pastas of my life. And Vetri is a rock star in Philly, and Amis got good reviews and I basically thought I could trust all that...Wrong. The pasta sauces weren't even close to being Roman let alone tasty Italian-American! The cacio e pepe was more alfredo and the pecorino lacked the tangy bite and saltiness that I love in that dish. It was just so creamy and mild with not nearly enough black pepper, not authentic at all. The amatriciana was even worse. There was a scarce amount of giant cubes of pancetta that were basically just fat. The tomato sauce was pretty much just tomato - no spice, no flavor, just warm tomato... I had the best amatriciana in Rome for half the price, and an arguably equally good bowl at our standby Melograno. We got the secondi special that evening, pork loin wrapped in pork belly and they had just got the pig in the day before. The pork belly was very fatty (to be expected), but the loin was tough. When you pay for a special at a Marc Vetri restaurant, badly cooked pork is unacceptable. The salad was so salty that they might have made a mistake (either way, a bad move), the grilled focaccia that came with some of the apps was soaked in stale oil that oozed and coated my mouth when I bit into it (gross!), but the meatballs were good (not spectacular though). The napkins look like dish towels, which is kinda neat, but they shed like crazy all over your clothes. Whatever you do, don't wear black. What we liked: the service was fine, but it was very in-and-out and our dinner was over in less than an hour. Vetri's famous fresh pasta was solid. They were a bit overdone for my taste, but I like my pasta very al dente so I'll give them the pasta. Overall, we were so disappointed by the meal that we didn't even stay for dessert. I would not recommend this restaurant at all. I feel like we ordered a balanced spread of dishes, and we weren't impressed by any of them.
(2)
Mindy Y.
LOVED it. The buccatini all' amtriciana is quite possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. The arancini made me swoon and the grilled smoked mozz with pickled veggies was heavenly. The wine, ambiance and service rounded out the evening. Amis has a cozy setting that's quieter than Osteria yet more attainable than Vetri. You can dress up or dress down, spend a lot or a little, but either way you go.. you'll have a fantastic time.
(5)
L R.
Everything about this restaurant is perfect. My dinner, tile fish prepared perfectly, was exquisite! The cauliflower appetizer was incredible - so full of flavor. And the salted butter dessert was to die for. The meal was beyond our expectations, but what really stands out at Amis is the staff. There was a genuinely happy hostess who seemed so pleased about our experience she could have been mistaken for an owner. That giant bright smile was just so warm. Our waiter was AMAZING! He described each dish with a perfect run down on the ingredients and the effect that the combination of flavors has on the whole dish. I was so impressed when as he was explaining the tile fish entre specials, an appetizer arrived and was presented silently to the waiter by a manager in a suit. No wonder the staff here is so great; there's a genuine appreciation from the management for the quality of the dining experience they offer. This is a place not to be missed. Our dinner lasted over three hours and was perfect from start to finish. The manager came to our table twice! The wine special was delicious and made the meal so much more enjoyable. I can't wait to come back to Philly! We ate here on our final night of a conference, but I wish I had eaten here first - we could have had three tremendous meals! Thank you for a lovely evening.
(5)
Leah G.
I was eager to try Amis and was not disappointed. Our table opted to share several small dishes and loved them all. The ricotta bruschetta was very enjoyable. The beef carpaccio was fantastic. Our pastas were also a treat. My only dislike was our salumi plate, but that may say more about me than Amis. For dessert, we shared the cookie plate and the amaretti semifreddo. I am not a dessert person, but ate more than my fair share. I am excited to add this to my neighborhood restaurant circuit!
(5)
Food Hound S.
All four of us had a great experience at this restaurant. Though we had to wait about 15 minutes for our table to be ready, the staff was quite accommodating. Our waitress, especially, was very helpful in suggesting her favorite dishes all of which were spot on. The wine menu was quite good as well, but a bit pricey. Here's what we had: eggplant caponata imported bufala ricotta and black pepper black pepper salumi baked pecorino with almond honey Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato vegetable fritto misto tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper pappardelle with veal breast ragu abbacchio con patate (roasted lamb with potatoes) "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries tiramisu Happy Eating!
(4)
Vivian T.
I loved the ambiance of this restaurant and the dishes were flavorful and nicely portioned. But holy cow is the food salty. We had to send the pork sausage back because my lips started to dry out. It was like taking a spoonful of salt to the mouth. Sweetbreads were really tasty. If you eat the sweetbreads alone, salty but combined with the layers of sweet (i think it was apricot) marmalade type reduction, it was quite tasty. Veal terrine was good. Nothing amazing. We had the pecorini pasta and again it was a bit on the salty side. Also, really heavy and rich. Brussel sprouts were quite tasty. I loved the layer of lemon (slight) in the sprouts. Entrees were a bit of a disappointment. Again heavy heavy hand on the salt. I love salty foods but this was a bit too much for me. I'd come back to the restaurant just because the atmosphere is really great.
(3)
Henry D.
This is a fine place to get upscale renditions of Italian comfort food. We started with the arancini di riso with meat ragu, two very tasty rice balls which were very enjoyable but a third would've made the dish more substantial. After that we had our entrees. I went with the paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - very hearty and tasty and a good dish for the price. My wife had a pasta special that I can't quite remember but I know that she was offering lots of it to me while snagging bites of my paccheri. :) Service was fast and attentive and we were out in no-time. I think for the amount of food you actually eat it's a little overpriced but I'd recommend this place for a couple or group looking for a nice night out in Philly.
(3)
CAROLE L.
Seriously disappointed. The noise level was so high it was hard to hold a conversation. I was prepared to put up with this if the food had been better. Everything was seriously under seasoned. We ordered the shaved pork belly with watermelon and the meat had no flavour. As the table had no salt and pepper I am assuming the chefs would have fine tuned the seasoning. The steak was so under seasoned we had to request salt.
(2)
J K.
Came here for a pre-theater meal on a Friday and the place was bustling. Even so, service was prompt and efficient. Our server took the time to answer questions and explain the menu. Food was delicious, some standouts include the pork trotter rice balls, the pasta with lamb (on special) and the chocolate banana dessert. Wish I could have tried more of the menu- will have to come back again when I recover from the expensive prices!
(3)
Mark P.
Really enjoyed the ambience and experience. We elected to order many small dishes and other than the volume of food perhaps being a tad small we enjoyed the mix. House red wine in carafe was far better than expectations. Belgian waffle desert was sinful. Our bill was rung up improperly (to our benefit) and when we pointed out, kudos to the manager for buying us a drink for our honesty. Wait service was attentive and engaging.
(4)
Ben T.
I'll admit that I expected a lot from this place, having had very good experiences at both Vetri and Osteria. Unfortunately, it was a big letdown. I love Italian food, and I appreciate the idea of simple small plates of it, but for how much you are paying, it is reasonable to expect more dynamic flavors - especially with the name attached to the place. None of the 5 plates we ordered were especially remarkable, and two of them (the bruschetta and the ribeye over arugula - a whopping $26) were downright bland. I will give credit for the delicious dessert, as both the waffles amis and tiramisu were sublime, but that didn't make up for the overpriced mediocrity that preceded it. The service needs to chill. I must have told our server "Yeah, everything's cool" a dozen times. I understand the need to get things right in a place like this, but its gets very annoying to be interrupted every 5 minutes. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is very loud in there. I love the Stones but it seems inappropriate to have to shout over "street fighting man" to be heard in a place like this. I feel silly saying this because I knew what I was getting into as far as pricing, but looking at the bill I honestly felt ripped off. For close to $90 per person, one expects a well above average experience. What we got was distinctly, painfully average.
(2)
Kelly W.
OMG, get the artichokes! They're double fried, of course they're greasy, but they are out of this world! I would go back again just to eat at the bar and have a small plate of artichokes. OK, and the ricotta or eggplant bruschetta. And probably the rigatoni. I love that you can eat while sitting at the bar, at the kitchen counter, or at the communal tables (shared seating at tables that don't require a reservation!). The bar is open late and offers hard to find beer and wine from Italy. I thought the service was great and attentive. I like the repurposed wood and iron designs that make up the rustic setting of this restaurant. And the lamps made from Campari bottles. So cute! Vetri's done it again. Amazing. Love it!
(4)
Barb K.
A friend of mine told me about Amis shortly after it opened, but it took me nearly a year to actually make it in--I wish I had gone in sooner. The food was good, the service was superb and we had a nice overall experience, leaving (as another reviewer mentioned) full but not stuffed. We shared four appetizer plates, the eggplant caponata, Sal's meatballs, veal tongue, and the porchetta. The standout was the veal tongue. It was surprisingly crispy on the outside but melted in your mouth. It was excellent. We ordered Sal's meatballs on the recommendation of our server, but I wasn't wowed. The sauce it was served in was probably better than the meatball. It wasn't bad, but not necessarily worth the $$ and I wouldn't order it again. The caponata was pretty good too, it is served with crusty bread but it is slightly too much for the delicate flavors of the eggplant. Having lived in Italy, I was expecting slightly larger portions so we shared an entree--the oxtail gnocchi. Served in a gratin plate, the oxtail was braised to perfection and had a great balance of flavor with the gnocchi, though they didn't seem to be your "traditional" gnocchi--it was hard to tell as the gnocchi was on the bottom of the dish and they were smothered with the meat. We also shared the nutella belgian waffle with vanilla semifreddo for dessert, which was good, but not memorable. The restaurant itself has a great aesthetic but the music was a bit off--somehow the 80s/90s hits didn't seem quite right. Despite that, I'm definitely going to eat here again.
(4)
kris j.
I have been wanting to try Amis for about a year and I must say, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was good----especially the linguine with corn and scallions and the entrees. But, the hostess was downright rude (and yes, we had reservations) and our waiter was slow and not at all into his job. It took us 15 minutes to get a drink (just a glass of wine) after it was ordered and while the entire staff was preoccupied with refilling water glasses, the offer the clear plates or get another drink for us was slow. And then after my partner said no to another glass of wine, he received in anyway because the waiter couldn't hear us. And that's my biggest complaint; it is really NOISY for a fine dining restaurant. Part of that is due to the building which is a lovely use of the space, but do you really need to play the music that loud? And.....dining to the Stones and to the Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"? Especially when we were some of the younger folks in the restaurant?
(2)
Bailey S.
First time to a Vetri restaurant. Wonderful meal with that special someone. Warm pecorino with honey (tasty enough without the toasted bread), focaccia, brussel sprouts all wonderful sides to the main dishes. Delicate scallops, interesting fettuccine with corn, but glad the fettuccine sauce lighter than an alfredo. Waiter was attentive and helpful on menu items. A lot of food but did not feel overstuffed, done just right.
(5)
Alexa R.
My husband and I tried Amis last night as it's close to our house and we loved Osteria, which is not as close and hard to get reservations! Our server, Graham, was phenomenal. The appetizers were delicious, albeit a little salty, and I find that 20 dollars for a carafe of table wine is affordable and fair. The entrees were a fine size -- husband had the ravioli with spring asparagus (so good - I wish I had ordered them!!) and I had the mixed seafood grill. I wish the seafood grill had come with veggies as opposed to polenta. I would go back in a heartbeat and sit at the bar and order apps. The entire place has a cozy, warm feel. Loved it!
(4)
Nick T.
My fav place to eat in Philly. Met a friend for dinner. Started at bar. Great cocktails. Dinner was pastas and fish. Great flavors. Great service.
(5)
David B.
This cozy dimly-lit bistro is definitely worth a visit. Although we were dressed smart/casual, I liked the tone that was set by the 2 managers in well tailored suits. Be warned the tables are close together and not everyone in our party was a fan of the dim lighting. I am not a fan of restaurants with a certain ratio of terms that the average joe/josephine is not going to be familiar with. This is a pet peeve of mine in Vetri's restaurants. I don't mind asking the server a few questions but everyone had to ask questions about almost everything they were considering ordering. However, our server was knowledgable and answered very competently. Although the house table wine is perfectly acceptable and a good value, the wines-by-the-glass are otherwise unreasonably pricey. I ordered the pork terrine, which was absolutley delicious BUT I have never been served terrine (in any restaurant in any country) without toast of some kind. For my entree, I had spinach pasta with crumbled capon sausage. Everyone at the table wanted to taste everyone else's dinner. I'm normally ok with this but last night I definitely didn't want to give up any of my entree. I've read other reviews where there were complaints about the portion size. I thought the portions were fine and I was happy to have had room to order dessert - ricotta crumble with pine nut brittle. When you order coffee, I recommend asking for a cup which will allow you to put your finger through the handle. Their regular coffee cups look nice but are truly ridiculous and annoying. A refill of decaf arrived warm and there was a lengthy wait for a hot replacement. It did, however, arrive in a larger cup that you could hold properly. I left perfectly sated.
(4)
Jane N.
Excellent wine selection and very good service the two times we've been (thank you, Bethany!) Lots of selection on the menu, and the pasta dishes are solid. I went with a group of girlfriends one night and we ordered several different items - all of them delicious and rightsized portions. My only criticism is that the polenta with brown butter side should be renamed brown butter with polenta. The butter was so overpowering that we could barely taste the polenta. Hopefully, that was simply a more buttery batch. Great outdoor seating, too.
(4)
Megan M.
Amis was possibly the best meal ive had in the city in a very long time. It was so good because every aspect of the experience was spectacular. We wanted to try everything because it was so hard to choose just one or two things. So we got about three different appetizers, three anit-pastas, two pasta dishes and two desserts. That's the way to go! The veal tongue and octopus were incredible. The papparadell was aldente and melted in your mouth. We got two caraffes of red wine and I topped the night off with a hazelnut chocolate tartufo and a macchiato. Our bill was so reasonable. I got out of there well under $75 with tip per person.... $75 for all that food! Our only complaint was our server rushed us a bit. We sat at 8:00 or so and we wanted to sit and relax and enjoy. We let her know we'd be ordering a little at a time because we wanted taste, then decide on our next dish. She was a little put off by that and told us they were busy and we should order all at once. She was very nice about it however, we weren't going to be rushed. To her dismay we ignored that suggestion and ordered bits at a time anyway. All in all it was sinfully delicious food and wine, great friends and perfect ambiance to enjoy the perfect company in.
(5)
Jen A.
I have eaten here a few times and love it more each time. Great, friendly and helpful service! The food is amazing. The baked pecorino with almond honey is a must have to start the evening off. Some items on the menu can be a bit confusing so I always ask the server for recommendations and usually try a few things they list. I have never been disappointed in what I get. Some of the things I have loved are the sweetbreads, the papardelle with veal breat ragu and the octopus.
(5)
Beth H.
Capon sausage spinach past was amazing. Our table shared four deserts and we could not decide on the best. It was a little too "close quarters" and very noisy.
(4)
Mindy H.
I was really looking forward to our meal here, especially after they were rated so highly in Philadelphia magazine. Unfortunately, it was a complete disappointment. The only positive thing I can say is that the restaurant has a good vibe. But I've had much better italian food at our local bar. For our entrees, we had the gnocchi with ox tail and the papardelle with veal ragu. Both were fairly bland stew over a bland starch. Honestly, nothing stood out here. And they rushed us through the entire meal. Apps through dessert in 75 minutes. When I tried to slow down, they just brought another course. One last bit of annoyance - the waitstaff had obviously all been instructed to recite the same cheesey lines such as "the artichoke sells out by 8:30" and "the tiramisu has been haunting my dreams" which we heard repeatedly from several servers. This isn't Fridays people.
(2)
Jeremy B.
Having high expectations, I'll start by saying the food was simply amazing. We got the buffalo ricotta with olive oil-clean and wonderful. Cured meat with a honey-hazelnut? condiment, it was excellent and a terrific compliment to each other-superior to others in this city. Gnocchi, was again simple but it tasted so good, another few of those and I am all set. We got the Tuna-wonderful sauce, I have never had something served only grilled on one side. The texture, flavor and contrast/connection with the raw and seared side were perfect, what a great concept. The seafood mixed grill had scallops, shrimp, swordfish and calamari, possibly another choice but my recollection is fuzzy. Each item was cooked perfectly and you can tell the freshness of each as well. The sauce melded perfectly with each item. We finished the meal with a great coffee, La Colombe. The space is beautiful, obviously new and clean but homey and rustic feeling as well, great energy. We were sat for our reservation in 10 minutes after arriving 15 early to checkout the bar. So, when the host came over to seat us at our table from the bar. I was especially shocked, he did not even offer to carry our drinks from the bar to our table. As I remain the poster-boy for clumsiness, I could not see how this was right, a start overlooked shortly after the foccacia arrived. This took me back, remembering that even at TGI Friday's the host would do this piece of basic hospitality. I got over this in a quick second because our server was very hospitable and our food was timed perfectly as well. As dinner was winding down, I went to the restroom. I was again shocked to see how littered it was with paper towels, tp and the toilet was nasty. Not what I expect from any where I am dropping more than a few bucks. I will definitely return because I live close, cannot wait to try the rest of the menu and love Primitivo on the wine list, dangerous.
(3)
Jim G.
Everything we had ranged from very good (grilled mozzarella, polenta, lamb's tongue, seafood fritto misto, the olive oil cake) to outstanding (guinea hen, the gnocchi with oxtail ragu (my favorite dish of the meal), strawberry rhubarb tart)- oh, except for the ravioli. The description of them on the menu was very simple. But the plate came out and there was a secret ingredient they left out- mint. I like mint in some foods, such as middle eastern dishes where it's mixed in, but this time it completely overpowered and ruined the dish. No way would I have ordered it if mint was in the description. My other complaint, since I am so prematurely geriatric, is the same as I have about several other new restaurants- too loud. See, someone came up with this idea (and unfortunately proved it in a study) that if people are disinclined to talk while they eat, they will eat quicker and leave sooner and you can turn more tables per night that way. Amis obviously wants you to not linger- no sound deadening anywhere, and they play music at a decent volume. The problem with their approach is that while they may want you out as quickly as possible, the menu is designed to make you linger since it's small plates. We ended up ordering 4 separate times and were in there for almost 2 hours. So my thought is if people are going to be eating 3 or 4 courses per meal anyway, put some sound deadening up and at least let them enjoy the company of the people they are with. No one is going to be leaving as quickly as you want. Judging from several reviews of this place, I was sort of expecting amuse bouche portions for main dishes. But they weren't nearly as small as I'd been warned about. Perfect for dining for 2. We ordered about 5 dishes each and left happy and full. It's not Vetri or Osteria level expensive, but being small plates oriented I wouldn't recommend dining there on a budget, either (we spent $80 per person). Then again, if you're on a tight budget you probably shouldn't be dining out anyway, or so says Suze Orman.
(4)
Michael N.
Amis is slowly emerging as one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. Really really great food. Excellent service. An intimate atmosphere but not too cramped. Reasonable prices for the quality of the food too. I would highly suggest reservations as the place is moderately sized and tends to be packed on any night of the week. On our most recent visit with two friends, we went with the following dishes... Appetizers - imported bufala ricotta and black pepper - (creamy and delicious) mortadella with hazelnut honey - (I personally don't love mortadella, but this was really tasty. The honey put it over the top for me.) Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - (excellent dense meatballs made of beef, pork, and veal. they have a very interesting but good taste) Entrees - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (this was a little creamier than the cacio e pepe that I'm used to, but regardless it was excellent) pasta w/ duck ragu (I don't remember the actual name of this as it was one of the specials, but this was also nice. Shredded lumps of duck in the pasta. Very flavorful dish.) Dessert - belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts ( a big dessert, plenty to share) With a revolving selection of specials, you won't be disappointed or at a loss for options at Amis. They even have valet parking if that's your thing, but parking shouldn't be too difficult if you look south of South. Just be careful down there if you plan on walking back to your car very late.
(5)
Momo T.
I came here once for dinner and ordered the rigatoni with short rib ragu and it was the best pasta I've ever had in my life. I returned another day during brunch to try their other dishes. Two bruschetta appetizers which were unmemorable and came with ROCK-HARD bread, causing me to cut the inside of my mouth. This time I ordered their bucatini with jalapeno and almonds and although it was very good, the pasta was too sticky and clumpy. A little disappointed since I had been dreaming about the first time I'd been here and I live an hour away. Definitely never coming back during lunchtime - I think there might be a big difference in the quality of cooks between lunch and dinner.
(4)
Zoe P.
My BFF came down to Philly to visit me before she moves to LA FOREVER *tear* We had to celebrate together, so I reserved dinner for us two ladies at Amis. Italian food plus prosecco equals a good time had by all on a Saturday night. We entered the small space, were immediately seated in the slightly raised eating area of the dining room, which was packed and LOUD - in the good way, where you can tell everyone is having a good time eating and drinking. Our waiter was very nice and friendly, offered to keep our bottle chilled ($25 corkage fee, fyi, their wine list is good but I had been saving this bottle for a special occasion anyway), and told us the specials after filling our water glasses. Looking through the menu, it was REALLY hard to decide what to order. We wished that our party was larger, and kept sneaking peeks at the dishes others had ordered around us. My friend now has a few food allergies, but thankfully we could easily avoid them and ordered ourselves a small spread: bufala ricotta bruschetta: OMG delicious, the ricotta was super creamy, salty-sweet, and just perfect on it's own without the toasted bread slices. We actually ate most of it just with our forks it was soooo goooooood swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts: I enjoy swordfish, but this dish is something I want to replicate at home because this is how to LOVE swordfish. The three meatballs were juicy and tender, and the creamy polenta bed with pine nuts completed the comforting feel of this dish roasted monkfish cacciatore: My BFF spotted this dish at the table next to us and HAD to order it - and so glad we did! The fish was flaky and juicy, the tomato-y sauce nicely spiced orecchiette with mushroom ragu: a special that night, the mushrooms were tender but still with a bite to them, and the same with the pasta - thank god, there's nothing worse than an Italian restaurant (especially high end) that doesn't know how to cook fresh pasta Oh yes, and of course we had to have dessert...and since there were two of us, and we were drunk by this point, we shared TWO of them: the special tiramisu, which you HAVE to order if you are a fan of this Italian dessert, it's so light and delicious and creamy, and the salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almonds, which was a wonderfully surprising combination of flavors that danced on my tongue. We have to thank our waiter for helping us make that final decision on the sundae. All together we had a wonderful evening together - even if we had to talk a bit louder to be heard over the boisterous and jubilant conversations around us.
(4)
Mike M.
Went back for the 2nd time last night, still a big fan. Went with a big (6) group, so was able to get a bunch of the little appetizer plates to start: Swordfish Meatballs - very good Arancini - very good, but nothing surprising, just a good take on a classic; while the arancini itself is very good the short rib ragu it comes with is heavenly Squid salsa with citrus - eh, okay but the least appealing of all Veal tongue - second best, such a surprising taste and really well prepared Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - wow, did not anticipate too much but this was the unequivocal star of the round, perfectly prepared and amazing taste (salsa rossa is fantastic) For entrees some people got a salmon/pasta special which was great, lamb shank was on the table and was a great portion and was well received, I got the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, incredible. Glad I've been on a pasta fast and broke it on this because jeesh was this phenomenal. Desert was just an unreal 'cherry on top', got a bunch and every single one was fantastic; salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almond, the belgian style waffle with nutella, and the "tartufo al bacio". Waffle one was the best but order any of those and you will be very happy as your sugar high kicks in....
(4)
Travis R.
What a great meal. This place had the best Italian food I have ever had in my life. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. Both pasta dishes we had tonight tasted amazing. The service was excellent. Our waiter was very friendly and also very informative about the menu. The restaurant also had a great atmosphere. If you want Italian in philly.... This is the spot - hands down.
(5)
Eileen T.
While we LOVE this restaurant, and have been here often, we were very disappointed the other night when we stopped in for wine and dessert at the bar after seeing a play at the Wilma. The female bartender was rude and dismissive. We wanted a glass of water, but every time we tried to get her attention she just walked by us. Then, when she was talking to the party next to us, my husband attempted to get her attention. She glared at him and said, "I see you. I'll be with you in a minute." Hubs was not pleased and I suspect she picked up on that when he asked for the check. He's usually very friendly to restaurant staff, but he was livid that she had been so rude. When she put the check on the counter she paused for a moment and smiled brightly and said thank you. Too late! We usually give very generous tips, but not this time. This time it was only 10%. And my husband felt that was more than she deserved. I must say that when we mentioned it to the host on the way out, he was apologetic and very nice. But I can't end this review without saying that Amis makes the most amazing rice pudding in Philadelphia. And the Mocato wine that the other bartender suggested was an excellent accompaniment. We will return - we love Amis and the food is always exceptional. But this time the visit was not pleasant.
(3)
Lilly P.
1. They had our party of 6 standing in the doorway waiting to be seated for an hour even though we had a reservation, just because 2 out of our 8 were not there yet. 2. Everyone was disappointed with the tiny portions. 3. Waiter forgot my drink and didn't bring it until I reminded him much later. 4. My pasta/swordfish/fries dish was bland. 5. The bufala appetizer is pretty good. 6. The atmosphere is nice even though it's much too loud to have a conversation and too cramped to sit comfortably.
(2)
J K.
Really disappointed with the food. My boyfriend is a health inspector, so we can't go out to eat at a restaurant without hearing about the 'violations'. The kitchen is open, so you can see all the action. While we were waiting at the bar for everyone in our party to arrive he noted a violation: none of the kitchen staff were wearing hair restraints. This is not a huge deal but ironically we had to send back someone's steak because there was a hair on it. I understand this could happen anywhere. While there were 6 in our party, I can only really comment on what my boyfriend & I ate. We started with the fava bean bruchetta & sal's meatballs. Both were promising. Loved the potato/tomato under the meatballs. Unfortunately our main courses were not as appetizing. My boyfriend got the pork chop, which was overwhelmingly salty & just took away from the other favors of the meat. I got paccheri & swordfish- which was good but very spicy & wasn't indicated as such on the menu. The food in no way, shape or form reflects the hype/4 stars by other reviewers or the price. We won't be back.
(2)
Dennis L.
What the hell is canestri? I don't know but it's amazing with duck sausage. So, Sal's meat balls for an appetizer, much like Chef from south park's balls, they were too salty. The tomato sauce had potato or some type of starch which threw me off. The sauce wasn't bad, but the balls were too salty, may have been better if they were chocolate. My canestri with duck sausage and cabbage on the other hand, delish. I don't remember seeing anything resmembling sausage, but i'm not complaining. Don't be thrown off by the whole wheat and how it sounds healthy, it's not. It's drenched in duck fat or something that made it taste sausage-y and heavenly. My date went with the pappardelle with oxtail ragu and pears. The noodles were long flat and tender, the oxtail was a bit salty but very flavorful. It was probably one of the better oxtail ragus that i've tasted. For dessert we shared salted butter semifreddo hot fudge sundae with poached pears, maple syrup and pecans. I had no idea what semifreddo was, but apparently it's italian for home made semi soft/melty ice cream. It is definitely great if you like ice cream, salted caramel, roasted walnuts, poached pears, or all of the above. It had that nice salty sweet flavor that's all the rage now a days. The ice cream was soft flavorful and gooey.
(4)
Robert P.
First time at Amis but big Vetri fan. We hosted a birthday party with 12 guests. Event staff and managers were very helpful and professional with all communication and details. Arranged a 3 course prix fix menu. Day of event. Great service even with the large group. Very attentive wait staff. No shortage of food at all for the table. Staff was more than willing to bring out more of any dish that we liked. Quality of food and presentation not at all hindered by the size of the group. Everything was perfectly done. Courses well timed. Not rushed at all. Very nice touch printing custom menus for the meal. Only two minor comments was that the pork chop with quince and polenta was not cut up for the group (it was exceptional tho). And they cleared a couple almost untouched dessert plates without asking if we would like to take home (we didn't say anything about it at the time). Overall the dinner was what I would expect from a Vetri establishment and more. Would recommend for groups and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Laurel W.
My husband and I have been coming to Amis for over a year now. We love the food and the staff so much that we eat here at least once a week! They have specials every night, switch up the menu between seasons, and all the food is fantastic! The manager, Brian, is a great guy who always makes us feel special and appreciated. The cocktails, food, and all the staff Brian, Lindsay, Mark, Tracy, and the rest of the gang are all topnotch. We think Amis is the best of Vetri's restaurants and not to be missed.
(5)
Daniel A.
Had a really nice experience. Sat outside an enjoy a nice dinner. Service great and food came up fast and delicious. Defenitely would go again.
(5)
Daniel T.
We were very underwhelmed with Amis. Between 3 of us, we spent about $280, including food, drinks, tax and tip. The drinks good. The limontella was really good but very sweet so hard to drink more than one. The food was not so good. Of about 8 plates, we were happy with two. The oxtail gnocchi and the arancinis were good. We ordered the octopus and it was awful. We actually sent it back. It tasted like frozen octopus with no flavor and basically dissolved in our mouths. The snail bruschetta was way too salty. The stuffed clams lacked flavor and were too salty as well. We began talking to the table next to us when they saw us send back a plate. They too said their food wasn't good. For dessert, the server was raving about the tiramisu. It tasted like whipped cream with cinnamon on top. He also said his favorite dessert was the pear tart. It was awful. It had no flavor. The mint leat on top was completely wilted as if it had been sitting in the fridge for a week. For a $10 dessert, the garnish should never be wilted, and I think the lack of freshness in the garnish really carried over through the whole meal. I will definitely not be returning.
(2)
Lisa D.
It was just ok. I had the gnocchi and I've had better. Service was good.
(3)
Bella Vista R.
So, Wow. Was glad to hear that a Vetri place was coming to the 'hood. We have been several times since it opened and literally have not had a bad dish. First of all the best deal is the $20 caraffe of house wine that has about 5 glasses in it. Seriously where else are you gonna get a decent glass of wine in the city for 4 bucks?! Let alone a Vetri place? Anyway, the food is awesome and yeah a little small, but c'mon, do you really expect a place like this to give huge portions? Go for the Bucatini with Pork Jowl, the Ox-tail Gnocchi, and the Waffle Dessert. Have fun, enjoy the communal tables, and the great food. Our bill? Two carafes of wine, two apps, 4 pasta dishes and 1 dessert? $120 even.
(5)
Wen C.
Based on Vetri's reputation, we figured it would ok to go even though Amis just opened. And we were right, service was fantastic- in fact it seemed like they had extra staff on hand and Marc Vetri was there too. the waiter described the food as small plates but I thought they were actually bigger than most small plates. Between two of us we over ordered : three antipasti (fennel salami, marinated sardines, arancini), a pasta with pork jowl, tuna with fennel and citrus and two desserts (espresso budino and olive oil torta). all were delicious. the atmosphere was comfortable, loud but in a good way for a casual restaurant. I agree that the classic rock in the background was a little bizarre, but then again i kind of liked the unexpected contrast between the music and the rest of the atmosphere.
(4)
Gustavo B.
Amis is a hit or miss kind of restaurant, that is why the mix reviews. We all started with some bruschetta, except for me. I had the trippa alla romana (tripe stew), for which our friendly waitress encourage my menu selection. Well, the bruschettas were all very appetizing, but my stew was pretty average. It tasted kind of cheesy, and I don't even think cheese is supposed to be an ingredient. I have had the original dish in Florence, and also the Spaniard version of this dish. Both very different than Amis version. As a main course my wife had one of the pasta specials and I had the roasted lamb with potatoes. The pasta was just average, my lamb was very dry. Overall, the worst lamb dish I have had in Philadelphia so far. We were disappointed about coming here for dinner. I mean, Amis chef is a James Beard award winning chef, and the food we had was just average at best. At least it was not extremely expensive for what we ate. Also the restaurant is so loud that you can barely hear the waitresses or the people sitting in front/next to you. Service was good. Their prosecco is not bad.
(3)
W M.
I love what Amis is doing. We were there for Philly beer week. The menu is pushing the envelope. Fish meatballs, mint lamb ragu, cucumber salad with mint and ricotta... On the more normal end we also had the grilled seafood, bruschetta, and a cheese platter, all of which were delicious. Our service was great, the food was exceptional, and I really liked the atmosphere. The place isnt cheap, but it is certainly not overpriced. Amis is INCREDIBLE for Philadelphia. I hope Vetri keeps the menu adventuresome. Likewise, I hope he keeps changing the menu so diners can experience new combinations and flavors each time they go. I am a foody, but I would never have put mint in a ragu in a million years. While there is a BYOB difference for some of the restaurants im about to mention, why go to Audrey Claire, Twenty Manning, MeMe, Friday Saturday Sunday, or Valanni, when you can experience something totally different at Amis.
(5)
Karin R.
Cucina Romana is a unique cuisine that focuses on preparing fresh ingredients in a simple manner. The flavor should be intense and clean. They are at Amis. Our dinner left me feeing like I was back in my favorite trattoria in Rome. Nice bar, good wines that can be bought by the glass or bottle at reasonable prices. Be sure to start your evening with an cocktail apertivo and save room for the dolci.
(5)
Cypress P.
Love at first bite. Really. It is THAT good. I have to admit, I found the menu to be a bit intimidating, but luckily for me I wasn't doing the ordering. Everything that was ordered for me and suggested by the bartender was incredible. We had an assortment of "meatballs" ( swordfish, traditional, and tuna croquettes) and each was better than the last! The only thing that I would consinder to be average were the mussels, but the blush sauce that they were in was perfect for dipping the fresh bread in! Can't wait to return.
(5)
Sandy D.
Loved Amis. My wife and I went there for the first time and I could not have been happier with the food and the service, absolutely first rate. We had the veal tongue, for the first time ever, and it was fantastic. We wish we had more room to sample deeper into the menu, but it will have to wait for future visits which are already getting booked.
(4)
Michele C.
My husband took me here tonight for Valentine's Day dinner. I knew nothing about the place in advance except that it's a Marc Vetri restaurant, and he is an amazing chef (though I've yet to make it to Osteria, it's on my list). We were not disappointed. Every dish was fantastic. I stuffed myself silly (small plates? how much can I eat? yeah, right) and hope to save up all day next time for a meal this good. Brief description: this sleek industrial/modern space is really inviting. I love the fact that you can eat at the bar and watch the cooking take place. That is really cool :) The place was noisier than I expected and the tables were very close together, so you were kind of sitting (almost) on your neighbor's lap.... but these are minor details :) Now onto the food..... there is much to choose from, which is nice... I'm a huge eggplant fan, and the highlight of my evening was the eggplant brushetta dish. I have never had eggplant spread that good. My only complaint was that two small slices of garlic toast were not enough to sop up all of this goodness (no fear, there was other delicious bread on the table). If you get nothing else at Amis, get the eggplant bruschetta. A close second are the eggplant "fries" that strangely decorate the rigatoni with swordfish. Delish and addicting. If they sold these fries from a street vendor, I'd be in big trouble.... Other standouts: Roasted potatoes (my husband's favorite), crispy and delicious Baked clams (yummmmm) Turkey cutlet - who would of thought that turkey mascerading as a thinly pounded veal cutlet could taste so good? Simple, but delicious, and nice with the accompanying greens and freshly shaved parmesan. Others: The grilled cauliflower lightly breaded -- ok, but not exceptional. It was too hard for my taste. Beef carpaccio - nothing against, it, just not my thing (hubby loved it) I hope I'm not forgetting anything.... Desserts were good. The menu is extensive and everything looked delicious. We had an "ice cream sundae" with the most delicious amaretto-tasting ice cream I've ever had, sprinkled with walnuts and covered in fudge. My husband had the chocolate ganache cake that was good, but I wasn't a huge fan. I'm coming back for the Belgian waffle with nutella ... had I not had pancakes for breakfast, I definitely would have gotten it. Service was great. Very attentive and helpful. A new favorite -- we'll be back for more.
(5)
D J.
The food was good, and just what we expected. The place was too loud, though, and the music didn't help (although it was good music). Also, sitting at the communal table gets a little uncomfortable after awhile without backs on the stools. But, the food delivers, and the service was good. It's a lot like eating cicchetti or spuntini at a bar in Italy. Except that at Amis, you don't have to engage in elbow battle at the counter with other hungry people, and you have a piece of paper with snacks listed by name, so you don't have to point. From that standpoint, eating at Amis was a real pleasure. Our waiter was always around to get us more of what we wanted. We could order anything at any time and it was easy to ask questions and make changes. My one gripe is that the servings need to be either smaller and cheaper, or larger to accommodate sharing. We would have gladly dispensed with the "main" courses (although they were excellent) and had nothing but snacks, wine and contorni. From our perspective, it would have been better to have had 8 little crostini with a small selection of different toppings for $12 rather than two pieces of bruschetta for $10. We can't wait to go back, though. It's going to be great in the spring and summer when the menu can take advantage of local producers. One last quibble... This is simple food, and you don't need a suit to seat people for it. The welcoming committee needs to dress more casually.
(4)
Michele S.
Cute little restaurant with fabulous food. We didn't have reservations, which I would recommend, but they somehow fit us in. Would definitely go back but it is a little pricey so just be prepared!
(4)
Christie E.
I got the cacio e pepe pasta dish, the scallops crudo and the pitzel and semifreddo sandwhich all of which were amazing. My date's dish was the pork chop, good but not as great. Also, great service!
(4)
Ripp K.
Creative and original food well executed. Highly recommend you try the swordfish meatballs. The vibe and restaurant is very open, rustic and comfortable. Wine selection was fantastic and the bartender we sat with b4 our meal made some great suggestions. Only knock on the place was our waiter who was about as fun and enjoyable as drywall. Otherwise highly recommend it and will be back. ALSO the music on the sunday night we went was awesome. rolling stones, fleetwood mac, the beetles...i was in classic rock heaven.
(4)
Jenny S.
I came here with a large group for a dinner with coworkers and it was amazing!! The service couldn't have been better (and we had some high maintenance folks with us). The ambience was very quaint but elegant and the food was fabulous. Dessert was my favorite- some chocolate cake with peanut butter inside. Mmmm! Two thumbs up for sure!
(5)
Dom R.
Brunch'ed it at Amis for my mother's birthday celebration. We were a group of 5 and were seated at a round table. Because of said seating at round table, we decided to play a game. A Food Ordering Game. We started with my mother, who picked one item to order off of the menu. We worked clockwise around this round table, with each person ordering a different item off of the menu. The only Rule of this Ordering Game: no duplicate items can be ordered. This allowed for our party to try almost the entire menu, as we made it about 5 times around the table. Our server thought we were both funny and nuts at the same time. The cichetti-like plates (italian tapas) made this ordering game a success. The highlights for me were definately the Sunny Side Up Duck Egg with Grilled Guanciale and Pecorino Fondue. Anything with guanciale and I'm in...I could eat this dish for breakfast every day. If breakfast (and eggs!) were actually a relevant meal in Italy, i could see this being served all over the country. The mortadella mousse was equally amazing. The Italian cocktails worked perfectly with this brunch menu and are much more interesting than your standard Bloody Mary/ Mimosa brunch boredom. A good cappuccino is hard to find in America, let alone Philly. The cappuccino at Amis is as authentic as it gets and will hit tyour cappuccino fix. Overall, I give Amis 4 Stars. Only 4 because I gave 5 Stars to Amis' big brother Osteria. And the big borther is always better, right?!? I need to return to Amis for dinner soon. The Belgian Waffles with Nutella are calling my name.
(4)
M D.
I really didn't get the hype of this place and was essentially disappointed after having read the rave reviews. Makes me think trendy metro Philadelphian diners live on boxed mac and cheese except when they eat here. The menu is eclectic to say the least. So over-the-top eclectic that deciding on something was just to pick a few things and hope for the best. Low lighting is usually a good sign that the dishes are not eye appealing and of course they were all mega-petite as well. The salumni, -- the terrine was the better part of it but if not for the sauces, nothing amazing. The baked pecorino with honey was a cup with a half-inch of melted cheese at the bottom. The squid salad had no flavor. The swordfish meatballs were good (not for everyone's palate) but the polenta did not match and was bland as hell. Fried cauliflower, again nothing to write home about. From the entrees, our server, who was very gracious but lacked table-side personality, recommended the chicken sausage. Really, this reminded me of the turkey sausage patties at the breakfast buffet, gnarly and salty, and served over the once-again bland brown polenta. Four over-salted scallops for $24; not fried, but seriously charred salty brussels sprouts; my friend who loves whole fish was not impressed with the bone-laden, flesh-lacking Dorado and the thin pork chop was similar to what one gets from using Shake n' Bake. Perhaps a home-made pasta dish would have brought redemption but we didn't try any. Semi-fredo with chopped fruit and chocolate sauce is a mix of odd texture and taste that obliterates the smoothness. By 7pm, the noise level was so aggravating. If this was Italian fusion, it doesn't work and we wondered why an Italian restaurant has a French name, but moreso, when I drop over $300 on dinner (only because few of us had cocktails), I expect to be wowed. Not the case here. Apparently the celebrity Vetri name no longer needs to prove quality. Eating a name? Maybe for some, not for me.
(2)
Charles R.
Too fast on the food, but otherwise very good. Unlike other reviews on here our dinner from start to finish was very good. Salad was fresh, crisp, cold and had a wonderful light dressing on it. Sweetbreads were very tender and rich. Probably rate them as good as Fonds. Pasta with cabbage and house made sausage was cooked perfectly and had wonderful combination of flavors. Pasta with Ox Tail ragu was very rich and the pasta was al dente. House made Tiramisu was a little different than most in Philly as it was moist , but now overpowering with rum sauce. Portions were good sized, and the fresh baked bread was moist and tasty. My only complaint was the pace of the meal. Once we ordered the courses came really fast, much faster than I would like. They were packed and had lots of people sitting at the bar waiting for tables so maybe that was the rush on the food, but next time I would request a breather between courses. They just started a valet service which comes in very handy around that area. Prices I thought were nominal for downtown in an upscale setting. Yes, it is very loud, but what "in" restaurants in this city are quiet? I would put this on a par with Osteria.
(4)
David F.
I'd say it's three stars for dinner, but five stars for brunch (so four is an average). So go on Saturday or Sunday morning, and start with a Granita, which is an amazing cocktail of prosecco and accompanying red wine granita. You could stop there and the trip would have been worth your while -- but don't. Go for the raviolo al uovo, and pair it with roasted potatoes. There's no better way to start the day.
(4)
Lily W.
I just came back here from a dinner. We went to an early dinner on Sunday afternoon and it was still quite crowded. On Sundays they offer a "sunday supper" family style meal. It was pasta with gravy and meatballs. We didn't get that but a couple of people around us did and it looked good. For starters we had the bufalo ricotta and salumi plate. Very tasty. For entrees I had the squash lasagna which I enjoyed a lot. I love squash. My brother got the rib eye which was very good quality meat, very tasty but very rare though so watch out if you like your meat well done. My dad got the gnochhi with oxtail ragu which was very nice. My mother ordered the pasta with pecorino romano - I don't know why she did that because she hates pasta with cream sauce. I can't comment on that dish but it was not her cup of tea. Dessert was amazing - I got tartufo and this was not your standard tartufo. The ice cream in it was all chocolate with hazelnuts. My brother got the amazing nutella waffle sundae and my dad the pistachio profiteroles. I am stuffed and ready for bed now. Nice ambience - the tables are a little close together but whatever. I would like to return.
(4)
hiro m.
Good dinner, amazing dessert. The tartufo, tiramisu, affogato, and olive-oil based cake were all fantastic. The portions for food were small compared with what I'm accustomed to, but most of the food was good. Apparently the pork shoulder wasn't so great (someone at my table ordered it and wasn't taken with it). I tasted the tonarelli and the eggplant parm lasagna -- both were quite tasty. Sitting outside was really nice.
(4)
James E.
My girlfriend and i went to Amis after seeing a few good reviews and realizing the restaurant was so close. The atmosphere was great, we slipped into a few open tables at the chef's counter and ordered our meal. While their wine list was somewhat expensive, we got a carafe of the house red and moved on from there. Their mussels were excellent and our waiter brought us extra bruschetta out, effectively doubling our order. The oxtail ragu and the mixed seafood grill were both excellent as well as the rice pudding and pistacio crusted chocolate cake that soon followed. Our bill was $120 figuring in a $20 gratuity and within 1.5hrs we had a very satisfying meal. We're returning soon to give brunch a try.
(4)
Patricia H.
Went back last week...ordered the same dishes and more this time and the food was extremely average. very disappointing.
(3)
Tyler B.
We had a wonderful experience at Amis. On a Wednesday night, we were promptly greeted and seated in a warm inviting atmosphere. The wine selection was appropriate for the small plate and large plate offerings. I enjoyed the octopus antipasti and braised oyster mushrooms pasta dish (both delicious). My dinner companion enjoyed a rather simple starter salad and the citrus grilled tuna steak. I sampled both. The tuna steak was served very rare and tasted fresh, especially with the light citrus highlights. Overall, the food was delicious! The portions were medium-large sized...we left satisfied but not stuffed. Finally, the service was excellent...from greeter to server to support staff. This makes a big difference to me, having experienced too many other restaurants where the servers are inexperienced or indifferent or both. Even with a lot of other restaurants in the city we'd like to try, we talked about plans to come back to Amis! Next time I will leave room so I can try one of the desserts.
(5)
Megan K.
got to hang out with my fav friend and we decided to meet here. it was crowded, but miraculously 2 seats were open at the bar. the place is small and cute. outside seating, which is a huge plus. its definitely a sexy date spot. the bartenders joanne and brian were awesome. they were busy, but never let our glasses go empty. they suggested what to try, we shared a bunch of small plates. everything was super tasty. overall, very pleasant.
(4)
Missy B.
Last night, I went to Amis with 6 other friends and had a great dining experience. First, the service was great. Everyone was friendly and worked hard to accommodate our large table. The exposed wood and iron decor was unique and welcoming. The food was sensational! Our table ordered several bruschettas, pastas, and entrees. My favorites: Buffalo Ricotta Bruschetta, Eggplant Bruschetta, ALL of the pastas and the roasted lamb with potatoes. (Potatoes were cooked perfectly-A huge compliment coming from a true Irish Meat and Potatoes girl). I would recommend anyone to go.
(5)
Kevin D.
Just made the worthwhile trip to Chef Marc Vetri's third fantastic restaurant venture, Amis... Envisioned by Vetri with Gruber Design Associates, the 80-seat space is as unique as it is delightful with distressed zinc bar, repurposed tables, church-pew banquettes from Provenance, raw steel throughout and gorgeous faceted mirror pendants by way of Groundwork. Already a media darling after just two weeks, Amis is already planning to expand service to include lunch come March.
(5)
Michael S.
This was our second time at Amis. Our first visit was perfection with an excellent waitress and terrific food, our second visit was so so. We were measuring our second visit against our first. We started with the seafood misto which was overseasoned, the prusiutto wrapped figs which was the tastiest dish of the night, and escarole salad which was average. There was a mix-up with our drinks so we didn't get our drinks until after we finished our appetizers, this was taken off of the bill. My wife had paccheri with swordfish - she was disappointed because she felt the sauce to be excessively oily and the eggplant fries which were undercooked (eggplant is not very good if not well cooked). I had the Turkey milanese which was exceptional and not the first food I would think about at an Italian Restaurant, but well worth it. It was cooked to perfection. We ended with the yogurt semifreddo with braised cherries. We would recommend this. The service on this visit fell well short of our first visit where the waitress proactively explained the menu, made wine recommendations with each dish, and was pleasant. On this visit, we were asked often about the menu "do you have any questions?", but very littlle was offered unless we asked. It was a pleasant evening out, but not exceptional.
(3)
Lea S.
The server was friendly and super knowledgeable about the entire menu; however the food did not live up to the expectation for a Vetri restaurant.
(3)
Tamara W.
My boyfriend was meeting me and another couple there, but was delayed by the snow. So I had to keep pushing back our reservation. They were super accommodating, on a Friday night no less, which definitely won me over. The food, though, was not all that remarkable. Don't get me wrong, everything was tasty, but nothing stands out upon reflection. Except the "semifreddo," but that's only because it was more like a custard than a real semifreddo. It had a nice flavor profile, but the texture and consistency were off. Anyway, having never been to Vetri, I could be wrong about this, but this seems like the perfect place for people who love Mark Vetri, can't afford his flagship enterprise on a regular basis, but want to get as close to that experience as possible without setting all their money on fire to do it again.
(3)
Joseph N.
Had dinner at Amis last night and was not impressed. Starting with cocktails, they were overpriced and small. Wine was also overpriced and the quantity seemed to be less than other restaurants. We started dinner with the melted pecorino with almond honey was was ok and followed that with the squid ink linguine was was very salty and did not have a lot of flavor. My wife had Skate for her entree which was unremarkable except for the brussle sprouts which were outstanding. I had the rib eye which for 26.00 was pencil thin and probably no more than 4 ounces of meet. For desert we had the tiramisu which was unremarkable and when my wife ordered Irish coffee, it was served in a coffee cup with no whip cream and a separate charge of 9.00 for a shot of Jamison's Irish Whiskey. The ambiance was very noisy and don't understand why they choose the music they did. it added to the noise and was not relaxing. Why not play something soothing? Service was attentive and kudos to the valet who told us to give the waitress our claim tick 10 to 15 minutes before we wanted the car so it would be waiting for us. We have now eaten at three of Vetri's restaurants and the only one I would return to is Osteria.f
(2)
Kimberly J.
I stopped by Amis late on a Thursday evening to meet a friend. It was absolutely packed! Being extremely comfortable at the bar, we managed to grab a seat and decided to eat there as well. He ordered various dishes for us to share (normally I'm not one to let this happen, but when in Rome...right?). The first to arrive was the bruschetta, which was quickly followed by an escarole salad and the infamous "Sals old school meatballs". Honestly the best meatballs I've ever had. (Sorry, Gram.) We then split the gnocchi alla romana and capped off the night with the walnut apple cake. Every bite was amazing...and extremely filling, I think I literally waddled out the door. Fortunately I didn't have to pick up the check, but I would undoubtedly pass up a few nights at my local pub to be able to indulge in this Italian delicacy again. In addition to the food, the atmosphere is modern, yet cozy and the waitstaff was extremely friendly. It's the perfect place to bring a date or to go for a night out with your girlfriends.
(5)
Kristine D.
Went here for dinner last night, and some aspects of the menu are right on. The whole left side of the menu is appetizer and smaller dishes. This is where Amis goes right. All the little dishes are presented well and mix delightfully. The marinated tomatos and bufala cheese were incredible. Lots of bread for dipping as well. The bacon wrapped figs were just OK. We ordered dinner and after the incredible presentaion of the appetizers, we all felt a little let down. There was no presentation or dress of any kind on the dinners. I had the pork shoulder, which was cold, shredded pork on a bed of arugala with plums and mangos. Although this was quite good, it was somewhat bland and too small. i should have ordered a side with it, like the server recommended. My fiance ordered the lamb and potatoes. Again, no presentation. Just meat on a plate with potatoes. The lamb looked dry, but was tender. The dinner plates were mostly boring, and i felt robbed of the experience. Dessert lightened the mood as we had the waffle with nutella, hazelnuts and ice cream (almond maybe?) The wine list is nice, but expensive. Overall, it was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be, but we still spent $60 per person. If I were to go back, I might stay at the bar and have all appetizers.
(3)
patrick k.
mushy gnocchi.
(3)
Rick C.
I wasn't feeling that great and before heading over to Philly with my wife and another couple for dinner at Amis I looked at the website menu (as I often do). Oh no, I thought, another trendy, noisy, "Tapas" restaurant with pig jowls and fried eggs! I'll admit I walked in with a chip on my shoulder, but I came away with a favorable impression of Amis, especially the food. First, some negative observations (that's me, of course!): We arrived on time for our 7:45 Saturday evening reservation and our table was certainly available but we were directed to the bar for drinks while they checked to see if our table was ready. I felt this was bad form although my friend Ricky disagreed as it was Saturday night and we were there for the "experience". Its hard for me to make a huge deal of this since I was not drinking alcohol and like I said I wasn't 100%. Anyway, I ordered an unsweetened iced tea and that seemed a bit much for the bartender as was my wife's bloody mary drink order - no bloody mary mix! We were naturally seated as soon as we had drinks so I guess that wasn't too bad. The chairs were light weight and flimsy. If you stood up and your coat and/or pocket book was on the back of your chair, it would fall back onto the floor. We were provided with those lint-inducing white dish towel napkins and I was wearing a black sweater and black jeans. I did request a black napkin though and the staff was happy to provide me with one. The rest rooms were a bit of a mess...overflowing trash cans filled with crappy brown paper towels like they must provide in prison and standing water all around the sink counters. Toward the end of the evening I did discover that an effort had been made to do some tidying up at least. The noise level was quite high by the end of our experience. We were kidding around about all the apps you can download on an iphone, so at my urging Ricky did just that and the level was over 90 decibels out of 110 max on his app. The manager explained that they (owner Marc Vetri and his team, I guess) were going for that kind of loud Roman trattoria feel. They got the loud part! Last negative...the new valet parking service was not on its game as we waiting a loooooong time for our car at the end of the evening and the manager was very apologetic but clearly frustrated with the outside vendor. Now for the food, and it was good, beyond my negative expectations. You see, I'm one of maybe the minority that was not yet a Vetri fan. I had found Osteria (on 2 visits) to be pretentious and way to full of itself. And trendy oh so trendy with brined chicken, herbs grown on site (on North Broad Street, really?), every part of the pig brought into play, etc. Amis for me was much better. The escarole salad with apples and radishes was wonderful and a much larger portion than I had expected in a "small plates" format. My companions loved the fennel gratin with parmesan salad. The skate was really great - it was served with fried brussel sprouts that were cooked just right and so tasty! Ricky raved about the rotini with wild boar ragu and pears (think San Gimignano, Italy!). Bonus points to the restaurant and our excellent server for honoring my personal request for no added salt or pepper. Probably the best was last - the desserts. The belgian style waffles with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazlenuts were great as was the "tartuffo al bacio". Judy loved the rice pudding but she loves everything anywhere and I found it to be on the runny side and nothing special. By the way there were 4 semifreddos on the dessert list...really? I'm a little unusual so I like green tea, not coffee. I give Amis bonus points for being able to provide a quality bag of green tea to end our meal. With drinks and a bottle of red wine (the cheapest on the menu I think), dinner with a good tip ran us $155/couple so it wasn't cheap, but I'd have to say that I'd recommend Amis. 4 stars out of 5.
(4)
Catherine S.
I have been to Amis twice now and was disappointed both times. While the atmosphere and service are great, they can't make up for the obscenely small portions and obscenely high prices. The menu is deceiving because everything is priced $10-25; but it takes about 2 of their "entree-sized" dishes or 4 of their "lighter bite" dishes per person to give you the sense of having actually eaten dinner. Add on a few drinks, and there is no way you're having dinner for two for under $130 there (and you'll still probably go home and break out the cereal). I hate leaving a restaurant feeling ripped off, but that's exactly how I felt both times I left Amis.
(1)
Jennifer S.
I have now been to Amis three times, once for dinner and twice for brunch. Love it! The night I went for dinner we sat outside which always gets points with me. I thought the food was excellent and the portions not too huge which is perfect if you want a few apps and a dessert in there too. I had the swordfish over fresh pasta (pacciere), hot and very good. I hate to say it but what stands out most in my mind from the dinner was the molten chocolate cake. If I had my choice though, I would return to Amis again and again (as I have) for the brunch. The interior of the restaurant is really beautiful, I love the open style kitchen and watching the prep. The fresh orange juice is worth it, as is the coffee. My first time for brunch I was with my mom, we shared the bruschetta with fresh ricotta and tomatoes. Amazing, so delicious and simple, and easily replicated at home. My main was the frittata baked with wild mushrooms, good but a little dry. My mother had the polenta with brown butter and sage- excellent- the artichokes and some cheese from the daily selection. My second trip there I enjoyed the fresh pasta with butternut squash and a cream sauce. Truly outstanding... it was heavy for brunch, but the portion was small enough that it was a perfect indulgence. It looks like the menu is constantly changing appropriate to what's in season. If you are looking for a place for brunch that is really a cut above the rest this is your place. Thank you Marc Vetri!!
(5)
Brittany L.
Went here the night before the Philadelphia Marathon so my husband could have his pasta dinner. It was delicious! We ordered several appetizers, all of which were gone immediately, including the extra artichoke they brought to our table. I had the papardelle with meat sauce. The homemade pasta makes all the difference, so wonderful! Next time we're visiting family in Philly, we'll have to take another trip to Amis.
(5)
Richard C.
We had a great meal at Amis. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out so that was helpful. The baked pecorino with almond honey was fantastic. I had the guinea hen for dinner which was very flavorful but not as tender as I expected. I ordered a bottle of wine but they were out of stock so I settled for something different. It was a good experience and I would definitely go back again.
(4)
Jacky O.
A very clever and thoughtful menu that results in a wide range of unique taste experiences, with an educated and personable staff and a cool industrial vibe inside. Excellent wine list and probably the best pasta dishes in Philadelphia. Take a risk with your order - you won't regret it.
(4)
Addy P.
Yum! Have been to Vetri and Osteria and loved both so I figured I'd enjoy Amis - I was right. The atmosphere was lively and energetic. Amis appeals an energetic crowd. I had the lamb ragu and it was delicious. The restaurant is more affordable than Vetri's others and offers a diverse menu. Highly recommended!
(4)
Emilio M.
i happen to love all of the Vetri restaurants b/c i believe their attention to detail is second to none. this place is no different. we were in center city yesterday for my younger son and we decided last minute to stop in for brunch. this is absolutely the best kept secret in Philly. no waiting (first time ever and you know how good the food is), and a very relaxing atmosphere to just hang out and sample the whole menu. my wife and i started with great campari cocktails. we then had the olive oil torta w/ apple butter and fresh whipped cream, what a moist delicious cake. being a cheese guy i wanted to try the baked pecorino with almond honey, it was a fondue w/crushed almonds in honey, how simply basic italian and a real treat. next Tonnarelli carbonara, raviolo all'uovo (which my son devoured), & squash lasagna (sooo goood). then house made polenta scrapple with farm eggs and tomatoes & sunny side up duck egg with grilled guanciale over soft creamy polenta, WOW! and if that weren't enough, my son needed dessert. we had a tiramisu and the choc pear torta for good measure. needless to say this held us over thru dinner as well. what a great way to experience the restaurant and how fantastic all of their ingredients are.
(5)
Michael M.
My family and I were just walking around looking for a place to have lunch before leaving for the airport, and we are glad we walked into this place. Starting off with the waitress coming over to introduce the menu, everything sounded very interesting. We ordered A few different appetizers and all were very good, and the bread basket was amazing with scones, raisin bread, and chocolate muffins. My mom and sister ordered the gnocchi and they were very good. I ordered the fettuccine with duck that was also amazing.
(5)
Chris B.
The food was ok not great, in particular there was a recurrent theme of pairing anything that was savory, including pastas, with something sweet. And in the case of the meat platter it was overwhelming sweet that drowned out the savory. In any case I also have to say the drinks were mediocre at best and mainly not enjoyable. (Eg. Whiskey sour with sour mix from a liquor store and NO egg white available) I do recommend the ox tail ragu pasta which was al dente and despite the added sweet was very good. Overall If this restaurant was in SF, NYC, Seattle, Portland there is little chance it would survive and it definitely wouldn't be a foodie destination.
(3)
Ashlee P.
Amazing meal with amazing service to match. Restaurant was packed and our server managed to make us feel like we were her only table. And the food....oh the food, how incredible!!! From delectable crumbly pecorino cheeses to hearty plates of pastas and finally to our meats, mine, a deliciousy glazed pork chop, his a citrus tuna with fennel pasta...I will definitely be going back! Not a good atmosphere for a romantic dinner, very open layout, so it tends to get rather loud...
(5)
Alex X.
13th street, Philly With friends who are foodies (who don't even do yelp but always seem to know where to go), they brought me here, and we had a magical night! Loved the atmosphere in here-good for groups. Food was pretty good! They ordered; I ate! It is has been some time since I was here, but I would come back. Don't expect me to know what Im eating; all I ask them is: any allergens Im allergic to in these dishes? Friends approve the food or warn me by moving the dishes I can't eat away from my reach; I eat. Lol. Life is great when ur friends order and you never have to read the menu , but I also never know what the heck I'm eating in the menu. As I result I am terrible orderer. And I "eeny meeny miney mo" a lot on menus. But hey when friends are foodies/chefs they know exactly what tastes great! And it is yummy at this reataurant! So come for the food and stay longer for the ambience!
(4)
Joanie K.
After reading all the lovely reviews, i booked a reservation here while i was visiting philly for the wknd. i was not impressed. food was standard unimaginative italian fare. service was judgmental and far too snooty for the kind of place this is billed for.
(1)
Irma I.
Huge Marc Verti fan so with our recent Philly trip I made it a point to make reservations. We were seated promptly on a Friday night. The tables are in close proximity to each other, but that's just the way most restaurants are nowadays. Of course I had reviewed yelp before and I knew exactly what I wanted to order. We had the eggplant caponata- nicely balanced. This was an excellent way to start our meal- it was served with really good bread. Had Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato- these were flavorful and just perfect. Also had tonnarelli "cacio e pepe"- Anthony Bourdain did not steer me wrong. :) I know there is a lot of talk about how small the plates are but my husband & I shared these dishes (maybe four?), & we were perfectly satisfied. One point deduction for forgetting my 2nd wine of glass. :( However, we would definitely return.
(4)
Ali W.
Everything was delicious, from the apps to the dessert. They had a great selection of vegetarian options, in addition to fresh fish and meat specials. I took my parents here for my dad's birthday - they're total foodies - and they loved it. The atmosphere is great, very casual and cool. It gets a little loud in there, but not too loud that you can't hear the people you're with when talking at normal volume. The only regret I have about going to Amis is that we didn't go there sooner. So delicious!
(5)
Barbara D.
A lovely dinner by another spawn of the Vetri collection. I've eaten at Vetri before and absolutely was blown away by the food. However, I've been curious about their larger and more relaxed option, Amis, and finally had the joy of dining here tonight. Great service. Wonderful food. Impressive wine and cocktails. Nothing to shake your finger at here! Had the arancini (SO GOOD) & beet salad to share, and then the rigatoni with black pepper sausage special (perfect preparation and lots of flavor, but not too heavy), and pork shank (which was HUGE, but just as the server said...so tender that it feel right off the bone). My client has an aversion to meat on the bone, but LOVED this dish and it didn't bother them one bit! Definitely will try to return and putting it in my arsenal for client go-to places! Looking forward to coming back to try desserts!!! The belgian waffle with nutella looked INCREDIBLE.
(5)
Abbie R.
I would give Amis 3.5 stars if I could. The atmosphere is swanky and dark, just how I love it. And you can look right into the kitchen which is always adds to the ambiance. This would be one of the best places in Philly to take a date based on the romance-inducing decor, if it only weren't so loud. The tables are as close together as they could possibly be without touching, so it's sometimes hard to hear the person across from you when you're sandwiched between two conversations each inches away. Add in a loud bar behind you, and you might find yourself shouting at your date. But it's Philly, it's the city, I get it. It's how it's done. Forgiven. The olive oil focaccia was dynamite. I could have eaten two or three entire baskets if I was willing to abandon all social rules. I also had [four glasses of] the Amis Punch. It was a delicious balance of sweet and tangy and had so much flavor there was really no bite to it. It's made with aperol, handmade vodka, and lemon. Yum. I liked it too much. We had such a boisterous and filling time with the punch that we decided to just snack on appetizers. Ordered three swordfish meatballs -- yes, yes, and yes. I don't even know how they pulled this off. The swordfish tasted grilled but it also had the savory slow roasted flavor of a meatballs, served over creamy polenta. Magic. We also tried the fried brussels sprouts. Not bad at all. Brussels sprouts can be hard to get just right, and they pulled it off. We finished it all off with the tiramisu that they had on special that night. It had a nice cream, but they could have gone a little heavier on the coffee liqueur (not that I needed any more alcohol at that point). My dining partner got a Jamison and coffee and enjoyed it. I had a Kaluah and cream which was like drinking ice cream. Very, very tasty. Gosh, based on food and atmosphere alone, this place would be nearing five-stars but I have to take off a full star for how poor the service was. When I walked in, I told the hostess I was meeting someone. She guessed my friend's name but then offered no further instructions. "Ahh, is he here?" "Yeah, he's at the bar." "Where's the bar?" She looked at me like I was asking what color Big Bird is. Sorry girlfriend, I've never been here before and it's not in sight! She gave a gesture to a general direction and then I found it myself. I'm not even sure if we had a waiter that night. It seemed like we were being passed between a few people, and our glasses were always empty. I had to wave down our server (making my best estimate on who that was) three times. When they did bring us drinks, it was a different person than we ordered from, and we had each other's drinks. I'm pretty patient with wait staff but when you're dropping dollar bills like you have to at Amis, they should be on their game. I'm guessing based on the other reviews that we hit it on a bad night. Still go. Enough of the Amis Punch will make any waiter seem like the best you've ever had.
(3)
Tito B.
Bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. Bucatini with Jalapeño and almond pesto. BUCATINI WITH JALAPENO AND ALMOND PESTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go now! Put into face! Repeat! YOU'RE WELCOME! Also deliciously notable: Baked pecorino and honey- very good Swordfish meatballs: THE BEST MEATBALLS I'VE EVER HAD. INCLUDING ACTUAL MEAT BALLS. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe: fresh pasta, cheese and black pepper. Incredibly delicious. Rice pudding: as good as it gets. Rice to Riches in NYC needs to take a lesson from the folks at Amis.
(5)
Abby B.
Cute little space with a nice-sized bar. Went here just for drinks, but will hopefully be back for some food in the future! Easily grabbed a seat at the bar on a Saturday night. I ordered the Limoncello Collins, which was fabulous - very refreshing on a hot, humid summer evening! My husband really wanted a sazerac, but the bartender didn't know how to make it, so he went with the Mezcal, which he stated was good (I'm not a whiskey drinker, so I think it all tastes awful!) The bartenders were attentive, and friendly, but not overly so. They make tasty drinks quickly and efficiently, end of story. Hope to return to try the food at some point!
(4)
Kemi A.
I didn't have the greatest experience here. I started with a cocktail which was okay. No complaints. The bread we were brought was BURNT! Who serves burnt bread? It's not like 1 one was burnt was all was burnt...we had to dig/peel the inner core and eat that. Was it suppose to be served with olive oil? Because we didn't get any of that. Just BURNT BREAD! The small plates we ordered was the fish meatball which frankly is more filler than fish. Weak! I wanted to try the Pecorino but my friend was on a "diet" so we didn't get. Based on yelp reviews- we both ordered the Skate with the lemon sauce. BIGGEST DINING MISTAKE OF THE YEAR THUS FAR! It was ridiculously salty. We didn't know it was fried fish also. But it was RIDICULOUSLY salty. For $18? I sent that trash back! I think the waiter knew I didn't like it because he took his sweet time coming back to inquire how the meal was. I mean he took like 20mins! FINALLY, night was getting late and I figure he had to closeout so he came to ask how things were. I voiced my opinion, and he offered me another choice on the menu. I went with the pasta with oxtail Ragu. ..which was better but not $16 better. Either way, a disappointing night at a place that I was eager to experience. Maybe I'll try it again...or maybe I'll just head to Olive Garden where at least I'm getting what I'm paying for.
(2)
Flavia C.
I would say 4 1/2 stars! The ambiance is bustling yet quiet enough to have a conversation. I love the open kitchen and the decor is modern and simple leaving the food to do most of the talking! The food was exceptional! With a party of four we tried many things and there was not a dud amongst them. I really enjoyed the swordfish meatballs with pine nuts, unique and savory! The diff. meats and rabbit that are served on a wood plank are outstanding--a wonderful mix of sweet and savory. There was also some sort of mouse ordered and I have no idea what it was except to say that it was silky and heavenly, The main courses. The pork shank was truly a sight and very delicious, huge portion. I had the grouper which was simple and light. I heard rave reviews of the pasta. The drinks were generous and good with a nice selection and the desserts esp. the rice pudding and chocolate bomb were fantastic! Happy to go back to try even more of the menu items. A foodie will enjoy this spot for sure.
(4)
Gary M.
Amazing Italian food. The pasta is some of the best I have had in Philadelphia. A must try if you've never been
(5)
David K.
We went here last Wednesday evening when we couldn't get a reservation anywhere else close to our hotel. We sat at the "chef's table," which was similar to a table you would find at a sushi bar, where we watched the incredible kitchen crew rapidly prepare and plate complex dishes for the entire restaurant. The restaurant was incredibly loud, and entertainment from the kitchen staff was key to allowing us to enjoy dinner without feeling the need to scream at each other to be heard. Do -not- go here if you're looking for a nice place to eat and have a quiet conversation! The music in the restaurant is booming, and so all the diners have to take it up a notch to talk. Our food was good, but not outstanding, but what really made our evening was the amazing waiter who was, by far, the best waiter I've ever encountered. I wish I could remember his name, but what made him so great is that he was extremely attentive, very friendly, casual when the situation warranted, and knew the menu inside and out. I noted that he should quit his job and develop a school for waiters because this guy was top notch. Summary: Good food, LOUD atmosphere, outstanding service.
(4)
Michael B.
This was my first Vetri try and I was pretty disappointed. The food, ambience and everything was just very average. In a city like philly, there's a better way to spend $150 on a meal.
(3)
Mark M.
Pretty spectacular. I have only had the pleasure of eating here twice. And that sounds even more ridiculous for the fact that I live above the damn place. I have to say that it's a distant love affair. I walk past Amis on my way home or on my way out and wish that I could eat there daily or even weekly. Sadly, I am a man on a budget. Amis menu is small but powerful. Ordering multiple small plates to share is a must. In my best Italian Mama voice, "Have a meatball. You aren't hungry? Eat a meatball. Mark, eat a meatball." It's a must order. I don't know if I have been lucky in my two visits to Amis, but the waitstaff is stellar. The perfect amount of playful flirting, gastric knowledge, and efficiency. The one bone of contention I would have is about seating. For my second visit, I made reservations well in advance and upon arrival it seemed as though the hostess had the reservation, but did not have a table. My party was sat directly by the front door. A very akward table that I would imagine would only be used for walk-ins. Definitely felt like a fish in a fishbowl. Other than that, big Amis fan.
(4)
Joanne P.
Wow! Love this place. It really takes a lot to wow me. We shared Escarole Salad, mussel appetizer, monk fish cacti ore, and pasta with jalapeño pesto. Enjoyed my wine by the glass so much I'm looking to find it to buy. Loved it all. Neighborhood really nice. Service was great - we were a little early for reservation and table was ready. The only thing I would say is wish swordfish meatballs didn't have pork (we didn't try) and the tartufo might have been a bit too chocolate heavy. Will definitely be back on our next trip to Philly.
(5)
Caleb N.
The food was OK, but pedestrian food is disappointing at restaurant with Amis's reputation. (For instance, the brussel sprouts here stack up unfavorably with those at Vedge and are probably also inferior to those at, say, Local 44 in West Philly.) However, the service was what killed my experience. When we sat down, bread was promised four times before it arrived--after our starters had already come. Requests for refills had to be repeated. We were alternately ignored and barraged by multiple servers for clarifications. A restaurant like Amis should operate seamlessly. Instead, it turned out to be an amateur effort.
(2)
Veronica R.
My husband and I went to Amis last night and sat at the kitchen bar. Our first time here and definitely not our last. A great choice. Put your phone down and watch the orchestrated chaos- a great/fun kitchen to watch. The food they put out was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. What we ate: Salmon crudo with fresh julienned beets (amazing-highly recommend) Baked Pecorino with almond honey (very good, sweet, would have had as a dessert with tart apple slices) Swordfish meatballs (go for it, trust me you'll love them, maybe even more than the traditional meatball) Sams- traditional meatball ( a very good meatball- looking for a little more crispness to the outside) Casarecce with a light and spicy san marzano tomato sauce with salmon and toasted bread crumbs (a special that night and delish!) Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto (perfect amount of heat) Spring pea Tortelli with lamb ragu and mint Overall a great dining experience. We'll be back!
Had an excellent meal...the main was lamb...so we tried the lamb croquettes...they were good didn't expect them to be so creamy, also had the portobello pasta which was great...the pasta there is just so good! I had the main lamb dish with grits...it was good but I enjoyed our pasta dishes way more oh and the ricotta with pistachio pesto and pumpkin was excellent!
(4)
Jennifer W.
I've been going to Amis since the day it opened. In all but the past year I would have rated it four or five stars but recently it has taken a turn for the worse. The last two times I've gone service has been horrible! The hostess slammed our server, sitting 4 tables at once. After waiting 15 minutes to get a taste of one of the wines I had to call the manager over who subsequently became our server for the entire evening. I understand I'm not at Vetri but having us wait 5 -15 minutes at the bar in order to not slam the waiter would have left us with a much better experience than being sat and unable to get a drink it all. I'm sure the other tables who also had to wait would have agreed. Last night I went, sat at the bar, which is where I normally sit and somehow had bad service there too. My drink was empty for most of the evening. I didn't eat my pork liver terrine for 30 minutes because it didn't come with any bread. When the bartender finally came over to ask if there was an issue I asked how I was supposed to eat it. She said it's not served with bread. I had to ask for it. Mind you, I've been here MANY times and have never eaten patte without bread. She brought untoasted bread, which is the same texture as the liver so I had to ask for toasted bread. I'm sure I'll be back one last time in the hopes that the last two were flukes. We shall see!
(2)
Jessica S.
In short: eat everything and anything here and leave happy. It's all good. The quality of the food, to the presentation, to that AMAZING olive oil bread basket. The service is spot on, and the atmosphere is classic and not at all stuffy or pretentious. This has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, but my last visit this past weekend really sealed the deal for me. Each and every small dish is to die for: We've had the swordfish meatballs a few times, the scallops were perfectly cooked, and the pumpkin and fresh mozzarella salad was perfectly dressed with a peppery sauce complete with pistachios. The fresh pasta... you cannot pass this up. It is the sole purpose of this restaurant. Get one or more pasta dishes. If you are eating a small plate or two, a pasta dish is the perfect portion to finish up your meal. Our waitress was sweet and knowledgeable, and easily able to point out some menu standouts. She was kind enough to remove a drink from our bill that was perfectly made but simply not to the liking of my dining partner. She really didn't have to do that. The ONLY downside happened during this past visit. The "special" truffle fettuccine dish with "special truffles imported from Italy" was an $85 dish. While it was delicious, it came as a surprise at the end of the night when we got our bill, and maybe should have been mentioned during the special offerings. "We have a very special truffle fettuccine tonight for $85" We probably still would've ordered it, but it was necessary to bring it up beforehand in my opinion.
(5)
Thomas V.
Our meal was truly great. My mom and I went on Sunday and it was fairly empty. Great lighting and ambiance; open kitchen. Our server Lindsay was great. All the food we had was perfect. Eggplant caponata, jalapeño almond spaghetti and baked pecorino all recommended. The house red was good and cheap. Great date spot.
(5)
Emily F.
Probably one of my favorite Vetri restaurant in Philly. Everything I had here was delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I prefer this restaurant over Osteria.
(5)
Taryn F.
I usually don't write reviews, but just had to in this case. We visited Amis on a recent Saturday night with an 8 pm reservation. Unfortunately, we were not able to be seated until 9 pm because the patrons at our table camped out there long after finishing their meal (I'm all for taking your time and enjoying, but it was made clear to them people were waiting and they had been there several hours- a little courtesy people!). Anyway, the staff at Amis could not have handled the situation better! They were super attentive and apologetic, brought us complementary appetizers to the bar and then several additional dishes throughout the meal and for dessert. They showed that with great service and great food, any issue can still be handled well. I've been other restaurants where errors were made- too long waits, poor service, etc. and never received the level of attention and service provided at Amis. They literally turned our frustration and hunger into an opportunity to show us what a great restaurant they are. And, we got to sample extra dishes we would not have ordered and every single thing we ordered was fabulous! Thanks for taking good care of us!
(4)
Majlinda K.
I had high expectations for this place but my experience was not great. The place was packed on a Saturday night but the service was pretty quick. If you are here with a large group they wont sit you unless your entire party is there (even though you are ordering drinks at the bar). The menu is tapas type dishes and they have a really good wine list. If you order the same wine as another person at your table they give you an extra little jug of wine as a refill and you're suppose to split it evenly by yourselves (which i thought it was a little weird to have to split the wine on your own, make sure your friend doesn't finish your share! lol). The brussels sprouts i ordered were delicious as well as the swordfish meatballs. The main entree i got was swordfish pasta with eggplant fries. The dish was a little tasteless. The fish and eggplant were ok but the pasta was really dry and tasted a bit like cardboard.
(2)
Mike C.
We had a nice dinner here the other night. Promptly seated at our reservation time at 730. My wife and I shared: meatballs, swordfish meatballs, and duck fat salad (which was a special for the night), and one of the pasta dishes. I'm a bit of a meatball snob and thought they were good but not great. I think if you have a meatball dish it needs to be great. No complaints - we cleaned the plate - just not the best I have ever had. My wife chose the duck fat salad which I probably never would have picked. I'm glad she chose it as it was really good. The server joked with us saying duck fat makes everything better. The pasta dish was perfect. I can't remember the exact name but it was a square spaghetti with cheese, olive oil and black pepper. A very basic way to prepare a pasta but it was done to perfection. I felt the prices were reasonable both for the food and wine.
(4)
Q K.
Very good food and reasonably priced for quality of food. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Pasta dishes were impressive and swordfish meatballs were nice treat. Not sure food lives up to acclaim of restaurant, but still a good dining experience. Only real complaint was the LOUD rock music playing in background. No idea why it's necessary.
(4)
Brian M.
Hello, swordfish meatballs. I want you inside me. ^They're lovely fellas, perfectly offering something new (a fish "meatball", wut?) while still retaining their delicate, distinct swordfishiness.^ The Standouts: - Service. Excellent, comfortable, omnipresent. - Cacio e pepe. Maybe a bit too heavy, but all the comfortable flavors were there with a quality that makes you want the dish to never end. - Bufala ricotta. Is this ever bad? - Eggplant fries (in the pacchieri). I don't know why, I just really liked 'em. The Things I Wish Would Change But Never Will: - It's loud in there. - Close quarters. Tried a few other dishes that were certainly nice, but didn't blow me away as much as I'd expected them to. Nothing at all bad here and some dishes are among the city's best so overall a solid dining option that will consistently range from very good to exceptional. Basically a more comfortable, Italian, less pretentious Barbuzzo.
(4)
Karen S.
"As featured on..." can sometimes frighten one away from a place, with concerns that the reality won't live up to the hype. Being a big fan of Bourdain's food, wine, and travel tastes (though not so much the booze and cigarettes), when he put together a recommended list on Philadelphia for "The Layover", I listened. As for fine dining, Amis was at the top of the list. The highlights were the appetizers--namely the salami del giorno, a porchetta in a delicate sauce, and the frascati wine cheese--and the pasta. The spinach fazoletti was superlative. The entrees were good, but unlike the starters didn't live up to the hype. Probably the biggest disappointment was the wine list, or perhaps I should say the wine that we unfortunately chose. I know that "Super Tuscan" is a bit of a grab bag in that it is basically any grape grown in Tuscany. But the producer of the wine had to work pretty hard to create something with absolutely no backbone. If a restaurant puts a wine on their list that is very atypical for the style, they should warn the consumer. Good food and a lively atmosphere, AOK in my book.
(3)
Kathleen D.
Yes to both meatball appetizers: the light and juicy swordfish meatballs with pine nuts and golden raisins over creamy polenta, and Sal's with tomato potato. Yes. The variety of bruschetta are very good too. See we're not tryin to go all gavone here, but that mortadella mousse? It's so good. So are the house-made salumi. Right, so I find myself most taken with the small plates and salumi, as usual. And the pasta is pretty perfect. I'm thinking that the ideal deally here is to split some small plates,and maybe a veg contorni, and then have you some cacio e pepe. Or ANY of the pasta. It's excellent, from all'amatriciana to black squid ink, or whatever special. I had one with snails. It ruled. The pasta here rules. The plan is: wine, small plates, pasta... and dessert. I love it when a plan comes together. I'm not saying to skip the secondi, but really, my personal move would include saving crucial stomach space for the "tartufo al bacio;" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. Or, maybe you'll want to share Belgian waffles with nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla semifreddo. If we're goin comfort food baby, why not go all the way? Spaghetti and waffles in one meal. You did it. You finally did it!
(4)
Kate G.
Best restaurant in Philadelphia! I moved to Philly from Italy around 4 years ago and it's hard to find a great italian restaurant that is authentic and innovative at the same time! The server was attentive, remembered us from previous dinners and the kitchen was able to perfectly accomodate my mom's dietary restrictions. Our appetizers were the squid, the pork terrine and the fried cauliflower. The paccheri with eggplant fries and swordfish is just perfect and tastes just like something I would get in Sicily. My mom's scallops were cooked to perfection, very juicy. The cacio e pepe is creamy and perfectly al dente! The kitchen staff was really nice and sent us a corn and heirloom tomato salad to try and a rice pudding. I hate rice pudding but I just devoured this one! It had cherries and pistachios on it! The staff went above and beyond to accomodate us and just made my birthday dinner really lovely!
(5)
Stephanie L.
so I tell my story of our two years through the food of Amis - a Vetri family establishment in the heart of Philadelphia. The red table wine of Amis, the pork cheek, the strange duck sauce of Mr. V's pasta dish - and what was great about this place was that every choice I made, aside from the desert, I got...slightly wrong, and Mr. V got them right. Flowing red wine and iced tea is essentially what we are - what we drink when we are given a choice, though he'll tell you gin and tonic when operating machinery is not in his near future. I loved the atmosphere of Amis - it's exactly the sort of place I've been looking for for over a year - a hipster ish sort of feeling, sunken and hidden from unknowing eyes, wood everywhere and darkened by lamps and candlelight. somber and definite, it's the place you go to talk about the opera or a dark show, something that just doesn't feel right and you need inspiration for the words to come out right. Starters were bread and olive oil. His picks came first - salami with pickled onions and pecorino with almond honey. Both were good - the salami was especially soft and most and i liked it best. the honey on the pecorino was too sweet for my buds, but Mr. V loved both. My goal is to taste everything once or twice and move on, his goal is to devour life itself and leave nothing on the plate. Which he did. Next were my starters - pork's head croquettes and sweetbreads. The sweetbreads, while perfectly cooked, were fried a little on the heavy side, though good nonetheless. The croquettes were too big - they should've been smaller, bite sized, because the inside was so rich that two or three bites per croquette was just too much and overwhelming. I would've paid the same price for a smaller bite in order to enjoy it more. Entrees were a duck sausage pasta for Mr. V and wild boar sausage for myself. Mr. V loved his pasta dish, which is surprising, considering he doesn't like pasta much. He felt my wild boar was gamey and too salty, but liked the side of potatoes. I agreed, but didn't dislike it - it was hearty and gamey and seasoned a bit overmuch, but enjoyable and delish with the red table wine. I really liked his duck sausage pasta - al dente and warm, not smothered in sauce, hints of spice and flavor, light like a cloud. He got all of his right, I got only some, even with the dessert - I had the waffle with nutella and vanilla semi freddo, he had the carrot cake. He liked his, I loved mine, but mine had nutella - it's hard not to like it. the parking was odd - Mr. V didn't like paying $18 for valet, but I didn't want to walk in the cold for too many blocks. The wait staff was pleasant and not obtrusive, much more polite than I expected. Mr. V isn't used to sitting so close to people, so that was a small adjustment for him. I'd go back for an after show outing for a drink and some salami and cheese.
(3)
Chris L.
first vetri experience, so I was really excited... I only do a handful of fancy/expensive dinners per year and because there is so much good inexpensive food in this city, I need a pricey dinner to be extra-delicious... Amis was so disappointing. the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and rigatoni with salmon (a special) were almost too salty to eat. the jalapeno pasta was decent. the bufala bruschetta was also mediocre. highlight of the meal was dessert - rice pudding and the waffles were both good... nice place - not too loud. but the food wasnt even mediocre. service was so-so. nice bartender, friendly knowledgeable server. but i had another server bring me a beer that wasnt what i ordered; when i said "I ordered the pilsner on draft," she said "no, it comes in a bottle."... so i pointed to the menu - "heres what i ordered."... "well you have the wrong menu," she said. kinda strange - as if i brought my own menu to the restaurant... finally got her to bring me a different beer. ... went with two friends and we all agreed it was a pretty big disappointment. sorry to be a negative nancy.
(2)
Anannya T.
Amis was my first Marc Vetri experience, and a fabulous one indeed. As one could probably glean from my reviews of Jose Garces restaurants, I respect innovative chefs/restauranteurs who can make seemingly incompatible flavors blend impeccably. The gregarious waitstaff and laid-back, unpretentious ambience made for a great evening. On the day we'd had dinner, their catch of the week was shark, and we ordered their night's special of shark pasta (which was clearly fresh and very good). We also ordered their signature Tonnarelli "Cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (*beyond words*), a side of polenta (too buttery and greasy for my personal taste), and the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts (OUT of this world). Overall, we remember our experience very fondly and would recommend this place to anyone with an appreciation for Italian/innovative cuisine.
(4)
Katarina M.
OMG I COULD EAT HERE ALL THE TIME if it weren't for my wallet and my belt line. And I only docked one star because some of the items are too small for the price, and there are one or two misses in terms of dishes. But I still think of this place as 5 stars because it's 5 stars whenever I go because I will only order one thing!!! And it is the only place besides Honey's that I'll take out-of-towner brunchers to. I've only been here for brunch, have been twice, and couldn't help but order the same entree both times. But tried a bunch of things. -Rotini with sausage and egg yolk: HEAVEN. Literally this is the most delicious pasta I think I've ever had. And it's a brunch pasta! YUM! It's basically loaded with flavor, the sausage is delicious, the egg yolk is cooked perfectly to just pop with a touch of your fork, and you mix it in, and it combines with the bit of parmesan in there and it is just incredible. GET THIS. I ordered it both times I came and this dish is the star. -Baked pecorino with almond honey appetizer: Just amazing. So delicious. They get that pecorino nice and melty and the honey and the crumbles of almond...yum. Served with a little bread. Enough for 4 to taste. But you could totally eat it all yourself and be so happy. -Tonnarelli carbonara: my dad ordered this it was underwhelming. Lacking in flavor. -Jersey cannonball: Had a bite of my friend's. It was pretty good. Not to die for, but I'd order it if they were out of the rotini. It's a breakfast sandwich with I forget all what, but definitely egg, cheese, and some fun Italian things. Maybe meat? I forget. Ask the waiter. (Sidenote: it's mildly annoying they don't have descriptions of the meals, but then the waiters are just so good at describing them, that it's almost more fun to just ask for a description) -Belgian waffle (with salted butter semifreddo, hazelnuts, and maple syrup): Delicious. Small portion though (and for $12!)! Two little waffles. My mom wanted to order a second one. This one should be made bigger or less pricy. But it's delicious. -Pancakes (forget the name...seems they're no longer on the menu): Delicious. I'm not a pancake or waffle person, but both were awesome. -something all uovo. Looks like this is gone off the menu too, which is both a shame and an improvement. That thing was so tiny for how expensive it was! Both of my waiters recommended getting it for the table to share, and it was delicious, but it was listed under entrees, which would've been a ridiculously small entree. Was a pasta with an egg cooked inside of it, with some brown butter on top, it was so delicious. -Soft scrambled eggs: Don't bother ordering these! They're nothing special whatsoever! -Dessert: have only ever gotten the Mom Mom's rice pudding. It's yumm! Always get it to split for the table because it's pretty big and I don't need much sweet after brunch. But it's definitely worth trying. Rice pudding with some sort of fruit in it, built like a parfait. -drinks: I won't bother anymore. Way overpriced. $10 for a little flute of mimosa. And the $11 limoncello wasn't anything special either. Adorable little place, sad they only have brunch on Sundays. But definitely check it out! If you order the right things, this place is 5 stars!
(4)
H. I.
Had an awesome NYE / belated birthday dinner for my boyfriend here. This is how you do Italian food! We ordered swordfish meatballs on a bed of polenta and the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade to start. All were delicious, highly recommend both. For our entree we split the fettuccine with duck bolognese and the roasted lamb shoulder. I have been dreaming about the fettuccine since! The pasta is super fresh, hand made, and so delicate. The lamb was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. For dessert, we had the tartufo as a birthday dessert. Rich and decadent chocolate with hazelnut. The space feels like a trattoria, energetic with delicious smells coming from the kitchen. The lighting is soft and perfect for a date. Can't wait to come back again!
(5)
Jay M.
Wow! We talked about this place for over a week after we recently had dinner there. It was the best meal that my partner and I had in quite some time. It's the small plate theme and we shared everything. An eggplant ragu bruschetta, mussels, sword fish meat balls, canneloni with flava beans and pine nuts, and a wonderful past dish. If you're a foodie you will love this place. We're heading back later this week and can't wait!
(5)
Zack T.
MY belgian waffler was delicious, it was light and the sweetness just right to my tastebud. The environment of the restaurant also was lovely and spacious. Overall dining experience is 5/5.
(5)
Michaelea T.
Bottom line: this food is tasty. The food is excellent. The beef tongue appetizer is incredible and well seasoned. Additionally, seriously consider the baked cheese with honey- it is very delicious. The pastas are always perfectly cooked and the flavors are distinct and intense. I have not yet even disappointed by their grilled or fried fish options either. Service is decent, though we had to ask for bread for our table. The interior has this industrial thing going on, so that's interesting. It gets kind smokey because of the open kitchen, but I think having smokey clothes is worth the culinary experience that you get.
(4)
Rebecca H.
Another Marc Vetri gem. The pasta here is one of the best I've ever had; beats some of the pastas I've had in New York. The restaurant itself is fairly spacious, but it feels cozy with the rustic decor and dim lighting. The tables seemed to accommodate parties of all sizes, ranging from round tables for socializing to intimate seats at the bar near the chefs. Service is great, friendly, genuinely helpful in giving recommendations. Onto the deliciousness. The classic cacio e pepe was absolutely flawless. Cheesy, but not greasy, with just the right amount of chewiness from being perfectly al dente. The fresh black pepper gave it a little kick to balance out the savory pecorino cheese. And though I'm aware that a lot of butter is used to bring out a hint of sweetness to this plate of amazingness, it tasted too good for me to care. The other pasta standout was the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. A mix of unexpected but seamlessly complimentary flavors, the jalapeno and almond combo made the dish slightly spicy and sweetly nutty, all at the same time. Like the cacio e pepe, this was PERFECTLY al dente, and the unique flavors make it one of a kind. Got too excited and talked about the pastas first, but we also ate the baked pecorino with almond honey, accompanied by a few pieces of bread, played up the sweet but salty flavors - paired well, a little on the sweeter side, which I won't complain about. I forgot the specific name of the dessert we got, but it was a classic vanilla sundae with chocolate sauce. While I can't remember the other components, I couldn't think of a better way to round out an amazing meal. Will definitely be back for dinner again. And for brunch.
(5)
Beth R.
Best to go with others who want to order and share. I split 2 pastas and 3 small plates with a friend. My favorite dish was the fettuccini with corn and scallions. Sounds odd but was creamy and good. I would have happily eaten an entree size portion of that. We also had the salami del giorno in marmalade (ok, and not very much on the plate for the price tag), baked pecorino with almond honey (really good), and the buccatini with tomato and pancetta sauce (good, but again, seemed a little expensive for what it was). Service is very attentive and helpful in making decisions about what to order.
(4)
Kevin T.
Tried this place by recommendation and it was great. Very friendly staff across the board. Food was great too. Would definitely dine here again.
(5)
Brian K.
Amis' unique spin on traditional Italian will have me coming back. I live only a few blocks away so I pass by all the time, but this was my first time stopping in for dinner. Happily they were open on a Monday night, and getting a reservation was easy, although it probably wouldn't have been 100% necessary. The staff were all extremely nice, which should be a given, yet I'm always pleased when they are. The menu may seem a bit daunting at first, even though all the combinations of food I tasted were perfectly matched. The swordfish meatballs are a must-try with their homemade meatball taste and just enough of a 'fishy' kick to remind you that you are indeed eating swordfish. It may take a little bit of adventurousness to get past some of the food pairings on their dishes, but you should have faith in them. A very solid list of beers and wines with a varied enough selection on tap to keep pretty much any beer palate happy. I would recommend it.
(4)
Todd B.
I loved the beautiful, charming and romantic space at Amis, as well as the innovative small plates here that were completely new to me and a delight to my tastebuds. We were warmly greeted and immediately seated, and our waiter was helpful without being a constant interruption. I enjoyed an Old Fashioned type cocktail that was wonderful and reasonably priced at $10. My friend and I then ordered a number of small plate combinations to experience the diverse menu. We began with the swordfish meatballs and the toast with almond honey butter (which also includes cheese I think), then ventured on to the Arancini and fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa. By far, our favorite was he cauliflower with the meatballs a close second. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try the bufalo ricotta bruschetta, as it is a favorite of my friend and raved about a lot here on Yelp. We avoided dessert, but the tiramisu looked extraordinary. This is a great Vetri choice in downtown. At the same time, and I look forward to more experiments with Amis in the future.
(4)
Matt K.
I have heard so many times that Vetri's restaurants are A. expensive for what you get, B. crowded. Neither was the case at Amis. We came for brunch and it was surprisingly inexpensive and very good. The trick I think is to order things that aren't so breakfasty. In fact, you can mostly avoid anything to do with breakfast if you want to. Amis is supposed to be very casual and the food is simple but extremely well done. We did the charcuterie plate, the escarole salad, and some pasta dishes. Mine was the carbonara. A great rendition, everything about it was well done. The escarole salad is not easy to find first of all, and this one had some parmesan on it, and it was just bitterly delightful because of course escarole is so bitter. The charcuterie was three different meats with three different sauces/mustards, all very good. One was a chicken liver. I love it when a restaurant has the guts to do chicken liver, it has such great flavor. We had a verdicchio and a valpolicella, two great inexpensive wines that just work so well with simple Italian cuisine. Service was very professional, and staff knowledgeable. All in all a great experience and inexpensive to boot, even though three people split two bottles of wine. And one of us was my mother in law. Now that says something, I think....
(4)
Brian H.
My girlfriend and I returned to Amis for a second time after a late summer dinner that we enjoyed heartily. Our server, knowing that I was vegetarian, and my girlfriend was vegetarian-leaning, suggested we return for a Meatless Monday tasting menu. After securing a reservation on OpenTable (100 points, y'all!) we returned this past Monday evening. Soon after being seated, we found out that they have stopped their Meatless Monday promotion. We were saddened to hear this, but our waiter kindly offered to check with the Chef to see if he could accommodate; luckily, Chef was more than happy to help. We received imaginative, off-menu items that were delicious. We received 3 courses -- an appetizer, a pasta dish and a dessert. This was the best meal we have eaten in a while and would return again. Amis took care of us (Chef/Server[s]/etc.). We'll be more than happy when it is time to return for another wonderful meal.
(5)
Haltone H.
I've been here 3 times in 4 years. This is a really wow place, as far as the food and service. You will try dishes here that you would never, ever think could be some of the tastiest things you've ever eaten - but they will be. The most unappetizing-sounding offal is turned into the best food experiences here. Almost more impressive is the service, though. My husband asked for the recipe for Sal's meatballs, expecting the server to disappear into the kitchen and come back with it at some point. Instead, our server quoted the recipe on the spot. He could tell us what was in every dish we were eating (I'm thinking of the 2nd time I went, with a party of 6), and anything we could possibily like to know about our beer, wine, and cocktail choices. I work in fine dining, but it made me think that I could never be a server at a place like this - I could never remember that many details! You would think this waiter was the chef, himself. And yet he had a very down-to-earth, local-guy demeanor. I work with some great, career servers, but was truly impressed. Also: each time I've dined there, we've been sent complimentary dishes. This last time, 3 of us sat at the bar, and ordered small plates. We were comped just as many plates as we ordered. I can't yet figure out if these are plates that were made by mistake, or what. The bottom line is, if you're going to splurge, this is a place to do it. Lots of places charge commensurate prices and don't deliver - this one does.
(5)
Bill M.
Review 1000!!! And a birthday dinner review at that! When I realized that the time frame of hitting my 1000th review was going to fall around the time of my birthday dinner I knew that I was going to have to pick a Philly restaurant that was worthy of both occasions. At first the task proved daunting when my first choice (A tasting menu at a restaurant beginning with a Z that I have recommended on countless occasions based on YOUR reviews) didn't have a reservation on the needed day. But then it hit me that there was still a very worthy Philly chef out there who's food I've had yet to sample. While I've enjoyed offerings from Garces and Starr restaurants, food from the likes of Solomonov and McAndrews, and have shared plenty of off kilter moments with the likes of Chiang and Jacobson, the fine Italian cuisine of Marc Vetri is something that has up until this point alluded me. Of late I've found myself salivating over the thought of his pizza, pasta and homemade salumi; and had become especially fond and appreciative of the charitable efforts he does with the Vetri Foundation. So while the dilemma of choosing between Osteria and Amis was a challenge, the baked pecorino was enough of a wild card to delight the cheese monger in me and the reservation was set. Many reviews on here go into the extra attentiveness of the staff, and our table did experience that in some ways such as having 2 different servers check on our table, and asking how everything was during our meal a few times too many. It also created a couple of "Whos on First?" style moments when one would complete the dessert order or check taking that the other started. But if anything it was done in a way that was extra accommodating and informative as opposed to being extra aggressive and overbearing. And it showed in the little details like them adding a birthday candle to my dessert when they overheard our table having a birthday discussion. Every so very often there comes a menu that sounds so enticing that I want to order and savor one of everything on it. And with its various bruschettas, homemade salumi, classic and elevated pasta dishes, incredible sounding fish dish and meat dishes, and overall old world Italian meets new world Italian feel, it was VERY much the case at Amis. Which is especially amicable given the tripe, tongue, and liver dishes that they had. the salami del giorno was enticing with its fennel inside and rich marmalade accompaniment. the eggplant caponata was fresh and robust in all of the right places. But the star of the appetizer show was definitely the baked pecorino with almond honey. In all my years of being a cheese monger I never thought I'd be able to see a typically hard and grate-able cheese like pecorino presented in a way that was so soft and gooey. But seeing and especially tasting is believing. And seeing experiencing it with that decadent honey made me a believer! It is important to remember not to hit up an Indonesian noodle market for a quick lunch before going to a place that's known for its pasta for dinner. And since I was one to sadly make such an error (D'oh!), I wasn't up for getting the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu that I otherwise would have gotten (double D'oh!). But in the experience of trying something that I wasn't at least somewhat familiar with I ordered the grilled cobia tagliata for main. And what I gotwas an incredible swordfish style whitefish that was meaty and not overwhelmingly fishy thanks to its fennel and citrus accompaniment. One could get hooked on the potent and fruity vodka and lemon infused Amis Punch if they're not to careful. But fortunately the small yet impressionable draught list was enough to have me intrigued. And the Trubbel De Yards delivered a malty yet fruity complexion that I wasn't expecting from a dark beer. Normally dessert is another tricky thing to choose. but the prospect of a homemade salted butter ice cream sundae with blood orange and crushed chocolate biscotti was pretty damn hard to pass up. And it was the perfect final bite to a flawless meal that already has me craving more!!!
(5)
Tough Crowd T.
I'm starting to think that I am inspired to write only by poor experiences. Take this review for what it's worth to you. Had a meal at the bar last night. A pre-theater quickie. The bar was full and the atmosphere lovely but everything else was poor. After my last two visits to the restaurant (it's on my way home) my expectations were low. But all of the food was disappointed. Even my pineapple soda was terrible; pure sugar no flavor. We had octopus, escarole salad, tongue, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. The last two dishes were scorched in the fryer. (I missed zahav's delicious lightly fried veggies). The salad drowned in dressing and cheese. The octopus was tough to chew. The tongue unbearably sweet and swimming in oil. Everything was over-salted. And I love my salt. Service was slow (the bartender was overwhelmed by a full bar) and surly. And there was some guy hanging out behind the bar under foot. Not going back.
(1)
Celeste A.
Fantastic! Service is great. We were there with 4 adults, 4 PRE teens, and an infant. They were able to accommodate all of us! Plan to experiment. We ordered multiple apps to share so all could get a taste. Entrees are perfect size. I like to finish my meal not take home 3/4 of a pound of left over pasta! Desserts were good too! Plan a leasurely dinner. Take your time to enjoy the food and the great staff they have!
(5)
Ryan B.
My wife and I stopped in just before 9 PM on Saturday the 9th to celebrate our anniversary. Having never been to any of Marc Vetri's restaurants, we didn't know what to expect. In my opinion it lived up to the hype. The ambience was nice, a little loud, but we liked the feel of it. The food was very good. I definitely recommend trying the swordfish meatballs. It was packed when we arrived but there was minimal wait time before we could sit down. We had a table closer to the door but it turned out to be nice as we were a little more secluded. While our server Eric was checking in on his other tables, we had management stop by to check in on us and ultimately take our order. I was impressed. I could see the restaurant was very busy and had no problem waiting for the server to make his rounds but it was appreciated nonetheless. Our server Eric was attentive but not overzealous. He took the time to check in on us but gave us plenty of space to celebrate our evening. He was knowledgeable and gave us a few good recommendations but he was also able to loosen up and joke with us which made the evening more enjoyable. It was our first anniversary and Amis made it quite memorable. We won't hesitate to go back for seconds.
(4)
Jennie C.
Came here for dinner before a concert at the Kimmel center with a friend. The place was buzzing on the Thursday evening,so I took it as a sign that food must be good. Well, things started off on a great note: enthusiastic waitress, lovely decor, yummy bread. We started with the baked pecorino with almond honey, which came with crispy toast and was TO-DIE-FOR. Then the pasta came: friend had the tonarelli cacio e pepe, I had the bucatini with cauliflower. The pasta was al dente, but I'm not of a fan of the rich and rather congealed cream sauce. For $14, the portion size was quite good, but I couldn't finish it because of the rich sauce. The chocolate hazelnut dessert we shared was waaaayyy too rich, needless to say we weren't able to finish it, although both of us were rabid chocolate addicts. I'd stick with the appetizers. Also, while I appreciate the open kitchen, rustic table settings, I wish the tables weren't placed so close. We were lucky the two old ladies next to us were pleasant companions. People on dates may want to go somewhere more private.
(3)
Steph G.
Very good food. Very nice service. There is one big "HOWEVER," though, that prevents me from giving this place five stars: they gave me caffeinated coffee at 10:30 pm when I had asked for a decaf. Obviously, I didn't realize this until after I had drunk it, and was awake all night. At 4:30 in the morning, as I was cursing their names, this sort of ruined my experience of the restaurant. I don't want to dock Amis more than one star for this, though, because it might have just been an honest eff-up. And the food and wine were quite good.... But dammit, Amis, keep your decaf clearly labeled, please. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, yo!
(4)
Jose S.
We had a little bit of a wait & then our appetizers were given to the table next to us. The dinner portions were kind of small but very good.
(3)
Huntington B.
What a great restaurant. Loved the burrata with tomatoes, pasta pecorino (not sure if that's the correct title), fried cauliflower, and tiramisu. Not a huge fan of the swordfish meatballs but between the service and the food, it was a wonderful evening!
(5)
Jessica H.
We came here for NYE, excited to try the spot that Anthony Bourdain raved about on his recent show, The Layover. As a New Yorker, I'm pretty well versed in good food and service and looked forward to Amis given what I had read & heard. When your New Years plans revolve around a meal, you're clearly serious about good food and looking for an experience vs just a dinner. We had a 10pm reservation for 4 that had been made weeks in advance; we had called ahead to confirm and were told there'd be a champagne toast at midnight. We were planning to spend the time enjoying a nice & leisurely spaced out meal and drinking until the clock struck 12. We specifically asked our waiter to space the meal out, that we weren't in a rush and wanted to take time between courses. We even had requested to put the appetizer order in first and the pasta and entrees later in order to take our time. Instead, he pushed us to put it all in at once, claiming that the pastas would take a lot of time and that we wouldn't be rushed at all. Our appetizers were delish, but came all at once. When we'd finished the plates were quickly cleared...and not 5 minutes later we found BOTH our secondi pasta dishes AND our main course entrees laid out in front of us. On top of this, the 2 side dishes we'd ordered with the main courses never showed up! I wasn't happy, it was only 10:30 at this point, a half hour from when we'd started. Again our plates were quickly cleared when we'd finished and we ordered dessert which was popped down in front of us quickly. Our meal had been completely rushed-we were done at 11pm, in just one hour! Despite this, our group agreed that we would take our time with dessert & order more cocktails in effort to ring in the new year at 12am. That's when without being asked if we wanted another round and WITHOUT ASKING FOR IT, our check arrived on the table. Mind you, no one was waiting for our table-so what was their rush? At this point I'd had enough. It was NYE and I felt like they were trying to push us out the door before midnight, while the restaurant still had plenty of seated tables. I went to the manager and explained everything to him-that we had specifically asked the server to space our dinner out, and that not only had we been rushed but our check had come without request when we'd planned to stay. He brusquely told me that he encourages the waitstaff to put in orders at one time and barely acknowledged my points. He told me he'd be happy to bring us another round of drinks, which I accepted. We rang in the new year, but without a champagne toast-the restaurant had offered NONE. And if that wasn't enough, they didn't even comp us that last round of cocktails-we paid for them! What a gross way to treat customers who paid a fortune for dinner, especially on New Years!! And to add insult to injury, the manager sarcastically stopped us on the way out to wish us a happy new year and to add that he hoped we'd enjoyed the rest of our experience. It's a shame that this place is managed by such a terrible staff, because the food was delicious. But if I lived in Philly this would be the LAST freaking place I'd give my money to ever again! Go to a Steven Starr restaurant instead, he knows how to run things!
(2)
Brad P.
The black linguine with squid and chorizo and tartufo al bacio dessert are stellar. If you eat at Amis and don't partake in these items, then you have permanently sullied the quality of your life. I don't really recommend the imported bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta. The salami del giorno with marmalade is good. The salami is thicker than you'd expect and the marmalade adds a delightful sweetness. The grouper is OK.
(4)
Lindsay H.
I am a fan of all the Marc Vetri Restaurants and can not wait for him to keep opening up more. I was at Amis on friday night and once again, it did not disappoint. This place is always packed so reservations are necessary. Even with reservations, you may need to wait a few minutes but, for my group, it was friday and we were happy with having some cocktails at the bar. I was thrilled with the table they seated us at. One of my complaints has always been how close they seat you to other tables but our table was sort of off in the corner with plenty of room. There are a few highlights at Amis that I must mention. First, they have my favorite preparation of sweetbreads that I've ever had. They're almond dusted, fried and served with an orange fenel marmalade. They are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and the marmalade adds an awesome sweet flavor to a salty dish. YUM! That aside, the pastas are always a highlight as well. My favorite pasta this time was a rigatoni with a wild mushroom ragu. The pasta was aldente and the ragu was creamy, salty and delicious...especially if you love mushrooms like me. From here, there were two seafood dishes that blew my mind. The skate wing and the swordfish meatballs. HOLY skate wing. They dust it in this super fine flour and pan fry it just to give a little texture, serving it with a lemon butter sauce with fried brussel sprouts...very approachable. The flavors and textures in this dish were heaven. I could eat this dish all the time and be happy. After that, the swordfish meatballs. YUM! The meatballs just fell apart when you touched them and were perfectly tender and juicy, served over some creamy polenta. The only thing I wasn't crazy about for this meal were the desserts. They were good but not great. Honestly, I can't even remember what we had but everything else was so delicious, it doesn't even matter!
(4)
Joe C.
Sal's Meatballs. As good as my grandmother's, maybe even better. ( I can't believe I just wrote that, sorry Grandmom) Amis has great atmosphere, great food, and great service. This is my 3rd time there, I've tried most of the menu, and never had a bad choice. In addition to the meatballs, try the homemade salumi, and any of the bruchetta's. Split the pastas (I love the Al'amatracani and the cacao e pepe) and then try any of the Beast of the week specials. And whatever you do, save room for dessert.
(4)
Leya r.
This is one of the best restaurants of all time. The food is beyond worlds. It's absolutely exquisite. Everything I have ever had is exquisite. The service is also second to none. This is the best restaurant in Philly. And one of the top in the east coast. You will not regret this!!!
(5)
Max E.
Came in here on a Tuesday night with reservations for two. We had to wait a LONG time (30+ minutes) because we didn't want to sit at the chef's counter. They were very nice and apologetic, and even gave us glasses of wine and some appetizers. The food was delicious - I'm a fan of simple dishes and loved the cacio e pepe and the mozarella with pears. The bread pudding was the star of the meal. I'll definitely come back - but hopefully on a night when it's a little less busy.
(4)
Ted Z.
A much deserved five stars! Took a couple of my clients from out of town who were adventerous enough to try some daring , different choices. Had a couple of neat drink options too, I ordered a Strega Morti and it was fantastic. The swordfish meatballs in polenta were great but so were the Brussel sprouts and every other item we had. Go you'll love it! I know I'll be back
(5)
Allison D.
Let me preface this review by saying I used to live across the street from this place..dangerous for my wallet and waistline. My standbys are the Amis punch, bufala ricotta and pecorino pasta. Nice people, good food!
(5)
Jason G.
Wow. This place is amazing. I came here for my birthday, and I was impressed with every dish I tasted. It's just another stand-out restaurant from (arguably) Philly's best chef. The service was also impeccable. I got Sal's Meatballs, polenta, the baked pecorino, the bufala mozzarella, the cacio è pepe, and the apple dumpling. They also give you olive oil focaccia, which is outstanding. I highly recommend all of it. I also heard the veal tongue is outstanding, but I didn't get to try it.
(5)
Jenn W.
Great place! I like that it's not on one of the super busy streets in Philly. Bruschetta is really great as an appetizer, and it's served with the spread on the side and the bread apart (the bread was surprisingly thick and fluffly, not the usual bruschetta that I expected). I had the stracciatella w/ plum and almonds, and it was awesome! It tastes like a smoky mozzarella. Couldn't taste the plums much, but it was still great. I love pasta, and I couldn't resist after being told that their pasta is all made in house. I had the bucatini on the waiter's suggestions and it was really tasty! It had an almond pesto sauce with some cooked jalapenos (not spicy at all). My boyfriend had their entree special for the day, salmon filet with cucumber salad. He said that the salmon was really good, but wished it were bigger. For dessert, we had their tiramisu (off menu but always available per waiter) and the special of the day, coffee cake with blackberries. We actually both liked the coffee cake much more than the tiramisu. The tiramisu was a so-so average tiramisu. Nothing amazing. I really liked our waiter, who knew all the ingredients in the dishes and was able to answer all my questions (impressive). I also like that part of the kitchen is open to viewing, which is cool. Valet parking is $8. I didn't use it, but may be convenient for some. Reservation recommended, especially for larger groups!
(4)
Kevin R.
We found ourselves at Amis for our Wednesday date night because of all of the great reviews on Yelp. We were seated immediately by the very friendly host and hostess and ordered up a couple of Martinis to go with the olive oil infused bread. We started off with a couple small plates...roasted cauliflower, baked pecorino with honey, and swordfish meatballs. The cauliflower and the cheese were good but the meatballs were mealy and very fishy tasting. I had the Jalapeno and almond pesto pasta for my main...overcooked and uninspired. For desert we shared a sundae with a blood orange sauce. The overly bitter sauce didn't pair that well with the very sweet ice cream. To be honest I didn't even like the bread. I'm actually still looking forward to trying Osteria and haven't given up totally on Mr. Vetri.
(3)
Patrick H.
This Valentine's Day was my visit to Amis and I have to say I was quite pleased with it. The service was very accommodating and prompt. The servers seem to have good understanding of the menu. The place is a bit small and can feel congested, but it's easy to drown out. The food was very well prepared and cooked perfectly. I had the pork shank and my girlfriend had the steak. My pork was very tender and moist and the steak was cooked to a perfect medium. The beer selection was limited but you'll definitely find something you'll enjoy. One thing I've grown to love about Vetri's establishments is the use of mortadella, and this place is no exception. Out of the three Vetri places I have been, this may be third, but third on a Vetri list is still excellent!
(4)
Julie M.
I would definitely expect more from a Vetri establishment. Alas, Amis just did not meet my expectations at all. First, it took about 15 minutes just to get a drink and bread on our table. Then we ordered appetizers and found everything to be greasy/oily and simply not that good. The best thing we tried was the swordfish meatballs. We had one pasta--the chestnut duck; you know that it's bad when you think that you would have been better off having frozen store bought pasta vs fresh VETRI pasta. Yeah, it was that bad. It was goopy and the noodles had an odd consistency. One dessert we had was the saving grace of the meal: the nutella waffle was very well done except that only half the waffle was covered in nutella. Otherwise, it was a tasty dessert. Moreover, the service was pretty atrocious. We were ignored for very long stretches of time. We had about 3 different waiters so none of them could remember what we had already ordered. It was very haphazard. I definitely would not return to Amis. I would much rather go to Osteria or Vetri.
(2)
C M.
My husband and I had a delicious meal at Amis to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. The restaurant was bustling and very crowded when we arrived. We started with the baked pecorino and swordfish meatballs. The pecorino was salty and sweet. Our only complaint was that there wasn't more bread! The swordfish meatballs were strangely delicious. The seafood taste was completely unexpected when biting into a very familiar looking meatball. My favorite dish of the night was the bucatini with jalapeños and almond pesto. The dish was spicy and crunchy. I couldn't get enough! Overall the meal was fantastic but I don't think this is a great date spot. The tables are very close together and it can get very loud inside. I would definitely come back with a group.
(5)
Megan K.
Oh, Amis, there is much that I will miss when I leave PA and return home. While traveling solo, I decided to treat myself to a nice meal, so after some deep searching on yelp, I came across Amis. Luckily Amis was a short walk from my hotel, and when I arrived I was promptly seated. I was seated near the kitchen and my waiter suggested that I sit at the chef's counter for a more exciting dining experience, and I was so happy that I heeded his advice. After the waiter went over the menu and the specials, I put in my drink order for one of their West Coast IPA offerings on their draught list that appears to rotate quite frequently. The IPA hit the spot and ended up pairing nicely with my food choices, which lead me to have another one throughout the course of my dinner. I decided to start off my meal with the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade. This starter came with five small sweetbreads that were lightly fried to a succulent perfection. The sweetbreads themselves were flavorful but the fennel marmalade stole the show. It was tangy and sweet and really coaxed the tender and savoriness out of the sweetbreads. I savored each bite and was surprised at how quickly I inhaled the dish. As I was waiting for my main entree to come out, the chef gave me a "sampler" taste/plate of the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. The portion was large, but I appreciated every bite of it. The duck flavor permeated the dish and nuttiness of the chestnuts really complimented the duck. I forced myself to stop after a few bites so that I wouldn't fill up before the main dish. The lamb shank arrived about ten to fifteen minutes after the fettucine, and this dish was impressively displayed. A Fred Flintstone-esque shank of lamb was perched on top of a creamy polenta and topped with a tomato based sauce. My-oh-my was this dish something! The lamb was falling off the bone as soon as I cut into it, and it was very rich and moist. The polenta added another level of creaminess to the dish and it did well to compliment the lamb as well as on its own. My favorite aspect of the dish ended up being the tomato sauce, which surprised me. It was well spiced and really enhanced the lamb, which on its own was actually a little under seasoned in my opinion. I ate about a third of this massive lamb shank, as I wanted to leave room for one of their desserts. After hemming and hawing over my dessert options, my waiter pointed me to the special which was what they called an italian donut, which was a light pastry dough filled with a maple custard and topped with a streusel, pecans, and chocolate sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. Incredible. I'm pretty sure I fell silent as I ate this dessert, and I savored every bite. I loved how it was dense and rich, but it wasn't overly sugary. A great ending to the meal, which was made even better by one of their scotch offerings, being the Balvenie 12 year. The service was friendly and spot on, and there were no hiccups whatsoever the entire night. The manager even was talking to me throughout the night, and helped me pick out the scotch to pair with the dessert. Vetri was even in the kitchen when I arrived, which was great to note. Amis, if I'm ever back in Philly, I'll gladly come running back to you or one of your sister restaurants!
(4)
Nick D.
I was actually excited to write about Amis after I ate there. First off, the place itself is really cool. It's got that old-world feel to it. Lots of brick and wood. As for the food, pretty excellent. The bruschetta with bufala ricotta and black pepper was amazingly good. The cheese was fresh and creamy, and the bread charred wonderfully. I had the chicken al mattone for an entree. This is a chicken leg and thigh, deboned and cooked under a brick. The skin is wonderfully crispy and the chicken itself it crazy juicy. My wife had the skirt steak with roasted figs. Great flavor, but it probably could have been cooked for another minute or two. The highlight of the meal, however, was the pasta. We had the bruschetta, then split a pasta, then had our entrees, but the pasta was CLEARLY the best thing we ate so it gets mentioned last here. Cacio e pepe. If you've never had it, it is simplicity at it's best; pecorino, black pepper and pasta. It is a classic in Rome. I had it while on a trip there, and it was incredible. But I have to admit, that the cacio e pepe at Amis was just as good. Amazingly simple, creamy, not too heavy, not too salty, just spectacular. I will dream of that dish. Do yourself a favor and have it.
(5)
Erika B.
I will become a regular to make up for lost time. I had a hunch that I would be returning as soon as I walked in to this casual, dimly lit and rustic looking place. The small dishes aren't quite as tiny as I had expected them to be so that was a pleasant surprise. The monkfish skewers in some type of nut based sauce were very good. The PASTA is what this place is all about. My hen and apple ragu was perfect. My friend's black spaghetti was perfect. The pork tagliatelle was perfect. Next time I will have to have only pasta and an entree so that I don't fill up too quickly. Another plus, they had a great beer list. Service: I have to note that that the food really had to be satisfying to make up for the offensive start to the night. The manager apologized for the 30 minute wait for our reservation because the hostess forgot about us...it was obnoxious and the resolution was unprofessional. I usually don't comment on service but this really rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)
R. M.
For the sake of humanity, please put the salt down.I could not finish my meal because of it. Sent the pasta back, came back just as salty. I finally just gave up. The mussels were delicious but not special at all. Service is decent but I felt like I was eating at the Cheesecake Factory. Totally not what I expected at a place like this.
(2)
Ryan B.
The pasta dish literally defined "al dente" and the veal tongue is not to be missed. Thank you fellow Yelpers for the tip on the Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey which is a real winner.
(5)
Grace S.
The oft-quoted swordfish meatballs are really flavorful, but (I'm not a fan of polenta, unfortunately) the consistency was very similar to Asian fishballs which I was not expecting at all. It is also a strange gray color... The tripe stew was delicious. if you're a tripe person, definitely try it. I can't describe tripe, but it's slightly slimy, chewy, and has a very distinctive innards-type of flavor. The lamb croquettes were awesome--plenty of shredded lamb and the croquette had a very thin crust (not greasy at all). The bucatini was very fishy tasting, but that's what I get for not asking about the descriptions ahead of ordering. The pappardelle was perfection, extra thin, beautiful ragu sauce that wasn't too salty and was satisfyingly meaty. The monkfish was overly salty, unfortunately, and I wish I had known it was battered and fried. The mushrooms were just salt salt salt. The table bread was very blah too, but our server made up for it by being very attentive but totally un-intrusive. And of course the Mum Mum's rice pudding is delicious with the figs and black cherry marmalade. 4 people shared it while finishing off our 3rd or 4th carafe of red wine (500 ml for $20). I observed lots of dates going on so it's a pretty happenin' place!
(4)
John B.
Well beyond expectations. Meatballs, cacio e pepe, and specials were all incredible. Great atmosphere - sat at the chefs counter which was served as great entertainment for the evening. Fantastic night - will surely be back soon.
(5)
Joey P.
My last dinner in Philly and Amis was an excellent choice. My wife and i shared a few small plates. The sheeps milk ricotta with pepper was outstanding. The sweetbreads melted in your mouth and the bufala mozzarella was so fresh. I wish i could have tried everything. We each then had a pasta. The pasta was definitely made in house. All i can say was it had some chew. The texture was amazing. The pappardelle was so thin it melted but the star of the night was the Tonnarelli "Cacio E Pepe"with pecorino and black pepper. The peppercorns were slightly crushed giving off a wonderful taste. Our waiter was amazing. He explained each dish and gave great recommendations. The entire staff was so attentive. The prices for what you got cannot be beat. My wife and i ate and drank like we were going to the chair and the bill was under $100. Highly recommended to anyone who loves off the menu type items.
(5)
Jack S.
Rotten Child of the Vetri Family
(1)
Gerald F.
Always 5 *****'s. My linguine pasta was voted the best meal. The meatballs are always outstanding. The chocolate bonbon is probably top 3 chocolate deserts in the city....if not #1. Be sure to say hi to Chef Chris if he's on. Love the awesome lady chef. don't know her name. GREAT STAFF YO!
(5)
Andrea H.
Dee-licious! I love tastes of things and they way the menu is set up, they encourage you to order a couple small plates each. Italian tapas if you will. We took them at their word and ordered loads for the table. They were all delicious and the perfect size to pique your interest and leave you wanting more. We got over excited when ordering and managed to order too much pasta & secondi, delicious as they were. If I was to go again, personally I'd stick to the intro dishes. Drinks wise, they had Woodford so I was delighted but the wine was warm when it arrived. They did everything to chill it down and make sure it was at optimum serving temperature for the rest of the bottle. Service was super and the interiors are intimate and gorge.
(4)
David J.
Food was outstanding. Touch of class - they gave us an extra dessert after our waitress realized my wife was pregnant and couldn't decide between two of the offerings. The only reason I do not give Amis 5 stars is because they played horrible classic rock all night. I know this is a truly subjective point, but it just doesn't fit the restaurant.
(4)
More-aa P.
Quite good! Not the place to take your older relatives as its quite crowded and noisy, but a young lively enjoyable atmosphere. Fung shui around the bar leaves something to be desired as I felt like my bum was encroaching on a fellow diner's table. But I was lucky enough to be seated on the raised area to the right. The center 2 tops in front of the kitchen are practically on top of each other. Enough about the size. Food very good, service excellent. I felt the wine list could've been more ambitious compared to the innovative menu items. Quite pricy but largely worth it. Like other diners, my first Vetri experience. I'm looking forward to trying Osteria and saving up to go to Vetri eventually. Not so sure I'll be running back to Amis, but I was not disappointed.
(3)
Trang N.
We're not sure if my husband and I went to the same restaurant as everyone else?! We had high hopes as we are huge fans of Osteria and frequent there often, not to mention the glowing reviews from the other Yelpers about Amis, we were really excited to try it! We came here last night for our three year anniversary celebration, since it's a Vetri restaurant with a James Beard award winning chef, it automatically had to be good right? Meh. We brought along our one month old son and had no issue getting seated at a four top to accommodate the car seat, so that was a great start to the night! The space was small and akin to an industrial warehouse. The staff was friendly but the service was very spotty, we really appreciated that everyone congratulated us numerous times on our anniversary which was really nice. We started off with the mixed salami plate- bland selections of meats, more like fancy pepperoni, flavorless pate and ham in a board! Sweetbreads - undercooked which made the protein gelatinous and was overly salted, which was disappointing since the flavored were there just prepared poorly. Pork belly- was the texture of raw bacon, I'm use to having it prepared with a crispy skin and a cooked pork, so it was very off putting, but perhaps that was just not our personal preference. Meatballs- again undercooked and underseasoned. Aren't meatballs the Italian staple? How we're they not phenomenal?! My husband said that he would preferred a Wawa meatball and I would have to agree with him! Perplexed, we decided to go very conservative with our entree, in fact we lost faith In the chef and split a basic pasta dish, which we never share entrees! We just couldn't bare to spend anymore money on mediocre food!! It the duck bolognese special was actually pretty good, so at least we had one good dish during our evening out. Our server seemed to be overwhelmed with the amount of tables he had, so perhaps that is why the service was so lacking. The bus boy started to clear our table without aaking If we were finished, we actually had to stop him a from removing one of our plates. We had to ask for refills on our cocktails too! We declined dessert, but to our surprise they came over with a complimentary rice pudding and some vanilla ice cream with a candle which was very tasty, so the night was redeemed somewhat, however we left feeling very disappointed with the dinner courses for our special occasion. It's ashamed because it's literally a block from our house, it could have been our default place to eat!. Amis was a miss!! It really fell way short of our expectations.
(2)
Hector R.
Birthday dinner, delicious food. The mortadella meatballs are delicious! And wait staff !
(5)
Ann V.
So the last time I was here I gave them 5 stars but this time around my dining experience was even more amazing! I guess I could say that last time it was 4.5 stars w/out adjusting it and this time would be 5 stars! OR they could create a 5 star+ button. Just saying.... So this is what we had. Appetizer: Mixed salumi plate: salami del giorno with marmalade, pork liver terrine - so good, mortadella with hazelnut honey, Grilled smoked mozzarella, Sal's old school meatballs - just as i remembered from my last meal, paccheri w/ swordfish, strozzaprete - prob my fave of the evening, braised snails with scallion crema bruschetta - was decent but not my fave. Entree: Guinea hen leg saltimboca - I thought this was pretty tasty but was pretty stuffed at this point and was just eating to eat. Mixed seafood grill - perfectly nice and simple. Charred asparagus with romesco sauce - just getting my veggies in for the day. Dessert -- Belgian style waffles with nutella - nutella doesnt need to be explained, "tartufo al bacio" - hazelnut anything reminds me of nutella - enough said. Food coma.
(5)
Kelly F.
Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I love the menu and chefs who aren't afraid of creative food and unique ingredients. The food itself was pretty good but maybe a tad overpriced. The swordfish meatballs were good. The baked pecorino was a little too sweet for my taste. The bucatini was good but maybe needed a little more almonds or something else the portion was decent. The seafood stew? Wasn't a stew at all and very very small. The waiters were great and the ambience very nice but yes it was kind of hard to hear my dining partners and it wasn't full.
(4)
Emily W.
I can't wait to visit again! One of my favorite Italian restaurants of all-time. Homemade pasta is excellent and I absolutely love the cucumber dill salad! Lemon blueberry mascarpone torte mmm mmm mmm
(5)
Kevin W.
Outstanding all the way around.
(5)
Katie N.
My girlfriend and I had a wondeful experience from the second we walked in the door. The ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and intimate yet fun and funky. The food came quickly and everything was cooked to perfection. You could tell everything, down to the bread, was homeade with their own flare. Having lived in Italy, my girlfriend is pretty particular about her espresso. For the first time, she was blown away at how similar the espresso was to her experiences in Italy. Awesome customer service; WILL BE GOING BACK!
Let's start off with the most important things first....the have a liquor license with wine and a full bar so no BYOB here. Yes it is a big deal especially for us tourist who are not used to BYOB and don't know where the liquor stores are. Now the food....every pasta we tried was exceptional with my fav being the "Cacio e Pepe" tonnarelli pasta with back pepper and pecorino cheese and the Spinach Lasagna. Both of these are worth the flight back to Philly from LA.
(4)
Anthony Y.
chef spence crushes it. the talked about hits mortadella mousse, meatballs and affordable wines top my list of favorites. i went for a business meal but will definitely be back frequently with my wife.
(5)
Alie A.
I simply cannot understand why it took me two years of passing by this place every day to actually come for dinner. I could kick myself for what I have been missing out on. The interior is gorgeous and intimate. It's far smaller inside than I had imagined it to be. It reminded me a lot of Barbuzzo as far as the menu options go. Forever a tapas fan, this family style dining allows for a lot of variety and you get to have a little bit of everything. The bartender was excellent in helping to pair wines with what we both typically like. Great selection and on point recommendations. We sat at the Chef's table which was fun to watch the kitchen bustle on a busy Sunday night. Our server staggered our selections so that we were constantly eating from start to finish. (FYI gained ten points in one sitting..easy. Thank you, Marc Vetri.) The first dish was the whipped ricotta and toasted and light oiled bread. Delicious and the perfect starter dish. Next came the swordfish meatballs with polenta and pine nuts. I had heard this was a house favorite, and I can certainly see why. Very unique flavor. If you are an adventurous eater, the sweetbreads with fennel marmalade were mind blowing. Just pretend you don't know what your eating and it tastes like chicken.. The Chicken Al Matone infused with garlic and olive oil and served over a bead of spinach was the juiciest, most flavorful thing I may have ever had. I tried to explain it to a friend following the meal and couldn't even do it justice. I literally stuttered to explain its awesomeness. We also have the spicy bucatini stuffed with jalapeño and almond pesto was rich and savory..also a know house favorite and certainly one for a reason. Although I thought my pants might split by this point in the evening, we simply couldn't go without trying the tiramisu which was absolutely something to write home about. Ladies and Gents..this mean was one for the books. I am going to throw a really big statement out there..I think this may be the best restaurant in Philadelphia. There. I said it. Can you handle that? Yum.
(5)
De V.
Amis was highly recommended and now I can see why! The ambiance is loud/fun environment. We sat at the Chef's table where we observed apps & desserts being made. The staff was so nice and answered questions on the variety of plates we watched them prep. The food is phenom, definitely a must to try this place out.
(4)
Carlo M.
Nice location on a quiet street just outside of the drab high-rises of Center City, and a nice ambiance. They were poor on meeting their reservations however. We got there on time, and were told to wait at the bar for our table. Little did we know there were still three couples ahead of us. Luckily, they opened up the chef's table right next to the kitchen, so we were able to sit there, which I actually really liked. With that aside, I thought the food was actually very good. The bread was quite tasty, and it went really well w/ the mussels we had for appetizers. It was a great surprise to find little pieces of pork in the broth! I liken the feeling to finding an onion ring in your fries when you go to Burger King. Anyway, great mussels. For my main dish, I ordered the black spaghetti w/ squid & chorizo. It was really good. I don't know what else to say. Beer & wine were reasonably priced, as was the rest of the menu. We were going out afterward, so we skipped dessert. But we sat right in front of the dessert station, and all of them looked really good. I'll have to come back here to try them.
(4)
Alexandra C.
It was really nice of my bf to surprise me with a reservation here on NYE. Unfortunately though it seemed as if we found the Philadelphia Olive Garden. Holy disappointment this turned out to be. The star is for the excellent service from our very nice waiter. Eggplant caponata app -- Nice price of $6. This is usually a fave of mine but found it to be much too oily and lacked the true flavor it should have. Served with super thick slices of not good tasting bread which were all terribly charred. Okay..so the 3 pasta dishes should be better..After all we were told to only order the pasta here and from the looks of our dining neighbors next to us they left almost all of their food on both their plates and sort of shook their heads (looked as if they had some sort of fried filet with a salad?) So of course we were lucky enough to know to order the right things! Wrong. I have never had heavier sauced pasta dishes in my life. Normally I am a salt-aholic and put salt on everything. This was the first time I didn't want to. Everything was so completely OVER salted it was barely edible. The pastas all so overcooked you couldn't tell if you were eating fresh pasta - In fact it could have very well been a store brand. Squash lasagna- an oily mess with what tasted like cheap cheddar cheese melted over the entire thing. Overcooked mushy lasagne with a tiny amount of squash, which gave it really no squash flavor - just salt and cheese. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe - thought I was going to choke to death on a peppercorn. The tonnarelli was wayyy too overcooked. The most overly creamy/buttery/salty dish I have ever had in my life. Olive Garden could do it much better than this - and that's not saying much - at half the price. Pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu - the dish I was dying to get after seeing it on the online menu. This was the best one of the night. Again- too much oil and salt but the mushrooms gave it some actual flavor. Noodles were again too overcooked, but not as badly as the other 2 dishes. Once again my theory proves right! If I don't like the bread at a restaurant I end up not liking the meal. The bread looked like focaccia but tasted like some stale sourdough. This isn't good cooking. If it were the pasta would have been cooked al dente to perfection, the sauces would be light to compliment the pasta, half a salt shaker wouldn't be poured into the food. I'm a tough critic, I know.. But this food left me with Italian food nightmares and perhaps a few pounds. Not sure if I will ever try Italian outside of my family's home again!
(1)
Sarah F.
Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.
(4)
Samantha B.
After Osteria, I didn't know what to expect with Amis. I was pleasantly surprised. The vibe is completely different. Much younger, hipper, cool bar, and more intimate than Osteria. We were seated at a table in the corner, would have been a bit better if there wasn't a couple very close to us on the right, but what can ya do. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and informative. To start we got the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, which was gooey, sweet, and cheesy. Can't go wrong there. We also got a scallop appetizer special that was equally tasty. And to be honest, we probably got the brussel sprouts, but I can't really remember. For our two entrees we got the Tagliatelle with bacon and root vegetables and the Porchetta with roasted potatoes. Both entrees were good, but not amazing. The pork was a little dry, but extremely flavorful. I would definitely come back again. Good experience, but a bit pricey.
(4)
Patrizia C.
So glad I finally tried this. The menu looked incredible, the food was excellent and the service superb! I got the pappardelle with oxtail, it was delicious but I did find a couple of bones. I casually mentioned it to the waitress who was so sweet, she brought our table free dessert because of it! I will most definitely be back!
(4)
Paul L.
Amis has become my destination whenever I want to impress a guest or for celebration. The food here is always good and consistent, I've never been disappointed during my many visits. Last night for Dining Out For Life, my companion and I came here for a meal and the place was virtually packed at 7:00. I sat at the bar and had an amazing prosecco cocktail called Alto. It's amazing because it's mixed right and also the orange peel they put in there make the whole drink fizzes up like a fountain and perfumed the whole drink with its fragrance. One of the best drinks I have for a long while. Amis is the place that introduced me to the combination of cheese and honey. Other Italian food and wine place have similar appetizers now but I will always come back here for their baked pecorino. It's like french toast but so much better. I just wish they offer more seeded toast for me to spread it on. I love their veal tongue, well, I wish it was a chewier cow tongue but the pepper mostarda was awesome, even the bed of spring onion that it was served in were great. The "explore the menu" function is not as updated as often and when I fully intended to order the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu or the oxtail canneloni, they have already switched those items out. the spaghetti with pork jowl is quite awesome. The pork jowl was really tender. The pasta perfectly al dente. I have never had pasta this perfectly cooked before. NEVER. Every restaurant has their own brussel sprout dish now and Amis' fried brussel sprouts is really a good addition. They are crispy like potato chips, well seasoned and really, really addictive. I don't know if they are good for you but I'm telling myself that they are. We had to thank the very friendly waitress that recommended it to us. We also ordered a monkfish dish that was ok. All the food and drinks were quite good and I imagine I'll be back for more again sometime soon.
(5)
Rachelle R.
My husband and I recently visited Philly from NYC and checked out Amis on our first night there. We loved sitting at the chef's table and watching the busy kitchen. I loved that they serve non alcoholic drinks on their menu, like the pineapple soda (light on the pineapple, kind of like an Italian soda). The food was pretty spectacular. I went with the marinated shrimp with fennel and persimmon and LOVED it - the flavors are really complex but go very well together. My husband went with the sweetbreads which were just perfect. A lot of places fry sweetbreads and pair it with a bunch of crap that take away from the flavor - these were dusted with almond, and served with a simple fennel marmalade which was incredible. For mains, I went with the monkfish with lemon and escarole and was in heaven. My husband got the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. I had never even heard of chestnut fettucine and it did not disappoint - yum! The only complaint I can think of is the fact that it was super busy and our waitress forgot to bring us bread, and at one point my husband asked to see the wine menu, she brought it, but forgot to come back for his order. It was a little annoying, but we ended up getting a comped side of braised kale and comped assorted cookies for dessert which more than made up for it. The hostess was so sweet and asked us how we liked dinner as she handed us our coats, and we had an awesome chat with the owner/manager (I forget his title) and were pretty happy with the bill as well - very reasonable for the experience. Overall, fantastic food and drinks, awesome quiet/quaint street, warm and welcoming, not at ALL pretentious - definitely a big fan and will return next time I'm in town!
(5)
Doris T.
The meal starts out with complementary bread that's cake like. The ricotta with black pepper is a must try! It's been days and I'm still thinking about this dish. If you're feeling adventurous order the grill veal tongue. It was my first time having veal tongue and not my last time. For the main entree we ordered the spring pea tortelli in a lamb ragu. It has to be one of the best tortelli in the city. The service was good nothing over the top. Overall, the food is great. So if you are looking to over load on delicious carbs give this place a try!
(4)
Richard Michael L.
Just sublime. Went last night for maybe my 100th time? Took a vegetarian, which means I got to eats lots of CHEESE and desserts! Excellent swordfish meatballs, Sal's meatballs, baked pecorino, veggies, and desserts. Yum. The house white wine is a bargain. Outdoor seating on a warm Wed night was chill. Service is impeccable, as always. Danielle, Arturo, Ned, and the rest of the staff rock.
(5)
Brett B.
All time favorite restaurant in Philly. Nice enough to feel like you are having a nice night out but not too fancy to make you uncomfortable. Menu is always changing and definitely never disappoints. Service is great. Food even better.
(5)
Shirlana D.
It was love at first bite here! My bf took me here to celebrate my PhD proposal being approved. It was a last minute date, but it was great! The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had the meatballs for an appetizer and can I tell you, they were so good, I thought we might have to fight over who would get the last one (of course, he is a gentleman, so he offered the last one to me). The bread was light and fresh, served with warm butter as I like and the food was fresh. Our dishes were flavorful and well seasoned. We didn't have to wait long for our food and the seating, lighting and ambiance were perfect. The dessert was heavenly! We had the Belgian style waffle with nutella and hazelnuts - can you say DELICIOUS! This place is off the beaten path and is not located in restaurant row and because of such, may not get as much play. However, this restaurant is 5 stars all the way. Did I mention the ambiance is wonderful. This is definitely a place where you can go to have a nice evening with the one you love and share the love of food :).
(5)
Jim G.
I've been meaning to review this place for a long time. This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The atmosphere is great: laid back and casual, but rustic and trendy. The food never disappoints. I highly recommend the baked pecorino - it's the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and nutty. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is also a "go to" dish for us. Otherwise, I recommend trying whatever is on special, because it's always awesome. They also have a nice selection of wine and a few craft Italian beers (bonus points). Where this place really shines, though, is in the service. Servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. If you ask how much food to order, they will tell you the right amount without trying to "oversell" you. Overall, I highly recommend Amis for simple, rustic Italian cooking and the feeling that you're having dinner with your "friends."
(5)
Jenna H.
We don't usually get dessert with dinner and wine, but here, it's a MUST, and I'm talking about the Belgium waffle dessert! They make it fluffy, so it's not as thick and filling as a regular Belgium waffle, but has the same great taste topped with delicious ice cream! The menu does not have descriptions, so definitely ask the wait staff about anything you want! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and explained several of the appetizers and entrees to us in order to make a decision. The extensive wine list is also in Italian, and I usually drink Napa Valley Cabernets, so the waitress recommended one of the best wines I've ever had! They serve a variety of salad, pasta, seafood, and meat entrees along with a large selection of bruschetta, meat, and cheese appetizers. Appetizer must: Sal's famous meatballs with tomato covered potato. You get three juicy meatballs with a little potato underneath them, and the flavors were impeccable! We were looking for pasta and had the ricotta and tonnarelli dishes. Both were outstanding. While other reviews mentioned "generous" portions, I would categorize them as below average for what we usually receive at high-end Italian restaurants. We both finished our plates and could have eaten more, whereas usually I cannot finish an entire pasta entree. This was even after consuming one appetizer, fresh bread (provided to all patrons but with no dipping oil), and our complimentary side (described below). The service was top notch! Besides our waitress being attentive and knowledgeable with everything, we were offered a complimentary side that we shared while waiting for our meals because the chef was not happy with how the entrees resulted. Therefore, he started over while we enjoyed the side. We greatly appreciated this level of service! I'm surprised it's rated $$$ because most entrees were $16-20 a piece minus a few exceptions. We got a bottle of wine, two entrees, one appetizer, and one dessert for $115 plus tip! The ambiance was upscale, yet we saw people wearing anything from t-shirts and flip flops to dressy. They have $18 valet that is the best option unless you want to park and walk quite a bit. They had outdoor tables, but we opted for inside as outside seating is on the sidewalk by where everyone arrives, walks by, and valet. We enjoyed our date night and would definitely go back as we are huge fans of the Vetri restaurants!
Finally made it over to Amis on a beautiful May night in the city. This is the 3rd Vetri restaurant we have visited, Alla Spina and Pizzeria Vetri being the other two. Amis is very pleasant inside and has an open and comfortable feel. The restaurant was doing a brisk business on this Thursday night. The recession sure looked over at Amis. The dishes we had were as follows, some selected from other Yelp reviews, thanks. Mortadella with hazelnut honey salumi - We really like this dish, it was sweet and salty. Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts - My wife loved this but it did have some flavoring with anchovies. If you don't like anchovies beware. Ironic because I am not a fan of anchovies but I liked this dish. I didn't love it but the pine nuts made it interesting and the anchovy taste was just below my breaking point. Spring pea tortelli with lamb ragu and mint - This was a fantastic dish, it is worth coming back for. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - This was also excellent with just the right amount of heat. Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - The eggplant fries were fantastic, very good dish. Olive oil cake with blood orange marmalade and whipped cream - This was OK, didn't really wow us. Amis serves this bread cooked in olive oil. Beware; it is awesome and easy to fill up on. Our service was excellent even though the restaurant was busy. With the 2 appetizers, 4 pasta dishes, 1 dessert a couple of coffees and 2 beers and a soda we were in the $130.00 range or about $32.00 per head before tip. Amis is not cheap but we were all stuffed. I liked Amis and glad we were able to get there.
(4)
Katie B.
Went to Amis for brunch last weekend and walked in with very high expectations. Osteria, Alla Spina, Lo Spiedo, and the pizzeria are all incredible, and Amis was next on my list. Service, decor, and ambiance were fantastic. I highly suggest the cheese appetizers, and my brother loved the Jersey Bomb (an awesome looking breakfast sandwich). The bellinis, bloody mary, and cappuccinos were all perfect. Seriously can't recommend this place enough!! Best brunch I've had in Philly.
(5)
Richie H.
First time coming here and enjoyed our meal and service. We ordered -Salami Del Giorno with Onion Marlamade - home made salami, but it was okay. -Sal's Meatballs - very tender and delicious - beef, veal, and pork - cooked to medium. -Cacio E Pepe - we just came from Italy and not a bad rendition of the classic pasta dish. It's a little blander than what we got in Italy, but you can really taste the pepper and wasn't as salty (which we preferred) -Rigatoni - good dish as well - cooked al dente. -Dessert - Belgium waffle - very tasty and extraordinarily light/fluffy waffle. Great with the nutella and hazelnuts. Awesome place - not as good as Italy, but close enough!
(5)
Mark Z.
What a great dining experience I had here! I decided on taking my girlfriend here for my birthday and I am very happy with the decision. The restaurant itself has this very lax atmosphere and contemporary look. Our waitress was a total sweetheart and was very friendly, as well as attentive. My girlfriend and I wanted to start off with the swordfish meatballs as an appetizer. When we got our meatballs, we also got Eggplant Caponata on the house for the long wait (wasn't really questioning the wait, but awesome!). Both of the starters were great by the way. We also split the bucanti which was amazing! It had some nice heat with out being too over powering. I decided on the lamb shoulder as my entree. That was really good and tender, also the potatoes were seasoned nicely. Our dessert was the Belgian waffle with the semifreddo and nutella to share. That was a really nice way to end our great meal. I can't stress enough that people should go here for a good meal and awesome service.
(5)
Shani T.
Amis may or may not be my favorite restaurant in Philly. Okay, fine, it is. I can't help but recommend this place to everyone that visits Philly. AMIS, YOU WIN, YOU HAVE MY HEART, OKAY? Amis is even better than my favorite Italian restaurant in New York (Giano). I love Italian food, and I only love it as much as I do today because of Amis. This place is amazing delicious beautiful intimate and have I mentioned amazing? A good friend of mine took me here before I graduated college and I regret not having discovered Amis before then. We started with the salami del giorno with onion marmalade ($8), which was delicious. The salami comes in slices that are quite thick, and the marmalade balances the saltiness of the salami perfectly. The plate comes with around 5 slices of salami but it was a great appetizer. For entree, I got the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper. Oh my goodness, I loved this so much. The pecorino sauce with black pepper is rich, but not heavy in a way that made me feel too full from flavor. An extremely simple dish, but it's what I imagine a pasta dish would be like from Italy. The pasta was cooked to perfection and I am literally salivating as I type this. For dessert, my friend and I split the belgian waffle with nutella and ice cream. UGH I WANT TO EAT THIS EVERY DAY. The belgian waffle was fluffy, but still had a nice crunch. The ice cream was perfect and I could just eat a jar of nutella myself normally so there's that. I left Amis so full and so satisfied. Like, never been happier in my life. I recommended a couple of friends to go to Amis when they visited Philly for the first time and they loved it too. Definitely a great restaurant for a date, as it is very intimate, with dim lighting and very cute decor. Amis, I love you. So much. So so much.
(5)
Aaron L.
We frequent Amis but came for the Seven Fishes dinner in July. It was outstanding to say the least. The coursed dinner was presented quite well and the flavor profile was incredible. The star of the dinner was the spaghetti and crabs and they couldn't have been more flavorful. To wrap the dinner up the desert combination was also top notch, including a savory buttermilk shortcake. Always a great dining experience and this was no different! See you next time, Amis.
(5)
Christina V.
Just one stop at Amis and this place is by far, my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. The decor is right up my alley- rustic meets modern. Lots of wood work, a large bar, and a quiet industrial feel. Perfect non-pretentious vibe. It was my first trip to Amis and was my dates choice- he raved about it and couldnt believe i hadnt been there yet. We were a bit early for our reservation so we grabbed a cocktail at the bar. It was packed and the bartenders were attentive and quick to take our order. Once our reservation was ready we decided to sit at the chef's table. The kitchen was clean and bright and friendly. Our server was quick to greet us and start us off bread and a refresher for cocktails. Once ready to order, I let my date take the reins. And I couldnt have been happier. We ordered the bufala ricotta and black pepper and Sal's meatballs to start. Both were out of this world, insanely crazy delicious. The meatballs were so tender and the ricotta was served with this charred thick sliced seeded bread. We also got the Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and another dish which I can't remember- not because it wasn't good but because I probably devoured it too quickly. The tonneralli was rich and probably right off the boat from Italy. The service was just as impeccable as the food and just when we thought we were done - our server brought over complimentary Mom-Mom's rice pudding which was phenomenal. I want to live here.
(5)
Jack J.
Came here for Valentines dinner and was thoroughly impressed. This is my first Marc Vetri restaurant and it did not disappoint. I yelped some of the more popular selections before coming here. We ended up ordering the fried cauliflower and the swordfish meatballs for appetizers. The swordfish meatballs were perfectly cooked, but my mom makes her own fish balls and I couldn't distinguish the difference in meatballs made with white fish and this swordfish - nonetheless, it was delicious. The fried cauliflower was great as well, didn't really taste fried to me, more like baked? For our main course we had the Cacio E Pepe and Paccheri with Swordfish and Eggplant fries. I can't speak much for the Cacio E Pepe, but the Paccheri was delicious and a very interesting looking dish. Slightly salty, but savory nonetheless. It's definitely a foreign idea to me - paccheri in tomato sauce with basil, swordfish bites, and topped with a few eggplant fries. Somehow it worked, kudos Vetri. For dessert I had seen the Belgian waffles with nutella on here, so we had to have it. It did not disappoint. We were so stuffed at that point - the portion sizes were larger than I had anticipated.
Went there with some friends hoping for another lucky strike of good food. I started with the Bufala Mozzarella with Clementines and Walnuts, nothing exceptional to brag about! My friend, however, had the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, It was Warm, melted and looked amazing and I knew I had to try it. The saltiness of the gooey cheese and the sweetness of the almond honey drizzle was divine. I totally regret not getting it! Rigatoni with skirt rib ragu was my entree. The home-made rigatoni was okay, not the best I ever had. Besides the tough texture, the chef was so generous with salt! Seriously, my pasta was extra salty that I thought either my blood pressure will be elevated or I will dehydrate. I think I did drink more than five glasses of water to compensate the highly-salt dish. After the disappointing appetizer and entree, I was hoping that my dessert at least will be the "icing on the cake,"I believed that it will be hard to go wrong with the Belgian Style Waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts, it sounded as the winning combination. Again, it was decent, not really memorable. I had a bite of my friend's Mom-Mom's Rice Pudding looking for some comfort, I was dissatisfied. The chef complementary tiramisu was average! Nothing was memorable except the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, I will go again just to have it for myself! Disappointing highlights: 1/ We weren't seated until the rest of our party showed up- we waited at the bar. 2/ Food took forever to come out, with long gap between courses 3/ I'm even more disappointed because its part of Vetri's family! Three Yelps!
(3)
Lynne K.
Overall, the food and service were terrific here. We sat outside and thus did not get a great sense of the ambiance indoors, but I would certainly be willing to come back and try indoor seating when the weather isn't quite as nice. We split two pastas, one entree, and one vegetable side dish between two people and felt that was the right amount of food (though we went hungry!). Our server was knowledgeable and helpful.
(4)
Justyn W.
I am so glad I made the decision to go and check out this restaurant before leaving the city. My friend, and fellow Yelper, Sarah P. was kind enough to indulge me for an evening dinner at a place I had only heard great things about. We were quickly accommodated with seating once we arrived, and our waiter was extremely attentive and fun as well. The pasta and other items were clearly fresh and I suggest you check out the pictures I've posted to get a better idea of what the final product looked like. But the meatballs paired with my pasta extremely well, and were large and filling but still light at the same time. Not to mention the adult beverages we checked out were pretty tasty as well. Our waiter surprised us with tiramisu presumably because I told him it was very likely my first and last trip to the restaurant, and believe me when I say it didn't disappoint either. This place is definitely solid and it's rating speaks for itself. I look forward to possibly coming back whenever I revisit Philly, and recommend it to anyone considering.
(5)
Saloni G.
My recent experience at Amis was great! We shared the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey which was good but I think my expectations of it were set too high. It was pretty sweet, which kind of overpowered the taste of the cheese itself. The Fried Cauliflower with Pecorino and Salsa Rossa was really good! The cauliflower was well marinated, crunchy, and fresh. I definitely recommend this dish on the side! For my entree, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. There were a lot of japapenos so be careful if you're not spice-tolerant! The pasta was clearly freshly made and delicious. Some Italian restaurants tend to make their pasta too oily but Amis was right on point! I stole a bite of my friend's Tartufo E Bacio which was very rich. It's basically a dome of chocolate and was delicious. Our service was good but slowed down when it got busier. They are pretty attentive and will happily bring more of the bread if you ask! I've heard their brunch is good too so I might stop by again in the future!
(4)
Sarah K.
Came here last week with a friend and it was great as always. Not as good as I remembered it but we over ordered so maybe I didn't enjoy it as much. The ricotta as always was perfect. The charcuterie plate was interesting but I don't love mortadella. The salami was very flavorful. The swordfish meatballs were really fishy, my husband said that's to be expected, but he wasn't there to know just how fishy they were. The cauliflower was just perfect. My biggest issue was the cacio y pepe, when I was in Italy I fell in love with this dish. However at Amis it tasted a little pasty and not very peppery which is kinda imperative to the dish. The pasta with the jalapeños made up for it, had a great kick. The staff as always was great. We were so full at this point that we knew we wouldn't be able to eat the scallops we ordered so the waiter canceled it for us no problem. Overall very good.
(4)
Zinnia M.
Amis has become a favorite go-to for a date or dinner/drink with friends. I love the atmosphere and the food and the service is usually excellent. They do get quite crowded on weekends, so make a reservation for dinner! For drinks, they have a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. My favorite is the prosecco - seems to go with everything and if you're craving something a little more fun, order a granita! They'll serve you a prosecco with a little dish of semi-frozen berry deliciousness to add to it and it's just so yummy! We usually go with the small plates to get a nice variety, and who doesn't like sharing? A couple of the stand-outs: warm pecorino with almond honey (divine), quail with bitter greens and kumquat marmalade (great complementation of flavors), fried brussels sprouts with lemon (perfectly seasoned and a great portion). I have a pretty specific diet, and can always find something tasty! I've had to wait for a few times when we didn't have a reservation and ran into friends there the other night that waited even WITH a reservation, but they were quite busy and make it up to you with their friendly waitstaff and oftentimes even some complimentary small plates from the kitchen. Highly recommend! Have taken out of town visitors and they loved it just as much as I do.
Our director took us to Amis for late night food and drink. As he would say, "it was fantastic!" The ambiance is classy-casual and romantic, with dim lighting and uniformed waitstaff. It's a small physical space, but well-arranged and cozy. Seemingly a perfect date venue. A tad bit on the noisy side however. First of all, they surprised us with a complimentary pasta dish. I'm not sure if it was another table's botched order, but regardless, it was a pleasant surprise. This complimentary dish, the bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto, ended up being my favorite plate of the night. I've never had a jalapeño pasta dish before, but wow does it work well in this dish. The jalapeño kick is simply addictive and I found myself fighting my colleagues for the last few bites. The bucatini was well cooked and the cream sauce was well-balanced, rich without being overly heavy. To top things off, the almonds added some much appreciated texture to the dish. So good! We also ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and a braised pork pasta special of the day. Both were very good, but I just couldn't stop thinking about the jalapeño pasta dish, it was that good. It's probably one of the best pasta dishes i've had ever. For dessert, we had the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Amazing! The crispy exterior, warm cake interior contrasting with the crunchy hazelnuts and soft semifreddo was heavenly. The combination of the jalapeño bucatini along with the Belgian waffle dessert could very well serve as my last meal request, if I ever found myself on death row. Overall, I was impressed with with Amis' atmosphere and service. The waitstaff was friendly and on point. They have a nice selection of wine and liquor. We also had a celebrity sighting and Aziz Ansari was dining a few tables down from us. I'll definitely be returning to Amis the next time i'm in Philadelphia.
(4)
Manosai E.
Came here with my girlfriend at 8:30 on a Monday night. The place was pretty busy for the day and time of the week but we had a reservation. I thought the tables were a little too close to each other, made it seem like you were invading on your dining neighbors' privacy. We didn't have much of a choice when it came to a lot of the entrees since the only meat we eat is chicken but we still decided to order the ricotta bruschetta and bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. The ricotta was slightly heavy but delicious. We'd heard from friends who had been here before that the bucatini would be amazing so we were definitely excited for that to come to our table. We weren't disappointed. 5 stars just on the basis of that dish. It was absolutely delicious and unlike anything I've ever had. The sauce reminded me of pad thai since it was nutty and creamy but the jalapenos were a great touch that made the entire meal a bit spicier than I was expecting. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed the dish and were happy with the overall experience.
(5)
Devina G.
We indulged for an evening of deserts and drinks at Amis. This was another favorite of our hosts, so we were excited. I don't remember what everyone ordered, but the twin and I shared the Belgian style waffle with Nutella. The The waffle was topped with vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Semifreddo is a frozen cream or custard, almost like ice cream. My first bite into the fluffy warm waffle, laced with melting sweet cream and Nutella was simply heavenly. I have no other words to describe it. It was fantastic and our entire group loved it! I ate it so slow to savor every moment with each bite. Aside from the heavenly waffle, I really enjoyed being there. Very casual and definitely a great atmosphere. Drinks were reasonably priced as well. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Olivia R.
I have been to Amis for brunch twice now, and it is the best! Fantastic food, service, and atmosphere. Here are some highlights: FOOD: BAKED PECORINO is a plate of gooey, cheesy goodness with a bit of a sharper taste. RICOTTA is a pretty standard ricotta dish but delicious nonetheless. BELGIAN WAFFLE WITH SEMIFREDDO is so delicious! I have never had semifreddo before and it is basically a stickier, creamier version of ice cream. The one that comes with the waffle is butter flavored, so if you spread it out, it is as if the waffle has butter and ice cream on it at the same time. If you are in the mood for something sweet, I definitely recommend this. If you are in more of a lunch mood, definitely go for one of the PASTAS - they are all hand-cut and very tasty (at least one person tried each one in my party). SERVICE: This is probably the best service I have had at a restaurant ever. The waitresses were so nice and friendly and were great about explaining everything on the menus and giving recommendations. The first time I went, the baked pecorino was taking a bit longer than usual to come out so she just gave it to us on the house. Then when we were looking at the dessert menu, we mentioned to each other that we had wanted to try the olive oil cake but were too full to get it. Five minutes later, out comes the cake, also on the house! The second time I went, they gave us ricotta on the house as well. So considerate, and it made the dining experience all the better! ATMOSPHERE: Amis has a well-lit, airy, bright atmosphere. There are beautiful lamps made of little red bottles of cordial. My favorite part is the bakery counter, filled with scones and bread and open toward the restaurant. Behind the counter you can see into the kitchen, a nice touch. If you are looking for a nice place to go to brunch, I definitely recommend Amis!
(5)
Bruce N.
A bit pricey but the food here is WORLD CLASS! Service is awesome, and even the valet Kory goes above and beyond the call of duty. THIS is how a restaurant should be.
(5)
Andrea A.
Yes yes yes. If this place was byob I wouldn't eat out anywhere else on date nights. Delicious small plates and an intimate setting that still can translate to casual- love it here. Order: swordfish meatballs, mortadella with honey, any of the pasta dishes & the ice cream Sunday with blood orange.
(5)
Peter V.
We came here for dinner on a Saturday. The place was packed for the night. Opted to sit at the bar. Hostess also said that tables outside are on a first come first serve basis. Bartender Michelle was great throughout the night. Super attentive even though it was a very busy night. She gave good recommendations on both drinks and food. The only issue with our meal was the long wait time between our antipasto and our entrees. All dishes were good except for the eggplant lasagna. It was tasteless and would not recommend. We ended our meal with tiramisu and was given a salted butter semifreddo on the house.
(4)
Lucy S.
Great Tuesday night dinner with work friends. We started at the bar with a cocktail. Good selection but a little annoyed that the bar tender kept ignoring my request for a drink while my guy colleagues were chatting and being indecisive. The waitress was a bit aggressive in seating us. We said we wanted to finish our drinks at the bar and she said we rather she we didn't. When we sat we put our hands in the waiter to choose our food and wine based on recommendation from a friend who had was with us who had been there before. We started with a nice red medium body to go with out first course - burrata and house made charcuterie. Burrata was awesome didn't try the charcuterie a little too fresh for me. Fellow dinner gave good reviews. Next course was octopus and another dish of cauliflower. Cauliflower ROCKED. The pastas were the standouts the almond pesto with jalapeño not to be missed. We finished with scallops and lamb. A little on the odd side was the second red was lighter than the first. Not a major party fowl - but strange since waiter picked wines -knowing we were going to have two bottles. All and all. Great experience.
(4)
Joe D.
We ate and drank everything and you we couldn't go wrong. From the pre-dinner cocktail (Ginginber - 12 hendrick's/ginger/cucumber), to the bread (omg), apps, wine, and entree's. This review is long over due since the first time we went was to "carb up " for broad street, and I should have update you all on yelp prior. My bad - cuz its so good - Im actually salivating, and making a reservation at Amis as we speak. Cheers
(5)
Jacqueline O.
Vetri killed it on this one. Best restaurant in Philadelphia. Doesn't matter if you can't pronounce it or have never heard of it... It is to die for. Just about all of the starters are amazing. My two favorites have to be the straccitella with heirloom tomatoes and basil and baked pecorino with almond honey. Both of these are not to be passed on. The only appetizer I would say to pass on is the swordfish meatball. It is so fishy it's almost unbearable. Al time favorite dish- bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. It is the perfect combination of spicy and creamy. For dessert the Belgium waffle with Nutella is a slice of heaven. It's hard to believe something this good even exists. However tiramisu here is a trigger word for me. So say a prayer it is the dessert special.
(5)
Lily C.
One of the best Italian meals I've had in Philly. I really liked the atmosphere - it was lively and loud without being unbearable. The service was not great that night...I was seated for ~20 minutes before I was greeted by a waiter or before I was able to get a glass of water. The service did get progressively better throughout the night, I guess as they got less busy. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto and striploin with mushrooms and chimichurri. Both of these were absolutely mouth-watering and I won't be able to live with myself if I don't return for these the next time I'm in Philly. The presentation of the dishes and the flavors were amazing.
(4)
Vidushi B.
Amis might be my favorite restaurant in Philly. I've been here a few times for dinner, and it's been excellent, but this review is for the brunch, which I had the pleasure of trying for the first time yesterday. I went with four friends, so we decided, first, to get the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey to share. It was so, so good. Baked cheese is heaven in any form, but the almond honey was the perfect touch. The bread that came with it was excellent as well - it tasted like garlic bread. For my main course, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. I enjoyed this a lot as well, though it wasn't what I expected. The sauce was kind of buttery, and it wasn't that spicy. I still enjoyed it though, though I hope to try some of the other options next time. The food was incredible. However, the service was AMAZING. The Baked Pecorino took a while to come out, and we had been waiting for a while. The manager approached us and apologized, and told us it was on her, which was very nice. However, at the end, I mentioned I was too full for dessert, though I wanted to try the olive oil cake. The waitress brought it out for us free of charge as an apology for earlier. I was shocked -- this is what truly impressing your guests means. (The olive oil cake was very tasty as well!). Probably truly the best service I have experienced. I can't wait to return to Amis again. And again. And again!
(5)
Food Love R.
Oh my god!!!!!! Food is excellent (highly recommend bucatini) but the service out shine above it all. The best restraint service experience I've ever had in the past decades of many restaurant service. Thanks to the amazing shied Drew and great server Diana. We will be back with more friends and family. Just go there and it would be the best time you would ever have.
(5)
Erin B.
My husband and I had our first wedding anniversary date here, on a friend's recommendation. We enjoyed every single moment. It was snowy outside and cold. we found close by parking spot that wasn't filled with piles of snow. we walked in - reservations of course, and were promptly seated. The waiter was kind and always around when you needed him, and not too obtrusive. We ordered many things to share, and i believe we had Sal's meatballs (delicious) and some fried Brussels Sprouts (life-changing, seriously), among other things. Our overall experience was a pleasant one and we would both love to go back and try more things on the menu. Nothing we ordered was bad, i am pretty sure you cannot go wrong here. They were out of the appetizer i wanted (pecorino with almond honey), so i guess i just have to come back to try it! one gripe- i always drink water. why please tell me, is water $5?? since when did restaurants start charging for tap water? This left a bad taste in my mouth - but thankfully i polished off my meal with a yummy latte to clear that bad taste. I am normally an outspoken patron, and would have mentioned it to the waiter, but my husband rushed out the door before i had the chance.
(5)
Liza K.
Amis was never on my radar, and I'm glad I gave it a try when a friend suggested going there after a long work day. We made reservations ahead of time as they're always packed. We got there early and sat at the bar for a drink, which was a great way to pick the bartender's brain and try a couple different wines before picking our favorites. We were seated at a little table facing the open kitchen, which was great. We right right in the middle of things! It wasn't too cramped, but you definitely get the feel of being surrounded by a lot of people and it was quite loud. I didn't get to see the whole restaurant, but this part of the restaurant might not be the best for an intimate affair. The couple next to us, celebrating their anniversary got a lively experience, as everyone near them congratulated them, or offered them food. So if you prefer to be left alone, I'd suggest requesting a quiet table or something. Loved the food too! We had heard that the ricotta was to die for, and it was! Served with thick slices of a sweeter kind of toast we could have just eaten that. It was very good ricotta! Creamy, rich and just a little bit fluffy, it was deceptively filling. I think in the end we ordered too much for 2 people - the ricotta and other other plate would have sufficed. The Arancini meatballs were also recommended, and were good. However, in my humble opinion, they weren't anything special. I'd save room for something more exciting, like the ricotta or pasta! Last, we had the Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. The server said they weren't too spicy, but they definitely had a very strong kick to them. I liked the bucatini noodles - for people who aren't familiar they're spaghetti-like noodles, but with a hole in the middle. The jalapenos and almond pesto gave this dish a unique twist and made it feel a bit lighter than alfredo or another creamier sauce. I'm glad we tried simpler dishes, but I'd like to sample more exciting dishes next time. Out of the three, I'd have the ricotta again. The wine selection was great, and the bellinis are also crisp and tasty. I'd probably go for wine again next time, and get the bartender's help to pick the right one. Well done, Amis!
(4)
Therese M.
Amis was my pick for my birthday dinner back in November. I'd been wanting to give it a try for a while now and it did not disappoint! We started off with the bufala ricotta bruschetta and baked pecorino w/almond honey. While both were good, the baked pecorino definitely won that round. Next up were Sal's old school meatballs.. they were simple but in a good way. For our main dishes, I had the fettuccine w/duck Bolognese and he had the bucatini w/jalapeno and pesto. I'm a sucker for anything with duck in it- so getting the fettuccine was an obvious choice. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was perfect. The duck complimented it well. The bucatini was also very good, but after trying both dishes, we each liked our own pick better (as per usual). If you have room for dessert, get the Belgian waffle! Ohh and can't forget about the drinks.. I was a huge fan of the Alto and plan on attempting to make it at home!
(5)
Meg k.
We went for dinner with high expectations but were disappointed with the food. Ordered the combination salumi platter, quail antipasti and cacio e Pepe pasta. Quality of salumi was good but the plate was unimaginative. Left us wanting for some cheese or pickled veggies. And overall too sweet. Quail again was cooked well but came with cornmeal and cherry(?) sauce.. Nothing that wowed the palette. Cacio e Pepe was dense and Parmesan that became a cheese sauce making the pasta too heavy. Was expecting clean, fresh flavors overall from a restaurant this caliber, unfortunately it falls short. Liked the ambience (loud but it was appropriate) and service.
(3)
Sumera K.
I have come here for drinks and dinner a few times over the years. Most recently visited on a Saturday night two weeks ago. Originally, I had made reservations for a party of two, but then added additional people to our party...and surprisingly, there wasn't a problem. Yay! I'm a big fan of places with great customer service. score. Had the eggplant caponata, roasted lamb, roasted mushrooms...all paired with a bottle of red. Everything was delicious except for the lamb. It was very dry and a bit overly salted. Overall, Amis is a great go-to and on point. The ambiance is seductive, has great service and delicious flavors...GO!
(4)
Anish R.
Great place to take for a fancy date night. Strongly encourage calling ahead of time. The bread was fresh and tasted amazing each time ( I had to call for seconds!) The swordfish meatballs were a great way to start the meals. For dinner I had a sweet corn pasta type dish that was seasonal (late review I had this in the beginning of October) which was also great. A little pricey, but great night time dinner atmosphere on a Friday night.
(4)
Yvonne L.
Nice ambience and locale. Reservations needed. Food was above average, quick service. Sometimes way too quick, the waitress hardly gave us time to dig in to our dishes and she was already asking us how it was! Starters of meatball and fried cauliflower were great. Seconds pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto had an awesome al dente texture but the sauce was a little meh (couldn't tell what the flavor was). Scallops were good and the chocolate dessert was delicious. I would repeat!
(4)
John K.
Feel free to check out the blog for some more deetz on Amis and the Chef, but I'm sure we're here for the food. So let's get on with it! The restaurants features something called Beast of Amis, a nightly round of specials that showcases different parts of an animal in a variety of dishes. Tonight's special was pork three ways. Unfortunately, in an effort to showcase some a la carte dishes, the GF and I decided to pass. Still, if there was a pork belly special on hand, I'm sure I would have been tempted. Blood and Soda [$11] Famous Grouse, cherry herring, vermouth I started off the night with this scotch-based drink. For those that are interested in entering into the realm of whiskey, this is a great entry course. Light, refreshing, and bright, the cherry liqueur came through on the finish nicely. Easy drinking. Mandoria [$11] Tito's handmade vodka, amaretto, pineapple The GF's drink offered even easier drinking. The amaretto brought forth soothing undertones of sweetness with the pineapple providing brightness. The vodka was easily masked, but definitely there. Bread Service Our night's indulgence started off with incredible olive oil focaccia. Light and airy within, the exterior had a crispy crust laden with sea salt. It took all I had not to get up and attack the whole house-made loaf being portioned out for the evening's diners by the server's station. Come for the bread alone. Seriously - it's that good. No accoutrements needed here. Eggplant Caponata [$8] In line with our eggplant kick (at least one of our weekly dinners involves l'aubergine), we had to get the caponata. It came with four slices of grilled, buttery sesame-crusted bread. A perfect vehicle for the smooth, savory eggplant. Certainly a contrast in textures as well as temperatures, with the caponata being served appropriately cold. Bufala Mozzarella [$12] Charred asparagus, mint, pickled red onions The mozz was expectedly creamy and rich, with the charred asparagus offering a bit of texture. The pickled onion and vinegary base provided the necessary hit of acid. It's clear that the quality of the ingredients are there, but it truly is the sum of the parts that make each bite perfect. Salami del Giorno [$8] Onion marmalade House-made salumi (crafted over in a room at Vetri Ristorante no less!) came complimentary from the kitchen. And I'm glad it did - mainly because it's now a must-order. The salumi were sliced gossamer thin - cleanly flavored and nicely complimented by the sweet onion marmalade. The quality is evident here, unadulterated by much else. I couldn't help but think about the next Vetri-Spence-Michaud venture however. Vetri-wich anyone? (Craftwich ... Grahamwich ... you get the drift). Fried Cauliflower [$9] Pecorino, salsa rossa The GF has really been in the mood for cauliflower so we decided to get this dish. The cauliflower were crispy, yet incredibly meaty and not greasy at all. It's definitely well-seasoned with the salty pecorino and salsa rossa adding extra layers of flavors. It was a good dish to alternate with the sweetness of the salumi and onion marmalade or the creamy-vinegar juxtaposition of the bufala mozz. Arancini [$12] Short rib ragu, truffle pecorino Starting to make our way into some of the pastas, we had to get the arancini. These were deftly made - crispy on the outside, yielding to a creamy interior filled a surprisingly mild pit of cheese. In fact, at first I thought it was a bit bland, but it completely made sense when paired with the bed of well-seasoned short rib ragu. Pappardelle [$16] Smoked guanciale, parsnips For our first pasta proper, we went with the pappardelle. The GF was sold on the parsnips and for me, how can I say no to guanciale? The fresh pasta had bite and was not drenched, but perfectly coated in the sauce. While the GF was begging for more of the parsnip, the pork jowl/cheeks were incredibly smoky and offered the heft and salt that each bite richly deserved. Spinach Lasagna [$16] Veal bolognese We were getting full at this point, but this next dish came out, compliments of the kitchen again. While the previous pasta was great, clearly the chefs know how to order better than I. In fact, I may just have the kitchen order up my entire next meal. Basically, if you see spinach-pasta dish on a Vetri menu, you should probably just order it. I mean, we all know about the incredible spinach gnocchi at Vetri Ristorante, but this lasagna certainly holds its own. In fact, you could taste each individual layer that at one point I thought I was eating a large raviolo, infused with delicate spinach flavors. The exterior was so deftly crisped that it was like eating well-seasoned fried cheese with the veal bolognese adding an extra layer of sweet savoriness. Definitely a favorite of the night. *** TO BE CONTINUED ***
(5)
Gino C.
Amis is in my Top 3 of Philadelphia restaurants! Marc Vetri does his homework visiting Italy for recipes, ingredients and decor style, and it shows. Take it from a guy named Gino Giuseppe, this place is *authentic*. The menu is arranged in such a way that you eat many courses and share small plates, just like it's done in the "old country." It's great for sampling all the original offerings -- I'll suggest Sal's famous meatballs and the eggplant fries as a few of my favorites. I've sat at the bar for a glass of wine and a few small plates during happy hour and sat outside for a special occasion dinner complete with a bottle of wine, and Amis is perfect for both. The service is always spot on. There is an open kitchen in the back of the restaurant with bar seating if you'd like to watch your meal as it's made. It's a nice touch and adds to the casual atmosphere, but the kitchen can get a bit loud during busy dinner hours. Amis means "to be fond of" or "love" in Italian, which is very apropos of my feelings towards this gem! Ciao mon ami!
(5)
Fiona L.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!! I came here about four months ago, and I honestly don't remember what I ate or drank. It's a blur. I ONLY remember that I had a DELICIOUS DINNER and LOVELY night at the Amis. Amis has a very similar ambiance as Vernick and Rough. All are very romantic and dimly lit, which is perfect for dates!! Also, they are more on the upscale side, but I find Amis more young and lively (or maybe that's because we were sitting by the bar area). Again, we ordered two appetizers. One of them was the fried potatoes. It was okay in compared to Vernick's potatoes. These potatoes were cut too largely, so it wasn't as crunchy and was more starchy (potato-y). Also, with the great amount of starch, it fills you up quickly even though it's only an appetizer. For the main course, I got an order of pasta with little chunks of meat. I CANNOT RECALL the name of the pasta, but it was SO PERFECT! I usually never finish my pastas, but I FINISHED it! I almost wanted to eat the plate too....but my date stopped me. The pasta was cooked to the right hardness, about a minute passed al dente. Soft enough but not too soft giving a bouncy feel. The sauce - tomato, meat, and cheese - was in great proportions creating a satisfying and comforting meal! The BEST was the alcoholic drink. Again, I don't remember the name of the cocktail because the waitress recommended it, and with all those Italian names that I cannot even pronounce, it's hard to remember the names. The drinks was PINKish-RED. First I was given a glass of (I forgot what color) wine or champagne. Then, I got a side of sugary, shaved ice looking like type of thing that I added to the glass. That unknown substance was delicious! It made the drink sweet but alcohol, which is EXACTLY what I wanted. Besides the food, the ambiance is awesome! Upscale, romantic, yet relaxing. Also, the server knew the menu very well and gave very good recommendations! I would totally come here again to try something knew plus find out those names of the dishes!
(5)
Lindsay D.
It's rare that a restaurant achieves 5 stars on all levels, but Amis is firing on all cylinders bringing their A game every.single.time. We've been here twice in the past 3 weeks and both times requested the chefs table. There is something exhilarating watching a true Chef command his kitchen. Ned is a pro, but I imagine it fairly easy when your team consists of competent, talented, awesome people! I have to mention Arturo, I don't know his "real" title, but he's food expediter extraordinaire! This man never flusters, whisks plates away as soon as they hit the counter and can call out tickets like a boss. It's really amazing to watch this crew prepare and create....sit at the chefs table. We do go for the food too...everything is super fresh, perfectly seasoned, uniquely crafted and just god damned delicious! Some of our favorites and must haves include the escarole salad, whipped ricotta, meatballs, the jalapeño pasta and then usually whatever the "beast of the week" is. Ask Ned about the Mortadella, he's got a proud story for you. The adult version of bologna does NOT disappoint. Gone are the days of pairing it with cheese and white bread....these creative geniuses pair it with a hazelnut honey situation that will change your life. Leave room for desert or don't and order it anyway. They make a nutella waffle ensemble that makes you think about it even when you're not there. OR the rice pudding. It's not just "rice pudding", it's RICE PUDDING...I will fight you for a spoonful if you've got leftovers. Amis knows how to craft and present their cocktails as well. No matter how busy, our drinks are accurate, cold and delicious! We are always treated like we're the only people in the place, Jen, one of the managers, has a way of making you feel like you belong right where you are and makes sure every single thing is enjoyable. She's a gem to see when we go in. I love Amis, can you tell? If their pastas, small plates and beast of the week creations were carb friendly, fat free and minimal calories we would be in at least twice a week. True story. Make yourself a reservation....You're welcome.
(5)
Smrithi D.
I couldn't wait to try the Marc Vetri restaurants when i moved here and this is one of my firsts. The ambiance is casual yet nice enough for a fancy date. I called ahead to make reservations for a weekend night and there was no wait. The bread was freshly cut and service was great! The swordfish meatballs are a must try (as everyone else below me said) and I normally dont touch meat but decided to go for a bite. Didint disappoint. The pasta dishes were nothing special but still very well made with delightful little additions. Overall, pretty awesome place but I dont know if its one I'd frequent.
(4)
John D.
We came to Amis coz of Marc Vetri and Brad Spence, with high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. The interiors are classy even the noise level is over the top. The house made rhubarb strawberry soda was pretty good. The salami platter was good but it was a lot of sweet accompanying the meats with no piece of crunchy toast (maybe an in house bread). The Cacio e Pepe was, unfortunately, a travesty. The pasta, which was pretty good, was ladled in some cheese sauce which had a very grainy texture and grated Parmesan. I'm afraid to say we might not be back soon.
(3)
Jay D.
We took friends from out of town here last weekend. We've been to Amis at least five times in the past few years and have typically enjoyed our experience quite a bit. This was the exception. We all ordered a glass of wine or cocktail on the server's first pass. On their second pass, we ordered five small plates to start. The server awkwardly encouraged us to order larger plates at the same time. When we declined he stated that would then lead to a lag in service as the larger plates would arrive later than had they been ordered along with the small plates. Thanks for your subjective education on kitchen turnarounds at Amis. We received our small plates and again were asked if we were ready to order larger plates before we'd had a chance to even spoon any of it onto our plates. Again we declined, but ordered another round of drinks. When we were about halfway through our small plates the server returned. By now his actions had really begun to take over our meal. Our conversations revolved around rarely having had a server act this way, etc. Once we'd finished our small plates we were ready to decide on large plates. We typically would have ordered dessert but wanted to remove ourselves from this experience as soon as possible. Our bill was just shy of $300. This is $300 we will gladly spend at other restaurants of similar menus around this great city of Phiadelphia. Restaurants where management has instilled a strong foundation of placing a guest's experience paramount. When this is the case, the dollars will roll in naturally and the tables turn themselves.
(3)
Nicole E.
Amazing! Went here for dinner tonight and the menu had so many delicious sounding options. I tried two appetizers and a pasta and loved it all. The staff was friendly and prompt, the atmosphere warm (which was great on such a cold night).
(5)
Pamela N.
Incredibly delicious! All those reviews about pecorino cheese with toasted almonds and honey are true! Excellent cheese with amazing flavor added to it! Bucatini pasta is the bomb! Much better than the cacci i pepe vegetarian folk! Carafe of table wine! Awesome!
(5)
Sarah P.
My friend and fellow yelper Justyn W. recently landed a dream job in San Francisco and we went here to celebrate and send him off in style. Amis was the perfect place to ball out. I typically am pretty frugal, so I was absolutely soaking in the classy-casual atmosphere and feeling glamorous. Amis is upscale without being stuffy or pretentious. The food is high quality and fresh. Slam dunk items are the baked pecorino with almond honey and the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. I absolutely recommend you try them. The pecorino is just so gooey and decadent when portioned out onto a crispy piece of bread. The bucatini highlights the unparalleled quality of pasta at Vetri's restaurants- fresh and perfectly chewy. The jalapeno flavor is mild, so even people who are spice averse will enjoy this special and memorable dish. The buffala ricotta and black pepper bruchetta was also excellent: rich, but a bit lighter than the pecorino. The brussels sprouts were yummy, but they were a bit oversalted, which had me chugging water to clear my palate. Still, just a small complaint in the context of an otherwise flawless meal. I also stole a bite of Justyn's "cacio e pepe", and the pasta was super fresh. The Amis cocktail went down easy, and I had to impose a limit on myself so I didn't keep ordering them! At the end of the meal, our waiter brought out a complimentary slice of tiramisu since we mentioned we were there for a celebration! Such a nice touch to end a very fun night. We went late on a Wednesday night, so there wasn't a wait, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation if you come on a Thursday-Sunday night, because it gets packed.
(5)
Loren Y.
Fantastic! Had an amazing birthday dinner here with my mom last night. The prosecco was crisp, the appetizers were portioned perfectly and the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper was delicious! We split everything and it was the perfect amount of food. Our waiter was beyond accommodating (I forget his name, ugh I suck) and even provided us with a complimentary dessert for my birthday. I was totally surprised and very gracious. We didn't feel rushed at all and could take our time just chatting and drinking before even ordering our appetizers. Each plate that arrived at our table was timed perfectly. Would absolutely come back again. Thanks, Amis!
(5)
Emily H.
This place is definitely a neighborhood gem. I went here for my mom's birthday yesterday and everything was absolutely delightful from the food to the service to the ambiance. Our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu and made sure we had everything we needed at all times. We didn't even tell him it was my mom's birthday and just by noticing her opening gifts, he brought out a cup of ice cream with a candle in it at the end of the meal which was more than thoughtful. The food was reasonably priced - of course we got lot of food so it added up but I would definitely recommend going here for a nice evening out. The focaccia bread that they give you in the beginning was probably the best bread I've ever had... We got swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower and grilled shrimp to start and then I got the monkfish (which I had never had before but loved - it was in a lemon butter herb sauce) and split the cacio de pepe pasta with my sister. It was more than enough food but I couldn't resist getting a cappuccino at the end which was also delicious. I have nothing but good things to say and would love to come back!
(5)
Ryan B.
Note: This is not a review of the food or dining experience. I live in California while my brother lives in the Philadelphia area. As a gift, I decided to purchase a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in Philly. In searching online, I came across Amis and liked what I saw. I called yesterday evening to purchase the gift certificate and was told that I needed to call back later after the Friday evening dinner service to purchase the gift certificate as they were too busy to take the order. I was surprised, but didn't think too much of it. I called back 2 hours later and had to leave a phone message. I asked for a call back, but never received one. I called again this evening and was told the same thing. I'm an independent business owner and I find it shocking that these people can't take a handful of minutes out of the evening to run my credit card and take down some order details. Nor are they willing to call me back during a less busy time of the day or answer a call at a time of their own specification. This is poor service plain and simple.
(1)
Lisa K.
Our server Jesse was great and had some great suggestions We stuck with the small plates and will have to go back again to go with the larger plates at a future date Our favorites included the salumi plate baked pecorino (amazing!) and sweetbreads. We also had the swordfish and regular meatballs. Neither of us liked the swordfish meatballs and the regular meatballs were ok. If you want meatballs go somewhere else Our server noticed we did not touch the swordfish meatballs and without asking it was removed from our bill. We did not expect them to remove the charge as sometimes personal taste does not mean something is bad just wasn't for us. Great gesture on their part and probably would have us go back Nice wine options and even gave us a few tastings to help us choose a bottle . Dessert was great as well, so save room. (rice pudding is home made!) Yes it is loud and crowded but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't have to worry if we were being to loud.
(4)
Heather H.
I've been here a few times for dinner and always a delight. Recently, I came here with a group of girlfriends for brunch. Also tasty times. What I love is the service. I ordered a brunch pasta dish... Duck something something. I love duck, but when I got my dish, it tasted like fish. Like really fishy. I rarely send anything back but this time I did. The server apologized, brought me a salad on-the-house to nipple while my friends ate their main dishes. He came back with my new order which was yummers. What I loved is that the chefs tried my fishy dish, rejected it and knew exactly what went wrong. They wanted to be sure that they made things correctly every time and took comments to heart in order to make them better. Someone accidentally added sardine sauce! Oops. Things happen. They made it better.
(5)
Beth R.
Appetizers were delicious especially the honey baked pecorino and the ricotta bruschetta. Bronzino was wonderful. Swordfish meatballs were also tasty but the polenta it was served on was not good. Giving it 3 stars because of the service. Took a long time to get our drinks and bread for the table. Also the staff gave our dishes and drinks to the wrong people and for such a pricey dinner I think they should have known who was getting what.
(3)
Harriet J.
Came to brunch for a friend's birthday and loved the ambience/ decor of the place but unfortunately food was just average. Would be down to come again for dinner/drinks in the future.
(3)
Matthew H.
Made some reservations here for a birthday and since it is a member of the Vetri family I had no doubt that it would be good. The space is very nice and it looks to be a converted warehouse. The noise level is a little high due to the fact that you are in a wide open space and there doesn't seem to be any noise buffets anywhere but oh well. We had 5 of us which allowed us to order a wide variety of things. Everything was extremely good and my only complaint is that we didn't order more. The appetizers that we started off with were the veal tartare (the weekend special), the cockles with corn and chorizo, the swordfish meatballs on polenta (super awesome and interesting, get these), the pork belly with stone fruit (very nice contrast in flavors), and the baked pecorino with almond honey. The bread was legit and looked like it was Luscio's to me so you know it's good. The broth for the cockles was good for dipping the bread in. The veal tartare was just killer, beyond tender and super tasty, I wish I had it sitting in front of me now. For entrees we ordered a few orders of the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper which had a sauce that was similar to alfredo but not as heavy. For those of you who don't know, Amis is Vetri's more pasta focused outpost and it shows the pasta is just stellar, we will be back for more of this and to really compare it to Mercato. We also ordered 2 orders of the lamb shoulder with potatoes and also a pork chop cooked medium rare. A few other things, if you aren't familiar with Verti's love of brining meats I am telling you about them now. This man knows what he is doing, most of these meats are brined for at least 3 days which is 2 more than you will find in 99% of other places. Because of that the meat takes on a totally new flavor and the brine doesn't just change the flavor it adds to it. The lamb was unreal, they roast the shoulder after brining it then shred it then make a nice steak and throw it on the flat top to get it hot again and crisp up the outside, just super enjoyable to eat and the flavors are awesome. The pork chop was at least an inch thick and cooked to order, medium rare. Again the brine does nothing but add flavor and it tasted as though there was a maple syrup glaze put on it before it went on the grill. Regardless Vetri and Brad Spence have shown yet again why we love them so much, they know their meats. We will be back to try more pastas as well as the desserts. If you haven't gone yet, go.
(5)
Chris C.
Came here a few weeks ago for my friend's birthday with his wife and two children. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers, pastas, side dishes and desserts, but what stood out the most were the meatballs (courtesy of the house), duck sausage and pork chop (one of the best pork dishes I have ever eaten). However extraordinary the food, the service was even better. The staff at Amis went above and beyond to serve us and make my friend's night special. I was sincerely touched by the consideration and concern the restaurant showed towards us, in a way that I rarely ever see. Thank you, Amis.
(5)
C K.
Came here for dinner and left full and happy. A breakdown of what we ordered: Pecorino with almond honey - highlight appetizer, what a great combination of sweet and savory. Wish they gave more than 2 small pieces of toast to scoop up all of this deliciousness. Swordfish meatballs - wonderfully salty and tender. Salumi del giorno with onion marmalade - was disappointed in the salumi, was not what I expected. Was hoping the salumi would be more salty, and the marmalade was a little overpowering. Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper - so simple and delicious. The pasta was cooked to absolute perfection. The little bit of cracked black pepper gave it a kick. Could eat this every day, would never get sick of it. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - this dish was my favorite of the night - so different and unexpected combo of ingredients, but it really works. The jalapeno gives this dish a spicy kick that lingers and the almond bits gives you the crunch. Amis gets 5 stars for their pasta alone. The best pasta that I have ever eaten. Our waiter was also really great. Only complaint is that the tables are very close to each other so you can hear everything your neighbors are saying.
(5)
Vicki O.
Outstanding food and service. Went to brunch. Everything delicious. Each dish better than the previous. Started with bread selection. Fresh and tasty. Apple jam spread nice touch. Next polenta - well prepared noodles and awesome sauce. Would have licked the plate. Always love to try scrapple and am usually disappointed - this restaurant did not disappoint. Scrapple was delicious and perfectly prepared. Slightly crispy on outside and soft on inside. Main courses were gnocchi with sausage and Jersey cannonball with arugula. We shared. Both Excellent! Finished meal with hazelnut waffle (shared) another delicious selection. Coffee is great - strong and fresh. Looking forward to returning for dinner. Nice atmosphere. Highly recommend this gem.
(5)
Michael C.
Went here last week! Baked pecorino with almond honey is to die for ! Should have gotten 2 orders! Did not want to share! The bucatini with almond pesto and jalapeños is great also another winner from Marc Vetri
(5)
Karen S.
In the past few years I have dined often enough at Amis. I almost always sit at the bar and I honestly have never had anything less than an amazing experience. Most recently, I took myself on a date: dinner at Amis and a great football game with other rowdy fans. It was a Monday. I wouldn't say I dine solo often but I have done it enough times to have felt uncomfortable in a space and to also feel totally at home. The staff at Amis made me feel quite special this night and so I just had to write this review. The food at Amis to me is always delicious. A few times dishes have been slightly salty but I can deal with that. This particular night I ordered just two plates and a cocktail. The staff brought me an extra plate for no particular reason (except maybe because I was solo) and all three were extraordinary. I gobbled up every last bite. But the service in particular this night was perfect. The bartender was ever attentive but not overwhelmingly so. When you dine alone, this is crucial. You want slightly more attention than if you are in a group but not so much so that it draws attention to the fact that you are alone. This bartender really just nailed it and I'm so appreciative that there are others in this world that are aware of and possess the capability to provide a level of service that is intuitive. Thank you for what you do!
(5)
Derek W.
The verdict is in: converted warehouse spaces are perfect settings for restaurants. Here, the wide open and light-filled dining room with simple but sublime decor and a convivial ambiance translates into a gorgeous overall aesthetic that challenges the chef to create innovative, delicious, and beautiful food. Thankfully the chef is more than fit for the challenge. The good vibes started early on, as we walked up the leafy block of South 13th Street and into this handsome, post-industrial brick building. The first thing that hit the table were four freshly-baked, glistening slices of olive oil focaccia. As our uber-chill server presented the bread, I thought to myself...doesn't all focaccia have olive oil? How is this so different, special? The answer came back instantly: this is focaccia 2.0, maybe even 3.0. The olive oil permeates every micro-nook in the bread, crust to center, and the server explained that they continuously bathe with the oil as it bakes. With nothing else, one would have a satisfying feast, but there was so much more. The buffalo mozzarella with charred asparagus, mint, and pickled red onions was an obvious starter choice, despite the presence of other very tempting options. Everything came together nicely in a rich and diverse palette of flavors, and the buffalo mozzarella, often hard to find, was a rare treat. I would have appreciated a bit more asparagus, but alas, perfection is elusive. The pasta menu stumped us profoundly, as every dish, plus the two specials of the evening, were order-worthy. We relinquished control to our server, a decision that proved genius. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto was a harmonious convergence of nutty and spicy, the latter taste somewhat muted as the peppers were cooked down to a modest mellowness. The fettuccine with guinea hen ragu and snap peas featured delicately braised meat and very thin, homemade noodles, delivering a light and deeply satisfying dish. We made the brilliant decision to pair the pasta with fried Brussels sprouts with lemon. The result was a huge bowl of impeccably cooked, not too greasy, subtly tart sprouts: yet another example of how 21st century chefs have fully resuscitated the reputation of this previously ostracized vegetable. The grand finale of the evening was an extraordinarily rich salted butter semifreddo with rhubarb marmalade and sbrisailona, a crumbly almond cake that likely makes few if any appearances on contemporary American menus (a shame). Our sense of the semifreddo's richness was undoubtedly increased by our realization that it tasted almost exactly like straight softened butter. Along with the semifreddo, our new amis at Amis brought us Mom-Mom's rice pudding, a splendid and creamy rendition of an old favorite, topped with figs, pistachios, and other delights.
(5)
Jen L.
I have been here twice with a group of co-workers, and I will summarize our experience with this: great food, not the best for being able to hear the person sitting two chairs down from you. It's a bustling place with attentive service and a menu that will have something for everyone. Notable dishes: Mortadella with hazelnut honey Pecorino with almond honey Swordfish meatballs Monkfish Branzino (maybe skip the beef, it was over-seasoned)
(4)
Steve S.
My First dinner in Philadelphia was awesome. I was watching Unique Eats on the Food channel and they did a feature on Amis. I was going to Philadelphia in two weeks so I bookmarked it. Wow, good thing I did. The food here is awesome. We got there at 7 pm without reservation, they were packed, but I mentioned we were visiting from California and they found us a table. Woo hoo. The place is on the small side & was dimly lit. Instrument music was playing in the background. Echoes of conversations reverberating around the restaurant. Really good ambiance. The service was on point. He knew it was our first time and was very patient in explaining the menu (we had a lot of questions). He gave us time to look through the menu & was very good with recommendations. Here's the rundown of what we got. My coworker & I shared 2 appetizers. Pork Belly Special Antipasti - delicious. It was only two pieces though, but really good. It was accompanied by grilled broccoli florets and parmesan shavings. The broccoli was on the burnt side but it was so good. I'm not sure if the burnt pieces was intentional or not, but it worked. Mussels w/ Leeks & Fried Long Hots: So Delicious. Mussels were perfectly cooked. The white wine sauce was just out of bounds good. This dish came with garlic toast. Dipping the toast in that sauce was just so gooooood. Highly recommend this dish. My coworker got the Chicken Spiedini w/ Apple Mostarda & Arugula. Another winner. The chicken was just so juicy and very tasty. But the apple mostarda & arugula took this dish to another level. My coworker gave me half a skewer of this dish and I wanted more lol. Chicken is the last thing I would have ordered at this place, boy was I wrong. Delicious chicken dish. I got the Pappardelle w/ Oxtail Ragu & Pears: Super dish. Pappardelle was cooked perfectly. The oxtail ragu was so tender and delicious. The pear was sneaky good. You would get a piece of pear and the taste would completely change. Yum yum yum. We were stuffed, we told our waiter (Jesse) we would pass on dessert. What did he do, he brings over a big chunk of Tiramisu (which was the special dessert of the day, was not on the menu) brownie points check. The tiramisu was so flavorful. I was stuffed, but there is always room for jello... Lol We were so stuffed, we decided to walk the mile & a half back to the hotel. We needed the walk in the freezing cold to work some of the calories out. Great Food, Great Service & Great Atmosphere. This is a 5 star PLUS rating from me. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Carla J.
When I go out to eat, I want to feel like I am getting what I pay for! Absolutely amazing food, service and just a top notch restaurant! For a Wednesday night, it was so crowded! Make your reservations now!!! That should tell you how awesome this place is! We sat at the Kitchen bar which added to the fun! Just watching the chefs Jack and Alex working together was great and makes you want to try everything! Swordfish meatballs, cauliflower, and a cheese dish with toast! Fantastic. Now the others ate the Veal tongue- and raved about it. I got the striploin for dinner (OMG!!) and yes they talked us into dessert! Tiramisu was light and topped off the night perfectly! Vetri did it again! just a fantastic night out! Thanks to all at Amis for making our night so awesome! , We will be back to see you soon!
(5)
Sonia P.
Awesome dining experience in Philly! Be sure to make a reservation at Amis - the restaurant was still packed during our 9:15pm reservation on a Saturday night and remained full throughout dinner. I was slightly confused when I heard the name because "amis" is "friends" in French and originally assumed it was a French restaurant, but Amis actually serves unique, upscale Italian dishes - and they do it damn well. Starters: eggplant caponata bruschetta (fantastic flavor, I could have eaten it by the bowlful) and arancini with braised meat (I still prefer a classic marinara sauce, but the ragu paired with the rice fritters is a nice twist). Pastas: spinach lasagna with veal Bolognese looks small at first, but it's the perfect portion of homemade spinach pasta with rich meat sauce. I had my first experience with squid ink pasta (pasta special that night). The pasta tasted slightly briny from the squid ink and there were tons of jumbo lump crab meat throughout the gorgeous, inky, black strands of pasta = the absolute perfect seafood dish, I adored every bite. The "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut dessert looked like a giant chocolate Baci bomb - as a major lover of all things chocolate, I approve! Service at Amis is on point, prices are reasonable, nice options for alcohol, ambiance is lively, modern, hip, and I'm a big fan of the open kitchen. I would totally return here during my next trip to Philly.
(4)
Dushyanth S.
Oh my god! The definition of delicious was created by food tasted here. My fiance and I got the jalapeño bucatini twice! So freakin out of this world! I am not a huge fan of Italian food but this is just so delicious! The meatballs were soooo good. Oh even the bread was delicious. If any of you reading this is visiting philadelphia, please DONOT leave without trying this place. Oh and for the wonderful residents of the city of brotherly love, come try it.
(5)
Joe A.
I was looking forward to eating here but was very disappointed by the food. I ordered Caci and pepi pasta which is very simple to make but it was incredibly salty. I never send food back but this time I had to send it back because it was inedible. They made a second dish and it was still inedible. Someone has a very heavy hand on the salt or the cheese was incredibly salty. The server was very helpful trying to remedy the situation but it was very disappointed.
(1)
Veen H.
My husband and I has dinner here last night at the chef's table, which is great for small parties and you get to experience all the action, smells, sounds and even chat with the chefs! The fact that I was under a foot away from a giant vat of liquid chocolate didn't hurt either :) The cocktails (punch, wine granita) are on point and potent. The baked pecorino appetizer and the pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto were highlights of our meal.
(4)
Meredith B.
Last night I finally made it to Amis and I regret it took this long. Everything was outstanding. It was a perfect girls night, myself and one other friend. We sat at the kitchen table overlooking the whole kitchen. Our server (Lindsay) was a rockstar. I thought she was awesome. We ordered: Stracciatella with sweet onion marmalade - sitting at the kitchen table we saw this made time after time. so we ordered it. it's soft lovely milky cheese with a sweet onion marmalade that goes perfectly on top of grilled bread slices. Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - Why don't my meatballs taste anything like these? These meatballs are amazing and yet not heavy or cheesy. The only way to describe them is flavorful, not heavy and not dark... not sure if that makes sense. I felt like they were light meat not dark... I could totally be making this up but that's what I was thinking as I was scarfing them down. The tomato and potato puree accompanied them well. Arancini with short rib ragu and truffle pecerino - I'm not one to typically go for arancini but I do understand their appeal and I can respect a good one when I have one... this was a good one. I need to mention the short rib ragu that comes with this makes me want to come back and see what pasta dishes might also have the short rib ragu with it. The balls were nicely cooked with a cheese center. Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - Yes. Just do it. Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts - I'm going to be dreaming of these for the next few nights. I might start looking up recipes for when I have dinner parties. I forget the cocktail we had but I highly suggest starting your night off with one of them. Ah yes now I see it we had the Alto (prosecco/ginger/blood orange bitters). It is a great cocktail that starts the meal off right. All in all I believe this experience put Amis on the top of my Vetri restaurants. Service, Food, Drinks everything... homerun.
(5)
Evelyn J.
I have been here for dinner a bunch and I absolutely love it. Today I went for brunch and it was amazing! I got the rigatoni with sausage and my friend got the Belgium waffle. They also brought out the duck bolognese from the kitchen on the house because my friend is there almost every week. All three were fantastic- I can honestly say that the waffle was the best thing I have ever tasted. Highly recommend this place, especially for brunch. There are not too many good places for brunch in philly, but who cares I guess if we have this place! Definitely going back as much as I can
(5)
Margaret W.
Um wow! Someone recommend this place to me and I just happened to be in the area. Great food...amd I am not a foodie. The apple and cabbage salad w dunbarton cheese and walnut pesto was tasty and tart. Lots of flavors and refreshing. The cacio e pepe was delish and filling. Not really impressed with the bread served I sat at the chefs table and had a ball watching the pros in the kitchen. The staff was REALLY friendly and appreciated my questions about the menu. Next up? The pear tart. Oh and the fried brussel sprouts and lemon I highly reccomend. I will be back and I would reccomend to friends and family. Thanks Amis for a fun night!
(5)
Tina D.
One of my favorite Vetri restaurants. Our wait staff is always pleasant. We are semi-regulars being that I live in the hood and we usually get waited on by one of two people. They are both awesome! The food is simple and delicious. I lived in Rome for a year and the food here is definitely reminiscent of the food I ate in Rome. A few of my favorite items are: The bufala ricotta with black pepper is to die for! It is rich, creamy and just utterly delicious. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes. The Tonnarelli cacio e pepe is typical of Rome and it's amazing here. I'm also a big fan of the Buccatini with jalapeno and walnut pesto. The kitchen always sends us extra dishes. They make us feel special each and every time.
(5)
Sima Z.
Loud beyong belief! Service was very good. Our group of 50-70 yr olds We reviewed the menu before arriving and we're excited to try the sweet breads and Calf tongue. We also ordered the roasted veal and Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts we're overdone and over salted. Sweetbreads we're dusted in almond meal and we're very dry. The tongue dish had an overly sweetened sauce. Overall, not a pleasant dining experience.
(2)
Shannon P.
Nothing says I love you more than sharing a plate of fried baby cow thyroids. Just kidding, although I did feel the love when I was brought to Amis to celebrate Valentine's Day. The boo planned way in advance and got our reservation a couple of months prior. Since there are already hundreds of reviews telling you how wonderful Amis is, I'll simply tell you what I ordered and how I felt about it. First off - house red. So deliciously palatable from somebody who primarily drinks white wine. I had the waiter write it down for me. Starters: Swordfish Meatballs, Baked Pecorino, and Sweet Breads. On a hot tip from my coworker I ordered the sweetbreads, the remainder was from yelp reviews. The meatballs didn't really taste like swordfish per say, but they were tasty. The sweet breads on the other hand, were exotic, tender, and a bit citrusy. Granted, I did not ask what "breads" of the body these were before I ate them, and I felt a little guilty afterwards when I found out it was from baby cow (veal) since I'm not a veal eater. Still, it was a good decision. They weren't organy...and not what I expected, which was pulsating food with veins throughout. It was as tender as slow roasted pork, and accompanied by a marmalade that added a sweetness to the savory. Baked Pecorino was good, but it didn't stand out as much as the sweet breads in terms of memorability. Pasta: Chestnut Fettucine with Duck Ragu...again ordered on the hot tip, and well worth it. The portion size is just right to ensure you're not taking it home, but you're full enough. Little flakes and some chunks of duck meat hid in the fettucine hollows. It's not served with a red sauce, it's a sauce from the duck...so a little brown in color but hearty in taste. Main: Lamb Shank. I know it's hypocritical to say I'm not a veal eater and then I go to town on a lamb. But I'm a hypocrite. The lamb was so so good. We had gawkers from both sides of the table ooohing over it. You receive a pretty sizable shank, which looks like a big drumstick. It's tender, falls off the bone, and has a flavor I can only describe as "homey". Again, it's served in a brown-ish sauce, which typically I despise - it's my one hate, ghoulashy things - but the meat was so good I got over the sauce. We didn't get dessert since we were a little drunk and a lot full. But they highly recommended the waffle to us. I'll miss you Amis - til next time!
(5)
Thor T.
Even on a Tuesday evening, Amis is completely booked and running smoothly thanks to the watchful eyes of the general managers and professionalized staff. Our table of three indulged in smaller anti-pasti and the so-called "quinto quarto" dishes (Italians give this name - the fifth quarter - to parts of the animal that are euphemistically called "variety meats" in the US). At Amis, these include sweet breads, veal tongue and Roman tripe stew. All appetizers - the escarole salad with apple, the fried cauliflower (generously offered by the suave assistant general manager), the veal tongue and veal terrine, the scallop crudo and tripa, and the eggplant caponata - were very good, full flavored and well prepared - the sweet scallop crudo being a stand out. I have two minor quibbles: the mostarda, served as a rhubarb/strawberry version with the terrine, and a red pepper version with the tongue, did not have the mustardy snap I love so much and was too sweet for my taste (I have noticed this at other Philly restaurants). The amount of cheese on the Roman tripe was excessive, similar to a French onion cover rather than the light dusting this dish should have. We tried two pastas - the bucatini with almond pesto and the special, fettucini with ramps and guanciale - both very good with a nod to the bucatini for lightness. The bone in lamb shoulder chop was sizable, nicely seared but as one would expect from such a cut, tough in places. I also liked the freshly baked, soft bread save for the burned areas that gave it a bit of an acrid taste. A friendly and effective wait staff, a good beer selection and small but adequate wine list (steeply priced as almost all Philadelphia wine lists) round out an all-around pleasurable dining experience. No wonder Amis is so popular. With its assertively flavored plates, bustling atmosphere, and fine service, it ranks among the elite of Philly's restaurants.
(4)
Eric B.
Very delicious. We liked the smaller portions. My wife and I got two appetizers, a pasta and then a meat dish and we shared everything and it filled us up. We were amazed at how good and unique it was (swordfish meatballs). Also not too expensive and the service was excellent. We highly recommend. Just be aware that it is a noisy atmosphere in there, so don't go with any soft talkers.
(5)
Aubrey E.
If I had to pick one word to describe my dining experience at Amis, it would be "underwhelming". I really wanted to love Amis. They have a great looking menu, but unfortunately we just didn't love the food. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto while my husband ordered the monkfish. Neither of our entries were bad, but neither of them were spectacular. For the price and the Vetri name, I was expecting a tastier and more pleasant dining experience.
(3)
Jemma C.
Turns out our second visit was just an off day as we've just returned and the food and service were fantastic!
(5)
Parker S.
Nice, upscale casual interior. Excellent menu with a variety of options. Came here with my wife. We got 4 small plates and two entrees which was too much food, but it was delicious. With drinks and our meals our bill was just under $100 which was reasonable considering the quality and amount of food we received. I'll be back.
(5)
Christine B.
So I finally made it to one of Vetri's restaurants, and it was a great choice. When we first sat down, the waiter was a little aggressive. We were chatting and hadn't looked at the menus, but he came by a few times to see if we were ready. We finally ordered a carafe of the red wine. It was decent, nothing special. The waiter immediately returned to get our food order and of course we weren't ready. We were probably there 10 minutes and he had already come by at least 5 times so we figured we better figure out the food. I don't think I've ever felt so rushed and the restaurant wasn't crowded, but after the food order was placed the waiter pretty much left us alone. Onto the food, started with the baked pecorino and honey, and prosciutto wrapped figs. The pecorino was definitely the star of the show. I would absolutely order that again. The figs were good, but I've had better. Next we shared the lamb and the rigatoni with wild boar ragu. The lamb was awesome. The waiter gave us this explanation when we ordered that its prepared differently and is brined, and a couple other things that almost scared me away, but I figured Vetri isn't going to serve something that isn't good. I didn't find it salty at all. It had a very interesting texture, kind of like short ribs without all the fat. Some of it was a little dry or just overcooked though and took a lot of effort to cut. The rosemary potatoes that came with were super tasty. I wasn't so sure about the pasta at first, but it grew on me, and then I wanted to keep eating it. It has a very unique flavor, I can't really describe it, except to say that it tastes great. I would probably try another pasta next time. Ended with the tartufo, but I only had a bite. It was very rich, and I'm not a huge dessert person, just wanted to taste it. All in all a really great, but pretty expensive dinner. Definitely recommend it.
(4)
John S.
Stopped in late at 1015pm w da girlfriend Make a reservation! i did and walked past the 10 ppl waiting for tables, right to our table The FOOD: -Veal Sweetbreads were awesome! -Octopus salad was pretty good too. -Rabbit terrine w/fennel was sweet tasting, pretty good. -Burrata cheese was delicious. -Aranchinis were very cheese and served over ragu. solid. -Dessert-pana cota w/strawberries- absolutely delsih! Best were sweetbreads & Panacota. The Drinks: got the house Red and it was relish. got the 500ml (half bottle) for $20. not too bad. Overall: I liked how it was small plates. We did not order a single big entree dish. Our server was a little strange and needed to know the dishes better. I would come back.
(4)
Mike H.
Outstanding meal. We went post-show and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Great wine list of small producers, staff was knowledgeable about the wines and how they might pair with the meal. We shared four apps and each had a pasta entree, definitely the way to go here. We had: - Baked Pecorino with almond honey (and toasted bread), simple but executed wonderfully - Roasted butternut squash with shaved pecorino (toast to make a bruschetta with), it was cold which surprised us, but a perfect app - Salami del giorno with marmalade, good peppery salami - Tripe Alla Romana (Tripe stew), hearty, delicious, might have been fav if not for my entree... - House-made pasta with cream sauce and a pile of SHAVED WHITE TRUFFLES! Lucky timing, they only have these for a short period each year. That was enough, but the server brought us out a complimentary dessert of Mom-mom's rice pudding (rice pudding, dark cherry, cherry sauce, and pistachio) Wow, would not have ordered this with the nuts and rice pudding, but it was a top ten dessert!
(5)
James H.
I sampled the menu at Amis with a party of 9, and I must say that every person thoroughly enjoyed what they ate. Even two notoriously picky eaters and a gluten-free friend were satisfied. In terms of antipasti/small plates, the marinated octopus was perfectly cooked, as was the scallop crudo. Two really well done dishes. The bufala ricotta was unfortunately over-salted (especially when combined with their brushetta, as intended), but this was forgiven as the dish was delivered by Marc Vetri himself. The fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts were flavorful and crispy (the cauliflower less so). Finally, the baked pecorino with honey was delicious and reminded me of the seared halloumi at Audrey Claire. A variety of entrees were ordered, but the stand-outs were the duck breast with pickled rhubarb over polenta, the bone-in lamb, and the spinach fazzioleti. The restaurant was a little dark in areas, and on the noisier side (though admittedly my party was responsible for a good deal of it!), but overall what you'd expect for a place that seems to be geared toward family-style dining. I thought the wine selection was great, and the menu is broken into reds and whites ordered from lighter to fuller body. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the quality of ingredients and preparation. Our server was totally accommodating and very helpful. Overall, good value and a solid selection of playful Italian cuisine. I may be moving to California, but I will remember Amis if I ever find myself in Philly again.
(4)
Colleen C.
If there was ever a restaurant to change my perception about Philly, I would have to look no further than Amis. Not sure if my boyfriend, Danny, and I would have stumbled upon this place during our visit to Philly if I hadn't won a raffle for the annual charity event, "The Dude Hates Cancer." Amis had generously donated a gift certificate to this raffle which I had won back in August 2010. The Maitre D seated myself and Danny directly in front of the open kitchen. Total win! I think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs when we first ordered the appetizers. No regrets. Everything was absolutely delish. From the bruchetta of imported bufala ricotta and black pepper to the swordfish meatballs accompanied by one of the best polentas I've ever had. Underscore the word, "ever." Oh but appetizers didn't stop there, we received a house plate of a grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda. Danny and I smiled brightly at first and then had a "oh shit moment" of sorts. Of course, I had wrongly assumed Danny (a classically trained chef) was well versed already in cooked tongue. Me: "So..you've had tongue before, right? How is it?" His response, "Nope, but I'm about to find out." Now, as much as I do enjoy food, I am quite PICKY. Yes, there are people who have special diets....the gluten-free, low sodium, vegan....yeah, then there's me...the picky. Yet, I decided to ignore my diet this one instance and politely picked up a piece of tongue labeled with grill marks and coated with what appeared to be a glaze (this would be the pepper mostarda). Immediately took my first bite...looked at Danny. "So umm...are you gonna eat the rest of that?" My only regret is that the pasta dish of ravioli was absolutely heaven and I wish I had ordered more of it. So tender and the sauce perfectly complimented the pasta. Dinner was good, but I think we were stuffed by the time it even came around. Danny had the duck which was plated beautifully. Of course, there is always room for dessert. The tartufo was delicious and we also had "mom mom's rice pudding." To be honest, I'm not a rice pudding fan at all, but this dish was so creamy and filled with so many different fruit flavors. I highly recommend it if you're at all into rice pudding. Absolute lip-smacking heaven. Thank you so so much, Amis, for your wonderful food and hospitality. Exceeded our expectations tri-fold. Danny and I will be visiting Philly soon again!
(5)
Brendan K.
Amis consistently delivers in the realm of food, service and atmosphere. I prefer sitting at the bar or the chef's counter. I always seem to end up with a delicious surprise from the kitchen. Their pasta is always delicious and the menu is very well-priced. Industry night is also a lot of fun. A great place for a romantic dinner or a quick bite.
(4)
D S.
3.75ish. Spent a Wednesday evening here for a full dinner with a couple friends. Very busy and I must say, great tunes. I rarely notice music at a restaurant, but it was a welcomed surprise. Recommended for a relaxed, casual meal. Arrive early and start at the bar for a pint. Beer selection was notable for an Italian joint. The food was well-prepared and tasty. Go for one of the bruschetta plates to start. Finish with tiramisu if they have it. My entree was average. Italian is tough for a wow. Being an out-of-towner and unsure of Philly pricing, it seemed a little on the high side for the nabe. I could be way off there though.
(4)
Zanna H.
This is the best meal I have had in a while. We went here as a belated anniversary outing and it was totally worth it. The lowest point food wise was the sweetbreads which were a tad on the chewy side but otherwise very good. The mortadella mousse was really creamy and the toast with it was just right. I ordered the eggplant lasagna for my entree and it has ruined me for all other lasagna. I don't say that phrase lightly. I would drop kick Garfield without blinking to get at a tray of this lasagna. To make sure my waistline got the message that this was the off-diet splurge night I ordered the salted butter semifreddo sundae with berries and crushed biscotti. So decadent and nicely balanced with the berries adding the tartness to cut the sweet of the sundae. This is now firmly on my short list of higher tag places for special occasions.
(5)
John D.
Absolutely loved this place! Service was wonderful, everyone was friendly, attentive and fun! Appetizers and entrees were the best. Especially enjoyed the Turkey Milanese - was awesome! Desserts were scrumptious also. Definitely going back again, when we can get in :)
(5)
Connie C.
I originally heard about Amis through a friend who had dinner here before and heard great things so I made reservations for my girlfriends and I- we were celebrating me and my friend's birthdays. We went on a Sunday evening and it wasn't busy so it was on the quieter side. The hostess/waiter were all very attentive. We ordered the following: Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pinenuts Whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese Chestnut fettucine with duck ragu Braised lamb shank with root vegetables Fried brussels sprouts and lemon I was hesitant to try the meatballs but it was actually delicious. The whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder and chestnut fettucine with duck were my favorite dishes- really awesome portion sizes, meat was tender in both sauces, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The side of fried brussels sprouts were absolutely amazing- I'm not a big fan of brussels sprouts but now I am! The braised lamb was very tender and to my surprise, not gamy at all. I'm not a big lamb fan but this one was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The root veggies that came on the bottom though, I would say, did not compliment the meat very well. I think you would need to order a side of veggies. We also ordered dessert- I can't remember what my friend ordered but I got the belgian waffle with nutella and it was DELICIOUS! You can't go wrong with nutella though. Overall, I would definitely come back- I'm a big fan of Vetri Family restaurants!
(4)
Scott M.
The food was reminiscent of our time in Italy. The baked pecorino with honey was delectable. Also enjoyed the meatballs and the crispy pork shank. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. I recommend sitting at the bar seats by the kitchen, so you can smell and see all the fabulous foods as they are made.
(5)
Diana W.
I've been wanting to try Amis since it opened a few months ago. I live two blocks away and it always sounds loud and lively when I walk by. Last night did not disappoint! Reservations seem necessary, but I made mine only one or two days before and it was fine. I was there with three others, and we shared 8 plates total. the baked pecorino with honey was to die for. to. die. for. except they should give you a little more bread to go with it... fritto misto was great, except the shrimps still had heads...never seen that before. but the zucchini chips were amazing. and the stuffed figs (something i order whenever i see them on a menu) were just ok. tria has better ones. however, the larger dishes were amazing. we had the fettucini with pork ragu, which practically melted in my mouth it was so delicious. the eggplant lasagna was amazing and not too overwhelming. and the lamb with potatoes was made to perfection. grilled veggies topped it off just right. for dessert we split a fruit crisp that was so good i wanted to lick the bowl. we also had the waffle with nutella, but i wasn't as crazy about it (and i love nutella, so that's saying something). i definitely suggest anything with local in season fruits and veggies. and if you want a cocktail instead of wine, go with any of their fun prosecco drinks! the granita is my new favorite beverage. oh, and the staff was great, very helpful and on point- even when it got super busy later in the evening.
(4)
Jesse E.
Mark vetri? Italian? can't miss right? ... not so true this time. The food is quite good as you can imagine but that's not where Amis falls short ... it's everything else. First of all, I would stick to the italian dishes and avoid any specials or their "jersey cannonball" type dishes. the pastas are all great as are their sauces, but their antipastas leave a little to be desired especially if you (like me) really enjoy the ones at Vetri and Osteria. I have been here a few times for dinner and the food is always quite good but the service and drinks are lacking and the prices are just as high as vetri and Osteria so why not just go to one of those instead? I went here for brunch for the first time the other day and the problems from their dinners were 2x worse. The food wasn't quite as good and the drinks really leave something to be desired. Our server messed up 3 different things and only one was properly rectified. the worst part by far was the price.. $332 for brunch for 7 is just not acceptable unless it's a 5 star restaurant and Amis is just not that good
(3)
Steven S.
Trendy, fun and amazing food! We loved it!!!
(4)
Ryan R.
Awesome dining experience. Sat at the bar with a group of 4. The bartender, Brian, was incredible. He was the absolute model of service. He brought out a couple of samples to pair with our meals that were great. Can't give enough praise. Sit at the bar and let Brian take car of you.
(5)
Juliana G.
Amis-tery Story: The Case of the Wet Feather-Vest I first dined at Amis on opening night, where I tasted Ricotta imported from an alpine town, a succulent appetizer whose subtle flavors would continue to haunt me for months to come. My desires in full force, I convinced my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary at Amis. Little did we know that the unspeakable, gastronomical pleasures (tuna steak to die for) were ill-fated to conflict with the horrible service we experienced. Though we made the reservation a couple of months ahead of time, when we arrived, there was no table for us, and we had to wait about 20 minutes before we were seated. Finally, when we went to the hostess to retrieve our coats, my vest was missing from the hanger. When I asked the hostess where it was, she whispered to one of the managers and he went into the back office. When he returned, he brought back my vest which was soaked through with what I hope was water. It was dripping and I had to carry it home in a bag. We still muse over possible explanations, but none are so sensible as to tempt me to re-cross the sharp divide of Broad Street.
(3)
Thao H.
Good food and nice ambience for a date or just having dinner with a few friends.
(4)
Anna p.
Swordfish meatballs!!!!!!!!!! need I say anything else
(5)
Vincent C.
The food is amazing! The price is a bit high for the portions - but, as I said, the food is amazing. Highly recommended.
(4)
Justin M.
OK, went back over a year later and well, things haven't changed. If I'm setting the bar too high, well, that's what a national reputation brings. Marc Vetri has been hyped out the wazu, and I just don't taste it, folks. The meatballs were so pedestrian, I feel like I've had them a million times around the world, including my own kitchen. You shouldn't feel that way for the price point. Everything is smothered in cream and cheese, so of course it tastes good at first, and then you realize you feel nauseated and get sick of the one trick the pony is doing. Sadly, I'm over it. Fun P.S.: I'm on a flight to San Francisco the very next day and sit next to a guy who coincidentally dined at the restaurant the night before as well! We compared notes and started finishing each other's sentences about the disappointment we felt. Sigh.
(3)
Brian C.
Had been wanting to come here for a while, since I won't pay Vetri prices for food, and loved the pizza at Osteria. We were a bit diappointed, though. This was New Year's Day at 6pm, so the place was pretty empty. Service was fast and courteous and helpful. Somehow though, it was loud. And though the music wasn't loud, it was classic rock. I'm a fan, but it in no way fits here. Perhaps it's the play between the bar and the restaurant atmosphere mixing in a small space? Anyway, the food: Swordfish meatballs - excellent Striped bass crudo - good Rotini with wild boar ragu and pears - very good squid ink linguine - good We expected excellent all aorund, but the prices were in line with the quality. We'll have to try again to give it another chance.
(3)
Melissa S.
This was so fantastic. Service was amazing, food was so delicious. We will be back for seconds as soon as possible. We took cues from yelp reviews on what to order. We were a group of 4 and ordered 4 small plates on the left side of the menu to share and then each ordered a pasta. I was surprised by the size of the small plates, it was more then enough. We were stuffed. baked pecorino with almond honey Brushetta - buffalo mozzarella with pepper Swordfish meatballs Aroncini I also got the squash lasagna - it was so good I want to go back tonight and eat it again! We also ordered the skate with Brussels sprouts, but then the chef didn't want to serve it. I guess it was a bad batch. So instead they made us a cod dish with fried Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were delicious. The also gave us free Swedish meatballs and the pasta tuna dish. The Swedish meatballs were good though!
(5)
Ellen L.
Very enjoyable meal.
(4)
BC L.
Pretty good. We had a reservation, but had to wait at the bar for 15-20 mins before we were seated. The place also gets pretty loud on the weekends and we had to shout the entire meal. It was still a great evening/dinner out and our waitress knew her stuff. We tried all of her recommendations and were not disappointed!
(3)
Mauro D.
Outstanding! I just got back from Rome and was thrilled that Marc Vetri has captured the esscence of Roman Cusine. Thank You! And to Franklin M - don't quit your day job to become a food critic.
(5)
Jessica M.
Great scene, delicious food and Marc Vetri was there....worth checking out! With a friend in town, I knew I wanted to go somewhere new (for me) and exciting. Amis ended up being the right choice for both of us. The server was attentive and informative without being overbearing and recommended the perfect bottle of wine and amount of food that left us satisfied but not feeling like stuffed pigs when we left. I can recommend all 3 of the items we started with since they were equally yummy - Mortadella Mousse (who knew?), baked pecorino which was savory and sweet with honey and nuts on top, and Sal's meatballs which were bite sized and not too heavy. I should also mention the bread at this point. It was unlike anything I have had before. Instead of having a separate dish of olive oil for dipping, the oil was already in there, making the bread moist and addictive. For the main course, we chose one more meat dish - the pappardelle with veal breast ragu - and the mixed seafood grill. The pasta and veal was absolutely amazing and I will definitely order it again. The mixed seafood grill was good, amazingly fresh tasting and cooked perfectly but after all of the amazing tastes we had had so far, it was kind of a let down. I liked it, I am glad that I tried it but I will pass on that plate on my next visit and try something else - probably the gnocchi with oxtail ragu that I am still regretting not ordering. Even though we could have gone without dessert, I am pleased to report we did not. The beligian waffle topped with my favorite - Nutella - was not a disappointment. It was delicious to the last bite - soft and crunchy at the same time (thanks to the toasted hazelnuts sprinkled on the ice cream) it is not to be missed. All told, it is a very nice place to check out if you have not already. It can get loud but that shouldn't make you think twice about heading to Amis...soon!
(4)
Surabhi M.
Having eaten at all of Marc Vetri's establishment apart from Amis, I was due to stop by there. So we did, to get some dinner and drinks with my out of town friend, who loves Italian. Having experienced epic service at Vetri and good food all around, our expectation were high. Food did not disappoint but the service left me questioning my experience. We sat at the bar. There were two servers (1 male, 1 female) they worked in tandem and do not have their individual customers. The male server kept ignoring us, when we asked question gave minimal answer and did not bother to listen to the follow-up questions. The female server was great. What was odd, the male server was very warm to all the other customers around us who also sat at the bar. We started noticing the different treatment to us v.s. everybody else more and more. I couldn't figure out why was that, because we were only two women (rest all were couples or groups that involved males) which is ridiculous to even think of in Philadelphia or because we are from another country. I don't know what is worse being discriminated by a sexist or a racist or both. I am hoping that it was unintentional and just a bad day. Regardless it made us uncomfortable. We did mention our displeasure to the manager Nancy on our way out. I hope that nobody ever has to experience this again. I don't know if I am going back. Not to mention, I was embarrassed for having taken my friend who was insulted as well. I am not very sensitive to people's behavior in general and have a high threshold to get offended, but such behavior is not acceptable no matter how tolerant I am otherwise. We did tip the minimum 15% because of the female server who was nice to us.
(2)
JJ J.
I'll start by saying I hate Italian food. It's always my last choice. That being said I was blown away by their octopus dish. For some reason I was expecting it to be warm but even though it was a cold dish it was still really good. I sat at the bar and had a great bartender. She was a total sweetie. I had their pasta of the day. Omg was it amazing. This place could totally chance my mind about italian food.
(5)
S S.
When the waiter was cleaning the crumbs from our table I asked him to put them in a to go box. Another fabulous restaurant by Mark Vetri. Great service and fantastic food. Olive oil bread basket was incredible. Tuna croquettes were these wonderful little balls of savory delicious tuna. The pecorino and pepper pasta....NEEDED MORE! Savored EVERY bite! Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is as good as it gets! No dessert since we were stuffed by all the food we ate!
(4)
Neil A.
All good except the hype led to needless delays in being seated at our reservation time. We had a drink at the bar,which was tight but once we sat we were out within an hour.looked like people lingered at their tablex because they thought they had to justify the hype Food was very good only thing to salty was the seafood. Wine list needs work but would definitely go back on a week night!
(3)
Margeau N.
As a regular patron of the Philly restaurant scene, both fine dining and otherwise, I have to admit that I was excited to try the latest Vetri endeavor. I was sadly disappointed. Maybe I went on an off night (a Tuesday in December)...but everything - the food, service, ambiance- was a let down. I started with the shaved fall vegetable salad, which was good, but certainly didn't meet my expectations as to flavor or presentation. I ordered the bucatini with braised oyster mushrooms as an entree. It was oily/greasy and overseasoned, with cheese that overwhelmed the flavor of the mushrooms. Honestly, I have had better pasta dishes at certain inexpensive, chain Italian restaurants I patronized occasionally in college. It simply was nothing special, and definitely did not live up to our expectations. One of my friends ordered the gnocchi, which was also a greasy disappointment. The octopus appetizer was alright, but again, nothing special. The worst thing about Amis was the atmosphere, however. It was so loud that we literally had to shout to hold a conversation. There were 6 of us at the table, and we were celebrating a friend's birthday. Luckily, I sat next to the friend with the birthday, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to communicate with him at all- it was that noisy. Our waiter was no help - he practically mouthed the specials and when we asked questions, his attitude fluctuated between smarmy and condescending (to a crowd of fairly discerning diners, mind you - we are not rookies of fine dining) and brusque and unhelpful. At first we thought it was one table of loud diners ruining the ambiance for everyone, but even after they left, there was a din that couldn't be overcome. It was unpleasant. It's really a shame, since I've had several, much better experiences at Osteria, another Vetri restaurant. It seems that Amis needs to be reworked.
(2)
Susan F.
Very friendly and efficient staff. Excellent wine selection. We went after going to Les Mis at the Academy (easy walk). We asked, at the last minute, if we could add another guest and they graciously made accommodations for us with only a slight time change. The appetizer (small plate) selections were impossible to choose from because they all sounded yummy. The pasta selections and chicken saltambucca (sp?) was outstanding. Can't say enough good things - even desserts were all above average. Would definitely go back.
(4)
B B.
Ate at Amis on Saturday. Brunch. Damn. So good. We had the bufala riccota with marinated fall vegetables. I had rotini with breakfast sausage and egg yolk. My wife had a raviolo all'uovo. Everything was awesome and it is glaringly evident that everybody who works there really cares about the food. The best.
(5)
Bill q.
Great, but a little steep fried lamb tongue B sweetbreads A+, but small salumi A, but small cacio e pepe A+ oxtail gnocchi A+ strazzapretti A sausage & peppers B beef steak B+ waffles B My wife ordered what seemed like enough food, and while we thought there was more to come, the waiter asked if we were ready for dessert. We weren't full, so we ordered more. Wierd: the waiter put his nose in MY glass to smell the wine? Never seen that one... Awesome food high prices/ small portions service quirks But overall very good.
(4)
Shannon D.
We were lucky enough to have the amazing food experience at Amis that others have written about and couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere is modern but cozy with a great, buzzing energy that doesn't make you feel rushed through your meal, but leaves you feeling doted on by the staff. After sampling two (strong, delicious!) cocktails at the bar, we were shown our table for 4, which was far enough away from the tables around us without making the dining room feel too vast. The wine list was very nice and not at all overwhelming, which made choosing our wines to go with our meal easy. In fact, the cocktail menu and food menus are in a similar style; plenty of options for diners with different tastes, yet simple enough for you to know great care is put into all of the dishes. The food was, in a word, FANTASTIC. Dinner really blew some other fine dining experiences we've had recently right out of the water. Highlights: Bufala Ricotta Bruschetta (great to share, light and creamy)...tuna croquettes (delicately fried, super fresh)...pork belly with fried peppers (come on!). We had the black spaghetti with braised squid and the grilled steak with marinated mushrooms for 'dinner' entrees. Both were cooked and prepared so excellently that I almost forgot how creepy black spaghetti can look. While I found the pasta salty for my taste (and thick with squid flavor- so only for those who love it) my boyfriend thought it was perfect and blinked at me with confusion when I mentioned the sodium content. So while everything we had on the table was an absolute winner...we all agreed that one dish was one we'd eat every day of our lives, were we so lucky: the fried Brussels sprouts side dish. Honestly, if you come for one thing, this may be it. But don't just come for one thing...just make sure you order this. Our meal was made even more amazing by our server, Lindsay, who was not only sweet, knowledgeable and attentive but a true professional who is polished without being uppity. When you dine here, ask for Lindsay. She is a doll. Of course, this amazing dinner did not come cheap, but we were prepared to splurge this time. In fact, this is one of the only restaurants in Philly I would recommend 100% confidently to anyone who asks for an excellent night out...who can pay for it. And if you can't pay for it, just come and ask for Lindsay...then order a side of Brussels sprouts.
(5)
Jon P.
My girlfriend and I went to Amis a couple of weeks ago. It was our first Vetri restaurant, and we came with high hopes, though not much of an idea of what to order. The atmosphere was great--nice tasteful, not too pretentious. The menu was unnecessarily opaque for a country bumpkin like myself. No descriptions of the menu items, and lots of long Italian words in the titles (for example the ice creamy dessert is called "semifreddo" instead of gelato). Still, our young waiter was quite happy to oblige or requests for explanations of half of the words on the menu. We appreciated the availability of an affordable carafe of house red. For an undiscerning palate like my own, it hit the spot. For appetizers, we went for the Ricotta with Black Pepper Bruscetta and the Escarole Salad with Apples and Radishes. Both were absolutely, deliciously simple. Couldn't have been happier. The entree is where things got dicier. We went for the Strozzapreti with Clam Cockles and Muscles and the Guinea Hen Leg Saltimbucca with Prosciutto and Sage. I liked the guinea hen better, but both were disappointments. I'm a chronic over-salter, but these went above and beyond even my salty tastes. Too much. And the strozzapreti didn't even have that much taste beyond the salt. For dessert, we went with the Waffles Amis and the Pear Almond Tart (forget the exact name of the pear/almond dessert). The waffles were wonderful, the pear almond dessert not so much--dry and tasteless. Overall, not a bad experience, but Amis did not live up to my expectations, and I can't give it more than 3*'s. I may go back sometime to do a better job of picking those entrees.
(3)
Stephanie Y.
Great food, reasonable prices, and great service. I started with the homemade strawberry rhubarb soda. It was so refreshing. The swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts were absolutely delicious. The Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (more traditional) were also delicious, but not as good as the swordfish meatballs. The fettuccine with corn and scallions and the spaghetti with chilies and parmesan were both delicious. The pastas were perfectly sized portions for one person if you also get an appetizer. I ordered one appetizer and one pasta, and I was full when I left. Definitely not the best Vetri restaurant, but I would return.
(4)
Stefanie A.
I was thrilled when a date made a reservation at Amis. I had wanted to go for awhile, but it's not cheap, or easy to get into. After dining there, I realize why--excellent service, large menu, transporting food, and a great atmosphere (though strangely, they were playing 80s music. But I digress...) We had read on chef's feed that the swordfish meatballs were exceptional, and while I was was less than excited for them, they were amazing. We were sad there were just 3. The braised calamari was tender, and swimming in a brown/red sauce that was a bit fishy, but in a good way. And it was served with toasty bread. Sweatbreads were a little too fried for my taste but dusted in a tasty almond coating so the tempura was nicely complimented. And you should not miss the veal rago pasta, which was perfectly seasoned. The cacio e pepe was the only disappointment, in a thick creamy sauce which was slightly tasteless. But if you do dessert--if you have room after the rich food--the rice pudding, which I'm typically not a fan of, was smooth, creamy, and covered with a cheery sauce which was equally sour and sweet. Our server was friendly as was host staff leading to a warm atmosphere. I ca't wait to go back and try more of the amazing-looking menu items.
(5)
Meems C.
I have read some not-so-stellar reviews and wonder what went wrong. It's authentic Italian food people, not a fucking Olive Garden. I visited with my fiance for our usual date night and had a FANTASTIC time. We were greeted warmly by the host and had a seat at the bar while waiting for our table. We barely had even recieved our drinks before they told us it was ready, took our drinks and coats for us, and sat us at the chef's table. The place was PACKED (and our reservation was at 9:45). We started with a slew of apps including bufala ricotta and black pepper, Sal's old school meatballs (the tomato potato was the most ridiculous thing I've ever eaten - I wanted to put it on everything), grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda, and the arancini di riso with meat ragu (golden fried rice balls stuffed with gooey and delicious meat). Everything pleased our palates and I wanted more!!!! We then moved to the pasta course and had the pappardelle with veal breast ragu and the gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu. YUM-MY. The gnocchi isn't the usual suspect - so don't expect your store bought gnocchi. They are much larger, different texture, and delicious. After pasta, we were pretty full, but decided to share the abbachio con patate. Delicious. The lamb had a really nice lightness to it, not gamey whatsoever. There was a slight searing on the ouside pieces and I fell in love. The potatoes weren't the best I've ever tasted, but went nicely with the dish. Very full by this point, we were talked into dessert, thinking we would each only be able to fit one bite into our stomachs. We were wrong - we had the "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. WOW. It was like a mini chocolate igloo sitting in front of us. So good, we ate almost the whole thing. Note : we also had a bottle of white wine (and I can't remember for the life of me what it was called) but it paired very well with our courses, even with the heavier, meatier items. This was the HIGHLIGHT of our night out. The staff was wonderful, the place was small and cozy, and most important, the food was orgasmic. Yes, I went there. I will also mention that there are really cool looking cocktails that we didn't get to try, but if you're looking for beer, you're SOL, unless you want to pay $22 for RR Consecration. Overall, we are going back. You should go too. Now.
(5)
Phuong L.
Good food, good beer, and very accommodating. Two people who we were meeting were stuck in traffic on a Friday night and they let us push back our 7 pm reservations to whenever they arrived, which was pretty close to 7:45. I would definitely go back to try their other unique dishes
(4)
jen d.
overall dinner was great - but we were disappointed at how greasy/fried many of the menu options were. biggest disappointments: -artichokes - way too greasy, all you could taste was the oil -cauliflower - was supposed to be grilled - seemed more like soaked in oil and then set on fire greatest dishes: -oxtail gnocchi - light, delicious, savory (this dish was expectedly rich) -swordfish rigatoni - light and delicious -escarole salad - light & refreshing -eggplant caponata bruschetta - delicious, slightly sweet/tangy service was great - when we expressed our dissatisfaction w/ the artichokes they were immediately replaced w/ 2 new dishes on the house. loved the Alto ginger beer/prosecco cocktail. great bar staff too. nice industrial/modern/yet warm environment. definitely worth going back again - might be a lil' choosier w/ what we pick from the menu. loved that portion sizes are modest.
(3)
Emily C.
Ancinis were good. Eggplant caponata was good. Eh, neither were outrageous, just good. I had the cacio e pepe, which after hearing all the great reviews, I was not terribly impressed with... and this is a classic Italian dish that I was really looking forward to! Was it a fluke, was it me? It seemed a little more like it was coated with heavy alfredo sauce rather then high quality pecorino and cracked pepper. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente though. THE GOOD: my boyfriend's ravioli with spring onions was TO DIE FOR! I could have eaten that all night, seriously... simple, light, and DELICIOUS! The perfect summer ravioli. Strangely (and because he loves his jarred alfredo sauce), he actually thought my cacio e pepe was better. What we should have done was simply switch meals and everything would have been perfect. MUST HAVE: The salted buttercream ice cream!
(4)
Sara L.
LOVED it! Came twice--once with the girls and once with a large family party. Amis was super nice and patient with both groups. The friends and fam both are full of special requests and dietary restrictions. The fam was particularly challenging--one shellfish allergy, one vegetarian, one no tomatoes/acid, and one no fat eater (at an italian restaurant)! We started with some amazing onion focaccia that comes to the table. Everyone gobbled it down and looked for seconds. For drinks we tried the punch and the house wine (red and white). The punch was excellent, lemony and fresh tasting. Everyone of the picky people also liked the red wine. A nice carafe for sharing. We licked the ricotta bowl clean, ordered a second round of eggplant, and each had our own personal artichoke. Because sharing fried artichokes doesn't work. Also on the plus side: the coppa salami with hazelnut honey and the cheese selection. We tried the brown butter polenta which was good but not amazing (very polenta-y). For dinner, the lamb was amazing, also the vegetable plate and the tonnarelli pepper and cheese pasta. Desserts were less impressive to me overall, but still good. Really enjoyed it!
(5)
Michelle K.
My expectations were high and they were not met. I ordered the polenta and it was BLAND. I also had 2 pasta dishes the gnocchi and cannelloni, both were very average. For dessert the waffle w ice cream was good, that was probably the best dish. The service was great but the food was very average and overpriced. I dont think I would go back to eat .
(3)
Liz M.
I absolutely adore this place. Favorites are the grilled artichokes, the pasta with fresh corn, and the most tender rosemary chicken you can imagine. For desert, try the rice pudding. It might be the best I've ever had. The staff is warm and welcoming--Amanda is our favorite, so nice--and the atmosphere is lively without being too loud. We enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen so we can watch the chefs do their thing. A lovely restaurant all around.
(5)
Rachel S.
Amazing food, great service, fun atmosphere..... Vetri does it again!
(5)
Joe R.
Made my first visit to Amis on 1/2/11. Totally enjoyed my meal and atmosphere. For starters my companion and I shared the shaved vegetable salad. It was very tasty. Had the persimmon and fennel lasagna with a side of roasted squash for my entree. Both were excellent. Finished it off with the apple cake which also was great. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
E.J. C.
Amis is a fantastic Italian restaurant and a great addition to the Vetri family of restaurants. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is helpful, and the food is mouth watering. The decor of the restaurant is a mix of rustic and industrial. And it is always nice when there is an open kitchen. It can get a little loud, but not to the point that you can't hear the other members of your party. The waitress was very nice and helpful. She guided us to some of her favorite dishes, and never steered us wrong. The food really is that good. The bruschetta is a delightful start to the meal. The ricotta is creamy and finished nicely with olive oil and black pepper. The eggplant has nice big chunks and spreads well onto the grilled bread. For antipasti, the mussels are cooked in a great broth. Make sure to get some extra bed to sop it up. The pastas are homemade and cooked well. The tonorelli with pecorino and pepper is great to share for an appetizer. The pacherri with swordfish comes out like a present, topped with eggplant fries that I wish I could have had a whole bowl of. For entrees, the turkey milanese is delicious. It is pounded flat, comes out hot and crispy, and paired with an arugula salad. The daily special ribs were tasty, with a glaze that made a nice bark on the rib. The mixed seafood grill is good if you want something on the lighter side. And for dessert, you must get the polenta shortcake with strawberries and salted butter semifredo. The shortcake and the strawberries are delicious by themselves, but the semifredo elevates the dish. The price point isn't that bad, especially when compared to other Italian restaurants in the city. Can't wait to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)
Mark D.
Great place! Little plates are spectacular and it fits perfectly between his Marc Vetri's two other restaurants. My favorite thing is to get an assortment of 4-5 little plates and make that dinner. Also has a really good bar.
(5)
Ronald S.
Am I going to learn to love you? You aren't cheap and you aren't dirty. It's not a love at first sight type of thing but maybe, just maybe.
(4)
David Z.
Stopped in last minute on a Friday. We sat at the bar. The menu was interesting. The service was great. Apparently the second course took longer that it should have even though we didn't even notice so they brought s a complimentary bruschetta. It was a very nice gesture. They also had a great selection of interesting cocktails. This place was packed by 6 pm.
(4)
Lucy S.
Great Tuesday night dinner with work friends. We started at the bar with a cocktail. Good selection but a little annoyed that the bar tender kept ignoring my request for a drink while my guy colleagues were chatting and being indecisive. The waitress was a bit aggressive in seating us. We said we wanted to finish our drinks at the bar and she said we rather she we didn't. When we sat we put our hands in the waiter to choose our food and wine based on recommendation from a friend who had was with us who had been there before. We started with a nice red medium body to go with out first course - burrata and house made charcuterie. Burrata was awesome didn't try the charcuterie a little too fresh for me. Fellow dinner gave good reviews. Next course was octopus and another dish of cauliflower. Cauliflower ROCKED. The pastas were the standouts the almond pesto with jalapeño not to be missed. We finished with scallops and lamb. A little on the odd side was the second red was lighter than the first. Not a major party fowl - but strange since waiter picked wines -knowing we were going to have two bottles. All and all. Great experience.
(4)
Joe D.
We ate and drank everything and you we couldn't go wrong. From the pre-dinner cocktail (Ginginber - 12 hendrick's/ginger/cucumber), to the bread (omg), apps, wine, and entree's. This review is long over due since the first time we went was to "carb up " for broad street, and I should have update you all on yelp prior. My bad - cuz its so good - Im actually salivating, and making a reservation at Amis as we speak. Cheers
(5)
Jacqueline O.
Vetri killed it on this one. Best restaurant in Philadelphia. Doesn't matter if you can't pronounce it or have never heard of it... It is to die for. Just about all of the starters are amazing. My two favorites have to be the straccitella with heirloom tomatoes and basil and baked pecorino with almond honey. Both of these are not to be passed on. The only appetizer I would say to pass on is the swordfish meatball. It is so fishy it's almost unbearable. Al time favorite dish- bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. It is the perfect combination of spicy and creamy. For dessert the Belgium waffle with Nutella is a slice of heaven. It's hard to believe something this good even exists. However tiramisu here is a trigger word for me. So say a prayer it is the dessert special.
(5)
Vidushi B.
Amis might be my favorite restaurant in Philly. I've been here a few times for dinner, and it's been excellent, but this review is for the brunch, which I had the pleasure of trying for the first time yesterday. I went with four friends, so we decided, first, to get the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey to share. It was so, so good. Baked cheese is heaven in any form, but the almond honey was the perfect touch. The bread that came with it was excellent as well - it tasted like garlic bread. For my main course, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. I enjoyed this a lot as well, though it wasn't what I expected. The sauce was kind of buttery, and it wasn't that spicy. I still enjoyed it though, though I hope to try some of the other options next time. The food was incredible. However, the service was AMAZING. The Baked Pecorino took a while to come out, and we had been waiting for a while. The manager approached us and apologized, and told us it was on her, which was very nice. However, at the end, I mentioned I was too full for dessert, though I wanted to try the olive oil cake. The waitress brought it out for us free of charge as an apology for earlier. I was shocked -- this is what truly impressing your guests means. (The olive oil cake was very tasty as well!). Probably truly the best service I have experienced. I can't wait to return to Amis again. And again. And again!
(5)
Food Love R.
Oh my god!!!!!! Food is excellent (highly recommend bucatini) but the service out shine above it all. The best restraint service experience I've ever had in the past decades of many restaurant service. Thanks to the amazing shied Drew and great server Diana. We will be back with more friends and family. Just go there and it would be the best time you would ever have.
(5)
Erin B.
My husband and I had our first wedding anniversary date here, on a friend's recommendation. We enjoyed every single moment. It was snowy outside and cold. we found close by parking spot that wasn't filled with piles of snow. we walked in - reservations of course, and were promptly seated. The waiter was kind and always around when you needed him, and not too obtrusive. We ordered many things to share, and i believe we had Sal's meatballs (delicious) and some fried Brussels Sprouts (life-changing, seriously), among other things. Our overall experience was a pleasant one and we would both love to go back and try more things on the menu. Nothing we ordered was bad, i am pretty sure you cannot go wrong here. They were out of the appetizer i wanted (pecorino with almond honey), so i guess i just have to come back to try it! one gripe- i always drink water. why please tell me, is water $5?? since when did restaurants start charging for tap water? This left a bad taste in my mouth - but thankfully i polished off my meal with a yummy latte to clear that bad taste. I am normally an outspoken patron, and would have mentioned it to the waiter, but my husband rushed out the door before i had the chance.
(5)
Lily C.
One of the best Italian meals I've had in Philly. I really liked the atmosphere - it was lively and loud without being unbearable. The service was not great that night...I was seated for ~20 minutes before I was greeted by a waiter or before I was able to get a glass of water. The service did get progressively better throughout the night, I guess as they got less busy. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto and striploin with mushrooms and chimichurri. Both of these were absolutely mouth-watering and I won't be able to live with myself if I don't return for these the next time I'm in Philly. The presentation of the dishes and the flavors were amazing.
(4)
Doris T.
The meal starts out with complementary bread that's cake like. The ricotta with black pepper is a must try! It's been days and I'm still thinking about this dish. If you're feeling adventurous order the grill veal tongue. It was my first time having veal tongue and not my last time. For the main entree we ordered the spring pea tortelli in a lamb ragu. It has to be one of the best tortelli in the city. The service was good nothing over the top. Overall, the food is great. So if you are looking to over load on delicious carbs give this place a try!
(4)
Richard Michael L.
Just sublime. Went last night for maybe my 100th time? Took a vegetarian, which means I got to eats lots of CHEESE and desserts! Excellent swordfish meatballs, Sal's meatballs, baked pecorino, veggies, and desserts. Yum. The house white wine is a bargain. Outdoor seating on a warm Wed night was chill. Service is impeccable, as always. Danielle, Arturo, Ned, and the rest of the staff rock.
(5)
Brett B.
All time favorite restaurant in Philly. Nice enough to feel like you are having a nice night out but not too fancy to make you uncomfortable. Menu is always changing and definitely never disappoints. Service is great. Food even better.
(5)
Michaelea T.
Bottom line: this food is tasty. The food is excellent. The beef tongue appetizer is incredible and well seasoned. Additionally, seriously consider the baked cheese with honey- it is very delicious. The pastas are always perfectly cooked and the flavors are distinct and intense. I have not yet even disappointed by their grilled or fried fish options either. Service is decent, though we had to ask for bread for our table. The interior has this industrial thing going on, so that's interesting. It gets kind smokey because of the open kitchen, but I think having smokey clothes is worth the culinary experience that you get.
(4)
Sarah E.
I'm a little lost on what to rate this place, so I'll explain my experience first. My husband and I live on 13th and Pine, so we were excited that we were so close to a "good" restaurant (they are always packed), so we made a reservation for a Friday night. We were promptly seated and explained the specials, drinks, yadda yadda yadda. I ordered a sparkling red wine to begin with which was one of their specials and we got a bottle of rose to split during our meal. (We found both of these were good and I was pleased that they offered a sparkling red, although at $12 a glass I stuck to one) We began with the fried artichokes which were very good and then I ordered the tuna fillet with fennel and my husband the roasted lamb with potatoes. We kept our menus just in case we wanted more as I know they are a tapas style place, but since we ordered off the "main course" area we assumed that the price (Around $20 for each) would probably mean that they were larger than the standard tapas. Alright, this is where the evening takes a turn, I was presented with my dish, a very nice fillet of tuna with sauteed fennel and lemon. Flash seared on one side and raw on the other it was just to my liking. However I can't say the same for my husband's dish. The lamb was a small (about the size of a cordless telephone) and was accompanied by 4 roasted potatoes. That's. It. No sauce. No garnish. Nothing. The lamb itself was lackluster-dry and chewy-and the potatoes were..well...boring. The table next to us had the same dish and the same reaction. The service was good and I enjoyed my half, so maybe we just got them on a off night or ordered the wrong thing. I'd like to try them again, but my husband refuses to return. Total of check was around $115 (the wine totaled to about $50),and I certainly wouldn't say that it was worth that amount of money. I rate it 2.5 stars as it wasn't the worst, but I am still not convinced enough to give it 3.
(2)
Shweta N.
I'm still dreaming about this place. I came here with my sister, brother in law, and boyfriend to carb load before a race. Best. Decision. Ever. We started with the marinated olives, and then sampled the squid salad, old school meatballs, fried cauliflower, bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, chicken al mattone (perfectly cooked), one of the pasta specials for the evening- a chicken ragu pasta, and finished with a chocolate semifreddo and the tartufo al bacio. Everything was amazing, amazing, amazing. The wine list was also fabulous, and yes, even before our run the next day, we couldn't help but sample several of the selections (if you enjoy a very dry wine, the Petra Zingari is to die for, but my favorite paired with the meal was the Casolare Rosso). The highlights of the meal for me were the squid salad and the jalapeno bucatini (surprisingly spicier than I anticipated!) The best part? The price! I was actually amazed at the final bill- expecting the meal to be far more expensive than it was. I would love to come back here the next time I'm in Philly, but my guess is that the wait for a reserve is long!
(5)
Alex F.
Amis is type of restaurant that makes me totally nostalgic for Philly and that I can't seem to find in Manhattan. Over two years I went to this place a bunch of times. The food was always delicious and deceptively simple. The cooking had a warmth and hominess that always managed to give me a sense of general well being. You could go back and forth between go-to classics and stuff that was a little more organ-meat adventurous. You could get white truffles shaved on your ____ or just have a simple plate of pasta. Vetri gets flack for some reason, but this place is truly a gift. Awesome, accessible cooking that you could afford to eat at weekly if you wanted to (and stayed away from the white truffles.)
(5)
Kevin W.
I ate hear quite a few times over the last year or so and Sunday's nights meal was over the top!! Make sure you save room for dessert and order an extra! The salted butter semifreddo was excellent!
(5)
John B.
I wish I came with more people and ordered more variety. My wife, although she's eating for two nowadays, still can't handle as much as a hungry teenager. And I'm no longer in highschool basketball team. The best we could do between two of us were Baked Pecorino with almond honey Octopus with potato and olives Trippa Alla Romana roman tripe stew Sal's Old School Meatballs with tomato potato Gnocchi Alla Romana with oxtail ragu Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries I wish I didn't order Octopus and Paccheri with swordfish. Both dishes were IMHO mediocre. The octopus were slightly rubbery and tasteless compared to the delicious octopus salad at Raddicchio Cafe. The Paccheri was, no offense, nothing special. Gnocchi was interesting (-ly disappointing) because I was expecting small nibbles of gnocchi that you normally see. Instead two flat disks of "gnocchi" were served with the ragu. When you eat them, they break apart and somewhat disintegrate...making them almost the consistency of polenta/mashed potato. The baked Pecorino was good, but how hard is it to bake good cheese? Meatball was good. but I could have done without potato. Trippa stew was the highlight of the meal. The tomato-based (I think) soup was delicious and hearty, topped with stringy cheese. The tripes were chunky but tender. It wasn't too soft but wasn't too chewy: perfect tenderness. I think I could swim in the stew. Actually if I had the stew as the meal with more toast, I'd be a happy man and the review could have been a 5-star. But then again, the other dishes were disappointing (largely due to high expectation).
(3)
Andrew P.
Very underwhelming. Do not buy into the hype. Maybe I was there on a bad night, but the staff was slow and the whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese pasta that I ate had absolutely no taste and was super overpriced (18 dollars?...come on). I also ordered the ribeye involtini with wilted spinach which was poorly seasoned and a boring dish overall. The only good thing on the menu is Sal's Old school meatballs. Other then that, save your time and your money. You are better off going to Modo Mio in NoLibs. If you do decide to go to Amis, its probably wiser to just go for a glass of wine and a small app at the bar. I really did expect better out of this restaurant. Trust me, I am saddened that I had to write a review such as this one.
(2)
Robert K.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, I entered this little gem of Philly and had on of the best meals I've had ever. Period. This is Italian with a capital I. The menu is organized and easy to read but full of delightful and unusual fare that would fit any palat. I began with swordfish meatballs and polenta that was out of this world. My dining partner had bruchetta riccotta. The ricotta was unbeleivable and melted in your mouth. We followed up with a quail appetizer thas was also cooked to perfection and succulent beyond measure. The manager treated us to a raviolo dish and being that the pasta here is the nations top ten according to bon appetit, it did not dissapoint. For the main course we had lamb and potatoes. Although a simple sounding dish, the meat was cooked in an orignal way that made the meat full of texture and taste at the same time. The potatoes were simple and wonderful and the mark of any good kitchen, the entrees were served steaming. The decore was modern and subtle yet sophifsticated and not stuffy. The open kitchen gave a great vibe and buzz to the place made the whole experience effortless. Amazing meal, service and staff. Highly reccomended!
(5)
Christina P.
The thing that initially drew me in with Amis is their adorable outdoor seating on a shady block of 13th street. Me and a friend grabbed a two top by the door and we were soon greeted by our waitress, who was awesome. They start you off with something she called 'olive oil bread' which was basically chewy, pleasantly greasy goodness. Be careful not to down whole loaves by yourself because it will be tempting. The wine list was definitely on the expensive side we split a carafe of the house red for $20, and it was actually really good for the most basic wine choice. After spending 15 minutes changing my mind, we both settled on the eggplant lasagna with heirloom tomatoes. The waitress seemed surprised and a little put off that we didn't order any salads, appetizers, or sides, and when the lasagna arrived I realized why. The portions are pretty stingy (and by stingy I mean what people should be eating but tiny compared to normal ginormous restaurant portions). I wouldn't have minded the small portion if it matched the price, but for $16 I expected to have leftovers to take home. It was a lot flatter than normal lasagna and almost looked like a crepe, but you could tell the pasta was homemade. I might go out on a limb and say this was the best lasagna I've ever had. The top was cheesy and broiled so it was melty and crispy at the same time. The sauce was flavorful and fresh and there were lots of chunks of fresh tomatoes. So. Good. For dessert, I got the chocolate hazelnut tartufo from the raving review of our waitress. It was $10, which is really steep for dessert by my standards, but I figured I would go for it. Turns out, it was more than worth it. This tartufo was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Rich chocolate cake topped with a chocolate/hazlenut semifreddo (our waitress described this as if ice cream and gelato had a baby) with whole hazlenuts and candied cherries, all covered in a hard chocolate shell. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars (or more if I could) to Amis is the price to portion ratio. I wish it wasn't so pricey because everything I had was beyond delicious. I will probably end up going back and trying to ignore my bank account's cries after I leave.
(4)
Holly H.
So tasty, so cozy, so crowded on a Thursday night. We were there after 9, and the party was still going strong, but with crafes of house wine for $20, I shouldn't be so surprised. We had a great time, but for us, it was all about the appetizers. The ricotta with olive oil and black pepper bruccetta was great bang for the buck, the homemade salumi with marmalade was tasty (although a bit tiny, even for places like this), and the swordfish meatballs were absurdly good (may all your meatballs be swordfish!!). My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was tasy but the cheese on top was pretty closed to crispy (as opposed to melty) and the large pan baked gnocchi hasn't won me as a fan. Husband's pork chop was a tasty pork chop, but it also didn't wish any blue ribbon prizes for presentation or inventiveness (although it gets the ribbon for being a good pork chop). I'm surprised it was on the menu if they couldn't really get it to the place that matches so many of the other dishes. We'll absolutely return - because even with 3 apps, 2 entrees, dessert, wine crafe, and cappacino, we just hit the $100 mark (pre tip), and thats a great Thursday night in my book. We shall, however, stick with the first courses.
(4)
Alyssa G.
Absolutely amazing! Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable, and very nice. The food - wow the food is AWESOME. The baked aged parmesan small plate served with honey and crostini was to die for...how can something so simple be THAT good?? Two of us got the lamb shank which was cooked to perfection (falling off the bone, melt in your mouth perfection). The other two got some sort of steak and sausage - I tried both and they were equally delicious. The two bottles of wine we ordered were outstanding. So good, in fact, that my boyfriends Dad had a case shipped to his house. Amis has such a great atmosphere; we had a fantastic time and will definitely be back. Hands down one of the best restaurants in Philly! Certainly one of my favorites.
(5)
Georgia H.
Probably the best Italian I have EVER had. And not only is the food delicious, but the ambience is classy, understated, warm, and welcoming. Our server, Amanda, was very sweet and helpful in recommending items on the menu as well as explaining their "family table" concept. My boyfriend and I chose to sit by the open kitchen, which was fun to see the kitchen staff of chefs at work preparing all the tasty dishes. The chef even sent over a dish of amazing steamed mussels for us "first-timers". We were almost completely full off the baked pecorino, heirloom tomato bruschetta, and the loaves of delicious rosemary-olive oil bread. However, when our main dishes arrived, we couldn't resist the housemade pasta and seared chicken. We ate almost half and Amanda boxed up the rest of it for us to take home. The carafe of house wine was also a perfect accompaniment to a delectable meal. All in all, decently priced, high-quality, complex ingredients, and a fabulous place to sit, sip, munch, and enjoy the ambience. Can't wait to come back! Oh and did I mention it's only a block or so away from our apartment??
(5)
Felicia D.
Out of Marc Vetri's tasteful little empire -- grand Vetri, scene-y Osteria and new little brother AmÃs -- I can write with certainty that AmÃs is my favorite outpost. Deliciousness, value and a real "fun factor" all combine here to provide a memorable night out, whether you go full-bore in the lively dining room or just pick at a few appetizers at the comfortable bar. Though AmÃs is a bit more design-forward than the casual Roman trattorie that inspired it, the conviviality and spirit of the originals is absolutely evident. An energetic and ultra-informed staff complete the atmosphere, providing explanation of unfamiliar ingredients or obscure preparations without attitude. A selection of high-quality cocktails, craft beers and reasonably-priced wines sharpen the appetite for the rich spread the menu offers. So many pastas tempt, it's a battle of wills to choose just two for a two-person date. The best of the lot was the melting oxtail ragu over super-soft gnocchi (Gnocchi Alla Romana); conversely, the cacio e pepe, touted as a signature dish, was just too simple to justify the price, though the handmade tonnarelli was elegantly made and perfectly cooked al dente. A wide variety of house-made charcuterie and offal dishes were hits with the fatso foodies who populate my dining-out circle. Much fuss was made over the mortadella mousse and pork liver terrine with mostarda. If you enjoy over-the-top meaty richness, don't skip these. The lightly fried lamb's tongue with salsa rossa was easily my personal favorite of the night -- if you've never had tongue, this preparation is the ideal point of entry. Every first Monday of the month, AmÃs hosts an "Industry Night" with free food and drink specials for restaurant worker bees. We were offered a chance to sample a few dishes that will be on the new menu -- standouts included a braised squid dish and a baked pecorino that could supplant queso fundido as my fat-kid guilty pleasure. Fresh waffles dripped with Nutella and crushed hazelnuts finish you off. I will confess, there are lighter desserts, including lovely gelati and sorbetti -- but you know what they say -- "When in Roma, eat everything you want."
(5)
Ashley L.
My new favorite restaurant! The decor is clean and modern. The staff are friendly and attentive. And the food... YUM! You must get the fettuccini. The table next to us was enjoying it while we were being seated. We couldn't help but stare; it just looked so good! And it was. Homemade pasta in a creamy sauce with scallions and corn, adding the perfect amount of texture. Note- the pasta dishes are served as a smaller portion, best for splitting as an app. For my entree I had the duck breast with farro and stone fruit. The duck was extremely flavorful and had a perfectly crisped skin. The fruit mixed in with the farro added a great contrast to the flavors of the dish. I also got to taste the roasted scallop, which was equally delicious. Again, the dishes are modestly portioned, but between the split pasta dish and my entree, I was completely satisfied. Dinner can get a little pricey, but it's well worth it!
(5)
Emily W.
We've been here twice and have had a blast each time. It's approachable Italian food and honestly, reminds me some of the best meals I had when I was living in Italy. Between the food and the service, I really can't say enough good things. The key is to go with a group of people who don't mind sharing. It's worth trying as many dishes as you can. The bread that comes out is supposedly focaccia, but it's richer and more buttery than any other focaccia I've tasted. For five people, we got the braised snails, bufala ricotta crostini, a mixed salumi plate, and arancini to start. The arancini normally only comes with 4 portions, but they kindly added on a fifth for us. The snails were tasty and not too chewy; and the ricotta was creamy, but I wish it would have had more of the tang that I associate with ricotta di bufala. That didn't stop me from asking for more bread to finish it off though. I'm never one to order mixed salumi by myself, but let's just say that my sister, who rarely eats meat, set up camp at the pork terrine. And the arancini are little pops of goodness with their creamy, savory interior and crispy exterior. For our entrees, we decided to tackle the pasta section since it all looked so good and seemed to take advantage of spring's bounty. We ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe," the bucatini ai fagioli, the fettucine with lamb ragu and mint, the chard ravioli, and the wilted spinach as a side dish. And they brought us a dish of their special pasta that night- a sweet pea agnolotti- "on the house." It's so hard to pick a favorite pasta here, and in fact, when we all went around to name our favorite, we each picked a different one! I loved all of them as the pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauces clung to each of them beautifully. But if i could only eat one dish again, I would go for the fettucine with the lamb ragu and mint. Now I'm normally not a lamb fan, but the tiny shreds of gamy lamb worked so well with the brightness of the mint. The sauce had body that helped it cling to each noodle, but it didn't overpower the flavor of the pasta. If you're going for the first time, definitely order the tonnarelli in your mix. It's a super-luscious version of the butter, noodles, and cheese dish you used to make 9or still make) for yourself in college. And even though we were all full, we all wanted a little something sweet to round out the meal. Their dessert menu was well-thought; each of their desserts brought a little something different depending on what you were craving- sweet, doughy, cheesy, icy, fruity, crunchy, chocolatey, and nutty. We settled on the ricotta crumble tart, the polenta shortcake with strawberries and (killer) salted butter semifreddo, the Belgian style waffles, the special tiramisu, and the prosecco rhubarb granita. I'm usually a chocolate or nut fanatic, but my favorite of the bunch was the polenta shortcake. It wasn't overly sweet, and the corn/ strawberry combo with buttery ice cream was satisfying without being too rich. My second choice would be for the Belgian waffle because it's just so fun to eat, but the other desserts are not far behind. For five people with all of this food and two carafes of house wine, it was about 50pp. And we got a lot of food. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Philly, so I'm sad to hear that other people didn't have great experiences. I know I'll be back though!
(5)
elanya m.
Great place! Ate the octopus, bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta, Sal's meatball and lamb for the main course. Friends had the seafood grill and the hen leg; all very good. Def. recommend but I still enjoy Osteria a tad bit more.
(4)
Richie G.
Had another great meal here last night. The menu remains very inventive, but this time we got to experience the chef's ability to innovate too. The specials were a trio of pork preparations, two of which we tried. A wonderful fettuccini entree featuring the pork shoulder and a pork belly and polenta preparation that was unreal. The starters, including the amazing swordfish meatballs, continue to make a trip here worth it all by themselves.
(5)
Sean G.
Food: 3.5 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 4 stars Location: 3.5 stars Price: 3.5 stars Recommendations: I would recommend starting off with a combination of the bruschetta and salumi for appetizer. The 'imported bufala ricotta and black pepper' is a must have. The whipped ricotta is so smooth and creamy; it literally melts in your mouth. The 'mixed salumi' plate is a great addition to the ricotta. The variety and quality of the salumi is excellent. The main courses unfortunately did not match the quality of the appetizers. The initial pasta we ordered was the 'spinach pasta with sausage'. It definitely was the better of the 3 main courses. The pasta was very fresh but the sauce was a little flat. The 'gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu' was far too salty as was the "mixed seafood grill' secondi. My girlfriend who enjoys food on the saltier side was overwhelmed by the amount of salt used in the dishes. Overall, we had a great time at the restaurant. The ambiance is great and the service is wonderful too. The general consensus was that the food did not meet all the initial hype and expectations. I'm not sure if we will return for another dining experience. Overall: 3.5 stars
(3)
Zach Y.
For as classy as this place looks and sophistication of the wait staff, I was unimpressed with the food. I found it pretty common and bland. I do have to say the porscuitto and figs appetizer was very tasty
(3)
Marie D.
The best part about birthdays in my family is going out for dinner. Birthday boys and girls get to choose the spot of celebrating and over-eating. My choice was Amis. Looking for parking was painful and by the time I scored a spot (in a lot on Broad) my family was inside already imbibing at the bar. Time to play catch-up. One Alto (prosecco cocktail with blood orange bitters a macerated cherry and a lemon twist) for me, barkeep! Very refreshing. That's all I tried of their drink selection. We brought our own wine which they'll gladly open for about a $25 corkage fee per bottle. What I'm going to say next may seem like an exaggeration but I wouldn't lie to you: the 8 of us devoured 90% of the menu with not one crumb left. I've eaten almost all of it here and here are the things you must have: mortadella mousse brushcetta, pork liver terrine, gnocchi with oxtail ragu, buccatini with pork jowl, marinated lamb. It's a lot of spare parts, I know, but you'll love it all. The rusticity, the exposed ceiling, distressed woods, books on the shelves and an open kitchen that seems so tangible from any corner of the room all make you feel right at home. Reminds me of a Sunday dinner in a tiny Philly rowhome where you could ask for seconds from the kitchen while parked in front of the TV in the parlor. Amis staff is so amiable they just might oblige.
(4)
Philly P.
OK, I get the whole Amis is owned or related to the restaurant Vetri... BLA BLA BLA... Both are over-priced over-rated places that serve mediocre food. Both are more concerned with their "fancy" ingredients they add rather than looking at the greater picture of things and asking... "Is this good?" I ordered pasta that was supposed to have a touch of mint in it. Cool, I get it, mint in pasta, different, unique... Not for me and I am sure NOT for several others. After eating my breath was minty fresh because he added way too much. Service was good, food was pricey, looked nice (I guess) but was lacking some sort of soul in it... Maybe Jose Garces and Marc Vetri can open up a restaurant together... M-E-D-I-O-C-R-E !!!
(3)
Mandy H.
This was my first Mark Vetri experience and I hope to have more in the future. I made a reservation for 4 at 5:45 on a Sunday night to have dinner with my boyfriend and his parents after exploring the city a bit. However, my pre-dinner plans weren't as time consuming as I thought they would be so I called Amis to see if I would be able to move my reservation up to 5. The host told me it was no problem. When we arrived at 5 of 5 the restaurant had just opened for dinner and the waitstaff were actually having their nightly meeting with the managers. The same host I spoke to on the phone happily sat us at the bar and grabbed a bartender to serve us while we waited for our table, which was really nice. Especially since the restaurant wasn't ready for us. Also, even though we were the first table to arrive, I could see how people say the restaurant can get really loud as the ceilings are really high and everything reverberated off of them. We ordered the house red wine in a carafe, which wasn't too full bodied and nice. 500 ML for $20 isn't too bad either. I think the bartender said it was a mix of Cabernet and Grenache. Very soon after we had a few sips of our first round of drinks, we were seated at a table near the kitchen. Our waiter was very helpful in answering any questions we had about the menu and quickly got our orders out to us. Since it was Sunday we had the opportunity to do the Sal's Sunday family-style dinner, but we all opted to go with the regular menu since this was our first time at Amis. l I ordered the seafood grill which came with 2 butterflied shrimp, two small squid tentacles, 1 calamari ring, 1 small fillet of swordfish, 1 buttery scallop, and a side of polenta. Be warned the portions are tiny. I'm a small person and I was still hungry after scarfing my meal in about 5 mins. My boyfriend ordered the guinea hen special, which was topped with mushrooms. Because of the mushrooms I didn't partake in that meal, but it looked good. My boyfriend's parents both had the pork ribs. His dad was clearly disappointed with the a la carte set up of the meal at first glance. However, after he finished his meal, he said he got over the fact that it didn't come with mashed potatoes haha. I tried one of the ribs and it was very good. I had heard the pasta was the best, but I was pretty hungry by the time we got to Amis that I chickened out on being a little more adventurous and stuck with my usual seafood meal. After dinner (since I was still pretty hungry) we ordered cappuccinos and desert. I had the cafe affogato which is italian vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over top. The combination of the sweet vanilla ice cream and bitter espresso was perfect. My boyfriend and his dad ordered mom-mom's rice pudding. They're both suckers for puddings I'm learning. I'm not a big fan of the texture of rice pudding, but I gave it a whirl and it was REALLY good. If you like rice pudding, this is definitely a good one to try. Overall, the service at Amis was really great. They made you feel very welcome and at home. The portions were pretty tiny and although everything I tasted had a good flavor, I thought it was a little too simplistic. Nothing I tried really wowed me. However, the deserts were really delicious and I would probably come back just for desert.
(3)
Lawrence K.
Went here on a Weds night a few weeks ago. Great, lively, bustleing and noisy space; lots of fun. delicious food. very stylish and chic clientel. go with friends and get to know your neighbors. Upon arrival, there were no tables immediately available so the maitre'd offered us seats at "The Chefs Table." He made this sound exclusive but it's just seating at the counter looking over the open kitchen. We actually liked this since it's fun to watch the line cooks do their thing and you get to see all the food going out. We ordered our selections based more from seeing the dishes than by reading the menu. The wine list was way too expensive for my BYO-preferred palate so we just ordered a carafe of the house white which was, I believe, Trebbiano (a simple Italian/Tuscan varietal). The wine stems/glasses were of excellent quality which made it a pleasure to sip this simple but fresh and tasty house wine. It was a good match with the swordfish meatballs which were tasty and interesting. We also ordered the mussels which were very good with awesome sauce to mop up with the bread. Also had an incredilbly good cucumber salad with hot pepper, mint and super creamy, delicious ricotta cheese. really really good; sort of like an Italian-style Isreali salad. With a carafe of house red this time (blend of Sangiovese and Merlot) we ordered the eggplant lasagna. just a fabulous mess of homemade pasta, eggplant, tomato and cheese, all broiled to perfect bubbly deliciousness. I also ordered the duck with grilled peaches which was great too. We were also comped an order of Sals "old school" meatballs; again they made it sound like "the chef" sent them over out of the goodness of his heart but we saw a waiter bring them back from the dining room a minute before, but we didn't mind because these meatballs were OUT OF THIS WORLD - very rich tasting from (what tasted like to me) parmegiano reggiano (the real deal) added to the forcemeat before cooking. These were, bar none, the best meatballs I've ever had! I felt sorry for whoever sent them back. We liked them so much we got anoher order! The service was friendly and attentive and, even though a little disengenuous, the free meatballs that were sent back was a nice touch. Overall, i thought the food at Amis was outstanding. I'd give it 5 stars except I thought it was just a little too pricey for what the place is trying to be. But if you've got some cash to spend and dont mind a little noise (and lots of fun) I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)
Peter H.
After all the raves over Vetri and Osteria, I expected my first Vetri experience to be something special. I foresaw contented bellies, drunk-ish smiles of the post-coital variety, happy babbling about our favorite dishes, and significantly lightened wallets. Checkmark for the lightened wallets. That's about it. We did our research and anxiously awaited the Fried Artichokes, Oxtail Ragu, and various Mediterranean small plates. Artichokes: bland and over-salted. Just because its sea-salt doesn't mean it's class. Oxtail Ragu: okay, this is kind of tasty, but its tiny. This is supposed to be a highlight? I adore oxtail in its many forms. This version ranks near the bottom of my list. Did not get the swordfish rigatoni, but maybe we should have. No matter how good it was it could not have saved our experience. Great decor, classy service, dessert chocolate waffle was delicious, but money's a little too tight to pay princely sums for small portions of just okay food.
(2)
Jillian M.
Best food in the city. Fresh menu with interesting combos of flavors and ingredients. We love Amis best of all the Vetri restaurants! Great cozy, laid back but trendy environment. Great spot for foodies! Make sure that you try the Alpha Box & Dice served by the glass on the wine menu. You can't find it anywhere else and it is totally worth the $$$$. Trust me.
(5)
Aj J.
The atmosphere is very romantic with a great wine selection. The fare is quite good with nice simplicity and great innovative ideas. Great for a date or a group of friends; the prices are reasonable and the staff very professional. I'd definitely recommend if you want to have great italian cuisine.
(5)
Retset Y.
I was skeptical after reading the mediocre reviews of Amis before dining there for my birthday but thankfully, my caution was not warranted. It was a fine meal. Through and through a very satisfying dinner. Service was outstanding. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu items. Support staff was always on task as well. My boyfriend and I sipped on Saison while we munched on delicious Salumi, eggplant capponata and seafood frito. Our second course consisted of a veal canneloni, roasted lamb and tuna steak. All delicious and well-portioned. The rhubarb tart for dessert was the perfect nightcap as well as their freshly brewed coffee. The best cup of coffee I've had in a very long time. Despite people's gripes on Amis' portion sizes, I left the restaurant feeling so very full and happy.
(4)
Candace C.
Amis is an absolutely adorable restaurant that came highly recommended to me by my foodie friends. I took my sister here, and we both left thinking it was a good meal but nothing extraordinary. We started with glasses of wine each; both were red and to our liking. The meatballs with polenta went nicely together. The polenta by itself was a little bland and the meatballs were too salty. By together, they were were well balanced. The mussels here were delightful. They were well-seasoned and accompanied by delicious hearty pieces of bread. The pasta was not very memorable, despite being the special of the night. I will likely come back to Amis to give it another try; maybe I'll consult Yelpers before I come back!
(3)
Chris S.
A colleague wanted to go here so we gave it a try. Bread is olive oil infused and pretty amazing. First time I have ever had that. Favorite appetizer was the swordfish meatballs. I went with the seafood mixed grill which was lightly grilled and drizzled with olive oil. Felt very healthy after eating that meal. Moderately priced and I would eat here constantly if I lived in Philadelphia and was paying. I would come back but would want to explore other places in Philadelphia before making this a staple.
(3)
Zee W.
this is a review for their sunday brunch: as a waffle-lover, i was excited to try their "philly's best" waffles - unfortunately, i was left disappointed. it was dripping in syrup. i love sweets, but too sweet for my taste buds. my s.o. ordered sausage and it was tasty, though too salty. the polenta was okay. service was good, but considering the price, i'd have to say i was underwhelmed. they also charged us for water! i requested still (as opposed to sparkling), thinking that would be tap, but they charged us $5!! i was happy to find that on a sunday (late) morning, the restaurant wasn't too crowded. now, i know why. too expensive, quality not up to par. don't think i will be going back.
(2)
Karl S.
Really? Nope. sorry. Overpriced mediocre BS. I'm not cheap. Really. But $60 for 2 appetizers, including what looked like and tasted like lunch meat, house cured or not, it's lunch meat, and 2 half pours of wine. Pour me a real glass of wine damn it! Beautiful space, pleasant, if not slightly over selling the BS, bartender, is not enough. Drink the cool-aide folks.
(2)
Chris H.
Went to this restaurant with my bf on his birthday. We walked in and were immediately sat at a table right across from a party that had two young, vocal children. I love babies, but it did make it difficult to enjoy our meal, which is overall not a reflection on the restaurant, but it was definitely not a smart place to seat us, especially bc we were placed in a very dark corner. Anyways we ordered food and drinks, the waitress accidentally brought my bf the wrong drink, but we didn't really care since we were curious about trying it anyways. Apps come out and they're delicious, and make us excited for whats to come next... ...which was a major disappointment. My boyfriends entree, the eggplant lasagna, while delicious, was an embarrassingly small portion. My entree, the pork chop milanese, was HUGE and not exciting. The best part of it was the arugula and tomato side salad, which was also lacking. The pork chop itself was dry and tough. boyf says: was very excited to try this place. i have a powerful fetish for lasagna and their eggplant lasagna looked scrumptious online. trudged to the place with the girlfriend and although the decor was pleasant, we found the lighting to be way too dim and personally, i thought the selection of music (mostly loud classic rock) heavily detracted from the restaurant's atmosphere (0.5 star deduction). we were also not expecting the place to be a family-friendly joint (as it was certainly not advertised as such), and the preponderance of whining babies was uncomfortably jarring (0.5 star deduction). while the beer and wine list looked very nice, our waitress mixed up my order and brought me the wrong beer (0.25 star deduction), and service in general seemed to be hampered by those god damned babies (0.25 star deduction). anyway, i thought the appetizer i ordered (peppered buffalo milk ricotta bruschetta) was phenomenal, but my main (the eggplant lasagna), although delicious, was so small it was a joke. it was near-paper thin and for 18 dollars, felt like an absurd rip off (1 star deduction). i would not recommend this place for younger couples, children-free couples, single folks, or anyone looking for hearty lasagna. overall, 2.5 stars. a restaurant with high potential, that was heavily brought down by its 'family friendly' atmosphere, poor music selection and overpriced pasta.
(3)
Joan V.
Glad they did away with the sidewalk bar as outdoor seating.
(4)
Beth K.
Incredible pasta, great location from where we live and a laid back but still semi-formal for a nice occasion atmosphere.
(4)
Jim F.
Went to diner here on Saturday night. This is my 4th or 5th time at Amis. Started off with an Amis punch which wasn't too sweet and pretty good though a little small (with lots of ice). Had a Deep Fried Pork balls special which had great flavor but the texture was too mushy for my liking. Had the Melon & Cucumber Salad. AWESOME! Corn & Tomato salad was very good. Enjoyed the Baked Cheese and almond honey very much. Had the Spaghetti with Chiles. Good but a little hot and not much flavor going on. Overall very good. I didn't care much for their Sunday brunch on a prior visit but still Amis is a SOLID 4.5 star experience.
(4)
Ricky R.
If you are in the mood for tapas-style dining but not in the mood for one of the Jose Garces restaurants, then give this place a try. We went there recently and had an incredible meal of small plate dishes. Sure, you can get bigger entrees. But go for the smaller dishes so you can try a real variety of things. We had a pretty amazing roasted pumpkin and mozzarella dish. And a pasta with a sauce made from - ready for this - pig's head. I was a little dubious but the waiter said it was one of the favorites when they make it. After tasting iy, you could understand why. Good wine list as well. Great Vetri food at affordable prices!
(4)
Grace G.
This place was very good, having been to both Vetri and Osteria we had high expectations. We got the baked pecorino with honey, the old school meatballs and the veal croquettes special, which was insanely good. The only downside was that the small plates were not spaced out like normal tapas. Two of them came out together and the next one a few minutes later. The entrees were very good, we got pork shoulder and duck. Nothing out of this world about them, but enjoyable. For dessert, we got the salted butter sundae, which was tasty.
(4)
Alexa R.
My husband and I tried Amis last night as it's close to our house and we loved Osteria, which is not as close and hard to get reservations! Our server, Graham, was phenomenal. The appetizers were delicious, albeit a little salty, and I find that 20 dollars for a carafe of table wine is affordable and fair. The entrees were a fine size -- husband had the ravioli with spring asparagus (so good - I wish I had ordered them!!) and I had the mixed seafood grill. I wish the seafood grill had come with veggies as opposed to polenta. I would go back in a heartbeat and sit at the bar and order apps. The entire place has a cozy, warm feel. Loved it!
(4)
Nick T.
My fav place to eat in Philly. Met a friend for dinner. Started at bar. Great cocktails. Dinner was pastas and fish. Great flavors. Great service.
(5)
Kimberly S.
I've been to all of Vetri's restaurants and although they are all outstanding and noteworthy, I think my recent dinner at Amis proved that Amis is my favorite. I came with a party of 6 and we had a 5 star flawless dinner. Each couple ordered about 3 dishes and we passed everything around, so I was able to try a good variety of the menu. Every dish was mind blowingly delicious, from the monkfish spiedini to the squid ink pasta; from the hen ragu to the fried brussel sprouts; from the roasted scallops to the tiramisu! Something as simple as the tonarelli cacio e pepe was done to perfection. I even loved the Amis Punch cocktail. Service was great, and really, the only complaint I have is that the reservationist never properly saved the change to my reservation when I had called a few days prior to change it from 5 people to 6. We promptly arrived to the restaurant and had to wait 20-30 min. for a table because of the confusion, but in the end it was no big deal. I would love to become a regular at Amis and will definitely be returning.
(5)
Jeremy J.
It is close quarters with nearby diners, but we've had tighter accommodations so it is not worrisome. The noise, however, is near-deafening. I struggle to hear myself, let alone the poor quiet-voiced server who tries to relay the evening's specials. Juliet has to help translate. As the night wears on, the chaotic garble does ease slightly. I begin with a generous pour of Prosecco, with a sidecar of red wine granita. A spoonful of the frozen red wine goes into the sparkling wine. Mix. Drink. Repeat. Enjoy. It is sweet and lively on my tongue, preparing me for the roller coaster of flavors to come. Ever since dining at Joe Allen, I have been craving escargot again. As luck would have it, Amis offers braised snails in a scallion crema. They are bright green chunks coated in a thick cream sauce. Take a scoop and dump them on a toasted, burnt-edged piece of bread. Yum! These are not quite the full-bodied, wine-soaked snails I had in New York; they are more subdued and earthy, with a delicate onion taste. The combination of burned toast and creamy snails is decadent. Juliet also orders pan-fried artichokes (they are crunchy, oily, and tasty) and pork liver terrine topped with tomato marmalade (sweet, slightly greasy, and tastes much like any other pork terrine I've had). There are so many captivating entries on the menu, I'm not quite sure what to order. I really don't want to "meat it up" with a hunk of veal so I settle on seafood. Since Juliet doesn't like peas, I seldom get to eat them at home...and I love peas! My eye gravitates toward the braised squid with artichokes and spring peas. Thick-cut circles of firm squid flesh bobble in a shallow, spicy tomato broth sprinkled with green peas. Islands of quartered artichoke hearts peek out from beneath titanic wedges of more crisp-black toast...which I use to sop up the soup when I've polished off most of the calamari. The dish is demonstrative, bold, and very addictive. My only criticism is the squid seems just a smidge too firm, as if it had been slightly overcooked or left under a heat lamp. I highly doubt the latter, though. Suffice to say, it is a good dish and one which I'd happily order again. From good to great, now. While Juliet opts for crispy veal breast with marinated mushrooms, she had also been circling another plate: the fettuccine with lamb ragu and mint. Did someone say mint? As some of you might know, I'm a mint fanatic. Love it. Put it in everything, please. I, too, considered ordering the fettuccine but ultimately went the seaward route. A quick pow-wow, though, and we decide to order it for sharing. Because sharing is caring. Or something like that. Man, am I glad we ordered that pasta. The noodles are perfectly prepared, not too squishy, but slippery and glistening with olive oil. Hearty bits of shredded lamb ragu mingle under a mound of shredded Pecorino cheese. Little green specks of mint add just a hint of color. It is imperative to gather all components on your fork, so you get the full effect--salty, meaty, with a surprising lightness from the mint. It is pasta like a sexy poem in your mouth. I am full now. Dessert is totally out of the question...until I read the very bottom item on the menu: prosecco rhubarb granita with pistachio biscotti. Saving the best for last, eh, Chef? Surely there must be cracks in my stomach that need filling. The granita is sweet and very tart, actually quite refreshing. I get uncomfortably close to brain freeze as I use the biscotti as a spoon for the shaved ice. Time to stop. Time to go. Time for bed. From our little tour of Chef Michaud's cuisine, it's pretty easy to see how he earned his award. Kudos! But don't take my word for it. See what my better half has to say on our website (linked in my profile).
(4)
Anna Marie C.
marc vetri is like, a superstar in my eyes. my birthday experience at osteria last year with my bestie was one of my favorite meals ever. so i came to amis with higher than high expectations, and i think that was its downfall. the space is cozy, cute, perfect. really. i walked in, promptly greeted, and was already a little bit happier. we sat at the counter (which is how we roll) and it all started going downhill from there. the plus was watching the every-bustling kitchen, which is always fun. i had the fried artichokes, buccatini, seafood fritto (apparently i was on a fried kick)... my friend had the olives and seared tuna. everything was good... but no dish made me scream and yell and want to go back for more. the waiter was extremely awkward, making me feel like i was somehow a nuisance or something. he never offered tastes of wine, just so we could figure out what we wanted to drink (which i feel like is a must at this price point). the crowning moment was the hair found among my too-soggy tiramisu, which it took prompting by the kitchen for the server to notice. he took it away (thankfully)... but instead of asking if i wanted another, or a replacement, he just silently dropped off another bill with the dessert taken off. really? isn't your job to talk and be friendly? and in the end, my bill came out to be about the same as osteria, but my experience here was not even half. sad.
(2)
Suzanne H.
I recently went to Amis for a friend's birthday dinner and I really liked it. We got a selection of bruschettas, octopus, and meatballs for appetizers. Everyone loved them all. For the main course, I got a homemade pasta dish and it was to die for! I will get pasta every time I go back (which will be often). The friends I was with really enjoyed their seafood dishes. For dessert we received complimentary ice cream, for the birthday girl of course. The ice cream was soooooo good I couldn't stop eating it even though I was full. I thought the menu was reasonably priced. It was a little bit loud and crowded inside and I wasn't a big fan of our waitress, but the food was delicious and overall I really liked this place.
(4)
Amanda R.
Best friend/favorite eating partner at my side, heat wave in temporary remission, Joe Jackson playing on the stereo, we got to sit at the chef's table - all the conditions were primed for a memorable evening and Amis did not disappoint. Mortadella mousse - creamy, smooth and porktastic. Sweetbreads with fennel pollen - hot, crispy, organy and succulent. A bucatini all'amatriciana that I described as "the best drunk food ever" was chewy, salty, meaty and cheesy in all the best ways. And the meatballs! You wonder how meatballs could possibly blow your mind? Just order them, sidled up to the potato/tomato mash. Also have tried the veal tongue, carciofi, pork terrine, cacio e pepe, and strozzaprete alla vongole which were merely amazing. The only less than memorable dish was the beef carpaccio - solid, but it didn't blow our mind like so many of the other courses did. Desserts don't drop the ball - all of the semifreddos are amazing, especially the Amaretto, topped with fudge sauce and crunchy toasted almonds. Because too much is never enough in my book, I adored the tartufo - chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo studded with cherries, resting on a spongy chocolate cake and covered with a thick shell of dark chocolate - then drizzled with chocolate sauce, as if you didn't already get the point. I love gilded lilies. Yes, it's a little pricey, but if you're willing to splurge on a delightfully fun, memorable meal, it's worth it. A meal at Amis is like a fireworks display.
(5)
Vincent F.
Its been a while so I don't remember many details but I wanted to review this place since I had such a nice time there. First off, our server was really friendly and fun and that fits in with the vibe here which is a relaxed, not too quiet, fun but cozy kind of vibe. The drinks were great but we found that the caraffe of amis punch (sorry my memory is spotty) was way over priced for the size. We actually complained about this and got a free one 2 seconds later. Nice response by the manager! There were 5 of us and we like to share and try stuff so we ordered practically everything we saw and everything was pretty great. Although the portions weren't huge, they were fairly priced so we just ordered more... Mixed seafood grill was wonderful and perfectly cooked. Octopus was perfect, as were the interestingly prepared artichokes (get them). Carpaccio was good but nothing amazing (which was the case with the polenta.. skip it). The gnocci was very good but nowhere near the quality of the gnocci at Vetri. We had another pasta dish which was very good but sadly I can't remember it off hand. The best part (and I know this is odd since I usually am not a huge desert person) was the desert we had. Previously my favorite desert was from Villiage Whisky (the strawberry shortcake) but the new winner is the Waffles with Nutella and hazelnuts. Get this no matter what you do! At the end of the night we were really surprised to see that our check was a lot less than we had thought since we drank a bunch and ate whatever we wanted (ordering on the fly from course to course). Overall I'd definitely say that the value was way up there. Was this an amazing dinner? That night I was thinking that it was good and a good value but nothing really spectacular. A few days later I was still thinking about how great a time we had. Now I'm ready to go back. What do you think?
(4)
Jay M.
Wow! We talked about this place for over a week after we recently had dinner there. It was the best meal that my partner and I had in quite some time. It's the small plate theme and we shared everything. An eggplant ragu bruschetta, mussels, sword fish meat balls, canneloni with flava beans and pine nuts, and a wonderful past dish. If you're a foodie you will love this place. We're heading back later this week and can't wait!
(5)
Zack T.
MY belgian waffler was delicious, it was light and the sweetness just right to my tastebud. The environment of the restaurant also was lovely and spacious. Overall dining experience is 5/5.
(5)
Chad B.
I clearly got this place on an off night. Had a bad experience top to bottom. Had reservations at 9 for 3 people for a friends birthday. Showed up around 8:45 and was told it would just be a few minutes. We got drinks at the bar. Pretty tasty. Checked in around 9:10 on the table - was told just a few more minutes. Checked back in at 9:20...was told "they were clearing the table". 9:30...still not seated. Checked in again and the hostess said she would send over the manager. He came over and explained that they were only 15 minutes behind and were just waiting for a few tables to finish. I was confused and said our reservation was for 9:00....He didnt say "Oh, I apologize we have you down for 9:15" he literally said "No, your reservation is 9:15". While he was standing there I pulled up the email confirmation (hoping I had it right) and of course my email confirmation showed 9:00. Upon showing him the email....he said nothing. Walked away to the host station. Strangely we were seated within 30 seconds....without apology or explanation. I know it might seem annoying or simple but we didnt get seated until 9:40. I am fine waiting...just want to be treated properly. A simple apology would have made the whole night better The food? Well it was solid but not great my favorite two items of the night....the sweetbreads and the mortadella (my favorite) mousse. Squash lasagna was just very average to me...nothing great, nothing awful. The Swordfish meatballs seemed very fishy ( I realize it was fish). I would give the Food a 3 1/2 stars. Again....I am guessing our palettes were off due to being in a pissy mood.
(2)
Lydia T.
Mixed Seafood Grill: Scallops, tender skate, calamari,swordfish. Grilled to perfection, simple salt and pepper. Palenta with brown butter: also simple and very good Escarole and radish salad: very light and refreshing. Drinks Campari and grapefruit with basil....one of the better combinations with Campari I have tasted. Limonchella and iced tea vodka total bill just about 65, including drinks. Overall very pleased with the meal. Best seat in the house is overlooking the open kitchen.
(3)
Mike C.
Awesome food. Well prepared with fresh ingredients. Mortadella with Hazelnut and Honey was awesome, a great combination of flavors. Bucatini with cheese was very good, pasta is fresh and cooked perfectly. My only regret is I wasn't hungrier so I could have eaten more
(5)
Judie G.
Great new addition to the Vetri line up! Loved the casual atmosphere and menu. Tried several of the seasonal specials that were fantastic, most notably the heirloom tomatoes with sweet corn and cream and the rice pudding with strawberries and balsamic vinegar. The ribeye was great, but a small cut for the price. But cooked and seasoned wonderfully. Great wine list of mostly southern Italian wines. Tiramisu (not on normal menu) was perfection. Am so happy this place is right around the corner from our house. Sure to become a neighborhood favorite.
(4)
Jen L.
Amis is sexy and hip and in a cool neighborhood, and I like the idea of it, but I was ultimately disappointed in our experience. The food was okay but I just don't understand their concept of small bites. These were miniscule bites, and kind of bland. The server raved about the meatballs, we ordered, (there were three to an order, like three teensey weensey meatballs) and we were like, "meh". * The arancini (two to an order, they are also super-tiny) are just boring. The shaved parmesan on top offered the only flavor. * The veal canneloni needed something, maybe salt. I'm not sure. * I liked the buffala ricotta bruschetta but $8 for two small pieces of bread is a bit redonk, Mr. Vetri. I'm not cheap in the least but I left starving after a $90 tab for two glasses of wine and what amounted to just a few bites of food. Heavy sigh.
(2)
Hannah C.
I was so excited to try out Vetri's Roman trattoria-style eatery having been to Rome twice in the past year and eating the best pastas of my life. And Vetri is a rock star in Philly, and Amis got good reviews and I basically thought I could trust all that...Wrong. The pasta sauces weren't even close to being Roman let alone tasty Italian-American! The cacio e pepe was more alfredo and the pecorino lacked the tangy bite and saltiness that I love in that dish. It was just so creamy and mild with not nearly enough black pepper, not authentic at all. The amatriciana was even worse. There was a scarce amount of giant cubes of pancetta that were basically just fat. The tomato sauce was pretty much just tomato - no spice, no flavor, just warm tomato... I had the best amatriciana in Rome for half the price, and an arguably equally good bowl at our standby Melograno. We got the secondi special that evening, pork loin wrapped in pork belly and they had just got the pig in the day before. The pork belly was very fatty (to be expected), but the loin was tough. When you pay for a special at a Marc Vetri restaurant, badly cooked pork is unacceptable. The salad was so salty that they might have made a mistake (either way, a bad move), the grilled focaccia that came with some of the apps was soaked in stale oil that oozed and coated my mouth when I bit into it (gross!), but the meatballs were good (not spectacular though). The napkins look like dish towels, which is kinda neat, but they shed like crazy all over your clothes. Whatever you do, don't wear black. What we liked: the service was fine, but it was very in-and-out and our dinner was over in less than an hour. Vetri's famous fresh pasta was solid. They were a bit overdone for my taste, but I like my pasta very al dente so I'll give them the pasta. Overall, we were so disappointed by the meal that we didn't even stay for dessert. I would not recommend this restaurant at all. I feel like we ordered a balanced spread of dishes, and we weren't impressed by any of them.
(2)
L R.
Everything about this restaurant is perfect. My dinner, tile fish prepared perfectly, was exquisite! The cauliflower appetizer was incredible - so full of flavor. And the salted butter dessert was to die for. The meal was beyond our expectations, but what really stands out at Amis is the staff. There was a genuinely happy hostess who seemed so pleased about our experience she could have been mistaken for an owner. That giant bright smile was just so warm. Our waiter was AMAZING! He described each dish with a perfect run down on the ingredients and the effect that the combination of flavors has on the whole dish. I was so impressed when as he was explaining the tile fish entre specials, an appetizer arrived and was presented silently to the waiter by a manager in a suit. No wonder the staff here is so great; there's a genuine appreciation from the management for the quality of the dining experience they offer. This is a place not to be missed. Our dinner lasted over three hours and was perfect from start to finish. The manager came to our table twice! The wine special was delicious and made the meal so much more enjoyable. I can't wait to come back to Philly! We ate here on our final night of a conference, but I wish I had eaten here first - we could have had three tremendous meals! Thank you for a lovely evening.
(5)
Leah G.
I was eager to try Amis and was not disappointed. Our table opted to share several small dishes and loved them all. The ricotta bruschetta was very enjoyable. The beef carpaccio was fantastic. Our pastas were also a treat. My only dislike was our salumi plate, but that may say more about me than Amis. For dessert, we shared the cookie plate and the amaretti semifreddo. I am not a dessert person, but ate more than my fair share. I am excited to add this to my neighborhood restaurant circuit!
(5)
Food Hound S.
All four of us had a great experience at this restaurant. Though we had to wait about 15 minutes for our table to be ready, the staff was quite accommodating. Our waitress, especially, was very helpful in suggesting her favorite dishes all of which were spot on. The wine menu was quite good as well, but a bit pricey. Here's what we had: eggplant caponata imported bufala ricotta and black pepper black pepper salumi baked pecorino with almond honey Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato vegetable fritto misto tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper pappardelle with veal breast ragu abbacchio con patate (roasted lamb with potatoes) "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries tiramisu Happy Eating!
(4)
Vivian T.
I loved the ambiance of this restaurant and the dishes were flavorful and nicely portioned. But holy cow is the food salty. We had to send the pork sausage back because my lips started to dry out. It was like taking a spoonful of salt to the mouth. Sweetbreads were really tasty. If you eat the sweetbreads alone, salty but combined with the layers of sweet (i think it was apricot) marmalade type reduction, it was quite tasty. Veal terrine was good. Nothing amazing. We had the pecorini pasta and again it was a bit on the salty side. Also, really heavy and rich. Brussel sprouts were quite tasty. I loved the layer of lemon (slight) in the sprouts. Entrees were a bit of a disappointment. Again heavy heavy hand on the salt. I love salty foods but this was a bit too much for me. I'd come back to the restaurant just because the atmosphere is really great.
(3)
Henry D.
This is a fine place to get upscale renditions of Italian comfort food. We started with the arancini di riso with meat ragu, two very tasty rice balls which were very enjoyable but a third would've made the dish more substantial. After that we had our entrees. I went with the paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - very hearty and tasty and a good dish for the price. My wife had a pasta special that I can't quite remember but I know that she was offering lots of it to me while snagging bites of my paccheri. :) Service was fast and attentive and we were out in no-time. I think for the amount of food you actually eat it's a little overpriced but I'd recommend this place for a couple or group looking for a nice night out in Philly.
(3)
CAROLE L.
Seriously disappointed. The noise level was so high it was hard to hold a conversation. I was prepared to put up with this if the food had been better. Everything was seriously under seasoned. We ordered the shaved pork belly with watermelon and the meat had no flavour. As the table had no salt and pepper I am assuming the chefs would have fine tuned the seasoning. The steak was so under seasoned we had to request salt.
(2)
J K.
Came here for a pre-theater meal on a Friday and the place was bustling. Even so, service was prompt and efficient. Our server took the time to answer questions and explain the menu. Food was delicious, some standouts include the pork trotter rice balls, the pasta with lamb (on special) and the chocolate banana dessert. Wish I could have tried more of the menu- will have to come back again when I recover from the expensive prices!
(3)
Mark P.
Really enjoyed the ambience and experience. We elected to order many small dishes and other than the volume of food perhaps being a tad small we enjoyed the mix. House red wine in carafe was far better than expectations. Belgian waffle desert was sinful. Our bill was rung up improperly (to our benefit) and when we pointed out, kudos to the manager for buying us a drink for our honesty. Wait service was attentive and engaging.
(4)
Ben T.
I'll admit that I expected a lot from this place, having had very good experiences at both Vetri and Osteria. Unfortunately, it was a big letdown. I love Italian food, and I appreciate the idea of simple small plates of it, but for how much you are paying, it is reasonable to expect more dynamic flavors - especially with the name attached to the place. None of the 5 plates we ordered were especially remarkable, and two of them (the bruschetta and the ribeye over arugula - a whopping $26) were downright bland. I will give credit for the delicious dessert, as both the waffles amis and tiramisu were sublime, but that didn't make up for the overpriced mediocrity that preceded it. The service needs to chill. I must have told our server "Yeah, everything's cool" a dozen times. I understand the need to get things right in a place like this, but its gets very annoying to be interrupted every 5 minutes. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is very loud in there. I love the Stones but it seems inappropriate to have to shout over "street fighting man" to be heard in a place like this. I feel silly saying this because I knew what I was getting into as far as pricing, but looking at the bill I honestly felt ripped off. For close to $90 per person, one expects a well above average experience. What we got was distinctly, painfully average.
(2)
Mindy Y.
LOVED it. The buccatini all' amtriciana is quite possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. The arancini made me swoon and the grilled smoked mozz with pickled veggies was heavenly. The wine, ambiance and service rounded out the evening. Amis has a cozy setting that's quieter than Osteria yet more attainable than Vetri. You can dress up or dress down, spend a lot or a little, but either way you go.. you'll have a fantastic time.
(5)
Kelly W.
OMG, get the artichokes! They're double fried, of course they're greasy, but they are out of this world! I would go back again just to eat at the bar and have a small plate of artichokes. OK, and the ricotta or eggplant bruschetta. And probably the rigatoni. I love that you can eat while sitting at the bar, at the kitchen counter, or at the communal tables (shared seating at tables that don't require a reservation!). The bar is open late and offers hard to find beer and wine from Italy. I thought the service was great and attentive. I like the repurposed wood and iron designs that make up the rustic setting of this restaurant. And the lamps made from Campari bottles. So cute! Vetri's done it again. Amazing. Love it!
(4)
Barb K.
A friend of mine told me about Amis shortly after it opened, but it took me nearly a year to actually make it in--I wish I had gone in sooner. The food was good, the service was superb and we had a nice overall experience, leaving (as another reviewer mentioned) full but not stuffed. We shared four appetizer plates, the eggplant caponata, Sal's meatballs, veal tongue, and the porchetta. The standout was the veal tongue. It was surprisingly crispy on the outside but melted in your mouth. It was excellent. We ordered Sal's meatballs on the recommendation of our server, but I wasn't wowed. The sauce it was served in was probably better than the meatball. It wasn't bad, but not necessarily worth the $$ and I wouldn't order it again. The caponata was pretty good too, it is served with crusty bread but it is slightly too much for the delicate flavors of the eggplant. Having lived in Italy, I was expecting slightly larger portions so we shared an entree--the oxtail gnocchi. Served in a gratin plate, the oxtail was braised to perfection and had a great balance of flavor with the gnocchi, though they didn't seem to be your "traditional" gnocchi--it was hard to tell as the gnocchi was on the bottom of the dish and they were smothered with the meat. We also shared the nutella belgian waffle with vanilla semifreddo for dessert, which was good, but not memorable. The restaurant itself has a great aesthetic but the music was a bit off--somehow the 80s/90s hits didn't seem quite right. Despite that, I'm definitely going to eat here again.
(4)
kris j.
I have been wanting to try Amis for about a year and I must say, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was good----especially the linguine with corn and scallions and the entrees. But, the hostess was downright rude (and yes, we had reservations) and our waiter was slow and not at all into his job. It took us 15 minutes to get a drink (just a glass of wine) after it was ordered and while the entire staff was preoccupied with refilling water glasses, the offer the clear plates or get another drink for us was slow. And then after my partner said no to another glass of wine, he received in anyway because the waiter couldn't hear us. And that's my biggest complaint; it is really NOISY for a fine dining restaurant. Part of that is due to the building which is a lovely use of the space, but do you really need to play the music that loud? And.....dining to the Stones and to the Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"? Especially when we were some of the younger folks in the restaurant?
(2)
Gustavo B.
Amis is a hit or miss kind of restaurant, that is why the mix reviews. We all started with some bruschetta, except for me. I had the trippa alla romana (tripe stew), for which our friendly waitress encourage my menu selection. Well, the bruschettas were all very appetizing, but my stew was pretty average. It tasted kind of cheesy, and I don't even think cheese is supposed to be an ingredient. I have had the original dish in Florence, and also the Spaniard version of this dish. Both very different than Amis version. As a main course my wife had one of the pasta specials and I had the roasted lamb with potatoes. The pasta was just average, my lamb was very dry. Overall, the worst lamb dish I have had in Philadelphia so far. We were disappointed about coming here for dinner. I mean, Amis chef is a James Beard award winning chef, and the food we had was just average at best. At least it was not extremely expensive for what we ate. Also the restaurant is so loud that you can barely hear the waitresses or the people sitting in front/next to you. Service was good. Their prosecco is not bad.
(3)
W M.
I love what Amis is doing. We were there for Philly beer week. The menu is pushing the envelope. Fish meatballs, mint lamb ragu, cucumber salad with mint and ricotta... On the more normal end we also had the grilled seafood, bruschetta, and a cheese platter, all of which were delicious. Our service was great, the food was exceptional, and I really liked the atmosphere. The place isnt cheap, but it is certainly not overpriced. Amis is INCREDIBLE for Philadelphia. I hope Vetri keeps the menu adventuresome. Likewise, I hope he keeps changing the menu so diners can experience new combinations and flavors each time they go. I am a foody, but I would never have put mint in a ragu in a million years. While there is a BYOB difference for some of the restaurants im about to mention, why go to Audrey Claire, Twenty Manning, MeMe, Friday Saturday Sunday, or Valanni, when you can experience something totally different at Amis.
(5)
Karin R.
Cucina Romana is a unique cuisine that focuses on preparing fresh ingredients in a simple manner. The flavor should be intense and clean. They are at Amis. Our dinner left me feeing like I was back in my favorite trattoria in Rome. Nice bar, good wines that can be bought by the glass or bottle at reasonable prices. Be sure to start your evening with an cocktail apertivo and save room for the dolci.
(5)
Cypress P.
Love at first bite. Really. It is THAT good. I have to admit, I found the menu to be a bit intimidating, but luckily for me I wasn't doing the ordering. Everything that was ordered for me and suggested by the bartender was incredible. We had an assortment of "meatballs" ( swordfish, traditional, and tuna croquettes) and each was better than the last! The only thing that I would consinder to be average were the mussels, but the blush sauce that they were in was perfect for dipping the fresh bread in! Can't wait to return.
(5)
Sandy D.
Loved Amis. My wife and I went there for the first time and I could not have been happier with the food and the service, absolutely first rate. We had the veal tongue, for the first time ever, and it was fantastic. We wish we had more room to sample deeper into the menu, but it will have to wait for future visits which are already getting booked.
(4)
Michele C.
My husband took me here tonight for Valentine's Day dinner. I knew nothing about the place in advance except that it's a Marc Vetri restaurant, and he is an amazing chef (though I've yet to make it to Osteria, it's on my list). We were not disappointed. Every dish was fantastic. I stuffed myself silly (small plates? how much can I eat? yeah, right) and hope to save up all day next time for a meal this good. Brief description: this sleek industrial/modern space is really inviting. I love the fact that you can eat at the bar and watch the cooking take place. That is really cool :) The place was noisier than I expected and the tables were very close together, so you were kind of sitting (almost) on your neighbor's lap.... but these are minor details :) Now onto the food..... there is much to choose from, which is nice... I'm a huge eggplant fan, and the highlight of my evening was the eggplant brushetta dish. I have never had eggplant spread that good. My only complaint was that two small slices of garlic toast were not enough to sop up all of this goodness (no fear, there was other delicious bread on the table). If you get nothing else at Amis, get the eggplant bruschetta. A close second are the eggplant "fries" that strangely decorate the rigatoni with swordfish. Delish and addicting. If they sold these fries from a street vendor, I'd be in big trouble.... Other standouts: Roasted potatoes (my husband's favorite), crispy and delicious Baked clams (yummmmm) Turkey cutlet - who would of thought that turkey mascerading as a thinly pounded veal cutlet could taste so good? Simple, but delicious, and nice with the accompanying greens and freshly shaved parmesan. Others: The grilled cauliflower lightly breaded -- ok, but not exceptional. It was too hard for my taste. Beef carpaccio - nothing against, it, just not my thing (hubby loved it) I hope I'm not forgetting anything.... Desserts were good. The menu is extensive and everything looked delicious. We had an "ice cream sundae" with the most delicious amaretto-tasting ice cream I've ever had, sprinkled with walnuts and covered in fudge. My husband had the chocolate ganache cake that was good, but I wasn't a huge fan. I'm coming back for the Belgian waffle with nutella ... had I not had pancakes for breakfast, I definitely would have gotten it. Service was great. Very attentive and helpful. A new favorite -- we'll be back for more.
(5)
D J.
The food was good, and just what we expected. The place was too loud, though, and the music didn't help (although it was good music). Also, sitting at the communal table gets a little uncomfortable after awhile without backs on the stools. But, the food delivers, and the service was good. It's a lot like eating cicchetti or spuntini at a bar in Italy. Except that at Amis, you don't have to engage in elbow battle at the counter with other hungry people, and you have a piece of paper with snacks listed by name, so you don't have to point. From that standpoint, eating at Amis was a real pleasure. Our waiter was always around to get us more of what we wanted. We could order anything at any time and it was easy to ask questions and make changes. My one gripe is that the servings need to be either smaller and cheaper, or larger to accommodate sharing. We would have gladly dispensed with the "main" courses (although they were excellent) and had nothing but snacks, wine and contorni. From our perspective, it would have been better to have had 8 little crostini with a small selection of different toppings for $12 rather than two pieces of bruschetta for $10. We can't wait to go back, though. It's going to be great in the spring and summer when the menu can take advantage of local producers. One last quibble... This is simple food, and you don't need a suit to seat people for it. The welcoming committee needs to dress more casually.
(4)
Michele S.
Cute little restaurant with fabulous food. We didn't have reservations, which I would recommend, but they somehow fit us in. Would definitely go back but it is a little pricey so just be prepared!
(4)
Christie E.
I got the cacio e pepe pasta dish, the scallops crudo and the pitzel and semifreddo sandwhich all of which were amazing. My date's dish was the pork chop, good but not as great. Also, great service!
(4)
Ripp K.
Creative and original food well executed. Highly recommend you try the swordfish meatballs. The vibe and restaurant is very open, rustic and comfortable. Wine selection was fantastic and the bartender we sat with b4 our meal made some great suggestions. Only knock on the place was our waiter who was about as fun and enjoyable as drywall. Otherwise highly recommend it and will be back. ALSO the music on the sunday night we went was awesome. rolling stones, fleetwood mac, the beetles...i was in classic rock heaven.
(4)
Dom R.
Brunch'ed it at Amis for my mother's birthday celebration. We were a group of 5 and were seated at a round table. Because of said seating at round table, we decided to play a game. A Food Ordering Game. We started with my mother, who picked one item to order off of the menu. We worked clockwise around this round table, with each person ordering a different item off of the menu. The only Rule of this Ordering Game: no duplicate items can be ordered. This allowed for our party to try almost the entire menu, as we made it about 5 times around the table. Our server thought we were both funny and nuts at the same time. The cichetti-like plates (italian tapas) made this ordering game a success. The highlights for me were definately the Sunny Side Up Duck Egg with Grilled Guanciale and Pecorino Fondue. Anything with guanciale and I'm in...I could eat this dish for breakfast every day. If breakfast (and eggs!) were actually a relevant meal in Italy, i could see this being served all over the country. The mortadella mousse was equally amazing. The Italian cocktails worked perfectly with this brunch menu and are much more interesting than your standard Bloody Mary/ Mimosa brunch boredom. A good cappuccino is hard to find in America, let alone Philly. The cappuccino at Amis is as authentic as it gets and will hit tyour cappuccino fix. Overall, I give Amis 4 Stars. Only 4 because I gave 5 Stars to Amis' big brother Osteria. And the big borther is always better, right?!? I need to return to Amis for dinner soon. The Belgian Waffles with Nutella are calling my name.
(4)
M D.
I really didn't get the hype of this place and was essentially disappointed after having read the rave reviews. Makes me think trendy metro Philadelphian diners live on boxed mac and cheese except when they eat here. The menu is eclectic to say the least. So over-the-top eclectic that deciding on something was just to pick a few things and hope for the best. Low lighting is usually a good sign that the dishes are not eye appealing and of course they were all mega-petite as well. The salumni, -- the terrine was the better part of it but if not for the sauces, nothing amazing. The baked pecorino with honey was a cup with a half-inch of melted cheese at the bottom. The squid salad had no flavor. The swordfish meatballs were good (not for everyone's palate) but the polenta did not match and was bland as hell. Fried cauliflower, again nothing to write home about. From the entrees, our server, who was very gracious but lacked table-side personality, recommended the chicken sausage. Really, this reminded me of the turkey sausage patties at the breakfast buffet, gnarly and salty, and served over the once-again bland brown polenta. Four over-salted scallops for $24; not fried, but seriously charred salty brussels sprouts; my friend who loves whole fish was not impressed with the bone-laden, flesh-lacking Dorado and the thin pork chop was similar to what one gets from using Shake n' Bake. Perhaps a home-made pasta dish would have brought redemption but we didn't try any. Semi-fredo with chopped fruit and chocolate sauce is a mix of odd texture and taste that obliterates the smoothness. By 7pm, the noise level was so aggravating. If this was Italian fusion, it doesn't work and we wondered why an Italian restaurant has a French name, but moreso, when I drop over $300 on dinner (only because few of us had cocktails), I expect to be wowed. Not the case here. Apparently the celebrity Vetri name no longer needs to prove quality. Eating a name? Maybe for some, not for me.
(2)
Jenny S.
I came here with a large group for a dinner with coworkers and it was amazing!! The service couldn't have been better (and we had some high maintenance folks with us). The ambience was very quaint but elegant and the food was fabulous. Dessert was my favorite- some chocolate cake with peanut butter inside. Mmmm! Two thumbs up for sure!
(5)
Charles R.
Too fast on the food, but otherwise very good. Unlike other reviews on here our dinner from start to finish was very good. Salad was fresh, crisp, cold and had a wonderful light dressing on it. Sweetbreads were very tender and rich. Probably rate them as good as Fonds. Pasta with cabbage and house made sausage was cooked perfectly and had wonderful combination of flavors. Pasta with Ox Tail ragu was very rich and the pasta was al dente. House made Tiramisu was a little different than most in Philly as it was moist , but now overpowering with rum sauce. Portions were good sized, and the fresh baked bread was moist and tasty. My only complaint was the pace of the meal. Once we ordered the courses came really fast, much faster than I would like. They were packed and had lots of people sitting at the bar waiting for tables so maybe that was the rush on the food, but next time I would request a breather between courses. They just started a valet service which comes in very handy around that area. Prices I thought were nominal for downtown in an upscale setting. Yes, it is very loud, but what "in" restaurants in this city are quiet? I would put this on a par with Osteria.
(4)
David F.
I'd say it's three stars for dinner, but five stars for brunch (so four is an average). So go on Saturday or Sunday morning, and start with a Granita, which is an amazing cocktail of prosecco and accompanying red wine granita. You could stop there and the trip would have been worth your while -- but don't. Go for the raviolo al uovo, and pair it with roasted potatoes. There's no better way to start the day.
(4)
Lily W.
I just came back here from a dinner. We went to an early dinner on Sunday afternoon and it was still quite crowded. On Sundays they offer a "sunday supper" family style meal. It was pasta with gravy and meatballs. We didn't get that but a couple of people around us did and it looked good. For starters we had the bufalo ricotta and salumi plate. Very tasty. For entrees I had the squash lasagna which I enjoyed a lot. I love squash. My brother got the rib eye which was very good quality meat, very tasty but very rare though so watch out if you like your meat well done. My dad got the gnochhi with oxtail ragu which was very nice. My mother ordered the pasta with pecorino romano - I don't know why she did that because she hates pasta with cream sauce. I can't comment on that dish but it was not her cup of tea. Dessert was amazing - I got tartufo and this was not your standard tartufo. The ice cream in it was all chocolate with hazelnuts. My brother got the amazing nutella waffle sundae and my dad the pistachio profiteroles. I am stuffed and ready for bed now. Nice ambience - the tables are a little close together but whatever. I would like to return.
(4)
hiro m.
Good dinner, amazing dessert. The tartufo, tiramisu, affogato, and olive-oil based cake were all fantastic. The portions for food were small compared with what I'm accustomed to, but most of the food was good. Apparently the pork shoulder wasn't so great (someone at my table ordered it and wasn't taken with it). I tasted the tonarelli and the eggplant parm lasagna -- both were quite tasty. Sitting outside was really nice.
(4)
Ashlee P.
Amazing meal with amazing service to match. Restaurant was packed and our server managed to make us feel like we were her only table. And the food....oh the food, how incredible!!! From delectable crumbly pecorino cheeses to hearty plates of pastas and finally to our meats, mine, a deliciousy glazed pork chop, his a citrus tuna with fennel pasta...I will definitely be going back! Not a good atmosphere for a romantic dinner, very open layout, so it tends to get rather loud...
(5)
Alejandra I.
Ok. I went last night, Wednesday. It was packed but we got seats at the window, our waiter was AWESOME. Very attentive, very...! I had the red table wine, it was ok. For an appetizer, polenta with brown sugar.... I didn't care for it. Then I had gnocchi- it was traditional gnocchis, dumplings, it was like one big flattened gnocchi. It also was good, not excellent, the sauce was a little ragu-ish. The best thing about dinner was dessert, we had a belgian waffle with Nutella & ice cream on it, that was delicious.. but my Tartufo... OMG. Sooooooooooooooooo............... delicious, perfect. I got goosebumps just by remembering it now. I would go back again, the ambiance was excellent.
(4)
Natalie P.
We sat at the counter because we missed our reservation due to a major car accident back up on the bridge. We ordered 5 small plates. The grilled octopus is excellent, eggplant caponato just OK, coppa with honey was very good, il tartufo (aritchoke) was outstanding, and the meatballs were good. My glass of wine was excellent but expensive ($12) and it was maybe 4 ounces. I don't mind choosing an expensive wine but I think it should be a substantial glassful
(4)
Steve M.
Awesome, Awesome. If you have never been here it is a must. Everything was amazing from host to floor Manager. One of the best I have ever been at.
(5)
James E.
My girlfriend and i went to Amis after seeing a few good reviews and realizing the restaurant was so close. The atmosphere was great, we slipped into a few open tables at the chef's counter and ordered our meal. While their wine list was somewhat expensive, we got a carafe of the house red and moved on from there. Their mussels were excellent and our waiter brought us extra bruschetta out, effectively doubling our order. The oxtail ragu and the mixed seafood grill were both excellent as well as the rice pudding and pistacio crusted chocolate cake that soon followed. Our bill was $120 figuring in a $20 gratuity and within 1.5hrs we had a very satisfying meal. We're returning soon to give brunch a try.
(4)
Patricia H.
Went back last week...ordered the same dishes and more this time and the food was extremely average. very disappointing.
(3)
Tyler B.
We had a wonderful experience at Amis. On a Wednesday night, we were promptly greeted and seated in a warm inviting atmosphere. The wine selection was appropriate for the small plate and large plate offerings. I enjoyed the octopus antipasti and braised oyster mushrooms pasta dish (both delicious). My dinner companion enjoyed a rather simple starter salad and the citrus grilled tuna steak. I sampled both. The tuna steak was served very rare and tasted fresh, especially with the light citrus highlights. Overall, the food was delicious! The portions were medium-large sized...we left satisfied but not stuffed. Finally, the service was excellent...from greeter to server to support staff. This makes a big difference to me, having experienced too many other restaurants where the servers are inexperienced or indifferent or both. Even with a lot of other restaurants in the city we'd like to try, we talked about plans to come back to Amis! Next time I will leave room so I can try one of the desserts.
(5)
Megan K.
got to hang out with my fav friend and we decided to meet here. it was crowded, but miraculously 2 seats were open at the bar. the place is small and cute. outside seating, which is a huge plus. its definitely a sexy date spot. the bartenders joanne and brian were awesome. they were busy, but never let our glasses go empty. they suggested what to try, we shared a bunch of small plates. everything was super tasty. overall, very pleasant.
(4)
Michael S.
This was our second time at Amis. Our first visit was perfection with an excellent waitress and terrific food, our second visit was so so. We were measuring our second visit against our first. We started with the seafood misto which was overseasoned, the prusiutto wrapped figs which was the tastiest dish of the night, and escarole salad which was average. There was a mix-up with our drinks so we didn't get our drinks until after we finished our appetizers, this was taken off of the bill. My wife had paccheri with swordfish - she was disappointed because she felt the sauce to be excessively oily and the eggplant fries which were undercooked (eggplant is not very good if not well cooked). I had the Turkey milanese which was exceptional and not the first food I would think about at an Italian Restaurant, but well worth it. It was cooked to perfection. We ended with the yogurt semifreddo with braised cherries. We would recommend this. The service on this visit fell well short of our first visit where the waitress proactively explained the menu, made wine recommendations with each dish, and was pleasant. On this visit, we were asked often about the menu "do you have any questions?", but very littlle was offered unless we asked. It was a pleasant evening out, but not exceptional.
(3)
Lea S.
The server was friendly and super knowledgeable about the entire menu; however the food did not live up to the expectation for a Vetri restaurant.
(3)
Tamara W.
My boyfriend was meeting me and another couple there, but was delayed by the snow. So I had to keep pushing back our reservation. They were super accommodating, on a Friday night no less, which definitely won me over. The food, though, was not all that remarkable. Don't get me wrong, everything was tasty, but nothing stands out upon reflection. Except the "semifreddo," but that's only because it was more like a custard than a real semifreddo. It had a nice flavor profile, but the texture and consistency were off. Anyway, having never been to Vetri, I could be wrong about this, but this seems like the perfect place for people who love Mark Vetri, can't afford his flagship enterprise on a regular basis, but want to get as close to that experience as possible without setting all their money on fire to do it again.
(3)
Joseph N.
Had dinner at Amis last night and was not impressed. Starting with cocktails, they were overpriced and small. Wine was also overpriced and the quantity seemed to be less than other restaurants. We started dinner with the melted pecorino with almond honey was was ok and followed that with the squid ink linguine was was very salty and did not have a lot of flavor. My wife had Skate for her entree which was unremarkable except for the brussle sprouts which were outstanding. I had the rib eye which for 26.00 was pencil thin and probably no more than 4 ounces of meet. For desert we had the tiramisu which was unremarkable and when my wife ordered Irish coffee, it was served in a coffee cup with no whip cream and a separate charge of 9.00 for a shot of Jamison's Irish Whiskey. The ambiance was very noisy and don't understand why they choose the music they did. it added to the noise and was not relaxing. Why not play something soothing? Service was attentive and kudos to the valet who told us to give the waitress our claim tick 10 to 15 minutes before we wanted the car so it would be waiting for us. We have now eaten at three of Vetri's restaurants and the only one I would return to is Osteria.f
(2)
Missy B.
Last night, I went to Amis with 6 other friends and had a great dining experience. First, the service was great. Everyone was friendly and worked hard to accommodate our large table. The exposed wood and iron decor was unique and welcoming. The food was sensational! Our table ordered several bruschettas, pastas, and entrees. My favorites: Buffalo Ricotta Bruschetta, Eggplant Bruschetta, ALL of the pastas and the roasted lamb with potatoes. (Potatoes were cooked perfectly-A huge compliment coming from a true Irish Meat and Potatoes girl). I would recommend anyone to go.
(5)
Kevin D.
Just made the worthwhile trip to Chef Marc Vetri's third fantastic restaurant venture, Amis... Envisioned by Vetri with Gruber Design Associates, the 80-seat space is as unique as it is delightful with distressed zinc bar, repurposed tables, church-pew banquettes from Provenance, raw steel throughout and gorgeous faceted mirror pendants by way of Groundwork. Already a media darling after just two weeks, Amis is already planning to expand service to include lunch come March.
(5)
shaw g.
Great meal last night! Special appitizer and pasta were tasty and perfect to share. Beer was tasty. Would have ordered a side if something green on the menu.
(4)
Kimberly J.
I stopped by Amis late on a Thursday evening to meet a friend. It was absolutely packed! Being extremely comfortable at the bar, we managed to grab a seat and decided to eat there as well. He ordered various dishes for us to share (normally I'm not one to let this happen, but when in Rome...right?). The first to arrive was the bruschetta, which was quickly followed by an escarole salad and the infamous "Sals old school meatballs". Honestly the best meatballs I've ever had. (Sorry, Gram.) We then split the gnocchi alla romana and capped off the night with the walnut apple cake. Every bite was amazing...and extremely filling, I think I literally waddled out the door. Fortunately I didn't have to pick up the check, but I would undoubtedly pass up a few nights at my local pub to be able to indulge in this Italian delicacy again. In addition to the food, the atmosphere is modern, yet cozy and the waitstaff was extremely friendly. It's the perfect place to bring a date or to go for a night out with your girlfriends.
(5)
Kristine D.
Went here for dinner last night, and some aspects of the menu are right on. The whole left side of the menu is appetizer and smaller dishes. This is where Amis goes right. All the little dishes are presented well and mix delightfully. The marinated tomatos and bufala cheese were incredible. Lots of bread for dipping as well. The bacon wrapped figs were just OK. We ordered dinner and after the incredible presentaion of the appetizers, we all felt a little let down. There was no presentation or dress of any kind on the dinners. I had the pork shoulder, which was cold, shredded pork on a bed of arugala with plums and mangos. Although this was quite good, it was somewhat bland and too small. i should have ordered a side with it, like the server recommended. My fiance ordered the lamb and potatoes. Again, no presentation. Just meat on a plate with potatoes. The lamb looked dry, but was tender. The dinner plates were mostly boring, and i felt robbed of the experience. Dessert lightened the mood as we had the waffle with nutella, hazelnuts and ice cream (almond maybe?) The wine list is nice, but expensive. Overall, it was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be, but we still spent $60 per person. If I were to go back, I might stay at the bar and have all appetizers.
(3)
patrick k.
mushy gnocchi.
(3)
Rick C.
I wasn't feeling that great and before heading over to Philly with my wife and another couple for dinner at Amis I looked at the website menu (as I often do). Oh no, I thought, another trendy, noisy, "Tapas" restaurant with pig jowls and fried eggs! I'll admit I walked in with a chip on my shoulder, but I came away with a favorable impression of Amis, especially the food. First, some negative observations (that's me, of course!): We arrived on time for our 7:45 Saturday evening reservation and our table was certainly available but we were directed to the bar for drinks while they checked to see if our table was ready. I felt this was bad form although my friend Ricky disagreed as it was Saturday night and we were there for the "experience". Its hard for me to make a huge deal of this since I was not drinking alcohol and like I said I wasn't 100%. Anyway, I ordered an unsweetened iced tea and that seemed a bit much for the bartender as was my wife's bloody mary drink order - no bloody mary mix! We were naturally seated as soon as we had drinks so I guess that wasn't too bad. The chairs were light weight and flimsy. If you stood up and your coat and/or pocket book was on the back of your chair, it would fall back onto the floor. We were provided with those lint-inducing white dish towel napkins and I was wearing a black sweater and black jeans. I did request a black napkin though and the staff was happy to provide me with one. The rest rooms were a bit of a mess...overflowing trash cans filled with crappy brown paper towels like they must provide in prison and standing water all around the sink counters. Toward the end of the evening I did discover that an effort had been made to do some tidying up at least. The noise level was quite high by the end of our experience. We were kidding around about all the apps you can download on an iphone, so at my urging Ricky did just that and the level was over 90 decibels out of 110 max on his app. The manager explained that they (owner Marc Vetri and his team, I guess) were going for that kind of loud Roman trattoria feel. They got the loud part! Last negative...the new valet parking service was not on its game as we waiting a loooooong time for our car at the end of the evening and the manager was very apologetic but clearly frustrated with the outside vendor. Now for the food, and it was good, beyond my negative expectations. You see, I'm one of maybe the minority that was not yet a Vetri fan. I had found Osteria (on 2 visits) to be pretentious and way to full of itself. And trendy oh so trendy with brined chicken, herbs grown on site (on North Broad Street, really?), every part of the pig brought into play, etc. Amis for me was much better. The escarole salad with apples and radishes was wonderful and a much larger portion than I had expected in a "small plates" format. My companions loved the fennel gratin with parmesan salad. The skate was really great - it was served with fried brussel sprouts that were cooked just right and so tasty! Ricky raved about the rotini with wild boar ragu and pears (think San Gimignano, Italy!). Bonus points to the restaurant and our excellent server for honoring my personal request for no added salt or pepper. Probably the best was last - the desserts. The belgian style waffles with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazlenuts were great as was the "tartuffo al bacio". Judy loved the rice pudding but she loves everything anywhere and I found it to be on the runny side and nothing special. By the way there were 4 semifreddos on the dessert list...really? I'm a little unusual so I like green tea, not coffee. I give Amis bonus points for being able to provide a quality bag of green tea to end our meal. With drinks and a bottle of red wine (the cheapest on the menu I think), dinner with a good tip ran us $155/couple so it wasn't cheap, but I'd have to say that I'd recommend Amis. 4 stars out of 5.
(4)
Jennifer S.
I have now been to Amis three times, once for dinner and twice for brunch. Love it! The night I went for dinner we sat outside which always gets points with me. I thought the food was excellent and the portions not too huge which is perfect if you want a few apps and a dessert in there too. I had the swordfish over fresh pasta (pacciere), hot and very good. I hate to say it but what stands out most in my mind from the dinner was the molten chocolate cake. If I had my choice though, I would return to Amis again and again (as I have) for the brunch. The interior of the restaurant is really beautiful, I love the open style kitchen and watching the prep. The fresh orange juice is worth it, as is the coffee. My first time for brunch I was with my mom, we shared the bruschetta with fresh ricotta and tomatoes. Amazing, so delicious and simple, and easily replicated at home. My main was the frittata baked with wild mushrooms, good but a little dry. My mother had the polenta with brown butter and sage- excellent- the artichokes and some cheese from the daily selection. My second trip there I enjoyed the fresh pasta with butternut squash and a cream sauce. Truly outstanding... it was heavy for brunch, but the portion was small enough that it was a perfect indulgence. It looks like the menu is constantly changing appropriate to what's in season. If you are looking for a place for brunch that is really a cut above the rest this is your place. Thank you Marc Vetri!!
(5)
Brittany L.
Went here the night before the Philadelphia Marathon so my husband could have his pasta dinner. It was delicious! We ordered several appetizers, all of which were gone immediately, including the extra artichoke they brought to our table. I had the papardelle with meat sauce. The homemade pasta makes all the difference, so wonderful! Next time we're visiting family in Philly, we'll have to take another trip to Amis.
(5)
Richard C.
We had a great meal at Amis. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out so that was helpful. The baked pecorino with almond honey was fantastic. I had the guinea hen for dinner which was very flavorful but not as tender as I expected. I ordered a bottle of wine but they were out of stock so I settled for something different. It was a good experience and I would definitely go back again.
(4)
Jacky O.
A very clever and thoughtful menu that results in a wide range of unique taste experiences, with an educated and personable staff and a cool industrial vibe inside. Excellent wine list and probably the best pasta dishes in Philadelphia. Take a risk with your order - you won't regret it.
(4)
Addy P.
Yum! Have been to Vetri and Osteria and loved both so I figured I'd enjoy Amis - I was right. The atmosphere was lively and energetic. Amis appeals an energetic crowd. I had the lamb ragu and it was delicious. The restaurant is more affordable than Vetri's others and offers a diverse menu. Highly recommended!
(4)
Emilio M.
i happen to love all of the Vetri restaurants b/c i believe their attention to detail is second to none. this place is no different. we were in center city yesterday for my younger son and we decided last minute to stop in for brunch. this is absolutely the best kept secret in Philly. no waiting (first time ever and you know how good the food is), and a very relaxing atmosphere to just hang out and sample the whole menu. my wife and i started with great campari cocktails. we then had the olive oil torta w/ apple butter and fresh whipped cream, what a moist delicious cake. being a cheese guy i wanted to try the baked pecorino with almond honey, it was a fondue w/crushed almonds in honey, how simply basic italian and a real treat. next Tonnarelli carbonara, raviolo all'uovo (which my son devoured), & squash lasagna (sooo goood). then house made polenta scrapple with farm eggs and tomatoes & sunny side up duck egg with grilled guanciale over soft creamy polenta, WOW! and if that weren't enough, my son needed dessert. we had a tiramisu and the choc pear torta for good measure. needless to say this held us over thru dinner as well. what a great way to experience the restaurant and how fantastic all of their ingredients are.
(5)
David B.
This cozy dimly-lit bistro is definitely worth a visit. Although we were dressed smart/casual, I liked the tone that was set by the 2 managers in well tailored suits. Be warned the tables are close together and not everyone in our party was a fan of the dim lighting. I am not a fan of restaurants with a certain ratio of terms that the average joe/josephine is not going to be familiar with. This is a pet peeve of mine in Vetri's restaurants. I don't mind asking the server a few questions but everyone had to ask questions about almost everything they were considering ordering. However, our server was knowledgable and answered very competently. Although the house table wine is perfectly acceptable and a good value, the wines-by-the-glass are otherwise unreasonably pricey. I ordered the pork terrine, which was absolutley delicious BUT I have never been served terrine (in any restaurant in any country) without toast of some kind. For my entree, I had spinach pasta with crumbled capon sausage. Everyone at the table wanted to taste everyone else's dinner. I'm normally ok with this but last night I definitely didn't want to give up any of my entree. I've read other reviews where there were complaints about the portion size. I thought the portions were fine and I was happy to have had room to order dessert - ricotta crumble with pine nut brittle. When you order coffee, I recommend asking for a cup which will allow you to put your finger through the handle. Their regular coffee cups look nice but are truly ridiculous and annoying. A refill of decaf arrived warm and there was a lengthy wait for a hot replacement. It did, however, arrive in a larger cup that you could hold properly. I left perfectly sated.
(4)
Jane N.
Excellent wine selection and very good service the two times we've been (thank you, Bethany!) Lots of selection on the menu, and the pasta dishes are solid. I went with a group of girlfriends one night and we ordered several different items - all of them delicious and rightsized portions. My only criticism is that the polenta with brown butter side should be renamed brown butter with polenta. The butter was so overpowering that we could barely taste the polenta. Hopefully, that was simply a more buttery batch. Great outdoor seating, too.
(4)
Megan M.
Amis was possibly the best meal ive had in the city in a very long time. It was so good because every aspect of the experience was spectacular. We wanted to try everything because it was so hard to choose just one or two things. So we got about three different appetizers, three anit-pastas, two pasta dishes and two desserts. That's the way to go! The veal tongue and octopus were incredible. The papparadell was aldente and melted in your mouth. We got two caraffes of red wine and I topped the night off with a hazelnut chocolate tartufo and a macchiato. Our bill was so reasonable. I got out of there well under $75 with tip per person.... $75 for all that food! Our only complaint was our server rushed us a bit. We sat at 8:00 or so and we wanted to sit and relax and enjoy. We let her know we'd be ordering a little at a time because we wanted taste, then decide on our next dish. She was a little put off by that and told us they were busy and we should order all at once. She was very nice about it however, we weren't going to be rushed. To her dismay we ignored that suggestion and ordered bits at a time anyway. All in all it was sinfully delicious food and wine, great friends and perfect ambiance to enjoy the perfect company in.
(5)
Jen A.
I have eaten here a few times and love it more each time. Great, friendly and helpful service! The food is amazing. The baked pecorino with almond honey is a must have to start the evening off. Some items on the menu can be a bit confusing so I always ask the server for recommendations and usually try a few things they list. I have never been disappointed in what I get. Some of the things I have loved are the sweetbreads, the papardelle with veal breat ragu and the octopus.
(5)
Beth H.
Capon sausage spinach past was amazing. Our table shared four deserts and we could not decide on the best. It was a little too "close quarters" and very noisy.
(4)
Mindy H.
I was really looking forward to our meal here, especially after they were rated so highly in Philadelphia magazine. Unfortunately, it was a complete disappointment. The only positive thing I can say is that the restaurant has a good vibe. But I've had much better italian food at our local bar. For our entrees, we had the gnocchi with ox tail and the papardelle with veal ragu. Both were fairly bland stew over a bland starch. Honestly, nothing stood out here. And they rushed us through the entire meal. Apps through dessert in 75 minutes. When I tried to slow down, they just brought another course. One last bit of annoyance - the waitstaff had obviously all been instructed to recite the same cheesey lines such as "the artichoke sells out by 8:30" and "the tiramisu has been haunting my dreams" which we heard repeatedly from several servers. This isn't Fridays people.
(2)
Jeremy B.
Having high expectations, I'll start by saying the food was simply amazing. We got the buffalo ricotta with olive oil-clean and wonderful. Cured meat with a honey-hazelnut? condiment, it was excellent and a terrific compliment to each other-superior to others in this city. Gnocchi, was again simple but it tasted so good, another few of those and I am all set. We got the Tuna-wonderful sauce, I have never had something served only grilled on one side. The texture, flavor and contrast/connection with the raw and seared side were perfect, what a great concept. The seafood mixed grill had scallops, shrimp, swordfish and calamari, possibly another choice but my recollection is fuzzy. Each item was cooked perfectly and you can tell the freshness of each as well. The sauce melded perfectly with each item. We finished the meal with a great coffee, La Colombe. The space is beautiful, obviously new and clean but homey and rustic feeling as well, great energy. We were sat for our reservation in 10 minutes after arriving 15 early to checkout the bar. So, when the host came over to seat us at our table from the bar. I was especially shocked, he did not even offer to carry our drinks from the bar to our table. As I remain the poster-boy for clumsiness, I could not see how this was right, a start overlooked shortly after the foccacia arrived. This took me back, remembering that even at TGI Friday's the host would do this piece of basic hospitality. I got over this in a quick second because our server was very hospitable and our food was timed perfectly as well. As dinner was winding down, I went to the restroom. I was again shocked to see how littered it was with paper towels, tp and the toilet was nasty. Not what I expect from any where I am dropping more than a few bucks. I will definitely return because I live close, cannot wait to try the rest of the menu and love Primitivo on the wine list, dangerous.
(3)
Jim G.
Everything we had ranged from very good (grilled mozzarella, polenta, lamb's tongue, seafood fritto misto, the olive oil cake) to outstanding (guinea hen, the gnocchi with oxtail ragu (my favorite dish of the meal), strawberry rhubarb tart)- oh, except for the ravioli. The description of them on the menu was very simple. But the plate came out and there was a secret ingredient they left out- mint. I like mint in some foods, such as middle eastern dishes where it's mixed in, but this time it completely overpowered and ruined the dish. No way would I have ordered it if mint was in the description. My other complaint, since I am so prematurely geriatric, is the same as I have about several other new restaurants- too loud. See, someone came up with this idea (and unfortunately proved it in a study) that if people are disinclined to talk while they eat, they will eat quicker and leave sooner and you can turn more tables per night that way. Amis obviously wants you to not linger- no sound deadening anywhere, and they play music at a decent volume. The problem with their approach is that while they may want you out as quickly as possible, the menu is designed to make you linger since it's small plates. We ended up ordering 4 separate times and were in there for almost 2 hours. So my thought is if people are going to be eating 3 or 4 courses per meal anyway, put some sound deadening up and at least let them enjoy the company of the people they are with. No one is going to be leaving as quickly as you want. Judging from several reviews of this place, I was sort of expecting amuse bouche portions for main dishes. But they weren't nearly as small as I'd been warned about. Perfect for dining for 2. We ordered about 5 dishes each and left happy and full. It's not Vetri or Osteria level expensive, but being small plates oriented I wouldn't recommend dining there on a budget, either (we spent $80 per person). Then again, if you're on a tight budget you probably shouldn't be dining out anyway, or so says Suze Orman.
(4)
Daniel T.
We were very underwhelmed with Amis. Between 3 of us, we spent about $280, including food, drinks, tax and tip. The drinks good. The limontella was really good but very sweet so hard to drink more than one. The food was not so good. Of about 8 plates, we were happy with two. The oxtail gnocchi and the arancinis were good. We ordered the octopus and it was awful. We actually sent it back. It tasted like frozen octopus with no flavor and basically dissolved in our mouths. The snail bruschetta was way too salty. The stuffed clams lacked flavor and were too salty as well. We began talking to the table next to us when they saw us send back a plate. They too said their food wasn't good. For dessert, the server was raving about the tiramisu. It tasted like whipped cream with cinnamon on top. He also said his favorite dessert was the pear tart. It was awful. It had no flavor. The mint leat on top was completely wilted as if it had been sitting in the fridge for a week. For a $10 dessert, the garnish should never be wilted, and I think the lack of freshness in the garnish really carried over through the whole meal. I will definitely not be returning.
(2)
Lisa D.
It was just ok. I had the gnocchi and I've had better. Service was good.
(3)
Catherine S.
I have been to Amis twice now and was disappointed both times. While the atmosphere and service are great, they can't make up for the obscenely small portions and obscenely high prices. The menu is deceiving because everything is priced $10-25; but it takes about 2 of their "entree-sized" dishes or 4 of their "lighter bite" dishes per person to give you the sense of having actually eaten dinner. Add on a few drinks, and there is no way you're having dinner for two for under $130 there (and you'll still probably go home and break out the cereal). I hate leaving a restaurant feeling ripped off, but that's exactly how I felt both times I left Amis.
(1)
Bella Vista R.
So, Wow. Was glad to hear that a Vetri place was coming to the 'hood. We have been several times since it opened and literally have not had a bad dish. First of all the best deal is the $20 caraffe of house wine that has about 5 glasses in it. Seriously where else are you gonna get a decent glass of wine in the city for 4 bucks?! Let alone a Vetri place? Anyway, the food is awesome and yeah a little small, but c'mon, do you really expect a place like this to give huge portions? Go for the Bucatini with Pork Jowl, the Ox-tail Gnocchi, and the Waffle Dessert. Have fun, enjoy the communal tables, and the great food. Our bill? Two carafes of wine, two apps, 4 pasta dishes and 1 dessert? $120 even.
(5)
Wen C.
Based on Vetri's reputation, we figured it would ok to go even though Amis just opened. And we were right, service was fantastic- in fact it seemed like they had extra staff on hand and Marc Vetri was there too. the waiter described the food as small plates but I thought they were actually bigger than most small plates. Between two of us we over ordered : three antipasti (fennel salami, marinated sardines, arancini), a pasta with pork jowl, tuna with fennel and citrus and two desserts (espresso budino and olive oil torta). all were delicious. the atmosphere was comfortable, loud but in a good way for a casual restaurant. I agree that the classic rock in the background was a little bizarre, but then again i kind of liked the unexpected contrast between the music and the rest of the atmosphere.
(4)
Katie B.
Went to Amis for brunch last weekend and walked in with very high expectations. Osteria, Alla Spina, Lo Spiedo, and the pizzeria are all incredible, and Amis was next on my list. Service, decor, and ambiance were fantastic. I highly suggest the cheese appetizers, and my brother loved the Jersey Bomb (an awesome looking breakfast sandwich). The bellinis, bloody mary, and cappuccinos were all perfect. Seriously can't recommend this place enough!! Best brunch I've had in Philly.
(5)
Richie H.
First time coming here and enjoyed our meal and service. We ordered -Salami Del Giorno with Onion Marlamade - home made salami, but it was okay. -Sal's Meatballs - very tender and delicious - beef, veal, and pork - cooked to medium. -Cacio E Pepe - we just came from Italy and not a bad rendition of the classic pasta dish. It's a little blander than what we got in Italy, but you can really taste the pepper and wasn't as salty (which we preferred) -Rigatoni - good dish as well - cooked al dente. -Dessert - Belgium waffle - very tasty and extraordinarily light/fluffy waffle. Great with the nutella and hazelnuts. Awesome place - not as good as Italy, but close enough!
(5)
Mark Z.
What a great dining experience I had here! I decided on taking my girlfriend here for my birthday and I am very happy with the decision. The restaurant itself has this very lax atmosphere and contemporary look. Our waitress was a total sweetheart and was very friendly, as well as attentive. My girlfriend and I wanted to start off with the swordfish meatballs as an appetizer. When we got our meatballs, we also got Eggplant Caponata on the house for the long wait (wasn't really questioning the wait, but awesome!). Both of the starters were great by the way. We also split the bucanti which was amazing! It had some nice heat with out being too over powering. I decided on the lamb shoulder as my entree. That was really good and tender, also the potatoes were seasoned nicely. Our dessert was the Belgian waffle with the semifreddo and nutella to share. That was a really nice way to end our great meal. I can't stress enough that people should go here for a good meal and awesome service.
(5)
Shani T.
Amis may or may not be my favorite restaurant in Philly. Okay, fine, it is. I can't help but recommend this place to everyone that visits Philly. AMIS, YOU WIN, YOU HAVE MY HEART, OKAY? Amis is even better than my favorite Italian restaurant in New York (Giano). I love Italian food, and I only love it as much as I do today because of Amis. This place is amazing delicious beautiful intimate and have I mentioned amazing? A good friend of mine took me here before I graduated college and I regret not having discovered Amis before then. We started with the salami del giorno with onion marmalade ($8), which was delicious. The salami comes in slices that are quite thick, and the marmalade balances the saltiness of the salami perfectly. The plate comes with around 5 slices of salami but it was a great appetizer. For entree, I got the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper. Oh my goodness, I loved this so much. The pecorino sauce with black pepper is rich, but not heavy in a way that made me feel too full from flavor. An extremely simple dish, but it's what I imagine a pasta dish would be like from Italy. The pasta was cooked to perfection and I am literally salivating as I type this. For dessert, my friend and I split the belgian waffle with nutella and ice cream. UGH I WANT TO EAT THIS EVERY DAY. The belgian waffle was fluffy, but still had a nice crunch. The ice cream was perfect and I could just eat a jar of nutella myself normally so there's that. I left Amis so full and so satisfied. Like, never been happier in my life. I recommended a couple of friends to go to Amis when they visited Philly for the first time and they loved it too. Definitely a great restaurant for a date, as it is very intimate, with dim lighting and very cute decor. Amis, I love you. So much. So so much.
(5)
Aaron L.
We frequent Amis but came for the Seven Fishes dinner in July. It was outstanding to say the least. The coursed dinner was presented quite well and the flavor profile was incredible. The star of the dinner was the spaghetti and crabs and they couldn't have been more flavorful. To wrap the dinner up the desert combination was also top notch, including a savory buttermilk shortcake. Always a great dining experience and this was no different! See you next time, Amis.
(5)
Christina V.
Just one stop at Amis and this place is by far, my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. The decor is right up my alley- rustic meets modern. Lots of wood work, a large bar, and a quiet industrial feel. Perfect non-pretentious vibe. It was my first trip to Amis and was my dates choice- he raved about it and couldnt believe i hadnt been there yet. We were a bit early for our reservation so we grabbed a cocktail at the bar. It was packed and the bartenders were attentive and quick to take our order. Once our reservation was ready we decided to sit at the chef's table. The kitchen was clean and bright and friendly. Our server was quick to greet us and start us off bread and a refresher for cocktails. Once ready to order, I let my date take the reins. And I couldnt have been happier. We ordered the bufala ricotta and black pepper and Sal's meatballs to start. Both were out of this world, insanely crazy delicious. The meatballs were so tender and the ricotta was served with this charred thick sliced seeded bread. We also got the Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and another dish which I can't remember- not because it wasn't good but because I probably devoured it too quickly. The tonneralli was rich and probably right off the boat from Italy. The service was just as impeccable as the food and just when we thought we were done - our server brought over complimentary Mom-Mom's rice pudding which was phenomenal. I want to live here.
(5)
Jack J.
Came here for Valentines dinner and was thoroughly impressed. This is my first Marc Vetri restaurant and it did not disappoint. I yelped some of the more popular selections before coming here. We ended up ordering the fried cauliflower and the swordfish meatballs for appetizers. The swordfish meatballs were perfectly cooked, but my mom makes her own fish balls and I couldn't distinguish the difference in meatballs made with white fish and this swordfish - nonetheless, it was delicious. The fried cauliflower was great as well, didn't really taste fried to me, more like baked? For our main course we had the Cacio E Pepe and Paccheri with Swordfish and Eggplant fries. I can't speak much for the Cacio E Pepe, but the Paccheri was delicious and a very interesting looking dish. Slightly salty, but savory nonetheless. It's definitely a foreign idea to me - paccheri in tomato sauce with basil, swordfish bites, and topped with a few eggplant fries. Somehow it worked, kudos Vetri. For dessert I had seen the Belgian waffles with nutella on here, so we had to have it. It did not disappoint. We were so stuffed at that point - the portion sizes were larger than I had anticipated.
(4)
Sari A.
Went there with some friends hoping for another lucky strike of good food. I started with the Bufala Mozzarella with Clementines and Walnuts, nothing exceptional to brag about! My friend, however, had the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, It was Warm, melted and looked amazing and I knew I had to try it. The saltiness of the gooey cheese and the sweetness of the almond honey drizzle was divine. I totally regret not getting it! Rigatoni with skirt rib ragu was my entree. The home-made rigatoni was okay, not the best I ever had. Besides the tough texture, the chef was so generous with salt! Seriously, my pasta was extra salty that I thought either my blood pressure will be elevated or I will dehydrate. I think I did drink more than five glasses of water to compensate the highly-salt dish. After the disappointing appetizer and entree, I was hoping that my dessert at least will be the "icing on the cake,"I believed that it will be hard to go wrong with the Belgian Style Waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts, it sounded as the winning combination. Again, it was decent, not really memorable. I had a bite of my friend's Mom-Mom's Rice Pudding looking for some comfort, I was dissatisfied. The chef complementary tiramisu was average! Nothing was memorable except the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, I will go again just to have it for myself! Disappointing highlights: 1/ We weren't seated until the rest of our party showed up- we waited at the bar. 2/ Food took forever to come out, with long gap between courses 3/ I'm even more disappointed because its part of Vetri's family! Three Yelps!
(3)
Lynne K.
Overall, the food and service were terrific here. We sat outside and thus did not get a great sense of the ambiance indoors, but I would certainly be willing to come back and try indoor seating when the weather isn't quite as nice. We split two pastas, one entree, and one vegetable side dish between two people and felt that was the right amount of food (though we went hungry!). Our server was knowledgeable and helpful.
(4)
Justyn W.
I am so glad I made the decision to go and check out this restaurant before leaving the city. My friend, and fellow Yelper, Sarah P. was kind enough to indulge me for an evening dinner at a place I had only heard great things about. We were quickly accommodated with seating once we arrived, and our waiter was extremely attentive and fun as well. The pasta and other items were clearly fresh and I suggest you check out the pictures I've posted to get a better idea of what the final product looked like. But the meatballs paired with my pasta extremely well, and were large and filling but still light at the same time. Not to mention the adult beverages we checked out were pretty tasty as well. Our waiter surprised us with tiramisu presumably because I told him it was very likely my first and last trip to the restaurant, and believe me when I say it didn't disappoint either. This place is definitely solid and it's rating speaks for itself. I look forward to possibly coming back whenever I revisit Philly, and recommend it to anyone considering.
(5)
Saloni G.
My recent experience at Amis was great! We shared the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey which was good but I think my expectations of it were set too high. It was pretty sweet, which kind of overpowered the taste of the cheese itself. The Fried Cauliflower with Pecorino and Salsa Rossa was really good! The cauliflower was well marinated, crunchy, and fresh. I definitely recommend this dish on the side! For my entree, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. There were a lot of japapenos so be careful if you're not spice-tolerant! The pasta was clearly freshly made and delicious. Some Italian restaurants tend to make their pasta too oily but Amis was right on point! I stole a bite of my friend's Tartufo E Bacio which was very rich. It's basically a dome of chocolate and was delicious. Our service was good but slowed down when it got busier. They are pretty attentive and will happily bring more of the bread if you ask! I've heard their brunch is good too so I might stop by again in the future!
(4)
Sarah K.
Came here last week with a friend and it was great as always. Not as good as I remembered it but we over ordered so maybe I didn't enjoy it as much. The ricotta as always was perfect. The charcuterie plate was interesting but I don't love mortadella. The salami was very flavorful. The swordfish meatballs were really fishy, my husband said that's to be expected, but he wasn't there to know just how fishy they were. The cauliflower was just perfect. My biggest issue was the cacio y pepe, when I was in Italy I fell in love with this dish. However at Amis it tasted a little pasty and not very peppery which is kinda imperative to the dish. The pasta with the jalapeños made up for it, had a great kick. The staff as always was great. We were so full at this point that we knew we wouldn't be able to eat the scallops we ordered so the waiter canceled it for us no problem. Overall very good.
(4)
Zinnia M.
Amis has become a favorite go-to for a date or dinner/drink with friends. I love the atmosphere and the food and the service is usually excellent. They do get quite crowded on weekends, so make a reservation for dinner! For drinks, they have a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. My favorite is the prosecco - seems to go with everything and if you're craving something a little more fun, order a granita! They'll serve you a prosecco with a little dish of semi-frozen berry deliciousness to add to it and it's just so yummy! We usually go with the small plates to get a nice variety, and who doesn't like sharing? A couple of the stand-outs: warm pecorino with almond honey (divine), quail with bitter greens and kumquat marmalade (great complementation of flavors), fried brussels sprouts with lemon (perfectly seasoned and a great portion). I have a pretty specific diet, and can always find something tasty! I've had to wait for a few times when we didn't have a reservation and ran into friends there the other night that waited even WITH a reservation, but they were quite busy and make it up to you with their friendly waitstaff and oftentimes even some complimentary small plates from the kitchen. Highly recommend! Have taken out of town visitors and they loved it just as much as I do.
Our director took us to Amis for late night food and drink. As he would say, "it was fantastic!" The ambiance is classy-casual and romantic, with dim lighting and uniformed waitstaff. It's a small physical space, but well-arranged and cozy. Seemingly a perfect date venue. A tad bit on the noisy side however. First of all, they surprised us with a complimentary pasta dish. I'm not sure if it was another table's botched order, but regardless, it was a pleasant surprise. This complimentary dish, the bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto, ended up being my favorite plate of the night. I've never had a jalapeño pasta dish before, but wow does it work well in this dish. The jalapeño kick is simply addictive and I found myself fighting my colleagues for the last few bites. The bucatini was well cooked and the cream sauce was well-balanced, rich without being overly heavy. To top things off, the almonds added some much appreciated texture to the dish. So good! We also ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and a braised pork pasta special of the day. Both were very good, but I just couldn't stop thinking about the jalapeño pasta dish, it was that good. It's probably one of the best pasta dishes i've had ever. For dessert, we had the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Amazing! The crispy exterior, warm cake interior contrasting with the crunchy hazelnuts and soft semifreddo was heavenly. The combination of the jalapeño bucatini along with the Belgian waffle dessert could very well serve as my last meal request, if I ever found myself on death row. Overall, I was impressed with with Amis' atmosphere and service. The waitstaff was friendly and on point. They have a nice selection of wine and liquor. We also had a celebrity sighting and Aziz Ansari was dining a few tables down from us. I'll definitely be returning to Amis the next time i'm in Philadelphia.
(4)
Manosai E.
Came here with my girlfriend at 8:30 on a Monday night. The place was pretty busy for the day and time of the week but we had a reservation. I thought the tables were a little too close to each other, made it seem like you were invading on your dining neighbors' privacy. We didn't have much of a choice when it came to a lot of the entrees since the only meat we eat is chicken but we still decided to order the ricotta bruschetta and bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. The ricotta was slightly heavy but delicious. We'd heard from friends who had been here before that the bucatini would be amazing so we were definitely excited for that to come to our table. We weren't disappointed. 5 stars just on the basis of that dish. It was absolutely delicious and unlike anything I've ever had. The sauce reminded me of pad thai since it was nutty and creamy but the jalapenos were a great touch that made the entire meal a bit spicier than I was expecting. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed the dish and were happy with the overall experience.
(5)
Devina G.
We indulged for an evening of deserts and drinks at Amis. This was another favorite of our hosts, so we were excited. I don't remember what everyone ordered, but the twin and I shared the Belgian style waffle with Nutella. The The waffle was topped with vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Semifreddo is a frozen cream or custard, almost like ice cream. My first bite into the fluffy warm waffle, laced with melting sweet cream and Nutella was simply heavenly. I have no other words to describe it. It was fantastic and our entire group loved it! I ate it so slow to savor every moment with each bite. Aside from the heavenly waffle, I really enjoyed being there. Very casual and definitely a great atmosphere. Drinks were reasonably priced as well. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.
(4)
Olivia R.
I have been to Amis for brunch twice now, and it is the best! Fantastic food, service, and atmosphere. Here are some highlights: FOOD: BAKED PECORINO is a plate of gooey, cheesy goodness with a bit of a sharper taste. RICOTTA is a pretty standard ricotta dish but delicious nonetheless. BELGIAN WAFFLE WITH SEMIFREDDO is so delicious! I have never had semifreddo before and it is basically a stickier, creamier version of ice cream. The one that comes with the waffle is butter flavored, so if you spread it out, it is as if the waffle has butter and ice cream on it at the same time. If you are in the mood for something sweet, I definitely recommend this. If you are in more of a lunch mood, definitely go for one of the PASTAS - they are all hand-cut and very tasty (at least one person tried each one in my party). SERVICE: This is probably the best service I have had at a restaurant ever. The waitresses were so nice and friendly and were great about explaining everything on the menus and giving recommendations. The first time I went, the baked pecorino was taking a bit longer than usual to come out so she just gave it to us on the house. Then when we were looking at the dessert menu, we mentioned to each other that we had wanted to try the olive oil cake but were too full to get it. Five minutes later, out comes the cake, also on the house! The second time I went, they gave us ricotta on the house as well. So considerate, and it made the dining experience all the better! ATMOSPHERE: Amis has a well-lit, airy, bright atmosphere. There are beautiful lamps made of little red bottles of cordial. My favorite part is the bakery counter, filled with scones and bread and open toward the restaurant. Behind the counter you can see into the kitchen, a nice touch. If you are looking for a nice place to go to brunch, I definitely recommend Amis!
(5)
Bruce N.
A bit pricey but the food here is WORLD CLASS! Service is awesome, and even the valet Kory goes above and beyond the call of duty. THIS is how a restaurant should be.
(5)
Andrea A.
Yes yes yes. If this place was byob I wouldn't eat out anywhere else on date nights. Delicious small plates and an intimate setting that still can translate to casual- love it here. Order: swordfish meatballs, mortadella with honey, any of the pasta dishes & the ice cream Sunday with blood orange.
(5)
Peter V.
We came here for dinner on a Saturday. The place was packed for the night. Opted to sit at the bar. Hostess also said that tables outside are on a first come first serve basis. Bartender Michelle was great throughout the night. Super attentive even though it was a very busy night. She gave good recommendations on both drinks and food. The only issue with our meal was the long wait time between our antipasto and our entrees. All dishes were good except for the eggplant lasagna. It was tasteless and would not recommend. We ended our meal with tiramisu and was given a salted butter semifreddo on the house.
(4)
Liza K.
Amis was never on my radar, and I'm glad I gave it a try when a friend suggested going there after a long work day. We made reservations ahead of time as they're always packed. We got there early and sat at the bar for a drink, which was a great way to pick the bartender's brain and try a couple different wines before picking our favorites. We were seated at a little table facing the open kitchen, which was great. We right right in the middle of things! It wasn't too cramped, but you definitely get the feel of being surrounded by a lot of people and it was quite loud. I didn't get to see the whole restaurant, but this part of the restaurant might not be the best for an intimate affair. The couple next to us, celebrating their anniversary got a lively experience, as everyone near them congratulated them, or offered them food. So if you prefer to be left alone, I'd suggest requesting a quiet table or something. Loved the food too! We had heard that the ricotta was to die for, and it was! Served with thick slices of a sweeter kind of toast we could have just eaten that. It was very good ricotta! Creamy, rich and just a little bit fluffy, it was deceptively filling. I think in the end we ordered too much for 2 people - the ricotta and other other plate would have sufficed. The Arancini meatballs were also recommended, and were good. However, in my humble opinion, they weren't anything special. I'd save room for something more exciting, like the ricotta or pasta! Last, we had the Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. The server said they weren't too spicy, but they definitely had a very strong kick to them. I liked the bucatini noodles - for people who aren't familiar they're spaghetti-like noodles, but with a hole in the middle. The jalapenos and almond pesto gave this dish a unique twist and made it feel a bit lighter than alfredo or another creamier sauce. I'm glad we tried simpler dishes, but I'd like to sample more exciting dishes next time. Out of the three, I'd have the ricotta again. The wine selection was great, and the bellinis are also crisp and tasty. I'd probably go for wine again next time, and get the bartender's help to pick the right one. Well done, Amis!
(4)
Therese M.
Amis was my pick for my birthday dinner back in November. I'd been wanting to give it a try for a while now and it did not disappoint! We started off with the bufala ricotta bruschetta and baked pecorino w/almond honey. While both were good, the baked pecorino definitely won that round. Next up were Sal's old school meatballs.. they were simple but in a good way. For our main dishes, I had the fettuccine w/duck Bolognese and he had the bucatini w/jalapeno and pesto. I'm a sucker for anything with duck in it- so getting the fettuccine was an obvious choice. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was perfect. The duck complimented it well. The bucatini was also very good, but after trying both dishes, we each liked our own pick better (as per usual). If you have room for dessert, get the Belgian waffle! Ohh and can't forget about the drinks.. I was a huge fan of the Alto and plan on attempting to make it at home!
(5)
Andrew W.
Amis features a very simple and interesting menu offering a variety of options for lamb, seafood, and pasta. My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was very good, although I was not totally into the unorthodox preparation of the pasta- it seemed more of a potato dish than gnocchi. My favorite part of the meal, though, was the appetizers... so many to choose from and each one was delicious. Having been extremely impressed with osteria, I guess I was hoping for a bit more... but this was still a good night out. I wish the wine list was a bit more reasonable, though.
(4)
Brian H.
I used to "love" this place, haven't been there in a year, but was there 3 times in the prior year. Now, I only "like" the place. Wow, the ultimate lover break-up, "I like you, but I am not in love with you anymore". Don't cry, please! I started with a measured (yes, with a jigger) serving of gin in my martini "up", so the glass came up half full for $14. A very pretty glass, though. :-P The eggplant caponata, was perfect to eat with our drinks, 4 half slices of grilled bread and a small little tiny dish of roasted eggplant, very tasty. The sweetbreads, served fried, although very tender and perfectly cooked and served with a fennel marmalade, had no taste whatsoever. The marmalade needs some serious work, I liked the idea, but it did not deliver to the palate. For entrees, the skate was a very good dish served with fried brussel sprouts which matched, in my opinion, the flavor and texture of the fried artichokes which I used to adore here. The skate was tender and moist. A good dish overall. On the other hand, our other dish of the rotini pasta with the boar ragu and pears was just average. The pasta itself was inconsistently cooked, some al dente, some mushy, some stuck together. The boar ragu was above average in flavor, but the pears? Huh, there was supposed to be at least a pear flavor in there....notta. The dish was served smothered in grated cheese, which turned what could have been a delight into just a pasta with a ragu and cheese. The service was good, the time between dishes was perfect. I am not writing this one off yet, let's get through the winter and maybe the spring will bring new life into this relationship.
(3)
L M.
Had a great meal with the family at Amis. If you're looking for a more quiet & relaxing experience, definitely choose a table outside! It was nice to be able to hear each other talk. All of the food we had was delicious -- the eggplant caponata, pecorino with almond honey, duck pasta special, and Mom Mom's rice pudding being a few standouts. Beer is reasonably priced and they have a good variety on draft. My mom and brother really loved the peach cocktail. Service is friendly and Mr. Marc Vetri himself even stopped by to refill our waters and make sure we were having a nice time.
(5)
Matt W.
absoluletly fantastic.
(5)
Sean T.
I've been here a few times and always had a wonderful meal. The things they do with cauliflower and brussels sprouts! Fantastic atmosphere. Good beer selection. The staff are friendly and informed on all the menu items.
(5)
Brett V.
Given the fact that Amis opened on Thursday and I ate there today (Monday) I'm very impressed with how well and smoothly the restaurant is running. All the major players were on site supervising service, including Marc Vetri, who popped in and out the kitchen several times while we were there. The atmosphere is warm, fairly loud (both the acoustics and the rock music), and a mix of high-end and casual. Service overall was excellent and so was the food. Any kinks they still have to work out are minor and the caliber of the food makes up for any shortcomings. This is a small plates restaurant so don't go in expecting heaping portions of Olive Garden slop. Do get the oxtail ragu gnocchi. It's exceptional. The sweatbreads are tender and delicious. The drink menu (we had the alto and the ginginber) is well put together and the desserts are very good. Overall you get a well rounded high quality meal for about $40-$65 per person. This will easily be one of the best restaurants in the city from what I've experienced so far.
(4)
Robert M.
The service was excellent and the food is at the top of its class, We waited a long time for our dessert to be made so the manager gave it to us on the house, and we didn't even complain about the wait in the first place! that's excellent management .
(5)
Rose F.
Off the beaten path for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Go here for the wine and appetizers. Let's talk about the: Food: I enjoyed the appetizers more then my main dish, scallops & polenta and baked pecorino with almond honey a must!!!! I had the rabbit for the main dish and I can tell it was good, but my taste buds didn't agree. the wine is excellent! the Service: it was wasn't memorable and it's neither a good or bad thing. Dining experience: I left more than safisfied with the food, i left stuffed. If you can eat here, do so, but don't be bummed if you didn't.
(3)
Robert N.
Meh is what it says when you give a restaurant a two star rating here, and meh is exactly how I felt upon walking out after my meal. Don't get me wrong, the food was wonderful, a real treat and a luscious throw back to the best trattorias of southern Italy. And I'm really not a complainer when it comes to restaurants, but my experience made me want to take the time and sit to write a review. The overall experience fell well short of the expectations we have of the the top restauranteurs in this city. The service was mediocre at best. Most of the staff left me with the feeling they were "overtrained" to be nice. I like a more relaxed natural discourse with the staff than that especially in this type setting. The waiter was confusing in explaining the menu, eventually admitting there were no special. It was just that the menu had recently and completely changed. The bus boy whisked a dish away without first asking. I really wanted some more of that sauce on my arancina oopss...too late. He never bothered asking if I was done before grabbing the dish. Also Marc, and I know you and your staff read these reviews, would it kill you to put more than one amarena cherry in the tartufo? I know they're a little pricey, but often people want to share desserts. It would be nice for each person to get a full effect of the flavors the chef intended. Especially since the menu says cherries (plural). After touting the flavorgasm of amarena cherries to my significant other, upon finally finding one and digging through the rest of my tartufo it was "Oh sorry honey, I had the only one they put in the dessert. And jury's still out on that bread. I'm pretty sure I can bake the same thing in my bread baker and the recipe that came with it now that I know to just add sea salt on top. And salt does seem to be a common flavor which stands out in most of the dishes. Particularly the pasta. The ambiance was very nice, but rather loud if you like conversation that's especially personal in nature given the next tables are five inches away from your elbow. I did enjoy hearing about the sex life of the two energetic young ladies at the table next to ours though. The four of us decided we're going out together next week to try a Garcas restaurant. Thanks Marc! Seriously, it's quite a shame when the food is this good that so many other things seemingly have fallen through the cracks.
(2)
Kathy D.
Wow, their pasta is worth the visit!!!! That was definitely the highlight of the meal. We got a scallop app, with a red wine carafe, which were both delicious. The skate entree was a little salty, but the pork pasta ragu and Nutella waffle dessert were out of this world! The layout is cozy and they also offer outdoor seating. There are a few seats that overlooked the kitchen and a small bar in the restaurant as well. The meal was a little expensive, and the atmosphere was casual. Will be back for a special occasion.
(4)
Jim L.
Amis has become a true favorite of mine since discovering the restaurant a little more than a year ago. My girl and I dined there on Friday evening and it easily lived up to our expectations. The place has a nice, cozy feel to it and the service by our waiter, Graham, was right on the money. We started with a cocktail each. Dirty martini for me and a signature cocktail from the menu for girlfriend. Smiling faces and warm fuzzy feeling. Thank you bartender. For appetizers we shared the swordfish meatballs, tasty and highly recommended, and an appetizer special of lamb sausage, excellent. After the appetizers, we shared a second course of pasta. I can't see going to Amis and not getting one of their delicious pastas. We went with the tonnarelli with pecorino and black pepper and it was excellent. For entres, my girl went with the scallop dish and absolutely raved about it. I love Amis' meat dishes and couldn't resist the grilled rib eye over arugula salad. Here is where I could make one minor complaint. I ordered the steak medium, figuring it's the safest bet for rib eye. The steak was actually served rare but I couldn't help but laugh when I realized it was such a fine cut of meat that the rare serving actually turned out to be quite appropriate. I think my girl and I actually wanted to skip dessert but they're so delicious at Amis that our will power was quickly reduced to nothing. Girlfriend absolutely love the olive oil torta and was in dessert heaven. I went with the Graham recommended tiramisu. Graham promised perfection and Amis delivered. Excellent dessert. I can't get enough of this place. Walking distance from home and It never disappoints. Very highly recommended. Enjoy.
(4)
Howard I.
Overall, a good experience. The service was great. The atmosphere was lovely (except for the unkempt bathroom). The only thing that didn't standout was the food. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't anything special. We had a party of six and ate family style, so I had a chance to try a number of dishes, but nothing blew me away, and for the prices, they should have. If money is no object, then by all means, go have a nice night out, but if this is your choice to blow your paycheck and impress, go somewhere else.
(3)
Steve M.
Amis, I love you. I love your delicious, slightly-al-dente pastas. I love the simplicity of your pasta with just cheese and pepper. I love the perfect combination of baked pecorino with honey and almonds. I love your decor. I more-than-love your almond-dusted sweetbreads. I even love your martini glasses. I'm not so into Italian desserts (I like mine way, way sweeter than most Italian desserts allow), but that just means I have more room for pasta! Oh... and the skate. Try the skate. The thinnest fried crust on perfectly tender skate with that terrific lemon sauce and perfectly crispy fried brussel sprouts... I loved that, too :)
(5)
Charles W.
I really liked the layout of the space. Nice mix of contemporary and rustic italian decor. We got there for a 5pm Saturday seating, which is awesome because there were no crowds and we got the full attention of the waitstaff. The way the tables were placed very close together, I suspect we would have felt claustrophobic it the house was packed. As for the food, it was very satisfying. The squid ink pasta had a hint of the pier in it's aroma, which I like. The rotini with black trumpet mushroom was out of this world. The herb butter sauce truly highlighted the texture and shape of the handmade spiral pasta. The kale side dish and the eggplant caponata were decent and well executed, but not anything unique. By far, the star of the meal was the sweetbreads with almond dust and fennel jam. The breading was was light and airy, the sweetbreads themselves were unbelievably creamy, and the jam was very subtly tart, and perfectly balanced the entire dish. I would seriously get two orders of this dish next time around!
(4)
Taylor H.
very good italian, definitely good for a weekend night out, good for small groups. Enjoyed it very much.
(4)
Jeffrey G.
Had a fabulous dinner on March 5th. Everything we had was so tasty. Portions were perfect for the two of us because it gave us the opportunity to try lots of things. The staff was great, especially our waitress, Maris! Can't wait to return.
(4)
Diane G.
Outstanding food and service. Depending on where you sit you could be very cramped. Very loud the evening we were there.
(4)
Christine L.
I came to Amis with a friend for a celebratory dinner; I had just read that it was one of the best places in America to get pasta, so we were hoping for something extraordinary. We had a salumi to start with, I had a pappardelle dish, and she had a rigatoni dish. We enjoyed the meal, but it didn't seem worth the hype.
(3)
Jonas B.
Have been to this restaurant several times during recent project work in Philadelphia, and I can say that I'm consistently impressed with the food and service, particularly given the relatively modest price point. Atmosphere is terrific, very relaxed and comfortable. Service is consistent with the best service at much more expensive restaurants, but with a friendliness that you won't find elsewhere. The food is dependably terrific. I've tried 10-12 things off the menu now after several visits, and I have been happy with everything. The swordfish meatballs were standouts - buttery and delicious. Also, the roasted lamb - really amazing.
(5)
Annie M.
2.5 ..... Come eat here if you want hypertension..... Came here with three other people so we were able to order 6 dishes to share. 3 appetizers, 2 pastas, and 1 entree. With so many different dishes and flavors, nothing really stood out except that everything was WAY TOO SALTY. The only thing that tasted okay was the baked pecorino (though it was so ordinary still). Maybe I could've commented more on the taste of everything if I tasted more than just salt. I don't usually drink that much water but man I had to keep getting my cup refilled. Even then, the waitress was not coming by to refill our cups often enough..... On top of that, everything was teeny tiny and overpriced. Disappointed to the max. In case you wanted to know what NOT to order... - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (tasted like a normal meatball, just loaded with salt) - almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade (smallest appetizer ever... it looked like 4 small pieces of calamari) - rotini with pork ragu and stone fruit (more salt...) - strozzaprete with cockles (the extreme of SALT OVERLOAD) - abbacchio con patate (overcooked, beef jerkey-like, the potatoes were good though)
(2)
Michael K.
Really enjoyed our meal here. Highlights were the Swordfish Meatballs, Pig Foot Ragu, and Mama's Rice Pudding (the best I've ever eaten...and I've had lots). I'm not writing a lot because this place doesn't need flowery prose to prove itself. Just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
M P.
Went here for valentine's day. Had a lot of small dishes, including: Baked pecorino cheese with almond honey (appetizer) - really really good, lots of melted cheese Root vegetable salad - so so, probably should have skipped it Mussels - in Romanesco sauce, with awesome bread for soaking up the sauce Rotini with black trumpet mushrooms - Amazing. Salted butter gelato waffle pizzele - enormous and worth going back just for that. Best thing we had. Bottle of Cava - always good Service was pretty attentive and professional. They also have chef's table style seats facing the kitchen, which might be cool to check out next time.
(5)
Ann E.
If you are in Philly, don't miss this restaurant. We shared small plates. Standouts included swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower, squid salad, almond dusted sweetbreads. But, the truly wonderful dish was the mortadella with hazelnut honey. We had 2 servings and I would have loved to have a jar of that wonderful honey just to have spoonful whenever I want it! The staff at this restaurant is as impressive as the food. We had one dish that was not what we expected. When our server checked on us, we mentioned this dish and he reacted immediately. You would have thought we told him our entire meal was a disaster! They brought another small plate for us, gave us an extra dessert and were truly concerned about the quality of everything they served. By the way, the extra dessert they brought was Mom's Rice Pudding-outstanding!
(5)
Jeff S.
This was an excellent choice for a upscale casual night. The service was classy but not over the top, the atmosphere energetic, and the food was delicious. The seating is very close to other patrons so don't expect quiet.
(4)
Carol P.
All the comments about the size of the portions are spot on. Amis serves small plates at regular plate prices. Even Garces restaurants give you more food except during restaurant week. Luckily, I went to a party afterward.
(3)
Dave S.
The food and set up was great. Not a place for someone who likes quiet. From start to finish everything was spot on.
(5)
Felicia Q.
One word (said with pauses for emphasis): Un-in-spired. Marc Vetri - and I say this with deep sadness because I've wasted so much time reading articles about him - should return at least a couple of his awards. Last night, we decided to give Amis a second chance. And, like most second chances that are given reluctantly, it was met with profound disappointment and kicking of myself. 5 o'clock dinner reservations on a Saturday night. We arrive at 4:55 p.m. to an empty restaurant, chilly in all the wrong ways (i.e. not Vodka chilly). The place was dead, yet the host had to "see if our table was ready" so we went to the bar. The bar was dead, yet the bartender couldn't take the time to put cherries in the Manhattans. Once seated, the waitress politely insisted that we put our entree orders in, "for the sake of a Saturday night" whatever that means. Yes, I believe it's Restaurant 101 to make your customers feel rushed to order. Talk about a turn-off. But, honestly, all of this could have been wiped from my mind ala Eternal Sunshine if the food had been as delightful as the reviews promised. Meatballs were weak. (Barbuzzo's meatballs are 1,000 times better.) Pasta dishes were a snooze. Gummy squid linguine in oil. Rigatoni in what looked like the pasta water with cherry tomatoes. Meat dishes were bleak. Ribeye steak and fried veal: both served with a pile of arugula on the side. A kid at The Art Institute could have done this. A kid who isn't even in the Culinary Arts program. (No offense to that kid.) My yelp review is more inspired than Amis. Take your $300 (for four people) somewhere else where the chefs/servers/staff actually care.
(2)
Amy B.
My boyfriend, his sister and I went to Amis last night (4/19) to celebrate his sister's birthday. We didn't make a reservation and upon arriving we were told it would be 30-45 minutes. We figured this was reasonable and decided to have a drink at the bar while we waited. However, after waiting for 45 minutes, the hostess came over to us and told us that because there were no reservation cancellations they couldn't seat us. That was super annoying but luckily the bar is full service so we ordered from the awesome bartenders (didn't get their names unfortunately). This is where the night really turned around. We ordered about 6-7 tapas and the bartender very generously brought us at least 4 more tapas free of charge. Needless to say, he got an awesome tip. Our favorites were: the jalepeño pasta, the porchetta with onion marmalade, and the arancini. We enjoyed everything else we got also (ricotta and eggplant bruschetta, rabbit terrine, brussel sprouts, mussels, baked pecorino) but those were the best. Would definitely come back again next time we are in philly.
(4)
Stephen S.
Oh Marc Vetri, you maestro of pasta, guru of Italian cooking, can you do any wrong? I moved away from Philadelphia right around the time that Amis opened. I had been to Vetri and Osteria but never had the chance to go to Amis. This is a great place to come in and experience Vetri's cooking without having to order the fixed menu at Vetri. I was very impressed with everything but the star of the evening was the squash lasagna. This is not your mother's lasagna, it's thin and delicate, not overly cheesy. I also really enjoyed the swordfish with eggplant fries but thought that the eggplant fries were much better than the accompanying fish.
What can I say about, Amis... This review is primarily based on the horrible service. Can you say "Hover"!!! That's how I felt the entire night as our hostess hung over us, making the dining experience horrible. The food was pretty good, especially the fried brussles and baked pecorino. The monk fish was a bit pasty but my date loved the duck ragu. During my initial ordering I forgot to order my brussels and the hostess looked at me like I had 4 heads, when I tried to add it on later. Due to the open kitchen, we could see her go back to the chef and talk trash about our late order. Once the brussels came I was pretty much ready for the experience to end, but they were tasty. The highlight of the evening, the valet parked my car near the front door so we could leave quick... never to return again...
(2)
Dan G.
Hmmm... so many good reviews. I was being treated for my birthday (and she would not be this kind)... so we had a reservation and were seated immediately, was going to be seated at one of the two tops along the back and they were packed pretty close, so they moved us to one of the high tops near the bar... service was great, drinks were good... The appetizer was the assorted, I think it was three of their selections and it was okay but nothing special... one was good, the others were so so... my dinner was not bad, Prime Rib... but again nothing special and not much of it... thin piece of meat with a lot of fat... she on the other hand had lamb and it was the driest overdone flavorless piece of meat ever... I tasted it because she couldn't eat it and it was pretty bad... Was too bad the food was so disappointing because the ambiance was nice... price was a little up there for 4 drinks, an appetizer and dinner put us close to $200 (with tip)... that wouldn't be bad for an outstanding meal... in this case it wasn't.
(2)
Matthew G.
Great Italian food for those bored with Chicken Parm
(4)
Robin D.
i love this place... even though both times I went they screwed up first time we went on a weekend and it was busy, so they didn't seat us until an hour after our reservation. we had to stand at the bar. but before we could get angry they showered us with free drinks and food. they continued to do so at the table. the second time i went, they gave my mom the complete wrong order. when she told the waiter it was wrong he agreed and said "enjoy that while i get you what you ordered". less than 2 minutes later they brought the correct dish and we got to enjoy the other... for free. AND every bite of their food was amazing and unique. great rustic italian. i love the pasta. great food + classy handling of errors = more than good enough for me wouldn't recommend it if you're in a rush/aren't amused by free food
(4)
Jessica B.
Amis is right in my neighborhood, and it's pretty great. The food is affordable, interesting, and delicious, and they're open till midnight on weekends, which is fantastic. Service is almost completely perfect (servers are fantastic, hosts are a little TOO eager) and if you go late-ish in the evening, it's not a loud space at all. We've tried the grilled veal tongue (melt-in-your-mouth tender), the arancini (fried cheesy-ricey deliciousness) the rotini with the wild boar ragu, and the fennel gratin. All of it was delicious. Add to that a carafe of wine, and you have a very nice dinner for two. We should start going here more often... it's a great place.
(4)
Jeff P.
Let me begin, by saying I had high expectations after reading that Amis chef, Jeff Michaud, had won the James Beard award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. My wife and I had also dined at Amis' sister restaurant, Osteria, back in the winter, and both of us enjoyed our food, but felt that we horribly overpaid for our meal, so I definitely had mixed emotions walking into the restaurant. Amis is located in what is considered the "Gayborhood" section of Philly, and shares the locale with some serious restaurant heavy hitters in my book, Mercato, Barbuzzo, the somewhat underrated Bindi, and Garces Trading Company just to name a few. Happily, I can say Amis lives up to the competition. First off, I like the space. There is outdoor seating, and inside the whole ambiance is very relaxed with a hip polished industrial feel to it. Also, I like that there is a second bar area, where you can sit and watch the chefs do their work. We did not sit at that bar area, but had a two top across the aisle from it giving my wife a view of the kitchen bar. My wife picked out a 500ml carafe of house white for $20. Not sure what it was (Pinot Grigio or a blend), but it was totally drinkable on a warm summer night. Instead of ordering an app to share and two mains, we decided on a bunch of small plates. We started with braised snails with scallion crema, house made mortadella with hazelnut honey, arancini di riso with meat ragu (fried rice balls), whole roasted baby peppers with chicken conserva, and swiss chard ravioli with spring onion ragu. All dishes were on point. I especially enjoyed the pasta dish, but wished they had included a few more ravioli which were very light, and full of that earthy vegetal flavor I LOVE from good greens. Homemade pasta makes such a difference. The favorite dish for me were the fried peppers. Reminded me of the hundreds of padron peppers my wife and I scarfed on a recent trip to Spain. I am like Pac Man eating pellets with those things. They have a slight amount of heat, but nothing overwhelming, and the sweetness of the chicken confit totally worked. We ordered 2 more dishes, imported bufala ricotta and black pepper with crustinis, and Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato. I enjoyed both dishes, but was unsure if the meatballs were undercooked, or were supposed to served mid rare in the middle. I ate them anyway, as I could not find our server at the moment. The ricotta was beautifully creamy, and my wife thought it could have used a little sea salt on top. I was happy with it the way it was served. I could have kept eating, but thought better of it. No dessert this time (Termini cannolis were in the car), but will return this weekend for a second go around. We had good, but not great service, and unlike Osteria I felt that the prices were fair. I am very excited for a return visit, and will order a little more adventurously with my eye on the veal tongue and sweetbreads.
(4)
Miguel R.
I needed a quick restaurant recommendation for an after-work date with the lady. A coworker of mine suggested Amis, and I'm glad I went there. The service was great, and the food was fantastic. Mind you, we went on a Tuesday night at around 6PM - I'm sure the experience will vary on a Friday/Saturday evening. We got a kick out of ordering, since neither of us really knew what half of the stuff was on the menu - we ended up with the swordfish meatballs, calamari/shrimp/cucumber misto as appetizers, and for our next course we had the monkfish, polenta, and squid ink pasta. For dessert, I had a whiskey, and a bite of the tiramisu. I would definitely recommend the place, and look forward to visiting again.
(5)
Claire C.
This is a few blocks off the popular 13th and locust cross sections of restaurants, but it's totally worth it. It's a great place to catch up with friends or enjoy a bit of home cooked italian food. my only tip is to get as many plates of the meatballs as possible. you will definitely not regret this decision.
(4)
Jen R.
If you are going to Amis, be sure to leave your home well before your reservation time and familiarize yourself with the area. Find the parking garage before you get there or you will be late. Traffic and Parking for us was a nightmare. There was no street parking but we eventually found a small lot a few blocks away. This caused us to be late for our reservation. Luckily they didn't cancel on us. The food at Amis was really good. Unfortunately they are very small portioned tapas with a big price. Be prepared to spend over $100 for two people. The food was good but we didn't feel it was worth the price. We weren't stuffed when we left the restaurant. The tables are too close together, making it uncomfortable. There are always people moving around you. I'd like to try Amis again. I had high expectations and it could be that our ordeal with traffic and parking ruined our day for us.
Went here for one of my last dinners in Philadelphia. My gf and I wanted some real good italian before moving out west. Had a couple cocktails, appetizers, and entrees. I went here about a month ago, and can't remember every detail of the meal but here's a recap... We had pecorino and honey, roasted potatoes, squash lasagna, pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu, and belgian waffle w/ nutella and vanilla semifreddo and hazelnuts. Everything from my memory was delicious, and service was good. I would say this is more along the lines of a high 3, but rounded it up to a 4.
(4)
Alison P.
I went to Amis recently for dinner and it was absolutely fantastic. I would actually give it 5 stars except for a service snafu-- when my boyfriend and I arrived (with a reservation to celebrate his birthday) a couple was seated at a 4-top ahead of us and then we were told there was a wait. Then a group of 3 walked in without a reservation-- the hostess sent them to the bar and then seated them. I complained that we did have a reservation and felt we should have been seated first. We had to wait 10 minutes for a table. The host (maitre'd?), who was much more professional, in service as well as dress, was incredibly kind and made up for it-- as soon as we were seated he sent over an antipasti-- the bufala ricotta with grilled bread which was a perfect way to start the meal. All of the food that we ate was phenomenal! I tried the swordfish meatballs because I had read about them-- I probably wouldn't have ordered them otherwise-- and I LOVED them. So flavorful with a rich swordfish aftertaste but upfront tasted like a really good, juicy meatball, and such an interesting dish. My other favorites of the night were the pig trotter's arancini (OMG melted cheese, risotto, and bacon? yes please!) and the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. Also, if you're ordering dessert, you must must try the pizelle with salted butter semifreddo icecream sandwich. It was dessert perfection-- salty, sweet, and a little tart, with cranberry compote on top. Worth going to Amis just for drinks and dessert alone! I will absolutely be returning to Amis in the future-- Vetri does not disappoint. The dishes are small so it ends up being a bit pricey, but it is worth every penny. Go with friends and try a lot!!
(4)
Hayley Sara B.
This restaurant is a living, breathing, delectable food-producing organism. The open kitchen, boisterous Saturday night crowd, and incredible soundtrack (stones, janis joplin) gave true meaning to the term "dining out." If I could eat Amis' twice-fried artichokes and butternut squash every day for the rest of my life, I'd probably never complain again. ORDER THE SQUASH. It is incredible and served in an adorable silver serving dish. We also oo'd and ahh'd over the guinea hen leg (deboned, pounded thin, and fatty but not overly so) and the mortadella mousse (or "crack", as we kept calling it). Throw in $20 for a carafe of some delicious house red and I was in heaven. I'll take Amis over the stuffier, (WAY) pricier Vetri any day (excluding Vetri's spinach gnocci, of course, which you must try before exiting this planet). It's the perfect restaurant for a loud family birthday or a splurgy dinner with friends.
(5)
Geoff G.
I dined at Amis this past April and enjoyed a fabulous meal. I met my mom at this restaurant mid week to catch up and spend a night out on the town. We were able to get a last minute reservation at Amis and were not disappointed. A few things you need to know about this restaurant. First, it pulls in quite a happy hour bar crowd. There were a lot of suits lined up at the bar chatting away. Second, the tables are quite close together. When you combine those two elements with the fact that the restaurant has a warehouse type feel to it, the place can get obnoxiously loud. If that is a turnoff for you, then look for a different place to dine. Also, Amis is not a BYOB. This was a plus for us, since we were specifically looking for a restaurant that wasn't BYOB. Onto the food! My mom and I started off with a couple of small plates to share. We split the Eggplant Caponata which was delicious. The saltiness of the eggplant balanced out the olive oil that it was cooked in. The bread that went with the dish was delicious. We also shared swordfish meatballs. These 3 meatballs were laying on a bed of polenta with toasted pine nuts. The meatballs had so much flavor and were incredibly moist. The polenta complimented this dish wonderfully and the pine nuts added some texture to really round out the dish. For entrees, I had the lamb and my mom had a fried flounder special. The chef prepared the lamb very different from anything I have had before. The lamb seemed to be slow roasted and then shredded off the bone and crisped up on a griddle..... think almost like a jerky style texture, but not quite as dried out. The end result was shredded lamb that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The roasted potatoes that it was served with made for a memorable dish. Another highlight of the meal (besides the swordfish meatballs) was the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. I had heard so much about this dish and it did not disappoint. My mom and I split this as a side dish and it was wonderful. The rich oxtail ragu was just enough to balance out the wide pasta sheets that were cooked just a tad past el dente. Extremely tender and fresh. If you haven't made a trip to Amis, I would recommend you try it. The place isn't for everyone, but if you are a foodie that likes to get creative when dining, then this could be your next gem. The plates aren't huge, so you have to order multiple things on the menu to create a complete meal. PROS: Hip Atmosphere, Innovative Menu, Divine Food (especially the swordfish meatballs and pappardelle pasta) CONS: Small vineyard winelist, noise levels can be extremely loud, and this is not your traditional menu
(4)
Jemma C.
Turns out our second visit was just an off day as we've just returned and the food and service were fantastic!
(5)
Parker S.
Nice, upscale casual interior. Excellent menu with a variety of options. Came here with my wife. We got 4 small plates and two entrees which was too much food, but it was delicious. With drinks and our meals our bill was just under $100 which was reasonable considering the quality and amount of food we received. I'll be back.
(5)
Christine B.
So I finally made it to one of Vetri's restaurants, and it was a great choice. When we first sat down, the waiter was a little aggressive. We were chatting and hadn't looked at the menus, but he came by a few times to see if we were ready. We finally ordered a carafe of the red wine. It was decent, nothing special. The waiter immediately returned to get our food order and of course we weren't ready. We were probably there 10 minutes and he had already come by at least 5 times so we figured we better figure out the food. I don't think I've ever felt so rushed and the restaurant wasn't crowded, but after the food order was placed the waiter pretty much left us alone. Onto the food, started with the baked pecorino and honey, and prosciutto wrapped figs. The pecorino was definitely the star of the show. I would absolutely order that again. The figs were good, but I've had better. Next we shared the lamb and the rigatoni with wild boar ragu. The lamb was awesome. The waiter gave us this explanation when we ordered that its prepared differently and is brined, and a couple other things that almost scared me away, but I figured Vetri isn't going to serve something that isn't good. I didn't find it salty at all. It had a very interesting texture, kind of like short ribs without all the fat. Some of it was a little dry or just overcooked though and took a lot of effort to cut. The rosemary potatoes that came with were super tasty. I wasn't so sure about the pasta at first, but it grew on me, and then I wanted to keep eating it. It has a very unique flavor, I can't really describe it, except to say that it tastes great. I would probably try another pasta next time. Ended with the tartufo, but I only had a bite. It was very rich, and I'm not a huge dessert person, just wanted to taste it. All in all a really great, but pretty expensive dinner. Definitely recommend it.
(4)
Eric B.
Very delicious. We liked the smaller portions. My wife and I got two appetizers, a pasta and then a meat dish and we shared everything and it filled us up. We were amazed at how good and unique it was (swordfish meatballs). Also not too expensive and the service was excellent. We highly recommend. Just be aware that it is a noisy atmosphere in there, so don't go with any soft talkers.
(5)
Aubrey E.
If I had to pick one word to describe my dining experience at Amis, it would be "underwhelming". I really wanted to love Amis. They have a great looking menu, but unfortunately we just didn't love the food. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto while my husband ordered the monkfish. Neither of our entries were bad, but neither of them were spectacular. For the price and the Vetri name, I was expecting a tastier and more pleasant dining experience.
(3)
John S.
Stopped in late at 1015pm w da girlfriend Make a reservation! i did and walked past the 10 ppl waiting for tables, right to our table The FOOD: -Veal Sweetbreads were awesome! -Octopus salad was pretty good too. -Rabbit terrine w/fennel was sweet tasting, pretty good. -Burrata cheese was delicious. -Aranchinis were very cheese and served over ragu. solid. -Dessert-pana cota w/strawberries- absolutely delsih! Best were sweetbreads & Panacota. The Drinks: got the house Red and it was relish. got the 500ml (half bottle) for $20. not too bad. Overall: I liked how it was small plates. We did not order a single big entree dish. Our server was a little strange and needed to know the dishes better. I would come back.
(4)
Mike H.
Outstanding meal. We went post-show and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Great wine list of small producers, staff was knowledgeable about the wines and how they might pair with the meal. We shared four apps and each had a pasta entree, definitely the way to go here. We had: - Baked Pecorino with almond honey (and toasted bread), simple but executed wonderfully - Roasted butternut squash with shaved pecorino (toast to make a bruschetta with), it was cold which surprised us, but a perfect app - Salami del giorno with marmalade, good peppery salami - Tripe Alla Romana (Tripe stew), hearty, delicious, might have been fav if not for my entree... - House-made pasta with cream sauce and a pile of SHAVED WHITE TRUFFLES! Lucky timing, they only have these for a short period each year. That was enough, but the server brought us out a complimentary dessert of Mom-mom's rice pudding (rice pudding, dark cherry, cherry sauce, and pistachio) Wow, would not have ordered this with the nuts and rice pudding, but it was a top ten dessert!
(5)
Colleen C.
If there was ever a restaurant to change my perception about Philly, I would have to look no further than Amis. Not sure if my boyfriend, Danny, and I would have stumbled upon this place during our visit to Philly if I hadn't won a raffle for the annual charity event, "The Dude Hates Cancer." Amis had generously donated a gift certificate to this raffle which I had won back in August 2010. The Maitre D seated myself and Danny directly in front of the open kitchen. Total win! I think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs when we first ordered the appetizers. No regrets. Everything was absolutely delish. From the bruchetta of imported bufala ricotta and black pepper to the swordfish meatballs accompanied by one of the best polentas I've ever had. Underscore the word, "ever." Oh but appetizers didn't stop there, we received a house plate of a grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda. Danny and I smiled brightly at first and then had a "oh shit moment" of sorts. Of course, I had wrongly assumed Danny (a classically trained chef) was well versed already in cooked tongue. Me: "So..you've had tongue before, right? How is it?" His response, "Nope, but I'm about to find out." Now, as much as I do enjoy food, I am quite PICKY. Yes, there are people who have special diets....the gluten-free, low sodium, vegan....yeah, then there's me...the picky. Yet, I decided to ignore my diet this one instance and politely picked up a piece of tongue labeled with grill marks and coated with what appeared to be a glaze (this would be the pepper mostarda). Immediately took my first bite...looked at Danny. "So umm...are you gonna eat the rest of that?" My only regret is that the pasta dish of ravioli was absolutely heaven and I wish I had ordered more of it. So tender and the sauce perfectly complimented the pasta. Dinner was good, but I think we were stuffed by the time it even came around. Danny had the duck which was plated beautifully. Of course, there is always room for dessert. The tartufo was delicious and we also had "mom mom's rice pudding." To be honest, I'm not a rice pudding fan at all, but this dish was so creamy and filled with so many different fruit flavors. I highly recommend it if you're at all into rice pudding. Absolute lip-smacking heaven. Thank you so so much, Amis, for your wonderful food and hospitality. Exceeded our expectations tri-fold. Danny and I will be visiting Philly soon again!
(5)
James H.
I sampled the menu at Amis with a party of 9, and I must say that every person thoroughly enjoyed what they ate. Even two notoriously picky eaters and a gluten-free friend were satisfied. In terms of antipasti/small plates, the marinated octopus was perfectly cooked, as was the scallop crudo. Two really well done dishes. The bufala ricotta was unfortunately over-salted (especially when combined with their brushetta, as intended), but this was forgiven as the dish was delivered by Marc Vetri himself. The fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts were flavorful and crispy (the cauliflower less so). Finally, the baked pecorino with honey was delicious and reminded me of the seared halloumi at Audrey Claire. A variety of entrees were ordered, but the stand-outs were the duck breast with pickled rhubarb over polenta, the bone-in lamb, and the spinach fazzioleti. The restaurant was a little dark in areas, and on the noisier side (though admittedly my party was responsible for a good deal of it!), but overall what you'd expect for a place that seems to be geared toward family-style dining. I thought the wine selection was great, and the menu is broken into reds and whites ordered from lighter to fuller body. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the quality of ingredients and preparation. Our server was totally accommodating and very helpful. Overall, good value and a solid selection of playful Italian cuisine. I may be moving to California, but I will remember Amis if I ever find myself in Philly again.
(4)
Zanna H.
This is the best meal I have had in a while. We went here as a belated anniversary outing and it was totally worth it. The lowest point food wise was the sweetbreads which were a tad on the chewy side but otherwise very good. The mortadella mousse was really creamy and the toast with it was just right. I ordered the eggplant lasagna for my entree and it has ruined me for all other lasagna. I don't say that phrase lightly. I would drop kick Garfield without blinking to get at a tray of this lasagna. To make sure my waistline got the message that this was the off-diet splurge night I ordered the salted butter semifreddo sundae with berries and crushed biscotti. So decadent and nicely balanced with the berries adding the tartness to cut the sweet of the sundae. This is now firmly on my short list of higher tag places for special occasions.
(5)
John D.
Absolutely loved this place! Service was wonderful, everyone was friendly, attentive and fun! Appetizers and entrees were the best. Especially enjoyed the Turkey Milanese - was awesome! Desserts were scrumptious also. Definitely going back again, when we can get in :)
(5)
Connie C.
I originally heard about Amis through a friend who had dinner here before and heard great things so I made reservations for my girlfriends and I- we were celebrating me and my friend's birthdays. We went on a Sunday evening and it wasn't busy so it was on the quieter side. The hostess/waiter were all very attentive. We ordered the following: Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pinenuts Whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese Chestnut fettucine with duck ragu Braised lamb shank with root vegetables Fried brussels sprouts and lemon I was hesitant to try the meatballs but it was actually delicious. The whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder and chestnut fettucine with duck were my favorite dishes- really awesome portion sizes, meat was tender in both sauces, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The side of fried brussels sprouts were absolutely amazing- I'm not a big fan of brussels sprouts but now I am! The braised lamb was very tender and to my surprise, not gamy at all. I'm not a big lamb fan but this one was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The root veggies that came on the bottom though, I would say, did not compliment the meat very well. I think you would need to order a side of veggies. We also ordered dessert- I can't remember what my friend ordered but I got the belgian waffle with nutella and it was DELICIOUS! You can't go wrong with nutella though. Overall, I would definitely come back- I'm a big fan of Vetri Family restaurants!
(4)
Scott M.
The food was reminiscent of our time in Italy. The baked pecorino with honey was delectable. Also enjoyed the meatballs and the crispy pork shank. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. I recommend sitting at the bar seats by the kitchen, so you can smell and see all the fabulous foods as they are made.
(5)
Diana W.
I've been wanting to try Amis since it opened a few months ago. I live two blocks away and it always sounds loud and lively when I walk by. Last night did not disappoint! Reservations seem necessary, but I made mine only one or two days before and it was fine. I was there with three others, and we shared 8 plates total. the baked pecorino with honey was to die for. to. die. for. except they should give you a little more bread to go with it... fritto misto was great, except the shrimps still had heads...never seen that before. but the zucchini chips were amazing. and the stuffed figs (something i order whenever i see them on a menu) were just ok. tria has better ones. however, the larger dishes were amazing. we had the fettucini with pork ragu, which practically melted in my mouth it was so delicious. the eggplant lasagna was amazing and not too overwhelming. and the lamb with potatoes was made to perfection. grilled veggies topped it off just right. for dessert we split a fruit crisp that was so good i wanted to lick the bowl. we also had the waffle with nutella, but i wasn't as crazy about it (and i love nutella, so that's saying something). i definitely suggest anything with local in season fruits and veggies. and if you want a cocktail instead of wine, go with any of their fun prosecco drinks! the granita is my new favorite beverage. oh, and the staff was great, very helpful and on point- even when it got super busy later in the evening.
(4)
Jesse E.
Mark vetri? Italian? can't miss right? ... not so true this time. The food is quite good as you can imagine but that's not where Amis falls short ... it's everything else. First of all, I would stick to the italian dishes and avoid any specials or their "jersey cannonball" type dishes. the pastas are all great as are their sauces, but their antipastas leave a little to be desired especially if you (like me) really enjoy the ones at Vetri and Osteria. I have been here a few times for dinner and the food is always quite good but the service and drinks are lacking and the prices are just as high as vetri and Osteria so why not just go to one of those instead? I went here for brunch for the first time the other day and the problems from their dinners were 2x worse. The food wasn't quite as good and the drinks really leave something to be desired. Our server messed up 3 different things and only one was properly rectified. the worst part by far was the price.. $332 for brunch for 7 is just not acceptable unless it's a 5 star restaurant and Amis is just not that good
(3)
Steven S.
Trendy, fun and amazing food! We loved it!!!
(4)
Juliana G.
Amis-tery Story: The Case of the Wet Feather-Vest I first dined at Amis on opening night, where I tasted Ricotta imported from an alpine town, a succulent appetizer whose subtle flavors would continue to haunt me for months to come. My desires in full force, I convinced my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary at Amis. Little did we know that the unspeakable, gastronomical pleasures (tuna steak to die for) were ill-fated to conflict with the horrible service we experienced. Though we made the reservation a couple of months ahead of time, when we arrived, there was no table for us, and we had to wait about 20 minutes before we were seated. Finally, when we went to the hostess to retrieve our coats, my vest was missing from the hanger. When I asked the hostess where it was, she whispered to one of the managers and he went into the back office. When he returned, he brought back my vest which was soaked through with what I hope was water. It was dripping and I had to carry it home in a bag. We still muse over possible explanations, but none are so sensible as to tempt me to re-cross the sharp divide of Broad Street.
(3)
Thao H.
Good food and nice ambience for a date or just having dinner with a few friends.
(4)
Anna p.
Swordfish meatballs!!!!!!!!!! need I say anything else
(5)
Vincent C.
The food is amazing! The price is a bit high for the portions - but, as I said, the food is amazing. Highly recommended.
(4)
Justin M.
OK, went back over a year later and well, things haven't changed. If I'm setting the bar too high, well, that's what a national reputation brings. Marc Vetri has been hyped out the wazu, and I just don't taste it, folks. The meatballs were so pedestrian, I feel like I've had them a million times around the world, including my own kitchen. You shouldn't feel that way for the price point. Everything is smothered in cream and cheese, so of course it tastes good at first, and then you realize you feel nauseated and get sick of the one trick the pony is doing. Sadly, I'm over it. Fun P.S.: I'm on a flight to San Francisco the very next day and sit next to a guy who coincidentally dined at the restaurant the night before as well! We compared notes and started finishing each other's sentences about the disappointment we felt. Sigh.
(3)
Brian C.
Had been wanting to come here for a while, since I won't pay Vetri prices for food, and loved the pizza at Osteria. We were a bit diappointed, though. This was New Year's Day at 6pm, so the place was pretty empty. Service was fast and courteous and helpful. Somehow though, it was loud. And though the music wasn't loud, it was classic rock. I'm a fan, but it in no way fits here. Perhaps it's the play between the bar and the restaurant atmosphere mixing in a small space? Anyway, the food: Swordfish meatballs - excellent Striped bass crudo - good Rotini with wild boar ragu and pears - very good squid ink linguine - good We expected excellent all aorund, but the prices were in line with the quality. We'll have to try again to give it another chance.
(3)
Melissa S.
This was so fantastic. Service was amazing, food was so delicious. We will be back for seconds as soon as possible. We took cues from yelp reviews on what to order. We were a group of 4 and ordered 4 small plates on the left side of the menu to share and then each ordered a pasta. I was surprised by the size of the small plates, it was more then enough. We were stuffed. baked pecorino with almond honey Brushetta - buffalo mozzarella with pepper Swordfish meatballs Aroncini I also got the squash lasagna - it was so good I want to go back tonight and eat it again! We also ordered the skate with Brussels sprouts, but then the chef didn't want to serve it. I guess it was a bad batch. So instead they made us a cod dish with fried Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were delicious. The also gave us free Swedish meatballs and the pasta tuna dish. The Swedish meatballs were good though!
(5)
Ellen L.
Very enjoyable meal.
(4)
BC L.
Pretty good. We had a reservation, but had to wait at the bar for 15-20 mins before we were seated. The place also gets pretty loud on the weekends and we had to shout the entire meal. It was still a great evening/dinner out and our waitress knew her stuff. We tried all of her recommendations and were not disappointed!
(3)
Mauro D.
Outstanding! I just got back from Rome and was thrilled that Marc Vetri has captured the esscence of Roman Cusine. Thank You! And to Franklin M - don't quit your day job to become a food critic.
(5)
Jessica M.
Great scene, delicious food and Marc Vetri was there....worth checking out! With a friend in town, I knew I wanted to go somewhere new (for me) and exciting. Amis ended up being the right choice for both of us. The server was attentive and informative without being overbearing and recommended the perfect bottle of wine and amount of food that left us satisfied but not feeling like stuffed pigs when we left. I can recommend all 3 of the items we started with since they were equally yummy - Mortadella Mousse (who knew?), baked pecorino which was savory and sweet with honey and nuts on top, and Sal's meatballs which were bite sized and not too heavy. I should also mention the bread at this point. It was unlike anything I have had before. Instead of having a separate dish of olive oil for dipping, the oil was already in there, making the bread moist and addictive. For the main course, we chose one more meat dish - the pappardelle with veal breast ragu - and the mixed seafood grill. The pasta and veal was absolutely amazing and I will definitely order it again. The mixed seafood grill was good, amazingly fresh tasting and cooked perfectly but after all of the amazing tastes we had had so far, it was kind of a let down. I liked it, I am glad that I tried it but I will pass on that plate on my next visit and try something else - probably the gnocchi with oxtail ragu that I am still regretting not ordering. Even though we could have gone without dessert, I am pleased to report we did not. The beligian waffle topped with my favorite - Nutella - was not a disappointment. It was delicious to the last bite - soft and crunchy at the same time (thanks to the toasted hazelnuts sprinkled on the ice cream) it is not to be missed. All told, it is a very nice place to check out if you have not already. It can get loud but that shouldn't make you think twice about heading to Amis...soon!
(4)
Brendan K.
Amis consistently delivers in the realm of food, service and atmosphere. I prefer sitting at the bar or the chef's counter. I always seem to end up with a delicious surprise from the kitchen. Their pasta is always delicious and the menu is very well-priced. Industry night is also a lot of fun. A great place for a romantic dinner or a quick bite.
(4)
Surabhi M.
Having eaten at all of Marc Vetri's establishment apart from Amis, I was due to stop by there. So we did, to get some dinner and drinks with my out of town friend, who loves Italian. Having experienced epic service at Vetri and good food all around, our expectation were high. Food did not disappoint but the service left me questioning my experience. We sat at the bar. There were two servers (1 male, 1 female) they worked in tandem and do not have their individual customers. The male server kept ignoring us, when we asked question gave minimal answer and did not bother to listen to the follow-up questions. The female server was great. What was odd, the male server was very warm to all the other customers around us who also sat at the bar. We started noticing the different treatment to us v.s. everybody else more and more. I couldn't figure out why was that, because we were only two women (rest all were couples or groups that involved males) which is ridiculous to even think of in Philadelphia or because we are from another country. I don't know what is worse being discriminated by a sexist or a racist or both. I am hoping that it was unintentional and just a bad day. Regardless it made us uncomfortable. We did mention our displeasure to the manager Nancy on our way out. I hope that nobody ever has to experience this again. I don't know if I am going back. Not to mention, I was embarrassed for having taken my friend who was insulted as well. I am not very sensitive to people's behavior in general and have a high threshold to get offended, but such behavior is not acceptable no matter how tolerant I am otherwise. We did tip the minimum 15% because of the female server who was nice to us.
(2)
JJ J.
I'll start by saying I hate Italian food. It's always my last choice. That being said I was blown away by their octopus dish. For some reason I was expecting it to be warm but even though it was a cold dish it was still really good. I sat at the bar and had a great bartender. She was a total sweetie. I had their pasta of the day. Omg was it amazing. This place could totally chance my mind about italian food.
(5)
S S.
When the waiter was cleaning the crumbs from our table I asked him to put them in a to go box. Another fabulous restaurant by Mark Vetri. Great service and fantastic food. Olive oil bread basket was incredible. Tuna croquettes were these wonderful little balls of savory delicious tuna. The pecorino and pepper pasta....NEEDED MORE! Savored EVERY bite! Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is as good as it gets! No dessert since we were stuffed by all the food we ate!
(4)
Neil A.
All good except the hype led to needless delays in being seated at our reservation time. We had a drink at the bar,which was tight but once we sat we were out within an hour.looked like people lingered at their tablex because they thought they had to justify the hype Food was very good only thing to salty was the seafood. Wine list needs work but would definitely go back on a week night!
(3)
D S.
3.75ish. Spent a Wednesday evening here for a full dinner with a couple friends. Very busy and I must say, great tunes. I rarely notice music at a restaurant, but it was a welcomed surprise. Recommended for a relaxed, casual meal. Arrive early and start at the bar for a pint. Beer selection was notable for an Italian joint. The food was well-prepared and tasty. Go for one of the bruschetta plates to start. Finish with tiramisu if they have it. My entree was average. Italian is tough for a wow. Being an out-of-towner and unsure of Philly pricing, it seemed a little on the high side for the nabe. I could be way off there though.
(4)
Ryan R.
Awesome dining experience. Sat at the bar with a group of 4. The bartender, Brian, was incredible. He was the absolute model of service. He brought out a couple of samples to pair with our meals that were great. Can't give enough praise. Sit at the bar and let Brian take car of you.
(5)
Margeau N.
As a regular patron of the Philly restaurant scene, both fine dining and otherwise, I have to admit that I was excited to try the latest Vetri endeavor. I was sadly disappointed. Maybe I went on an off night (a Tuesday in December)...but everything - the food, service, ambiance- was a let down. I started with the shaved fall vegetable salad, which was good, but certainly didn't meet my expectations as to flavor or presentation. I ordered the bucatini with braised oyster mushrooms as an entree. It was oily/greasy and overseasoned, with cheese that overwhelmed the flavor of the mushrooms. Honestly, I have had better pasta dishes at certain inexpensive, chain Italian restaurants I patronized occasionally in college. It simply was nothing special, and definitely did not live up to our expectations. One of my friends ordered the gnocchi, which was also a greasy disappointment. The octopus appetizer was alright, but again, nothing special. The worst thing about Amis was the atmosphere, however. It was so loud that we literally had to shout to hold a conversation. There were 6 of us at the table, and we were celebrating a friend's birthday. Luckily, I sat next to the friend with the birthday, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to communicate with him at all- it was that noisy. Our waiter was no help - he practically mouthed the specials and when we asked questions, his attitude fluctuated between smarmy and condescending (to a crowd of fairly discerning diners, mind you - we are not rookies of fine dining) and brusque and unhelpful. At first we thought it was one table of loud diners ruining the ambiance for everyone, but even after they left, there was a din that couldn't be overcome. It was unpleasant. It's really a shame, since I've had several, much better experiences at Osteria, another Vetri restaurant. It seems that Amis needs to be reworked.
(2)
Susan F.
Very friendly and efficient staff. Excellent wine selection. We went after going to Les Mis at the Academy (easy walk). We asked, at the last minute, if we could add another guest and they graciously made accommodations for us with only a slight time change. The appetizer (small plate) selections were impossible to choose from because they all sounded yummy. The pasta selections and chicken saltambucca (sp?) was outstanding. Can't say enough good things - even desserts were all above average. Would definitely go back.
(4)
B B.
Ate at Amis on Saturday. Brunch. Damn. So good. We had the bufala riccota with marinated fall vegetables. I had rotini with breakfast sausage and egg yolk. My wife had a raviolo all'uovo. Everything was awesome and it is glaringly evident that everybody who works there really cares about the food. The best.
(5)
Bill q.
Great, but a little steep fried lamb tongue B sweetbreads A+, but small salumi A, but small cacio e pepe A+ oxtail gnocchi A+ strazzapretti A sausage & peppers B beef steak B+ waffles B My wife ordered what seemed like enough food, and while we thought there was more to come, the waiter asked if we were ready for dessert. We weren't full, so we ordered more. Wierd: the waiter put his nose in MY glass to smell the wine? Never seen that one... Awesome food high prices/ small portions service quirks But overall very good.
(4)
Brian J.
Maybe it's me. I'm not much of a tapas guy but I really expected more. We got there early so they seated us right next to the front door with bar stools for seats, we said we'd wait for another table and after 15 minutes they seated us right next to the back door. The wine they served me was fine but they only gave me a quarter of the glass worth. Food was OK. If you go you'll be shelling out a lot of cash for nothing much.
(1)
Shannon D.
We were lucky enough to have the amazing food experience at Amis that others have written about and couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere is modern but cozy with a great, buzzing energy that doesn't make you feel rushed through your meal, but leaves you feeling doted on by the staff. After sampling two (strong, delicious!) cocktails at the bar, we were shown our table for 4, which was far enough away from the tables around us without making the dining room feel too vast. The wine list was very nice and not at all overwhelming, which made choosing our wines to go with our meal easy. In fact, the cocktail menu and food menus are in a similar style; plenty of options for diners with different tastes, yet simple enough for you to know great care is put into all of the dishes. The food was, in a word, FANTASTIC. Dinner really blew some other fine dining experiences we've had recently right out of the water. Highlights: Bufala Ricotta Bruschetta (great to share, light and creamy)...tuna croquettes (delicately fried, super fresh)...pork belly with fried peppers (come on!). We had the black spaghetti with braised squid and the grilled steak with marinated mushrooms for 'dinner' entrees. Both were cooked and prepared so excellently that I almost forgot how creepy black spaghetti can look. While I found the pasta salty for my taste (and thick with squid flavor- so only for those who love it) my boyfriend thought it was perfect and blinked at me with confusion when I mentioned the sodium content. So while everything we had on the table was an absolute winner...we all agreed that one dish was one we'd eat every day of our lives, were we so lucky: the fried Brussels sprouts side dish. Honestly, if you come for one thing, this may be it. But don't just come for one thing...just make sure you order this. Our meal was made even more amazing by our server, Lindsay, who was not only sweet, knowledgeable and attentive but a true professional who is polished without being uppity. When you dine here, ask for Lindsay. She is a doll. Of course, this amazing dinner did not come cheap, but we were prepared to splurge this time. In fact, this is one of the only restaurants in Philly I would recommend 100% confidently to anyone who asks for an excellent night out...who can pay for it. And if you can't pay for it, just come and ask for Lindsay...then order a side of Brussels sprouts.
(5)
Jon P.
My girlfriend and I went to Amis a couple of weeks ago. It was our first Vetri restaurant, and we came with high hopes, though not much of an idea of what to order. The atmosphere was great--nice tasteful, not too pretentious. The menu was unnecessarily opaque for a country bumpkin like myself. No descriptions of the menu items, and lots of long Italian words in the titles (for example the ice creamy dessert is called "semifreddo" instead of gelato). Still, our young waiter was quite happy to oblige or requests for explanations of half of the words on the menu. We appreciated the availability of an affordable carafe of house red. For an undiscerning palate like my own, it hit the spot. For appetizers, we went for the Ricotta with Black Pepper Bruscetta and the Escarole Salad with Apples and Radishes. Both were absolutely, deliciously simple. Couldn't have been happier. The entree is where things got dicier. We went for the Strozzapreti with Clam Cockles and Muscles and the Guinea Hen Leg Saltimbucca with Prosciutto and Sage. I liked the guinea hen better, but both were disappointments. I'm a chronic over-salter, but these went above and beyond even my salty tastes. Too much. And the strozzapreti didn't even have that much taste beyond the salt. For dessert, we went with the Waffles Amis and the Pear Almond Tart (forget the exact name of the pear/almond dessert). The waffles were wonderful, the pear almond dessert not so much--dry and tasteless. Overall, not a bad experience, but Amis did not live up to my expectations, and I can't give it more than 3*'s. I may go back sometime to do a better job of picking those entrees.
(3)
Shirlana D.
It was love at first bite here! My bf took me here to celebrate my PhD proposal being approved. It was a last minute date, but it was great! The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had the meatballs for an appetizer and can I tell you, they were so good, I thought we might have to fight over who would get the last one (of course, he is a gentleman, so he offered the last one to me). The bread was light and fresh, served with warm butter as I like and the food was fresh. Our dishes were flavorful and well seasoned. We didn't have to wait long for our food and the seating, lighting and ambiance were perfect. The dessert was heavenly! We had the Belgian style waffle with nutella and hazelnuts - can you say DELICIOUS! This place is off the beaten path and is not located in restaurant row and because of such, may not get as much play. However, this restaurant is 5 stars all the way. Did I mention the ambiance is wonderful. This is definitely a place where you can go to have a nice evening with the one you love and share the love of food :).
(5)
Jim G.
I've been meaning to review this place for a long time. This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The atmosphere is great: laid back and casual, but rustic and trendy. The food never disappoints. I highly recommend the baked pecorino - it's the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and nutty. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is also a "go to" dish for us. Otherwise, I recommend trying whatever is on special, because it's always awesome. They also have a nice selection of wine and a few craft Italian beers (bonus points). Where this place really shines, though, is in the service. Servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. If you ask how much food to order, they will tell you the right amount without trying to "oversell" you. Overall, I highly recommend Amis for simple, rustic Italian cooking and the feeling that you're having dinner with your "friends."
(5)
Jenna H.
We don't usually get dessert with dinner and wine, but here, it's a MUST, and I'm talking about the Belgium waffle dessert! They make it fluffy, so it's not as thick and filling as a regular Belgium waffle, but has the same great taste topped with delicious ice cream! The menu does not have descriptions, so definitely ask the wait staff about anything you want! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and explained several of the appetizers and entrees to us in order to make a decision. The extensive wine list is also in Italian, and I usually drink Napa Valley Cabernets, so the waitress recommended one of the best wines I've ever had! They serve a variety of salad, pasta, seafood, and meat entrees along with a large selection of bruschetta, meat, and cheese appetizers. Appetizer must: Sal's famous meatballs with tomato covered potato. You get three juicy meatballs with a little potato underneath them, and the flavors were impeccable! We were looking for pasta and had the ricotta and tonnarelli dishes. Both were outstanding. While other reviews mentioned "generous" portions, I would categorize them as below average for what we usually receive at high-end Italian restaurants. We both finished our plates and could have eaten more, whereas usually I cannot finish an entire pasta entree. This was even after consuming one appetizer, fresh bread (provided to all patrons but with no dipping oil), and our complimentary side (described below). The service was top notch! Besides our waitress being attentive and knowledgeable with everything, we were offered a complimentary side that we shared while waiting for our meals because the chef was not happy with how the entrees resulted. Therefore, he started over while we enjoyed the side. We greatly appreciated this level of service! I'm surprised it's rated $$$ because most entrees were $16-20 a piece minus a few exceptions. We got a bottle of wine, two entrees, one appetizer, and one dessert for $115 plus tip! The ambiance was upscale, yet we saw people wearing anything from t-shirts and flip flops to dressy. They have $18 valet that is the best option unless you want to park and walk quite a bit. They had outdoor tables, but we opted for inside as outside seating is on the sidewalk by where everyone arrives, walks by, and valet. We enjoyed our date night and would definitely go back as we are huge fans of the Vetri restaurants!
Finally made it over to Amis on a beautiful May night in the city. This is the 3rd Vetri restaurant we have visited, Alla Spina and Pizzeria Vetri being the other two. Amis is very pleasant inside and has an open and comfortable feel. The restaurant was doing a brisk business on this Thursday night. The recession sure looked over at Amis. The dishes we had were as follows, some selected from other Yelp reviews, thanks. Mortadella with hazelnut honey salumi - We really like this dish, it was sweet and salty. Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts - My wife loved this but it did have some flavoring with anchovies. If you don't like anchovies beware. Ironic because I am not a fan of anchovies but I liked this dish. I didn't love it but the pine nuts made it interesting and the anchovy taste was just below my breaking point. Spring pea tortelli with lamb ragu and mint - This was a fantastic dish, it is worth coming back for. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - This was also excellent with just the right amount of heat. Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - The eggplant fries were fantastic, very good dish. Olive oil cake with blood orange marmalade and whipped cream - This was OK, didn't really wow us. Amis serves this bread cooked in olive oil. Beware; it is awesome and easy to fill up on. Our service was excellent even though the restaurant was busy. With the 2 appetizers, 4 pasta dishes, 1 dessert a couple of coffees and 2 beers and a soda we were in the $130.00 range or about $32.00 per head before tip. Amis is not cheap but we were all stuffed. I liked Amis and glad we were able to get there.
(4)
Meems C.
I have read some not-so-stellar reviews and wonder what went wrong. It's authentic Italian food people, not a fucking Olive Garden. I visited with my fiance for our usual date night and had a FANTASTIC time. We were greeted warmly by the host and had a seat at the bar while waiting for our table. We barely had even recieved our drinks before they told us it was ready, took our drinks and coats for us, and sat us at the chef's table. The place was PACKED (and our reservation was at 9:45). We started with a slew of apps including bufala ricotta and black pepper, Sal's old school meatballs (the tomato potato was the most ridiculous thing I've ever eaten - I wanted to put it on everything), grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda, and the arancini di riso with meat ragu (golden fried rice balls stuffed with gooey and delicious meat). Everything pleased our palates and I wanted more!!!! We then moved to the pasta course and had the pappardelle with veal breast ragu and the gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu. YUM-MY. The gnocchi isn't the usual suspect - so don't expect your store bought gnocchi. They are much larger, different texture, and delicious. After pasta, we were pretty full, but decided to share the abbachio con patate. Delicious. The lamb had a really nice lightness to it, not gamey whatsoever. There was a slight searing on the ouside pieces and I fell in love. The potatoes weren't the best I've ever tasted, but went nicely with the dish. Very full by this point, we were talked into dessert, thinking we would each only be able to fit one bite into our stomachs. We were wrong - we had the "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. WOW. It was like a mini chocolate igloo sitting in front of us. So good, we ate almost the whole thing. Note : we also had a bottle of white wine (and I can't remember for the life of me what it was called) but it paired very well with our courses, even with the heavier, meatier items. This was the HIGHLIGHT of our night out. The staff was wonderful, the place was small and cozy, and most important, the food was orgasmic. Yes, I went there. I will also mention that there are really cool looking cocktails that we didn't get to try, but if you're looking for beer, you're SOL, unless you want to pay $22 for RR Consecration. Overall, we are going back. You should go too. Now.
(5)
Phuong L.
Good food, good beer, and very accommodating. Two people who we were meeting were stuck in traffic on a Friday night and they let us push back our 7 pm reservations to whenever they arrived, which was pretty close to 7:45. I would definitely go back to try their other unique dishes
(4)
jen d.
overall dinner was great - but we were disappointed at how greasy/fried many of the menu options were. biggest disappointments: -artichokes - way too greasy, all you could taste was the oil -cauliflower - was supposed to be grilled - seemed more like soaked in oil and then set on fire greatest dishes: -oxtail gnocchi - light, delicious, savory (this dish was expectedly rich) -swordfish rigatoni - light and delicious -escarole salad - light & refreshing -eggplant caponata bruschetta - delicious, slightly sweet/tangy service was great - when we expressed our dissatisfaction w/ the artichokes they were immediately replaced w/ 2 new dishes on the house. loved the Alto ginger beer/prosecco cocktail. great bar staff too. nice industrial/modern/yet warm environment. definitely worth going back again - might be a lil' choosier w/ what we pick from the menu. loved that portion sizes are modest.
(3)
Stephanie Y.
Great food, reasonable prices, and great service. I started with the homemade strawberry rhubarb soda. It was so refreshing. The swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts were absolutely delicious. The Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (more traditional) were also delicious, but not as good as the swordfish meatballs. The fettuccine with corn and scallions and the spaghetti with chilies and parmesan were both delicious. The pastas were perfectly sized portions for one person if you also get an appetizer. I ordered one appetizer and one pasta, and I was full when I left. Definitely not the best Vetri restaurant, but I would return.
(4)
Stefanie A.
I was thrilled when a date made a reservation at Amis. I had wanted to go for awhile, but it's not cheap, or easy to get into. After dining there, I realize why--excellent service, large menu, transporting food, and a great atmosphere (though strangely, they were playing 80s music. But I digress...) We had read on chef's feed that the swordfish meatballs were exceptional, and while I was was less than excited for them, they were amazing. We were sad there were just 3. The braised calamari was tender, and swimming in a brown/red sauce that was a bit fishy, but in a good way. And it was served with toasty bread. Sweatbreads were a little too fried for my taste but dusted in a tasty almond coating so the tempura was nicely complimented. And you should not miss the veal rago pasta, which was perfectly seasoned. The cacio e pepe was the only disappointment, in a thick creamy sauce which was slightly tasteless. But if you do dessert--if you have room after the rich food--the rice pudding, which I'm typically not a fan of, was smooth, creamy, and covered with a cheery sauce which was equally sour and sweet. Our server was friendly as was host staff leading to a warm atmosphere. I ca't wait to go back and try more of the amazing-looking menu items.
(5)
Ivan C.
cool atmosphere, great drinks however mediocre salty food
(3)
Emily C.
Ancinis were good. Eggplant caponata was good. Eh, neither were outrageous, just good. I had the cacio e pepe, which after hearing all the great reviews, I was not terribly impressed with... and this is a classic Italian dish that I was really looking forward to! Was it a fluke, was it me? It seemed a little more like it was coated with heavy alfredo sauce rather then high quality pecorino and cracked pepper. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente though. THE GOOD: my boyfriend's ravioli with spring onions was TO DIE FOR! I could have eaten that all night, seriously... simple, light, and DELICIOUS! The perfect summer ravioli. Strangely (and because he loves his jarred alfredo sauce), he actually thought my cacio e pepe was better. What we should have done was simply switch meals and everything would have been perfect. MUST HAVE: The salted buttercream ice cream!
(4)
Sara L.
LOVED it! Came twice--once with the girls and once with a large family party. Amis was super nice and patient with both groups. The friends and fam both are full of special requests and dietary restrictions. The fam was particularly challenging--one shellfish allergy, one vegetarian, one no tomatoes/acid, and one no fat eater (at an italian restaurant)! We started with some amazing onion focaccia that comes to the table. Everyone gobbled it down and looked for seconds. For drinks we tried the punch and the house wine (red and white). The punch was excellent, lemony and fresh tasting. Everyone of the picky people also liked the red wine. A nice carafe for sharing. We licked the ricotta bowl clean, ordered a second round of eggplant, and each had our own personal artichoke. Because sharing fried artichokes doesn't work. Also on the plus side: the coppa salami with hazelnut honey and the cheese selection. We tried the brown butter polenta which was good but not amazing (very polenta-y). For dinner, the lamb was amazing, also the vegetable plate and the tonnarelli pepper and cheese pasta. Desserts were less impressive to me overall, but still good. Really enjoyed it!
(5)
Michelle K.
My expectations were high and they were not met. I ordered the polenta and it was BLAND. I also had 2 pasta dishes the gnocchi and cannelloni, both were very average. For dessert the waffle w ice cream was good, that was probably the best dish. The service was great but the food was very average and overpriced. I dont think I would go back to eat .
(3)
Liz M.
I absolutely adore this place. Favorites are the grilled artichokes, the pasta with fresh corn, and the most tender rosemary chicken you can imagine. For desert, try the rice pudding. It might be the best I've ever had. The staff is warm and welcoming--Amanda is our favorite, so nice--and the atmosphere is lively without being too loud. We enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen so we can watch the chefs do their thing. A lovely restaurant all around.
(5)
Rachel S.
Amazing food, great service, fun atmosphere..... Vetri does it again!
(5)
Joe R.
Made my first visit to Amis on 1/2/11. Totally enjoyed my meal and atmosphere. For starters my companion and I shared the shaved vegetable salad. It was very tasty. Had the persimmon and fennel lasagna with a side of roasted squash for my entree. Both were excellent. Finished it off with the apple cake which also was great. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
E.J. C.
Amis is a fantastic Italian restaurant and a great addition to the Vetri family of restaurants. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is helpful, and the food is mouth watering. The decor of the restaurant is a mix of rustic and industrial. And it is always nice when there is an open kitchen. It can get a little loud, but not to the point that you can't hear the other members of your party. The waitress was very nice and helpful. She guided us to some of her favorite dishes, and never steered us wrong. The food really is that good. The bruschetta is a delightful start to the meal. The ricotta is creamy and finished nicely with olive oil and black pepper. The eggplant has nice big chunks and spreads well onto the grilled bread. For antipasti, the mussels are cooked in a great broth. Make sure to get some extra bed to sop it up. The pastas are homemade and cooked well. The tonorelli with pecorino and pepper is great to share for an appetizer. The pacherri with swordfish comes out like a present, topped with eggplant fries that I wish I could have had a whole bowl of. For entrees, the turkey milanese is delicious. It is pounded flat, comes out hot and crispy, and paired with an arugula salad. The daily special ribs were tasty, with a glaze that made a nice bark on the rib. The mixed seafood grill is good if you want something on the lighter side. And for dessert, you must get the polenta shortcake with strawberries and salted butter semifredo. The shortcake and the strawberries are delicious by themselves, but the semifredo elevates the dish. The price point isn't that bad, especially when compared to other Italian restaurants in the city. Can't wait to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)
Mark D.
Great place! Little plates are spectacular and it fits perfectly between his Marc Vetri's two other restaurants. My favorite thing is to get an assortment of 4-5 little plates and make that dinner. Also has a really good bar.
(5)
Ronald S.
Am I going to learn to love you? You aren't cheap and you aren't dirty. It's not a love at first sight type of thing but maybe, just maybe.
(4)
David Z.
Stopped in last minute on a Friday. We sat at the bar. The menu was interesting. The service was great. Apparently the second course took longer that it should have even though we didn't even notice so they brought s a complimentary bruschetta. It was a very nice gesture. They also had a great selection of interesting cocktails. This place was packed by 6 pm.
(4)
John K.
Feel free to check out the blog for some more deetz on Amis and the Chef, but I'm sure we're here for the food. So let's get on with it! The restaurants features something called Beast of Amis, a nightly round of specials that showcases different parts of an animal in a variety of dishes. Tonight's special was pork three ways. Unfortunately, in an effort to showcase some a la carte dishes, the GF and I decided to pass. Still, if there was a pork belly special on hand, I'm sure I would have been tempted. Blood and Soda [$11] Famous Grouse, cherry herring, vermouth I started off the night with this scotch-based drink. For those that are interested in entering into the realm of whiskey, this is a great entry course. Light, refreshing, and bright, the cherry liqueur came through on the finish nicely. Easy drinking. Mandoria [$11] Tito's handmade vodka, amaretto, pineapple The GF's drink offered even easier drinking. The amaretto brought forth soothing undertones of sweetness with the pineapple providing brightness. The vodka was easily masked, but definitely there. Bread Service Our night's indulgence started off with incredible olive oil focaccia. Light and airy within, the exterior had a crispy crust laden with sea salt. It took all I had not to get up and attack the whole house-made loaf being portioned out for the evening's diners by the server's station. Come for the bread alone. Seriously - it's that good. No accoutrements needed here. Eggplant Caponata [$8] In line with our eggplant kick (at least one of our weekly dinners involves l'aubergine), we had to get the caponata. It came with four slices of grilled, buttery sesame-crusted bread. A perfect vehicle for the smooth, savory eggplant. Certainly a contrast in textures as well as temperatures, with the caponata being served appropriately cold. Bufala Mozzarella [$12] Charred asparagus, mint, pickled red onions The mozz was expectedly creamy and rich, with the charred asparagus offering a bit of texture. The pickled onion and vinegary base provided the necessary hit of acid. It's clear that the quality of the ingredients are there, but it truly is the sum of the parts that make each bite perfect. Salami del Giorno [$8] Onion marmalade House-made salumi (crafted over in a room at Vetri Ristorante no less!) came complimentary from the kitchen. And I'm glad it did - mainly because it's now a must-order. The salumi were sliced gossamer thin - cleanly flavored and nicely complimented by the sweet onion marmalade. The quality is evident here, unadulterated by much else. I couldn't help but think about the next Vetri-Spence-Michaud venture however. Vetri-wich anyone? (Craftwich ... Grahamwich ... you get the drift). Fried Cauliflower [$9] Pecorino, salsa rossa The GF has really been in the mood for cauliflower so we decided to get this dish. The cauliflower were crispy, yet incredibly meaty and not greasy at all. It's definitely well-seasoned with the salty pecorino and salsa rossa adding extra layers of flavors. It was a good dish to alternate with the sweetness of the salumi and onion marmalade or the creamy-vinegar juxtaposition of the bufala mozz. Arancini [$12] Short rib ragu, truffle pecorino Starting to make our way into some of the pastas, we had to get the arancini. These were deftly made - crispy on the outside, yielding to a creamy interior filled a surprisingly mild pit of cheese. In fact, at first I thought it was a bit bland, but it completely made sense when paired with the bed of well-seasoned short rib ragu. Pappardelle [$16] Smoked guanciale, parsnips For our first pasta proper, we went with the pappardelle. The GF was sold on the parsnips and for me, how can I say no to guanciale? The fresh pasta had bite and was not drenched, but perfectly coated in the sauce. While the GF was begging for more of the parsnip, the pork jowl/cheeks were incredibly smoky and offered the heft and salt that each bite richly deserved. Spinach Lasagna [$16] Veal bolognese We were getting full at this point, but this next dish came out, compliments of the kitchen again. While the previous pasta was great, clearly the chefs know how to order better than I. In fact, I may just have the kitchen order up my entire next meal. Basically, if you see spinach-pasta dish on a Vetri menu, you should probably just order it. I mean, we all know about the incredible spinach gnocchi at Vetri Ristorante, but this lasagna certainly holds its own. In fact, you could taste each individual layer that at one point I thought I was eating a large raviolo, infused with delicate spinach flavors. The exterior was so deftly crisped that it was like eating well-seasoned fried cheese with the veal bolognese adding an extra layer of sweet savoriness. Definitely a favorite of the night. *** TO BE CONTINUED ***
(5)
Gino C.
Amis is in my Top 3 of Philadelphia restaurants! Marc Vetri does his homework visiting Italy for recipes, ingredients and decor style, and it shows. Take it from a guy named Gino Giuseppe, this place is *authentic*. The menu is arranged in such a way that you eat many courses and share small plates, just like it's done in the "old country." It's great for sampling all the original offerings -- I'll suggest Sal's famous meatballs and the eggplant fries as a few of my favorites. I've sat at the bar for a glass of wine and a few small plates during happy hour and sat outside for a special occasion dinner complete with a bottle of wine, and Amis is perfect for both. The service is always spot on. There is an open kitchen in the back of the restaurant with bar seating if you'd like to watch your meal as it's made. It's a nice touch and adds to the casual atmosphere, but the kitchen can get a bit loud during busy dinner hours. Amis means "to be fond of" or "love" in Italian, which is very apropos of my feelings towards this gem! Ciao mon ami!
(5)
Fiona L.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!! I came here about four months ago, and I honestly don't remember what I ate or drank. It's a blur. I ONLY remember that I had a DELICIOUS DINNER and LOVELY night at the Amis. Amis has a very similar ambiance as Vernick and Rough. All are very romantic and dimly lit, which is perfect for dates!! Also, they are more on the upscale side, but I find Amis more young and lively (or maybe that's because we were sitting by the bar area). Again, we ordered two appetizers. One of them was the fried potatoes. It was okay in compared to Vernick's potatoes. These potatoes were cut too largely, so it wasn't as crunchy and was more starchy (potato-y). Also, with the great amount of starch, it fills you up quickly even though it's only an appetizer. For the main course, I got an order of pasta with little chunks of meat. I CANNOT RECALL the name of the pasta, but it was SO PERFECT! I usually never finish my pastas, but I FINISHED it! I almost wanted to eat the plate too....but my date stopped me. The pasta was cooked to the right hardness, about a minute passed al dente. Soft enough but not too soft giving a bouncy feel. The sauce - tomato, meat, and cheese - was in great proportions creating a satisfying and comforting meal! The BEST was the alcoholic drink. Again, I don't remember the name of the cocktail because the waitress recommended it, and with all those Italian names that I cannot even pronounce, it's hard to remember the names. The drinks was PINKish-RED. First I was given a glass of (I forgot what color) wine or champagne. Then, I got a side of sugary, shaved ice looking like type of thing that I added to the glass. That unknown substance was delicious! It made the drink sweet but alcohol, which is EXACTLY what I wanted. Besides the food, the ambiance is awesome! Upscale, romantic, yet relaxing. Also, the server knew the menu very well and gave very good recommendations! I would totally come here again to try something knew plus find out those names of the dishes!
(5)
Lindsay D.
It's rare that a restaurant achieves 5 stars on all levels, but Amis is firing on all cylinders bringing their A game every.single.time. We've been here twice in the past 3 weeks and both times requested the chefs table. There is something exhilarating watching a true Chef command his kitchen. Ned is a pro, but I imagine it fairly easy when your team consists of competent, talented, awesome people! I have to mention Arturo, I don't know his "real" title, but he's food expediter extraordinaire! This man never flusters, whisks plates away as soon as they hit the counter and can call out tickets like a boss. It's really amazing to watch this crew prepare and create....sit at the chefs table. We do go for the food too...everything is super fresh, perfectly seasoned, uniquely crafted and just god damned delicious! Some of our favorites and must haves include the escarole salad, whipped ricotta, meatballs, the jalapeño pasta and then usually whatever the "beast of the week" is. Ask Ned about the Mortadella, he's got a proud story for you. The adult version of bologna does NOT disappoint. Gone are the days of pairing it with cheese and white bread....these creative geniuses pair it with a hazelnut honey situation that will change your life. Leave room for desert or don't and order it anyway. They make a nutella waffle ensemble that makes you think about it even when you're not there. OR the rice pudding. It's not just "rice pudding", it's RICE PUDDING...I will fight you for a spoonful if you've got leftovers. Amis knows how to craft and present their cocktails as well. No matter how busy, our drinks are accurate, cold and delicious! We are always treated like we're the only people in the place, Jen, one of the managers, has a way of making you feel like you belong right where you are and makes sure every single thing is enjoyable. She's a gem to see when we go in. I love Amis, can you tell? If their pastas, small plates and beast of the week creations were carb friendly, fat free and minimal calories we would be in at least twice a week. True story. Make yourself a reservation....You're welcome.
(5)
Smrithi D.
I couldn't wait to try the Marc Vetri restaurants when i moved here and this is one of my firsts. The ambiance is casual yet nice enough for a fancy date. I called ahead to make reservations for a weekend night and there was no wait. The bread was freshly cut and service was great! The swordfish meatballs are a must try (as everyone else below me said) and I normally dont touch meat but decided to go for a bite. Didint disappoint. The pasta dishes were nothing special but still very well made with delightful little additions. Overall, pretty awesome place but I dont know if its one I'd frequent.
(4)
John D.
We came to Amis coz of Marc Vetri and Brad Spence, with high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. The interiors are classy even the noise level is over the top. The house made rhubarb strawberry soda was pretty good. The salami platter was good but it was a lot of sweet accompanying the meats with no piece of crunchy toast (maybe an in house bread). The Cacio e Pepe was, unfortunately, a travesty. The pasta, which was pretty good, was ladled in some cheese sauce which had a very grainy texture and grated Parmesan. I'm afraid to say we might not be back soon.
(3)
Meg k.
We went for dinner with high expectations but were disappointed with the food. Ordered the combination salumi platter, quail antipasti and cacio e Pepe pasta. Quality of salumi was good but the plate was unimaginative. Left us wanting for some cheese or pickled veggies. And overall too sweet. Quail again was cooked well but came with cornmeal and cherry(?) sauce.. Nothing that wowed the palette. Cacio e Pepe was dense and Parmesan that became a cheese sauce making the pasta too heavy. Was expecting clean, fresh flavors overall from a restaurant this caliber, unfortunately it falls short. Liked the ambience (loud but it was appropriate) and service.
(3)
Jay D.
We took friends from out of town here last weekend. We've been to Amis at least five times in the past few years and have typically enjoyed our experience quite a bit. This was the exception. We all ordered a glass of wine or cocktail on the server's first pass. On their second pass, we ordered five small plates to start. The server awkwardly encouraged us to order larger plates at the same time. When we declined he stated that would then lead to a lag in service as the larger plates would arrive later than had they been ordered along with the small plates. Thanks for your subjective education on kitchen turnarounds at Amis. We received our small plates and again were asked if we were ready to order larger plates before we'd had a chance to even spoon any of it onto our plates. Again we declined, but ordered another round of drinks. When we were about halfway through our small plates the server returned. By now his actions had really begun to take over our meal. Our conversations revolved around rarely having had a server act this way, etc. Once we'd finished our small plates we were ready to decide on large plates. We typically would have ordered dessert but wanted to remove ourselves from this experience as soon as possible. Our bill was just shy of $300. This is $300 we will gladly spend at other restaurants of similar menus around this great city of Phiadelphia. Restaurants where management has instilled a strong foundation of placing a guest's experience paramount. When this is the case, the dollars will roll in naturally and the tables turn themselves.
(3)
Nicole E.
Amazing! Went here for dinner tonight and the menu had so many delicious sounding options. I tried two appetizers and a pasta and loved it all. The staff was friendly and prompt, the atmosphere warm (which was great on such a cold night).
(5)
Pamela N.
Incredibly delicious! All those reviews about pecorino cheese with toasted almonds and honey are true! Excellent cheese with amazing flavor added to it! Bucatini pasta is the bomb! Much better than the cacci i pepe vegetarian folk! Carafe of table wine! Awesome!
(5)
Sarah P.
My friend and fellow yelper Justyn W. recently landed a dream job in San Francisco and we went here to celebrate and send him off in style. Amis was the perfect place to ball out. I typically am pretty frugal, so I was absolutely soaking in the classy-casual atmosphere and feeling glamorous. Amis is upscale without being stuffy or pretentious. The food is high quality and fresh. Slam dunk items are the baked pecorino with almond honey and the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. I absolutely recommend you try them. The pecorino is just so gooey and decadent when portioned out onto a crispy piece of bread. The bucatini highlights the unparalleled quality of pasta at Vetri's restaurants- fresh and perfectly chewy. The jalapeno flavor is mild, so even people who are spice averse will enjoy this special and memorable dish. The buffala ricotta and black pepper bruchetta was also excellent: rich, but a bit lighter than the pecorino. The brussels sprouts were yummy, but they were a bit oversalted, which had me chugging water to clear my palate. Still, just a small complaint in the context of an otherwise flawless meal. I also stole a bite of Justyn's "cacio e pepe", and the pasta was super fresh. The Amis cocktail went down easy, and I had to impose a limit on myself so I didn't keep ordering them! At the end of the meal, our waiter brought out a complimentary slice of tiramisu since we mentioned we were there for a celebration! Such a nice touch to end a very fun night. We went late on a Wednesday night, so there wasn't a wait, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation if you come on a Thursday-Sunday night, because it gets packed.
(5)
Loren Y.
Fantastic! Had an amazing birthday dinner here with my mom last night. The prosecco was crisp, the appetizers were portioned perfectly and the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper was delicious! We split everything and it was the perfect amount of food. Our waiter was beyond accommodating (I forget his name, ugh I suck) and even provided us with a complimentary dessert for my birthday. I was totally surprised and very gracious. We didn't feel rushed at all and could take our time just chatting and drinking before even ordering our appetizers. Each plate that arrived at our table was timed perfectly. Would absolutely come back again. Thanks, Amis!
(5)
Emily H.
This place is definitely a neighborhood gem. I went here for my mom's birthday yesterday and everything was absolutely delightful from the food to the service to the ambiance. Our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu and made sure we had everything we needed at all times. We didn't even tell him it was my mom's birthday and just by noticing her opening gifts, he brought out a cup of ice cream with a candle in it at the end of the meal which was more than thoughtful. The food was reasonably priced - of course we got lot of food so it added up but I would definitely recommend going here for a nice evening out. The focaccia bread that they give you in the beginning was probably the best bread I've ever had... We got swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower and grilled shrimp to start and then I got the monkfish (which I had never had before but loved - it was in a lemon butter herb sauce) and split the cacio de pepe pasta with my sister. It was more than enough food but I couldn't resist getting a cappuccino at the end which was also delicious. I have nothing but good things to say and would love to come back!
(5)
Sumera K.
I have come here for drinks and dinner a few times over the years. Most recently visited on a Saturday night two weeks ago. Originally, I had made reservations for a party of two, but then added additional people to our party...and surprisingly, there wasn't a problem. Yay! I'm a big fan of places with great customer service. score. Had the eggplant caponata, roasted lamb, roasted mushrooms...all paired with a bottle of red. Everything was delicious except for the lamb. It was very dry and a bit overly salted. Overall, Amis is a great go-to and on point. The ambiance is seductive, has great service and delicious flavors...GO!
(4)
Ryan B.
Note: This is not a review of the food or dining experience. I live in California while my brother lives in the Philadelphia area. As a gift, I decided to purchase a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in Philly. In searching online, I came across Amis and liked what I saw. I called yesterday evening to purchase the gift certificate and was told that I needed to call back later after the Friday evening dinner service to purchase the gift certificate as they were too busy to take the order. I was surprised, but didn't think too much of it. I called back 2 hours later and had to leave a phone message. I asked for a call back, but never received one. I called again this evening and was told the same thing. I'm an independent business owner and I find it shocking that these people can't take a handful of minutes out of the evening to run my credit card and take down some order details. Nor are they willing to call me back during a less busy time of the day or answer a call at a time of their own specification. This is poor service plain and simple.
(1)
Lisa K.
Our server Jesse was great and had some great suggestions We stuck with the small plates and will have to go back again to go with the larger plates at a future date Our favorites included the salumi plate baked pecorino (amazing!) and sweetbreads. We also had the swordfish and regular meatballs. Neither of us liked the swordfish meatballs and the regular meatballs were ok. If you want meatballs go somewhere else Our server noticed we did not touch the swordfish meatballs and without asking it was removed from our bill. We did not expect them to remove the charge as sometimes personal taste does not mean something is bad just wasn't for us. Great gesture on their part and probably would have us go back Nice wine options and even gave us a few tastings to help us choose a bottle . Dessert was great as well, so save room. (rice pudding is home made!) Yes it is loud and crowded but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't have to worry if we were being to loud.
(4)
Heather H.
I've been here a few times for dinner and always a delight. Recently, I came here with a group of girlfriends for brunch. Also tasty times. What I love is the service. I ordered a brunch pasta dish... Duck something something. I love duck, but when I got my dish, it tasted like fish. Like really fishy. I rarely send anything back but this time I did. The server apologized, brought me a salad on-the-house to nipple while my friends ate their main dishes. He came back with my new order which was yummers. What I loved is that the chefs tried my fishy dish, rejected it and knew exactly what went wrong. They wanted to be sure that they made things correctly every time and took comments to heart in order to make them better. Someone accidentally added sardine sauce! Oops. Things happen. They made it better.
(5)
Matthew H.
Made some reservations here for a birthday and since it is a member of the Vetri family I had no doubt that it would be good. The space is very nice and it looks to be a converted warehouse. The noise level is a little high due to the fact that you are in a wide open space and there doesn't seem to be any noise buffets anywhere but oh well. We had 5 of us which allowed us to order a wide variety of things. Everything was extremely good and my only complaint is that we didn't order more. The appetizers that we started off with were the veal tartare (the weekend special), the cockles with corn and chorizo, the swordfish meatballs on polenta (super awesome and interesting, get these), the pork belly with stone fruit (very nice contrast in flavors), and the baked pecorino with almond honey. The bread was legit and looked like it was Luscio's to me so you know it's good. The broth for the cockles was good for dipping the bread in. The veal tartare was just killer, beyond tender and super tasty, I wish I had it sitting in front of me now. For entrees we ordered a few orders of the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper which had a sauce that was similar to alfredo but not as heavy. For those of you who don't know, Amis is Vetri's more pasta focused outpost and it shows the pasta is just stellar, we will be back for more of this and to really compare it to Mercato. We also ordered 2 orders of the lamb shoulder with potatoes and also a pork chop cooked medium rare. A few other things, if you aren't familiar with Verti's love of brining meats I am telling you about them now. This man knows what he is doing, most of these meats are brined for at least 3 days which is 2 more than you will find in 99% of other places. Because of that the meat takes on a totally new flavor and the brine doesn't just change the flavor it adds to it. The lamb was unreal, they roast the shoulder after brining it then shred it then make a nice steak and throw it on the flat top to get it hot again and crisp up the outside, just super enjoyable to eat and the flavors are awesome. The pork chop was at least an inch thick and cooked to order, medium rare. Again the brine does nothing but add flavor and it tasted as though there was a maple syrup glaze put on it before it went on the grill. Regardless Vetri and Brad Spence have shown yet again why we love them so much, they know their meats. We will be back to try more pastas as well as the desserts. If you haven't gone yet, go.
(5)
Chris C.
Came here a few weeks ago for my friend's birthday with his wife and two children. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers, pastas, side dishes and desserts, but what stood out the most were the meatballs (courtesy of the house), duck sausage and pork chop (one of the best pork dishes I have ever eaten). However extraordinary the food, the service was even better. The staff at Amis went above and beyond to serve us and make my friend's night special. I was sincerely touched by the consideration and concern the restaurant showed towards us, in a way that I rarely ever see. Thank you, Amis.
(5)
C K.
Came here for dinner and left full and happy. A breakdown of what we ordered: Pecorino with almond honey - highlight appetizer, what a great combination of sweet and savory. Wish they gave more than 2 small pieces of toast to scoop up all of this deliciousness. Swordfish meatballs - wonderfully salty and tender. Salumi del giorno with onion marmalade - was disappointed in the salumi, was not what I expected. Was hoping the salumi would be more salty, and the marmalade was a little overpowering. Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper - so simple and delicious. The pasta was cooked to absolute perfection. The little bit of cracked black pepper gave it a kick. Could eat this every day, would never get sick of it. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - this dish was my favorite of the night - so different and unexpected combo of ingredients, but it really works. The jalapeno gives this dish a spicy kick that lingers and the almond bits gives you the crunch. Amis gets 5 stars for their pasta alone. The best pasta that I have ever eaten. Our waiter was also really great. Only complaint is that the tables are very close to each other so you can hear everything your neighbors are saying.
(5)
Derek W.
The verdict is in: converted warehouse spaces are perfect settings for restaurants. Here, the wide open and light-filled dining room with simple but sublime decor and a convivial ambiance translates into a gorgeous overall aesthetic that challenges the chef to create innovative, delicious, and beautiful food. Thankfully the chef is more than fit for the challenge. The good vibes started early on, as we walked up the leafy block of South 13th Street and into this handsome, post-industrial brick building. The first thing that hit the table were four freshly-baked, glistening slices of olive oil focaccia. As our uber-chill server presented the bread, I thought to myself...doesn't all focaccia have olive oil? How is this so different, special? The answer came back instantly: this is focaccia 2.0, maybe even 3.0. The olive oil permeates every micro-nook in the bread, crust to center, and the server explained that they continuously bathe with the oil as it bakes. With nothing else, one would have a satisfying feast, but there was so much more. The buffalo mozzarella with charred asparagus, mint, and pickled red onions was an obvious starter choice, despite the presence of other very tempting options. Everything came together nicely in a rich and diverse palette of flavors, and the buffalo mozzarella, often hard to find, was a rare treat. I would have appreciated a bit more asparagus, but alas, perfection is elusive. The pasta menu stumped us profoundly, as every dish, plus the two specials of the evening, were order-worthy. We relinquished control to our server, a decision that proved genius. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto was a harmonious convergence of nutty and spicy, the latter taste somewhat muted as the peppers were cooked down to a modest mellowness. The fettuccine with guinea hen ragu and snap peas featured delicately braised meat and very thin, homemade noodles, delivering a light and deeply satisfying dish. We made the brilliant decision to pair the pasta with fried Brussels sprouts with lemon. The result was a huge bowl of impeccably cooked, not too greasy, subtly tart sprouts: yet another example of how 21st century chefs have fully resuscitated the reputation of this previously ostracized vegetable. The grand finale of the evening was an extraordinarily rich salted butter semifreddo with rhubarb marmalade and sbrisailona, a crumbly almond cake that likely makes few if any appearances on contemporary American menus (a shame). Our sense of the semifreddo's richness was undoubtedly increased by our realization that it tasted almost exactly like straight softened butter. Along with the semifreddo, our new amis at Amis brought us Mom-Mom's rice pudding, a splendid and creamy rendition of an old favorite, topped with figs, pistachios, and other delights.
(5)
Jen L.
I have been here twice with a group of co-workers, and I will summarize our experience with this: great food, not the best for being able to hear the person sitting two chairs down from you. It's a bustling place with attentive service and a menu that will have something for everyone. Notable dishes: Mortadella with hazelnut honey Pecorino with almond honey Swordfish meatballs Monkfish Branzino (maybe skip the beef, it was over-seasoned)
(4)
Steve S.
My First dinner in Philadelphia was awesome. I was watching Unique Eats on the Food channel and they did a feature on Amis. I was going to Philadelphia in two weeks so I bookmarked it. Wow, good thing I did. The food here is awesome. We got there at 7 pm without reservation, they were packed, but I mentioned we were visiting from California and they found us a table. Woo hoo. The place is on the small side & was dimly lit. Instrument music was playing in the background. Echoes of conversations reverberating around the restaurant. Really good ambiance. The service was on point. He knew it was our first time and was very patient in explaining the menu (we had a lot of questions). He gave us time to look through the menu & was very good with recommendations. Here's the rundown of what we got. My coworker & I shared 2 appetizers. Pork Belly Special Antipasti - delicious. It was only two pieces though, but really good. It was accompanied by grilled broccoli florets and parmesan shavings. The broccoli was on the burnt side but it was so good. I'm not sure if the burnt pieces was intentional or not, but it worked. Mussels w/ Leeks & Fried Long Hots: So Delicious. Mussels were perfectly cooked. The white wine sauce was just out of bounds good. This dish came with garlic toast. Dipping the toast in that sauce was just so gooooood. Highly recommend this dish. My coworker got the Chicken Spiedini w/ Apple Mostarda & Arugula. Another winner. The chicken was just so juicy and very tasty. But the apple mostarda & arugula took this dish to another level. My coworker gave me half a skewer of this dish and I wanted more lol. Chicken is the last thing I would have ordered at this place, boy was I wrong. Delicious chicken dish. I got the Pappardelle w/ Oxtail Ragu & Pears: Super dish. Pappardelle was cooked perfectly. The oxtail ragu was so tender and delicious. The pear was sneaky good. You would get a piece of pear and the taste would completely change. Yum yum yum. We were stuffed, we told our waiter (Jesse) we would pass on dessert. What did he do, he brings over a big chunk of Tiramisu (which was the special dessert of the day, was not on the menu) brownie points check. The tiramisu was so flavorful. I was stuffed, but there is always room for jello... Lol We were so stuffed, we decided to walk the mile & a half back to the hotel. We needed the walk in the freezing cold to work some of the calories out. Great Food, Great Service & Great Atmosphere. This is a 5 star PLUS rating from me. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Carla J.
When I go out to eat, I want to feel like I am getting what I pay for! Absolutely amazing food, service and just a top notch restaurant! For a Wednesday night, it was so crowded! Make your reservations now!!! That should tell you how awesome this place is! We sat at the Kitchen bar which added to the fun! Just watching the chefs Jack and Alex working together was great and makes you want to try everything! Swordfish meatballs, cauliflower, and a cheese dish with toast! Fantastic. Now the others ate the Veal tongue- and raved about it. I got the striploin for dinner (OMG!!) and yes they talked us into dessert! Tiramisu was light and topped off the night perfectly! Vetri did it again! just a fantastic night out! Thanks to all at Amis for making our night so awesome! , We will be back to see you soon!
(5)
Beth R.
Appetizers were delicious especially the honey baked pecorino and the ricotta bruschetta. Bronzino was wonderful. Swordfish meatballs were also tasty but the polenta it was served on was not good. Giving it 3 stars because of the service. Took a long time to get our drinks and bread for the table. Also the staff gave our dishes and drinks to the wrong people and for such a pricey dinner I think they should have known who was getting what.
(3)
Harriet J.
Came to brunch for a friend's birthday and loved the ambience/ decor of the place but unfortunately food was just average. Would be down to come again for dinner/drinks in the future.
(3)
Vicki O.
Outstanding food and service. Went to brunch. Everything delicious. Each dish better than the previous. Started with bread selection. Fresh and tasty. Apple jam spread nice touch. Next polenta - well prepared noodles and awesome sauce. Would have licked the plate. Always love to try scrapple and am usually disappointed - this restaurant did not disappoint. Scrapple was delicious and perfectly prepared. Slightly crispy on outside and soft on inside. Main courses were gnocchi with sausage and Jersey cannonball with arugula. We shared. Both Excellent! Finished meal with hazelnut waffle (shared) another delicious selection. Coffee is great - strong and fresh. Looking forward to returning for dinner. Nice atmosphere. Highly recommend this gem.
(5)
Michael C.
Went here last week! Baked pecorino with almond honey is to die for ! Should have gotten 2 orders! Did not want to share! The bucatini with almond pesto and jalapeños is great also another winner from Marc Vetri
(5)
Karen S.
In the past few years I have dined often enough at Amis. I almost always sit at the bar and I honestly have never had anything less than an amazing experience. Most recently, I took myself on a date: dinner at Amis and a great football game with other rowdy fans. It was a Monday. I wouldn't say I dine solo often but I have done it enough times to have felt uncomfortable in a space and to also feel totally at home. The staff at Amis made me feel quite special this night and so I just had to write this review. The food at Amis to me is always delicious. A few times dishes have been slightly salty but I can deal with that. This particular night I ordered just two plates and a cocktail. The staff brought me an extra plate for no particular reason (except maybe because I was solo) and all three were extraordinary. I gobbled up every last bite. But the service in particular this night was perfect. The bartender was ever attentive but not overwhelmingly so. When you dine alone, this is crucial. You want slightly more attention than if you are in a group but not so much so that it draws attention to the fact that you are alone. This bartender really just nailed it and I'm so appreciative that there are others in this world that are aware of and possess the capability to provide a level of service that is intuitive. Thank you for what you do!
(5)
Anish R.
Great place to take for a fancy date night. Strongly encourage calling ahead of time. The bread was fresh and tasted amazing each time ( I had to call for seconds!) The swordfish meatballs were a great way to start the meals. For dinner I had a sweet corn pasta type dish that was seasonal (late review I had this in the beginning of October) which was also great. A little pricey, but great night time dinner atmosphere on a Friday night.
(4)
Yvonne L.
Nice ambience and locale. Reservations needed. Food was above average, quick service. Sometimes way too quick, the waitress hardly gave us time to dig in to our dishes and she was already asking us how it was! Starters of meatball and fried cauliflower were great. Seconds pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto had an awesome al dente texture but the sauce was a little meh (couldn't tell what the flavor was). Scallops were good and the chocolate dessert was delicious. I would repeat!
(4)
Sonia P.
Awesome dining experience in Philly! Be sure to make a reservation at Amis - the restaurant was still packed during our 9:15pm reservation on a Saturday night and remained full throughout dinner. I was slightly confused when I heard the name because "amis" is "friends" in French and originally assumed it was a French restaurant, but Amis actually serves unique, upscale Italian dishes - and they do it damn well. Starters: eggplant caponata bruschetta (fantastic flavor, I could have eaten it by the bowlful) and arancini with braised meat (I still prefer a classic marinara sauce, but the ragu paired with the rice fritters is a nice twist). Pastas: spinach lasagna with veal Bolognese looks small at first, but it's the perfect portion of homemade spinach pasta with rich meat sauce. I had my first experience with squid ink pasta (pasta special that night). The pasta tasted slightly briny from the squid ink and there were tons of jumbo lump crab meat throughout the gorgeous, inky, black strands of pasta = the absolute perfect seafood dish, I adored every bite. The "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut dessert looked like a giant chocolate Baci bomb - as a major lover of all things chocolate, I approve! Service at Amis is on point, prices are reasonable, nice options for alcohol, ambiance is lively, modern, hip, and I'm a big fan of the open kitchen. I would totally return here during my next trip to Philly.
(4)
Dushyanth S.
Oh my god! The definition of delicious was created by food tasted here. My fiance and I got the jalapeño bucatini twice! So freakin out of this world! I am not a huge fan of Italian food but this is just so delicious! The meatballs were soooo good. Oh even the bread was delicious. If any of you reading this is visiting philadelphia, please DONOT leave without trying this place. Oh and for the wonderful residents of the city of brotherly love, come try it.
(5)
Joe A.
I was looking forward to eating here but was very disappointed by the food. I ordered Caci and pepi pasta which is very simple to make but it was incredibly salty. I never send food back but this time I had to send it back because it was inedible. They made a second dish and it was still inedible. Someone has a very heavy hand on the salt or the cheese was incredibly salty. The server was very helpful trying to remedy the situation but it was very disappointed.
(1)
Meredith B.
Last night I finally made it to Amis and I regret it took this long. Everything was outstanding. It was a perfect girls night, myself and one other friend. We sat at the kitchen table overlooking the whole kitchen. Our server (Lindsay) was a rockstar. I thought she was awesome. We ordered: Stracciatella with sweet onion marmalade - sitting at the kitchen table we saw this made time after time. so we ordered it. it's soft lovely milky cheese with a sweet onion marmalade that goes perfectly on top of grilled bread slices. Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - Why don't my meatballs taste anything like these? These meatballs are amazing and yet not heavy or cheesy. The only way to describe them is flavorful, not heavy and not dark... not sure if that makes sense. I felt like they were light meat not dark... I could totally be making this up but that's what I was thinking as I was scarfing them down. The tomato and potato puree accompanied them well. Arancini with short rib ragu and truffle pecerino - I'm not one to typically go for arancini but I do understand their appeal and I can respect a good one when I have one... this was a good one. I need to mention the short rib ragu that comes with this makes me want to come back and see what pasta dishes might also have the short rib ragu with it. The balls were nicely cooked with a cheese center. Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - Yes. Just do it. Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts - I'm going to be dreaming of these for the next few nights. I might start looking up recipes for when I have dinner parties. I forget the cocktail we had but I highly suggest starting your night off with one of them. Ah yes now I see it we had the Alto (prosecco/ginger/blood orange bitters). It is a great cocktail that starts the meal off right. All in all I believe this experience put Amis on the top of my Vetri restaurants. Service, Food, Drinks everything... homerun.
(5)
Evelyn J.
I have been here for dinner a bunch and I absolutely love it. Today I went for brunch and it was amazing! I got the rigatoni with sausage and my friend got the Belgium waffle. They also brought out the duck bolognese from the kitchen on the house because my friend is there almost every week. All three were fantastic- I can honestly say that the waffle was the best thing I have ever tasted. Highly recommend this place, especially for brunch. There are not too many good places for brunch in philly, but who cares I guess if we have this place! Definitely going back as much as I can
(5)
Margaret W.
Um wow! Someone recommend this place to me and I just happened to be in the area. Great food...amd I am not a foodie. The apple and cabbage salad w dunbarton cheese and walnut pesto was tasty and tart. Lots of flavors and refreshing. The cacio e pepe was delish and filling. Not really impressed with the bread served I sat at the chefs table and had a ball watching the pros in the kitchen. The staff was REALLY friendly and appreciated my questions about the menu. Next up? The pear tart. Oh and the fried brussel sprouts and lemon I highly reccomend. I will be back and I would reccomend to friends and family. Thanks Amis for a fun night!
(5)
Veen H.
My husband and I has dinner here last night at the chef's table, which is great for small parties and you get to experience all the action, smells, sounds and even chat with the chefs! The fact that I was under a foot away from a giant vat of liquid chocolate didn't hurt either :) The cocktails (punch, wine granita) are on point and potent. The baked pecorino appetizer and the pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto were highlights of our meal.
(4)
Tina D.
One of my favorite Vetri restaurants. Our wait staff is always pleasant. We are semi-regulars being that I live in the hood and we usually get waited on by one of two people. They are both awesome! The food is simple and delicious. I lived in Rome for a year and the food here is definitely reminiscent of the food I ate in Rome. A few of my favorite items are: The bufala ricotta with black pepper is to die for! It is rich, creamy and just utterly delicious. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes. The Tonnarelli cacio e pepe is typical of Rome and it's amazing here. I'm also a big fan of the Buccatini with jalapeno and walnut pesto. The kitchen always sends us extra dishes. They make us feel special each and every time.
(5)
Sima Z.
Loud beyong belief! Service was very good. Our group of 50-70 yr olds We reviewed the menu before arriving and we're excited to try the sweet breads and Calf tongue. We also ordered the roasted veal and Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts we're overdone and over salted. Sweetbreads we're dusted in almond meal and we're very dry. The tongue dish had an overly sweetened sauce. Overall, not a pleasant dining experience.
(2)
Mike G.
Uneven, hit & amis I finally experienced the third Vetri restaurant, Amis. After reading through yelp I wasnt sure what to expect. I can say now though, it makes more sense to consider the 2 or 3 star feedback for this place. As a table of five foodies, we shared everything and critiqued each bite as we normally would. The key word, I think, is uneven. There were very delicious highs and there were surprisingly disappointing lows or "meh"s. The appetizers (or smaller dishes from the first few sections of the menu) were clearly the most adventurous payoffs. The eggplant capanota, the melon-mint-pistachio salad and the swordfish meatballs on creamy polenta were delicious and among high-points. The spaghetti with pecorino and pepper with a cheese sauce was blah. Really, it could've used a tiny more cooking and a bit more flavor. Closing my eyes, I wouldn't distinguish this dish from a corner diner experience (ouch, right?). The Mussels were tasty but as quite a lot of our meal, they were way too salty. In fact, as the meal progressed we accumulated our week's budget of sodium intake. As we spoke up about it, we shared the opinion that just about all the dishes were noticeably too salted and this is not typically something we've noted at other restaurants. That's not our usual complaint, so you can imagine our surprise to be in a Marc Vetri restaurant admitting this to each other! We ordered two main dishes, a grilled rib-eye which was very tasty and tender, though a little bit more raw than we would've ordered. However, our server never asked us how we'd like our steak. Even the nice aruguala salad on the side of this dish was a bit too salted, though a nice balance of the bitter greens to balance the rich fatty and tender meat. The other "larger" plate was the seafood platter which was sparse and less than seeming $24 worth. I had a 3" square of toasted polenta filling a third the plate even. Desserts and coffee were wonderful. We had a good ricotta crumble cake. The Baci Tartufo, however, was divine. The coffee was very good but my friends that had espresso drinks were super impressed with the cappuccino and decaf espresso, going on and on about how great they were. I do not predict any of us heading back to Amis for dinner, though we admitted it might be smart to go for cocktail hr nearby, and stop in for an appetizer and dessert after.
(2)
Julie A.
I spent my birthday dinner here on a Tuesday night. My dinner date and I had been to Alla Spina for late night drinks and a quick bite to eat a short time ago and had a great time, so we agreed to try Amis. It was a great place for a nice, relaxing, delicious dinner during the week. It was a fairly busy night for a Tuesday, especially at the bar, but our two-person table was in a quiet enough area for us to have a conversation. It was a little too dark in there, after a pretty rich meal and about three glasses of red wine and a few cocktails, my date and I were both feeling quite sleepy. However, it was a pleasant crowd and some bonus points for having some awesome music playing the whole time we were there. Simply put: I'd come back here for the swordfish meatballs, and the swordfish meatballs alone. They're incredible. If they sold those swordfish meatballs in a take-out bucket a la KFC, I'd buy a bucket every week. All of the other food was quite delicious as well, but the meatballs won me over. Head over heels in love. The other food we ordered: Ricotta bruscetta, which was fabulously creamy and salty and peppery. The grilled bread that was served along with the little bowl of ricotta added a nice smokiness to a simple dish. Arancini with ragu and peas. I was very excited when I saw these on the menu. They were okay, nothing to really brag about, the meat was decent, the peas were a little overcooked, and the arancini balls were nicely fried, not greasy at all. Two pasta dishes, one was rotini with mushrooms and peas. the other, spaghetti with pork jowls and spring onions. I got very excited about the freshly made pasta and pork jowls. A little too excited and after about two bites, I felt incredibly full. The pasta was a nice al dente, not too heavy, nicely seasoned. The pork jowls were a great snap of salty, porky goodness but the real winner was the rotini with mushrooms and peas. It was the right pasta dish for the weather, nice and light, with a slight sweetness from the perfectly cooked peas. I could go on and on about peas, they were so fresh and buttery. A very nice compliment to the salty, meaty mushrooms. The mushrooms could have been a little less salty but overall it didn't distract from the dish. The drinks: A carafe of the house red: great deal! It was a great choice for us to start off the meal and sip between courses. It was a good wine, nothing too distracting from the overall meal but pleasant to drink throughout. We both had a cocktail with campari in it. His had rye whiskey and I believe blood orange. It was smaller but certainly more potent than my drink. I think my drink had bourbon and grapefruit in it. I'm not totally clear on what exactly it had but it was a great way to end a good birthday meal. I'd come back, not just for the swordfish meatballs, but for a nice dinner for a cute date or drinks with a small group of friends. I'd definitely recommend this place. The price is worth the amount and quality of food and drinks. The ambiance is pleasant and fun, not overly upscale where you feel uncomfortable.
(5)
JD H.
For me, this is as good as it gets. It may have been the kitchen counter corner seats allowing for a great view of the cooking and plating operation leading to fun conversations with the sous. Intelligent inquiries and buying a round for the kitchen staff resulted in some special attention and food we would have otherwise never tried. The staff was quite attentive and the menu has a lot to choose from. We were there on a Sunday evening when they featured their " Sal's Sunday Supper" which looked great (Spaghetti with Sunday Gravy, meatballs, sausage and a hardboiled egg) but since I was an Amis virgin, we decided to order a la carte from the many menu items that were offered. There were too many to get through on a single visit. Great starters included house made terrine, headcheese croquettes, and fantastic olives. A simple escarole and apple salad was really refreshing. The tripe stew was earthy and very cassoulet-like. It was outstanding by itself and could have served as the meal but the total stars of the night were the homemade pasta dishes we had: Tonarelli Cacio e Pepe and Buccatini with Jalapeño. I actually had dreams about those dishes afterwards because they were that good. A final recommendation would be the homemade rice pudding. . .apparently a secret recipe from the owner's grandfather. There was nothing bad that came out of the kitchen during my visit and so many things on the menu I would love to go back to try. Of the 3 nights in Philly, this was the best meal we had and one of the best I've had in my life in terms of great food execution. . .it was plain good cooking.
(5)
Andrew K.
Had a great time. I really enjoy dining out and trying new things. The Vetri group does a great job of promoting their brand, but I just couldn't justify the price tag at Vetri, so Amis was the next best thing. First off, the service was great. The waiter was on his game and easily answered all of our questions and knew the in's and out's of the wine list. we started off with the old school meatballs and baked pecorino. Both items came out very quickly. The meatballs are a must-order if you visit. The baked pecorino was very tasty, but didn't blow me away. We then ordered the sweetbreads and pork belly followed by the squid ink pasta. Of the 3, the squid ink pasta was my favorite. If you want the "Vetri" experience without the price tag I highly encourage you to visit Amis.
(4)
Michael N.
Amis is slowly emerging as one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. Really really great food. Excellent service. An intimate atmosphere but not too cramped. Reasonable prices for the quality of the food too. I would highly suggest reservations as the place is moderately sized and tends to be packed on any night of the week. On our most recent visit with two friends, we went with the following dishes... Appetizers - imported bufala ricotta and black pepper - (creamy and delicious) mortadella with hazelnut honey - (I personally don't love mortadella, but this was really tasty. The honey put it over the top for me.) Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - (excellent dense meatballs made of beef, pork, and veal. they have a very interesting but good taste) Entrees - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (this was a little creamier than the cacio e pepe that I'm used to, but regardless it was excellent) pasta w/ duck ragu (I don't remember the actual name of this as it was one of the specials, but this was also nice. Shredded lumps of duck in the pasta. Very flavorful dish.) Dessert - belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts ( a big dessert, plenty to share) With a revolving selection of specials, you won't be disappointed or at a loss for options at Amis. They even have valet parking if that's your thing, but parking shouldn't be too difficult if you look south of South. Just be careful down there if you plan on walking back to your car very late.
(5)
Momo T.
I came here once for dinner and ordered the rigatoni with short rib ragu and it was the best pasta I've ever had in my life. I returned another day during brunch to try their other dishes. Two bruschetta appetizers which were unmemorable and came with ROCK-HARD bread, causing me to cut the inside of my mouth. This time I ordered their bucatini with jalapeno and almonds and although it was very good, the pasta was too sticky and clumpy. A little disappointed since I had been dreaming about the first time I'd been here and I live an hour away. Definitely never coming back during lunchtime - I think there might be a big difference in the quality of cooks between lunch and dinner.
(4)
Zoe P.
My BFF came down to Philly to visit me before she moves to LA FOREVER *tear* We had to celebrate together, so I reserved dinner for us two ladies at Amis. Italian food plus prosecco equals a good time had by all on a Saturday night. We entered the small space, were immediately seated in the slightly raised eating area of the dining room, which was packed and LOUD - in the good way, where you can tell everyone is having a good time eating and drinking. Our waiter was very nice and friendly, offered to keep our bottle chilled ($25 corkage fee, fyi, their wine list is good but I had been saving this bottle for a special occasion anyway), and told us the specials after filling our water glasses. Looking through the menu, it was REALLY hard to decide what to order. We wished that our party was larger, and kept sneaking peeks at the dishes others had ordered around us. My friend now has a few food allergies, but thankfully we could easily avoid them and ordered ourselves a small spread: bufala ricotta bruschetta: OMG delicious, the ricotta was super creamy, salty-sweet, and just perfect on it's own without the toasted bread slices. We actually ate most of it just with our forks it was soooo goooooood swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts: I enjoy swordfish, but this dish is something I want to replicate at home because this is how to LOVE swordfish. The three meatballs were juicy and tender, and the creamy polenta bed with pine nuts completed the comforting feel of this dish roasted monkfish cacciatore: My BFF spotted this dish at the table next to us and HAD to order it - and so glad we did! The fish was flaky and juicy, the tomato-y sauce nicely spiced orecchiette with mushroom ragu: a special that night, the mushrooms were tender but still with a bite to them, and the same with the pasta - thank god, there's nothing worse than an Italian restaurant (especially high end) that doesn't know how to cook fresh pasta Oh yes, and of course we had to have dessert...and since there were two of us, and we were drunk by this point, we shared TWO of them: the special tiramisu, which you HAVE to order if you are a fan of this Italian dessert, it's so light and delicious and creamy, and the salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almonds, which was a wonderfully surprising combination of flavors that danced on my tongue. We have to thank our waiter for helping us make that final decision on the sundae. All together we had a wonderful evening together - even if we had to talk a bit louder to be heard over the boisterous and jubilant conversations around us.
(4)
Mike M.
Went back for the 2nd time last night, still a big fan. Went with a big (6) group, so was able to get a bunch of the little appetizer plates to start: Swordfish Meatballs - very good Arancini - very good, but nothing surprising, just a good take on a classic; while the arancini itself is very good the short rib ragu it comes with is heavenly Squid salsa with citrus - eh, okay but the least appealing of all Veal tongue - second best, such a surprising taste and really well prepared Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - wow, did not anticipate too much but this was the unequivocal star of the round, perfectly prepared and amazing taste (salsa rossa is fantastic) For entrees some people got a salmon/pasta special which was great, lamb shank was on the table and was a great portion and was well received, I got the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, incredible. Glad I've been on a pasta fast and broke it on this because jeesh was this phenomenal. Desert was just an unreal 'cherry on top', got a bunch and every single one was fantastic; salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almond, the belgian style waffle with nutella, and the "tartufo al bacio". Waffle one was the best but order any of those and you will be very happy as your sugar high kicks in....
(4)
Travis R.
What a great meal. This place had the best Italian food I have ever had in my life. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. Both pasta dishes we had tonight tasted amazing. The service was excellent. Our waiter was very friendly and also very informative about the menu. The restaurant also had a great atmosphere. If you want Italian in philly.... This is the spot - hands down.
(5)
Eileen T.
While we LOVE this restaurant, and have been here often, we were very disappointed the other night when we stopped in for wine and dessert at the bar after seeing a play at the Wilma. The female bartender was rude and dismissive. We wanted a glass of water, but every time we tried to get her attention she just walked by us. Then, when she was talking to the party next to us, my husband attempted to get her attention. She glared at him and said, "I see you. I'll be with you in a minute." Hubs was not pleased and I suspect she picked up on that when he asked for the check. He's usually very friendly to restaurant staff, but he was livid that she had been so rude. When she put the check on the counter she paused for a moment and smiled brightly and said thank you. Too late! We usually give very generous tips, but not this time. This time it was only 10%. And my husband felt that was more than she deserved. I must say that when we mentioned it to the host on the way out, he was apologetic and very nice. But I can't end this review without saying that Amis makes the most amazing rice pudding in Philadelphia. And the Mocato wine that the other bartender suggested was an excellent accompaniment. We will return - we love Amis and the food is always exceptional. But this time the visit was not pleasant.
(3)
Lilly P.
1. They had our party of 6 standing in the doorway waiting to be seated for an hour even though we had a reservation, just because 2 out of our 8 were not there yet. 2. Everyone was disappointed with the tiny portions. 3. Waiter forgot my drink and didn't bring it until I reminded him much later. 4. My pasta/swordfish/fries dish was bland. 5. The bufala appetizer is pretty good. 6. The atmosphere is nice even though it's much too loud to have a conversation and too cramped to sit comfortably.
(2)
J K.
Really disappointed with the food. My boyfriend is a health inspector, so we can't go out to eat at a restaurant without hearing about the 'violations'. The kitchen is open, so you can see all the action. While we were waiting at the bar for everyone in our party to arrive he noted a violation: none of the kitchen staff were wearing hair restraints. This is not a huge deal but ironically we had to send back someone's steak because there was a hair on it. I understand this could happen anywhere. While there were 6 in our party, I can only really comment on what my boyfriend & I ate. We started with the fava bean bruchetta & sal's meatballs. Both were promising. Loved the potato/tomato under the meatballs. Unfortunately our main courses were not as appetizing. My boyfriend got the pork chop, which was overwhelmingly salty & just took away from the other favors of the meat. I got paccheri & swordfish- which was good but very spicy & wasn't indicated as such on the menu. The food in no way, shape or form reflects the hype/4 stars by other reviewers or the price. We won't be back.
(2)
Dennis L.
What the hell is canestri? I don't know but it's amazing with duck sausage. So, Sal's meat balls for an appetizer, much like Chef from south park's balls, they were too salty. The tomato sauce had potato or some type of starch which threw me off. The sauce wasn't bad, but the balls were too salty, may have been better if they were chocolate. My canestri with duck sausage and cabbage on the other hand, delish. I don't remember seeing anything resmembling sausage, but i'm not complaining. Don't be thrown off by the whole wheat and how it sounds healthy, it's not. It's drenched in duck fat or something that made it taste sausage-y and heavenly. My date went with the pappardelle with oxtail ragu and pears. The noodles were long flat and tender, the oxtail was a bit salty but very flavorful. It was probably one of the better oxtail ragus that i've tasted. For dessert we shared salted butter semifreddo hot fudge sundae with poached pears, maple syrup and pecans. I had no idea what semifreddo was, but apparently it's italian for home made semi soft/melty ice cream. It is definitely great if you like ice cream, salted caramel, roasted walnuts, poached pears, or all of the above. It had that nice salty sweet flavor that's all the rage now a days. The ice cream was soft flavorful and gooey.
(4)
Robert P.
First time at Amis but big Vetri fan. We hosted a birthday party with 12 guests. Event staff and managers were very helpful and professional with all communication and details. Arranged a 3 course prix fix menu. Day of event. Great service even with the large group. Very attentive wait staff. No shortage of food at all for the table. Staff was more than willing to bring out more of any dish that we liked. Quality of food and presentation not at all hindered by the size of the group. Everything was perfectly done. Courses well timed. Not rushed at all. Very nice touch printing custom menus for the meal. Only two minor comments was that the pork chop with quince and polenta was not cut up for the group (it was exceptional tho). And they cleared a couple almost untouched dessert plates without asking if we would like to take home (we didn't say anything about it at the time). Overall the dinner was what I would expect from a Vetri establishment and more. Would recommend for groups and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Alex X.
13th street, Philly With friends who are foodies (who don't even do yelp but always seem to know where to go), they brought me here, and we had a magical night! Loved the atmosphere in here-good for groups. Food was pretty good! They ordered; I ate! It is has been some time since I was here, but I would come back. Don't expect me to know what Im eating; all I ask them is: any allergens Im allergic to in these dishes? Friends approve the food or warn me by moving the dishes I can't eat away from my reach; I eat. Lol. Life is great when ur friends order and you never have to read the menu , but I also never know what the heck I'm eating in the menu. As I result I am terrible orderer. And I "eeny meeny miney mo" a lot on menus. But hey when friends are foodies/chefs they know exactly what tastes great! And it is yummy at this reataurant! So come for the food and stay longer for the ambience!
(4)
Joanie K.
After reading all the lovely reviews, i booked a reservation here while i was visiting philly for the wknd. i was not impressed. food was standard unimaginative italian fare. service was judgmental and far too snooty for the kind of place this is billed for.
(1)
Abbie R.
I would give Amis 3.5 stars if I could. The atmosphere is swanky and dark, just how I love it. And you can look right into the kitchen which is always adds to the ambiance. This would be one of the best places in Philly to take a date based on the romance-inducing decor, if it only weren't so loud. The tables are as close together as they could possibly be without touching, so it's sometimes hard to hear the person across from you when you're sandwiched between two conversations each inches away. Add in a loud bar behind you, and you might find yourself shouting at your date. But it's Philly, it's the city, I get it. It's how it's done. Forgiven. The olive oil focaccia was dynamite. I could have eaten two or three entire baskets if I was willing to abandon all social rules. I also had [four glasses of] the Amis Punch. It was a delicious balance of sweet and tangy and had so much flavor there was really no bite to it. It's made with aperol, handmade vodka, and lemon. Yum. I liked it too much. We had such a boisterous and filling time with the punch that we decided to just snack on appetizers. Ordered three swordfish meatballs -- yes, yes, and yes. I don't even know how they pulled this off. The swordfish tasted grilled but it also had the savory slow roasted flavor of a meatballs, served over creamy polenta. Magic. We also tried the fried brussels sprouts. Not bad at all. Brussels sprouts can be hard to get just right, and they pulled it off. We finished it all off with the tiramisu that they had on special that night. It had a nice cream, but they could have gone a little heavier on the coffee liqueur (not that I needed any more alcohol at that point). My dining partner got a Jamison and coffee and enjoyed it. I had a Kaluah and cream which was like drinking ice cream. Very, very tasty. Gosh, based on food and atmosphere alone, this place would be nearing five-stars but I have to take off a full star for how poor the service was. When I walked in, I told the hostess I was meeting someone. She guessed my friend's name but then offered no further instructions. "Ahh, is he here?" "Yeah, he's at the bar." "Where's the bar?" She looked at me like I was asking what color Big Bird is. Sorry girlfriend, I've never been here before and it's not in sight! She gave a gesture to a general direction and then I found it myself. I'm not even sure if we had a waiter that night. It seemed like we were being passed between a few people, and our glasses were always empty. I had to wave down our server (making my best estimate on who that was) three times. When they did bring us drinks, it was a different person than we ordered from, and we had each other's drinks. I'm pretty patient with wait staff but when you're dropping dollar bills like you have to at Amis, they should be on their game. I'm guessing based on the other reviews that we hit it on a bad night. Still go. Enough of the Amis Punch will make any waiter seem like the best you've ever had.
(3)
Irma I.
Huge Marc Verti fan so with our recent Philly trip I made it a point to make reservations. We were seated promptly on a Friday night. The tables are in close proximity to each other, but that's just the way most restaurants are nowadays. Of course I had reviewed yelp before and I knew exactly what I wanted to order. We had the eggplant caponata- nicely balanced. This was an excellent way to start our meal- it was served with really good bread. Had Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato- these were flavorful and just perfect. Also had tonnarelli "cacio e pepe"- Anthony Bourdain did not steer me wrong. :) I know there is a lot of talk about how small the plates are but my husband & I shared these dishes (maybe four?), & we were perfectly satisfied. One point deduction for forgetting my 2nd wine of glass. :( However, we would definitely return.
(4)
Ali W.
Everything was delicious, from the apps to the dessert. They had a great selection of vegetarian options, in addition to fresh fish and meat specials. I took my parents here for my dad's birthday - they're total foodies - and they loved it. The atmosphere is great, very casual and cool. It gets a little loud in there, but not too loud that you can't hear the people you're with when talking at normal volume. The only regret I have about going to Amis is that we didn't go there sooner. So delicious!
(5)
Barbara D.
A lovely dinner by another spawn of the Vetri collection. I've eaten at Vetri before and absolutely was blown away by the food. However, I've been curious about their larger and more relaxed option, Amis, and finally had the joy of dining here tonight. Great service. Wonderful food. Impressive wine and cocktails. Nothing to shake your finger at here! Had the arancini (SO GOOD) & beet salad to share, and then the rigatoni with black pepper sausage special (perfect preparation and lots of flavor, but not too heavy), and pork shank (which was HUGE, but just as the server said...so tender that it feel right off the bone). My client has an aversion to meat on the bone, but LOVED this dish and it didn't bother them one bit! Definitely will try to return and putting it in my arsenal for client go-to places! Looking forward to coming back to try desserts!!! The belgian waffle with nutella looked INCREDIBLE.
(5)
Ted Z.
A much deserved five stars! Took a couple of my clients from out of town who were adventerous enough to try some daring , different choices. Had a couple of neat drink options too, I ordered a Strega Morti and it was fantastic. The swordfish meatballs in polenta were great but so were the Brussel sprouts and every other item we had. Go you'll love it! I know I'll be back
(5)
Allison D.
Let me preface this review by saying I used to live across the street from this place..dangerous for my wallet and waistline. My standbys are the Amis punch, bufala ricotta and pecorino pasta. Nice people, good food!
(5)
Flavia C.
I would say 4 1/2 stars! The ambiance is bustling yet quiet enough to have a conversation. I love the open kitchen and the decor is modern and simple leaving the food to do most of the talking! The food was exceptional! With a party of four we tried many things and there was not a dud amongst them. I really enjoyed the swordfish meatballs with pine nuts, unique and savory! The diff. meats and rabbit that are served on a wood plank are outstanding--a wonderful mix of sweet and savory. There was also some sort of mouse ordered and I have no idea what it was except to say that it was silky and heavenly, The main courses. The pork shank was truly a sight and very delicious, huge portion. I had the grouper which was simple and light. I heard rave reviews of the pasta. The drinks were generous and good with a nice selection and the desserts esp. the rice pudding and chocolate bomb were fantastic! Happy to go back to try even more of the menu items. A foodie will enjoy this spot for sure.
(4)
Gary M.
Amazing Italian food. The pasta is some of the best I have had in Philadelphia. A must try if you've never been
(5)
Michael B.
This was my first Vetri try and I was pretty disappointed. The food, ambience and everything was just very average. In a city like philly, there's a better way to spend $150 on a meal.
(3)
Joanne P.
Wow! Love this place. It really takes a lot to wow me. We shared Escarole Salad, mussel appetizer, monk fish cacti ore, and pasta with jalapeño pesto. Enjoyed my wine by the glass so much I'm looking to find it to buy. Loved it all. Neighborhood really nice. Service was great - we were a little early for reservation and table was ready. The only thing I would say is wish swordfish meatballs didn't have pork (we didn't try) and the tartufo might have been a bit too chocolate heavy. Will definitely be back on our next trip to Philly.
(5)
Veronica R.
My husband and I went to Amis last night and sat at the kitchen bar. Our first time here and definitely not our last. A great choice. Put your phone down and watch the orchestrated chaos- a great/fun kitchen to watch. The food they put out was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. What we ate: Salmon crudo with fresh julienned beets (amazing-highly recommend) Baked Pecorino with almond honey (very good, sweet, would have had as a dessert with tart apple slices) Swordfish meatballs (go for it, trust me you'll love them, maybe even more than the traditional meatball) Sams- traditional meatball ( a very good meatball- looking for a little more crispness to the outside) Casarecce with a light and spicy san marzano tomato sauce with salmon and toasted bread crumbs (a special that night and delish!) Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto (perfect amount of heat) Spring pea Tortelli with lamb ragu and mint Overall a great dining experience. We'll be back!
(4)
Aliyia P.
Had an excellent meal...the main was lamb...so we tried the lamb croquettes...they were good didn't expect them to be so creamy, also had the portobello pasta which was great...the pasta there is just so good! I had the main lamb dish with grits...it was good but I enjoyed our pasta dishes way more oh and the ricotta with pistachio pesto and pumpkin was excellent!
(4)
Jason G.
Wow. This place is amazing. I came here for my birthday, and I was impressed with every dish I tasted. It's just another stand-out restaurant from (arguably) Philly's best chef. The service was also impeccable. I got Sal's Meatballs, polenta, the baked pecorino, the bufala mozzarella, the cacio è pepe, and the apple dumpling. They also give you olive oil focaccia, which is outstanding. I highly recommend all of it. I also heard the veal tongue is outstanding, but I didn't get to try it.
(5)
Jennifer W.
I've been going to Amis since the day it opened. In all but the past year I would have rated it four or five stars but recently it has taken a turn for the worse. The last two times I've gone service has been horrible! The hostess slammed our server, sitting 4 tables at once. After waiting 15 minutes to get a taste of one of the wines I had to call the manager over who subsequently became our server for the entire evening. I understand I'm not at Vetri but having us wait 5 -15 minutes at the bar in order to not slam the waiter would have left us with a much better experience than being sat and unable to get a drink it all. I'm sure the other tables who also had to wait would have agreed. Last night I went, sat at the bar, which is where I normally sit and somehow had bad service there too. My drink was empty for most of the evening. I didn't eat my pork liver terrine for 30 minutes because it didn't come with any bread. When the bartender finally came over to ask if there was an issue I asked how I was supposed to eat it. She said it's not served with bread. I had to ask for it. Mind you, I've been here MANY times and have never eaten patte without bread. She brought untoasted bread, which is the same texture as the liver so I had to ask for toasted bread. I'm sure I'll be back one last time in the hopes that the last two were flukes. We shall see!
(2)
Thomas V.
Our meal was truly great. My mom and I went on Sunday and it was fairly empty. Great lighting and ambiance; open kitchen. Our server Lindsay was great. All the food we had was perfect. Eggplant caponata, jalapeño almond spaghetti and baked pecorino all recommended. The house red was good and cheap. Great date spot.
(5)
Taryn F.
I usually don't write reviews, but just had to in this case. We visited Amis on a recent Saturday night with an 8 pm reservation. Unfortunately, we were not able to be seated until 9 pm because the patrons at our table camped out there long after finishing their meal (I'm all for taking your time and enjoying, but it was made clear to them people were waiting and they had been there several hours- a little courtesy people!). Anyway, the staff at Amis could not have handled the situation better! They were super attentive and apologetic, brought us complementary appetizers to the bar and then several additional dishes throughout the meal and for dessert. They showed that with great service and great food, any issue can still be handled well. I've been other restaurants where errors were made- too long waits, poor service, etc. and never received the level of attention and service provided at Amis. They literally turned our frustration and hunger into an opportunity to show us what a great restaurant they are. And, we got to sample extra dishes we would not have ordered and every single thing we ordered was fabulous! Thanks for taking good care of us!
(4)
Mike C.
We had a nice dinner here the other night. Promptly seated at our reservation time at 730. My wife and I shared: meatballs, swordfish meatballs, and duck fat salad (which was a special for the night), and one of the pasta dishes. I'm a bit of a meatball snob and thought they were good but not great. I think if you have a meatball dish it needs to be great. No complaints - we cleaned the plate - just not the best I have ever had. My wife chose the duck fat salad which I probably never would have picked. I'm glad she chose it as it was really good. The server joked with us saying duck fat makes everything better. The pasta dish was perfect. I can't remember the exact name but it was a square spaghetti with cheese, olive oil and black pepper. A very basic way to prepare a pasta but it was done to perfection. I felt the prices were reasonable both for the food and wine.
(4)
Q K.
Very good food and reasonably priced for quality of food. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Pasta dishes were impressive and swordfish meatballs were nice treat. Not sure food lives up to acclaim of restaurant, but still a good dining experience. Only real complaint was the LOUD rock music playing in background. No idea why it's necessary.
(4)
Brian M.
Hello, swordfish meatballs. I want you inside me. ^They're lovely fellas, perfectly offering something new (a fish "meatball", wut?) while still retaining their delicate, distinct swordfishiness.^ The Standouts: - Service. Excellent, comfortable, omnipresent. - Cacio e pepe. Maybe a bit too heavy, but all the comfortable flavors were there with a quality that makes you want the dish to never end. - Bufala ricotta. Is this ever bad? - Eggplant fries (in the pacchieri). I don't know why, I just really liked 'em. The Things I Wish Would Change But Never Will: - It's loud in there. - Close quarters. Tried a few other dishes that were certainly nice, but didn't blow me away as much as I'd expected them to. Nothing at all bad here and some dishes are among the city's best so overall a solid dining option that will consistently range from very good to exceptional. Basically a more comfortable, Italian, less pretentious Barbuzzo.
(4)
Karen S.
"As featured on..." can sometimes frighten one away from a place, with concerns that the reality won't live up to the hype. Being a big fan of Bourdain's food, wine, and travel tastes (though not so much the booze and cigarettes), when he put together a recommended list on Philadelphia for "The Layover", I listened. As for fine dining, Amis was at the top of the list. The highlights were the appetizers--namely the salami del giorno, a porchetta in a delicate sauce, and the frascati wine cheese--and the pasta. The spinach fazoletti was superlative. The entrees were good, but unlike the starters didn't live up to the hype. Probably the biggest disappointment was the wine list, or perhaps I should say the wine that we unfortunately chose. I know that "Super Tuscan" is a bit of a grab bag in that it is basically any grape grown in Tuscany. But the producer of the wine had to work pretty hard to create something with absolutely no backbone. If a restaurant puts a wine on their list that is very atypical for the style, they should warn the consumer. Good food and a lively atmosphere, AOK in my book.
(3)
Dana S.
Amis is nicely tucked away between Pine and Lombard St. It had a trendy atmosphere and was clean, a little fancy. Menu is Italian but not traditional Italian, there was a lot of things I wasn't familiar with and googled to have a better idea of what exactly I was considering to order. Overall the food was good.
(3)
Tracy W.
Amis is quickly becoming my favorite Italian in the city. I need to keep coming back to try new things, as well as revisit my old favorites. The cacio e pepe is outstanding. Swordfish meatballs are as good as everyone says. Squid ink pasta? Yes! Service is always spot on.
(5)
G C.
Came back for brunch and it was yummy. Definitely more on the pricy side because we only got entrees and wasn't entirely full after. The portions are Definitely not large but probably healthier. Get more app and things to share!
(4)
Chris L.
first vetri experience, so I was really excited... I only do a handful of fancy/expensive dinners per year and because there is so much good inexpensive food in this city, I need a pricey dinner to be extra-delicious... Amis was so disappointing. the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and rigatoni with salmon (a special) were almost too salty to eat. the jalapeno pasta was decent. the bufala bruschetta was also mediocre. highlight of the meal was dessert - rice pudding and the waffles were both good... nice place - not too loud. but the food wasnt even mediocre. service was so-so. nice bartender, friendly knowledgeable server. but i had another server bring me a beer that wasnt what i ordered; when i said "I ordered the pilsner on draft," she said "no, it comes in a bottle."... so i pointed to the menu - "heres what i ordered."... "well you have the wrong menu," she said. kinda strange - as if i brought my own menu to the restaurant... finally got her to bring me a different beer. ... went with two friends and we all agreed it was a pretty big disappointment. sorry to be a negative nancy.
(2)
Jenn W.
Great place! I like that it's not on one of the super busy streets in Philly. Bruschetta is really great as an appetizer, and it's served with the spread on the side and the bread apart (the bread was surprisingly thick and fluffly, not the usual bruschetta that I expected). I had the stracciatella w/ plum and almonds, and it was awesome! It tastes like a smoky mozzarella. Couldn't taste the plums much, but it was still great. I love pasta, and I couldn't resist after being told that their pasta is all made in house. I had the bucatini on the waiter's suggestions and it was really tasty! It had an almond pesto sauce with some cooked jalapenos (not spicy at all). My boyfriend had their entree special for the day, salmon filet with cucumber salad. He said that the salmon was really good, but wished it were bigger. For dessert, we had their tiramisu (off menu but always available per waiter) and the special of the day, coffee cake with blackberries. We actually both liked the coffee cake much more than the tiramisu. The tiramisu was a so-so average tiramisu. Nothing amazing. I really liked our waiter, who knew all the ingredients in the dishes and was able to answer all my questions (impressive). I also like that part of the kitchen is open to viewing, which is cool. Valet parking is $8. I didn't use it, but may be convenient for some. Reservation recommended, especially for larger groups!
(4)
Kevin R.
We found ourselves at Amis for our Wednesday date night because of all of the great reviews on Yelp. We were seated immediately by the very friendly host and hostess and ordered up a couple of Martinis to go with the olive oil infused bread. We started off with a couple small plates...roasted cauliflower, baked pecorino with honey, and swordfish meatballs. The cauliflower and the cheese were good but the meatballs were mealy and very fishy tasting. I had the Jalapeno and almond pesto pasta for my main...overcooked and uninspired. For desert we shared a sundae with a blood orange sauce. The overly bitter sauce didn't pair that well with the very sweet ice cream. To be honest I didn't even like the bread. I'm actually still looking forward to trying Osteria and haven't given up totally on Mr. Vetri.
(3)
Patrick H.
This Valentine's Day was my visit to Amis and I have to say I was quite pleased with it. The service was very accommodating and prompt. The servers seem to have good understanding of the menu. The place is a bit small and can feel congested, but it's easy to drown out. The food was very well prepared and cooked perfectly. I had the pork shank and my girlfriend had the steak. My pork was very tender and moist and the steak was cooked to a perfect medium. The beer selection was limited but you'll definitely find something you'll enjoy. One thing I've grown to love about Vetri's establishments is the use of mortadella, and this place is no exception. Out of the three Vetri places I have been, this may be third, but third on a Vetri list is still excellent!
(4)
Julie M.
I would definitely expect more from a Vetri establishment. Alas, Amis just did not meet my expectations at all. First, it took about 15 minutes just to get a drink and bread on our table. Then we ordered appetizers and found everything to be greasy/oily and simply not that good. The best thing we tried was the swordfish meatballs. We had one pasta--the chestnut duck; you know that it's bad when you think that you would have been better off having frozen store bought pasta vs fresh VETRI pasta. Yeah, it was that bad. It was goopy and the noodles had an odd consistency. One dessert we had was the saving grace of the meal: the nutella waffle was very well done except that only half the waffle was covered in nutella. Otherwise, it was a tasty dessert. Moreover, the service was pretty atrocious. We were ignored for very long stretches of time. We had about 3 different waiters so none of them could remember what we had already ordered. It was very haphazard. I definitely would not return to Amis. I would much rather go to Osteria or Vetri.
(2)
C M.
My husband and I had a delicious meal at Amis to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. The restaurant was bustling and very crowded when we arrived. We started with the baked pecorino and swordfish meatballs. The pecorino was salty and sweet. Our only complaint was that there wasn't more bread! The swordfish meatballs were strangely delicious. The seafood taste was completely unexpected when biting into a very familiar looking meatball. My favorite dish of the night was the bucatini with jalapeños and almond pesto. The dish was spicy and crunchy. I couldn't get enough! Overall the meal was fantastic but I don't think this is a great date spot. The tables are very close together and it can get very loud inside. I would definitely come back with a group.
(5)
Megan K.
Oh, Amis, there is much that I will miss when I leave PA and return home. While traveling solo, I decided to treat myself to a nice meal, so after some deep searching on yelp, I came across Amis. Luckily Amis was a short walk from my hotel, and when I arrived I was promptly seated. I was seated near the kitchen and my waiter suggested that I sit at the chef's counter for a more exciting dining experience, and I was so happy that I heeded his advice. After the waiter went over the menu and the specials, I put in my drink order for one of their West Coast IPA offerings on their draught list that appears to rotate quite frequently. The IPA hit the spot and ended up pairing nicely with my food choices, which lead me to have another one throughout the course of my dinner. I decided to start off my meal with the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade. This starter came with five small sweetbreads that were lightly fried to a succulent perfection. The sweetbreads themselves were flavorful but the fennel marmalade stole the show. It was tangy and sweet and really coaxed the tender and savoriness out of the sweetbreads. I savored each bite and was surprised at how quickly I inhaled the dish. As I was waiting for my main entree to come out, the chef gave me a "sampler" taste/plate of the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. The portion was large, but I appreciated every bite of it. The duck flavor permeated the dish and nuttiness of the chestnuts really complimented the duck. I forced myself to stop after a few bites so that I wouldn't fill up before the main dish. The lamb shank arrived about ten to fifteen minutes after the fettucine, and this dish was impressively displayed. A Fred Flintstone-esque shank of lamb was perched on top of a creamy polenta and topped with a tomato based sauce. My-oh-my was this dish something! The lamb was falling off the bone as soon as I cut into it, and it was very rich and moist. The polenta added another level of creaminess to the dish and it did well to compliment the lamb as well as on its own. My favorite aspect of the dish ended up being the tomato sauce, which surprised me. It was well spiced and really enhanced the lamb, which on its own was actually a little under seasoned in my opinion. I ate about a third of this massive lamb shank, as I wanted to leave room for one of their desserts. After hemming and hawing over my dessert options, my waiter pointed me to the special which was what they called an italian donut, which was a light pastry dough filled with a maple custard and topped with a streusel, pecans, and chocolate sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. Incredible. I'm pretty sure I fell silent as I ate this dessert, and I savored every bite. I loved how it was dense and rich, but it wasn't overly sugary. A great ending to the meal, which was made even better by one of their scotch offerings, being the Balvenie 12 year. The service was friendly and spot on, and there were no hiccups whatsoever the entire night. The manager even was talking to me throughout the night, and helped me pick out the scotch to pair with the dessert. Vetri was even in the kitchen when I arrived, which was great to note. Amis, if I'm ever back in Philly, I'll gladly come running back to you or one of your sister restaurants!
(4)
Nick D.
I was actually excited to write about Amis after I ate there. First off, the place itself is really cool. It's got that old-world feel to it. Lots of brick and wood. As for the food, pretty excellent. The bruschetta with bufala ricotta and black pepper was amazingly good. The cheese was fresh and creamy, and the bread charred wonderfully. I had the chicken al mattone for an entree. This is a chicken leg and thigh, deboned and cooked under a brick. The skin is wonderfully crispy and the chicken itself it crazy juicy. My wife had the skirt steak with roasted figs. Great flavor, but it probably could have been cooked for another minute or two. The highlight of the meal, however, was the pasta. We had the bruschetta, then split a pasta, then had our entrees, but the pasta was CLEARLY the best thing we ate so it gets mentioned last here. Cacio e pepe. If you've never had it, it is simplicity at it's best; pecorino, black pepper and pasta. It is a classic in Rome. I had it while on a trip there, and it was incredible. But I have to admit, that the cacio e pepe at Amis was just as good. Amazingly simple, creamy, not too heavy, not too salty, just spectacular. I will dream of that dish. Do yourself a favor and have it.
(5)
Erika B.
I will become a regular to make up for lost time. I had a hunch that I would be returning as soon as I walked in to this casual, dimly lit and rustic looking place. The small dishes aren't quite as tiny as I had expected them to be so that was a pleasant surprise. The monkfish skewers in some type of nut based sauce were very good. The PASTA is what this place is all about. My hen and apple ragu was perfect. My friend's black spaghetti was perfect. The pork tagliatelle was perfect. Next time I will have to have only pasta and an entree so that I don't fill up too quickly. Another plus, they had a great beer list. Service: I have to note that that the food really had to be satisfying to make up for the offensive start to the night. The manager apologized for the 30 minute wait for our reservation because the hostess forgot about us...it was obnoxious and the resolution was unprofessional. I usually don't comment on service but this really rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)
R. M.
For the sake of humanity, please put the salt down.I could not finish my meal because of it. Sent the pasta back, came back just as salty. I finally just gave up. The mussels were delicious but not special at all. Service is decent but I felt like I was eating at the Cheesecake Factory. Totally not what I expected at a place like this.
(2)
Grace S.
The oft-quoted swordfish meatballs are really flavorful, but (I'm not a fan of polenta, unfortunately) the consistency was very similar to Asian fishballs which I was not expecting at all. It is also a strange gray color... The tripe stew was delicious. if you're a tripe person, definitely try it. I can't describe tripe, but it's slightly slimy, chewy, and has a very distinctive innards-type of flavor. The lamb croquettes were awesome--plenty of shredded lamb and the croquette had a very thin crust (not greasy at all). The bucatini was very fishy tasting, but that's what I get for not asking about the descriptions ahead of ordering. The pappardelle was perfection, extra thin, beautiful ragu sauce that wasn't too salty and was satisfyingly meaty. The monkfish was overly salty, unfortunately, and I wish I had known it was battered and fried. The mushrooms were just salt salt salt. The table bread was very blah too, but our server made up for it by being very attentive but totally un-intrusive. And of course the Mum Mum's rice pudding is delicious with the figs and black cherry marmalade. 4 people shared it while finishing off our 3rd or 4th carafe of red wine (500 ml for $20). I observed lots of dates going on so it's a pretty happenin' place!
(4)
John B.
Well beyond expectations. Meatballs, cacio e pepe, and specials were all incredible. Great atmosphere - sat at the chefs counter which was served as great entertainment for the evening. Fantastic night - will surely be back soon.
(5)
Joey P.
My last dinner in Philly and Amis was an excellent choice. My wife and i shared a few small plates. The sheeps milk ricotta with pepper was outstanding. The sweetbreads melted in your mouth and the bufala mozzarella was so fresh. I wish i could have tried everything. We each then had a pasta. The pasta was definitely made in house. All i can say was it had some chew. The texture was amazing. The pappardelle was so thin it melted but the star of the night was the Tonnarelli "Cacio E Pepe"with pecorino and black pepper. The peppercorns were slightly crushed giving off a wonderful taste. Our waiter was amazing. He explained each dish and gave great recommendations. The entire staff was so attentive. The prices for what you got cannot be beat. My wife and i ate and drank like we were going to the chair and the bill was under $100. Highly recommended to anyone who loves off the menu type items.
(5)
Jack S.
Rotten Child of the Vetri Family
(1)
Gerald F.
Always 5 *****'s. My linguine pasta was voted the best meal. The meatballs are always outstanding. The chocolate bonbon is probably top 3 chocolate deserts in the city....if not #1. Be sure to say hi to Chef Chris if he's on. Love the awesome lady chef. don't know her name. GREAT STAFF YO!
Dee-licious! I love tastes of things and they way the menu is set up, they encourage you to order a couple small plates each. Italian tapas if you will. We took them at their word and ordered loads for the table. They were all delicious and the perfect size to pique your interest and leave you wanting more. We got over excited when ordering and managed to order too much pasta & secondi, delicious as they were. If I was to go again, personally I'd stick to the intro dishes. Drinks wise, they had Woodford so I was delighted but the wine was warm when it arrived. They did everything to chill it down and make sure it was at optimum serving temperature for the rest of the bottle. Service was super and the interiors are intimate and gorge.
(4)
David J.
Food was outstanding. Touch of class - they gave us an extra dessert after our waitress realized my wife was pregnant and couldn't decide between two of the offerings. The only reason I do not give Amis 5 stars is because they played horrible classic rock all night. I know this is a truly subjective point, but it just doesn't fit the restaurant.
(4)
More-aa P.
Quite good! Not the place to take your older relatives as its quite crowded and noisy, but a young lively enjoyable atmosphere. Fung shui around the bar leaves something to be desired as I felt like my bum was encroaching on a fellow diner's table. But I was lucky enough to be seated on the raised area to the right. The center 2 tops in front of the kitchen are practically on top of each other. Enough about the size. Food very good, service excellent. I felt the wine list could've been more ambitious compared to the innovative menu items. Quite pricy but largely worth it. Like other diners, my first Vetri experience. I'm looking forward to trying Osteria and saving up to go to Vetri eventually. Not so sure I'll be running back to Amis, but I was not disappointed.
(3)
Trang N.
We're not sure if my husband and I went to the same restaurant as everyone else?! We had high hopes as we are huge fans of Osteria and frequent there often, not to mention the glowing reviews from the other Yelpers about Amis, we were really excited to try it! We came here last night for our three year anniversary celebration, since it's a Vetri restaurant with a James Beard award winning chef, it automatically had to be good right? Meh. We brought along our one month old son and had no issue getting seated at a four top to accommodate the car seat, so that was a great start to the night! The space was small and akin to an industrial warehouse. The staff was friendly but the service was very spotty, we really appreciated that everyone congratulated us numerous times on our anniversary which was really nice. We started off with the mixed salami plate- bland selections of meats, more like fancy pepperoni, flavorless pate and ham in a board! Sweetbreads - undercooked which made the protein gelatinous and was overly salted, which was disappointing since the flavored were there just prepared poorly. Pork belly- was the texture of raw bacon, I'm use to having it prepared with a crispy skin and a cooked pork, so it was very off putting, but perhaps that was just not our personal preference. Meatballs- again undercooked and underseasoned. Aren't meatballs the Italian staple? How we're they not phenomenal?! My husband said that he would preferred a Wawa meatball and I would have to agree with him! Perplexed, we decided to go very conservative with our entree, in fact we lost faith In the chef and split a basic pasta dish, which we never share entrees! We just couldn't bare to spend anymore money on mediocre food!! It the duck bolognese special was actually pretty good, so at least we had one good dish during our evening out. Our server seemed to be overwhelmed with the amount of tables he had, so perhaps that is why the service was so lacking. The bus boy started to clear our table without aaking If we were finished, we actually had to stop him a from removing one of our plates. We had to ask for refills on our cocktails too! We declined dessert, but to our surprise they came over with a complimentary rice pudding and some vanilla ice cream with a candle which was very tasty, so the night was redeemed somewhat, however we left feeling very disappointed with the dinner courses for our special occasion. It's ashamed because it's literally a block from our house, it could have been our default place to eat!. Amis was a miss!! It really fell way short of our expectations.
(2)
Hector R.
Birthday dinner, delicious food. The mortadella meatballs are delicious! And wait staff !
(5)
Ann V.
So the last time I was here I gave them 5 stars but this time around my dining experience was even more amazing! I guess I could say that last time it was 4.5 stars w/out adjusting it and this time would be 5 stars! OR they could create a 5 star+ button. Just saying.... So this is what we had. Appetizer: Mixed salumi plate: salami del giorno with marmalade, pork liver terrine - so good, mortadella with hazelnut honey, Grilled smoked mozzarella, Sal's old school meatballs - just as i remembered from my last meal, paccheri w/ swordfish, strozzaprete - prob my fave of the evening, braised snails with scallion crema bruschetta - was decent but not my fave. Entree: Guinea hen leg saltimboca - I thought this was pretty tasty but was pretty stuffed at this point and was just eating to eat. Mixed seafood grill - perfectly nice and simple. Charred asparagus with romesco sauce - just getting my veggies in for the day. Dessert -- Belgian style waffles with nutella - nutella doesnt need to be explained, "tartufo al bacio" - hazelnut anything reminds me of nutella - enough said. Food coma.
(5)
Kelly F.
Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I love the menu and chefs who aren't afraid of creative food and unique ingredients. The food itself was pretty good but maybe a tad overpriced. The swordfish meatballs were good. The baked pecorino was a little too sweet for my taste. The bucatini was good but maybe needed a little more almonds or something else the portion was decent. The seafood stew? Wasn't a stew at all and very very small. The waiters were great and the ambience very nice but yes it was kind of hard to hear my dining partners and it wasn't full.
(4)
Emily W.
I can't wait to visit again! One of my favorite Italian restaurants of all-time. Homemade pasta is excellent and I absolutely love the cucumber dill salad! Lemon blueberry mascarpone torte mmm mmm mmm
(5)
Kevin W.
Outstanding all the way around.
(5)
Alie A.
I simply cannot understand why it took me two years of passing by this place every day to actually come for dinner. I could kick myself for what I have been missing out on. The interior is gorgeous and intimate. It's far smaller inside than I had imagined it to be. It reminded me a lot of Barbuzzo as far as the menu options go. Forever a tapas fan, this family style dining allows for a lot of variety and you get to have a little bit of everything. The bartender was excellent in helping to pair wines with what we both typically like. Great selection and on point recommendations. We sat at the Chef's table which was fun to watch the kitchen bustle on a busy Sunday night. Our server staggered our selections so that we were constantly eating from start to finish. (FYI gained ten points in one sitting..easy. Thank you, Marc Vetri.) The first dish was the whipped ricotta and toasted and light oiled bread. Delicious and the perfect starter dish. Next came the swordfish meatballs with polenta and pine nuts. I had heard this was a house favorite, and I can certainly see why. Very unique flavor. If you are an adventurous eater, the sweetbreads with fennel marmalade were mind blowing. Just pretend you don't know what your eating and it tastes like chicken.. The Chicken Al Matone infused with garlic and olive oil and served over a bead of spinach was the juiciest, most flavorful thing I may have ever had. I tried to explain it to a friend following the meal and couldn't even do it justice. I literally stuttered to explain its awesomeness. We also have the spicy bucatini stuffed with jalapeño and almond pesto was rich and savory..also a know house favorite and certainly one for a reason. Although I thought my pants might split by this point in the evening, we simply couldn't go without trying the tiramisu which was absolutely something to write home about. Ladies and Gents..this mean was one for the books. I am going to throw a really big statement out there..I think this may be the best restaurant in Philadelphia. There. I said it. Can you handle that? Yum.
(5)
Rebecca H.
Another Marc Vetri gem. The pasta here is one of the best I've ever had; beats some of the pastas I've had in New York. The restaurant itself is fairly spacious, but it feels cozy with the rustic decor and dim lighting. The tables seemed to accommodate parties of all sizes, ranging from round tables for socializing to intimate seats at the bar near the chefs. Service is great, friendly, genuinely helpful in giving recommendations. Onto the deliciousness. The classic cacio e pepe was absolutely flawless. Cheesy, but not greasy, with just the right amount of chewiness from being perfectly al dente. The fresh black pepper gave it a little kick to balance out the savory pecorino cheese. And though I'm aware that a lot of butter is used to bring out a hint of sweetness to this plate of amazingness, it tasted too good for me to care. The other pasta standout was the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. A mix of unexpected but seamlessly complimentary flavors, the jalapeno and almond combo made the dish slightly spicy and sweetly nutty, all at the same time. Like the cacio e pepe, this was PERFECTLY al dente, and the unique flavors make it one of a kind. Got too excited and talked about the pastas first, but we also ate the baked pecorino with almond honey, accompanied by a few pieces of bread, played up the sweet but salty flavors - paired well, a little on the sweeter side, which I won't complain about. I forgot the specific name of the dessert we got, but it was a classic vanilla sundae with chocolate sauce. While I can't remember the other components, I couldn't think of a better way to round out an amazing meal. Will definitely be back for dinner again. And for brunch.
(5)
Beth R.
Best to go with others who want to order and share. I split 2 pastas and 3 small plates with a friend. My favorite dish was the fettuccini with corn and scallions. Sounds odd but was creamy and good. I would have happily eaten an entree size portion of that. We also had the salami del giorno in marmalade (ok, and not very much on the plate for the price tag), baked pecorino with almond honey (really good), and the buccatini with tomato and pancetta sauce (good, but again, seemed a little expensive for what it was). Service is very attentive and helpful in making decisions about what to order.
(4)
Kevin T.
Tried this place by recommendation and it was great. Very friendly staff across the board. Food was great too. Would definitely dine here again.
(5)
Brian K.
Amis' unique spin on traditional Italian will have me coming back. I live only a few blocks away so I pass by all the time, but this was my first time stopping in for dinner. Happily they were open on a Monday night, and getting a reservation was easy, although it probably wouldn't have been 100% necessary. The staff were all extremely nice, which should be a given, yet I'm always pleased when they are. The menu may seem a bit daunting at first, even though all the combinations of food I tasted were perfectly matched. The swordfish meatballs are a must-try with their homemade meatball taste and just enough of a 'fishy' kick to remind you that you are indeed eating swordfish. It may take a little bit of adventurousness to get past some of the food pairings on their dishes, but you should have faith in them. A very solid list of beers and wines with a varied enough selection on tap to keep pretty much any beer palate happy. I would recommend it.
(4)
Ryan B.
The pasta dish literally defined "al dente" and the veal tongue is not to be missed. Thank you fellow Yelpers for the tip on the Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey which is a real winner.
(5)
Todd B.
I loved the beautiful, charming and romantic space at Amis, as well as the innovative small plates here that were completely new to me and a delight to my tastebuds. We were warmly greeted and immediately seated, and our waiter was helpful without being a constant interruption. I enjoyed an Old Fashioned type cocktail that was wonderful and reasonably priced at $10. My friend and I then ordered a number of small plate combinations to experience the diverse menu. We began with the swordfish meatballs and the toast with almond honey butter (which also includes cheese I think), then ventured on to the Arancini and fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa. By far, our favorite was he cauliflower with the meatballs a close second. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try the bufalo ricotta bruschetta, as it is a favorite of my friend and raved about a lot here on Yelp. We avoided dessert, but the tiramisu looked extraordinary. This is a great Vetri choice in downtown. At the same time, and I look forward to more experiments with Amis in the future.
(4)
Matt K.
I have heard so many times that Vetri's restaurants are A. expensive for what you get, B. crowded. Neither was the case at Amis. We came for brunch and it was surprisingly inexpensive and very good. The trick I think is to order things that aren't so breakfasty. In fact, you can mostly avoid anything to do with breakfast if you want to. Amis is supposed to be very casual and the food is simple but extremely well done. We did the charcuterie plate, the escarole salad, and some pasta dishes. Mine was the carbonara. A great rendition, everything about it was well done. The escarole salad is not easy to find first of all, and this one had some parmesan on it, and it was just bitterly delightful because of course escarole is so bitter. The charcuterie was three different meats with three different sauces/mustards, all very good. One was a chicken liver. I love it when a restaurant has the guts to do chicken liver, it has such great flavor. We had a verdicchio and a valpolicella, two great inexpensive wines that just work so well with simple Italian cuisine. Service was very professional, and staff knowledgeable. All in all a great experience and inexpensive to boot, even though three people split two bottles of wine. And one of us was my mother in law. Now that says something, I think....
(4)
Brian H.
My girlfriend and I returned to Amis for a second time after a late summer dinner that we enjoyed heartily. Our server, knowing that I was vegetarian, and my girlfriend was vegetarian-leaning, suggested we return for a Meatless Monday tasting menu. After securing a reservation on OpenTable (100 points, y'all!) we returned this past Monday evening. Soon after being seated, we found out that they have stopped their Meatless Monday promotion. We were saddened to hear this, but our waiter kindly offered to check with the Chef to see if he could accommodate; luckily, Chef was more than happy to help. We received imaginative, off-menu items that were delicious. We received 3 courses -- an appetizer, a pasta dish and a dessert. This was the best meal we have eaten in a while and would return again. Amis took care of us (Chef/Server[s]/etc.). We'll be more than happy when it is time to return for another wonderful meal.
(5)
Laurel W.
My husband and I have been coming to Amis for over a year now. We love the food and the staff so much that we eat here at least once a week! They have specials every night, switch up the menu between seasons, and all the food is fantastic! The manager, Brian, is a great guy who always makes us feel special and appreciated. The cocktails, food, and all the staff Brian, Lindsay, Mark, Tracy, and the rest of the gang are all topnotch. We think Amis is the best of Vetri's restaurants and not to be missed.
(5)
Daniel A.
Had a really nice experience. Sat outside an enjoy a nice dinner. Service great and food came up fast and delicious. Defenitely would go again.
(5)
Nancy L.
Excellent food, quick service. I'm usually not impressed by Italian food because pasta just doesn't do it for me. But since we're talking about a Vetri establishment, I thought I'd give it a shot. We shared the baked honey almond pecorino, swordfish meatballs, octopus, veal tongue, cacio e pepe pasta, monkfish with San marzano tomatoes, tiramisu for dessert. I'd have to say each dish was masterfully executed. The meatballs were surprisingly moist, the veal tongue and octopus were very tender. The pasta was unlike any I'd had before because it was so dense, but it was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed it. It was a very rich meal. Come hungry.
(5)
Katie N.
My girlfriend and I had a wondeful experience from the second we walked in the door. The ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and intimate yet fun and funky. The food came quickly and everything was cooked to perfection. You could tell everything, down to the bread, was homeade with their own flare. Having lived in Italy, my girlfriend is pretty particular about her espresso. For the first time, she was blown away at how similar the espresso was to her experiences in Italy. Awesome customer service; WILL BE GOING BACK!
Let's start off with the most important things first....the have a liquor license with wine and a full bar so no BYOB here. Yes it is a big deal especially for us tourist who are not used to BYOB and don't know where the liquor stores are. Now the food....every pasta we tried was exceptional with my fav being the "Cacio e Pepe" tonnarelli pasta with back pepper and pecorino cheese and the Spinach Lasagna. Both of these are worth the flight back to Philly from LA.
(4)
Anthony Y.
chef spence crushes it. the talked about hits mortadella mousse, meatballs and affordable wines top my list of favorites. i went for a business meal but will definitely be back frequently with my wife.
(5)
De V.
Amis was highly recommended and now I can see why! The ambiance is loud/fun environment. We sat at the Chef's table where we observed apps & desserts being made. The staff was so nice and answered questions on the variety of plates we watched them prep. The food is phenom, definitely a must to try this place out.
(4)
Haltone H.
I've been here 3 times in 4 years. This is a really wow place, as far as the food and service. You will try dishes here that you would never, ever think could be some of the tastiest things you've ever eaten - but they will be. The most unappetizing-sounding offal is turned into the best food experiences here. Almost more impressive is the service, though. My husband asked for the recipe for Sal's meatballs, expecting the server to disappear into the kitchen and come back with it at some point. Instead, our server quoted the recipe on the spot. He could tell us what was in every dish we were eating (I'm thinking of the 2nd time I went, with a party of 6), and anything we could possibily like to know about our beer, wine, and cocktail choices. I work in fine dining, but it made me think that I could never be a server at a place like this - I could never remember that many details! You would think this waiter was the chef, himself. And yet he had a very down-to-earth, local-guy demeanor. I work with some great, career servers, but was truly impressed. Also: each time I've dined there, we've been sent complimentary dishes. This last time, 3 of us sat at the bar, and ordered small plates. We were comped just as many plates as we ordered. I can't yet figure out if these are plates that were made by mistake, or what. The bottom line is, if you're going to splurge, this is a place to do it. Lots of places charge commensurate prices and don't deliver - this one does.
(5)
Bill M.
Review 1000!!! And a birthday dinner review at that! When I realized that the time frame of hitting my 1000th review was going to fall around the time of my birthday dinner I knew that I was going to have to pick a Philly restaurant that was worthy of both occasions. At first the task proved daunting when my first choice (A tasting menu at a restaurant beginning with a Z that I have recommended on countless occasions based on YOUR reviews) didn't have a reservation on the needed day. But then it hit me that there was still a very worthy Philly chef out there who's food I've had yet to sample. While I've enjoyed offerings from Garces and Starr restaurants, food from the likes of Solomonov and McAndrews, and have shared plenty of off kilter moments with the likes of Chiang and Jacobson, the fine Italian cuisine of Marc Vetri is something that has up until this point alluded me. Of late I've found myself salivating over the thought of his pizza, pasta and homemade salumi; and had become especially fond and appreciative of the charitable efforts he does with the Vetri Foundation. So while the dilemma of choosing between Osteria and Amis was a challenge, the baked pecorino was enough of a wild card to delight the cheese monger in me and the reservation was set. Many reviews on here go into the extra attentiveness of the staff, and our table did experience that in some ways such as having 2 different servers check on our table, and asking how everything was during our meal a few times too many. It also created a couple of "Whos on First?" style moments when one would complete the dessert order or check taking that the other started. But if anything it was done in a way that was extra accommodating and informative as opposed to being extra aggressive and overbearing. And it showed in the little details like them adding a birthday candle to my dessert when they overheard our table having a birthday discussion. Every so very often there comes a menu that sounds so enticing that I want to order and savor one of everything on it. And with its various bruschettas, homemade salumi, classic and elevated pasta dishes, incredible sounding fish dish and meat dishes, and overall old world Italian meets new world Italian feel, it was VERY much the case at Amis. Which is especially amicable given the tripe, tongue, and liver dishes that they had. the salami del giorno was enticing with its fennel inside and rich marmalade accompaniment. the eggplant caponata was fresh and robust in all of the right places. But the star of the appetizer show was definitely the baked pecorino with almond honey. In all my years of being a cheese monger I never thought I'd be able to see a typically hard and grate-able cheese like pecorino presented in a way that was so soft and gooey. But seeing and especially tasting is believing. And seeing experiencing it with that decadent honey made me a believer! It is important to remember not to hit up an Indonesian noodle market for a quick lunch before going to a place that's known for its pasta for dinner. And since I was one to sadly make such an error (D'oh!), I wasn't up for getting the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu that I otherwise would have gotten (double D'oh!). But in the experience of trying something that I wasn't at least somewhat familiar with I ordered the grilled cobia tagliata for main. And what I gotwas an incredible swordfish style whitefish that was meaty and not overwhelmingly fishy thanks to its fennel and citrus accompaniment. One could get hooked on the potent and fruity vodka and lemon infused Amis Punch if they're not to careful. But fortunately the small yet impressionable draught list was enough to have me intrigued. And the Trubbel De Yards delivered a malty yet fruity complexion that I wasn't expecting from a dark beer. Normally dessert is another tricky thing to choose. but the prospect of a homemade salted butter ice cream sundae with blood orange and crushed chocolate biscotti was pretty damn hard to pass up. And it was the perfect final bite to a flawless meal that already has me craving more!!!
(5)
Tough Crowd T.
I'm starting to think that I am inspired to write only by poor experiences. Take this review for what it's worth to you. Had a meal at the bar last night. A pre-theater quickie. The bar was full and the atmosphere lovely but everything else was poor. After my last two visits to the restaurant (it's on my way home) my expectations were low. But all of the food was disappointed. Even my pineapple soda was terrible; pure sugar no flavor. We had octopus, escarole salad, tongue, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. The last two dishes were scorched in the fryer. (I missed zahav's delicious lightly fried veggies). The salad drowned in dressing and cheese. The octopus was tough to chew. The tongue unbearably sweet and swimming in oil. Everything was over-salted. And I love my salt. Service was slow (the bartender was overwhelmed by a full bar) and surly. And there was some guy hanging out behind the bar under foot. Not going back.
(1)
Celeste A.
Fantastic! Service is great. We were there with 4 adults, 4 PRE teens, and an infant. They were able to accommodate all of us! Plan to experiment. We ordered multiple apps to share so all could get a taste. Entrees are perfect size. I like to finish my meal not take home 3/4 of a pound of left over pasta! Desserts were good too! Plan a leasurely dinner. Take your time to enjoy the food and the great staff they have!
(5)
Ryan B.
My wife and I stopped in just before 9 PM on Saturday the 9th to celebrate our anniversary. Having never been to any of Marc Vetri's restaurants, we didn't know what to expect. In my opinion it lived up to the hype. The ambience was nice, a little loud, but we liked the feel of it. The food was very good. I definitely recommend trying the swordfish meatballs. It was packed when we arrived but there was minimal wait time before we could sit down. We had a table closer to the door but it turned out to be nice as we were a little more secluded. While our server Eric was checking in on his other tables, we had management stop by to check in on us and ultimately take our order. I was impressed. I could see the restaurant was very busy and had no problem waiting for the server to make his rounds but it was appreciated nonetheless. Our server Eric was attentive but not overzealous. He took the time to check in on us but gave us plenty of space to celebrate our evening. He was knowledgeable and gave us a few good recommendations but he was also able to loosen up and joke with us which made the evening more enjoyable. It was our first anniversary and Amis made it quite memorable. We won't hesitate to go back for seconds.
(4)
Jennie C.
Came here for dinner before a concert at the Kimmel center with a friend. The place was buzzing on the Thursday evening,so I took it as a sign that food must be good. Well, things started off on a great note: enthusiastic waitress, lovely decor, yummy bread. We started with the baked pecorino with almond honey, which came with crispy toast and was TO-DIE-FOR. Then the pasta came: friend had the tonarelli cacio e pepe, I had the bucatini with cauliflower. The pasta was al dente, but I'm not of a fan of the rich and rather congealed cream sauce. For $14, the portion size was quite good, but I couldn't finish it because of the rich sauce. The chocolate hazelnut dessert we shared was waaaayyy too rich, needless to say we weren't able to finish it, although both of us were rabid chocolate addicts. I'd stick with the appetizers. Also, while I appreciate the open kitchen, rustic table settings, I wish the tables weren't placed so close. We were lucky the two old ladies next to us were pleasant companions. People on dates may want to go somewhere more private.
(3)
Steph G.
Very good food. Very nice service. There is one big "HOWEVER," though, that prevents me from giving this place five stars: they gave me caffeinated coffee at 10:30 pm when I had asked for a decaf. Obviously, I didn't realize this until after I had drunk it, and was awake all night. At 4:30 in the morning, as I was cursing their names, this sort of ruined my experience of the restaurant. I don't want to dock Amis more than one star for this, though, because it might have just been an honest eff-up. And the food and wine were quite good.... But dammit, Amis, keep your decaf clearly labeled, please. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, yo!
(4)
Jose S.
We had a little bit of a wait & then our appetizers were given to the table next to us. The dinner portions were kind of small but very good.
(3)
Huntington B.
What a great restaurant. Loved the burrata with tomatoes, pasta pecorino (not sure if that's the correct title), fried cauliflower, and tiramisu. Not a huge fan of the swordfish meatballs but between the service and the food, it was a wonderful evening!
(5)
Jessica H.
We came here for NYE, excited to try the spot that Anthony Bourdain raved about on his recent show, The Layover. As a New Yorker, I'm pretty well versed in good food and service and looked forward to Amis given what I had read & heard. When your New Years plans revolve around a meal, you're clearly serious about good food and looking for an experience vs just a dinner. We had a 10pm reservation for 4 that had been made weeks in advance; we had called ahead to confirm and were told there'd be a champagne toast at midnight. We were planning to spend the time enjoying a nice & leisurely spaced out meal and drinking until the clock struck 12. We specifically asked our waiter to space the meal out, that we weren't in a rush and wanted to take time between courses. We even had requested to put the appetizer order in first and the pasta and entrees later in order to take our time. Instead, he pushed us to put it all in at once, claiming that the pastas would take a lot of time and that we wouldn't be rushed at all. Our appetizers were delish, but came all at once. When we'd finished the plates were quickly cleared...and not 5 minutes later we found BOTH our secondi pasta dishes AND our main course entrees laid out in front of us. On top of this, the 2 side dishes we'd ordered with the main courses never showed up! I wasn't happy, it was only 10:30 at this point, a half hour from when we'd started. Again our plates were quickly cleared when we'd finished and we ordered dessert which was popped down in front of us quickly. Our meal had been completely rushed-we were done at 11pm, in just one hour! Despite this, our group agreed that we would take our time with dessert & order more cocktails in effort to ring in the new year at 12am. That's when without being asked if we wanted another round and WITHOUT ASKING FOR IT, our check arrived on the table. Mind you, no one was waiting for our table-so what was their rush? At this point I'd had enough. It was NYE and I felt like they were trying to push us out the door before midnight, while the restaurant still had plenty of seated tables. I went to the manager and explained everything to him-that we had specifically asked the server to space our dinner out, and that not only had we been rushed but our check had come without request when we'd planned to stay. He brusquely told me that he encourages the waitstaff to put in orders at one time and barely acknowledged my points. He told me he'd be happy to bring us another round of drinks, which I accepted. We rang in the new year, but without a champagne toast-the restaurant had offered NONE. And if that wasn't enough, they didn't even comp us that last round of cocktails-we paid for them! What a gross way to treat customers who paid a fortune for dinner, especially on New Years!! And to add insult to injury, the manager sarcastically stopped us on the way out to wish us a happy new year and to add that he hoped we'd enjoyed the rest of our experience. It's a shame that this place is managed by such a terrible staff, because the food was delicious. But if I lived in Philly this would be the LAST freaking place I'd give my money to ever again! Go to a Steven Starr restaurant instead, he knows how to run things!
(2)
Brad P.
The black linguine with squid and chorizo and tartufo al bacio dessert are stellar. If you eat at Amis and don't partake in these items, then you have permanently sullied the quality of your life. I don't really recommend the imported bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta. The salami del giorno with marmalade is good. The salami is thicker than you'd expect and the marmalade adds a delightful sweetness. The grouper is OK.
(4)
Lindsay H.
I am a fan of all the Marc Vetri Restaurants and can not wait for him to keep opening up more. I was at Amis on friday night and once again, it did not disappoint. This place is always packed so reservations are necessary. Even with reservations, you may need to wait a few minutes but, for my group, it was friday and we were happy with having some cocktails at the bar. I was thrilled with the table they seated us at. One of my complaints has always been how close they seat you to other tables but our table was sort of off in the corner with plenty of room. There are a few highlights at Amis that I must mention. First, they have my favorite preparation of sweetbreads that I've ever had. They're almond dusted, fried and served with an orange fenel marmalade. They are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and the marmalade adds an awesome sweet flavor to a salty dish. YUM! That aside, the pastas are always a highlight as well. My favorite pasta this time was a rigatoni with a wild mushroom ragu. The pasta was aldente and the ragu was creamy, salty and delicious...especially if you love mushrooms like me. From here, there were two seafood dishes that blew my mind. The skate wing and the swordfish meatballs. HOLY skate wing. They dust it in this super fine flour and pan fry it just to give a little texture, serving it with a lemon butter sauce with fried brussel sprouts...very approachable. The flavors and textures in this dish were heaven. I could eat this dish all the time and be happy. After that, the swordfish meatballs. YUM! The meatballs just fell apart when you touched them and were perfectly tender and juicy, served over some creamy polenta. The only thing I wasn't crazy about for this meal were the desserts. They were good but not great. Honestly, I can't even remember what we had but everything else was so delicious, it doesn't even matter!
(4)
Joe C.
Sal's Meatballs. As good as my grandmother's, maybe even better. ( I can't believe I just wrote that, sorry Grandmom) Amis has great atmosphere, great food, and great service. This is my 3rd time there, I've tried most of the menu, and never had a bad choice. In addition to the meatballs, try the homemade salumi, and any of the bruchetta's. Split the pastas (I love the Al'amatracani and the cacao e pepe) and then try any of the Beast of the week specials. And whatever you do, save room for dessert.
(4)
Leya r.
This is one of the best restaurants of all time. The food is beyond worlds. It's absolutely exquisite. Everything I have ever had is exquisite. The service is also second to none. This is the best restaurant in Philly. And one of the top in the east coast. You will not regret this!!!
(5)
Max E.
Came in here on a Tuesday night with reservations for two. We had to wait a LONG time (30+ minutes) because we didn't want to sit at the chef's counter. They were very nice and apologetic, and even gave us glasses of wine and some appetizers. The food was delicious - I'm a fan of simple dishes and loved the cacio e pepe and the mozarella with pears. The bread pudding was the star of the meal. I'll definitely come back - but hopefully on a night when it's a little less busy.
(4)
Carlo M.
Nice location on a quiet street just outside of the drab high-rises of Center City, and a nice ambiance. They were poor on meeting their reservations however. We got there on time, and were told to wait at the bar for our table. Little did we know there were still three couples ahead of us. Luckily, they opened up the chef's table right next to the kitchen, so we were able to sit there, which I actually really liked. With that aside, I thought the food was actually very good. The bread was quite tasty, and it went really well w/ the mussels we had for appetizers. It was a great surprise to find little pieces of pork in the broth! I liken the feeling to finding an onion ring in your fries when you go to Burger King. Anyway, great mussels. For my main dish, I ordered the black spaghetti w/ squid & chorizo. It was really good. I don't know what else to say. Beer & wine were reasonably priced, as was the rest of the menu. We were going out afterward, so we skipped dessert. But we sat right in front of the dessert station, and all of them looked really good. I'll have to come back here to try them.
(4)
Stephanie L.
so I tell my story of our two years through the food of Amis - a Vetri family establishment in the heart of Philadelphia. The red table wine of Amis, the pork cheek, the strange duck sauce of Mr. V's pasta dish - and what was great about this place was that every choice I made, aside from the desert, I got...slightly wrong, and Mr. V got them right. Flowing red wine and iced tea is essentially what we are - what we drink when we are given a choice, though he'll tell you gin and tonic when operating machinery is not in his near future. I loved the atmosphere of Amis - it's exactly the sort of place I've been looking for for over a year - a hipster ish sort of feeling, sunken and hidden from unknowing eyes, wood everywhere and darkened by lamps and candlelight. somber and definite, it's the place you go to talk about the opera or a dark show, something that just doesn't feel right and you need inspiration for the words to come out right. Starters were bread and olive oil. His picks came first - salami with pickled onions and pecorino with almond honey. Both were good - the salami was especially soft and most and i liked it best. the honey on the pecorino was too sweet for my buds, but Mr. V loved both. My goal is to taste everything once or twice and move on, his goal is to devour life itself and leave nothing on the plate. Which he did. Next were my starters - pork's head croquettes and sweetbreads. The sweetbreads, while perfectly cooked, were fried a little on the heavy side, though good nonetheless. The croquettes were too big - they should've been smaller, bite sized, because the inside was so rich that two or three bites per croquette was just too much and overwhelming. I would've paid the same price for a smaller bite in order to enjoy it more. Entrees were a duck sausage pasta for Mr. V and wild boar sausage for myself. Mr. V loved his pasta dish, which is surprising, considering he doesn't like pasta much. He felt my wild boar was gamey and too salty, but liked the side of potatoes. I agreed, but didn't dislike it - it was hearty and gamey and seasoned a bit overmuch, but enjoyable and delish with the red table wine. I really liked his duck sausage pasta - al dente and warm, not smothered in sauce, hints of spice and flavor, light like a cloud. He got all of his right, I got only some, even with the dessert - I had the waffle with nutella and vanilla semi freddo, he had the carrot cake. He liked his, I loved mine, but mine had nutella - it's hard not to like it. the parking was odd - Mr. V didn't like paying $18 for valet, but I didn't want to walk in the cold for too many blocks. The wait staff was pleasant and not obtrusive, much more polite than I expected. Mr. V isn't used to sitting so close to people, so that was a small adjustment for him. I'd go back for an after show outing for a drink and some salami and cheese.
(3)
Anannya T.
Amis was my first Marc Vetri experience, and a fabulous one indeed. As one could probably glean from my reviews of Jose Garces restaurants, I respect innovative chefs/restauranteurs who can make seemingly incompatible flavors blend impeccably. The gregarious waitstaff and laid-back, unpretentious ambience made for a great evening. On the day we'd had dinner, their catch of the week was shark, and we ordered their night's special of shark pasta (which was clearly fresh and very good). We also ordered their signature Tonnarelli "Cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (*beyond words*), a side of polenta (too buttery and greasy for my personal taste), and the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts (OUT of this world). Overall, we remember our experience very fondly and would recommend this place to anyone with an appreciation for Italian/innovative cuisine.
(4)
Paul B.
Amis is the stripped down, more casual incarnation of Osteria. If you are looking for a 5 star experience, go to Osteria or Vetri. If 4 stars will do, Amis is a solid choice. The service is 3 stars. The food is very solid. If I could, I would have given. 3.5 stars. Very good, but not great.
(4)
Katarina M.
OMG I COULD EAT HERE ALL THE TIME if it weren't for my wallet and my belt line. And I only docked one star because some of the items are too small for the price, and there are one or two misses in terms of dishes. But I still think of this place as 5 stars because it's 5 stars whenever I go because I will only order one thing!!! And it is the only place besides Honey's that I'll take out-of-towner brunchers to. I've only been here for brunch, have been twice, and couldn't help but order the same entree both times. But tried a bunch of things. -Rotini with sausage and egg yolk: HEAVEN. Literally this is the most delicious pasta I think I've ever had. And it's a brunch pasta! YUM! It's basically loaded with flavor, the sausage is delicious, the egg yolk is cooked perfectly to just pop with a touch of your fork, and you mix it in, and it combines with the bit of parmesan in there and it is just incredible. GET THIS. I ordered it both times I came and this dish is the star. -Baked pecorino with almond honey appetizer: Just amazing. So delicious. They get that pecorino nice and melty and the honey and the crumbles of almond...yum. Served with a little bread. Enough for 4 to taste. But you could totally eat it all yourself and be so happy. -Tonnarelli carbonara: my dad ordered this it was underwhelming. Lacking in flavor. -Jersey cannonball: Had a bite of my friend's. It was pretty good. Not to die for, but I'd order it if they were out of the rotini. It's a breakfast sandwich with I forget all what, but definitely egg, cheese, and some fun Italian things. Maybe meat? I forget. Ask the waiter. (Sidenote: it's mildly annoying they don't have descriptions of the meals, but then the waiters are just so good at describing them, that it's almost more fun to just ask for a description) -Belgian waffle (with salted butter semifreddo, hazelnuts, and maple syrup): Delicious. Small portion though (and for $12!)! Two little waffles. My mom wanted to order a second one. This one should be made bigger or less pricy. But it's delicious. -Pancakes (forget the name...seems they're no longer on the menu): Delicious. I'm not a pancake or waffle person, but both were awesome. -something all uovo. Looks like this is gone off the menu too, which is both a shame and an improvement. That thing was so tiny for how expensive it was! Both of my waiters recommended getting it for the table to share, and it was delicious, but it was listed under entrees, which would've been a ridiculously small entree. Was a pasta with an egg cooked inside of it, with some brown butter on top, it was so delicious. -Soft scrambled eggs: Don't bother ordering these! They're nothing special whatsoever! -Dessert: have only ever gotten the Mom Mom's rice pudding. It's yumm! Always get it to split for the table because it's pretty big and I don't need much sweet after brunch. But it's definitely worth trying. Rice pudding with some sort of fruit in it, built like a parfait. -drinks: I won't bother anymore. Way overpriced. $10 for a little flute of mimosa. And the $11 limoncello wasn't anything special either. Adorable little place, sad they only have brunch on Sundays. But definitely check it out! If you order the right things, this place is 5 stars!
(4)
H. I.
Had an awesome NYE / belated birthday dinner for my boyfriend here. This is how you do Italian food! We ordered swordfish meatballs on a bed of polenta and the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade to start. All were delicious, highly recommend both. For our entree we split the fettuccine with duck bolognese and the roasted lamb shoulder. I have been dreaming about the fettuccine since! The pasta is super fresh, hand made, and so delicate. The lamb was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. For dessert, we had the tartufo as a birthday dessert. Rich and decadent chocolate with hazelnut. The space feels like a trattoria, energetic with delicious smells coming from the kitchen. The lighting is soft and perfect for a date. Can't wait to come back again!
(5)
Christina B.
It was our first time in Philadelphia & we had a fabulous dinner at Amis! One of the best Italian dinners we've had in a long while. Better than New York & similar to being in Italy. Highly recommend!! The seared scallops & the swordfish meatballs were perfectly done. We had the chicken fettuccine special which was magnificent. Their pastas are perfectly made. Thank you for a spectacular meal & the wonderful, friendly service that comes. With it!
(5)
Hector M.
Giving 3 stars to a Vetri restaurant seems like sacrilege, but I had an equal amount of hits and amÃsses. The olive oil bread basket is absolutely ridiculous (if you typically skip the bread, try this and try to each just one - good luck). After analyzing the menu and pointing out all of the recommendations, we went with the following: - chicken liver toscani: ever since I had and loved the chicken liver at The Spotted Pig (NYC), I haven't been able to find it as good anywhere else. The streak continues.... - baked pecorino with almond honey: absolutely amazing. I took more than more portion, ordered it again, and took more than my portion again (it was so good, I didn't care about the social repercussions). - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato: all parts of this appetizer were delicious - the meatballs, the sauce, and the 'tomato potato'. - grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda: I had high hopes and it was just ok (nothing memorable). - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper: I was distracted by the overcooked pasta (I didn't finish my plate which is rare) - polenta with brown butter: it was bland. I was expecting sweetness from the brown butter, but all it seemed to do was make a brown ring around the polenta. - spagetti squash with pork jowl and pecorino: I was strategically taking spoonfuls of the pork jowl (and you'll do the same) - wow.
(3)
Sunita L.
This is a great Italian restaurant. This is probably the classiest Italian restaurant we have been in. The menu is a little overwhelming only because the food is so unique. Not your average spaghetti and meatballs place. The service was great at being patient with us. She explained everything. When we finally ordered we were not disappointed. Everything was so well prepared and delicious. Highly recommend. Just be prepared to pay a little more then typical Italian cuisine. But well worth it.
(5)
Star T.
Amis never disappoints. We had a wonderful dinner: I had the pork chop alla Milanese and my friend had the scallops. Both meals were quite good but I preferred the scallops in the end. Dinner for two with wine can be a bit pricey in the end but I find Amis to be worth it, much more so than some other restaurants in its price range.
(4)
Courtney C.
We had a Valentine's weekend dinner and it was a great experience. What truly sold me, they service. (The food is excellent) they had run out of braised lamb shank, so the send over the chef's favorite pasta dish (complimentary) & they also gave us the salty semifreddo for free. On many reviews, people complained about ambience, specifically how loud it. It didn't bother me at all. We will definitely go again!
(5)
Andrew C.
If you've eaten at Vetri and been transported by the ethereal pastas and beautifully restrained and subtle elegance there, you will begin to get an idea of what Amis does. Imagine plates prepared with that same care, quality and simple creativity inspired by the freshest ingredients wearing a plain white t shirt and comfy jeans. I've eaten here at least 2 dozen times and tried about 50 plates. I love to eat at the bar and begin with a cocktail. The list has some great seasonal suggestions. They make a great Negroni. WBG selections are unusual and very high quality. Late summer fave = the Australian Sangiovese "Blood of Jupiter". Don't miss if that's on the list. Most plates are smaller, so you can taste a few. I love the Olives which are served warm with some herbs and orange peel. The Mortadella Mousse is always delish. The Bruschetta selections are always changing and usually great. Some memorable ones: Snail and Garlic, Tuna and White Bean, Preserved Lemon and Fava Bean. The Veal Tongue is outstanding with a little honey on the plate, charred green onions and weirdly sweet, fruity mostarda fruit garnish. Hard for me not to order this every time I go. DON'T MISS! Pastas are sublime. The Cacio Pepe is outstanding, the Spaghetti and Chile peppers is notable. The Fettucine and Corn Ragu is off the chain. They often butcher a poor, small, local animal (like a duck, lamb or calf) and offer it up in a variety of ways and portions as a special. It's usually awesome. Desserts are very good. The salted butter ice cream is ridiculous. The stracciatelle and figs (or whatever seasonal fruit) is killer. The Zabaglione is reliable. Get a glass of Malavasia to wash it down or maybe the best affogato in Center City. Brunch is solid. Don't miss the Jersey Cannonball. The service is uniformly comfortable, efficient and warm. Management is present, vigilant and makes sure everything is smooth and hospitable. Highly recommend.
(4)
Ryan N.
One of the best italian restaurants in the Philly area. Ordered the special known as the beast of the day or something like that. They had a pig imported from a local farm that morning and created meals featured around that meat. Started out with Wine Cheese and crackers along with this pork salmi that was very sweet. Since me and my girlfriend are still underage we decided to try their featured italian sodas. I got pineapple and she got cherry, needless to say they were delicious. Our entree's were amazing as well. We both got pasta dishes, the names have left my memory already. They both were perfect sized portion and satisfied our taste buds and left just enough room for dessert and coffee. The dessert was my favorite. A giant solid chocolate ball filled with cake, nutella and cherries. SO GOOD and the cappuccinos were equally as good. Overall the service, atmosphere, time and quality all tie together so well and make amis one of the best resteraunts I've ever ate at!
(5)
Ernie N.
Was in town and had the opportunity to meet Chef Marc Vetri. He was extremely cordial, fraternizing with the patrons in the dining room, signing autographs and whatnot. I love it when Chefs personally check on the diners. It provides I nice touch that makes me feel they actually care that we are enjoying our meal. The pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu was well prepared. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the mushrooms packed plenty of flavor. I felt like there was a little too much oil for my taste however. The veel tongue was a nice savory dish with just a pinch of sodium that dissolves on your palate, ironically slapping you in the face with a sudden calm bliss. Definitely worth trying. Would like to try is flagship restaurants Osteria and/or Vetri one day.
(4)
Amanda L.
Don't expect to be seated on time. Best to make your reservation 30 minutes before you actually want to sit down. I made a reservation a month in advance for my mom's birthday and we waited in the drafty entryway for 45 minutes. This is completely unacceptable. I think if the manager had informed the previous party that someone was waiting that they would gladly have gotten up. It's very poor restaurant management. This is Philly. This isn't manhattan. You should be able to seat people remotely in the vicinity of their reservation.
(3)
Chris P.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food has always been great. However, I don't plan on returning any time soon after today's abysmal service. A few of my friends and I had a reservation for 8:45. Some tables were running a little late (which is understandable) so we waited at the bar. After about a half hour wait we watched what was supposed to be our table be given away to another group (I overheard the maître d' ask the waitress why she had given the table to the other group rather than the people waiting on their 8:45 reservation...). At 9:45, a full hour after our reservation, we still hadn't been seated. Not only that, but we didn't receive any explanation or apology for the delay. After waiting for over an hour, we gave up and were forced to eat at a pizza joint. The food was inferior, but at least they didn't ignore us for an hour...
(1)
Alyssa P.
Had my first Amis experience last night & I'm positive it won't be my last. One of the most solid meals that I can remember. I went with two friends for Dining Out For Life last night & although the restaurant was completely full, the service was attentive & the food came out quickly & accurately. I would have thought we were the only people in the place! For three people, we split some apps: Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey - to die for, gooey & delicious served with grilled bread Pecorino Arancini w/ Ragu & Peas - delicious little risotto balls w/ a nugget of cheese hidden inside Sweetbreads w/ Fennel Marmalade - very light.. usually sweetbreads are super fried in order to mask what they really are, these were the opposite - dusted w/ almond flour & pan fried Fried Brussel Sprouts - great veggie option ..and then all ordered our own pastas. I had the Spaghetti w/ Pork Jowls & Spring Onion - it was so light & the pasta was cooked perfectly. I had to refrain from inhaling the whole plate since we were trying to save room for dessert. My friends got the Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto and the Spinach Fazzoletti - both delicious as well. For dessert we split the Nutella Waffle (amazing) as well as the Tiramisu which was a special for the day. Highly recommended - go check it out for yourself! :)
(5)
Khan K.
Went out for dinner Friday night. Parking is hard to find and valet is your only option. Knowing that Anthony Bourdain had been to Amis, I really wanted to go and check this place out. We had made prior reservations and were seated right away. The seating is tight and the noise level is very loud. The server was great, knowledgeable and helpful. The service was very good. We even saw Marc Vetri floating around. We ordered: baked pecorino-good, very flavorful, great textures marinated shrimp-refreshing and delicate grilled veal tongue-best dish of the night cacio e pepe-too al dente, very salty, not impressed, this is the dish I wanted to be impressed by wild boar sausage-ehhh Overall I was disappointed by the food but the service was superb. I wanted to like this place, I really did but it was not as good as I had hoped.
(3)
Audrey D.
My husband took me on a date to Amis last Monday night and it was perfect! The food and service was beyond good! The place was pretty packed for a Monday so I was glad we made a reservation. Our server suggested ordering brussel sprouts and *damn*! These were some fantastic brussel sprouts! We can't wait to have dinner here again!
(5)
Andrew H.
The more I think about this place the less I like it. I really wanted to like it given the rapturous applause of anything Vetri on this site. Giorgio's on Pine is better and cheaper. Also, why would you give an Italian restaurant a French name?
(3)
Ariana B.
House made pasta and reasonably priced carafes of house wine in addition to a cozy yet hip atmosphere make this a great date night place. Friendly service and an open kitchen add to the overall experience as well. Definitely the best tiramisu I've ever had.
(5)
Dana S.
Based on the taste of the food alone, Amis is 5 stars. The pasta is clearly homemade and delicious, the skirt steak was perfectly cooked, and the desserts... oh the desserts. Yum. I've been to Amis 3 or 4 times and each time I've gotten the same thing (I am a creature of habit). My usual dish is the spaghetti with the pecorino romano pepper sauce "cacio e pepe" and a scoop of the salted butter semifreddo for dessert. I dream of that ice cream. My boyfriend and I have tried to recreate it with no success since we first tried it. This time I went with my parents and got the same thing as before. As always, delicious. The olive oil infused foccacia bread is magical too. My parents loved their meals... another pasta dish with some kind of corn sauce, skirt steak, scallops, etc. But I have to say, the best part was the lemon pepper ricotta cake with peach jam and vanilla semifreddo. Oh gosh. That even beats the semifreddo. So with such great food - why the star deduction? Well for one, it was $240ish dollars for the three of us. Thats a lot, especially since my dad and I had meatless pasta for our main course. Also, my mom has celiac disease and many places known for their pasta have started making gluten free pasta dishes. Maybe they could consider that but that's just a nitpick. Finally, I found a drink I like at Amis... something with peach puree... but I've also found many I don't, which is uncommon for me -- I usually like every fruity cocktail I taste.
(4)
Dawna M.
Our waiter was friendly and attentive, but not overly so. Seating was squished. We were in the booth area with full tables on either side of us, so the water had to pull our table in/out for us or the couple along the wall to be able to get out/in. Apps ------- Bufala ricotta - awesome! Sal's Meatballs - good, but I preferred the ricotta Pasta -------- Bucatini w jalapeno pesto - very good and reheated well 2 days later Pork Shoulder rigatoni - very good!! no leftovers there Dessert ----------- Tiramisu - ok Waffle with nutella - awesome!! But still couldn't plow through it all Drinks --------- Can't recall which ones we got, but the first round was very good. The second round, not-so-much. It was a **very** heavy hand with the gin.
(4)
Daniel H.
I'm glad I waited for my second dinner visit to review, because it was pretty awesome. I'll start with the part that wasn't awesome - the outdoor seating. Great idea, poor execution. Not sure if the bars were put in place because the four-tops went beyond zoning for sidewalk cafes, but this new arrangement makes it impossible to sit outside in groups, and it also kills the outdoor vibe the place had going for it. Nobody sits outside anymore, so being the lone pair felt a bit awkward (Tuesday night, July 3rd). Easily forgivable when considering the AWESOMENESS that was the food. When you think meatball, you probably think beef (if you don't think beef, indulge me for a moment) - well, you'll find Sal's meatballs on the menu, but you'll also find... wait for it... SWORDFISH MEATBALLS. What? Swordfish meatballs? Who would eat those? I DID, AND THEY'RE AWESOME (there's a whole lot of awesome). Weird part is that they taste just like regular meatballs. So, so good. The Mixed Salumi plate - not as awesome, but good. Salami, liver, and mortadella. The salami was my favorite of the three, and the liver in second. That was to start. The oil-infused bread was also very nice. For mains we split the quail and the gnocchi sardi (not potato gnocchi, more like shell pasta)... the quail was so good... it was my first time eating it and I think it's my favorite fowl after that experience. Thighs and legs (and maybe breast) are served over polenta (just okay), crispy and salty on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. More AWESOME. The gnocchi sardi was served with lamb bacon, broccoli, and some sort of cheese sauce. Very delicious. Finished it off with the salted butter semifreddo sundae. OH MY GOODNESS. I didn't want this dessert, but we got it, and it was SO AWESOME. Savory and sweet; creamy and crunchy. You need to have it. In summary - swordfish meatballs + quail + salted butter semifreddo sundae = a must visit in Philly.
(4)
Manoj P.
Food was alright. Came here on recommendations from a friend and Yelp. Maybe we just ordered too much cheesy dishes but found the meal way too heavy. The best part was the fried cauliflower; next best was the baked pecorino but the cheese, once it cooled down a little, got rubbery. Same thing happened with tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" and bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. Both had good flavor (I *really* liked the bucatini at first) but after a bit, it cooled down and just got really heavy and hard to eat. Service was good, though.
(3)
Shane L.
Food was good. Great ambience, good staff and busy on a tuesday night (usually a good sign). Had high expectations for this place and I think it fulfilled most of them. Pasta was al dente and meats tasted fresh (Wild Boar special - brought in that morning). Cocktails were ok, but could be a bit more exciting. The food itself reminded me of my visit to Italy which made the meal a little more enjoyable. I would give 4.5 stars if possible because price was great for the amount of food and service. 3 apps, 1 pasta, 1 entree and 3 cocktails = $115. Thats a bargain for a great dining experience in the city. Left feeling happy and complete. That is all!
(4)
Jon D.
Seriously, Marc Vetri is like a bald Jesus. I came here for brunch and left just as full and amazed as I did after trying Amis for dinner. The constant creativity, depth of flavor, and flawless execution make Vetri's James Beard award well, well deserved. -Baked pecorino with almond honey: Awesome! Salty, sweet, and nutty, with crunchy toasted bread that everyone at the table will fight over. How did they come up with such a simplistic masterpiece like this? -Polenta pancakes: Light and fluffy but nowhere near your typical pancake. Embrace the polenta...it works in this dish. -Soft scrambled eggs: Eggs were cooked to perfection and served as a perfect palette for the deliciously marinated mushrooms, which packed awesome flavor but did not overwhelm the dish. -Jersey cannonball: Instinctually, I try to avoid anything from Jersey like the plague...but thank god my Mom is much more open-minded because I ended up eating half of hers. Nutmeg and garlic scented handmade pork, pepper relish, homemade biale...another work of art. Oh, and our waitress was attentive, friendly, and really into food, which was good. Great experience.
(5)
Naz O.
Amis is absolutely wonderful! Everything from the decor/atmosphere/mood, to the staff, to the food is perfect. We went there with a group of 6 friends, and all of our dishes were extremely delicious. One thing that they could improve would be to add a little more variety to their menu, because I felt that it was very pasta/carbohydrate focused, and there weren't as many options if you wanted to avoid that and have some red/white meat.
(4)
Jess K.
I was in town visiting a friend who is moving back to NYC next week and this was on her list of restaurants to try before leaving Philly. When we first got there we were told we would have to wait for a short while so we ordered drinks at the bar. But by the time we placed our drink order, our table was ready and the hostess was not too pleased to have to wait for us to get our drinks. She was the one who told us to wait at the bar so come on! Also, first the hostess asked us if we wouldn't mind being seated at the area where the chefs are cooking. We considered it but the restaurant was really loud and we thought conversation would be difficult so we declined and said we would wait for a table. A table opened up for us pretty immediately so that was good. Or perhaps they knew they would have free tables but wanted them for other reservations. Who knows. Our waitress was super nice although she never told us her name so I can't pass that info on to you. She told us most tables order a few appetizers to share and then a pasta and a main dish depending on the hunger level. I was with two friends so we decided to order 4 appetizers and to split 1 pasta and 1 main dish and to save room for dessert (always my main focus). For us that was the perfect amount of food. None of us are super tiny/non-eater types so I think you can trust our opinion when going yourself. We also ordered a carafe of the house red wine which was quite tasty. My favorite appetizer we ordered was the eggplant caponata that goes on the slightly too hard bread. We also ordered a pasta that was really simple and a bit creamy with black pepper as the main flavoring. It was amazing. Delicious. We ordered the duck and in reality duck isn't my favorite so I didn't eat that much of it. I thought I would like it but then I remembered how fatty duck is and how much I dislike chewing it! For dessert we got THREE things because I was so excited for dessert. We wanted the tiramisu but the QUITE rowdy table next to us ordered about 15 pieces and so they were out. Instead we got the waffle with nutella and ice cream, the blueberry tart and the polenta shortcake which was hands down my favorite dessert of those three. Each of us ended up spending about $50 which really isn't too bad. I thought the prices were reasonable, I liked the ambiance and the food itself was fresh and delicious. I would definitely go back here if I am in Philly again.
(4)
Rick K.
Amis was my first experience with Marc Vetri and his restaurants. If Yelp allowed half stars, this would be a 3.5 rating. Overall, the food was okay to moderately good. Nothing stood out to me as having been good enough to entice me to return to Amis and try it again. In order from what I liked the most to the least: 1) Swordfish Meatballs - Recommended by the waiter, who eased my concerns of the potential of swordfish being overcooked and coming out dry. To my delight, the meatballs were not dry and paired very well with the creamy polenta. 2) Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto - Pasta was well prepared and the sauce was good. However, the pasta didn't jump out to me the same way that Il Pittore's pasta did. 3) Roasted Zucchini - Good side dish to pair with the entrees. Nothing fancy but I love zucchini. 4) Fried Cauliflower - Pretty simple dish but it was too salty (which says something because I eat a lot of salt). 5) Pork Chop alla Milanese - Decent piece of pork chop but the dish overall felt very underwhelming (the average person could have made this with some directions online). The breading wasn't very good and it barely stuck on to the meat. It was served with an arugula salad and was not worth $24. I'll probably try Osteria or Vetri before I think about giving Amis a try again. It just felt very underwhelming and I would rather go for some place new next time.
(3)
Aimee T.
I really wanted to like AMIS. I've heard amazing things about Vetri's places and have eaten at Osteria and loved it. Since my normal dinner budget isn't large enough to afford Vetri, my friends and I decided to check out AMIS on a random Friday night. We had reservations for 4 at 9:30PM. The meal started out well enough. I met up with two of my friends at the bar as we waited for our table. The space is modern and the energy from the open kitchen invades the dining area in a good way. Once seated after about a 5 minute wait..the appetizers came quickly and our server was friendly and competent. We ordered the sweetbreads, arancini, meat balls and the salami. All tasted great initially but everything other than the arancini was over seasoned. My first taste of the sweet breads were delicious but my second piece was way over salted. We tried our best to power through the appetizers and we moved on to the pasta. We only ordered two pastas to save room for dessert. I chose the fettucine with lamb ragu and the other pasta was the tonnerelli. The fettucine was completely oversalted. I had 3 bites and had to stop eating. I wanted to eat more because the texture of the pasta was spot-on but it was just completely overseasoned. The tonnerelli was better and not quite as salty as the fettucini ...but it was still salty. I had to keep gulping my water to conteract all the sodium. If it weren't for the great company, the tiramisu and waffle dessert that we ordered, I think this dinner would have been a complete fail. I walked out of AMIS with 80% of the fettucine left untouched. Maybe it was an off night for the chef...or maybe they just like really really seasoned food at AMIS but it was not for me. If looking for good italian food in the city I would hesitate to recommend AMIS. Sorry Marc...I loved Osteria 2 years ago.
(2)
L H.
Bottom line: we like this place more than the coveted Vetri. Very much enjoyed the mortadella with honey and hazelnuts, fresh pastas, and grilled steak with green onion. Also ordered a cauliflower side dish that had too much parmesan and was drowning in some sort of romesco-like sauce. Wouldn't order that again. Overall, better prices than Vetri, and better food than Vetri.
(4)
pracheta t.
Upon walking in, we both instantly feel in love with warm, romantic lighting and perfect volume of the music. The tables were rather close to one another like all small space restaurants but we didn't mind so much. (On a side note, the guy sitting next to us turned out to be Jamie Moyer from the Phillies...too bad neither of us recognized him until the waiter said how cool that was). My carne-loving foodie friend decided to be vegetarian with me for the night and even though our choices were limited, I think we made some awesome selections. The roasted squash was decent and the baked pecorino with almond honey was AMAZZZZZZZING. Honey does wonders. That dish makes me want to put honey on everything. My friend wanted some variety and ordered the arancini di riso with meat ragu but turned out to be way too dry for her. Though I didn't try it, the presentation was nice. For our pasta, we chose the persimmon and fennel lasagna and mmm mmm mmm it was soo super duper yummy. Our favorite part - desert! The belgium waffle with nutella was SO good and i wish we had ordered two. We also had the apple walnut cake with some semifriddo but it was nothing compared to the waffle. We will def be back!
(4)
Michelle T.
Loved this place! Will have to go back and try the other dishes. I took my boyfriend for his birthday. We split two aps, each had a main dish, but sadly passed on dessert. We both ate half of our main dish and took the rest home. Maybe next time we will add an ap and take away a main dish in order to have dessert. Dessert list looked great. Swordfish meatballs, braised pork bellies, black pasta, and a duck special...I'm still drooling over you.
(5)
John A.
We were originally suppose to go to a Russet BYOB; however, we forget the beverage laws on Sunday so we had to cancel our reservation at Russet Called up and got a table ASAP. Price: not expensive Decor: Okay... We were both bored when we were there..... Food: Good ... It isn't anything to go nuts about... I am annoyed I didn't come prepared and bring wine to Russet. We walked in the night before at that place and the vibe is great.....
(3)
Matthew I.
My wife and I just went to Amis over the weekend. I knew the food was going to be delicious, just because it is a Vetri restaurant. I had been to Vetri and Osteria and loved them. Amis had a different feel to it. I felt Amis was as close to a Roman meal as you can get in Philly. We order the tripe, veal tongue, sweetbreads, pork belly, and obviously the cacia e pepe. We ordered one other pasta that had swordfish and eggplant in it. It was very good, but the other dishes were amazing. The cacia e pepe was the star. It is such a basic meal, with only about three or four ingredients, but it was done to perfection. I would say the tripe and the pork belly were our next favorite dishes of the night. The broccoli and shaved sharp prov that came with the pork belly complimented the dish perfectly. We will def go back asap. Top three restaurant I have been to in a long time.
(5)
John C.
The first impression that I had, along with one other in my party of four, was that this place was suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. The food is Italian, reasonably priced, and delicious. The servers are wearing some sort of strange mechanic shirt, the bar has drinks that give more of a nod to the French cocktail tradition than that of Italy (although the drinks are interesting, balanced, and tasty). There does not appear to be too many private, comfortable tables in the space. The ceiling and kitchen are open, which adds to the noise, and the buzz and energy of the place. The server was informed, friendly, and attentive. The wine list is steep, short, and not entirely impressive. I found it to be one of the two glaring weaknesses of the place (yes, I did ask for the reserve list). The other problem was that they did not seem to have a sidework area to do polishing. Having the buspersons tossing silverware into a bin and holding coversation next to the table does not enhance the dining experience, especially when the place is already noisy. Bottom line the food and cocktails are good. If you aren't nitpicky, you will be satisfied. Otherwise it's a one and done visit, as it is for me.
(3)
Carla F.
I live not too far from Amis and I go here all the time. I can't think of an occasion when this restaurant would not work for you. I have taken family and friends, gone there on dates and dined at the bar myself. Great wine list and the bartenders are very knowledgable about them. Highly highly recommend the swordfish meatballs.
(5)
Regina F.
Amis is delicious. No really, the whole restaurant is delicious. Get the squid ink pasta with chorizo- it's creamy and perfect. It's black and will probably make your smile a little silly looking, but as long as you share it, that's fine. Both you and your dining mate can have black smiles for a little bit. The bits of chorizo add just enough meat flavor to offset the otherwise too luscious nature of squid ink. The bruschetta bread is great: it's thick and grilled with just enough olive oil to add a nice juicy crunch. The imported buffalo ricotta is creamy, but that's about it. It's fluffy, but there's not much flavor.The salami, similarly, is fine. It's cured meat, and the beet jam is pretty good. If you put the salami on the buffalo ricotta, then you've created a great appetizer. The mild saltiness of the meat combines nicely with the otherwise undetected sweetness of the black pepper ricotta. As for dessert, you'd be a complete idiot not to indulge in the tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo - even if you're allergic to nuts. Basically, you've got some sort of semifreddo mousse/ice cream blend speckled with hazelnut halves covered in a dark chocolate fondant ganache. It's a hill of succulent indulgence with the perfect sweetness offset by the perfect bitterness of the dark chocolate.
(4)
Michelle C.
Not updating this review sooner has been a complete oversight. I've actually been back four or five times since my first visit, and Amis has become one of my favorite destinations for dining and/or drinks. There are several things on the menu that I have come to absolutely adore, starting with the strozzaprete alla vongole, its buttery flavors I have talked up to just about anyone who will listen. Another favorite is the bufala ricotta; rich and creamy and drizzled with olive oil, it is the perfect spread for the accompanying toasted bread. I was once offered a bite of the turkey cutlet by a distinguished gentleman sitting next to me at the bar. Normally, I'd pass without thinking twice, but this man insisted that the preparation changed his previous contempt for turkey to pure lust, at least, for this particular dish. Who could pass that up? I have to hand it to the guy, he was right on. It sounds crazy to order something so plain-sounding, but trust Vetri and his crew to turn a plain old turkey into a Cinderella story. A turkerella, if you will. Make your reservations far in advance, dolls. The tables don't come easy!
(5)
Connie S.
Marc Vetri's third restaurant, serving up updated "Roman comfort food" in a warm, more casual atmosphere. The chef won the James Beard award last year for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic, and it's clear that Amis is not just resting on its laurels. I find that you can generally judge the quality of a restaurant by how delicious and plentiful the bread is, even before any of the menu items arrive at the table. So naturally I got really excited when our server brought us a cornucopia of freshly baked, warm and chewy foccacia and sesame-studded bread. So good. And, indeed, every single dish we ordered was phenomenal. We had a bit from several different sections of the menu: Bruschetta - Stracciatella: not to be confused with the gelato, the stracciatella here was a stretchy mozzarella-like cheese, complemented with marinated fava beans and basil, which you spread yourself on thick crostin for a beautiful DIY bruschetta Seafood Antipasti - Black Bass Crudo: on the smaller side in terms of quantity, but every bite packed a punch, especially because the fish was topped with radishes and almonds that added a nice crunch Pasta - Tonnarelli "Cacio e Pepe": almost like a square-ish spaghetti, served with with pecorino sauce and black pepper; super simple but exceptionally done Secondi - Roasted Duck Breast: slices of tender duck, with preserved scallions and this pickled mustard seed sauce that was tangy and sticky and textural all at once Dessert - Tartufo: an ultra-rich chocolate hazelnut semifreddo bombe containing a few candied amarena cherries, covered in a fresh chocolate coating -- you definitely need to be able to handle your chocolate to try this, but if you appreciate desserts, you will not be disappointed Seriously, everything was so wonderful-tasting. Our server was really friendly and attentive, and with no noticeable wait for the food to come out. I don't know if there's such a thing as a 'perfect' experience in a restaurant, but Amis came pretty close.
(5)
David A.
Went back with the family Saturday night. Got a last minute reservation at one of the outdoor tables on the street. It's fairly quiet and not bad outdoor dining (except a brief shower). Food was inconsistent, like my last visit. Good for sure, but not really worth the price. For five and a few cocktails the meal with tip was $220. The cocktails were really good, showing nice creativity. Appetizers are the star here and the entrees just didn't knock you over with so many great Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe it is the Vetri name. You just set the bar higher for his establishments. For appetizers I loved the regular meatballs served over a light layer of creamed polenta. The swordfish meatballs were way too fishy. For entrees the papperdele with a lamb argue was excellent but it was a wimpy portion size. The tuna with fennel had nice flavor but was cut too thin for my liking and unexceptional. The broiled mixed seafood had some hits and misses with this fish as well. My wife had the ribs which were a special. They were prepared with some Tuscan spices and they were excellent. The highlight was the rice pudding. Very creamy, perfect texture and served with a fruit compote on the top. I cleaned out this bowl. Delicious. I will go back. Just doesn't make you want to run back.
(3)
Kristian L.
I have eaten here twice and it has knocked my socks off both times. Reminds me a lot of the spirit of the food I have eaten when in the South of Italy, but done with local ingredients - they do a killer Caponata. Excellent convivial service- the servers know their menu. I plan on coming back many times. Thanks Amis for taking great care of me!!
(5)
Will Z.
Arrived for a 5pm dinner date reservation a couple minutes early. The restaurant was still setting up and we had to wait until they were finished. No problem. We were seated soon after and the waiter got to us right away. We ordered the swordfish meatballs, bufala ricotta bruschetta, two pastas (cacio e pepe and the jalapeño almond pesto one), and two drinks. Food arrived promptly afterward. We were first served olive oil infused focaccia, which was pretty good but I wish it was heated up a bit. Our drinks and appetizers came after. The drinks were tasty and not too strong, but come at steep prices. Swordfish meatballs were alright, but a bit too salty. The bed of pine nuts and polenta they were served on complemented them nicely though. The Bruschetta = more carbs (4 fat pieces of toasted bread). The ricotta spread was pretty good. Next came our pastas. The pastas were the biggest disappointment. They were essentially the same, creamy thick noodles just tossed with some different ingredients (cheese, black pepper for the cacio e pepe and jalapeno, almond crumbs, pesto for the other). Both pastas were REALLY salty and pretty greasy. We had the leftovers boxed, and after heating them up the next day, there was just a pool of oil on the bottom. Not very appetizing. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate hazelnut semifreddo . This was probably the best thing we ordered. If you enjoy (dark) chocolate, you'll love this. For $100+, the meal was a bit of a letdown. I will say however that the service was fantastic. Our waiter was definitely on top of his game and proactively made sure we always had what we needed. Maybe we just ordered all the wrong things, but it'll definitely take something extra for me to come back again.
(3)
David. E.
Great food!! Loved the space
(4)
Christina F.
Just got back from dinner with my parents at Amis and it was wonderful. We got there a couple of minutes early for our reservation and right away the super friendly hosts led us to our table, which had a great view of the kitchen. The open kitchen was actually one of my favorite parts of the night, but I'm a huge food nerd and get off on professional cooking. The chefs were easy on the eyes, too, if I must say. The sound level was lively, so I didn't catch our sever's name, but he was amiable and knowledgeable. The whole experience was comfy and welcoming, and most importantly, extremely tasty. I started with the monkfish speidini with pumpkin romesco. Being an upstate New York girl at heart, and a huge fan of speidis, I just couldn't resist. Plus, monkfish is awesome. The fish was cooked perfectly and the rich, autumnal sauce really complemented it--I wiped the plate clean. Big portion for an antipasti, too. For the main course I had the capon sausage with braised escarole and apples, which was perfect for the chilly, rainy night. The acidity of the greens and apples was an excellent foil to the fatty richness of the capon. Mmmm fatty richness. My parents had the special pork rotini pasta and the tagliatelle with bacon and root veg respectively and they were both really pleased. I can't wait to go back and try more! Maybe at the counter next time...
(5)
Vicki Z.
Great Roman Cuisine! Large portion and very delicious! Highly recommend!!!
(5)
Laura B.
The food, atmosphere and service were all great at Amis but even at a late dinner (9:30 on a Friday) the restaurant was just too loud. I could barely hear the person I was with or the waiter. If they figured out a way to better the acoustics, this place would definitely get a 5 as the swordfish meatballs, duck and peach special, flank steak and tiramisu were all delicious.
(4)
D.C. P.
A business trip allowed me to enjoy a few restaurants in Philly and this was one of them. With planes not serving food anymore unless you fork over some money in addition to a three hour time difference, I was ready to eat an early dinner once we checked into our hotel. A co-worker found this place via Zagat. The overall experience was good. The servers were very friendly, attentive, and answered all our questions. The entree I ordered was the roasted scallops with summer giambotta which was 24 bucks. The scallops were cooked to perfection. They were a good size, slightly seared, and had a fresh taste to them. Giambotta is basically a vegetable stew and paired well with the scallops. To end the meal, my co-workers ordered the Belgian style waffles with Nutella. After about 5 minutes, the waiter informed us that they were having issues with the waffle maker and gave us some complimentary desserts which was very nice of them. When the waffles finally made their way out, all of my co-workers immediately took a bite and were extremely pleased. One even devoured it in less than 2 minutes. Must've been good. Nothing to complain about here. A solid 4 stars.
(4)
Kristin W.
We started with two appetizers: the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey has a great mixture of salty and sweet although the accompanying bread was a little too crunchy for my liking. Sal's Old School Meatballs had a nice rich flavor and the most tomato-y potatoes I had ever had - or was it potato-y tomatoes? It was like being in a Gershwin song. I ordered the Strozzaprete with Tuna Bolognese - surprisingly to me, the sauce was white (evidently authentic Bolognese sauce typically has little tomato concentrate). I actually preferred the Paccheri Swordfish with Eggplant Fries which had a stronger flavor and where the fish was more substantial. The open kitchen provides an interesting perspective if you're strategically positioned and when you sit at the bar, you can enjoy a view out of the big windows.
(3)
Esther Y.
I think I pretty much had the entire dinner menu here at a family dinner with 7 people. I was not impressed with the buttery and creamy flavors of anything except for the dish with the roasted skate with lemon puree and fried brussels sprouts. Probably won't be back again but that roasted skate WAS delicious...so if I had to come back, I would be happy getting that alone. This place is probably highly rated because there was a lot of cheese and cream involved. That's your fair warning...most people love cheese, butter, and cream, if so, please direct your attention to the other reviews.
(2)
Jenny P.
A group of 5 ladies had a dinner there recently, and we'll remember it for a long time. First, we've tried to go here previously, but the restaurant was rented for a private party. My reservation was in the system with an invalid number, but that didn't deter Martin from finding me to tell me. He knew that the ladies group would be stuck without a place to dine, so he found me and secured a great table at Alla Spina. We were showered with great service and a round of drinks for our "trouble". I highly recommend the fried chicken at Alla Spina. Secondly, when we finally did have an opportunity to dine at Amis, we were treated like absolute royalty. Many of the Amis professionals - including Marc Vetri himself - introduced themselves and apologized for the trouble with getting a table. The service was excellent as was the food (papardelle with duck ragu, the swordfish meatballs and the buccatini with jalapenos were all stand outs). The cocktails and wine selection were also a bonus, and dessert (Tiramisu) was heavenly. Above all, we'll remember the feeling of being welcomed into Amis like we were family meeting for the first time. It really was a special night. With gratitude and appreciation, I highly recommend Amis!
(5)
Jessica W.
For almost $150 for two and the Vetri name, Amis should have been great. Too bad all we got was disappointment. Vetri is known for his exquisite attention to detail, but apparently this was forgotten in the latest expansion of his mini empire. The guinea hen lacked a crisp skin and was covered in fat. It tasted like an amateur cook roasted it at too low of a temp. The oxtail gnocchi sounded amazing until I chomped on an accidental oxtail bone that was the same size, shape, and color as the gnocchi. This was the first dish I sent back to a restaurant in years, and the waitress comes back not with "I'm sorry about that can we make you another," but "that's not a bone- its cartilage so its ok." Tell my near missing tooth that. Other dishes were ok but everything was rich and greasy. The menu lacked balance due to a scarcity of vegetables and greens. The concept, location, and space are terrific. But Amis needs some serious refinement before we go back.
(2)
Christopher D.
Upon hearing that ramps were in town I made a mad dash for an early Sunday dinner to Amis. Again ensconced at the end of the bar, I had a very nice simple meal, beginning with the root vegetables served on a bed of yogurt flavored with curry. More middle eastern than Italian, but very good. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. You got delicious fish, with punches of flavor from pignoli and raisins, served on a bed of polenta. Outstanding. The highlight of the meal was the linguini with ramps and pecorino. Simple and flavorful, the ramps shined amid the al dente pasta and cheese. Dessert was a home made italian pumpkin ice cream. Delicious. Amis does things simply and lets flavors come through. Get there while the ramps are still rampant.
(4)
Derek M.
Something was definitely amiss when my wife and I went here. I thought this restaurant was going to hit the mark, but alas it was a miss. Ok, enough of the Tom Foolery. I did not like this restaurant. I thought I'd order the salami sampler plate because it was a big night out, and heck what's $16 in the grand scheme of things? It turns out to be a lot when all the salami plate consists of is a few thin cuts of bologna, liverwurst, and salami. I'm talking about like an 1/10 of a lb. total on the plate. It was OK, but not anything to speak highly about. The oil infused bread was pretty good, but it came in tiny portions. Ask for three refills throughout dinner, tiny. No deal breaker here. Then came the entree, Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu. Sounds exotic! Well it, in the words of my wife, "tastes like hamburger helper". She asked for salt (not at the table and is offered in a small bowl and spoon) which helped add a bit of taste. Unimpressed with the appetizer and entree, we saw where this meal was going and decided to head over to Max Brenner for dessert (which was delicious). P.S. Not that this affects my quantitative rating at all, since I like to rate based on food and not on the experience, we had 7pm reservations and were told that we needed to wait. We finally sat down 25 minutes later. It wasn't the end of the world. However, it added a sense of urgency to dinner, since we had a finite amount of time left on the parking meter. Then, at the end of dinner, the hostess asked for our coat tag, when they hadn't given us one in the first place. I offered to help find the coats, but she said "actually, I'd rather you didn't" in a curt tone. For the next few minutes we were treated very poorly & given attitudes by both her and her coworker. I don't care to go into trying to describe their demeanor, as I am no Hemingway, but let it suffice to say that it was a very un-customer-friendly experience.
(1)
Percy N.
I was looking forward to my brunch meal at Amis and based on the reviews and menu I saw online had high hopes. The meal started out fine - we were seated, offered still (bottled) water, etc. But then our waitress disappeared for about 15 minutes only to come back to inform us of some changes to the menu, including some items which we planned to order. So on to plan B - which can be difficult when your dining partner has a few food allergies. We asked if they could make slight alterations to some items on the menu and they said NO. This left the only item on the menu which my wife would eat - a ribeye steak. She wanted to try a few other items but was disappointed at the lack of flexibility in the kitchen. The steak was flavorful and well cooked. Wish it came with a sunny side up egg. I ordered the pasta with roasted squash and walnuts, which was filling but not as flavorful. Also had a cornetti stuffed with apricots which was good, but not sure I would pay $5/piece if it were served at a bakery. Fresh squeezed blood orange juice was a nice touch. Overall, the good was food, but I deducted 1 star for the lack of flexibility in the kitchen, slow service and very high noise level, We left a little less than impressed or full, so stopped at a Garces place on the way home.
(3)
Tyler R.
Amis is a wonderful place for quality small-plate dishes and entrees. Your server will most likely suggest 2-3 small plates for a couple, as well as one entree each. Do yourself a big favor and get the bufala ricotta with olive oil, black pepper and grilled bread. It's simplicity is what makes it so delectable. Also, the sweetbreads, if you don't mind organ meat, was the best I've ever had. For small-plates, we also had the swordfish meatball with polenta and pignoli. Of the entrees, the lamb shank with creamy polenta was amazing, though my girlfriend's pasta dish (oxtail cannelloni with roasted mushrooms) was a bit dense. Lastly, since it was our anniversary, they gave up a highball of vanilla bean semifreddo. Very nice overall.
(4)
Andrea T.
Amis will you be my Amis? First you must go here with friends or people who you like and know how often they wash their hands. I say this because we all have sketchy office-mates. Order lots of small dishes like the amazing fried baby artichokes. If you came to me and sad I could only have eat these and nothing else for the rest of my life...I wouldn't even balk or raise or an eyebrow. The salami with honey and hazelnuts! A must! The salami is perfect. Thinly shaved, smoky yet almost sweet. The honey ( yes I am a honey fiend) perfectly complements this ever so perfectly without being cloying. The hazelnuts round out this plate giving it a bit of crunch. Vetri you are a genius!!!! The onion focaccia that comes out in a tin.......sublime. Oniony without being overbearing. The saffron honey that comes with the cheese plate? Could he start a vetri-trading company like Jose and sell it? Hmm what else did we nosh on? The olives. Don't get them. You are expecting Amada-y olives. These are olives drowing in a bowl of oil without any vinegar. It's the only thing I would pass up. The ricotta is also not worthy of getting the next time I go. It's not as sweet and lovely as the ricotta at Village Whiskey that comes with the pickles. The eggplant spread is nice, but I'm not such a fan. The girls enjoyed it. The gnocchi with oxtail ragu is heavenly a cloud of potato cheese love drapped in a tender ragu of oxtail. Sara was not so in love, but I have dreams of this dish every now and then. The girls had the pasta in the cheese/blackpepper sauce that was also earthshattering simplicity done ever so well. We had the olive torta, tiramisu and waffle with marscapone semifreddo. The girls dug the olive torta, I'm just not into this whole olive oil cake movement. I loved the deconstructed tiramisu and the waffle.....heaven. It was a dreary dismal rainy night, but Kyle( our delightful waiter) and Amis made it the most wonderful dining experience I have had in Philly in a very long time. Did I mention I met Marc Vetri outside the loo?
(5)
Ken E.
Amis is a real gem. Tucked away off 13th street between Pine and South, this Vetri cousin does it right in spades. My sense is Amis is supposed to be a casual version of M. Vetri's more elaborate offerings and they hit the mark across the board. The location is ideal, the neighborhood is accessible and charming and the decor is rustic modern and very fresh. The wines are all Italian, which aren't my favorite, but you can find something you like on their reasonably priced menu. The food is a hit: more northern italian and very well done. I especially enjoyed the grilled octopus small plate and Nutella waffle for dessert (do not miss this). Amis is a worthy meal destination and M. Vetri deserves high praise for maintaining the culinary standards he set with Vetri and Osteria. Thumbs up.
(4)
Danan R.
Okay, I confess: I come here just to get the delicious, decadent, and indulgent belgian waffles with nutella, vanilla, and hazelnuts. The waffles are a perfect golden brown with a crispy exterior, soft and warm eggy-cakey interior, and topped with a smooth nutella-chocolate-hazelnut sauce. It is a perfect blend of my favorite dessert flavors in one pretty fantastic concoction. It's actually a dessert but I consider it to be the much anticipated highlight. The pomegranate roasted quail was pretty solid with a nice seasoning that was both savory and refreshing and tender quail, and the black spaghetti with squid and spinach was flavorful with fresh squid and perfectly cooked pasta that had just the right balance of elasticity and tenderness. I also tried the roasted bass with beets and eggplant, and wasn't a huge fan of the combination of eggplant, beets, and fish in a single dish, but that's just a personal taste preference. The sea bass was very fresh and tender (not at all dry!) with a good, firm texture. The pork pate was decent although it didn't really stand out. Service was very attentive and it didn't take very long for our food to arrive, which was much appreciated because we were hungry. Portions are on the small side and prices are a bit steep but the ambiance is great, the service friendly, and the food very tasty. Great for a special meal...or just for the waffles, if you have a sweet tooth.
(4)
Chris W.
Amis earns all 5 of these stars as this was one of the best all around meals I've had in Philly. I was wary going into a 7:45 reservation on a Saturday night after reading all the other reviews about getting pushed back but we were seated promptly. We had a very friendly waitress who throughout the meal was there when needed and out of sight when not. The menu selections were based on a combination of yelp reviews and waitress recommendations and every dish was a home run. We started with the baked pecorino which came out bubbling hot. The honey took this dish to another level with the delicious toasted bread. Oh yea, the olive oil bread to start lived up to the hype also (not burnt at all). We even requested more of the dipping bread which was not a problem. We also tried the sweetbreads which were perfectly fried and just an overall delicious bite. There were 5 solid hunks in our order with just the right amount of marmalade to accompany. For an entree I had the skate. Although not as good as the skate at Fish, this was still a memorable dish. The lemon puree was creamy and the skate was perfectly cooked. It was a nice size piece of fish for $18. The brussel sprouts were also nice and smoky to complete a perfect bite. Since about every other table I took a peak at had the black linguine with squid and chorizo, we split that also. This dish is a salt lovers dream but in a good balanced way. Great presentation and an even better taste. We split a carafe of red also as it would be a crime to not drink wine with Italian food of this caliber. To close the deal we dabbled in the waffles which could have used more ice cream and nutella but still were a nice finishing touch. Overall, $140 with a generous tip for this luxurious a meal is a steal in my opinion, thanks Vetri!
(5)
Alexandra C.
It was really nice of my bf to surprise me with a reservation here on NYE. Unfortunately though it seemed as if we found the Philadelphia Olive Garden. Holy disappointment this turned out to be. The star is for the excellent service from our very nice waiter. Eggplant caponata app -- Nice price of $6. This is usually a fave of mine but found it to be much too oily and lacked the true flavor it should have. Served with super thick slices of not good tasting bread which were all terribly charred. Okay..so the 3 pasta dishes should be better..After all we were told to only order the pasta here and from the looks of our dining neighbors next to us they left almost all of their food on both their plates and sort of shook their heads (looked as if they had some sort of fried filet with a salad?) So of course we were lucky enough to know to order the right things! Wrong. I have never had heavier sauced pasta dishes in my life. Normally I am a salt-aholic and put salt on everything. This was the first time I didn't want to. Everything was so completely OVER salted it was barely edible. The pastas all so overcooked you couldn't tell if you were eating fresh pasta - In fact it could have very well been a store brand. Squash lasagna- an oily mess with what tasted like cheap cheddar cheese melted over the entire thing. Overcooked mushy lasagne with a tiny amount of squash, which gave it really no squash flavor - just salt and cheese. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe - thought I was going to choke to death on a peppercorn. The tonnarelli was wayyy too overcooked. The most overly creamy/buttery/salty dish I have ever had in my life. Olive Garden could do it much better than this - and that's not saying much - at half the price. Pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu - the dish I was dying to get after seeing it on the online menu. This was the best one of the night. Again- too much oil and salt but the mushrooms gave it some actual flavor. Noodles were again too overcooked, but not as badly as the other 2 dishes. Once again my theory proves right! If I don't like the bread at a restaurant I end up not liking the meal. The bread looked like focaccia but tasted like some stale sourdough. This isn't good cooking. If it were the pasta would have been cooked al dente to perfection, the sauces would be light to compliment the pasta, half a salt shaker wouldn't be poured into the food. I'm a tough critic, I know.. But this food left me with Italian food nightmares and perhaps a few pounds. Not sure if I will ever try Italian outside of my family's home again!
(1)
Sarah F.
Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.
(4)
Samantha B.
After Osteria, I didn't know what to expect with Amis. I was pleasantly surprised. The vibe is completely different. Much younger, hipper, cool bar, and more intimate than Osteria. We were seated at a table in the corner, would have been a bit better if there wasn't a couple very close to us on the right, but what can ya do. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and informative. To start we got the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, which was gooey, sweet, and cheesy. Can't go wrong there. We also got a scallop appetizer special that was equally tasty. And to be honest, we probably got the brussel sprouts, but I can't really remember. For our two entrees we got the Tagliatelle with bacon and root vegetables and the Porchetta with roasted potatoes. Both entrees were good, but not amazing. The pork was a little dry, but extremely flavorful. I would definitely come back again. Good experience, but a bit pricey.
(4)
Paul L.
Amis has become my destination whenever I want to impress a guest or for celebration. The food here is always good and consistent, I've never been disappointed during my many visits. Last night for Dining Out For Life, my companion and I came here for a meal and the place was virtually packed at 7:00. I sat at the bar and had an amazing prosecco cocktail called Alto. It's amazing because it's mixed right and also the orange peel they put in there make the whole drink fizzes up like a fountain and perfumed the whole drink with its fragrance. One of the best drinks I have for a long while. Amis is the place that introduced me to the combination of cheese and honey. Other Italian food and wine place have similar appetizers now but I will always come back here for their baked pecorino. It's like french toast but so much better. I just wish they offer more seeded toast for me to spread it on. I love their veal tongue, well, I wish it was a chewier cow tongue but the pepper mostarda was awesome, even the bed of spring onion that it was served in were great. The "explore the menu" function is not as updated as often and when I fully intended to order the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu or the oxtail canneloni, they have already switched those items out. the spaghetti with pork jowl is quite awesome. The pork jowl was really tender. The pasta perfectly al dente. I have never had pasta this perfectly cooked before. NEVER. Every restaurant has their own brussel sprout dish now and Amis' fried brussel sprouts is really a good addition. They are crispy like potato chips, well seasoned and really, really addictive. I don't know if they are good for you but I'm telling myself that they are. We had to thank the very friendly waitress that recommended it to us. We also ordered a monkfish dish that was ok. All the food and drinks were quite good and I imagine I'll be back for more again sometime soon.
(5)
Rachelle R.
My husband and I recently visited Philly from NYC and checked out Amis on our first night there. We loved sitting at the chef's table and watching the busy kitchen. I loved that they serve non alcoholic drinks on their menu, like the pineapple soda (light on the pineapple, kind of like an Italian soda). The food was pretty spectacular. I went with the marinated shrimp with fennel and persimmon and LOVED it - the flavors are really complex but go very well together. My husband went with the sweetbreads which were just perfect. A lot of places fry sweetbreads and pair it with a bunch of crap that take away from the flavor - these were dusted with almond, and served with a simple fennel marmalade which was incredible. For mains, I went with the monkfish with lemon and escarole and was in heaven. My husband got the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. I had never even heard of chestnut fettucine and it did not disappoint - yum! The only complaint I can think of is the fact that it was super busy and our waitress forgot to bring us bread, and at one point my husband asked to see the wine menu, she brought it, but forgot to come back for his order. It was a little annoying, but we ended up getting a comped side of braised kale and comped assorted cookies for dessert which more than made up for it. The hostess was so sweet and asked us how we liked dinner as she handed us our coats, and we had an awesome chat with the owner/manager (I forget his title) and were pretty happy with the bill as well - very reasonable for the experience. Overall, fantastic food and drinks, awesome quiet/quaint street, warm and welcoming, not at ALL pretentious - definitely a big fan and will return next time I'm in town!
(5)
Patrizia C.
So glad I finally tried this. The menu looked incredible, the food was excellent and the service superb! I got the pappardelle with oxtail, it was delicious but I did find a couple of bones. I casually mentioned it to the waitress who was so sweet, she brought our table free dessert because of it! I will most definitely be back!
(4)
Shannon P.
Nothing says I love you more than sharing a plate of fried baby cow thyroids. Just kidding, although I did feel the love when I was brought to Amis to celebrate Valentine's Day. The boo planned way in advance and got our reservation a couple of months prior. Since there are already hundreds of reviews telling you how wonderful Amis is, I'll simply tell you what I ordered and how I felt about it. First off - house red. So deliciously palatable from somebody who primarily drinks white wine. I had the waiter write it down for me. Starters: Swordfish Meatballs, Baked Pecorino, and Sweet Breads. On a hot tip from my coworker I ordered the sweetbreads, the remainder was from yelp reviews. The meatballs didn't really taste like swordfish per say, but they were tasty. The sweet breads on the other hand, were exotic, tender, and a bit citrusy. Granted, I did not ask what "breads" of the body these were before I ate them, and I felt a little guilty afterwards when I found out it was from baby cow (veal) since I'm not a veal eater. Still, it was a good decision. They weren't organy...and not what I expected, which was pulsating food with veins throughout. It was as tender as slow roasted pork, and accompanied by a marmalade that added a sweetness to the savory. Baked Pecorino was good, but it didn't stand out as much as the sweet breads in terms of memorability. Pasta: Chestnut Fettucine with Duck Ragu...again ordered on the hot tip, and well worth it. The portion size is just right to ensure you're not taking it home, but you're full enough. Little flakes and some chunks of duck meat hid in the fettucine hollows. It's not served with a red sauce, it's a sauce from the duck...so a little brown in color but hearty in taste. Main: Lamb Shank. I know it's hypocritical to say I'm not a veal eater and then I go to town on a lamb. But I'm a hypocrite. The lamb was so so good. We had gawkers from both sides of the table ooohing over it. You receive a pretty sizable shank, which looks like a big drumstick. It's tender, falls off the bone, and has a flavor I can only describe as "homey". Again, it's served in a brown-ish sauce, which typically I despise - it's my one hate, ghoulashy things - but the meat was so good I got over the sauce. We didn't get dessert since we were a little drunk and a lot full. But they highly recommended the waffle to us. I'll miss you Amis - til next time!
(5)
Thor T.
Even on a Tuesday evening, Amis is completely booked and running smoothly thanks to the watchful eyes of the general managers and professionalized staff. Our table of three indulged in smaller anti-pasti and the so-called "quinto quarto" dishes (Italians give this name - the fifth quarter - to parts of the animal that are euphemistically called "variety meats" in the US). At Amis, these include sweet breads, veal tongue and Roman tripe stew. All appetizers - the escarole salad with apple, the fried cauliflower (generously offered by the suave assistant general manager), the veal tongue and veal terrine, the scallop crudo and tripa, and the eggplant caponata - were very good, full flavored and well prepared - the sweet scallop crudo being a stand out. I have two minor quibbles: the mostarda, served as a rhubarb/strawberry version with the terrine, and a red pepper version with the tongue, did not have the mustardy snap I love so much and was too sweet for my taste (I have noticed this at other Philly restaurants). The amount of cheese on the Roman tripe was excessive, similar to a French onion cover rather than the light dusting this dish should have. We tried two pastas - the bucatini with almond pesto and the special, fettucini with ramps and guanciale - both very good with a nod to the bucatini for lightness. The bone in lamb shoulder chop was sizable, nicely seared but as one would expect from such a cut, tough in places. I also liked the freshly baked, soft bread save for the burned areas that gave it a bit of an acrid taste. A friendly and effective wait staff, a good beer selection and small but adequate wine list (steeply priced as almost all Philadelphia wine lists) round out an all-around pleasurable dining experience. No wonder Amis is so popular. With its assertively flavored plates, bustling atmosphere, and fine service, it ranks among the elite of Philly's restaurants.
(4)
Tito B.
Bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. Bucatini with Jalapeño and almond pesto. BUCATINI WITH JALAPENO AND ALMOND PESTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go now! Put into face! Repeat! YOU'RE WELCOME! Also deliciously notable: Baked pecorino and honey- very good Swordfish meatballs: THE BEST MEATBALLS I'VE EVER HAD. INCLUDING ACTUAL MEAT BALLS. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe: fresh pasta, cheese and black pepper. Incredibly delicious. Rice pudding: as good as it gets. Rice to Riches in NYC needs to take a lesson from the folks at Amis.
(5)
Abby B.
Cute little space with a nice-sized bar. Went here just for drinks, but will hopefully be back for some food in the future! Easily grabbed a seat at the bar on a Saturday night. I ordered the Limoncello Collins, which was fabulous - very refreshing on a hot, humid summer evening! My husband really wanted a sazerac, but the bartender didn't know how to make it, so he went with the Mezcal, which he stated was good (I'm not a whiskey drinker, so I think it all tastes awful!) The bartenders were attentive, and friendly, but not overly so. They make tasty drinks quickly and efficiently, end of story. Hope to return to try the food at some point!
(4)
Kemi A.
I didn't have the greatest experience here. I started with a cocktail which was okay. No complaints. The bread we were brought was BURNT! Who serves burnt bread? It's not like 1 one was burnt was all was burnt...we had to dig/peel the inner core and eat that. Was it suppose to be served with olive oil? Because we didn't get any of that. Just BURNT BREAD! The small plates we ordered was the fish meatball which frankly is more filler than fish. Weak! I wanted to try the Pecorino but my friend was on a "diet" so we didn't get. Based on yelp reviews- we both ordered the Skate with the lemon sauce. BIGGEST DINING MISTAKE OF THE YEAR THUS FAR! It was ridiculously salty. We didn't know it was fried fish also. But it was RIDICULOUSLY salty. For $18? I sent that trash back! I think the waiter knew I didn't like it because he took his sweet time coming back to inquire how the meal was. I mean he took like 20mins! FINALLY, night was getting late and I figure he had to closeout so he came to ask how things were. I voiced my opinion, and he offered me another choice on the menu. I went with the pasta with oxtail Ragu. ..which was better but not $16 better. Either way, a disappointing night at a place that I was eager to experience. Maybe I'll try it again...or maybe I'll just head to Olive Garden where at least I'm getting what I'm paying for.
(2)
Michael M.
My family and I were just walking around looking for a place to have lunch before leaving for the airport, and we are glad we walked into this place. Starting off with the waitress coming over to introduce the menu, everything sounded very interesting. We ordered A few different appetizers and all were very good, and the bread basket was amazing with scones, raisin bread, and chocolate muffins. My mom and sister ordered the gnocchi and they were very good. I ordered the fettuccine with duck that was also amazing.
(5)
Chris B.
The food was ok not great, in particular there was a recurrent theme of pairing anything that was savory, including pastas, with something sweet. And in the case of the meat platter it was overwhelming sweet that drowned out the savory. In any case I also have to say the drinks were mediocre at best and mainly not enjoyable. (Eg. Whiskey sour with sour mix from a liquor store and NO egg white available) I do recommend the ox tail ragu pasta which was al dente and despite the added sweet was very good. Overall If this restaurant was in SF, NYC, Seattle, Portland there is little chance it would survive and it definitely wouldn't be a foodie destination.
(3)
Bailey S.
First time to a Vetri restaurant. Wonderful meal with that special someone. Warm pecorino with honey (tasty enough without the toasted bread), focaccia, brussel sprouts all wonderful sides to the main dishes. Delicate scallops, interesting fettuccine with corn, but glad the fettuccine sauce lighter than an alfredo. Waiter was attentive and helpful on menu items. A lot of food but did not feel overstuffed, done just right.
(5)
David K.
We went here last Wednesday evening when we couldn't get a reservation anywhere else close to our hotel. We sat at the "chef's table," which was similar to a table you would find at a sushi bar, where we watched the incredible kitchen crew rapidly prepare and plate complex dishes for the entire restaurant. The restaurant was incredibly loud, and entertainment from the kitchen staff was key to allowing us to enjoy dinner without feeling the need to scream at each other to be heard. Do -not- go here if you're looking for a nice place to eat and have a quiet conversation! The music in the restaurant is booming, and so all the diners have to take it up a notch to talk. Our food was good, but not outstanding, but what really made our evening was the amazing waiter who was, by far, the best waiter I've ever encountered. I wish I could remember his name, but what made him so great is that he was extremely attentive, very friendly, casual when the situation warranted, and knew the menu inside and out. I noted that he should quit his job and develop a school for waiters because this guy was top notch. Summary: Good food, LOUD atmosphere, outstanding service.
(4)
Mark M.
Pretty spectacular. I have only had the pleasure of eating here twice. And that sounds even more ridiculous for the fact that I live above the damn place. I have to say that it's a distant love affair. I walk past Amis on my way home or on my way out and wish that I could eat there daily or even weekly. Sadly, I am a man on a budget. Amis menu is small but powerful. Ordering multiple small plates to share is a must. In my best Italian Mama voice, "Have a meatball. You aren't hungry? Eat a meatball. Mark, eat a meatball." It's a must order. I don't know if I have been lucky in my two visits to Amis, but the waitstaff is stellar. The perfect amount of playful flirting, gastric knowledge, and efficiency. The one bone of contention I would have is about seating. For my second visit, I made reservations well in advance and upon arrival it seemed as though the hostess had the reservation, but did not have a table. My party was sat directly by the front door. A very akward table that I would imagine would only be used for walk-ins. Definitely felt like a fish in a fishbowl. Other than that, big Amis fan.
(4)
Caleb N.
The food was OK, but pedestrian food is disappointing at restaurant with Amis's reputation. (For instance, the brussel sprouts here stack up unfavorably with those at Vedge and are probably also inferior to those at, say, Local 44 in West Philly.) However, the service was what killed my experience. When we sat down, bread was promised four times before it arrived--after our starters had already come. Requests for refills had to be repeated. We were alternately ignored and barraged by multiple servers for clarifications. A restaurant like Amis should operate seamlessly. Instead, it turned out to be an amateur effort.
(2)
Jessica S.
In short: eat everything and anything here and leave happy. It's all good. The quality of the food, to the presentation, to that AMAZING olive oil bread basket. The service is spot on, and the atmosphere is classic and not at all stuffy or pretentious. This has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, but my last visit this past weekend really sealed the deal for me. Each and every small dish is to die for: We've had the swordfish meatballs a few times, the scallops were perfectly cooked, and the pumpkin and fresh mozzarella salad was perfectly dressed with a peppery sauce complete with pistachios. The fresh pasta... you cannot pass this up. It is the sole purpose of this restaurant. Get one or more pasta dishes. If you are eating a small plate or two, a pasta dish is the perfect portion to finish up your meal. Our waitress was sweet and knowledgeable, and easily able to point out some menu standouts. She was kind enough to remove a drink from our bill that was perfectly made but simply not to the liking of my dining partner. She really didn't have to do that. The ONLY downside happened during this past visit. The "special" truffle fettuccine dish with "special truffles imported from Italy" was an $85 dish. While it was delicious, it came as a surprise at the end of the night when we got our bill, and maybe should have been mentioned during the special offerings. "We have a very special truffle fettuccine tonight for $85" We probably still would've ordered it, but it was necessary to bring it up beforehand in my opinion.
(5)
Emily F.
Probably one of my favorite Vetri restaurant in Philly. Everything I had here was delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I prefer this restaurant over Osteria.
(5)
Majlinda K.
I had high expectations for this place but my experience was not great. The place was packed on a Saturday night but the service was pretty quick. If you are here with a large group they wont sit you unless your entire party is there (even though you are ordering drinks at the bar). The menu is tapas type dishes and they have a really good wine list. If you order the same wine as another person at your table they give you an extra little jug of wine as a refill and you're suppose to split it evenly by yourselves (which i thought it was a little weird to have to split the wine on your own, make sure your friend doesn't finish your share! lol). The brussels sprouts i ordered were delicious as well as the swordfish meatballs. The main entree i got was swordfish pasta with eggplant fries. The dish was a little tasteless. The fish and eggplant were ok but the pasta was really dry and tasted a bit like cardboard.
(2)
Kathleen D.
Yes to both meatball appetizers: the light and juicy swordfish meatballs with pine nuts and golden raisins over creamy polenta, and Sal's with tomato potato. Yes. The variety of bruschetta are very good too. See we're not tryin to go all gavone here, but that mortadella mousse? It's so good. So are the house-made salumi. Right, so I find myself most taken with the small plates and salumi, as usual. And the pasta is pretty perfect. I'm thinking that the ideal deally here is to split some small plates,and maybe a veg contorni, and then have you some cacio e pepe. Or ANY of the pasta. It's excellent, from all'amatriciana to black squid ink, or whatever special. I had one with snails. It ruled. The pasta here rules. The plan is: wine, small plates, pasta... and dessert. I love it when a plan comes together. I'm not saying to skip the secondi, but really, my personal move would include saving crucial stomach space for the "tartufo al bacio;" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. Or, maybe you'll want to share Belgian waffles with nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla semifreddo. If we're goin comfort food baby, why not go all the way? Spaghetti and waffles in one meal. You did it. You finally did it!
(4)
Kate G.
Best restaurant in Philadelphia! I moved to Philly from Italy around 4 years ago and it's hard to find a great italian restaurant that is authentic and innovative at the same time! The server was attentive, remembered us from previous dinners and the kitchen was able to perfectly accomodate my mom's dietary restrictions. Our appetizers were the squid, the pork terrine and the fried cauliflower. The paccheri with eggplant fries and swordfish is just perfect and tastes just like something I would get in Sicily. My mom's scallops were cooked to perfection, very juicy. The cacio e pepe is creamy and perfectly al dente! The kitchen staff was really nice and sent us a corn and heirloom tomato salad to try and a rice pudding. I hate rice pudding but I just devoured this one! It had cherries and pistachios on it! The staff went above and beyond to accomodate us and just made my birthday dinner really lovely!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Ivan C.
cool atmosphere, great drinks however mediocre salty food
(3)Alejandra I.
Ok. I went last night, Wednesday. It was packed but we got seats at the window, our waiter was AWESOME. Very attentive, very...! I had the red table wine, it was ok. For an appetizer, polenta with brown sugar.... I didn't care for it. Then I had gnocchi- it was traditional gnocchis, dumplings, it was like one big flattened gnocchi. It also was good, not excellent, the sauce was a little ragu-ish. The best thing about dinner was dessert, we had a belgian waffle with Nutella & ice cream on it, that was delicious.. but my Tartufo... OMG. Sooooooooooooooooo............... delicious, perfect. I got goosebumps just by remembering it now. I would go back again, the ambiance was excellent.
(4)Natalie P.
We sat at the counter because we missed our reservation due to a major car accident back up on the bridge. We ordered 5 small plates. The grilled octopus is excellent, eggplant caponato just OK, coppa with honey was very good, il tartufo (aritchoke) was outstanding, and the meatballs were good. My glass of wine was excellent but expensive ($12) and it was maybe 4 ounces. I don't mind choosing an expensive wine but I think it should be a substantial glassful
(4)Steve M.
Awesome, Awesome. If you have never been here it is a must. Everything was amazing from host to floor Manager. One of the best I have ever been at.
(5)Ernie N.
Was in town and had the opportunity to meet Chef Marc Vetri. He was extremely cordial, fraternizing with the patrons in the dining room, signing autographs and whatnot. I love it when Chefs personally check on the diners. It provides I nice touch that makes me feel they actually care that we are enjoying our meal. The pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu was well prepared. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the mushrooms packed plenty of flavor. I felt like there was a little too much oil for my taste however. The veel tongue was a nice savory dish with just a pinch of sodium that dissolves on your palate, ironically slapping you in the face with a sudden calm bliss. Definitely worth trying. Would like to try is flagship restaurants Osteria and/or Vetri one day.
(4)Amanda L.
Don't expect to be seated on time. Best to make your reservation 30 minutes before you actually want to sit down. I made a reservation a month in advance for my mom's birthday and we waited in the drafty entryway for 45 minutes. This is completely unacceptable. I think if the manager had informed the previous party that someone was waiting that they would gladly have gotten up. It's very poor restaurant management. This is Philly. This isn't manhattan. You should be able to seat people remotely in the vicinity of their reservation.
(3)Chris P.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food has always been great. However, I don't plan on returning any time soon after today's abysmal service. A few of my friends and I had a reservation for 8:45. Some tables were running a little late (which is understandable) so we waited at the bar. After about a half hour wait we watched what was supposed to be our table be given away to another group (I overheard the maître d' ask the waitress why she had given the table to the other group rather than the people waiting on their 8:45 reservation...). At 9:45, a full hour after our reservation, we still hadn't been seated. Not only that, but we didn't receive any explanation or apology for the delay. After waiting for over an hour, we gave up and were forced to eat at a pizza joint. The food was inferior, but at least they didn't ignore us for an hour...
(1)Alyssa P.
Had my first Amis experience last night & I'm positive it won't be my last. One of the most solid meals that I can remember. I went with two friends for Dining Out For Life last night & although the restaurant was completely full, the service was attentive & the food came out quickly & accurately. I would have thought we were the only people in the place! For three people, we split some apps: Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey - to die for, gooey & delicious served with grilled bread Pecorino Arancini w/ Ragu & Peas - delicious little risotto balls w/ a nugget of cheese hidden inside Sweetbreads w/ Fennel Marmalade - very light.. usually sweetbreads are super fried in order to mask what they really are, these were the opposite - dusted w/ almond flour & pan fried Fried Brussel Sprouts - great veggie option ..and then all ordered our own pastas. I had the Spaghetti w/ Pork Jowls & Spring Onion - it was so light & the pasta was cooked perfectly. I had to refrain from inhaling the whole plate since we were trying to save room for dessert. My friends got the Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto and the Spinach Fazzoletti - both delicious as well. For dessert we split the Nutella Waffle (amazing) as well as the Tiramisu which was a special for the day. Highly recommended - go check it out for yourself! :)
(5)Khan K.
Went out for dinner Friday night. Parking is hard to find and valet is your only option. Knowing that Anthony Bourdain had been to Amis, I really wanted to go and check this place out. We had made prior reservations and were seated right away. The seating is tight and the noise level is very loud. The server was great, knowledgeable and helpful. The service was very good. We even saw Marc Vetri floating around. We ordered: baked pecorino-good, very flavorful, great textures marinated shrimp-refreshing and delicate grilled veal tongue-best dish of the night cacio e pepe-too al dente, very salty, not impressed, this is the dish I wanted to be impressed by wild boar sausage-ehhh Overall I was disappointed by the food but the service was superb. I wanted to like this place, I really did but it was not as good as I had hoped.
(3)Audrey D.
My husband took me on a date to Amis last Monday night and it was perfect! The food and service was beyond good! The place was pretty packed for a Monday so I was glad we made a reservation. Our server suggested ordering brussel sprouts and *damn*! These were some fantastic brussel sprouts! We can't wait to have dinner here again!
(5)Andrew H.
The more I think about this place the less I like it. I really wanted to like it given the rapturous applause of anything Vetri on this site. Giorgio's on Pine is better and cheaper. Also, why would you give an Italian restaurant a French name?
(3)Ariana B.
House made pasta and reasonably priced carafes of house wine in addition to a cozy yet hip atmosphere make this a great date night place. Friendly service and an open kitchen add to the overall experience as well. Definitely the best tiramisu I've ever had.
(5)Dana S.
Based on the taste of the food alone, Amis is 5 stars. The pasta is clearly homemade and delicious, the skirt steak was perfectly cooked, and the desserts... oh the desserts. Yum. I've been to Amis 3 or 4 times and each time I've gotten the same thing (I am a creature of habit). My usual dish is the spaghetti with the pecorino romano pepper sauce "cacio e pepe" and a scoop of the salted butter semifreddo for dessert. I dream of that ice cream. My boyfriend and I have tried to recreate it with no success since we first tried it. This time I went with my parents and got the same thing as before. As always, delicious. The olive oil infused foccacia bread is magical too. My parents loved their meals... another pasta dish with some kind of corn sauce, skirt steak, scallops, etc. But I have to say, the best part was the lemon pepper ricotta cake with peach jam and vanilla semifreddo. Oh gosh. That even beats the semifreddo. So with such great food - why the star deduction? Well for one, it was $240ish dollars for the three of us. Thats a lot, especially since my dad and I had meatless pasta for our main course. Also, my mom has celiac disease and many places known for their pasta have started making gluten free pasta dishes. Maybe they could consider that but that's just a nitpick. Finally, I found a drink I like at Amis... something with peach puree... but I've also found many I don't, which is uncommon for me -- I usually like every fruity cocktail I taste.
(4)Dawna M.
Our waiter was friendly and attentive, but not overly so. Seating was squished. We were in the booth area with full tables on either side of us, so the water had to pull our table in/out for us or the couple along the wall to be able to get out/in. Apps ------- Bufala ricotta - awesome! Sal's Meatballs - good, but I preferred the ricotta Pasta -------- Bucatini w jalapeno pesto - very good and reheated well 2 days later Pork Shoulder rigatoni - very good!! no leftovers there Dessert ----------- Tiramisu - ok Waffle with nutella - awesome!! But still couldn't plow through it all Drinks --------- Can't recall which ones we got, but the first round was very good. The second round, not-so-much. It was a **very** heavy hand with the gin.
(4)Daniel H.
I'm glad I waited for my second dinner visit to review, because it was pretty awesome. I'll start with the part that wasn't awesome - the outdoor seating. Great idea, poor execution. Not sure if the bars were put in place because the four-tops went beyond zoning for sidewalk cafes, but this new arrangement makes it impossible to sit outside in groups, and it also kills the outdoor vibe the place had going for it. Nobody sits outside anymore, so being the lone pair felt a bit awkward (Tuesday night, July 3rd). Easily forgivable when considering the AWESOMENESS that was the food. When you think meatball, you probably think beef (if you don't think beef, indulge me for a moment) - well, you'll find Sal's meatballs on the menu, but you'll also find... wait for it... SWORDFISH MEATBALLS. What? Swordfish meatballs? Who would eat those? I DID, AND THEY'RE AWESOME (there's a whole lot of awesome). Weird part is that they taste just like regular meatballs. So, so good. The Mixed Salumi plate - not as awesome, but good. Salami, liver, and mortadella. The salami was my favorite of the three, and the liver in second. That was to start. The oil-infused bread was also very nice. For mains we split the quail and the gnocchi sardi (not potato gnocchi, more like shell pasta)... the quail was so good... it was my first time eating it and I think it's my favorite fowl after that experience. Thighs and legs (and maybe breast) are served over polenta (just okay), crispy and salty on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. More AWESOME. The gnocchi sardi was served with lamb bacon, broccoli, and some sort of cheese sauce. Very delicious. Finished it off with the salted butter semifreddo sundae. OH MY GOODNESS. I didn't want this dessert, but we got it, and it was SO AWESOME. Savory and sweet; creamy and crunchy. You need to have it. In summary - swordfish meatballs + quail + salted butter semifreddo sundae = a must visit in Philly.
(4)Manoj P.
Food was alright. Came here on recommendations from a friend and Yelp. Maybe we just ordered too much cheesy dishes but found the meal way too heavy. The best part was the fried cauliflower; next best was the baked pecorino but the cheese, once it cooled down a little, got rubbery. Same thing happened with tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" and bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. Both had good flavor (I *really* liked the bucatini at first) but after a bit, it cooled down and just got really heavy and hard to eat. Service was good, though.
(3)Jon D.
Seriously, Marc Vetri is like a bald Jesus. I came here for brunch and left just as full and amazed as I did after trying Amis for dinner. The constant creativity, depth of flavor, and flawless execution make Vetri's James Beard award well, well deserved. -Baked pecorino with almond honey: Awesome! Salty, sweet, and nutty, with crunchy toasted bread that everyone at the table will fight over. How did they come up with such a simplistic masterpiece like this? -Polenta pancakes: Light and fluffy but nowhere near your typical pancake. Embrace the polenta...it works in this dish. -Soft scrambled eggs: Eggs were cooked to perfection and served as a perfect palette for the deliciously marinated mushrooms, which packed awesome flavor but did not overwhelm the dish. -Jersey cannonball: Instinctually, I try to avoid anything from Jersey like the plague...but thank god my Mom is much more open-minded because I ended up eating half of hers. Nutmeg and garlic scented handmade pork, pepper relish, homemade biale...another work of art. Oh, and our waitress was attentive, friendly, and really into food, which was good. Great experience.
(5)Naz O.
Amis is absolutely wonderful! Everything from the decor/atmosphere/mood, to the staff, to the food is perfect. We went there with a group of 6 friends, and all of our dishes were extremely delicious. One thing that they could improve would be to add a little more variety to their menu, because I felt that it was very pasta/carbohydrate focused, and there weren't as many options if you wanted to avoid that and have some red/white meat.
(4)Rick K.
Amis was my first experience with Marc Vetri and his restaurants. If Yelp allowed half stars, this would be a 3.5 rating. Overall, the food was okay to moderately good. Nothing stood out to me as having been good enough to entice me to return to Amis and try it again. In order from what I liked the most to the least: 1) Swordfish Meatballs - Recommended by the waiter, who eased my concerns of the potential of swordfish being overcooked and coming out dry. To my delight, the meatballs were not dry and paired very well with the creamy polenta. 2) Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto - Pasta was well prepared and the sauce was good. However, the pasta didn't jump out to me the same way that Il Pittore's pasta did. 3) Roasted Zucchini - Good side dish to pair with the entrees. Nothing fancy but I love zucchini. 4) Fried Cauliflower - Pretty simple dish but it was too salty (which says something because I eat a lot of salt). 5) Pork Chop alla Milanese - Decent piece of pork chop but the dish overall felt very underwhelming (the average person could have made this with some directions online). The breading wasn't very good and it barely stuck on to the meat. It was served with an arugula salad and was not worth $24. I'll probably try Osteria or Vetri before I think about giving Amis a try again. It just felt very underwhelming and I would rather go for some place new next time.
(3)Jess K.
I was in town visiting a friend who is moving back to NYC next week and this was on her list of restaurants to try before leaving Philly. When we first got there we were told we would have to wait for a short while so we ordered drinks at the bar. But by the time we placed our drink order, our table was ready and the hostess was not too pleased to have to wait for us to get our drinks. She was the one who told us to wait at the bar so come on! Also, first the hostess asked us if we wouldn't mind being seated at the area where the chefs are cooking. We considered it but the restaurant was really loud and we thought conversation would be difficult so we declined and said we would wait for a table. A table opened up for us pretty immediately so that was good. Or perhaps they knew they would have free tables but wanted them for other reservations. Who knows. Our waitress was super nice although she never told us her name so I can't pass that info on to you. She told us most tables order a few appetizers to share and then a pasta and a main dish depending on the hunger level. I was with two friends so we decided to order 4 appetizers and to split 1 pasta and 1 main dish and to save room for dessert (always my main focus). For us that was the perfect amount of food. None of us are super tiny/non-eater types so I think you can trust our opinion when going yourself. We also ordered a carafe of the house red wine which was quite tasty. My favorite appetizer we ordered was the eggplant caponata that goes on the slightly too hard bread. We also ordered a pasta that was really simple and a bit creamy with black pepper as the main flavoring. It was amazing. Delicious. We ordered the duck and in reality duck isn't my favorite so I didn't eat that much of it. I thought I would like it but then I remembered how fatty duck is and how much I dislike chewing it! For dessert we got THREE things because I was so excited for dessert. We wanted the tiramisu but the QUITE rowdy table next to us ordered about 15 pieces and so they were out. Instead we got the waffle with nutella and ice cream, the blueberry tart and the polenta shortcake which was hands down my favorite dessert of those three. Each of us ended up spending about $50 which really isn't too bad. I thought the prices were reasonable, I liked the ambiance and the food itself was fresh and delicious. I would definitely go back here if I am in Philly again.
(4)John A.
We were originally suppose to go to a Russet BYOB; however, we forget the beverage laws on Sunday so we had to cancel our reservation at Russet Called up and got a table ASAP. Price: not expensive Decor: Okay... We were both bored when we were there..... Food: Good ... It isn't anything to go nuts about... I am annoyed I didn't come prepared and bring wine to Russet. We walked in the night before at that place and the vibe is great.....
(3)Grace G.
This place was very good, having been to both Vetri and Osteria we had high expectations. We got the baked pecorino with honey, the old school meatballs and the veal croquettes special, which was insanely good. The only downside was that the small plates were not spaced out like normal tapas. Two of them came out together and the next one a few minutes later. The entrees were very good, we got pork shoulder and duck. Nothing out of this world about them, but enjoyable. For dessert, we got the salted butter sundae, which was tasty.
(4)Aimee T.
I really wanted to like AMIS. I've heard amazing things about Vetri's places and have eaten at Osteria and loved it. Since my normal dinner budget isn't large enough to afford Vetri, my friends and I decided to check out AMIS on a random Friday night. We had reservations for 4 at 9:30PM. The meal started out well enough. I met up with two of my friends at the bar as we waited for our table. The space is modern and the energy from the open kitchen invades the dining area in a good way. Once seated after about a 5 minute wait..the appetizers came quickly and our server was friendly and competent. We ordered the sweetbreads, arancini, meat balls and the salami. All tasted great initially but everything other than the arancini was over seasoned. My first taste of the sweet breads were delicious but my second piece was way over salted. We tried our best to power through the appetizers and we moved on to the pasta. We only ordered two pastas to save room for dessert. I chose the fettucine with lamb ragu and the other pasta was the tonnerelli. The fettucine was completely oversalted. I had 3 bites and had to stop eating. I wanted to eat more because the texture of the pasta was spot-on but it was just completely overseasoned. The tonnerelli was better and not quite as salty as the fettucini ...but it was still salty. I had to keep gulping my water to conteract all the sodium. If it weren't for the great company, the tiramisu and waffle dessert that we ordered, I think this dinner would have been a complete fail. I walked out of AMIS with 80% of the fettucine left untouched. Maybe it was an off night for the chef...or maybe they just like really really seasoned food at AMIS but it was not for me. If looking for good italian food in the city I would hesitate to recommend AMIS. Sorry Marc...I loved Osteria 2 years ago.
(2)L H.
Bottom line: we like this place more than the coveted Vetri. Very much enjoyed the mortadella with honey and hazelnuts, fresh pastas, and grilled steak with green onion. Also ordered a cauliflower side dish that had too much parmesan and was drowning in some sort of romesco-like sauce. Wouldn't order that again. Overall, better prices than Vetri, and better food than Vetri.
(4)pracheta t.
Upon walking in, we both instantly feel in love with warm, romantic lighting and perfect volume of the music. The tables were rather close to one another like all small space restaurants but we didn't mind so much. (On a side note, the guy sitting next to us turned out to be Jamie Moyer from the Phillies...too bad neither of us recognized him until the waiter said how cool that was). My carne-loving foodie friend decided to be vegetarian with me for the night and even though our choices were limited, I think we made some awesome selections. The roasted squash was decent and the baked pecorino with almond honey was AMAZZZZZZZING. Honey does wonders. That dish makes me want to put honey on everything. My friend wanted some variety and ordered the arancini di riso with meat ragu but turned out to be way too dry for her. Though I didn't try it, the presentation was nice. For our pasta, we chose the persimmon and fennel lasagna and mmm mmm mmm it was soo super duper yummy. Our favorite part - desert! The belgium waffle with nutella was SO good and i wish we had ordered two. We also had the apple walnut cake with some semifriddo but it was nothing compared to the waffle. We will def be back!
(4)Matthew I.
My wife and I just went to Amis over the weekend. I knew the food was going to be delicious, just because it is a Vetri restaurant. I had been to Vetri and Osteria and loved them. Amis had a different feel to it. I felt Amis was as close to a Roman meal as you can get in Philly. We order the tripe, veal tongue, sweetbreads, pork belly, and obviously the cacia e pepe. We ordered one other pasta that had swordfish and eggplant in it. It was very good, but the other dishes were amazing. The cacia e pepe was the star. It is such a basic meal, with only about three or four ingredients, but it was done to perfection. I would say the tripe and the pork belly were our next favorite dishes of the night. The broccoli and shaved sharp prov that came with the pork belly complimented the dish perfectly. We will def go back asap. Top three restaurant I have been to in a long time.
(5)John C.
The first impression that I had, along with one other in my party of four, was that this place was suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. The food is Italian, reasonably priced, and delicious. The servers are wearing some sort of strange mechanic shirt, the bar has drinks that give more of a nod to the French cocktail tradition than that of Italy (although the drinks are interesting, balanced, and tasty). There does not appear to be too many private, comfortable tables in the space. The ceiling and kitchen are open, which adds to the noise, and the buzz and energy of the place. The server was informed, friendly, and attentive. The wine list is steep, short, and not entirely impressive. I found it to be one of the two glaring weaknesses of the place (yes, I did ask for the reserve list). The other problem was that they did not seem to have a sidework area to do polishing. Having the buspersons tossing silverware into a bin and holding coversation next to the table does not enhance the dining experience, especially when the place is already noisy. Bottom line the food and cocktails are good. If you aren't nitpicky, you will be satisfied. Otherwise it's a one and done visit, as it is for me.
(3)Carla F.
I live not too far from Amis and I go here all the time. I can't think of an occasion when this restaurant would not work for you. I have taken family and friends, gone there on dates and dined at the bar myself. Great wine list and the bartenders are very knowledgable about them. Highly highly recommend the swordfish meatballs.
(5)Ricky R.
If you are in the mood for tapas-style dining but not in the mood for one of the Jose Garces restaurants, then give this place a try. We went there recently and had an incredible meal of small plate dishes. Sure, you can get bigger entrees. But go for the smaller dishes so you can try a real variety of things. We had a pretty amazing roasted pumpkin and mozzarella dish. And a pasta with a sauce made from - ready for this - pig's head. I was a little dubious but the waiter said it was one of the favorites when they make it. After tasting iy, you could understand why. Good wine list as well. Great Vetri food at affordable prices!
(4)Regina F.
Amis is delicious. No really, the whole restaurant is delicious. Get the squid ink pasta with chorizo- it's creamy and perfect. It's black and will probably make your smile a little silly looking, but as long as you share it, that's fine. Both you and your dining mate can have black smiles for a little bit. The bits of chorizo add just enough meat flavor to offset the otherwise too luscious nature of squid ink. The bruschetta bread is great: it's thick and grilled with just enough olive oil to add a nice juicy crunch. The imported buffalo ricotta is creamy, but that's about it. It's fluffy, but there's not much flavor.The salami, similarly, is fine. It's cured meat, and the beet jam is pretty good. If you put the salami on the buffalo ricotta, then you've created a great appetizer. The mild saltiness of the meat combines nicely with the otherwise undetected sweetness of the black pepper ricotta. As for dessert, you'd be a complete idiot not to indulge in the tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo - even if you're allergic to nuts. Basically, you've got some sort of semifreddo mousse/ice cream blend speckled with hazelnut halves covered in a dark chocolate fondant ganache. It's a hill of succulent indulgence with the perfect sweetness offset by the perfect bitterness of the dark chocolate.
(4)Michelle C.
Not updating this review sooner has been a complete oversight. I've actually been back four or five times since my first visit, and Amis has become one of my favorite destinations for dining and/or drinks. There are several things on the menu that I have come to absolutely adore, starting with the strozzaprete alla vongole, its buttery flavors I have talked up to just about anyone who will listen. Another favorite is the bufala ricotta; rich and creamy and drizzled with olive oil, it is the perfect spread for the accompanying toasted bread. I was once offered a bite of the turkey cutlet by a distinguished gentleman sitting next to me at the bar. Normally, I'd pass without thinking twice, but this man insisted that the preparation changed his previous contempt for turkey to pure lust, at least, for this particular dish. Who could pass that up? I have to hand it to the guy, he was right on. It sounds crazy to order something so plain-sounding, but trust Vetri and his crew to turn a plain old turkey into a Cinderella story. A turkerella, if you will. Make your reservations far in advance, dolls. The tables don't come easy!
(5)Laura B.
The food, atmosphere and service were all great at Amis but even at a late dinner (9:30 on a Friday) the restaurant was just too loud. I could barely hear the person I was with or the waiter. If they figured out a way to better the acoustics, this place would definitely get a 5 as the swordfish meatballs, duck and peach special, flank steak and tiramisu were all delicious.
(4)Andrew W.
Amis features a very simple and interesting menu offering a variety of options for lamb, seafood, and pasta. My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was very good, although I was not totally into the unorthodox preparation of the pasta- it seemed more of a potato dish than gnocchi. My favorite part of the meal, though, was the appetizers... so many to choose from and each one was delicious. Having been extremely impressed with osteria, I guess I was hoping for a bit more... but this was still a good night out. I wish the wine list was a bit more reasonable, though.
(4)Connie S.
Marc Vetri's third restaurant, serving up updated "Roman comfort food" in a warm, more casual atmosphere. The chef won the James Beard award last year for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic, and it's clear that Amis is not just resting on its laurels. I find that you can generally judge the quality of a restaurant by how delicious and plentiful the bread is, even before any of the menu items arrive at the table. So naturally I got really excited when our server brought us a cornucopia of freshly baked, warm and chewy foccacia and sesame-studded bread. So good. And, indeed, every single dish we ordered was phenomenal. We had a bit from several different sections of the menu: Bruschetta - Stracciatella: not to be confused with the gelato, the stracciatella here was a stretchy mozzarella-like cheese, complemented with marinated fava beans and basil, which you spread yourself on thick crostin for a beautiful DIY bruschetta Seafood Antipasti - Black Bass Crudo: on the smaller side in terms of quantity, but every bite packed a punch, especially because the fish was topped with radishes and almonds that added a nice crunch Pasta - Tonnarelli "Cacio e Pepe": almost like a square-ish spaghetti, served with with pecorino sauce and black pepper; super simple but exceptionally done Secondi - Roasted Duck Breast: slices of tender duck, with preserved scallions and this pickled mustard seed sauce that was tangy and sticky and textural all at once Dessert - Tartufo: an ultra-rich chocolate hazelnut semifreddo bombe containing a few candied amarena cherries, covered in a fresh chocolate coating -- you definitely need to be able to handle your chocolate to try this, but if you appreciate desserts, you will not be disappointed Seriously, everything was so wonderful-tasting. Our server was really friendly and attentive, and with no noticeable wait for the food to come out. I don't know if there's such a thing as a 'perfect' experience in a restaurant, but Amis came pretty close.
(5)David A.
Went back with the family Saturday night. Got a last minute reservation at one of the outdoor tables on the street. It's fairly quiet and not bad outdoor dining (except a brief shower). Food was inconsistent, like my last visit. Good for sure, but not really worth the price. For five and a few cocktails the meal with tip was $220. The cocktails were really good, showing nice creativity. Appetizers are the star here and the entrees just didn't knock you over with so many great Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe it is the Vetri name. You just set the bar higher for his establishments. For appetizers I loved the regular meatballs served over a light layer of creamed polenta. The swordfish meatballs were way too fishy. For entrees the papperdele with a lamb argue was excellent but it was a wimpy portion size. The tuna with fennel had nice flavor but was cut too thin for my liking and unexceptional. The broiled mixed seafood had some hits and misses with this fish as well. My wife had the ribs which were a special. They were prepared with some Tuscan spices and they were excellent. The highlight was the rice pudding. Very creamy, perfect texture and served with a fruit compote on the top. I cleaned out this bowl. Delicious. I will go back. Just doesn't make you want to run back.
(3)Kristian L.
I have eaten here twice and it has knocked my socks off both times. Reminds me a lot of the spirit of the food I have eaten when in the South of Italy, but done with local ingredients - they do a killer Caponata. Excellent convivial service- the servers know their menu. I plan on coming back many times. Thanks Amis for taking great care of me!!
(5)Will Z.
Arrived for a 5pm dinner date reservation a couple minutes early. The restaurant was still setting up and we had to wait until they were finished. No problem. We were seated soon after and the waiter got to us right away. We ordered the swordfish meatballs, bufala ricotta bruschetta, two pastas (cacio e pepe and the jalapeño almond pesto one), and two drinks. Food arrived promptly afterward. We were first served olive oil infused focaccia, which was pretty good but I wish it was heated up a bit. Our drinks and appetizers came after. The drinks were tasty and not too strong, but come at steep prices. Swordfish meatballs were alright, but a bit too salty. The bed of pine nuts and polenta they were served on complemented them nicely though. The Bruschetta = more carbs (4 fat pieces of toasted bread). The ricotta spread was pretty good. Next came our pastas. The pastas were the biggest disappointment. They were essentially the same, creamy thick noodles just tossed with some different ingredients (cheese, black pepper for the cacio e pepe and jalapeno, almond crumbs, pesto for the other). Both pastas were REALLY salty and pretty greasy. We had the leftovers boxed, and after heating them up the next day, there was just a pool of oil on the bottom. Not very appetizing. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate hazelnut semifreddo . This was probably the best thing we ordered. If you enjoy (dark) chocolate, you'll love this. For $100+, the meal was a bit of a letdown. I will say however that the service was fantastic. Our waiter was definitely on top of his game and proactively made sure we always had what we needed. Maybe we just ordered all the wrong things, but it'll definitely take something extra for me to come back again.
(3)David. E.
Great food!! Loved the space
(4)Christina F.
Just got back from dinner with my parents at Amis and it was wonderful. We got there a couple of minutes early for our reservation and right away the super friendly hosts led us to our table, which had a great view of the kitchen. The open kitchen was actually one of my favorite parts of the night, but I'm a huge food nerd and get off on professional cooking. The chefs were easy on the eyes, too, if I must say. The sound level was lively, so I didn't catch our sever's name, but he was amiable and knowledgeable. The whole experience was comfy and welcoming, and most importantly, extremely tasty. I started with the monkfish speidini with pumpkin romesco. Being an upstate New York girl at heart, and a huge fan of speidis, I just couldn't resist. Plus, monkfish is awesome. The fish was cooked perfectly and the rich, autumnal sauce really complemented it--I wiped the plate clean. Big portion for an antipasti, too. For the main course I had the capon sausage with braised escarole and apples, which was perfect for the chilly, rainy night. The acidity of the greens and apples was an excellent foil to the fatty richness of the capon. Mmmm fatty richness. My parents had the special pork rotini pasta and the tagliatelle with bacon and root veg respectively and they were both really pleased. I can't wait to go back and try more! Maybe at the counter next time...
(5)Vicki Z.
Great Roman Cuisine! Large portion and very delicious! Highly recommend!!!
(5)D.C. P.
A business trip allowed me to enjoy a few restaurants in Philly and this was one of them. With planes not serving food anymore unless you fork over some money in addition to a three hour time difference, I was ready to eat an early dinner once we checked into our hotel. A co-worker found this place via Zagat. The overall experience was good. The servers were very friendly, attentive, and answered all our questions. The entree I ordered was the roasted scallops with summer giambotta which was 24 bucks. The scallops were cooked to perfection. They were a good size, slightly seared, and had a fresh taste to them. Giambotta is basically a vegetable stew and paired well with the scallops. To end the meal, my co-workers ordered the Belgian style waffles with Nutella. After about 5 minutes, the waiter informed us that they were having issues with the waffle maker and gave us some complimentary desserts which was very nice of them. When the waffles finally made their way out, all of my co-workers immediately took a bite and were extremely pleased. One even devoured it in less than 2 minutes. Must've been good. Nothing to complain about here. A solid 4 stars.
(4)Kristin W.
We started with two appetizers: the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey has a great mixture of salty and sweet although the accompanying bread was a little too crunchy for my liking. Sal's Old School Meatballs had a nice rich flavor and the most tomato-y potatoes I had ever had - or was it potato-y tomatoes? It was like being in a Gershwin song. I ordered the Strozzaprete with Tuna Bolognese - surprisingly to me, the sauce was white (evidently authentic Bolognese sauce typically has little tomato concentrate). I actually preferred the Paccheri Swordfish with Eggplant Fries which had a stronger flavor and where the fish was more substantial. The open kitchen provides an interesting perspective if you're strategically positioned and when you sit at the bar, you can enjoy a view out of the big windows.
(3)Esther Y.
I think I pretty much had the entire dinner menu here at a family dinner with 7 people. I was not impressed with the buttery and creamy flavors of anything except for the dish with the roasted skate with lemon puree and fried brussels sprouts. Probably won't be back again but that roasted skate WAS delicious...so if I had to come back, I would be happy getting that alone. This place is probably highly rated because there was a lot of cheese and cream involved. That's your fair warning...most people love cheese, butter, and cream, if so, please direct your attention to the other reviews.
(2)Claire C.
This is a few blocks off the popular 13th and locust cross sections of restaurants, but it's totally worth it. It's a great place to catch up with friends or enjoy a bit of home cooked italian food. my only tip is to get as many plates of the meatballs as possible. you will definitely not regret this decision.
(4)Jenny P.
A group of 5 ladies had a dinner there recently, and we'll remember it for a long time. First, we've tried to go here previously, but the restaurant was rented for a private party. My reservation was in the system with an invalid number, but that didn't deter Martin from finding me to tell me. He knew that the ladies group would be stuck without a place to dine, so he found me and secured a great table at Alla Spina. We were showered with great service and a round of drinks for our "trouble". I highly recommend the fried chicken at Alla Spina. Secondly, when we finally did have an opportunity to dine at Amis, we were treated like absolute royalty. Many of the Amis professionals - including Marc Vetri himself - introduced themselves and apologized for the trouble with getting a table. The service was excellent as was the food (papardelle with duck ragu, the swordfish meatballs and the buccatini with jalapenos were all stand outs). The cocktails and wine selection were also a bonus, and dessert (Tiramisu) was heavenly. Above all, we'll remember the feeling of being welcomed into Amis like we were family meeting for the first time. It really was a special night. With gratitude and appreciation, I highly recommend Amis!
(5)Jessica W.
For almost $150 for two and the Vetri name, Amis should have been great. Too bad all we got was disappointment. Vetri is known for his exquisite attention to detail, but apparently this was forgotten in the latest expansion of his mini empire. The guinea hen lacked a crisp skin and was covered in fat. It tasted like an amateur cook roasted it at too low of a temp. The oxtail gnocchi sounded amazing until I chomped on an accidental oxtail bone that was the same size, shape, and color as the gnocchi. This was the first dish I sent back to a restaurant in years, and the waitress comes back not with "I'm sorry about that can we make you another," but "that's not a bone- its cartilage so its ok." Tell my near missing tooth that. Other dishes were ok but everything was rich and greasy. The menu lacked balance due to a scarcity of vegetables and greens. The concept, location, and space are terrific. But Amis needs some serious refinement before we go back.
(2)Christopher D.
Upon hearing that ramps were in town I made a mad dash for an early Sunday dinner to Amis. Again ensconced at the end of the bar, I had a very nice simple meal, beginning with the root vegetables served on a bed of yogurt flavored with curry. More middle eastern than Italian, but very good. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. You got delicious fish, with punches of flavor from pignoli and raisins, served on a bed of polenta. Outstanding. The highlight of the meal was the linguini with ramps and pecorino. Simple and flavorful, the ramps shined amid the al dente pasta and cheese. Dessert was a home made italian pumpkin ice cream. Delicious. Amis does things simply and lets flavors come through. Get there while the ramps are still rampant.
(4)Derek M.
Something was definitely amiss when my wife and I went here. I thought this restaurant was going to hit the mark, but alas it was a miss. Ok, enough of the Tom Foolery. I did not like this restaurant. I thought I'd order the salami sampler plate because it was a big night out, and heck what's $16 in the grand scheme of things? It turns out to be a lot when all the salami plate consists of is a few thin cuts of bologna, liverwurst, and salami. I'm talking about like an 1/10 of a lb. total on the plate. It was OK, but not anything to speak highly about. The oil infused bread was pretty good, but it came in tiny portions. Ask for three refills throughout dinner, tiny. No deal breaker here. Then came the entree, Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu. Sounds exotic! Well it, in the words of my wife, "tastes like hamburger helper". She asked for salt (not at the table and is offered in a small bowl and spoon) which helped add a bit of taste. Unimpressed with the appetizer and entree, we saw where this meal was going and decided to head over to Max Brenner for dessert (which was delicious). P.S. Not that this affects my quantitative rating at all, since I like to rate based on food and not on the experience, we had 7pm reservations and were told that we needed to wait. We finally sat down 25 minutes later. It wasn't the end of the world. However, it added a sense of urgency to dinner, since we had a finite amount of time left on the parking meter. Then, at the end of dinner, the hostess asked for our coat tag, when they hadn't given us one in the first place. I offered to help find the coats, but she said "actually, I'd rather you didn't" in a curt tone. For the next few minutes we were treated very poorly & given attitudes by both her and her coworker. I don't care to go into trying to describe their demeanor, as I am no Hemingway, but let it suffice to say that it was a very un-customer-friendly experience.
(1)Percy N.
I was looking forward to my brunch meal at Amis and based on the reviews and menu I saw online had high hopes. The meal started out fine - we were seated, offered still (bottled) water, etc. But then our waitress disappeared for about 15 minutes only to come back to inform us of some changes to the menu, including some items which we planned to order. So on to plan B - which can be difficult when your dining partner has a few food allergies. We asked if they could make slight alterations to some items on the menu and they said NO. This left the only item on the menu which my wife would eat - a ribeye steak. She wanted to try a few other items but was disappointed at the lack of flexibility in the kitchen. The steak was flavorful and well cooked. Wish it came with a sunny side up egg. I ordered the pasta with roasted squash and walnuts, which was filling but not as flavorful. Also had a cornetti stuffed with apricots which was good, but not sure I would pay $5/piece if it were served at a bakery. Fresh squeezed blood orange juice was a nice touch. Overall, the good was food, but I deducted 1 star for the lack of flexibility in the kitchen, slow service and very high noise level, We left a little less than impressed or full, so stopped at a Garces place on the way home.
(3)Dana S.
Amis is nicely tucked away between Pine and Lombard St. It had a trendy atmosphere and was clean, a little fancy. Menu is Italian but not traditional Italian, there was a lot of things I wasn't familiar with and googled to have a better idea of what exactly I was considering to order. Overall the food was good.
(3)Tracy W.
Amis is quickly becoming my favorite Italian in the city. I need to keep coming back to try new things, as well as revisit my old favorites. The cacio e pepe is outstanding. Swordfish meatballs are as good as everyone says. Squid ink pasta? Yes! Service is always spot on.
(5)G C.
Came back for brunch and it was yummy. Definitely more on the pricy side because we only got entrees and wasn't entirely full after. The portions are Definitely not large but probably healthier. Get more app and things to share!
(4)Jen R.
If you are going to Amis, be sure to leave your home well before your reservation time and familiarize yourself with the area. Find the parking garage before you get there or you will be late. Traffic and Parking for us was a nightmare. There was no street parking but we eventually found a small lot a few blocks away. This caused us to be late for our reservation. Luckily they didn't cancel on us. The food at Amis was really good. Unfortunately they are very small portioned tapas with a big price. Be prepared to spend over $100 for two people. The food was good but we didn't feel it was worth the price. We weren't stuffed when we left the restaurant. The tables are too close together, making it uncomfortable. There are always people moving around you. I'd like to try Amis again. I had high expectations and it could be that our ordeal with traffic and parking ruined our day for us.
(2)Elizabeth B.
I had a memorable night with 5 friends who treated me for my birthday. A reservation for six was secured maybe a month in advance, and since the place is small and trés popular I recommend calling ahead, if only for piece of mind. We shared the octopus and two kinds of bruschetta to start -- everything was delicious. I am a big fan of octopus and I like to try it wherever I go -- two thumbs up here. The bruschetta was tasty, however the bread a little too crusty (think - you have to bite into it like a rabid dog) but made up for by the creamy, bright flavored cheeses. Service side note: Server left a lot to be desired. She was a little smart mouthed and talked about the chefs. As in gossiped. It was off putting and inappropriate, especially since we could see them from where we were sitting and it seemed like they were competent, efficient and having a fine time just doing their jobs. She was impatient when we couldn't decide what type of wine to share -- there were six of us and several who shall remain nameless are indecisive. Please, come back in five minutes. I want point out that the rest of the staff was pleasant and professional. Anyway, for the main course I had the paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries. The swordfish was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the pasta was perfection. I could take or leave the eggplant fries -- an interesting concept but they were a little soft, not nearly enough crisp. The dish was beautifully presented -- as was everything on the table -- the portion appeared deceivingly small but it was in reality just the right size. For my birthday I was surprised and pleased to share some ice cream with my friends. It perfectly capped our dining experience.
(4)Juan R.
Went here for one of my last dinners in Philadelphia. My gf and I wanted some real good italian before moving out west. Had a couple cocktails, appetizers, and entrees. I went here about a month ago, and can't remember every detail of the meal but here's a recap... We had pecorino and honey, roasted potatoes, squash lasagna, pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu, and belgian waffle w/ nutella and vanilla semifreddo and hazelnuts. Everything from my memory was delicious, and service was good. I would say this is more along the lines of a high 3, but rounded it up to a 4.
(4)Alison P.
I went to Amis recently for dinner and it was absolutely fantastic. I would actually give it 5 stars except for a service snafu-- when my boyfriend and I arrived (with a reservation to celebrate his birthday) a couple was seated at a 4-top ahead of us and then we were told there was a wait. Then a group of 3 walked in without a reservation-- the hostess sent them to the bar and then seated them. I complained that we did have a reservation and felt we should have been seated first. We had to wait 10 minutes for a table. The host (maitre'd?), who was much more professional, in service as well as dress, was incredibly kind and made up for it-- as soon as we were seated he sent over an antipasti-- the bufala ricotta with grilled bread which was a perfect way to start the meal. All of the food that we ate was phenomenal! I tried the swordfish meatballs because I had read about them-- I probably wouldn't have ordered them otherwise-- and I LOVED them. So flavorful with a rich swordfish aftertaste but upfront tasted like a really good, juicy meatball, and such an interesting dish. My other favorites of the night were the pig trotter's arancini (OMG melted cheese, risotto, and bacon? yes please!) and the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. Also, if you're ordering dessert, you must must try the pizelle with salted butter semifreddo icecream sandwich. It was dessert perfection-- salty, sweet, and a little tart, with cranberry compote on top. Worth going to Amis just for drinks and dessert alone! I will absolutely be returning to Amis in the future-- Vetri does not disappoint. The dishes are small so it ends up being a bit pricey, but it is worth every penny. Go with friends and try a lot!!
(4)Hayley Sara B.
This restaurant is a living, breathing, delectable food-producing organism. The open kitchen, boisterous Saturday night crowd, and incredible soundtrack (stones, janis joplin) gave true meaning to the term "dining out." If I could eat Amis' twice-fried artichokes and butternut squash every day for the rest of my life, I'd probably never complain again. ORDER THE SQUASH. It is incredible and served in an adorable silver serving dish. We also oo'd and ahh'd over the guinea hen leg (deboned, pounded thin, and fatty but not overly so) and the mortadella mousse (or "crack", as we kept calling it). Throw in $20 for a carafe of some delicious house red and I was in heaven. I'll take Amis over the stuffier, (WAY) pricier Vetri any day (excluding Vetri's spinach gnocci, of course, which you must try before exiting this planet). It's the perfect restaurant for a loud family birthday or a splurgy dinner with friends.
(5)Richie G.
Had another great meal here last night. The menu remains very inventive, but this time we got to experience the chef's ability to innovate too. The specials were a trio of pork preparations, two of which we tried. A wonderful fettuccini entree featuring the pork shoulder and a pork belly and polenta preparation that was unreal. The starters, including the amazing swordfish meatballs, continue to make a trip here worth it all by themselves.
(5)Geoff G.
I dined at Amis this past April and enjoyed a fabulous meal. I met my mom at this restaurant mid week to catch up and spend a night out on the town. We were able to get a last minute reservation at Amis and were not disappointed. A few things you need to know about this restaurant. First, it pulls in quite a happy hour bar crowd. There were a lot of suits lined up at the bar chatting away. Second, the tables are quite close together. When you combine those two elements with the fact that the restaurant has a warehouse type feel to it, the place can get obnoxiously loud. If that is a turnoff for you, then look for a different place to dine. Also, Amis is not a BYOB. This was a plus for us, since we were specifically looking for a restaurant that wasn't BYOB. Onto the food! My mom and I started off with a couple of small plates to share. We split the Eggplant Caponata which was delicious. The saltiness of the eggplant balanced out the olive oil that it was cooked in. The bread that went with the dish was delicious. We also shared swordfish meatballs. These 3 meatballs were laying on a bed of polenta with toasted pine nuts. The meatballs had so much flavor and were incredibly moist. The polenta complimented this dish wonderfully and the pine nuts added some texture to really round out the dish. For entrees, I had the lamb and my mom had a fried flounder special. The chef prepared the lamb very different from anything I have had before. The lamb seemed to be slow roasted and then shredded off the bone and crisped up on a griddle..... think almost like a jerky style texture, but not quite as dried out. The end result was shredded lamb that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The roasted potatoes that it was served with made for a memorable dish. Another highlight of the meal (besides the swordfish meatballs) was the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. I had heard so much about this dish and it did not disappoint. My mom and I split this as a side dish and it was wonderful. The rich oxtail ragu was just enough to balance out the wide pasta sheets that were cooked just a tad past el dente. Extremely tender and fresh. If you haven't made a trip to Amis, I would recommend you try it. The place isn't for everyone, but if you are a foodie that likes to get creative when dining, then this could be your next gem. The plates aren't huge, so you have to order multiple things on the menu to create a complete meal. PROS: Hip Atmosphere, Innovative Menu, Divine Food (especially the swordfish meatballs and pappardelle pasta) CONS: Small vineyard winelist, noise levels can be extremely loud, and this is not your traditional menu
(4)Jillian M.
Best food in the city. Fresh menu with interesting combos of flavors and ingredients. We love Amis best of all the Vetri restaurants! Great cozy, laid back but trendy environment. Great spot for foodies! Make sure that you try the Alpha Box & Dice served by the glass on the wine menu. You can't find it anywhere else and it is totally worth the $$$$. Trust me.
(5)Aj J.
The atmosphere is very romantic with a great wine selection. The fare is quite good with nice simplicity and great innovative ideas. Great for a date or a group of friends; the prices are reasonable and the staff very professional. I'd definitely recommend if you want to have great italian cuisine.
(5)Sarah E.
I'm a little lost on what to rate this place, so I'll explain my experience first. My husband and I live on 13th and Pine, so we were excited that we were so close to a "good" restaurant (they are always packed), so we made a reservation for a Friday night. We were promptly seated and explained the specials, drinks, yadda yadda yadda. I ordered a sparkling red wine to begin with which was one of their specials and we got a bottle of rose to split during our meal. (We found both of these were good and I was pleased that they offered a sparkling red, although at $12 a glass I stuck to one) We began with the fried artichokes which were very good and then I ordered the tuna fillet with fennel and my husband the roasted lamb with potatoes. We kept our menus just in case we wanted more as I know they are a tapas style place, but since we ordered off the "main course" area we assumed that the price (Around $20 for each) would probably mean that they were larger than the standard tapas. Alright, this is where the evening takes a turn, I was presented with my dish, a very nice fillet of tuna with sauteed fennel and lemon. Flash seared on one side and raw on the other it was just to my liking. However I can't say the same for my husband's dish. The lamb was a small (about the size of a cordless telephone) and was accompanied by 4 roasted potatoes. That's. It. No sauce. No garnish. Nothing. The lamb itself was lackluster-dry and chewy-and the potatoes were..well...boring. The table next to us had the same dish and the same reaction. The service was good and I enjoyed my half, so maybe we just got them on a off night or ordered the wrong thing. I'd like to try them again, but my husband refuses to return. Total of check was around $115 (the wine totaled to about $50),and I certainly wouldn't say that it was worth that amount of money. I rate it 2.5 stars as it wasn't the worst, but I am still not convinced enough to give it 3.
(2)Shweta N.
I'm still dreaming about this place. I came here with my sister, brother in law, and boyfriend to carb load before a race. Best. Decision. Ever. We started with the marinated olives, and then sampled the squid salad, old school meatballs, fried cauliflower, bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, chicken al mattone (perfectly cooked), one of the pasta specials for the evening- a chicken ragu pasta, and finished with a chocolate semifreddo and the tartufo al bacio. Everything was amazing, amazing, amazing. The wine list was also fabulous, and yes, even before our run the next day, we couldn't help but sample several of the selections (if you enjoy a very dry wine, the Petra Zingari is to die for, but my favorite paired with the meal was the Casolare Rosso). The highlights of the meal for me were the squid salad and the jalapeno bucatini (surprisingly spicier than I anticipated!) The best part? The price! I was actually amazed at the final bill- expecting the meal to be far more expensive than it was. I would love to come back here the next time I'm in Philly, but my guess is that the wait for a reserve is long!
(5)Alex F.
Amis is type of restaurant that makes me totally nostalgic for Philly and that I can't seem to find in Manhattan. Over two years I went to this place a bunch of times. The food was always delicious and deceptively simple. The cooking had a warmth and hominess that always managed to give me a sense of general well being. You could go back and forth between go-to classics and stuff that was a little more organ-meat adventurous. You could get white truffles shaved on your ____ or just have a simple plate of pasta. Vetri gets flack for some reason, but this place is truly a gift. Awesome, accessible cooking that you could afford to eat at weekly if you wanted to (and stayed away from the white truffles.)
(5)Kevin W.
I ate hear quite a few times over the last year or so and Sunday's nights meal was over the top!! Make sure you save room for dessert and order an extra! The salted butter semifreddo was excellent!
(5)John B.
I wish I came with more people and ordered more variety. My wife, although she's eating for two nowadays, still can't handle as much as a hungry teenager. And I'm no longer in highschool basketball team. The best we could do between two of us were Baked Pecorino with almond honey Octopus with potato and olives Trippa Alla Romana roman tripe stew Sal's Old School Meatballs with tomato potato Gnocchi Alla Romana with oxtail ragu Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries I wish I didn't order Octopus and Paccheri with swordfish. Both dishes were IMHO mediocre. The octopus were slightly rubbery and tasteless compared to the delicious octopus salad at Raddicchio Cafe. The Paccheri was, no offense, nothing special. Gnocchi was interesting (-ly disappointing) because I was expecting small nibbles of gnocchi that you normally see. Instead two flat disks of "gnocchi" were served with the ragu. When you eat them, they break apart and somewhat disintegrate...making them almost the consistency of polenta/mashed potato. The baked Pecorino was good, but how hard is it to bake good cheese? Meatball was good. but I could have done without potato. Trippa stew was the highlight of the meal. The tomato-based (I think) soup was delicious and hearty, topped with stringy cheese. The tripes were chunky but tender. It wasn't too soft but wasn't too chewy: perfect tenderness. I think I could swim in the stew. Actually if I had the stew as the meal with more toast, I'd be a happy man and the review could have been a 5-star. But then again, the other dishes were disappointing (largely due to high expectation).
(3)Andrew P.
Very underwhelming. Do not buy into the hype. Maybe I was there on a bad night, but the staff was slow and the whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese pasta that I ate had absolutely no taste and was super overpriced (18 dollars?...come on). I also ordered the ribeye involtini with wilted spinach which was poorly seasoned and a boring dish overall. The only good thing on the menu is Sal's Old school meatballs. Other then that, save your time and your money. You are better off going to Modo Mio in NoLibs. If you do decide to go to Amis, its probably wiser to just go for a glass of wine and a small app at the bar. I really did expect better out of this restaurant. Trust me, I am saddened that I had to write a review such as this one.
(2)Robert K.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, I entered this little gem of Philly and had on of the best meals I've had ever. Period. This is Italian with a capital I. The menu is organized and easy to read but full of delightful and unusual fare that would fit any palat. I began with swordfish meatballs and polenta that was out of this world. My dining partner had bruchetta riccotta. The ricotta was unbeleivable and melted in your mouth. We followed up with a quail appetizer thas was also cooked to perfection and succulent beyond measure. The manager treated us to a raviolo dish and being that the pasta here is the nations top ten according to bon appetit, it did not dissapoint. For the main course we had lamb and potatoes. Although a simple sounding dish, the meat was cooked in an orignal way that made the meat full of texture and taste at the same time. The potatoes were simple and wonderful and the mark of any good kitchen, the entrees were served steaming. The decore was modern and subtle yet sophifsticated and not stuffy. The open kitchen gave a great vibe and buzz to the place made the whole experience effortless. Amazing meal, service and staff. Highly reccomended!
(5)Christina P.
The thing that initially drew me in with Amis is their adorable outdoor seating on a shady block of 13th street. Me and a friend grabbed a two top by the door and we were soon greeted by our waitress, who was awesome. They start you off with something she called 'olive oil bread' which was basically chewy, pleasantly greasy goodness. Be careful not to down whole loaves by yourself because it will be tempting. The wine list was definitely on the expensive side we split a carafe of the house red for $20, and it was actually really good for the most basic wine choice. After spending 15 minutes changing my mind, we both settled on the eggplant lasagna with heirloom tomatoes. The waitress seemed surprised and a little put off that we didn't order any salads, appetizers, or sides, and when the lasagna arrived I realized why. The portions are pretty stingy (and by stingy I mean what people should be eating but tiny compared to normal ginormous restaurant portions). I wouldn't have minded the small portion if it matched the price, but for $16 I expected to have leftovers to take home. It was a lot flatter than normal lasagna and almost looked like a crepe, but you could tell the pasta was homemade. I might go out on a limb and say this was the best lasagna I've ever had. The top was cheesy and broiled so it was melty and crispy at the same time. The sauce was flavorful and fresh and there were lots of chunks of fresh tomatoes. So. Good. For dessert, I got the chocolate hazelnut tartufo from the raving review of our waitress. It was $10, which is really steep for dessert by my standards, but I figured I would go for it. Turns out, it was more than worth it. This tartufo was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Rich chocolate cake topped with a chocolate/hazlenut semifreddo (our waitress described this as if ice cream and gelato had a baby) with whole hazlenuts and candied cherries, all covered in a hard chocolate shell. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars (or more if I could) to Amis is the price to portion ratio. I wish it wasn't so pricey because everything I had was beyond delicious. I will probably end up going back and trying to ignore my bank account's cries after I leave.
(4)Holly H.
So tasty, so cozy, so crowded on a Thursday night. We were there after 9, and the party was still going strong, but with crafes of house wine for $20, I shouldn't be so surprised. We had a great time, but for us, it was all about the appetizers. The ricotta with olive oil and black pepper bruccetta was great bang for the buck, the homemade salumi with marmalade was tasty (although a bit tiny, even for places like this), and the swordfish meatballs were absurdly good (may all your meatballs be swordfish!!). My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was tasy but the cheese on top was pretty closed to crispy (as opposed to melty) and the large pan baked gnocchi hasn't won me as a fan. Husband's pork chop was a tasty pork chop, but it also didn't wish any blue ribbon prizes for presentation or inventiveness (although it gets the ribbon for being a good pork chop). I'm surprised it was on the menu if they couldn't really get it to the place that matches so many of the other dishes. We'll absolutely return - because even with 3 apps, 2 entrees, dessert, wine crafe, and cappacino, we just hit the $100 mark (pre tip), and thats a great Thursday night in my book. We shall, however, stick with the first courses.
(4)Alyssa G.
Absolutely amazing! Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable, and very nice. The food - wow the food is AWESOME. The baked aged parmesan small plate served with honey and crostini was to die for...how can something so simple be THAT good?? Two of us got the lamb shank which was cooked to perfection (falling off the bone, melt in your mouth perfection). The other two got some sort of steak and sausage - I tried both and they were equally delicious. The two bottles of wine we ordered were outstanding. So good, in fact, that my boyfriends Dad had a case shipped to his house. Amis has such a great atmosphere; we had a fantastic time and will definitely be back. Hands down one of the best restaurants in Philly! Certainly one of my favorites.
(5)Georgia H.
Probably the best Italian I have EVER had. And not only is the food delicious, but the ambience is classy, understated, warm, and welcoming. Our server, Amanda, was very sweet and helpful in recommending items on the menu as well as explaining their "family table" concept. My boyfriend and I chose to sit by the open kitchen, which was fun to see the kitchen staff of chefs at work preparing all the tasty dishes. The chef even sent over a dish of amazing steamed mussels for us "first-timers". We were almost completely full off the baked pecorino, heirloom tomato bruschetta, and the loaves of delicious rosemary-olive oil bread. However, when our main dishes arrived, we couldn't resist the housemade pasta and seared chicken. We ate almost half and Amanda boxed up the rest of it for us to take home. The carafe of house wine was also a perfect accompaniment to a delectable meal. All in all, decently priced, high-quality, complex ingredients, and a fabulous place to sit, sip, munch, and enjoy the ambience. Can't wait to come back! Oh and did I mention it's only a block or so away from our apartment??
(5)Felicia D.
Out of Marc Vetri's tasteful little empire -- grand Vetri, scene-y Osteria and new little brother AmÃs -- I can write with certainty that AmÃs is my favorite outpost. Deliciousness, value and a real "fun factor" all combine here to provide a memorable night out, whether you go full-bore in the lively dining room or just pick at a few appetizers at the comfortable bar. Though AmÃs is a bit more design-forward than the casual Roman trattorie that inspired it, the conviviality and spirit of the originals is absolutely evident. An energetic and ultra-informed staff complete the atmosphere, providing explanation of unfamiliar ingredients or obscure preparations without attitude. A selection of high-quality cocktails, craft beers and reasonably-priced wines sharpen the appetite for the rich spread the menu offers. So many pastas tempt, it's a battle of wills to choose just two for a two-person date. The best of the lot was the melting oxtail ragu over super-soft gnocchi (Gnocchi Alla Romana); conversely, the cacio e pepe, touted as a signature dish, was just too simple to justify the price, though the handmade tonnarelli was elegantly made and perfectly cooked al dente. A wide variety of house-made charcuterie and offal dishes were hits with the fatso foodies who populate my dining-out circle. Much fuss was made over the mortadella mousse and pork liver terrine with mostarda. If you enjoy over-the-top meaty richness, don't skip these. The lightly fried lamb's tongue with salsa rossa was easily my personal favorite of the night -- if you've never had tongue, this preparation is the ideal point of entry. Every first Monday of the month, AmÃs hosts an "Industry Night" with free food and drink specials for restaurant worker bees. We were offered a chance to sample a few dishes that will be on the new menu -- standouts included a braised squid dish and a baked pecorino that could supplant queso fundido as my fat-kid guilty pleasure. Fresh waffles dripped with Nutella and crushed hazelnuts finish you off. I will confess, there are lighter desserts, including lovely gelati and sorbetti -- but you know what they say -- "When in Roma, eat everything you want."
(5)shaw g.
Great meal last night! Special appitizer and pasta were tasty and perfect to share. Beer was tasty. Would have ordered a side if something green on the menu.
(4)Tyler R.
Amis is a wonderful place for quality small-plate dishes and entrees. Your server will most likely suggest 2-3 small plates for a couple, as well as one entree each. Do yourself a big favor and get the bufala ricotta with olive oil, black pepper and grilled bread. It's simplicity is what makes it so delectable. Also, the sweetbreads, if you don't mind organ meat, was the best I've ever had. For small-plates, we also had the swordfish meatball with polenta and pignoli. Of the entrees, the lamb shank with creamy polenta was amazing, though my girlfriend's pasta dish (oxtail cannelloni with roasted mushrooms) was a bit dense. Lastly, since it was our anniversary, they gave up a highball of vanilla bean semifreddo. Very nice overall.
(4)Andrea T.
Amis will you be my Amis? First you must go here with friends or people who you like and know how often they wash their hands. I say this because we all have sketchy office-mates. Order lots of small dishes like the amazing fried baby artichokes. If you came to me and sad I could only have eat these and nothing else for the rest of my life...I wouldn't even balk or raise or an eyebrow. The salami with honey and hazelnuts! A must! The salami is perfect. Thinly shaved, smoky yet almost sweet. The honey ( yes I am a honey fiend) perfectly complements this ever so perfectly without being cloying. The hazelnuts round out this plate giving it a bit of crunch. Vetri you are a genius!!!! The onion focaccia that comes out in a tin.......sublime. Oniony without being overbearing. The saffron honey that comes with the cheese plate? Could he start a vetri-trading company like Jose and sell it? Hmm what else did we nosh on? The olives. Don't get them. You are expecting Amada-y olives. These are olives drowing in a bowl of oil without any vinegar. It's the only thing I would pass up. The ricotta is also not worthy of getting the next time I go. It's not as sweet and lovely as the ricotta at Village Whiskey that comes with the pickles. The eggplant spread is nice, but I'm not such a fan. The girls enjoyed it. The gnocchi with oxtail ragu is heavenly a cloud of potato cheese love drapped in a tender ragu of oxtail. Sara was not so in love, but I have dreams of this dish every now and then. The girls had the pasta in the cheese/blackpepper sauce that was also earthshattering simplicity done ever so well. We had the olive torta, tiramisu and waffle with marscapone semifreddo. The girls dug the olive torta, I'm just not into this whole olive oil cake movement. I loved the deconstructed tiramisu and the waffle.....heaven. It was a dreary dismal rainy night, but Kyle( our delightful waiter) and Amis made it the most wonderful dining experience I have had in Philly in a very long time. Did I mention I met Marc Vetri outside the loo?
(5)Ken E.
Amis is a real gem. Tucked away off 13th street between Pine and South, this Vetri cousin does it right in spades. My sense is Amis is supposed to be a casual version of M. Vetri's more elaborate offerings and they hit the mark across the board. The location is ideal, the neighborhood is accessible and charming and the decor is rustic modern and very fresh. The wines are all Italian, which aren't my favorite, but you can find something you like on their reasonably priced menu. The food is a hit: more northern italian and very well done. I especially enjoyed the grilled octopus small plate and Nutella waffle for dessert (do not miss this). Amis is a worthy meal destination and M. Vetri deserves high praise for maintaining the culinary standards he set with Vetri and Osteria. Thumbs up.
(4)Danan R.
Okay, I confess: I come here just to get the delicious, decadent, and indulgent belgian waffles with nutella, vanilla, and hazelnuts. The waffles are a perfect golden brown with a crispy exterior, soft and warm eggy-cakey interior, and topped with a smooth nutella-chocolate-hazelnut sauce. It is a perfect blend of my favorite dessert flavors in one pretty fantastic concoction. It's actually a dessert but I consider it to be the much anticipated highlight. The pomegranate roasted quail was pretty solid with a nice seasoning that was both savory and refreshing and tender quail, and the black spaghetti with squid and spinach was flavorful with fresh squid and perfectly cooked pasta that had just the right balance of elasticity and tenderness. I also tried the roasted bass with beets and eggplant, and wasn't a huge fan of the combination of eggplant, beets, and fish in a single dish, but that's just a personal taste preference. The sea bass was very fresh and tender (not at all dry!) with a good, firm texture. The pork pate was decent although it didn't really stand out. Service was very attentive and it didn't take very long for our food to arrive, which was much appreciated because we were hungry. Portions are on the small side and prices are a bit steep but the ambiance is great, the service friendly, and the food very tasty. Great for a special meal...or just for the waffles, if you have a sweet tooth.
(4)Chris W.
Amis earns all 5 of these stars as this was one of the best all around meals I've had in Philly. I was wary going into a 7:45 reservation on a Saturday night after reading all the other reviews about getting pushed back but we were seated promptly. We had a very friendly waitress who throughout the meal was there when needed and out of sight when not. The menu selections were based on a combination of yelp reviews and waitress recommendations and every dish was a home run. We started with the baked pecorino which came out bubbling hot. The honey took this dish to another level with the delicious toasted bread. Oh yea, the olive oil bread to start lived up to the hype also (not burnt at all). We even requested more of the dipping bread which was not a problem. We also tried the sweetbreads which were perfectly fried and just an overall delicious bite. There were 5 solid hunks in our order with just the right amount of marmalade to accompany. For an entree I had the skate. Although not as good as the skate at Fish, this was still a memorable dish. The lemon puree was creamy and the skate was perfectly cooked. It was a nice size piece of fish for $18. The brussel sprouts were also nice and smoky to complete a perfect bite. Since about every other table I took a peak at had the black linguine with squid and chorizo, we split that also. This dish is a salt lovers dream but in a good balanced way. Great presentation and an even better taste. We split a carafe of red also as it would be a crime to not drink wine with Italian food of this caliber. To close the deal we dabbled in the waffles which could have used more ice cream and nutella but still were a nice finishing touch. Overall, $140 with a generous tip for this luxurious a meal is a steal in my opinion, thanks Vetri!
(5)Brian H.
I used to "love" this place, haven't been there in a year, but was there 3 times in the prior year. Now, I only "like" the place. Wow, the ultimate lover break-up, "I like you, but I am not in love with you anymore". Don't cry, please! I started with a measured (yes, with a jigger) serving of gin in my martini "up", so the glass came up half full for $14. A very pretty glass, though. :-P The eggplant caponata, was perfect to eat with our drinks, 4 half slices of grilled bread and a small little tiny dish of roasted eggplant, very tasty. The sweetbreads, served fried, although very tender and perfectly cooked and served with a fennel marmalade, had no taste whatsoever. The marmalade needs some serious work, I liked the idea, but it did not deliver to the palate. For entrees, the skate was a very good dish served with fried brussel sprouts which matched, in my opinion, the flavor and texture of the fried artichokes which I used to adore here. The skate was tender and moist. A good dish overall. On the other hand, our other dish of the rotini pasta with the boar ragu and pears was just average. The pasta itself was inconsistently cooked, some al dente, some mushy, some stuck together. The boar ragu was above average in flavor, but the pears? Huh, there was supposed to be at least a pear flavor in there....notta. The dish was served smothered in grated cheese, which turned what could have been a delight into just a pasta with a ragu and cheese. The service was good, the time between dishes was perfect. I am not writing this one off yet, let's get through the winter and maybe the spring will bring new life into this relationship.
(3)L M.
Had a great meal with the family at Amis. If you're looking for a more quiet & relaxing experience, definitely choose a table outside! It was nice to be able to hear each other talk. All of the food we had was delicious -- the eggplant caponata, pecorino with almond honey, duck pasta special, and Mom Mom's rice pudding being a few standouts. Beer is reasonably priced and they have a good variety on draft. My mom and brother really loved the peach cocktail. Service is friendly and Mr. Marc Vetri himself even stopped by to refill our waters and make sure we were having a nice time.
(5)Matt W.
absoluletly fantastic.
(5)Sean T.
I've been here a few times and always had a wonderful meal. The things they do with cauliflower and brussels sprouts! Fantastic atmosphere. Good beer selection. The staff are friendly and informed on all the menu items.
(5)Dave S.
The food and set up was great. Not a place for someone who likes quiet. From start to finish everything was spot on.
(5)Eric P.
Amazing experience at Amis. We arrived late (11PM) after a show and they took us in with excellent service and no complaints. Definitely one of the top 5 Tapas places in the city. Make sure you try the Pork belly appetizer and the salami sampler. Pasta was exceptional and the skirt steak entrée was to die for. Very good wine selection as well. Don't skip dessert either because the salted butter ice cream was awesome. Don't miss out on this gem !
(5)Brett V.
Given the fact that Amis opened on Thursday and I ate there today (Monday) I'm very impressed with how well and smoothly the restaurant is running. All the major players were on site supervising service, including Marc Vetri, who popped in and out the kitchen several times while we were there. The atmosphere is warm, fairly loud (both the acoustics and the rock music), and a mix of high-end and casual. Service overall was excellent and so was the food. Any kinks they still have to work out are minor and the caliber of the food makes up for any shortcomings. This is a small plates restaurant so don't go in expecting heaping portions of Olive Garden slop. Do get the oxtail ragu gnocchi. It's exceptional. The sweatbreads are tender and delicious. The drink menu (we had the alto and the ginginber) is well put together and the desserts are very good. Overall you get a well rounded high quality meal for about $40-$65 per person. This will easily be one of the best restaurants in the city from what I've experienced so far.
(4)Robert M.
The service was excellent and the food is at the top of its class, We waited a long time for our dessert to be made so the manager gave it to us on the house, and we didn't even complain about the wait in the first place! that's excellent management .
(5)Rose F.
Off the beaten path for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Go here for the wine and appetizers. Let's talk about the: Food: I enjoyed the appetizers more then my main dish, scallops & polenta and baked pecorino with almond honey a must!!!! I had the rabbit for the main dish and I can tell it was good, but my taste buds didn't agree. the wine is excellent! the Service: it was wasn't memorable and it's neither a good or bad thing. Dining experience: I left more than safisfied with the food, i left stuffed. If you can eat here, do so, but don't be bummed if you didn't.
(3)Brian J.
Maybe it's me. I'm not much of a tapas guy but I really expected more. We got there early so they seated us right next to the front door with bar stools for seats, we said we'd wait for another table and after 15 minutes they seated us right next to the back door. The wine they served me was fine but they only gave me a quarter of the glass worth. Food was OK. If you go you'll be shelling out a lot of cash for nothing much.
(1)Robert N.
Meh is what it says when you give a restaurant a two star rating here, and meh is exactly how I felt upon walking out after my meal. Don't get me wrong, the food was wonderful, a real treat and a luscious throw back to the best trattorias of southern Italy. And I'm really not a complainer when it comes to restaurants, but my experience made me want to take the time and sit to write a review. The overall experience fell well short of the expectations we have of the the top restauranteurs in this city. The service was mediocre at best. Most of the staff left me with the feeling they were "overtrained" to be nice. I like a more relaxed natural discourse with the staff than that especially in this type setting. The waiter was confusing in explaining the menu, eventually admitting there were no special. It was just that the menu had recently and completely changed. The bus boy whisked a dish away without first asking. I really wanted some more of that sauce on my arancina oopss...too late. He never bothered asking if I was done before grabbing the dish. Also Marc, and I know you and your staff read these reviews, would it kill you to put more than one amarena cherry in the tartufo? I know they're a little pricey, but often people want to share desserts. It would be nice for each person to get a full effect of the flavors the chef intended. Especially since the menu says cherries (plural). After touting the flavorgasm of amarena cherries to my significant other, upon finally finding one and digging through the rest of my tartufo it was "Oh sorry honey, I had the only one they put in the dessert. And jury's still out on that bread. I'm pretty sure I can bake the same thing in my bread baker and the recipe that came with it now that I know to just add sea salt on top. And salt does seem to be a common flavor which stands out in most of the dishes. Particularly the pasta. The ambiance was very nice, but rather loud if you like conversation that's especially personal in nature given the next tables are five inches away from your elbow. I did enjoy hearing about the sex life of the two energetic young ladies at the table next to ours though. The four of us decided we're going out together next week to try a Garcas restaurant. Thanks Marc! Seriously, it's quite a shame when the food is this good that so many other things seemingly have fallen through the cracks.
(2)Kathy D.
Wow, their pasta is worth the visit!!!! That was definitely the highlight of the meal. We got a scallop app, with a red wine carafe, which were both delicious. The skate entree was a little salty, but the pork pasta ragu and Nutella waffle dessert were out of this world! The layout is cozy and they also offer outdoor seating. There are a few seats that overlooked the kitchen and a small bar in the restaurant as well. The meal was a little expensive, and the atmosphere was casual. Will be back for a special occasion.
(4)Jim L.
Amis has become a true favorite of mine since discovering the restaurant a little more than a year ago. My girl and I dined there on Friday evening and it easily lived up to our expectations. The place has a nice, cozy feel to it and the service by our waiter, Graham, was right on the money. We started with a cocktail each. Dirty martini for me and a signature cocktail from the menu for girlfriend. Smiling faces and warm fuzzy feeling. Thank you bartender. For appetizers we shared the swordfish meatballs, tasty and highly recommended, and an appetizer special of lamb sausage, excellent. After the appetizers, we shared a second course of pasta. I can't see going to Amis and not getting one of their delicious pastas. We went with the tonnarelli with pecorino and black pepper and it was excellent. For entres, my girl went with the scallop dish and absolutely raved about it. I love Amis' meat dishes and couldn't resist the grilled rib eye over arugula salad. Here is where I could make one minor complaint. I ordered the steak medium, figuring it's the safest bet for rib eye. The steak was actually served rare but I couldn't help but laugh when I realized it was such a fine cut of meat that the rare serving actually turned out to be quite appropriate. I think my girl and I actually wanted to skip dessert but they're so delicious at Amis that our will power was quickly reduced to nothing. Girlfriend absolutely love the olive oil torta and was in dessert heaven. I went with the Graham recommended tiramisu. Graham promised perfection and Amis delivered. Excellent dessert. I can't get enough of this place. Walking distance from home and It never disappoints. Very highly recommended. Enjoy.
(4)Howard I.
Overall, a good experience. The service was great. The atmosphere was lovely (except for the unkempt bathroom). The only thing that didn't standout was the food. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't anything special. We had a party of six and ate family style, so I had a chance to try a number of dishes, but nothing blew me away, and for the prices, they should have. If money is no object, then by all means, go have a nice night out, but if this is your choice to blow your paycheck and impress, go somewhere else.
(3)Steve M.
Amis, I love you. I love your delicious, slightly-al-dente pastas. I love the simplicity of your pasta with just cheese and pepper. I love the perfect combination of baked pecorino with honey and almonds. I love your decor. I more-than-love your almond-dusted sweetbreads. I even love your martini glasses. I'm not so into Italian desserts (I like mine way, way sweeter than most Italian desserts allow), but that just means I have more room for pasta! Oh... and the skate. Try the skate. The thinnest fried crust on perfectly tender skate with that terrific lemon sauce and perfectly crispy fried brussel sprouts... I loved that, too :)
(5)Charles W.
I really liked the layout of the space. Nice mix of contemporary and rustic italian decor. We got there for a 5pm Saturday seating, which is awesome because there were no crowds and we got the full attention of the waitstaff. The way the tables were placed very close together, I suspect we would have felt claustrophobic it the house was packed. As for the food, it was very satisfying. The squid ink pasta had a hint of the pier in it's aroma, which I like. The rotini with black trumpet mushroom was out of this world. The herb butter sauce truly highlighted the texture and shape of the handmade spiral pasta. The kale side dish and the eggplant caponata were decent and well executed, but not anything unique. By far, the star of the meal was the sweetbreads with almond dust and fennel jam. The breading was was light and airy, the sweetbreads themselves were unbelievably creamy, and the jam was very subtly tart, and perfectly balanced the entire dish. I would seriously get two orders of this dish next time around!
(4)Taylor H.
very good italian, definitely good for a weekend night out, good for small groups. Enjoyed it very much.
(4)Jeffrey G.
Had a fabulous dinner on March 5th. Everything we had was so tasty. Portions were perfect for the two of us because it gave us the opportunity to try lots of things. The staff was great, especially our waitress, Maris! Can't wait to return.
(4)Diane G.
Outstanding food and service. Depending on where you sit you could be very cramped. Very loud the evening we were there.
(4)Christine L.
I came to Amis with a friend for a celebratory dinner; I had just read that it was one of the best places in America to get pasta, so we were hoping for something extraordinary. We had a salumi to start with, I had a pappardelle dish, and she had a rigatoni dish. We enjoyed the meal, but it didn't seem worth the hype.
(3)Jonas B.
Have been to this restaurant several times during recent project work in Philadelphia, and I can say that I'm consistently impressed with the food and service, particularly given the relatively modest price point. Atmosphere is terrific, very relaxed and comfortable. Service is consistent with the best service at much more expensive restaurants, but with a friendliness that you won't find elsewhere. The food is dependably terrific. I've tried 10-12 things off the menu now after several visits, and I have been happy with everything. The swordfish meatballs were standouts - buttery and delicious. Also, the roasted lamb - really amazing.
(5)Annie M.
2.5 ..... Come eat here if you want hypertension..... Came here with three other people so we were able to order 6 dishes to share. 3 appetizers, 2 pastas, and 1 entree. With so many different dishes and flavors, nothing really stood out except that everything was WAY TOO SALTY. The only thing that tasted okay was the baked pecorino (though it was so ordinary still). Maybe I could've commented more on the taste of everything if I tasted more than just salt. I don't usually drink that much water but man I had to keep getting my cup refilled. Even then, the waitress was not coming by to refill our cups often enough..... On top of that, everything was teeny tiny and overpriced. Disappointed to the max. In case you wanted to know what NOT to order... - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (tasted like a normal meatball, just loaded with salt) - almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade (smallest appetizer ever... it looked like 4 small pieces of calamari) - rotini with pork ragu and stone fruit (more salt...) - strozzaprete with cockles (the extreme of SALT OVERLOAD) - abbacchio con patate (overcooked, beef jerkey-like, the potatoes were good though)
(2)Michael K.
Really enjoyed our meal here. Highlights were the Swordfish Meatballs, Pig Foot Ragu, and Mama's Rice Pudding (the best I've ever eaten...and I've had lots). I'm not writing a lot because this place doesn't need flowery prose to prove itself. Just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)M P.
Went here for valentine's day. Had a lot of small dishes, including: Baked pecorino cheese with almond honey (appetizer) - really really good, lots of melted cheese Root vegetable salad - so so, probably should have skipped it Mussels - in Romanesco sauce, with awesome bread for soaking up the sauce Rotini with black trumpet mushrooms - Amazing. Salted butter gelato waffle pizzele - enormous and worth going back just for that. Best thing we had. Bottle of Cava - always good Service was pretty attentive and professional. They also have chef's table style seats facing the kitchen, which might be cool to check out next time.
(5)Ann E.
If you are in Philly, don't miss this restaurant. We shared small plates. Standouts included swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower, squid salad, almond dusted sweetbreads. But, the truly wonderful dish was the mortadella with hazelnut honey. We had 2 servings and I would have loved to have a jar of that wonderful honey just to have spoonful whenever I want it! The staff at this restaurant is as impressive as the food. We had one dish that was not what we expected. When our server checked on us, we mentioned this dish and he reacted immediately. You would have thought we told him our entire meal was a disaster! They brought another small plate for us, gave us an extra dessert and were truly concerned about the quality of everything they served. By the way, the extra dessert they brought was Mom's Rice Pudding-outstanding!
(5)Ashley L.
My new favorite restaurant! The decor is clean and modern. The staff are friendly and attentive. And the food... YUM! You must get the fettuccini. The table next to us was enjoying it while we were being seated. We couldn't help but stare; it just looked so good! And it was. Homemade pasta in a creamy sauce with scallions and corn, adding the perfect amount of texture. Note- the pasta dishes are served as a smaller portion, best for splitting as an app. For my entree I had the duck breast with farro and stone fruit. The duck was extremely flavorful and had a perfectly crisped skin. The fruit mixed in with the farro added a great contrast to the flavors of the dish. I also got to taste the roasted scallop, which was equally delicious. Again, the dishes are modestly portioned, but between the split pasta dish and my entree, I was completely satisfied. Dinner can get a little pricey, but it's well worth it!
(5)Emily W.
We've been here twice and have had a blast each time. It's approachable Italian food and honestly, reminds me some of the best meals I had when I was living in Italy. Between the food and the service, I really can't say enough good things. The key is to go with a group of people who don't mind sharing. It's worth trying as many dishes as you can. The bread that comes out is supposedly focaccia, but it's richer and more buttery than any other focaccia I've tasted. For five people, we got the braised snails, bufala ricotta crostini, a mixed salumi plate, and arancini to start. The arancini normally only comes with 4 portions, but they kindly added on a fifth for us. The snails were tasty and not too chewy; and the ricotta was creamy, but I wish it would have had more of the tang that I associate with ricotta di bufala. That didn't stop me from asking for more bread to finish it off though. I'm never one to order mixed salumi by myself, but let's just say that my sister, who rarely eats meat, set up camp at the pork terrine. And the arancini are little pops of goodness with their creamy, savory interior and crispy exterior. For our entrees, we decided to tackle the pasta section since it all looked so good and seemed to take advantage of spring's bounty. We ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe," the bucatini ai fagioli, the fettucine with lamb ragu and mint, the chard ravioli, and the wilted spinach as a side dish. And they brought us a dish of their special pasta that night- a sweet pea agnolotti- "on the house." It's so hard to pick a favorite pasta here, and in fact, when we all went around to name our favorite, we each picked a different one! I loved all of them as the pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauces clung to each of them beautifully. But if i could only eat one dish again, I would go for the fettucine with the lamb ragu and mint. Now I'm normally not a lamb fan, but the tiny shreds of gamy lamb worked so well with the brightness of the mint. The sauce had body that helped it cling to each noodle, but it didn't overpower the flavor of the pasta. If you're going for the first time, definitely order the tonnarelli in your mix. It's a super-luscious version of the butter, noodles, and cheese dish you used to make 9or still make) for yourself in college. And even though we were all full, we all wanted a little something sweet to round out the meal. Their dessert menu was well-thought; each of their desserts brought a little something different depending on what you were craving- sweet, doughy, cheesy, icy, fruity, crunchy, chocolatey, and nutty. We settled on the ricotta crumble tart, the polenta shortcake with strawberries and (killer) salted butter semifreddo, the Belgian style waffles, the special tiramisu, and the prosecco rhubarb granita. I'm usually a chocolate or nut fanatic, but my favorite of the bunch was the polenta shortcake. It wasn't overly sweet, and the corn/ strawberry combo with buttery ice cream was satisfying without being too rich. My second choice would be for the Belgian waffle because it's just so fun to eat, but the other desserts are not far behind. For five people with all of this food and two carafes of house wine, it was about 50pp. And we got a lot of food. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Philly, so I'm sad to hear that other people didn't have great experiences. I know I'll be back though!
(5)elanya m.
Great place! Ate the octopus, bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta, Sal's meatball and lamb for the main course. Friends had the seafood grill and the hen leg; all very good. Def. recommend but I still enjoy Osteria a tad bit more.
(4)Sean G.
Food: 3.5 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 4 stars Location: 3.5 stars Price: 3.5 stars Recommendations: I would recommend starting off with a combination of the bruschetta and salumi for appetizer. The 'imported bufala ricotta and black pepper' is a must have. The whipped ricotta is so smooth and creamy; it literally melts in your mouth. The 'mixed salumi' plate is a great addition to the ricotta. The variety and quality of the salumi is excellent. The main courses unfortunately did not match the quality of the appetizers. The initial pasta we ordered was the 'spinach pasta with sausage'. It definitely was the better of the 3 main courses. The pasta was very fresh but the sauce was a little flat. The 'gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu' was far too salty as was the "mixed seafood grill' secondi. My girlfriend who enjoys food on the saltier side was overwhelmed by the amount of salt used in the dishes. Overall, we had a great time at the restaurant. The ambiance is great and the service is wonderful too. The general consensus was that the food did not meet all the initial hype and expectations. I'm not sure if we will return for another dining experience. Overall: 3.5 stars
(3)Zach Y.
For as classy as this place looks and sophistication of the wait staff, I was unimpressed with the food. I found it pretty common and bland. I do have to say the porscuitto and figs appetizer was very tasty
(3)Marie D.
The best part about birthdays in my family is going out for dinner. Birthday boys and girls get to choose the spot of celebrating and over-eating. My choice was Amis. Looking for parking was painful and by the time I scored a spot (in a lot on Broad) my family was inside already imbibing at the bar. Time to play catch-up. One Alto (prosecco cocktail with blood orange bitters a macerated cherry and a lemon twist) for me, barkeep! Very refreshing. That's all I tried of their drink selection. We brought our own wine which they'll gladly open for about a $25 corkage fee per bottle. What I'm going to say next may seem like an exaggeration but I wouldn't lie to you: the 8 of us devoured 90% of the menu with not one crumb left. I've eaten almost all of it here and here are the things you must have: mortadella mousse brushcetta, pork liver terrine, gnocchi with oxtail ragu, buccatini with pork jowl, marinated lamb. It's a lot of spare parts, I know, but you'll love it all. The rusticity, the exposed ceiling, distressed woods, books on the shelves and an open kitchen that seems so tangible from any corner of the room all make you feel right at home. Reminds me of a Sunday dinner in a tiny Philly rowhome where you could ask for seconds from the kitchen while parked in front of the TV in the parlor. Amis staff is so amiable they just might oblige.
(4)Philly P.
OK, I get the whole Amis is owned or related to the restaurant Vetri... BLA BLA BLA... Both are over-priced over-rated places that serve mediocre food. Both are more concerned with their "fancy" ingredients they add rather than looking at the greater picture of things and asking... "Is this good?" I ordered pasta that was supposed to have a touch of mint in it. Cool, I get it, mint in pasta, different, unique... Not for me and I am sure NOT for several others. After eating my breath was minty fresh because he added way too much. Service was good, food was pricey, looked nice (I guess) but was lacking some sort of soul in it... Maybe Jose Garces and Marc Vetri can open up a restaurant together... M-E-D-I-O-C-R-E !!!
(3)Mandy H.
This was my first Mark Vetri experience and I hope to have more in the future. I made a reservation for 4 at 5:45 on a Sunday night to have dinner with my boyfriend and his parents after exploring the city a bit. However, my pre-dinner plans weren't as time consuming as I thought they would be so I called Amis to see if I would be able to move my reservation up to 5. The host told me it was no problem. When we arrived at 5 of 5 the restaurant had just opened for dinner and the waitstaff were actually having their nightly meeting with the managers. The same host I spoke to on the phone happily sat us at the bar and grabbed a bartender to serve us while we waited for our table, which was really nice. Especially since the restaurant wasn't ready for us. Also, even though we were the first table to arrive, I could see how people say the restaurant can get really loud as the ceilings are really high and everything reverberated off of them. We ordered the house red wine in a carafe, which wasn't too full bodied and nice. 500 ML for $20 isn't too bad either. I think the bartender said it was a mix of Cabernet and Grenache. Very soon after we had a few sips of our first round of drinks, we were seated at a table near the kitchen. Our waiter was very helpful in answering any questions we had about the menu and quickly got our orders out to us. Since it was Sunday we had the opportunity to do the Sal's Sunday family-style dinner, but we all opted to go with the regular menu since this was our first time at Amis. l I ordered the seafood grill which came with 2 butterflied shrimp, two small squid tentacles, 1 calamari ring, 1 small fillet of swordfish, 1 buttery scallop, and a side of polenta. Be warned the portions are tiny. I'm a small person and I was still hungry after scarfing my meal in about 5 mins. My boyfriend ordered the guinea hen special, which was topped with mushrooms. Because of the mushrooms I didn't partake in that meal, but it looked good. My boyfriend's parents both had the pork ribs. His dad was clearly disappointed with the a la carte set up of the meal at first glance. However, after he finished his meal, he said he got over the fact that it didn't come with mashed potatoes haha. I tried one of the ribs and it was very good. I had heard the pasta was the best, but I was pretty hungry by the time we got to Amis that I chickened out on being a little more adventurous and stuck with my usual seafood meal. After dinner (since I was still pretty hungry) we ordered cappuccinos and desert. I had the cafe affogato which is italian vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over top. The combination of the sweet vanilla ice cream and bitter espresso was perfect. My boyfriend and his dad ordered mom-mom's rice pudding. They're both suckers for puddings I'm learning. I'm not a big fan of the texture of rice pudding, but I gave it a whirl and it was REALLY good. If you like rice pudding, this is definitely a good one to try. Overall, the service at Amis was really great. They made you feel very welcome and at home. The portions were pretty tiny and although everything I tasted had a good flavor, I thought it was a little too simplistic. Nothing I tried really wowed me. However, the deserts were really delicious and I would probably come back just for desert.
(3)Lawrence K.
Went here on a Weds night a few weeks ago. Great, lively, bustleing and noisy space; lots of fun. delicious food. very stylish and chic clientel. go with friends and get to know your neighbors. Upon arrival, there were no tables immediately available so the maitre'd offered us seats at "The Chefs Table." He made this sound exclusive but it's just seating at the counter looking over the open kitchen. We actually liked this since it's fun to watch the line cooks do their thing and you get to see all the food going out. We ordered our selections based more from seeing the dishes than by reading the menu. The wine list was way too expensive for my BYO-preferred palate so we just ordered a carafe of the house white which was, I believe, Trebbiano (a simple Italian/Tuscan varietal). The wine stems/glasses were of excellent quality which made it a pleasure to sip this simple but fresh and tasty house wine. It was a good match with the swordfish meatballs which were tasty and interesting. We also ordered the mussels which were very good with awesome sauce to mop up with the bread. Also had an incredilbly good cucumber salad with hot pepper, mint and super creamy, delicious ricotta cheese. really really good; sort of like an Italian-style Isreali salad. With a carafe of house red this time (blend of Sangiovese and Merlot) we ordered the eggplant lasagna. just a fabulous mess of homemade pasta, eggplant, tomato and cheese, all broiled to perfect bubbly deliciousness. I also ordered the duck with grilled peaches which was great too. We were also comped an order of Sals "old school" meatballs; again they made it sound like "the chef" sent them over out of the goodness of his heart but we saw a waiter bring them back from the dining room a minute before, but we didn't mind because these meatballs were OUT OF THIS WORLD - very rich tasting from (what tasted like to me) parmegiano reggiano (the real deal) added to the forcemeat before cooking. These were, bar none, the best meatballs I've ever had! I felt sorry for whoever sent them back. We liked them so much we got anoher order! The service was friendly and attentive and, even though a little disengenuous, the free meatballs that were sent back was a nice touch. Overall, i thought the food at Amis was outstanding. I'd give it 5 stars except I thought it was just a little too pricey for what the place is trying to be. But if you've got some cash to spend and dont mind a little noise (and lots of fun) I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)Peter H.
After all the raves over Vetri and Osteria, I expected my first Vetri experience to be something special. I foresaw contented bellies, drunk-ish smiles of the post-coital variety, happy babbling about our favorite dishes, and significantly lightened wallets. Checkmark for the lightened wallets. That's about it. We did our research and anxiously awaited the Fried Artichokes, Oxtail Ragu, and various Mediterranean small plates. Artichokes: bland and over-salted. Just because its sea-salt doesn't mean it's class. Oxtail Ragu: okay, this is kind of tasty, but its tiny. This is supposed to be a highlight? I adore oxtail in its many forms. This version ranks near the bottom of my list. Did not get the swordfish rigatoni, but maybe we should have. No matter how good it was it could not have saved our experience. Great decor, classy service, dessert chocolate waffle was delicious, but money's a little too tight to pay princely sums for small portions of just okay food.
(2)Retset Y.
I was skeptical after reading the mediocre reviews of Amis before dining there for my birthday but thankfully, my caution was not warranted. It was a fine meal. Through and through a very satisfying dinner. Service was outstanding. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu items. Support staff was always on task as well. My boyfriend and I sipped on Saison while we munched on delicious Salumi, eggplant capponata and seafood frito. Our second course consisted of a veal canneloni, roasted lamb and tuna steak. All delicious and well-portioned. The rhubarb tart for dessert was the perfect nightcap as well as their freshly brewed coffee. The best cup of coffee I've had in a very long time. Despite people's gripes on Amis' portion sizes, I left the restaurant feeling so very full and happy.
(4)Candace C.
Amis is an absolutely adorable restaurant that came highly recommended to me by my foodie friends. I took my sister here, and we both left thinking it was a good meal but nothing extraordinary. We started with glasses of wine each; both were red and to our liking. The meatballs with polenta went nicely together. The polenta by itself was a little bland and the meatballs were too salty. By together, they were were well balanced. The mussels here were delightful. They were well-seasoned and accompanied by delicious hearty pieces of bread. The pasta was not very memorable, despite being the special of the night. I will likely come back to Amis to give it another try; maybe I'll consult Yelpers before I come back!
(3)Chris S.
A colleague wanted to go here so we gave it a try. Bread is olive oil infused and pretty amazing. First time I have ever had that. Favorite appetizer was the swordfish meatballs. I went with the seafood mixed grill which was lightly grilled and drizzled with olive oil. Felt very healthy after eating that meal. Moderately priced and I would eat here constantly if I lived in Philadelphia and was paying. I would come back but would want to explore other places in Philadelphia before making this a staple.
(3)Zee W.
this is a review for their sunday brunch: as a waffle-lover, i was excited to try their "philly's best" waffles - unfortunately, i was left disappointed. it was dripping in syrup. i love sweets, but too sweet for my taste buds. my s.o. ordered sausage and it was tasty, though too salty. the polenta was okay. service was good, but considering the price, i'd have to say i was underwhelmed. they also charged us for water! i requested still (as opposed to sparkling), thinking that would be tap, but they charged us $5!! i was happy to find that on a sunday (late) morning, the restaurant wasn't too crowded. now, i know why. too expensive, quality not up to par. don't think i will be going back.
(2)Karl S.
Really? Nope. sorry. Overpriced mediocre BS. I'm not cheap. Really. But $60 for 2 appetizers, including what looked like and tasted like lunch meat, house cured or not, it's lunch meat, and 2 half pours of wine. Pour me a real glass of wine damn it! Beautiful space, pleasant, if not slightly over selling the BS, bartender, is not enough. Drink the cool-aide folks.
(2)Chris H.
Went to this restaurant with my bf on his birthday. We walked in and were immediately sat at a table right across from a party that had two young, vocal children. I love babies, but it did make it difficult to enjoy our meal, which is overall not a reflection on the restaurant, but it was definitely not a smart place to seat us, especially bc we were placed in a very dark corner. Anyways we ordered food and drinks, the waitress accidentally brought my bf the wrong drink, but we didn't really care since we were curious about trying it anyways. Apps come out and they're delicious, and make us excited for whats to come next... ...which was a major disappointment. My boyfriends entree, the eggplant lasagna, while delicious, was an embarrassingly small portion. My entree, the pork chop milanese, was HUGE and not exciting. The best part of it was the arugula and tomato side salad, which was also lacking. The pork chop itself was dry and tough. boyf says: was very excited to try this place. i have a powerful fetish for lasagna and their eggplant lasagna looked scrumptious online. trudged to the place with the girlfriend and although the decor was pleasant, we found the lighting to be way too dim and personally, i thought the selection of music (mostly loud classic rock) heavily detracted from the restaurant's atmosphere (0.5 star deduction). we were also not expecting the place to be a family-friendly joint (as it was certainly not advertised as such), and the preponderance of whining babies was uncomfortably jarring (0.5 star deduction). while the beer and wine list looked very nice, our waitress mixed up my order and brought me the wrong beer (0.25 star deduction), and service in general seemed to be hampered by those god damned babies (0.25 star deduction). anyway, i thought the appetizer i ordered (peppered buffalo milk ricotta bruschetta) was phenomenal, but my main (the eggplant lasagna), although delicious, was so small it was a joke. it was near-paper thin and for 18 dollars, felt like an absurd rip off (1 star deduction). i would not recommend this place for younger couples, children-free couples, single folks, or anyone looking for hearty lasagna. overall, 2.5 stars. a restaurant with high potential, that was heavily brought down by its 'family friendly' atmosphere, poor music selection and overpriced pasta.
(3)Joan V.
Glad they did away with the sidewalk bar as outdoor seating.
(4)Beth K.
Incredible pasta, great location from where we live and a laid back but still semi-formal for a nice occasion atmosphere.
(4)Jim F.
Went to diner here on Saturday night. This is my 4th or 5th time at Amis. Started off with an Amis punch which wasn't too sweet and pretty good though a little small (with lots of ice). Had a Deep Fried Pork balls special which had great flavor but the texture was too mushy for my liking. Had the Melon & Cucumber Salad. AWESOME! Corn & Tomato salad was very good. Enjoyed the Baked Cheese and almond honey very much. Had the Spaghetti with Chiles. Good but a little hot and not much flavor going on. Overall very good. I didn't care much for their Sunday brunch on a prior visit but still Amis is a SOLID 4.5 star experience.
(4)Kimberly S.
I've been to all of Vetri's restaurants and although they are all outstanding and noteworthy, I think my recent dinner at Amis proved that Amis is my favorite. I came with a party of 6 and we had a 5 star flawless dinner. Each couple ordered about 3 dishes and we passed everything around, so I was able to try a good variety of the menu. Every dish was mind blowingly delicious, from the monkfish spiedini to the squid ink pasta; from the hen ragu to the fried brussel sprouts; from the roasted scallops to the tiramisu! Something as simple as the tonarelli cacio e pepe was done to perfection. I even loved the Amis Punch cocktail. Service was great, and really, the only complaint I have is that the reservationist never properly saved the change to my reservation when I had called a few days prior to change it from 5 people to 6. We promptly arrived to the restaurant and had to wait 20-30 min. for a table because of the confusion, but in the end it was no big deal. I would love to become a regular at Amis and will definitely be returning.
(5)Anna Marie C.
marc vetri is like, a superstar in my eyes. my birthday experience at osteria last year with my bestie was one of my favorite meals ever. so i came to amis with higher than high expectations, and i think that was its downfall. the space is cozy, cute, perfect. really. i walked in, promptly greeted, and was already a little bit happier. we sat at the counter (which is how we roll) and it all started going downhill from there. the plus was watching the every-bustling kitchen, which is always fun. i had the fried artichokes, buccatini, seafood fritto (apparently i was on a fried kick)... my friend had the olives and seared tuna. everything was good... but no dish made me scream and yell and want to go back for more. the waiter was extremely awkward, making me feel like i was somehow a nuisance or something. he never offered tastes of wine, just so we could figure out what we wanted to drink (which i feel like is a must at this price point). the crowning moment was the hair found among my too-soggy tiramisu, which it took prompting by the kitchen for the server to notice. he took it away (thankfully)... but instead of asking if i wanted another, or a replacement, he just silently dropped off another bill with the dessert taken off. really? isn't your job to talk and be friendly? and in the end, my bill came out to be about the same as osteria, but my experience here was not even half. sad.
(2)Jeff S.
This was an excellent choice for a upscale casual night. The service was classy but not over the top, the atmosphere energetic, and the food was delicious. The seating is very close to other patrons so don't expect quiet.
(4)Carol P.
All the comments about the size of the portions are spot on. Amis serves small plates at regular plate prices. Even Garces restaurants give you more food except during restaurant week. Luckily, I went to a party afterward.
(3)Felicia Q.
One word (said with pauses for emphasis): Un-in-spired. Marc Vetri - and I say this with deep sadness because I've wasted so much time reading articles about him - should return at least a couple of his awards. Last night, we decided to give Amis a second chance. And, like most second chances that are given reluctantly, it was met with profound disappointment and kicking of myself. 5 o'clock dinner reservations on a Saturday night. We arrive at 4:55 p.m. to an empty restaurant, chilly in all the wrong ways (i.e. not Vodka chilly). The place was dead, yet the host had to "see if our table was ready" so we went to the bar. The bar was dead, yet the bartender couldn't take the time to put cherries in the Manhattans. Once seated, the waitress politely insisted that we put our entree orders in, "for the sake of a Saturday night" whatever that means. Yes, I believe it's Restaurant 101 to make your customers feel rushed to order. Talk about a turn-off. But, honestly, all of this could have been wiped from my mind ala Eternal Sunshine if the food had been as delightful as the reviews promised. Meatballs were weak. (Barbuzzo's meatballs are 1,000 times better.) Pasta dishes were a snooze. Gummy squid linguine in oil. Rigatoni in what looked like the pasta water with cherry tomatoes. Meat dishes were bleak. Ribeye steak and fried veal: both served with a pile of arugula on the side. A kid at The Art Institute could have done this. A kid who isn't even in the Culinary Arts program. (No offense to that kid.) My yelp review is more inspired than Amis. Take your $300 (for four people) somewhere else where the chefs/servers/staff actually care.
(2)Amy B.
My boyfriend, his sister and I went to Amis last night (4/19) to celebrate his sister's birthday. We didn't make a reservation and upon arriving we were told it would be 30-45 minutes. We figured this was reasonable and decided to have a drink at the bar while we waited. However, after waiting for 45 minutes, the hostess came over to us and told us that because there were no reservation cancellations they couldn't seat us. That was super annoying but luckily the bar is full service so we ordered from the awesome bartenders (didn't get their names unfortunately). This is where the night really turned around. We ordered about 6-7 tapas and the bartender very generously brought us at least 4 more tapas free of charge. Needless to say, he got an awesome tip. Our favorites were: the jalepeño pasta, the porchetta with onion marmalade, and the arancini. We enjoyed everything else we got also (ricotta and eggplant bruschetta, rabbit terrine, brussel sprouts, mussels, baked pecorino) but those were the best. Would definitely come back again next time we are in philly.
(4)Stephen S.
Oh Marc Vetri, you maestro of pasta, guru of Italian cooking, can you do any wrong? I moved away from Philadelphia right around the time that Amis opened. I had been to Vetri and Osteria but never had the chance to go to Amis. This is a great place to come in and experience Vetri's cooking without having to order the fixed menu at Vetri. I was very impressed with everything but the star of the evening was the squash lasagna. This is not your mother's lasagna, it's thin and delicate, not overly cheesy. I also really enjoyed the swordfish with eggplant fries but thought that the eggplant fries were much better than the accompanying fish.
(5)Jadiey C.
What can I say about, Amis... This review is primarily based on the horrible service. Can you say "Hover"!!! That's how I felt the entire night as our hostess hung over us, making the dining experience horrible. The food was pretty good, especially the fried brussles and baked pecorino. The monk fish was a bit pasty but my date loved the duck ragu. During my initial ordering I forgot to order my brussels and the hostess looked at me like I had 4 heads, when I tried to add it on later. Due to the open kitchen, we could see her go back to the chef and talk trash about our late order. Once the brussels came I was pretty much ready for the experience to end, but they were tasty. The highlight of the evening, the valet parked my car near the front door so we could leave quick... never to return again...
(2)Dan G.
Hmmm... so many good reviews. I was being treated for my birthday (and she would not be this kind)... so we had a reservation and were seated immediately, was going to be seated at one of the two tops along the back and they were packed pretty close, so they moved us to one of the high tops near the bar... service was great, drinks were good... The appetizer was the assorted, I think it was three of their selections and it was okay but nothing special... one was good, the others were so so... my dinner was not bad, Prime Rib... but again nothing special and not much of it... thin piece of meat with a lot of fat... she on the other hand had lamb and it was the driest overdone flavorless piece of meat ever... I tasted it because she couldn't eat it and it was pretty bad... Was too bad the food was so disappointing because the ambiance was nice... price was a little up there for 4 drinks, an appetizer and dinner put us close to $200 (with tip)... that wouldn't be bad for an outstanding meal... in this case it wasn't.
(2)Matthew G.
Great Italian food for those bored with Chicken Parm
(4)Robin D.
i love this place... even though both times I went they screwed up first time we went on a weekend and it was busy, so they didn't seat us until an hour after our reservation. we had to stand at the bar. but before we could get angry they showered us with free drinks and food. they continued to do so at the table. the second time i went, they gave my mom the complete wrong order. when she told the waiter it was wrong he agreed and said "enjoy that while i get you what you ordered". less than 2 minutes later they brought the correct dish and we got to enjoy the other... for free. AND every bite of their food was amazing and unique. great rustic italian. i love the pasta. great food + classy handling of errors = more than good enough for me wouldn't recommend it if you're in a rush/aren't amused by free food
(4)Jessica B.
Amis is right in my neighborhood, and it's pretty great. The food is affordable, interesting, and delicious, and they're open till midnight on weekends, which is fantastic. Service is almost completely perfect (servers are fantastic, hosts are a little TOO eager) and if you go late-ish in the evening, it's not a loud space at all. We've tried the grilled veal tongue (melt-in-your-mouth tender), the arancini (fried cheesy-ricey deliciousness) the rotini with the wild boar ragu, and the fennel gratin. All of it was delicious. Add to that a carafe of wine, and you have a very nice dinner for two. We should start going here more often... it's a great place.
(4)Jeff P.
Let me begin, by saying I had high expectations after reading that Amis chef, Jeff Michaud, had won the James Beard award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. My wife and I had also dined at Amis' sister restaurant, Osteria, back in the winter, and both of us enjoyed our food, but felt that we horribly overpaid for our meal, so I definitely had mixed emotions walking into the restaurant. Amis is located in what is considered the "Gayborhood" section of Philly, and shares the locale with some serious restaurant heavy hitters in my book, Mercato, Barbuzzo, the somewhat underrated Bindi, and Garces Trading Company just to name a few. Happily, I can say Amis lives up to the competition. First off, I like the space. There is outdoor seating, and inside the whole ambiance is very relaxed with a hip polished industrial feel to it. Also, I like that there is a second bar area, where you can sit and watch the chefs do their work. We did not sit at that bar area, but had a two top across the aisle from it giving my wife a view of the kitchen bar. My wife picked out a 500ml carafe of house white for $20. Not sure what it was (Pinot Grigio or a blend), but it was totally drinkable on a warm summer night. Instead of ordering an app to share and two mains, we decided on a bunch of small plates. We started with braised snails with scallion crema, house made mortadella with hazelnut honey, arancini di riso with meat ragu (fried rice balls), whole roasted baby peppers with chicken conserva, and swiss chard ravioli with spring onion ragu. All dishes were on point. I especially enjoyed the pasta dish, but wished they had included a few more ravioli which were very light, and full of that earthy vegetal flavor I LOVE from good greens. Homemade pasta makes such a difference. The favorite dish for me were the fried peppers. Reminded me of the hundreds of padron peppers my wife and I scarfed on a recent trip to Spain. I am like Pac Man eating pellets with those things. They have a slight amount of heat, but nothing overwhelming, and the sweetness of the chicken confit totally worked. We ordered 2 more dishes, imported bufala ricotta and black pepper with crustinis, and Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato. I enjoyed both dishes, but was unsure if the meatballs were undercooked, or were supposed to served mid rare in the middle. I ate them anyway, as I could not find our server at the moment. The ricotta was beautifully creamy, and my wife thought it could have used a little sea salt on top. I was happy with it the way it was served. I could have kept eating, but thought better of it. No dessert this time (Termini cannolis were in the car), but will return this weekend for a second go around. We had good, but not great service, and unlike Osteria I felt that the prices were fair. I am very excited for a return visit, and will order a little more adventurously with my eye on the veal tongue and sweetbreads.
(4)Miguel R.
I needed a quick restaurant recommendation for an after-work date with the lady. A coworker of mine suggested Amis, and I'm glad I went there. The service was great, and the food was fantastic. Mind you, we went on a Tuesday night at around 6PM - I'm sure the experience will vary on a Friday/Saturday evening. We got a kick out of ordering, since neither of us really knew what half of the stuff was on the menu - we ended up with the swordfish meatballs, calamari/shrimp/cucumber misto as appetizers, and for our next course we had the monkfish, polenta, and squid ink pasta. For dessert, I had a whiskey, and a bite of the tiramisu. I would definitely recommend the place, and look forward to visiting again.
(5)Mike G.
Uneven, hit & amis I finally experienced the third Vetri restaurant, Amis. After reading through yelp I wasnt sure what to expect. I can say now though, it makes more sense to consider the 2 or 3 star feedback for this place. As a table of five foodies, we shared everything and critiqued each bite as we normally would. The key word, I think, is uneven. There were very delicious highs and there were surprisingly disappointing lows or "meh"s. The appetizers (or smaller dishes from the first few sections of the menu) were clearly the most adventurous payoffs. The eggplant capanota, the melon-mint-pistachio salad and the swordfish meatballs on creamy polenta were delicious and among high-points. The spaghetti with pecorino and pepper with a cheese sauce was blah. Really, it could've used a tiny more cooking and a bit more flavor. Closing my eyes, I wouldn't distinguish this dish from a corner diner experience (ouch, right?). The Mussels were tasty but as quite a lot of our meal, they were way too salty. In fact, as the meal progressed we accumulated our week's budget of sodium intake. As we spoke up about it, we shared the opinion that just about all the dishes were noticeably too salted and this is not typically something we've noted at other restaurants. That's not our usual complaint, so you can imagine our surprise to be in a Marc Vetri restaurant admitting this to each other! We ordered two main dishes, a grilled rib-eye which was very tasty and tender, though a little bit more raw than we would've ordered. However, our server never asked us how we'd like our steak. Even the nice aruguala salad on the side of this dish was a bit too salted, though a nice balance of the bitter greens to balance the rich fatty and tender meat. The other "larger" plate was the seafood platter which was sparse and less than seeming $24 worth. I had a 3" square of toasted polenta filling a third the plate even. Desserts and coffee were wonderful. We had a good ricotta crumble cake. The Baci Tartufo, however, was divine. The coffee was very good but my friends that had espresso drinks were super impressed with the cappuccino and decaf espresso, going on and on about how great they were. I do not predict any of us heading back to Amis for dinner, though we admitted it might be smart to go for cocktail hr nearby, and stop in for an appetizer and dessert after.
(2)Shane L.
Food was good. Great ambience, good staff and busy on a tuesday night (usually a good sign). Had high expectations for this place and I think it fulfilled most of them. Pasta was al dente and meats tasted fresh (Wild Boar special - brought in that morning). Cocktails were ok, but could be a bit more exciting. The food itself reminded me of my visit to Italy which made the meal a little more enjoyable. I would give 4.5 stars if possible because price was great for the amount of food and service. 3 apps, 1 pasta, 1 entree and 3 cocktails = $115. Thats a bargain for a great dining experience in the city. Left feeling happy and complete. That is all!
(4)Julie A.
I spent my birthday dinner here on a Tuesday night. My dinner date and I had been to Alla Spina for late night drinks and a quick bite to eat a short time ago and had a great time, so we agreed to try Amis. It was a great place for a nice, relaxing, delicious dinner during the week. It was a fairly busy night for a Tuesday, especially at the bar, but our two-person table was in a quiet enough area for us to have a conversation. It was a little too dark in there, after a pretty rich meal and about three glasses of red wine and a few cocktails, my date and I were both feeling quite sleepy. However, it was a pleasant crowd and some bonus points for having some awesome music playing the whole time we were there. Simply put: I'd come back here for the swordfish meatballs, and the swordfish meatballs alone. They're incredible. If they sold those swordfish meatballs in a take-out bucket a la KFC, I'd buy a bucket every week. All of the other food was quite delicious as well, but the meatballs won me over. Head over heels in love. The other food we ordered: Ricotta bruscetta, which was fabulously creamy and salty and peppery. The grilled bread that was served along with the little bowl of ricotta added a nice smokiness to a simple dish. Arancini with ragu and peas. I was very excited when I saw these on the menu. They were okay, nothing to really brag about, the meat was decent, the peas were a little overcooked, and the arancini balls were nicely fried, not greasy at all. Two pasta dishes, one was rotini with mushrooms and peas. the other, spaghetti with pork jowls and spring onions. I got very excited about the freshly made pasta and pork jowls. A little too excited and after about two bites, I felt incredibly full. The pasta was a nice al dente, not too heavy, nicely seasoned. The pork jowls were a great snap of salty, porky goodness but the real winner was the rotini with mushrooms and peas. It was the right pasta dish for the weather, nice and light, with a slight sweetness from the perfectly cooked peas. I could go on and on about peas, they were so fresh and buttery. A very nice compliment to the salty, meaty mushrooms. The mushrooms could have been a little less salty but overall it didn't distract from the dish. The drinks: A carafe of the house red: great deal! It was a great choice for us to start off the meal and sip between courses. It was a good wine, nothing too distracting from the overall meal but pleasant to drink throughout. We both had a cocktail with campari in it. His had rye whiskey and I believe blood orange. It was smaller but certainly more potent than my drink. I think my drink had bourbon and grapefruit in it. I'm not totally clear on what exactly it had but it was a great way to end a good birthday meal. I'd come back, not just for the swordfish meatballs, but for a nice dinner for a cute date or drinks with a small group of friends. I'd definitely recommend this place. The price is worth the amount and quality of food and drinks. The ambiance is pleasant and fun, not overly upscale where you feel uncomfortable.
(5)Michelle T.
Loved this place! Will have to go back and try the other dishes. I took my boyfriend for his birthday. We split two aps, each had a main dish, but sadly passed on dessert. We both ate half of our main dish and took the rest home. Maybe next time we will add an ap and take away a main dish in order to have dessert. Dessert list looked great. Swordfish meatballs, braised pork bellies, black pasta, and a duck special...I'm still drooling over you.
(5)JD H.
For me, this is as good as it gets. It may have been the kitchen counter corner seats allowing for a great view of the cooking and plating operation leading to fun conversations with the sous. Intelligent inquiries and buying a round for the kitchen staff resulted in some special attention and food we would have otherwise never tried. The staff was quite attentive and the menu has a lot to choose from. We were there on a Sunday evening when they featured their " Sal's Sunday Supper" which looked great (Spaghetti with Sunday Gravy, meatballs, sausage and a hardboiled egg) but since I was an Amis virgin, we decided to order a la carte from the many menu items that were offered. There were too many to get through on a single visit. Great starters included house made terrine, headcheese croquettes, and fantastic olives. A simple escarole and apple salad was really refreshing. The tripe stew was earthy and very cassoulet-like. It was outstanding by itself and could have served as the meal but the total stars of the night were the homemade pasta dishes we had: Tonarelli Cacio e Pepe and Buccatini with Jalapeño. I actually had dreams about those dishes afterwards because they were that good. A final recommendation would be the homemade rice pudding. . .apparently a secret recipe from the owner's grandfather. There was nothing bad that came out of the kitchen during my visit and so many things on the menu I would love to go back to try. Of the 3 nights in Philly, this was the best meal we had and one of the best I've had in my life in terms of great food execution. . .it was plain good cooking.
(5)Andrew K.
Had a great time. I really enjoy dining out and trying new things. The Vetri group does a great job of promoting their brand, but I just couldn't justify the price tag at Vetri, so Amis was the next best thing. First off, the service was great. The waiter was on his game and easily answered all of our questions and knew the in's and out's of the wine list. we started off with the old school meatballs and baked pecorino. Both items came out very quickly. The meatballs are a must-order if you visit. The baked pecorino was very tasty, but didn't blow me away. We then ordered the sweetbreads and pork belly followed by the squid ink pasta. Of the 3, the squid ink pasta was my favorite. If you want the "Vetri" experience without the price tag I highly encourage you to visit Amis.
(4)Christina B.
It was our first time in Philadelphia & we had a fabulous dinner at Amis! One of the best Italian dinners we've had in a long while. Better than New York & similar to being in Italy. Highly recommend!! The seared scallops & the swordfish meatballs were perfectly done. We had the chicken fettuccine special which was magnificent. Their pastas are perfectly made. Thank you for a spectacular meal & the wonderful, friendly service that comes. With it!
(5)Hector M.
Giving 3 stars to a Vetri restaurant seems like sacrilege, but I had an equal amount of hits and amÃsses. The olive oil bread basket is absolutely ridiculous (if you typically skip the bread, try this and try to each just one - good luck). After analyzing the menu and pointing out all of the recommendations, we went with the following: - chicken liver toscani: ever since I had and loved the chicken liver at The Spotted Pig (NYC), I haven't been able to find it as good anywhere else. The streak continues.... - baked pecorino with almond honey: absolutely amazing. I took more than more portion, ordered it again, and took more than my portion again (it was so good, I didn't care about the social repercussions). - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato: all parts of this appetizer were delicious - the meatballs, the sauce, and the 'tomato potato'. - grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda: I had high hopes and it was just ok (nothing memorable). - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper: I was distracted by the overcooked pasta (I didn't finish my plate which is rare) - polenta with brown butter: it was bland. I was expecting sweetness from the brown butter, but all it seemed to do was make a brown ring around the polenta. - spagetti squash with pork jowl and pecorino: I was strategically taking spoonfuls of the pork jowl (and you'll do the same) - wow.
(3)Sunita L.
This is a great Italian restaurant. This is probably the classiest Italian restaurant we have been in. The menu is a little overwhelming only because the food is so unique. Not your average spaghetti and meatballs place. The service was great at being patient with us. She explained everything. When we finally ordered we were not disappointed. Everything was so well prepared and delicious. Highly recommend. Just be prepared to pay a little more then typical Italian cuisine. But well worth it.
(5)Star T.
Amis never disappoints. We had a wonderful dinner: I had the pork chop alla Milanese and my friend had the scallops. Both meals were quite good but I preferred the scallops in the end. Dinner for two with wine can be a bit pricey in the end but I find Amis to be worth it, much more so than some other restaurants in its price range.
(4)Courtney C.
We had a Valentine's weekend dinner and it was a great experience. What truly sold me, they service. (The food is excellent) they had run out of braised lamb shank, so the send over the chef's favorite pasta dish (complimentary) & they also gave us the salty semifreddo for free. On many reviews, people complained about ambience, specifically how loud it. It didn't bother me at all. We will definitely go again!
(5)Paul B.
Amis is the stripped down, more casual incarnation of Osteria. If you are looking for a 5 star experience, go to Osteria or Vetri. If 4 stars will do, Amis is a solid choice. The service is 3 stars. The food is very solid. If I could, I would have given. 3.5 stars. Very good, but not great.
(4)Andrew C.
If you've eaten at Vetri and been transported by the ethereal pastas and beautifully restrained and subtle elegance there, you will begin to get an idea of what Amis does. Imagine plates prepared with that same care, quality and simple creativity inspired by the freshest ingredients wearing a plain white t shirt and comfy jeans. I've eaten here at least 2 dozen times and tried about 50 plates. I love to eat at the bar and begin with a cocktail. The list has some great seasonal suggestions. They make a great Negroni. WBG selections are unusual and very high quality. Late summer fave = the Australian Sangiovese "Blood of Jupiter". Don't miss if that's on the list. Most plates are smaller, so you can taste a few. I love the Olives which are served warm with some herbs and orange peel. The Mortadella Mousse is always delish. The Bruschetta selections are always changing and usually great. Some memorable ones: Snail and Garlic, Tuna and White Bean, Preserved Lemon and Fava Bean. The Veal Tongue is outstanding with a little honey on the plate, charred green onions and weirdly sweet, fruity mostarda fruit garnish. Hard for me not to order this every time I go. DON'T MISS! Pastas are sublime. The Cacio Pepe is outstanding, the Spaghetti and Chile peppers is notable. The Fettucine and Corn Ragu is off the chain. They often butcher a poor, small, local animal (like a duck, lamb or calf) and offer it up in a variety of ways and portions as a special. It's usually awesome. Desserts are very good. The salted butter ice cream is ridiculous. The stracciatelle and figs (or whatever seasonal fruit) is killer. The Zabaglione is reliable. Get a glass of Malavasia to wash it down or maybe the best affogato in Center City. Brunch is solid. Don't miss the Jersey Cannonball. The service is uniformly comfortable, efficient and warm. Management is present, vigilant and makes sure everything is smooth and hospitable. Highly recommend.
(4)Ryan N.
One of the best italian restaurants in the Philly area. Ordered the special known as the beast of the day or something like that. They had a pig imported from a local farm that morning and created meals featured around that meat. Started out with Wine Cheese and crackers along with this pork salmi that was very sweet. Since me and my girlfriend are still underage we decided to try their featured italian sodas. I got pineapple and she got cherry, needless to say they were delicious. Our entree's were amazing as well. We both got pasta dishes, the names have left my memory already. They both were perfect sized portion and satisfied our taste buds and left just enough room for dessert and coffee. The dessert was my favorite. A giant solid chocolate ball filled with cake, nutella and cherries. SO GOOD and the cappuccinos were equally as good. Overall the service, atmosphere, time and quality all tie together so well and make amis one of the best resteraunts I've ever ate at!
(5)Nancy L.
Excellent food, quick service. I'm usually not impressed by Italian food because pasta just doesn't do it for me. But since we're talking about a Vetri establishment, I thought I'd give it a shot. We shared the baked honey almond pecorino, swordfish meatballs, octopus, veal tongue, cacio e pepe pasta, monkfish with San marzano tomatoes, tiramisu for dessert. I'd have to say each dish was masterfully executed. The meatballs were surprisingly moist, the veal tongue and octopus were very tender. The pasta was unlike any I'd had before because it was so dense, but it was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed it. It was a very rich meal. Come hungry.
(5)Suzanne H.
I recently went to Amis for a friend's birthday dinner and I really liked it. We got a selection of bruschettas, octopus, and meatballs for appetizers. Everyone loved them all. For the main course, I got a homemade pasta dish and it was to die for! I will get pasta every time I go back (which will be often). The friends I was with really enjoyed their seafood dishes. For dessert we received complimentary ice cream, for the birthday girl of course. The ice cream was soooooo good I couldn't stop eating it even though I was full. I thought the menu was reasonably priced. It was a little bit loud and crowded inside and I wasn't a big fan of our waitress, but the food was delicious and overall I really liked this place.
(4)Jeremy J.
It is close quarters with nearby diners, but we've had tighter accommodations so it is not worrisome. The noise, however, is near-deafening. I struggle to hear myself, let alone the poor quiet-voiced server who tries to relay the evening's specials. Juliet has to help translate. As the night wears on, the chaotic garble does ease slightly. I begin with a generous pour of Prosecco, with a sidecar of red wine granita. A spoonful of the frozen red wine goes into the sparkling wine. Mix. Drink. Repeat. Enjoy. It is sweet and lively on my tongue, preparing me for the roller coaster of flavors to come. Ever since dining at Joe Allen, I have been craving escargot again. As luck would have it, Amis offers braised snails in a scallion crema. They are bright green chunks coated in a thick cream sauce. Take a scoop and dump them on a toasted, burnt-edged piece of bread. Yum! These are not quite the full-bodied, wine-soaked snails I had in New York; they are more subdued and earthy, with a delicate onion taste. The combination of burned toast and creamy snails is decadent. Juliet also orders pan-fried artichokes (they are crunchy, oily, and tasty) and pork liver terrine topped with tomato marmalade (sweet, slightly greasy, and tastes much like any other pork terrine I've had). There are so many captivating entries on the menu, I'm not quite sure what to order. I really don't want to "meat it up" with a hunk of veal so I settle on seafood. Since Juliet doesn't like peas, I seldom get to eat them at home...and I love peas! My eye gravitates toward the braised squid with artichokes and spring peas. Thick-cut circles of firm squid flesh bobble in a shallow, spicy tomato broth sprinkled with green peas. Islands of quartered artichoke hearts peek out from beneath titanic wedges of more crisp-black toast...which I use to sop up the soup when I've polished off most of the calamari. The dish is demonstrative, bold, and very addictive. My only criticism is the squid seems just a smidge too firm, as if it had been slightly overcooked or left under a heat lamp. I highly doubt the latter, though. Suffice to say, it is a good dish and one which I'd happily order again. From good to great, now. While Juliet opts for crispy veal breast with marinated mushrooms, she had also been circling another plate: the fettuccine with lamb ragu and mint. Did someone say mint? As some of you might know, I'm a mint fanatic. Love it. Put it in everything, please. I, too, considered ordering the fettuccine but ultimately went the seaward route. A quick pow-wow, though, and we decide to order it for sharing. Because sharing is caring. Or something like that. Man, am I glad we ordered that pasta. The noodles are perfectly prepared, not too squishy, but slippery and glistening with olive oil. Hearty bits of shredded lamb ragu mingle under a mound of shredded Pecorino cheese. Little green specks of mint add just a hint of color. It is imperative to gather all components on your fork, so you get the full effect--salty, meaty, with a surprising lightness from the mint. It is pasta like a sexy poem in your mouth. I am full now. Dessert is totally out of the question...until I read the very bottom item on the menu: prosecco rhubarb granita with pistachio biscotti. Saving the best for last, eh, Chef? Surely there must be cracks in my stomach that need filling. The granita is sweet and very tart, actually quite refreshing. I get uncomfortably close to brain freeze as I use the biscotti as a spoon for the shaved ice. Time to stop. Time to go. Time for bed. From our little tour of Chef Michaud's cuisine, it's pretty easy to see how he earned his award. Kudos! But don't take my word for it. See what my better half has to say on our website (linked in my profile).
(4)Amanda R.
Best friend/favorite eating partner at my side, heat wave in temporary remission, Joe Jackson playing on the stereo, we got to sit at the chef's table - all the conditions were primed for a memorable evening and Amis did not disappoint. Mortadella mousse - creamy, smooth and porktastic. Sweetbreads with fennel pollen - hot, crispy, organy and succulent. A bucatini all'amatriciana that I described as "the best drunk food ever" was chewy, salty, meaty and cheesy in all the best ways. And the meatballs! You wonder how meatballs could possibly blow your mind? Just order them, sidled up to the potato/tomato mash. Also have tried the veal tongue, carciofi, pork terrine, cacio e pepe, and strozzaprete alla vongole which were merely amazing. The only less than memorable dish was the beef carpaccio - solid, but it didn't blow our mind like so many of the other courses did. Desserts don't drop the ball - all of the semifreddos are amazing, especially the Amaretto, topped with fudge sauce and crunchy toasted almonds. Because too much is never enough in my book, I adored the tartufo - chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo studded with cherries, resting on a spongy chocolate cake and covered with a thick shell of dark chocolate - then drizzled with chocolate sauce, as if you didn't already get the point. I love gilded lilies. Yes, it's a little pricey, but if you're willing to splurge on a delightfully fun, memorable meal, it's worth it. A meal at Amis is like a fireworks display.
(5)Vincent F.
Its been a while so I don't remember many details but I wanted to review this place since I had such a nice time there. First off, our server was really friendly and fun and that fits in with the vibe here which is a relaxed, not too quiet, fun but cozy kind of vibe. The drinks were great but we found that the caraffe of amis punch (sorry my memory is spotty) was way over priced for the size. We actually complained about this and got a free one 2 seconds later. Nice response by the manager! There were 5 of us and we like to share and try stuff so we ordered practically everything we saw and everything was pretty great. Although the portions weren't huge, they were fairly priced so we just ordered more... Mixed seafood grill was wonderful and perfectly cooked. Octopus was perfect, as were the interestingly prepared artichokes (get them). Carpaccio was good but nothing amazing (which was the case with the polenta.. skip it). The gnocci was very good but nowhere near the quality of the gnocci at Vetri. We had another pasta dish which was very good but sadly I can't remember it off hand. The best part (and I know this is odd since I usually am not a huge desert person) was the desert we had. Previously my favorite desert was from Villiage Whisky (the strawberry shortcake) but the new winner is the Waffles with Nutella and hazelnuts. Get this no matter what you do! At the end of the night we were really surprised to see that our check was a lot less than we had thought since we drank a bunch and ate whatever we wanted (ordering on the fly from course to course). Overall I'd definitely say that the value was way up there. Was this an amazing dinner? That night I was thinking that it was good and a good value but nothing really spectacular. A few days later I was still thinking about how great a time we had. Now I'm ready to go back. What do you think?
(4)Chad B.
I clearly got this place on an off night. Had a bad experience top to bottom. Had reservations at 9 for 3 people for a friends birthday. Showed up around 8:45 and was told it would just be a few minutes. We got drinks at the bar. Pretty tasty. Checked in around 9:10 on the table - was told just a few more minutes. Checked back in at 9:20...was told "they were clearing the table". 9:30...still not seated. Checked in again and the hostess said she would send over the manager. He came over and explained that they were only 15 minutes behind and were just waiting for a few tables to finish. I was confused and said our reservation was for 9:00....He didnt say "Oh, I apologize we have you down for 9:15" he literally said "No, your reservation is 9:15". While he was standing there I pulled up the email confirmation (hoping I had it right) and of course my email confirmation showed 9:00. Upon showing him the email....he said nothing. Walked away to the host station. Strangely we were seated within 30 seconds....without apology or explanation. I know it might seem annoying or simple but we didnt get seated until 9:40. I am fine waiting...just want to be treated properly. A simple apology would have made the whole night better The food? Well it was solid but not great my favorite two items of the night....the sweetbreads and the mortadella (my favorite) mousse. Squash lasagna was just very average to me...nothing great, nothing awful. The Swordfish meatballs seemed very fishy ( I realize it was fish). I would give the Food a 3 1/2 stars. Again....I am guessing our palettes were off due to being in a pissy mood.
(2)Lydia T.
Mixed Seafood Grill: Scallops, tender skate, calamari,swordfish. Grilled to perfection, simple salt and pepper. Palenta with brown butter: also simple and very good Escarole and radish salad: very light and refreshing. Drinks Campari and grapefruit with basil....one of the better combinations with Campari I have tasted. Limonchella and iced tea vodka total bill just about 65, including drinks. Overall very pleased with the meal. Best seat in the house is overlooking the open kitchen.
(3)Mike C.
Awesome food. Well prepared with fresh ingredients. Mortadella with Hazelnut and Honey was awesome, a great combination of flavors. Bucatini with cheese was very good, pasta is fresh and cooked perfectly. My only regret is I wasn't hungrier so I could have eaten more
(5)Judie G.
Great new addition to the Vetri line up! Loved the casual atmosphere and menu. Tried several of the seasonal specials that were fantastic, most notably the heirloom tomatoes with sweet corn and cream and the rice pudding with strawberries and balsamic vinegar. The ribeye was great, but a small cut for the price. But cooked and seasoned wonderfully. Great wine list of mostly southern Italian wines. Tiramisu (not on normal menu) was perfection. Am so happy this place is right around the corner from our house. Sure to become a neighborhood favorite.
(4)Jen L.
Amis is sexy and hip and in a cool neighborhood, and I like the idea of it, but I was ultimately disappointed in our experience. The food was okay but I just don't understand their concept of small bites. These were miniscule bites, and kind of bland. The server raved about the meatballs, we ordered, (there were three to an order, like three teensey weensey meatballs) and we were like, "meh". * The arancini (two to an order, they are also super-tiny) are just boring. The shaved parmesan on top offered the only flavor. * The veal canneloni needed something, maybe salt. I'm not sure. * I liked the buffala ricotta bruschetta but $8 for two small pieces of bread is a bit redonk, Mr. Vetri. I'm not cheap in the least but I left starving after a $90 tab for two glasses of wine and what amounted to just a few bites of food. Heavy sigh.
(2)Hannah C.
I was so excited to try out Vetri's Roman trattoria-style eatery having been to Rome twice in the past year and eating the best pastas of my life. And Vetri is a rock star in Philly, and Amis got good reviews and I basically thought I could trust all that...Wrong. The pasta sauces weren't even close to being Roman let alone tasty Italian-American! The cacio e pepe was more alfredo and the pecorino lacked the tangy bite and saltiness that I love in that dish. It was just so creamy and mild with not nearly enough black pepper, not authentic at all. The amatriciana was even worse. There was a scarce amount of giant cubes of pancetta that were basically just fat. The tomato sauce was pretty much just tomato - no spice, no flavor, just warm tomato... I had the best amatriciana in Rome for half the price, and an arguably equally good bowl at our standby Melograno. We got the secondi special that evening, pork loin wrapped in pork belly and they had just got the pig in the day before. The pork belly was very fatty (to be expected), but the loin was tough. When you pay for a special at a Marc Vetri restaurant, badly cooked pork is unacceptable. The salad was so salty that they might have made a mistake (either way, a bad move), the grilled focaccia that came with some of the apps was soaked in stale oil that oozed and coated my mouth when I bit into it (gross!), but the meatballs were good (not spectacular though). The napkins look like dish towels, which is kinda neat, but they shed like crazy all over your clothes. Whatever you do, don't wear black. What we liked: the service was fine, but it was very in-and-out and our dinner was over in less than an hour. Vetri's famous fresh pasta was solid. They were a bit overdone for my taste, but I like my pasta very al dente so I'll give them the pasta. Overall, we were so disappointed by the meal that we didn't even stay for dessert. I would not recommend this restaurant at all. I feel like we ordered a balanced spread of dishes, and we weren't impressed by any of them.
(2)Mindy Y.
LOVED it. The buccatini all' amtriciana is quite possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. The arancini made me swoon and the grilled smoked mozz with pickled veggies was heavenly. The wine, ambiance and service rounded out the evening. Amis has a cozy setting that's quieter than Osteria yet more attainable than Vetri. You can dress up or dress down, spend a lot or a little, but either way you go.. you'll have a fantastic time.
(5)L R.
Everything about this restaurant is perfect. My dinner, tile fish prepared perfectly, was exquisite! The cauliflower appetizer was incredible - so full of flavor. And the salted butter dessert was to die for. The meal was beyond our expectations, but what really stands out at Amis is the staff. There was a genuinely happy hostess who seemed so pleased about our experience she could have been mistaken for an owner. That giant bright smile was just so warm. Our waiter was AMAZING! He described each dish with a perfect run down on the ingredients and the effect that the combination of flavors has on the whole dish. I was so impressed when as he was explaining the tile fish entre specials, an appetizer arrived and was presented silently to the waiter by a manager in a suit. No wonder the staff here is so great; there's a genuine appreciation from the management for the quality of the dining experience they offer. This is a place not to be missed. Our dinner lasted over three hours and was perfect from start to finish. The manager came to our table twice! The wine special was delicious and made the meal so much more enjoyable. I can't wait to come back to Philly! We ate here on our final night of a conference, but I wish I had eaten here first - we could have had three tremendous meals! Thank you for a lovely evening.
(5)Leah G.
I was eager to try Amis and was not disappointed. Our table opted to share several small dishes and loved them all. The ricotta bruschetta was very enjoyable. The beef carpaccio was fantastic. Our pastas were also a treat. My only dislike was our salumi plate, but that may say more about me than Amis. For dessert, we shared the cookie plate and the amaretti semifreddo. I am not a dessert person, but ate more than my fair share. I am excited to add this to my neighborhood restaurant circuit!
(5)Food Hound S.
All four of us had a great experience at this restaurant. Though we had to wait about 15 minutes for our table to be ready, the staff was quite accommodating. Our waitress, especially, was very helpful in suggesting her favorite dishes all of which were spot on. The wine menu was quite good as well, but a bit pricey. Here's what we had: eggplant caponata imported bufala ricotta and black pepper black pepper salumi baked pecorino with almond honey Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato vegetable fritto misto tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper pappardelle with veal breast ragu abbacchio con patate (roasted lamb with potatoes) "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries tiramisu Happy Eating!
(4)Vivian T.
I loved the ambiance of this restaurant and the dishes were flavorful and nicely portioned. But holy cow is the food salty. We had to send the pork sausage back because my lips started to dry out. It was like taking a spoonful of salt to the mouth. Sweetbreads were really tasty. If you eat the sweetbreads alone, salty but combined with the layers of sweet (i think it was apricot) marmalade type reduction, it was quite tasty. Veal terrine was good. Nothing amazing. We had the pecorini pasta and again it was a bit on the salty side. Also, really heavy and rich. Brussel sprouts were quite tasty. I loved the layer of lemon (slight) in the sprouts. Entrees were a bit of a disappointment. Again heavy heavy hand on the salt. I love salty foods but this was a bit too much for me. I'd come back to the restaurant just because the atmosphere is really great.
(3)Henry D.
This is a fine place to get upscale renditions of Italian comfort food. We started with the arancini di riso with meat ragu, two very tasty rice balls which were very enjoyable but a third would've made the dish more substantial. After that we had our entrees. I went with the paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - very hearty and tasty and a good dish for the price. My wife had a pasta special that I can't quite remember but I know that she was offering lots of it to me while snagging bites of my paccheri. :) Service was fast and attentive and we were out in no-time. I think for the amount of food you actually eat it's a little overpriced but I'd recommend this place for a couple or group looking for a nice night out in Philly.
(3)CAROLE L.
Seriously disappointed. The noise level was so high it was hard to hold a conversation. I was prepared to put up with this if the food had been better. Everything was seriously under seasoned. We ordered the shaved pork belly with watermelon and the meat had no flavour. As the table had no salt and pepper I am assuming the chefs would have fine tuned the seasoning. The steak was so under seasoned we had to request salt.
(2)J K.
Came here for a pre-theater meal on a Friday and the place was bustling. Even so, service was prompt and efficient. Our server took the time to answer questions and explain the menu. Food was delicious, some standouts include the pork trotter rice balls, the pasta with lamb (on special) and the chocolate banana dessert. Wish I could have tried more of the menu- will have to come back again when I recover from the expensive prices!
(3)Mark P.
Really enjoyed the ambience and experience. We elected to order many small dishes and other than the volume of food perhaps being a tad small we enjoyed the mix. House red wine in carafe was far better than expectations. Belgian waffle desert was sinful. Our bill was rung up improperly (to our benefit) and when we pointed out, kudos to the manager for buying us a drink for our honesty. Wait service was attentive and engaging.
(4)Ben T.
I'll admit that I expected a lot from this place, having had very good experiences at both Vetri and Osteria. Unfortunately, it was a big letdown. I love Italian food, and I appreciate the idea of simple small plates of it, but for how much you are paying, it is reasonable to expect more dynamic flavors - especially with the name attached to the place. None of the 5 plates we ordered were especially remarkable, and two of them (the bruschetta and the ribeye over arugula - a whopping $26) were downright bland. I will give credit for the delicious dessert, as both the waffles amis and tiramisu were sublime, but that didn't make up for the overpriced mediocrity that preceded it. The service needs to chill. I must have told our server "Yeah, everything's cool" a dozen times. I understand the need to get things right in a place like this, but its gets very annoying to be interrupted every 5 minutes. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is very loud in there. I love the Stones but it seems inappropriate to have to shout over "street fighting man" to be heard in a place like this. I feel silly saying this because I knew what I was getting into as far as pricing, but looking at the bill I honestly felt ripped off. For close to $90 per person, one expects a well above average experience. What we got was distinctly, painfully average.
(2)Kelly W.
OMG, get the artichokes! They're double fried, of course they're greasy, but they are out of this world! I would go back again just to eat at the bar and have a small plate of artichokes. OK, and the ricotta or eggplant bruschetta. And probably the rigatoni. I love that you can eat while sitting at the bar, at the kitchen counter, or at the communal tables (shared seating at tables that don't require a reservation!). The bar is open late and offers hard to find beer and wine from Italy. I thought the service was great and attentive. I like the repurposed wood and iron designs that make up the rustic setting of this restaurant. And the lamps made from Campari bottles. So cute! Vetri's done it again. Amazing. Love it!
(4)Barb K.
A friend of mine told me about Amis shortly after it opened, but it took me nearly a year to actually make it in--I wish I had gone in sooner. The food was good, the service was superb and we had a nice overall experience, leaving (as another reviewer mentioned) full but not stuffed. We shared four appetizer plates, the eggplant caponata, Sal's meatballs, veal tongue, and the porchetta. The standout was the veal tongue. It was surprisingly crispy on the outside but melted in your mouth. It was excellent. We ordered Sal's meatballs on the recommendation of our server, but I wasn't wowed. The sauce it was served in was probably better than the meatball. It wasn't bad, but not necessarily worth the $$ and I wouldn't order it again. The caponata was pretty good too, it is served with crusty bread but it is slightly too much for the delicate flavors of the eggplant. Having lived in Italy, I was expecting slightly larger portions so we shared an entree--the oxtail gnocchi. Served in a gratin plate, the oxtail was braised to perfection and had a great balance of flavor with the gnocchi, though they didn't seem to be your "traditional" gnocchi--it was hard to tell as the gnocchi was on the bottom of the dish and they were smothered with the meat. We also shared the nutella belgian waffle with vanilla semifreddo for dessert, which was good, but not memorable. The restaurant itself has a great aesthetic but the music was a bit off--somehow the 80s/90s hits didn't seem quite right. Despite that, I'm definitely going to eat here again.
(4)kris j.
I have been wanting to try Amis for about a year and I must say, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was good----especially the linguine with corn and scallions and the entrees. But, the hostess was downright rude (and yes, we had reservations) and our waiter was slow and not at all into his job. It took us 15 minutes to get a drink (just a glass of wine) after it was ordered and while the entire staff was preoccupied with refilling water glasses, the offer the clear plates or get another drink for us was slow. And then after my partner said no to another glass of wine, he received in anyway because the waiter couldn't hear us. And that's my biggest complaint; it is really NOISY for a fine dining restaurant. Part of that is due to the building which is a lovely use of the space, but do you really need to play the music that loud? And.....dining to the Stones and to the Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"? Especially when we were some of the younger folks in the restaurant?
(2)Bailey S.
First time to a Vetri restaurant. Wonderful meal with that special someone. Warm pecorino with honey (tasty enough without the toasted bread), focaccia, brussel sprouts all wonderful sides to the main dishes. Delicate scallops, interesting fettuccine with corn, but glad the fettuccine sauce lighter than an alfredo. Waiter was attentive and helpful on menu items. A lot of food but did not feel overstuffed, done just right.
(5)Alexa R.
My husband and I tried Amis last night as it's close to our house and we loved Osteria, which is not as close and hard to get reservations! Our server, Graham, was phenomenal. The appetizers were delicious, albeit a little salty, and I find that 20 dollars for a carafe of table wine is affordable and fair. The entrees were a fine size -- husband had the ravioli with spring asparagus (so good - I wish I had ordered them!!) and I had the mixed seafood grill. I wish the seafood grill had come with veggies as opposed to polenta. I would go back in a heartbeat and sit at the bar and order apps. The entire place has a cozy, warm feel. Loved it!
(4)Nick T.
My fav place to eat in Philly. Met a friend for dinner. Started at bar. Great cocktails. Dinner was pastas and fish. Great flavors. Great service.
(5)David B.
This cozy dimly-lit bistro is definitely worth a visit. Although we were dressed smart/casual, I liked the tone that was set by the 2 managers in well tailored suits. Be warned the tables are close together and not everyone in our party was a fan of the dim lighting. I am not a fan of restaurants with a certain ratio of terms that the average joe/josephine is not going to be familiar with. This is a pet peeve of mine in Vetri's restaurants. I don't mind asking the server a few questions but everyone had to ask questions about almost everything they were considering ordering. However, our server was knowledgable and answered very competently. Although the house table wine is perfectly acceptable and a good value, the wines-by-the-glass are otherwise unreasonably pricey. I ordered the pork terrine, which was absolutley delicious BUT I have never been served terrine (in any restaurant in any country) without toast of some kind. For my entree, I had spinach pasta with crumbled capon sausage. Everyone at the table wanted to taste everyone else's dinner. I'm normally ok with this but last night I definitely didn't want to give up any of my entree. I've read other reviews where there were complaints about the portion size. I thought the portions were fine and I was happy to have had room to order dessert - ricotta crumble with pine nut brittle. When you order coffee, I recommend asking for a cup which will allow you to put your finger through the handle. Their regular coffee cups look nice but are truly ridiculous and annoying. A refill of decaf arrived warm and there was a lengthy wait for a hot replacement. It did, however, arrive in a larger cup that you could hold properly. I left perfectly sated.
(4)Jane N.
Excellent wine selection and very good service the two times we've been (thank you, Bethany!) Lots of selection on the menu, and the pasta dishes are solid. I went with a group of girlfriends one night and we ordered several different items - all of them delicious and rightsized portions. My only criticism is that the polenta with brown butter side should be renamed brown butter with polenta. The butter was so overpowering that we could barely taste the polenta. Hopefully, that was simply a more buttery batch. Great outdoor seating, too.
(4)Megan M.
Amis was possibly the best meal ive had in the city in a very long time. It was so good because every aspect of the experience was spectacular. We wanted to try everything because it was so hard to choose just one or two things. So we got about three different appetizers, three anit-pastas, two pasta dishes and two desserts. That's the way to go! The veal tongue and octopus were incredible. The papparadell was aldente and melted in your mouth. We got two caraffes of red wine and I topped the night off with a hazelnut chocolate tartufo and a macchiato. Our bill was so reasonable. I got out of there well under $75 with tip per person.... $75 for all that food! Our only complaint was our server rushed us a bit. We sat at 8:00 or so and we wanted to sit and relax and enjoy. We let her know we'd be ordering a little at a time because we wanted taste, then decide on our next dish. She was a little put off by that and told us they were busy and we should order all at once. She was very nice about it however, we weren't going to be rushed. To her dismay we ignored that suggestion and ordered bits at a time anyway. All in all it was sinfully delicious food and wine, great friends and perfect ambiance to enjoy the perfect company in.
(5)Jen A.
I have eaten here a few times and love it more each time. Great, friendly and helpful service! The food is amazing. The baked pecorino with almond honey is a must have to start the evening off. Some items on the menu can be a bit confusing so I always ask the server for recommendations and usually try a few things they list. I have never been disappointed in what I get. Some of the things I have loved are the sweetbreads, the papardelle with veal breat ragu and the octopus.
(5)Beth H.
Capon sausage spinach past was amazing. Our table shared four deserts and we could not decide on the best. It was a little too "close quarters" and very noisy.
(4)Mindy H.
I was really looking forward to our meal here, especially after they were rated so highly in Philadelphia magazine. Unfortunately, it was a complete disappointment. The only positive thing I can say is that the restaurant has a good vibe. But I've had much better italian food at our local bar. For our entrees, we had the gnocchi with ox tail and the papardelle with veal ragu. Both were fairly bland stew over a bland starch. Honestly, nothing stood out here. And they rushed us through the entire meal. Apps through dessert in 75 minutes. When I tried to slow down, they just brought another course. One last bit of annoyance - the waitstaff had obviously all been instructed to recite the same cheesey lines such as "the artichoke sells out by 8:30" and "the tiramisu has been haunting my dreams" which we heard repeatedly from several servers. This isn't Fridays people.
(2)Jeremy B.
Having high expectations, I'll start by saying the food was simply amazing. We got the buffalo ricotta with olive oil-clean and wonderful. Cured meat with a honey-hazelnut? condiment, it was excellent and a terrific compliment to each other-superior to others in this city. Gnocchi, was again simple but it tasted so good, another few of those and I am all set. We got the Tuna-wonderful sauce, I have never had something served only grilled on one side. The texture, flavor and contrast/connection with the raw and seared side were perfect, what a great concept. The seafood mixed grill had scallops, shrimp, swordfish and calamari, possibly another choice but my recollection is fuzzy. Each item was cooked perfectly and you can tell the freshness of each as well. The sauce melded perfectly with each item. We finished the meal with a great coffee, La Colombe. The space is beautiful, obviously new and clean but homey and rustic feeling as well, great energy. We were sat for our reservation in 10 minutes after arriving 15 early to checkout the bar. So, when the host came over to seat us at our table from the bar. I was especially shocked, he did not even offer to carry our drinks from the bar to our table. As I remain the poster-boy for clumsiness, I could not see how this was right, a start overlooked shortly after the foccacia arrived. This took me back, remembering that even at TGI Friday's the host would do this piece of basic hospitality. I got over this in a quick second because our server was very hospitable and our food was timed perfectly as well. As dinner was winding down, I went to the restroom. I was again shocked to see how littered it was with paper towels, tp and the toilet was nasty. Not what I expect from any where I am dropping more than a few bucks. I will definitely return because I live close, cannot wait to try the rest of the menu and love Primitivo on the wine list, dangerous.
(3)Jim G.
Everything we had ranged from very good (grilled mozzarella, polenta, lamb's tongue, seafood fritto misto, the olive oil cake) to outstanding (guinea hen, the gnocchi with oxtail ragu (my favorite dish of the meal), strawberry rhubarb tart)- oh, except for the ravioli. The description of them on the menu was very simple. But the plate came out and there was a secret ingredient they left out- mint. I like mint in some foods, such as middle eastern dishes where it's mixed in, but this time it completely overpowered and ruined the dish. No way would I have ordered it if mint was in the description. My other complaint, since I am so prematurely geriatric, is the same as I have about several other new restaurants- too loud. See, someone came up with this idea (and unfortunately proved it in a study) that if people are disinclined to talk while they eat, they will eat quicker and leave sooner and you can turn more tables per night that way. Amis obviously wants you to not linger- no sound deadening anywhere, and they play music at a decent volume. The problem with their approach is that while they may want you out as quickly as possible, the menu is designed to make you linger since it's small plates. We ended up ordering 4 separate times and were in there for almost 2 hours. So my thought is if people are going to be eating 3 or 4 courses per meal anyway, put some sound deadening up and at least let them enjoy the company of the people they are with. No one is going to be leaving as quickly as you want. Judging from several reviews of this place, I was sort of expecting amuse bouche portions for main dishes. But they weren't nearly as small as I'd been warned about. Perfect for dining for 2. We ordered about 5 dishes each and left happy and full. It's not Vetri or Osteria level expensive, but being small plates oriented I wouldn't recommend dining there on a budget, either (we spent $80 per person). Then again, if you're on a tight budget you probably shouldn't be dining out anyway, or so says Suze Orman.
(4)Michael N.
Amis is slowly emerging as one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. Really really great food. Excellent service. An intimate atmosphere but not too cramped. Reasonable prices for the quality of the food too. I would highly suggest reservations as the place is moderately sized and tends to be packed on any night of the week. On our most recent visit with two friends, we went with the following dishes... Appetizers - imported bufala ricotta and black pepper - (creamy and delicious) mortadella with hazelnut honey - (I personally don't love mortadella, but this was really tasty. The honey put it over the top for me.) Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - (excellent dense meatballs made of beef, pork, and veal. they have a very interesting but good taste) Entrees - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (this was a little creamier than the cacio e pepe that I'm used to, but regardless it was excellent) pasta w/ duck ragu (I don't remember the actual name of this as it was one of the specials, but this was also nice. Shredded lumps of duck in the pasta. Very flavorful dish.) Dessert - belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts ( a big dessert, plenty to share) With a revolving selection of specials, you won't be disappointed or at a loss for options at Amis. They even have valet parking if that's your thing, but parking shouldn't be too difficult if you look south of South. Just be careful down there if you plan on walking back to your car very late.
(5)Momo T.
I came here once for dinner and ordered the rigatoni with short rib ragu and it was the best pasta I've ever had in my life. I returned another day during brunch to try their other dishes. Two bruschetta appetizers which were unmemorable and came with ROCK-HARD bread, causing me to cut the inside of my mouth. This time I ordered their bucatini with jalapeno and almonds and although it was very good, the pasta was too sticky and clumpy. A little disappointed since I had been dreaming about the first time I'd been here and I live an hour away. Definitely never coming back during lunchtime - I think there might be a big difference in the quality of cooks between lunch and dinner.
(4)Zoe P.
My BFF came down to Philly to visit me before she moves to LA FOREVER *tear* We had to celebrate together, so I reserved dinner for us two ladies at Amis. Italian food plus prosecco equals a good time had by all on a Saturday night. We entered the small space, were immediately seated in the slightly raised eating area of the dining room, which was packed and LOUD - in the good way, where you can tell everyone is having a good time eating and drinking. Our waiter was very nice and friendly, offered to keep our bottle chilled ($25 corkage fee, fyi, their wine list is good but I had been saving this bottle for a special occasion anyway), and told us the specials after filling our water glasses. Looking through the menu, it was REALLY hard to decide what to order. We wished that our party was larger, and kept sneaking peeks at the dishes others had ordered around us. My friend now has a few food allergies, but thankfully we could easily avoid them and ordered ourselves a small spread: bufala ricotta bruschetta: OMG delicious, the ricotta was super creamy, salty-sweet, and just perfect on it's own without the toasted bread slices. We actually ate most of it just with our forks it was soooo goooooood swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts: I enjoy swordfish, but this dish is something I want to replicate at home because this is how to LOVE swordfish. The three meatballs were juicy and tender, and the creamy polenta bed with pine nuts completed the comforting feel of this dish roasted monkfish cacciatore: My BFF spotted this dish at the table next to us and HAD to order it - and so glad we did! The fish was flaky and juicy, the tomato-y sauce nicely spiced orecchiette with mushroom ragu: a special that night, the mushrooms were tender but still with a bite to them, and the same with the pasta - thank god, there's nothing worse than an Italian restaurant (especially high end) that doesn't know how to cook fresh pasta Oh yes, and of course we had to have dessert...and since there were two of us, and we were drunk by this point, we shared TWO of them: the special tiramisu, which you HAVE to order if you are a fan of this Italian dessert, it's so light and delicious and creamy, and the salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almonds, which was a wonderfully surprising combination of flavors that danced on my tongue. We have to thank our waiter for helping us make that final decision on the sundae. All together we had a wonderful evening together - even if we had to talk a bit louder to be heard over the boisterous and jubilant conversations around us.
(4)Mike M.
Went back for the 2nd time last night, still a big fan. Went with a big (6) group, so was able to get a bunch of the little appetizer plates to start: Swordfish Meatballs - very good Arancini - very good, but nothing surprising, just a good take on a classic; while the arancini itself is very good the short rib ragu it comes with is heavenly Squid salsa with citrus - eh, okay but the least appealing of all Veal tongue - second best, such a surprising taste and really well prepared Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - wow, did not anticipate too much but this was the unequivocal star of the round, perfectly prepared and amazing taste (salsa rossa is fantastic) For entrees some people got a salmon/pasta special which was great, lamb shank was on the table and was a great portion and was well received, I got the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, incredible. Glad I've been on a pasta fast and broke it on this because jeesh was this phenomenal. Desert was just an unreal 'cherry on top', got a bunch and every single one was fantastic; salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almond, the belgian style waffle with nutella, and the "tartufo al bacio". Waffle one was the best but order any of those and you will be very happy as your sugar high kicks in....
(4)Travis R.
What a great meal. This place had the best Italian food I have ever had in my life. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. Both pasta dishes we had tonight tasted amazing. The service was excellent. Our waiter was very friendly and also very informative about the menu. The restaurant also had a great atmosphere. If you want Italian in philly.... This is the spot - hands down.
(5)Eileen T.
While we LOVE this restaurant, and have been here often, we were very disappointed the other night when we stopped in for wine and dessert at the bar after seeing a play at the Wilma. The female bartender was rude and dismissive. We wanted a glass of water, but every time we tried to get her attention she just walked by us. Then, when she was talking to the party next to us, my husband attempted to get her attention. She glared at him and said, "I see you. I'll be with you in a minute." Hubs was not pleased and I suspect she picked up on that when he asked for the check. He's usually very friendly to restaurant staff, but he was livid that she had been so rude. When she put the check on the counter she paused for a moment and smiled brightly and said thank you. Too late! We usually give very generous tips, but not this time. This time it was only 10%. And my husband felt that was more than she deserved. I must say that when we mentioned it to the host on the way out, he was apologetic and very nice. But I can't end this review without saying that Amis makes the most amazing rice pudding in Philadelphia. And the Mocato wine that the other bartender suggested was an excellent accompaniment. We will return - we love Amis and the food is always exceptional. But this time the visit was not pleasant.
(3)Lilly P.
1. They had our party of 6 standing in the doorway waiting to be seated for an hour even though we had a reservation, just because 2 out of our 8 were not there yet. 2. Everyone was disappointed with the tiny portions. 3. Waiter forgot my drink and didn't bring it until I reminded him much later. 4. My pasta/swordfish/fries dish was bland. 5. The bufala appetizer is pretty good. 6. The atmosphere is nice even though it's much too loud to have a conversation and too cramped to sit comfortably.
(2)J K.
Really disappointed with the food. My boyfriend is a health inspector, so we can't go out to eat at a restaurant without hearing about the 'violations'. The kitchen is open, so you can see all the action. While we were waiting at the bar for everyone in our party to arrive he noted a violation: none of the kitchen staff were wearing hair restraints. This is not a huge deal but ironically we had to send back someone's steak because there was a hair on it. I understand this could happen anywhere. While there were 6 in our party, I can only really comment on what my boyfriend & I ate. We started with the fava bean bruchetta & sal's meatballs. Both were promising. Loved the potato/tomato under the meatballs. Unfortunately our main courses were not as appetizing. My boyfriend got the pork chop, which was overwhelmingly salty & just took away from the other favors of the meat. I got paccheri & swordfish- which was good but very spicy & wasn't indicated as such on the menu. The food in no way, shape or form reflects the hype/4 stars by other reviewers or the price. We won't be back.
(2)Dennis L.
What the hell is canestri? I don't know but it's amazing with duck sausage. So, Sal's meat balls for an appetizer, much like Chef from south park's balls, they were too salty. The tomato sauce had potato or some type of starch which threw me off. The sauce wasn't bad, but the balls were too salty, may have been better if they were chocolate. My canestri with duck sausage and cabbage on the other hand, delish. I don't remember seeing anything resmembling sausage, but i'm not complaining. Don't be thrown off by the whole wheat and how it sounds healthy, it's not. It's drenched in duck fat or something that made it taste sausage-y and heavenly. My date went with the pappardelle with oxtail ragu and pears. The noodles were long flat and tender, the oxtail was a bit salty but very flavorful. It was probably one of the better oxtail ragus that i've tasted. For dessert we shared salted butter semifreddo hot fudge sundae with poached pears, maple syrup and pecans. I had no idea what semifreddo was, but apparently it's italian for home made semi soft/melty ice cream. It is definitely great if you like ice cream, salted caramel, roasted walnuts, poached pears, or all of the above. It had that nice salty sweet flavor that's all the rage now a days. The ice cream was soft flavorful and gooey.
(4)Robert P.
First time at Amis but big Vetri fan. We hosted a birthday party with 12 guests. Event staff and managers were very helpful and professional with all communication and details. Arranged a 3 course prix fix menu. Day of event. Great service even with the large group. Very attentive wait staff. No shortage of food at all for the table. Staff was more than willing to bring out more of any dish that we liked. Quality of food and presentation not at all hindered by the size of the group. Everything was perfectly done. Courses well timed. Not rushed at all. Very nice touch printing custom menus for the meal. Only two minor comments was that the pork chop with quince and polenta was not cut up for the group (it was exceptional tho). And they cleared a couple almost untouched dessert plates without asking if we would like to take home (we didn't say anything about it at the time). Overall the dinner was what I would expect from a Vetri establishment and more. Would recommend for groups and can't wait to go back!
(5)Laurel W.
My husband and I have been coming to Amis for over a year now. We love the food and the staff so much that we eat here at least once a week! They have specials every night, switch up the menu between seasons, and all the food is fantastic! The manager, Brian, is a great guy who always makes us feel special and appreciated. The cocktails, food, and all the staff Brian, Lindsay, Mark, Tracy, and the rest of the gang are all topnotch. We think Amis is the best of Vetri's restaurants and not to be missed.
(5)Daniel A.
Had a really nice experience. Sat outside an enjoy a nice dinner. Service great and food came up fast and delicious. Defenitely would go again.
(5)Daniel T.
We were very underwhelmed with Amis. Between 3 of us, we spent about $280, including food, drinks, tax and tip. The drinks good. The limontella was really good but very sweet so hard to drink more than one. The food was not so good. Of about 8 plates, we were happy with two. The oxtail gnocchi and the arancinis were good. We ordered the octopus and it was awful. We actually sent it back. It tasted like frozen octopus with no flavor and basically dissolved in our mouths. The snail bruschetta was way too salty. The stuffed clams lacked flavor and were too salty as well. We began talking to the table next to us when they saw us send back a plate. They too said their food wasn't good. For dessert, the server was raving about the tiramisu. It tasted like whipped cream with cinnamon on top. He also said his favorite dessert was the pear tart. It was awful. It had no flavor. The mint leat on top was completely wilted as if it had been sitting in the fridge for a week. For a $10 dessert, the garnish should never be wilted, and I think the lack of freshness in the garnish really carried over through the whole meal. I will definitely not be returning.
(2)Lisa D.
It was just ok. I had the gnocchi and I've had better. Service was good.
(3)Bella Vista R.
So, Wow. Was glad to hear that a Vetri place was coming to the 'hood. We have been several times since it opened and literally have not had a bad dish. First of all the best deal is the $20 caraffe of house wine that has about 5 glasses in it. Seriously where else are you gonna get a decent glass of wine in the city for 4 bucks?! Let alone a Vetri place? Anyway, the food is awesome and yeah a little small, but c'mon, do you really expect a place like this to give huge portions? Go for the Bucatini with Pork Jowl, the Ox-tail Gnocchi, and the Waffle Dessert. Have fun, enjoy the communal tables, and the great food. Our bill? Two carafes of wine, two apps, 4 pasta dishes and 1 dessert? $120 even.
(5)Wen C.
Based on Vetri's reputation, we figured it would ok to go even though Amis just opened. And we were right, service was fantastic- in fact it seemed like they had extra staff on hand and Marc Vetri was there too. the waiter described the food as small plates but I thought they were actually bigger than most small plates. Between two of us we over ordered : three antipasti (fennel salami, marinated sardines, arancini), a pasta with pork jowl, tuna with fennel and citrus and two desserts (espresso budino and olive oil torta). all were delicious. the atmosphere was comfortable, loud but in a good way for a casual restaurant. I agree that the classic rock in the background was a little bizarre, but then again i kind of liked the unexpected contrast between the music and the rest of the atmosphere.
(4)Gustavo B.
Amis is a hit or miss kind of restaurant, that is why the mix reviews. We all started with some bruschetta, except for me. I had the trippa alla romana (tripe stew), for which our friendly waitress encourage my menu selection. Well, the bruschettas were all very appetizing, but my stew was pretty average. It tasted kind of cheesy, and I don't even think cheese is supposed to be an ingredient. I have had the original dish in Florence, and also the Spaniard version of this dish. Both very different than Amis version. As a main course my wife had one of the pasta specials and I had the roasted lamb with potatoes. The pasta was just average, my lamb was very dry. Overall, the worst lamb dish I have had in Philadelphia so far. We were disappointed about coming here for dinner. I mean, Amis chef is a James Beard award winning chef, and the food we had was just average at best. At least it was not extremely expensive for what we ate. Also the restaurant is so loud that you can barely hear the waitresses or the people sitting in front/next to you. Service was good. Their prosecco is not bad.
(3)W M.
I love what Amis is doing. We were there for Philly beer week. The menu is pushing the envelope. Fish meatballs, mint lamb ragu, cucumber salad with mint and ricotta... On the more normal end we also had the grilled seafood, bruschetta, and a cheese platter, all of which were delicious. Our service was great, the food was exceptional, and I really liked the atmosphere. The place isnt cheap, but it is certainly not overpriced. Amis is INCREDIBLE for Philadelphia. I hope Vetri keeps the menu adventuresome. Likewise, I hope he keeps changing the menu so diners can experience new combinations and flavors each time they go. I am a foody, but I would never have put mint in a ragu in a million years. While there is a BYOB difference for some of the restaurants im about to mention, why go to Audrey Claire, Twenty Manning, MeMe, Friday Saturday Sunday, or Valanni, when you can experience something totally different at Amis.
(5)Karin R.
Cucina Romana is a unique cuisine that focuses on preparing fresh ingredients in a simple manner. The flavor should be intense and clean. They are at Amis. Our dinner left me feeing like I was back in my favorite trattoria in Rome. Nice bar, good wines that can be bought by the glass or bottle at reasonable prices. Be sure to start your evening with an cocktail apertivo and save room for the dolci.
(5)Cypress P.
Love at first bite. Really. It is THAT good. I have to admit, I found the menu to be a bit intimidating, but luckily for me I wasn't doing the ordering. Everything that was ordered for me and suggested by the bartender was incredible. We had an assortment of "meatballs" ( swordfish, traditional, and tuna croquettes) and each was better than the last! The only thing that I would consinder to be average were the mussels, but the blush sauce that they were in was perfect for dipping the fresh bread in! Can't wait to return.
(5)Sandy D.
Loved Amis. My wife and I went there for the first time and I could not have been happier with the food and the service, absolutely first rate. We had the veal tongue, for the first time ever, and it was fantastic. We wish we had more room to sample deeper into the menu, but it will have to wait for future visits which are already getting booked.
(4)Michele C.
My husband took me here tonight for Valentine's Day dinner. I knew nothing about the place in advance except that it's a Marc Vetri restaurant, and he is an amazing chef (though I've yet to make it to Osteria, it's on my list). We were not disappointed. Every dish was fantastic. I stuffed myself silly (small plates? how much can I eat? yeah, right) and hope to save up all day next time for a meal this good. Brief description: this sleek industrial/modern space is really inviting. I love the fact that you can eat at the bar and watch the cooking take place. That is really cool :) The place was noisier than I expected and the tables were very close together, so you were kind of sitting (almost) on your neighbor's lap.... but these are minor details :) Now onto the food..... there is much to choose from, which is nice... I'm a huge eggplant fan, and the highlight of my evening was the eggplant brushetta dish. I have never had eggplant spread that good. My only complaint was that two small slices of garlic toast were not enough to sop up all of this goodness (no fear, there was other delicious bread on the table). If you get nothing else at Amis, get the eggplant bruschetta. A close second are the eggplant "fries" that strangely decorate the rigatoni with swordfish. Delish and addicting. If they sold these fries from a street vendor, I'd be in big trouble.... Other standouts: Roasted potatoes (my husband's favorite), crispy and delicious Baked clams (yummmmm) Turkey cutlet - who would of thought that turkey mascerading as a thinly pounded veal cutlet could taste so good? Simple, but delicious, and nice with the accompanying greens and freshly shaved parmesan. Others: The grilled cauliflower lightly breaded -- ok, but not exceptional. It was too hard for my taste. Beef carpaccio - nothing against, it, just not my thing (hubby loved it) I hope I'm not forgetting anything.... Desserts were good. The menu is extensive and everything looked delicious. We had an "ice cream sundae" with the most delicious amaretto-tasting ice cream I've ever had, sprinkled with walnuts and covered in fudge. My husband had the chocolate ganache cake that was good, but I wasn't a huge fan. I'm coming back for the Belgian waffle with nutella ... had I not had pancakes for breakfast, I definitely would have gotten it. Service was great. Very attentive and helpful. A new favorite -- we'll be back for more.
(5)D J.
The food was good, and just what we expected. The place was too loud, though, and the music didn't help (although it was good music). Also, sitting at the communal table gets a little uncomfortable after awhile without backs on the stools. But, the food delivers, and the service was good. It's a lot like eating cicchetti or spuntini at a bar in Italy. Except that at Amis, you don't have to engage in elbow battle at the counter with other hungry people, and you have a piece of paper with snacks listed by name, so you don't have to point. From that standpoint, eating at Amis was a real pleasure. Our waiter was always around to get us more of what we wanted. We could order anything at any time and it was easy to ask questions and make changes. My one gripe is that the servings need to be either smaller and cheaper, or larger to accommodate sharing. We would have gladly dispensed with the "main" courses (although they were excellent) and had nothing but snacks, wine and contorni. From our perspective, it would have been better to have had 8 little crostini with a small selection of different toppings for $12 rather than two pieces of bruschetta for $10. We can't wait to go back, though. It's going to be great in the spring and summer when the menu can take advantage of local producers. One last quibble... This is simple food, and you don't need a suit to seat people for it. The welcoming committee needs to dress more casually.
(4)Michele S.
Cute little restaurant with fabulous food. We didn't have reservations, which I would recommend, but they somehow fit us in. Would definitely go back but it is a little pricey so just be prepared!
(4)Christie E.
I got the cacio e pepe pasta dish, the scallops crudo and the pitzel and semifreddo sandwhich all of which were amazing. My date's dish was the pork chop, good but not as great. Also, great service!
(4)Ripp K.
Creative and original food well executed. Highly recommend you try the swordfish meatballs. The vibe and restaurant is very open, rustic and comfortable. Wine selection was fantastic and the bartender we sat with b4 our meal made some great suggestions. Only knock on the place was our waiter who was about as fun and enjoyable as drywall. Otherwise highly recommend it and will be back. ALSO the music on the sunday night we went was awesome. rolling stones, fleetwood mac, the beetles...i was in classic rock heaven.
(4)Jenny S.
I came here with a large group for a dinner with coworkers and it was amazing!! The service couldn't have been better (and we had some high maintenance folks with us). The ambience was very quaint but elegant and the food was fabulous. Dessert was my favorite- some chocolate cake with peanut butter inside. Mmmm! Two thumbs up for sure!
(5)Dom R.
Brunch'ed it at Amis for my mother's birthday celebration. We were a group of 5 and were seated at a round table. Because of said seating at round table, we decided to play a game. A Food Ordering Game. We started with my mother, who picked one item to order off of the menu. We worked clockwise around this round table, with each person ordering a different item off of the menu. The only Rule of this Ordering Game: no duplicate items can be ordered. This allowed for our party to try almost the entire menu, as we made it about 5 times around the table. Our server thought we were both funny and nuts at the same time. The cichetti-like plates (italian tapas) made this ordering game a success. The highlights for me were definately the Sunny Side Up Duck Egg with Grilled Guanciale and Pecorino Fondue. Anything with guanciale and I'm in...I could eat this dish for breakfast every day. If breakfast (and eggs!) were actually a relevant meal in Italy, i could see this being served all over the country. The mortadella mousse was equally amazing. The Italian cocktails worked perfectly with this brunch menu and are much more interesting than your standard Bloody Mary/ Mimosa brunch boredom. A good cappuccino is hard to find in America, let alone Philly. The cappuccino at Amis is as authentic as it gets and will hit tyour cappuccino fix. Overall, I give Amis 4 Stars. Only 4 because I gave 5 Stars to Amis' big brother Osteria. And the big borther is always better, right?!? I need to return to Amis for dinner soon. The Belgian Waffles with Nutella are calling my name.
(4)M D.
I really didn't get the hype of this place and was essentially disappointed after having read the rave reviews. Makes me think trendy metro Philadelphian diners live on boxed mac and cheese except when they eat here. The menu is eclectic to say the least. So over-the-top eclectic that deciding on something was just to pick a few things and hope for the best. Low lighting is usually a good sign that the dishes are not eye appealing and of course they were all mega-petite as well. The salumni, -- the terrine was the better part of it but if not for the sauces, nothing amazing. The baked pecorino with honey was a cup with a half-inch of melted cheese at the bottom. The squid salad had no flavor. The swordfish meatballs were good (not for everyone's palate) but the polenta did not match and was bland as hell. Fried cauliflower, again nothing to write home about. From the entrees, our server, who was very gracious but lacked table-side personality, recommended the chicken sausage. Really, this reminded me of the turkey sausage patties at the breakfast buffet, gnarly and salty, and served over the once-again bland brown polenta. Four over-salted scallops for $24; not fried, but seriously charred salty brussels sprouts; my friend who loves whole fish was not impressed with the bone-laden, flesh-lacking Dorado and the thin pork chop was similar to what one gets from using Shake n' Bake. Perhaps a home-made pasta dish would have brought redemption but we didn't try any. Semi-fredo with chopped fruit and chocolate sauce is a mix of odd texture and taste that obliterates the smoothness. By 7pm, the noise level was so aggravating. If this was Italian fusion, it doesn't work and we wondered why an Italian restaurant has a French name, but moreso, when I drop over $300 on dinner (only because few of us had cocktails), I expect to be wowed. Not the case here. Apparently the celebrity Vetri name no longer needs to prove quality. Eating a name? Maybe for some, not for me.
(2)Charles R.
Too fast on the food, but otherwise very good. Unlike other reviews on here our dinner from start to finish was very good. Salad was fresh, crisp, cold and had a wonderful light dressing on it. Sweetbreads were very tender and rich. Probably rate them as good as Fonds. Pasta with cabbage and house made sausage was cooked perfectly and had wonderful combination of flavors. Pasta with Ox Tail ragu was very rich and the pasta was al dente. House made Tiramisu was a little different than most in Philly as it was moist , but now overpowering with rum sauce. Portions were good sized, and the fresh baked bread was moist and tasty. My only complaint was the pace of the meal. Once we ordered the courses came really fast, much faster than I would like. They were packed and had lots of people sitting at the bar waiting for tables so maybe that was the rush on the food, but next time I would request a breather between courses. They just started a valet service which comes in very handy around that area. Prices I thought were nominal for downtown in an upscale setting. Yes, it is very loud, but what "in" restaurants in this city are quiet? I would put this on a par with Osteria.
(4)David F.
I'd say it's three stars for dinner, but five stars for brunch (so four is an average). So go on Saturday or Sunday morning, and start with a Granita, which is an amazing cocktail of prosecco and accompanying red wine granita. You could stop there and the trip would have been worth your while -- but don't. Go for the raviolo al uovo, and pair it with roasted potatoes. There's no better way to start the day.
(4)Lily W.
I just came back here from a dinner. We went to an early dinner on Sunday afternoon and it was still quite crowded. On Sundays they offer a "sunday supper" family style meal. It was pasta with gravy and meatballs. We didn't get that but a couple of people around us did and it looked good. For starters we had the bufalo ricotta and salumi plate. Very tasty. For entrees I had the squash lasagna which I enjoyed a lot. I love squash. My brother got the rib eye which was very good quality meat, very tasty but very rare though so watch out if you like your meat well done. My dad got the gnochhi with oxtail ragu which was very nice. My mother ordered the pasta with pecorino romano - I don't know why she did that because she hates pasta with cream sauce. I can't comment on that dish but it was not her cup of tea. Dessert was amazing - I got tartufo and this was not your standard tartufo. The ice cream in it was all chocolate with hazelnuts. My brother got the amazing nutella waffle sundae and my dad the pistachio profiteroles. I am stuffed and ready for bed now. Nice ambience - the tables are a little close together but whatever. I would like to return.
(4)hiro m.
Good dinner, amazing dessert. The tartufo, tiramisu, affogato, and olive-oil based cake were all fantastic. The portions for food were small compared with what I'm accustomed to, but most of the food was good. Apparently the pork shoulder wasn't so great (someone at my table ordered it and wasn't taken with it). I tasted the tonarelli and the eggplant parm lasagna -- both were quite tasty. Sitting outside was really nice.
(4)James E.
My girlfriend and i went to Amis after seeing a few good reviews and realizing the restaurant was so close. The atmosphere was great, we slipped into a few open tables at the chef's counter and ordered our meal. While their wine list was somewhat expensive, we got a carafe of the house red and moved on from there. Their mussels were excellent and our waiter brought us extra bruschetta out, effectively doubling our order. The oxtail ragu and the mixed seafood grill were both excellent as well as the rice pudding and pistacio crusted chocolate cake that soon followed. Our bill was $120 figuring in a $20 gratuity and within 1.5hrs we had a very satisfying meal. We're returning soon to give brunch a try.
(4)Patricia H.
Went back last week...ordered the same dishes and more this time and the food was extremely average. very disappointing.
(3)Tyler B.
We had a wonderful experience at Amis. On a Wednesday night, we were promptly greeted and seated in a warm inviting atmosphere. The wine selection was appropriate for the small plate and large plate offerings. I enjoyed the octopus antipasti and braised oyster mushrooms pasta dish (both delicious). My dinner companion enjoyed a rather simple starter salad and the citrus grilled tuna steak. I sampled both. The tuna steak was served very rare and tasted fresh, especially with the light citrus highlights. Overall, the food was delicious! The portions were medium-large sized...we left satisfied but not stuffed. Finally, the service was excellent...from greeter to server to support staff. This makes a big difference to me, having experienced too many other restaurants where the servers are inexperienced or indifferent or both. Even with a lot of other restaurants in the city we'd like to try, we talked about plans to come back to Amis! Next time I will leave room so I can try one of the desserts.
(5)Megan K.
got to hang out with my fav friend and we decided to meet here. it was crowded, but miraculously 2 seats were open at the bar. the place is small and cute. outside seating, which is a huge plus. its definitely a sexy date spot. the bartenders joanne and brian were awesome. they were busy, but never let our glasses go empty. they suggested what to try, we shared a bunch of small plates. everything was super tasty. overall, very pleasant.
(4)Missy B.
Last night, I went to Amis with 6 other friends and had a great dining experience. First, the service was great. Everyone was friendly and worked hard to accommodate our large table. The exposed wood and iron decor was unique and welcoming. The food was sensational! Our table ordered several bruschettas, pastas, and entrees. My favorites: Buffalo Ricotta Bruschetta, Eggplant Bruschetta, ALL of the pastas and the roasted lamb with potatoes. (Potatoes were cooked perfectly-A huge compliment coming from a true Irish Meat and Potatoes girl). I would recommend anyone to go.
(5)Kevin D.
Just made the worthwhile trip to Chef Marc Vetri's third fantastic restaurant venture, Amis... Envisioned by Vetri with Gruber Design Associates, the 80-seat space is as unique as it is delightful with distressed zinc bar, repurposed tables, church-pew banquettes from Provenance, raw steel throughout and gorgeous faceted mirror pendants by way of Groundwork. Already a media darling after just two weeks, Amis is already planning to expand service to include lunch come March.
(5)Michael S.
This was our second time at Amis. Our first visit was perfection with an excellent waitress and terrific food, our second visit was so so. We were measuring our second visit against our first. We started with the seafood misto which was overseasoned, the prusiutto wrapped figs which was the tastiest dish of the night, and escarole salad which was average. There was a mix-up with our drinks so we didn't get our drinks until after we finished our appetizers, this was taken off of the bill. My wife had paccheri with swordfish - she was disappointed because she felt the sauce to be excessively oily and the eggplant fries which were undercooked (eggplant is not very good if not well cooked). I had the Turkey milanese which was exceptional and not the first food I would think about at an Italian Restaurant, but well worth it. It was cooked to perfection. We ended with the yogurt semifreddo with braised cherries. We would recommend this. The service on this visit fell well short of our first visit where the waitress proactively explained the menu, made wine recommendations with each dish, and was pleasant. On this visit, we were asked often about the menu "do you have any questions?", but very littlle was offered unless we asked. It was a pleasant evening out, but not exceptional.
(3)Lea S.
The server was friendly and super knowledgeable about the entire menu; however the food did not live up to the expectation for a Vetri restaurant.
(3)Tamara W.
My boyfriend was meeting me and another couple there, but was delayed by the snow. So I had to keep pushing back our reservation. They were super accommodating, on a Friday night no less, which definitely won me over. The food, though, was not all that remarkable. Don't get me wrong, everything was tasty, but nothing stands out upon reflection. Except the "semifreddo," but that's only because it was more like a custard than a real semifreddo. It had a nice flavor profile, but the texture and consistency were off. Anyway, having never been to Vetri, I could be wrong about this, but this seems like the perfect place for people who love Mark Vetri, can't afford his flagship enterprise on a regular basis, but want to get as close to that experience as possible without setting all their money on fire to do it again.
(3)Joseph N.
Had dinner at Amis last night and was not impressed. Starting with cocktails, they were overpriced and small. Wine was also overpriced and the quantity seemed to be less than other restaurants. We started dinner with the melted pecorino with almond honey was was ok and followed that with the squid ink linguine was was very salty and did not have a lot of flavor. My wife had Skate for her entree which was unremarkable except for the brussle sprouts which were outstanding. I had the rib eye which for 26.00 was pencil thin and probably no more than 4 ounces of meet. For desert we had the tiramisu which was unremarkable and when my wife ordered Irish coffee, it was served in a coffee cup with no whip cream and a separate charge of 9.00 for a shot of Jamison's Irish Whiskey. The ambiance was very noisy and don't understand why they choose the music they did. it added to the noise and was not relaxing. Why not play something soothing? Service was attentive and kudos to the valet who told us to give the waitress our claim tick 10 to 15 minutes before we wanted the car so it would be waiting for us. We have now eaten at three of Vetri's restaurants and the only one I would return to is Osteria.f
(2)Kimberly J.
I stopped by Amis late on a Thursday evening to meet a friend. It was absolutely packed! Being extremely comfortable at the bar, we managed to grab a seat and decided to eat there as well. He ordered various dishes for us to share (normally I'm not one to let this happen, but when in Rome...right?). The first to arrive was the bruschetta, which was quickly followed by an escarole salad and the infamous "Sals old school meatballs". Honestly the best meatballs I've ever had. (Sorry, Gram.) We then split the gnocchi alla romana and capped off the night with the walnut apple cake. Every bite was amazing...and extremely filling, I think I literally waddled out the door. Fortunately I didn't have to pick up the check, but I would undoubtedly pass up a few nights at my local pub to be able to indulge in this Italian delicacy again. In addition to the food, the atmosphere is modern, yet cozy and the waitstaff was extremely friendly. It's the perfect place to bring a date or to go for a night out with your girlfriends.
(5)Kristine D.
Went here for dinner last night, and some aspects of the menu are right on. The whole left side of the menu is appetizer and smaller dishes. This is where Amis goes right. All the little dishes are presented well and mix delightfully. The marinated tomatos and bufala cheese were incredible. Lots of bread for dipping as well. The bacon wrapped figs were just OK. We ordered dinner and after the incredible presentaion of the appetizers, we all felt a little let down. There was no presentation or dress of any kind on the dinners. I had the pork shoulder, which was cold, shredded pork on a bed of arugala with plums and mangos. Although this was quite good, it was somewhat bland and too small. i should have ordered a side with it, like the server recommended. My fiance ordered the lamb and potatoes. Again, no presentation. Just meat on a plate with potatoes. The lamb looked dry, but was tender. The dinner plates were mostly boring, and i felt robbed of the experience. Dessert lightened the mood as we had the waffle with nutella, hazelnuts and ice cream (almond maybe?) The wine list is nice, but expensive. Overall, it was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be, but we still spent $60 per person. If I were to go back, I might stay at the bar and have all appetizers.
(3)patrick k.
mushy gnocchi.
(3)Rick C.
I wasn't feeling that great and before heading over to Philly with my wife and another couple for dinner at Amis I looked at the website menu (as I often do). Oh no, I thought, another trendy, noisy, "Tapas" restaurant with pig jowls and fried eggs! I'll admit I walked in with a chip on my shoulder, but I came away with a favorable impression of Amis, especially the food. First, some negative observations (that's me, of course!): We arrived on time for our 7:45 Saturday evening reservation and our table was certainly available but we were directed to the bar for drinks while they checked to see if our table was ready. I felt this was bad form although my friend Ricky disagreed as it was Saturday night and we were there for the "experience". Its hard for me to make a huge deal of this since I was not drinking alcohol and like I said I wasn't 100%. Anyway, I ordered an unsweetened iced tea and that seemed a bit much for the bartender as was my wife's bloody mary drink order - no bloody mary mix! We were naturally seated as soon as we had drinks so I guess that wasn't too bad. The chairs were light weight and flimsy. If you stood up and your coat and/or pocket book was on the back of your chair, it would fall back onto the floor. We were provided with those lint-inducing white dish towel napkins and I was wearing a black sweater and black jeans. I did request a black napkin though and the staff was happy to provide me with one. The rest rooms were a bit of a mess...overflowing trash cans filled with crappy brown paper towels like they must provide in prison and standing water all around the sink counters. Toward the end of the evening I did discover that an effort had been made to do some tidying up at least. The noise level was quite high by the end of our experience. We were kidding around about all the apps you can download on an iphone, so at my urging Ricky did just that and the level was over 90 decibels out of 110 max on his app. The manager explained that they (owner Marc Vetri and his team, I guess) were going for that kind of loud Roman trattoria feel. They got the loud part! Last negative...the new valet parking service was not on its game as we waiting a loooooong time for our car at the end of the evening and the manager was very apologetic but clearly frustrated with the outside vendor. Now for the food, and it was good, beyond my negative expectations. You see, I'm one of maybe the minority that was not yet a Vetri fan. I had found Osteria (on 2 visits) to be pretentious and way to full of itself. And trendy oh so trendy with brined chicken, herbs grown on site (on North Broad Street, really?), every part of the pig brought into play, etc. Amis for me was much better. The escarole salad with apples and radishes was wonderful and a much larger portion than I had expected in a "small plates" format. My companions loved the fennel gratin with parmesan salad. The skate was really great - it was served with fried brussel sprouts that were cooked just right and so tasty! Ricky raved about the rotini with wild boar ragu and pears (think San Gimignano, Italy!). Bonus points to the restaurant and our excellent server for honoring my personal request for no added salt or pepper. Probably the best was last - the desserts. The belgian style waffles with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazlenuts were great as was the "tartuffo al bacio". Judy loved the rice pudding but she loves everything anywhere and I found it to be on the runny side and nothing special. By the way there were 4 semifreddos on the dessert list...really? I'm a little unusual so I like green tea, not coffee. I give Amis bonus points for being able to provide a quality bag of green tea to end our meal. With drinks and a bottle of red wine (the cheapest on the menu I think), dinner with a good tip ran us $155/couple so it wasn't cheap, but I'd have to say that I'd recommend Amis. 4 stars out of 5.
(4)Catherine S.
I have been to Amis twice now and was disappointed both times. While the atmosphere and service are great, they can't make up for the obscenely small portions and obscenely high prices. The menu is deceiving because everything is priced $10-25; but it takes about 2 of their "entree-sized" dishes or 4 of their "lighter bite" dishes per person to give you the sense of having actually eaten dinner. Add on a few drinks, and there is no way you're having dinner for two for under $130 there (and you'll still probably go home and break out the cereal). I hate leaving a restaurant feeling ripped off, but that's exactly how I felt both times I left Amis.
(1)Jennifer S.
I have now been to Amis three times, once for dinner and twice for brunch. Love it! The night I went for dinner we sat outside which always gets points with me. I thought the food was excellent and the portions not too huge which is perfect if you want a few apps and a dessert in there too. I had the swordfish over fresh pasta (pacciere), hot and very good. I hate to say it but what stands out most in my mind from the dinner was the molten chocolate cake. If I had my choice though, I would return to Amis again and again (as I have) for the brunch. The interior of the restaurant is really beautiful, I love the open style kitchen and watching the prep. The fresh orange juice is worth it, as is the coffee. My first time for brunch I was with my mom, we shared the bruschetta with fresh ricotta and tomatoes. Amazing, so delicious and simple, and easily replicated at home. My main was the frittata baked with wild mushrooms, good but a little dry. My mother had the polenta with brown butter and sage- excellent- the artichokes and some cheese from the daily selection. My second trip there I enjoyed the fresh pasta with butternut squash and a cream sauce. Truly outstanding... it was heavy for brunch, but the portion was small enough that it was a perfect indulgence. It looks like the menu is constantly changing appropriate to what's in season. If you are looking for a place for brunch that is really a cut above the rest this is your place. Thank you Marc Vetri!!
(5)Brittany L.
Went here the night before the Philadelphia Marathon so my husband could have his pasta dinner. It was delicious! We ordered several appetizers, all of which were gone immediately, including the extra artichoke they brought to our table. I had the papardelle with meat sauce. The homemade pasta makes all the difference, so wonderful! Next time we're visiting family in Philly, we'll have to take another trip to Amis.
(5)Richard C.
We had a great meal at Amis. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out so that was helpful. The baked pecorino with almond honey was fantastic. I had the guinea hen for dinner which was very flavorful but not as tender as I expected. I ordered a bottle of wine but they were out of stock so I settled for something different. It was a good experience and I would definitely go back again.
(4)Jacky O.
A very clever and thoughtful menu that results in a wide range of unique taste experiences, with an educated and personable staff and a cool industrial vibe inside. Excellent wine list and probably the best pasta dishes in Philadelphia. Take a risk with your order - you won't regret it.
(4)Addy P.
Yum! Have been to Vetri and Osteria and loved both so I figured I'd enjoy Amis - I was right. The atmosphere was lively and energetic. Amis appeals an energetic crowd. I had the lamb ragu and it was delicious. The restaurant is more affordable than Vetri's others and offers a diverse menu. Highly recommended!
(4)Emilio M.
i happen to love all of the Vetri restaurants b/c i believe their attention to detail is second to none. this place is no different. we were in center city yesterday for my younger son and we decided last minute to stop in for brunch. this is absolutely the best kept secret in Philly. no waiting (first time ever and you know how good the food is), and a very relaxing atmosphere to just hang out and sample the whole menu. my wife and i started with great campari cocktails. we then had the olive oil torta w/ apple butter and fresh whipped cream, what a moist delicious cake. being a cheese guy i wanted to try the baked pecorino with almond honey, it was a fondue w/crushed almonds in honey, how simply basic italian and a real treat. next Tonnarelli carbonara, raviolo all'uovo (which my son devoured), & squash lasagna (sooo goood). then house made polenta scrapple with farm eggs and tomatoes & sunny side up duck egg with grilled guanciale over soft creamy polenta, WOW! and if that weren't enough, my son needed dessert. we had a tiramisu and the choc pear torta for good measure. needless to say this held us over thru dinner as well. what a great way to experience the restaurant and how fantastic all of their ingredients are.
(5)Michael M.
My family and I were just walking around looking for a place to have lunch before leaving for the airport, and we are glad we walked into this place. Starting off with the waitress coming over to introduce the menu, everything sounded very interesting. We ordered A few different appetizers and all were very good, and the bread basket was amazing with scones, raisin bread, and chocolate muffins. My mom and sister ordered the gnocchi and they were very good. I ordered the fettuccine with duck that was also amazing.
(5)Chris B.
The food was ok not great, in particular there was a recurrent theme of pairing anything that was savory, including pastas, with something sweet. And in the case of the meat platter it was overwhelming sweet that drowned out the savory. In any case I also have to say the drinks were mediocre at best and mainly not enjoyable. (Eg. Whiskey sour with sour mix from a liquor store and NO egg white available) I do recommend the ox tail ragu pasta which was al dente and despite the added sweet was very good. Overall If this restaurant was in SF, NYC, Seattle, Portland there is little chance it would survive and it definitely wouldn't be a foodie destination.
(3)Ashlee P.
Amazing meal with amazing service to match. Restaurant was packed and our server managed to make us feel like we were her only table. And the food....oh the food, how incredible!!! From delectable crumbly pecorino cheeses to hearty plates of pastas and finally to our meats, mine, a deliciousy glazed pork chop, his a citrus tuna with fennel pasta...I will definitely be going back! Not a good atmosphere for a romantic dinner, very open layout, so it tends to get rather loud...
(5)Alex X.
13th street, Philly With friends who are foodies (who don't even do yelp but always seem to know where to go), they brought me here, and we had a magical night! Loved the atmosphere in here-good for groups. Food was pretty good! They ordered; I ate! It is has been some time since I was here, but I would come back. Don't expect me to know what Im eating; all I ask them is: any allergens Im allergic to in these dishes? Friends approve the food or warn me by moving the dishes I can't eat away from my reach; I eat. Lol. Life is great when ur friends order and you never have to read the menu , but I also never know what the heck I'm eating in the menu. As I result I am terrible orderer. And I "eeny meeny miney mo" a lot on menus. But hey when friends are foodies/chefs they know exactly what tastes great! And it is yummy at this reataurant! So come for the food and stay longer for the ambience!
(4)Joanie K.
After reading all the lovely reviews, i booked a reservation here while i was visiting philly for the wknd. i was not impressed. food was standard unimaginative italian fare. service was judgmental and far too snooty for the kind of place this is billed for.
(1)Irma I.
Huge Marc Verti fan so with our recent Philly trip I made it a point to make reservations. We were seated promptly on a Friday night. The tables are in close proximity to each other, but that's just the way most restaurants are nowadays. Of course I had reviewed yelp before and I knew exactly what I wanted to order. We had the eggplant caponata- nicely balanced. This was an excellent way to start our meal- it was served with really good bread. Had Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato- these were flavorful and just perfect. Also had tonnarelli "cacio e pepe"- Anthony Bourdain did not steer me wrong. :) I know there is a lot of talk about how small the plates are but my husband & I shared these dishes (maybe four?), & we were perfectly satisfied. One point deduction for forgetting my 2nd wine of glass. :( However, we would definitely return.
(4)Ali W.
Everything was delicious, from the apps to the dessert. They had a great selection of vegetarian options, in addition to fresh fish and meat specials. I took my parents here for my dad's birthday - they're total foodies - and they loved it. The atmosphere is great, very casual and cool. It gets a little loud in there, but not too loud that you can't hear the people you're with when talking at normal volume. The only regret I have about going to Amis is that we didn't go there sooner. So delicious!
(5)Barbara D.
A lovely dinner by another spawn of the Vetri collection. I've eaten at Vetri before and absolutely was blown away by the food. However, I've been curious about their larger and more relaxed option, Amis, and finally had the joy of dining here tonight. Great service. Wonderful food. Impressive wine and cocktails. Nothing to shake your finger at here! Had the arancini (SO GOOD) & beet salad to share, and then the rigatoni with black pepper sausage special (perfect preparation and lots of flavor, but not too heavy), and pork shank (which was HUGE, but just as the server said...so tender that it feel right off the bone). My client has an aversion to meat on the bone, but LOVED this dish and it didn't bother them one bit! Definitely will try to return and putting it in my arsenal for client go-to places! Looking forward to coming back to try desserts!!! The belgian waffle with nutella looked INCREDIBLE.
(5)Abbie R.
I would give Amis 3.5 stars if I could. The atmosphere is swanky and dark, just how I love it. And you can look right into the kitchen which is always adds to the ambiance. This would be one of the best places in Philly to take a date based on the romance-inducing decor, if it only weren't so loud. The tables are as close together as they could possibly be without touching, so it's sometimes hard to hear the person across from you when you're sandwiched between two conversations each inches away. Add in a loud bar behind you, and you might find yourself shouting at your date. But it's Philly, it's the city, I get it. It's how it's done. Forgiven. The olive oil focaccia was dynamite. I could have eaten two or three entire baskets if I was willing to abandon all social rules. I also had [four glasses of] the Amis Punch. It was a delicious balance of sweet and tangy and had so much flavor there was really no bite to it. It's made with aperol, handmade vodka, and lemon. Yum. I liked it too much. We had such a boisterous and filling time with the punch that we decided to just snack on appetizers. Ordered three swordfish meatballs -- yes, yes, and yes. I don't even know how they pulled this off. The swordfish tasted grilled but it also had the savory slow roasted flavor of a meatballs, served over creamy polenta. Magic. We also tried the fried brussels sprouts. Not bad at all. Brussels sprouts can be hard to get just right, and they pulled it off. We finished it all off with the tiramisu that they had on special that night. It had a nice cream, but they could have gone a little heavier on the coffee liqueur (not that I needed any more alcohol at that point). My dining partner got a Jamison and coffee and enjoyed it. I had a Kaluah and cream which was like drinking ice cream. Very, very tasty. Gosh, based on food and atmosphere alone, this place would be nearing five-stars but I have to take off a full star for how poor the service was. When I walked in, I told the hostess I was meeting someone. She guessed my friend's name but then offered no further instructions. "Ahh, is he here?" "Yeah, he's at the bar." "Where's the bar?" She looked at me like I was asking what color Big Bird is. Sorry girlfriend, I've never been here before and it's not in sight! She gave a gesture to a general direction and then I found it myself. I'm not even sure if we had a waiter that night. It seemed like we were being passed between a few people, and our glasses were always empty. I had to wave down our server (making my best estimate on who that was) three times. When they did bring us drinks, it was a different person than we ordered from, and we had each other's drinks. I'm pretty patient with wait staff but when you're dropping dollar bills like you have to at Amis, they should be on their game. I'm guessing based on the other reviews that we hit it on a bad night. Still go. Enough of the Amis Punch will make any waiter seem like the best you've ever had.
(3)Tito B.
Bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. Bucatini with Jalapeño and almond pesto. BUCATINI WITH JALAPENO AND ALMOND PESTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go now! Put into face! Repeat! YOU'RE WELCOME! Also deliciously notable: Baked pecorino and honey- very good Swordfish meatballs: THE BEST MEATBALLS I'VE EVER HAD. INCLUDING ACTUAL MEAT BALLS. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe: fresh pasta, cheese and black pepper. Incredibly delicious. Rice pudding: as good as it gets. Rice to Riches in NYC needs to take a lesson from the folks at Amis.
(5)Abby B.
Cute little space with a nice-sized bar. Went here just for drinks, but will hopefully be back for some food in the future! Easily grabbed a seat at the bar on a Saturday night. I ordered the Limoncello Collins, which was fabulous - very refreshing on a hot, humid summer evening! My husband really wanted a sazerac, but the bartender didn't know how to make it, so he went with the Mezcal, which he stated was good (I'm not a whiskey drinker, so I think it all tastes awful!) The bartenders were attentive, and friendly, but not overly so. They make tasty drinks quickly and efficiently, end of story. Hope to return to try the food at some point!
(4)Kemi A.
I didn't have the greatest experience here. I started with a cocktail which was okay. No complaints. The bread we were brought was BURNT! Who serves burnt bread? It's not like 1 one was burnt was all was burnt...we had to dig/peel the inner core and eat that. Was it suppose to be served with olive oil? Because we didn't get any of that. Just BURNT BREAD! The small plates we ordered was the fish meatball which frankly is more filler than fish. Weak! I wanted to try the Pecorino but my friend was on a "diet" so we didn't get. Based on yelp reviews- we both ordered the Skate with the lemon sauce. BIGGEST DINING MISTAKE OF THE YEAR THUS FAR! It was ridiculously salty. We didn't know it was fried fish also. But it was RIDICULOUSLY salty. For $18? I sent that trash back! I think the waiter knew I didn't like it because he took his sweet time coming back to inquire how the meal was. I mean he took like 20mins! FINALLY, night was getting late and I figure he had to closeout so he came to ask how things were. I voiced my opinion, and he offered me another choice on the menu. I went with the pasta with oxtail Ragu. ..which was better but not $16 better. Either way, a disappointing night at a place that I was eager to experience. Maybe I'll try it again...or maybe I'll just head to Olive Garden where at least I'm getting what I'm paying for.
(2)Flavia C.
I would say 4 1/2 stars! The ambiance is bustling yet quiet enough to have a conversation. I love the open kitchen and the decor is modern and simple leaving the food to do most of the talking! The food was exceptional! With a party of four we tried many things and there was not a dud amongst them. I really enjoyed the swordfish meatballs with pine nuts, unique and savory! The diff. meats and rabbit that are served on a wood plank are outstanding--a wonderful mix of sweet and savory. There was also some sort of mouse ordered and I have no idea what it was except to say that it was silky and heavenly, The main courses. The pork shank was truly a sight and very delicious, huge portion. I had the grouper which was simple and light. I heard rave reviews of the pasta. The drinks were generous and good with a nice selection and the desserts esp. the rice pudding and chocolate bomb were fantastic! Happy to go back to try even more of the menu items. A foodie will enjoy this spot for sure.
(4)Gary M.
Amazing Italian food. The pasta is some of the best I have had in Philadelphia. A must try if you've never been
(5)David K.
We went here last Wednesday evening when we couldn't get a reservation anywhere else close to our hotel. We sat at the "chef's table," which was similar to a table you would find at a sushi bar, where we watched the incredible kitchen crew rapidly prepare and plate complex dishes for the entire restaurant. The restaurant was incredibly loud, and entertainment from the kitchen staff was key to allowing us to enjoy dinner without feeling the need to scream at each other to be heard. Do -not- go here if you're looking for a nice place to eat and have a quiet conversation! The music in the restaurant is booming, and so all the diners have to take it up a notch to talk. Our food was good, but not outstanding, but what really made our evening was the amazing waiter who was, by far, the best waiter I've ever encountered. I wish I could remember his name, but what made him so great is that he was extremely attentive, very friendly, casual when the situation warranted, and knew the menu inside and out. I noted that he should quit his job and develop a school for waiters because this guy was top notch. Summary: Good food, LOUD atmosphere, outstanding service.
(4)Michael B.
This was my first Vetri try and I was pretty disappointed. The food, ambience and everything was just very average. In a city like philly, there's a better way to spend $150 on a meal.
(3)Mark M.
Pretty spectacular. I have only had the pleasure of eating here twice. And that sounds even more ridiculous for the fact that I live above the damn place. I have to say that it's a distant love affair. I walk past Amis on my way home or on my way out and wish that I could eat there daily or even weekly. Sadly, I am a man on a budget. Amis menu is small but powerful. Ordering multiple small plates to share is a must. In my best Italian Mama voice, "Have a meatball. You aren't hungry? Eat a meatball. Mark, eat a meatball." It's a must order. I don't know if I have been lucky in my two visits to Amis, but the waitstaff is stellar. The perfect amount of playful flirting, gastric knowledge, and efficiency. The one bone of contention I would have is about seating. For my second visit, I made reservations well in advance and upon arrival it seemed as though the hostess had the reservation, but did not have a table. My party was sat directly by the front door. A very akward table that I would imagine would only be used for walk-ins. Definitely felt like a fish in a fishbowl. Other than that, big Amis fan.
(4)Joanne P.
Wow! Love this place. It really takes a lot to wow me. We shared Escarole Salad, mussel appetizer, monk fish cacti ore, and pasta with jalapeño pesto. Enjoyed my wine by the glass so much I'm looking to find it to buy. Loved it all. Neighborhood really nice. Service was great - we were a little early for reservation and table was ready. The only thing I would say is wish swordfish meatballs didn't have pork (we didn't try) and the tartufo might have been a bit too chocolate heavy. Will definitely be back on our next trip to Philly.
(5)Caleb N.
The food was OK, but pedestrian food is disappointing at restaurant with Amis's reputation. (For instance, the brussel sprouts here stack up unfavorably with those at Vedge and are probably also inferior to those at, say, Local 44 in West Philly.) However, the service was what killed my experience. When we sat down, bread was promised four times before it arrived--after our starters had already come. Requests for refills had to be repeated. We were alternately ignored and barraged by multiple servers for clarifications. A restaurant like Amis should operate seamlessly. Instead, it turned out to be an amateur effort.
(2)Veronica R.
My husband and I went to Amis last night and sat at the kitchen bar. Our first time here and definitely not our last. A great choice. Put your phone down and watch the orchestrated chaos- a great/fun kitchen to watch. The food they put out was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. What we ate: Salmon crudo with fresh julienned beets (amazing-highly recommend) Baked Pecorino with almond honey (very good, sweet, would have had as a dessert with tart apple slices) Swordfish meatballs (go for it, trust me you'll love them, maybe even more than the traditional meatball) Sams- traditional meatball ( a very good meatball- looking for a little more crispness to the outside) Casarecce with a light and spicy san marzano tomato sauce with salmon and toasted bread crumbs (a special that night and delish!) Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto (perfect amount of heat) Spring pea Tortelli with lamb ragu and mint Overall a great dining experience. We'll be back!
(4)Phil A.
Great customer service. They managed to squeeze in my last minute reservation about an hour before they closed and we were seated immediately. Even on a Sunday night they were still packed which is a pretty good sign. Very comfortable and inviting atmosphere and decor. The menu includes a large variety of small plates which I am a fan of. Kind of an Italian version of tapas but also includes diverse entrées and desserts. Overall the food was good, not exceptional, and fairly priced and accompanied by a nice drink menu with some specialty cocktails. And once again great customer service, our waiter was friendly, helpful and thorough without being overbearing.
(3)Aliyia P.
Had an excellent meal...the main was lamb...so we tried the lamb croquettes...they were good didn't expect them to be so creamy, also had the portobello pasta which was great...the pasta there is just so good! I had the main lamb dish with grits...it was good but I enjoyed our pasta dishes way more oh and the ricotta with pistachio pesto and pumpkin was excellent!
(4)Jennifer W.
I've been going to Amis since the day it opened. In all but the past year I would have rated it four or five stars but recently it has taken a turn for the worse. The last two times I've gone service has been horrible! The hostess slammed our server, sitting 4 tables at once. After waiting 15 minutes to get a taste of one of the wines I had to call the manager over who subsequently became our server for the entire evening. I understand I'm not at Vetri but having us wait 5 -15 minutes at the bar in order to not slam the waiter would have left us with a much better experience than being sat and unable to get a drink it all. I'm sure the other tables who also had to wait would have agreed. Last night I went, sat at the bar, which is where I normally sit and somehow had bad service there too. My drink was empty for most of the evening. I didn't eat my pork liver terrine for 30 minutes because it didn't come with any bread. When the bartender finally came over to ask if there was an issue I asked how I was supposed to eat it. She said it's not served with bread. I had to ask for it. Mind you, I've been here MANY times and have never eaten patte without bread. She brought untoasted bread, which is the same texture as the liver so I had to ask for toasted bread. I'm sure I'll be back one last time in the hopes that the last two were flukes. We shall see!
(2)Jessica S.
In short: eat everything and anything here and leave happy. It's all good. The quality of the food, to the presentation, to that AMAZING olive oil bread basket. The service is spot on, and the atmosphere is classic and not at all stuffy or pretentious. This has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, but my last visit this past weekend really sealed the deal for me. Each and every small dish is to die for: We've had the swordfish meatballs a few times, the scallops were perfectly cooked, and the pumpkin and fresh mozzarella salad was perfectly dressed with a peppery sauce complete with pistachios. The fresh pasta... you cannot pass this up. It is the sole purpose of this restaurant. Get one or more pasta dishes. If you are eating a small plate or two, a pasta dish is the perfect portion to finish up your meal. Our waitress was sweet and knowledgeable, and easily able to point out some menu standouts. She was kind enough to remove a drink from our bill that was perfectly made but simply not to the liking of my dining partner. She really didn't have to do that. The ONLY downside happened during this past visit. The "special" truffle fettuccine dish with "special truffles imported from Italy" was an $85 dish. While it was delicious, it came as a surprise at the end of the night when we got our bill, and maybe should have been mentioned during the special offerings. "We have a very special truffle fettuccine tonight for $85" We probably still would've ordered it, but it was necessary to bring it up beforehand in my opinion.
(5)Thomas V.
Our meal was truly great. My mom and I went on Sunday and it was fairly empty. Great lighting and ambiance; open kitchen. Our server Lindsay was great. All the food we had was perfect. Eggplant caponata, jalapeño almond spaghetti and baked pecorino all recommended. The house red was good and cheap. Great date spot.
(5)Emily F.
Probably one of my favorite Vetri restaurant in Philly. Everything I had here was delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I prefer this restaurant over Osteria.
(5)Taryn F.
I usually don't write reviews, but just had to in this case. We visited Amis on a recent Saturday night with an 8 pm reservation. Unfortunately, we were not able to be seated until 9 pm because the patrons at our table camped out there long after finishing their meal (I'm all for taking your time and enjoying, but it was made clear to them people were waiting and they had been there several hours- a little courtesy people!). Anyway, the staff at Amis could not have handled the situation better! They were super attentive and apologetic, brought us complementary appetizers to the bar and then several additional dishes throughout the meal and for dessert. They showed that with great service and great food, any issue can still be handled well. I've been other restaurants where errors were made- too long waits, poor service, etc. and never received the level of attention and service provided at Amis. They literally turned our frustration and hunger into an opportunity to show us what a great restaurant they are. And, we got to sample extra dishes we would not have ordered and every single thing we ordered was fabulous! Thanks for taking good care of us!
(4)Majlinda K.
I had high expectations for this place but my experience was not great. The place was packed on a Saturday night but the service was pretty quick. If you are here with a large group they wont sit you unless your entire party is there (even though you are ordering drinks at the bar). The menu is tapas type dishes and they have a really good wine list. If you order the same wine as another person at your table they give you an extra little jug of wine as a refill and you're suppose to split it evenly by yourselves (which i thought it was a little weird to have to split the wine on your own, make sure your friend doesn't finish your share! lol). The brussels sprouts i ordered were delicious as well as the swordfish meatballs. The main entree i got was swordfish pasta with eggplant fries. The dish was a little tasteless. The fish and eggplant were ok but the pasta was really dry and tasted a bit like cardboard.
(2)Mike C.
We had a nice dinner here the other night. Promptly seated at our reservation time at 730. My wife and I shared: meatballs, swordfish meatballs, and duck fat salad (which was a special for the night), and one of the pasta dishes. I'm a bit of a meatball snob and thought they were good but not great. I think if you have a meatball dish it needs to be great. No complaints - we cleaned the plate - just not the best I have ever had. My wife chose the duck fat salad which I probably never would have picked. I'm glad she chose it as it was really good. The server joked with us saying duck fat makes everything better. The pasta dish was perfect. I can't remember the exact name but it was a square spaghetti with cheese, olive oil and black pepper. A very basic way to prepare a pasta but it was done to perfection. I felt the prices were reasonable both for the food and wine.
(4)Q K.
Very good food and reasonably priced for quality of food. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Pasta dishes were impressive and swordfish meatballs were nice treat. Not sure food lives up to acclaim of restaurant, but still a good dining experience. Only real complaint was the LOUD rock music playing in background. No idea why it's necessary.
(4)Brian M.
Hello, swordfish meatballs. I want you inside me. ^They're lovely fellas, perfectly offering something new (a fish "meatball", wut?) while still retaining their delicate, distinct swordfishiness.^ The Standouts: - Service. Excellent, comfortable, omnipresent. - Cacio e pepe. Maybe a bit too heavy, but all the comfortable flavors were there with a quality that makes you want the dish to never end. - Bufala ricotta. Is this ever bad? - Eggplant fries (in the pacchieri). I don't know why, I just really liked 'em. The Things I Wish Would Change But Never Will: - It's loud in there. - Close quarters. Tried a few other dishes that were certainly nice, but didn't blow me away as much as I'd expected them to. Nothing at all bad here and some dishes are among the city's best so overall a solid dining option that will consistently range from very good to exceptional. Basically a more comfortable, Italian, less pretentious Barbuzzo.
(4)Karen S.
"As featured on..." can sometimes frighten one away from a place, with concerns that the reality won't live up to the hype. Being a big fan of Bourdain's food, wine, and travel tastes (though not so much the booze and cigarettes), when he put together a recommended list on Philadelphia for "The Layover", I listened. As for fine dining, Amis was at the top of the list. The highlights were the appetizers--namely the salami del giorno, a porchetta in a delicate sauce, and the frascati wine cheese--and the pasta. The spinach fazoletti was superlative. The entrees were good, but unlike the starters didn't live up to the hype. Probably the biggest disappointment was the wine list, or perhaps I should say the wine that we unfortunately chose. I know that "Super Tuscan" is a bit of a grab bag in that it is basically any grape grown in Tuscany. But the producer of the wine had to work pretty hard to create something with absolutely no backbone. If a restaurant puts a wine on their list that is very atypical for the style, they should warn the consumer. Good food and a lively atmosphere, AOK in my book.
(3)Kathleen D.
Yes to both meatball appetizers: the light and juicy swordfish meatballs with pine nuts and golden raisins over creamy polenta, and Sal's with tomato potato. Yes. The variety of bruschetta are very good too. See we're not tryin to go all gavone here, but that mortadella mousse? It's so good. So are the house-made salumi. Right, so I find myself most taken with the small plates and salumi, as usual. And the pasta is pretty perfect. I'm thinking that the ideal deally here is to split some small plates,and maybe a veg contorni, and then have you some cacio e pepe. Or ANY of the pasta. It's excellent, from all'amatriciana to black squid ink, or whatever special. I had one with snails. It ruled. The pasta here rules. The plan is: wine, small plates, pasta... and dessert. I love it when a plan comes together. I'm not saying to skip the secondi, but really, my personal move would include saving crucial stomach space for the "tartufo al bacio;" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. Or, maybe you'll want to share Belgian waffles with nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla semifreddo. If we're goin comfort food baby, why not go all the way? Spaghetti and waffles in one meal. You did it. You finally did it!
(4)Kate G.
Best restaurant in Philadelphia! I moved to Philly from Italy around 4 years ago and it's hard to find a great italian restaurant that is authentic and innovative at the same time! The server was attentive, remembered us from previous dinners and the kitchen was able to perfectly accomodate my mom's dietary restrictions. Our appetizers were the squid, the pork terrine and the fried cauliflower. The paccheri with eggplant fries and swordfish is just perfect and tastes just like something I would get in Sicily. My mom's scallops were cooked to perfection, very juicy. The cacio e pepe is creamy and perfectly al dente! The kitchen staff was really nice and sent us a corn and heirloom tomato salad to try and a rice pudding. I hate rice pudding but I just devoured this one! It had cherries and pistachios on it! The staff went above and beyond to accomodate us and just made my birthday dinner really lovely!
(5)Stephanie L.
so I tell my story of our two years through the food of Amis - a Vetri family establishment in the heart of Philadelphia. The red table wine of Amis, the pork cheek, the strange duck sauce of Mr. V's pasta dish - and what was great about this place was that every choice I made, aside from the desert, I got...slightly wrong, and Mr. V got them right. Flowing red wine and iced tea is essentially what we are - what we drink when we are given a choice, though he'll tell you gin and tonic when operating machinery is not in his near future. I loved the atmosphere of Amis - it's exactly the sort of place I've been looking for for over a year - a hipster ish sort of feeling, sunken and hidden from unknowing eyes, wood everywhere and darkened by lamps and candlelight. somber and definite, it's the place you go to talk about the opera or a dark show, something that just doesn't feel right and you need inspiration for the words to come out right. Starters were bread and olive oil. His picks came first - salami with pickled onions and pecorino with almond honey. Both were good - the salami was especially soft and most and i liked it best. the honey on the pecorino was too sweet for my buds, but Mr. V loved both. My goal is to taste everything once or twice and move on, his goal is to devour life itself and leave nothing on the plate. Which he did. Next were my starters - pork's head croquettes and sweetbreads. The sweetbreads, while perfectly cooked, were fried a little on the heavy side, though good nonetheless. The croquettes were too big - they should've been smaller, bite sized, because the inside was so rich that two or three bites per croquette was just too much and overwhelming. I would've paid the same price for a smaller bite in order to enjoy it more. Entrees were a duck sausage pasta for Mr. V and wild boar sausage for myself. Mr. V loved his pasta dish, which is surprising, considering he doesn't like pasta much. He felt my wild boar was gamey and too salty, but liked the side of potatoes. I agreed, but didn't dislike it - it was hearty and gamey and seasoned a bit overmuch, but enjoyable and delish with the red table wine. I really liked his duck sausage pasta - al dente and warm, not smothered in sauce, hints of spice and flavor, light like a cloud. He got all of his right, I got only some, even with the dessert - I had the waffle with nutella and vanilla semi freddo, he had the carrot cake. He liked his, I loved mine, but mine had nutella - it's hard not to like it. the parking was odd - Mr. V didn't like paying $18 for valet, but I didn't want to walk in the cold for too many blocks. The wait staff was pleasant and not obtrusive, much more polite than I expected. Mr. V isn't used to sitting so close to people, so that was a small adjustment for him. I'd go back for an after show outing for a drink and some salami and cheese.
(3)Chris L.
first vetri experience, so I was really excited... I only do a handful of fancy/expensive dinners per year and because there is so much good inexpensive food in this city, I need a pricey dinner to be extra-delicious... Amis was so disappointing. the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and rigatoni with salmon (a special) were almost too salty to eat. the jalapeno pasta was decent. the bufala bruschetta was also mediocre. highlight of the meal was dessert - rice pudding and the waffles were both good... nice place - not too loud. but the food wasnt even mediocre. service was so-so. nice bartender, friendly knowledgeable server. but i had another server bring me a beer that wasnt what i ordered; when i said "I ordered the pilsner on draft," she said "no, it comes in a bottle."... so i pointed to the menu - "heres what i ordered."... "well you have the wrong menu," she said. kinda strange - as if i brought my own menu to the restaurant... finally got her to bring me a different beer. ... went with two friends and we all agreed it was a pretty big disappointment. sorry to be a negative nancy.
(2)Anannya T.
Amis was my first Marc Vetri experience, and a fabulous one indeed. As one could probably glean from my reviews of Jose Garces restaurants, I respect innovative chefs/restauranteurs who can make seemingly incompatible flavors blend impeccably. The gregarious waitstaff and laid-back, unpretentious ambience made for a great evening. On the day we'd had dinner, their catch of the week was shark, and we ordered their night's special of shark pasta (which was clearly fresh and very good). We also ordered their signature Tonnarelli "Cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (*beyond words*), a side of polenta (too buttery and greasy for my personal taste), and the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts (OUT of this world). Overall, we remember our experience very fondly and would recommend this place to anyone with an appreciation for Italian/innovative cuisine.
(4)Katarina M.
OMG I COULD EAT HERE ALL THE TIME if it weren't for my wallet and my belt line. And I only docked one star because some of the items are too small for the price, and there are one or two misses in terms of dishes. But I still think of this place as 5 stars because it's 5 stars whenever I go because I will only order one thing!!! And it is the only place besides Honey's that I'll take out-of-towner brunchers to. I've only been here for brunch, have been twice, and couldn't help but order the same entree both times. But tried a bunch of things. -Rotini with sausage and egg yolk: HEAVEN. Literally this is the most delicious pasta I think I've ever had. And it's a brunch pasta! YUM! It's basically loaded with flavor, the sausage is delicious, the egg yolk is cooked perfectly to just pop with a touch of your fork, and you mix it in, and it combines with the bit of parmesan in there and it is just incredible. GET THIS. I ordered it both times I came and this dish is the star. -Baked pecorino with almond honey appetizer: Just amazing. So delicious. They get that pecorino nice and melty and the honey and the crumbles of almond...yum. Served with a little bread. Enough for 4 to taste. But you could totally eat it all yourself and be so happy. -Tonnarelli carbonara: my dad ordered this it was underwhelming. Lacking in flavor. -Jersey cannonball: Had a bite of my friend's. It was pretty good. Not to die for, but I'd order it if they were out of the rotini. It's a breakfast sandwich with I forget all what, but definitely egg, cheese, and some fun Italian things. Maybe meat? I forget. Ask the waiter. (Sidenote: it's mildly annoying they don't have descriptions of the meals, but then the waiters are just so good at describing them, that it's almost more fun to just ask for a description) -Belgian waffle (with salted butter semifreddo, hazelnuts, and maple syrup): Delicious. Small portion though (and for $12!)! Two little waffles. My mom wanted to order a second one. This one should be made bigger or less pricy. But it's delicious. -Pancakes (forget the name...seems they're no longer on the menu): Delicious. I'm not a pancake or waffle person, but both were awesome. -something all uovo. Looks like this is gone off the menu too, which is both a shame and an improvement. That thing was so tiny for how expensive it was! Both of my waiters recommended getting it for the table to share, and it was delicious, but it was listed under entrees, which would've been a ridiculously small entree. Was a pasta with an egg cooked inside of it, with some brown butter on top, it was so delicious. -Soft scrambled eggs: Don't bother ordering these! They're nothing special whatsoever! -Dessert: have only ever gotten the Mom Mom's rice pudding. It's yumm! Always get it to split for the table because it's pretty big and I don't need much sweet after brunch. But it's definitely worth trying. Rice pudding with some sort of fruit in it, built like a parfait. -drinks: I won't bother anymore. Way overpriced. $10 for a little flute of mimosa. And the $11 limoncello wasn't anything special either. Adorable little place, sad they only have brunch on Sundays. But definitely check it out! If you order the right things, this place is 5 stars!
(4)H. I.
Had an awesome NYE / belated birthday dinner for my boyfriend here. This is how you do Italian food! We ordered swordfish meatballs on a bed of polenta and the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade to start. All were delicious, highly recommend both. For our entree we split the fettuccine with duck bolognese and the roasted lamb shoulder. I have been dreaming about the fettuccine since! The pasta is super fresh, hand made, and so delicate. The lamb was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. For dessert, we had the tartufo as a birthday dessert. Rich and decadent chocolate with hazelnut. The space feels like a trattoria, energetic with delicious smells coming from the kitchen. The lighting is soft and perfect for a date. Can't wait to come back again!
(5)Jay M.
Wow! We talked about this place for over a week after we recently had dinner there. It was the best meal that my partner and I had in quite some time. It's the small plate theme and we shared everything. An eggplant ragu bruschetta, mussels, sword fish meat balls, canneloni with flava beans and pine nuts, and a wonderful past dish. If you're a foodie you will love this place. We're heading back later this week and can't wait!
(5)Zack T.
MY belgian waffler was delicious, it was light and the sweetness just right to my tastebud. The environment of the restaurant also was lovely and spacious. Overall dining experience is 5/5.
(5)Michaelea T.
Bottom line: this food is tasty. The food is excellent. The beef tongue appetizer is incredible and well seasoned. Additionally, seriously consider the baked cheese with honey- it is very delicious. The pastas are always perfectly cooked and the flavors are distinct and intense. I have not yet even disappointed by their grilled or fried fish options either. Service is decent, though we had to ask for bread for our table. The interior has this industrial thing going on, so that's interesting. It gets kind smokey because of the open kitchen, but I think having smokey clothes is worth the culinary experience that you get.
(4)Rebecca H.
Another Marc Vetri gem. The pasta here is one of the best I've ever had; beats some of the pastas I've had in New York. The restaurant itself is fairly spacious, but it feels cozy with the rustic decor and dim lighting. The tables seemed to accommodate parties of all sizes, ranging from round tables for socializing to intimate seats at the bar near the chefs. Service is great, friendly, genuinely helpful in giving recommendations. Onto the deliciousness. The classic cacio e pepe was absolutely flawless. Cheesy, but not greasy, with just the right amount of chewiness from being perfectly al dente. The fresh black pepper gave it a little kick to balance out the savory pecorino cheese. And though I'm aware that a lot of butter is used to bring out a hint of sweetness to this plate of amazingness, it tasted too good for me to care. The other pasta standout was the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. A mix of unexpected but seamlessly complimentary flavors, the jalapeno and almond combo made the dish slightly spicy and sweetly nutty, all at the same time. Like the cacio e pepe, this was PERFECTLY al dente, and the unique flavors make it one of a kind. Got too excited and talked about the pastas first, but we also ate the baked pecorino with almond honey, accompanied by a few pieces of bread, played up the sweet but salty flavors - paired well, a little on the sweeter side, which I won't complain about. I forgot the specific name of the dessert we got, but it was a classic vanilla sundae with chocolate sauce. While I can't remember the other components, I couldn't think of a better way to round out an amazing meal. Will definitely be back for dinner again. And for brunch.
(5)Beth R.
Best to go with others who want to order and share. I split 2 pastas and 3 small plates with a friend. My favorite dish was the fettuccini with corn and scallions. Sounds odd but was creamy and good. I would have happily eaten an entree size portion of that. We also had the salami del giorno in marmalade (ok, and not very much on the plate for the price tag), baked pecorino with almond honey (really good), and the buccatini with tomato and pancetta sauce (good, but again, seemed a little expensive for what it was). Service is very attentive and helpful in making decisions about what to order.
(4)Kevin T.
Tried this place by recommendation and it was great. Very friendly staff across the board. Food was great too. Would definitely dine here again.
(5)Brian K.
Amis' unique spin on traditional Italian will have me coming back. I live only a few blocks away so I pass by all the time, but this was my first time stopping in for dinner. Happily they were open on a Monday night, and getting a reservation was easy, although it probably wouldn't have been 100% necessary. The staff were all extremely nice, which should be a given, yet I'm always pleased when they are. The menu may seem a bit daunting at first, even though all the combinations of food I tasted were perfectly matched. The swordfish meatballs are a must-try with their homemade meatball taste and just enough of a 'fishy' kick to remind you that you are indeed eating swordfish. It may take a little bit of adventurousness to get past some of the food pairings on their dishes, but you should have faith in them. A very solid list of beers and wines with a varied enough selection on tap to keep pretty much any beer palate happy. I would recommend it.
(4)Todd B.
I loved the beautiful, charming and romantic space at Amis, as well as the innovative small plates here that were completely new to me and a delight to my tastebuds. We were warmly greeted and immediately seated, and our waiter was helpful without being a constant interruption. I enjoyed an Old Fashioned type cocktail that was wonderful and reasonably priced at $10. My friend and I then ordered a number of small plate combinations to experience the diverse menu. We began with the swordfish meatballs and the toast with almond honey butter (which also includes cheese I think), then ventured on to the Arancini and fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa. By far, our favorite was he cauliflower with the meatballs a close second. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try the bufalo ricotta bruschetta, as it is a favorite of my friend and raved about a lot here on Yelp. We avoided dessert, but the tiramisu looked extraordinary. This is a great Vetri choice in downtown. At the same time, and I look forward to more experiments with Amis in the future.
(4)Matt K.
I have heard so many times that Vetri's restaurants are A. expensive for what you get, B. crowded. Neither was the case at Amis. We came for brunch and it was surprisingly inexpensive and very good. The trick I think is to order things that aren't so breakfasty. In fact, you can mostly avoid anything to do with breakfast if you want to. Amis is supposed to be very casual and the food is simple but extremely well done. We did the charcuterie plate, the escarole salad, and some pasta dishes. Mine was the carbonara. A great rendition, everything about it was well done. The escarole salad is not easy to find first of all, and this one had some parmesan on it, and it was just bitterly delightful because of course escarole is so bitter. The charcuterie was three different meats with three different sauces/mustards, all very good. One was a chicken liver. I love it when a restaurant has the guts to do chicken liver, it has such great flavor. We had a verdicchio and a valpolicella, two great inexpensive wines that just work so well with simple Italian cuisine. Service was very professional, and staff knowledgeable. All in all a great experience and inexpensive to boot, even though three people split two bottles of wine. And one of us was my mother in law. Now that says something, I think....
(4)Brian H.
My girlfriend and I returned to Amis for a second time after a late summer dinner that we enjoyed heartily. Our server, knowing that I was vegetarian, and my girlfriend was vegetarian-leaning, suggested we return for a Meatless Monday tasting menu. After securing a reservation on OpenTable (100 points, y'all!) we returned this past Monday evening. Soon after being seated, we found out that they have stopped their Meatless Monday promotion. We were saddened to hear this, but our waiter kindly offered to check with the Chef to see if he could accommodate; luckily, Chef was more than happy to help. We received imaginative, off-menu items that were delicious. We received 3 courses -- an appetizer, a pasta dish and a dessert. This was the best meal we have eaten in a while and would return again. Amis took care of us (Chef/Server[s]/etc.). We'll be more than happy when it is time to return for another wonderful meal.
(5)Haltone H.
I've been here 3 times in 4 years. This is a really wow place, as far as the food and service. You will try dishes here that you would never, ever think could be some of the tastiest things you've ever eaten - but they will be. The most unappetizing-sounding offal is turned into the best food experiences here. Almost more impressive is the service, though. My husband asked for the recipe for Sal's meatballs, expecting the server to disappear into the kitchen and come back with it at some point. Instead, our server quoted the recipe on the spot. He could tell us what was in every dish we were eating (I'm thinking of the 2nd time I went, with a party of 6), and anything we could possibily like to know about our beer, wine, and cocktail choices. I work in fine dining, but it made me think that I could never be a server at a place like this - I could never remember that many details! You would think this waiter was the chef, himself. And yet he had a very down-to-earth, local-guy demeanor. I work with some great, career servers, but was truly impressed. Also: each time I've dined there, we've been sent complimentary dishes. This last time, 3 of us sat at the bar, and ordered small plates. We were comped just as many plates as we ordered. I can't yet figure out if these are plates that were made by mistake, or what. The bottom line is, if you're going to splurge, this is a place to do it. Lots of places charge commensurate prices and don't deliver - this one does.
(5)Bill M.
Review 1000!!! And a birthday dinner review at that! When I realized that the time frame of hitting my 1000th review was going to fall around the time of my birthday dinner I knew that I was going to have to pick a Philly restaurant that was worthy of both occasions. At first the task proved daunting when my first choice (A tasting menu at a restaurant beginning with a Z that I have recommended on countless occasions based on YOUR reviews) didn't have a reservation on the needed day. But then it hit me that there was still a very worthy Philly chef out there who's food I've had yet to sample. While I've enjoyed offerings from Garces and Starr restaurants, food from the likes of Solomonov and McAndrews, and have shared plenty of off kilter moments with the likes of Chiang and Jacobson, the fine Italian cuisine of Marc Vetri is something that has up until this point alluded me. Of late I've found myself salivating over the thought of his pizza, pasta and homemade salumi; and had become especially fond and appreciative of the charitable efforts he does with the Vetri Foundation. So while the dilemma of choosing between Osteria and Amis was a challenge, the baked pecorino was enough of a wild card to delight the cheese monger in me and the reservation was set. Many reviews on here go into the extra attentiveness of the staff, and our table did experience that in some ways such as having 2 different servers check on our table, and asking how everything was during our meal a few times too many. It also created a couple of "Whos on First?" style moments when one would complete the dessert order or check taking that the other started. But if anything it was done in a way that was extra accommodating and informative as opposed to being extra aggressive and overbearing. And it showed in the little details like them adding a birthday candle to my dessert when they overheard our table having a birthday discussion. Every so very often there comes a menu that sounds so enticing that I want to order and savor one of everything on it. And with its various bruschettas, homemade salumi, classic and elevated pasta dishes, incredible sounding fish dish and meat dishes, and overall old world Italian meets new world Italian feel, it was VERY much the case at Amis. Which is especially amicable given the tripe, tongue, and liver dishes that they had. the salami del giorno was enticing with its fennel inside and rich marmalade accompaniment. the eggplant caponata was fresh and robust in all of the right places. But the star of the appetizer show was definitely the baked pecorino with almond honey. In all my years of being a cheese monger I never thought I'd be able to see a typically hard and grate-able cheese like pecorino presented in a way that was so soft and gooey. But seeing and especially tasting is believing. And seeing experiencing it with that decadent honey made me a believer! It is important to remember not to hit up an Indonesian noodle market for a quick lunch before going to a place that's known for its pasta for dinner. And since I was one to sadly make such an error (D'oh!), I wasn't up for getting the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu that I otherwise would have gotten (double D'oh!). But in the experience of trying something that I wasn't at least somewhat familiar with I ordered the grilled cobia tagliata for main. And what I gotwas an incredible swordfish style whitefish that was meaty and not overwhelmingly fishy thanks to its fennel and citrus accompaniment. One could get hooked on the potent and fruity vodka and lemon infused Amis Punch if they're not to careful. But fortunately the small yet impressionable draught list was enough to have me intrigued. And the Trubbel De Yards delivered a malty yet fruity complexion that I wasn't expecting from a dark beer. Normally dessert is another tricky thing to choose. but the prospect of a homemade salted butter ice cream sundae with blood orange and crushed chocolate biscotti was pretty damn hard to pass up. And it was the perfect final bite to a flawless meal that already has me craving more!!!
(5)Tough Crowd T.
I'm starting to think that I am inspired to write only by poor experiences. Take this review for what it's worth to you. Had a meal at the bar last night. A pre-theater quickie. The bar was full and the atmosphere lovely but everything else was poor. After my last two visits to the restaurant (it's on my way home) my expectations were low. But all of the food was disappointed. Even my pineapple soda was terrible; pure sugar no flavor. We had octopus, escarole salad, tongue, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. The last two dishes were scorched in the fryer. (I missed zahav's delicious lightly fried veggies). The salad drowned in dressing and cheese. The octopus was tough to chew. The tongue unbearably sweet and swimming in oil. Everything was over-salted. And I love my salt. Service was slow (the bartender was overwhelmed by a full bar) and surly. And there was some guy hanging out behind the bar under foot. Not going back.
(1)Celeste A.
Fantastic! Service is great. We were there with 4 adults, 4 PRE teens, and an infant. They were able to accommodate all of us! Plan to experiment. We ordered multiple apps to share so all could get a taste. Entrees are perfect size. I like to finish my meal not take home 3/4 of a pound of left over pasta! Desserts were good too! Plan a leasurely dinner. Take your time to enjoy the food and the great staff they have!
(5)Ryan B.
My wife and I stopped in just before 9 PM on Saturday the 9th to celebrate our anniversary. Having never been to any of Marc Vetri's restaurants, we didn't know what to expect. In my opinion it lived up to the hype. The ambience was nice, a little loud, but we liked the feel of it. The food was very good. I definitely recommend trying the swordfish meatballs. It was packed when we arrived but there was minimal wait time before we could sit down. We had a table closer to the door but it turned out to be nice as we were a little more secluded. While our server Eric was checking in on his other tables, we had management stop by to check in on us and ultimately take our order. I was impressed. I could see the restaurant was very busy and had no problem waiting for the server to make his rounds but it was appreciated nonetheless. Our server Eric was attentive but not overzealous. He took the time to check in on us but gave us plenty of space to celebrate our evening. He was knowledgeable and gave us a few good recommendations but he was also able to loosen up and joke with us which made the evening more enjoyable. It was our first anniversary and Amis made it quite memorable. We won't hesitate to go back for seconds.
(4)Jennie C.
Came here for dinner before a concert at the Kimmel center with a friend. The place was buzzing on the Thursday evening,so I took it as a sign that food must be good. Well, things started off on a great note: enthusiastic waitress, lovely decor, yummy bread. We started with the baked pecorino with almond honey, which came with crispy toast and was TO-DIE-FOR. Then the pasta came: friend had the tonarelli cacio e pepe, I had the bucatini with cauliflower. The pasta was al dente, but I'm not of a fan of the rich and rather congealed cream sauce. For $14, the portion size was quite good, but I couldn't finish it because of the rich sauce. The chocolate hazelnut dessert we shared was waaaayyy too rich, needless to say we weren't able to finish it, although both of us were rabid chocolate addicts. I'd stick with the appetizers. Also, while I appreciate the open kitchen, rustic table settings, I wish the tables weren't placed so close. We were lucky the two old ladies next to us were pleasant companions. People on dates may want to go somewhere more private.
(3)Steph G.
Very good food. Very nice service. There is one big "HOWEVER," though, that prevents me from giving this place five stars: they gave me caffeinated coffee at 10:30 pm when I had asked for a decaf. Obviously, I didn't realize this until after I had drunk it, and was awake all night. At 4:30 in the morning, as I was cursing their names, this sort of ruined my experience of the restaurant. I don't want to dock Amis more than one star for this, though, because it might have just been an honest eff-up. And the food and wine were quite good.... But dammit, Amis, keep your decaf clearly labeled, please. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, yo!
(4)Jose S.
We had a little bit of a wait & then our appetizers were given to the table next to us. The dinner portions were kind of small but very good.
(3)Huntington B.
What a great restaurant. Loved the burrata with tomatoes, pasta pecorino (not sure if that's the correct title), fried cauliflower, and tiramisu. Not a huge fan of the swordfish meatballs but between the service and the food, it was a wonderful evening!
(5)Jessica H.
We came here for NYE, excited to try the spot that Anthony Bourdain raved about on his recent show, The Layover. As a New Yorker, I'm pretty well versed in good food and service and looked forward to Amis given what I had read & heard. When your New Years plans revolve around a meal, you're clearly serious about good food and looking for an experience vs just a dinner. We had a 10pm reservation for 4 that had been made weeks in advance; we had called ahead to confirm and were told there'd be a champagne toast at midnight. We were planning to spend the time enjoying a nice & leisurely spaced out meal and drinking until the clock struck 12. We specifically asked our waiter to space the meal out, that we weren't in a rush and wanted to take time between courses. We even had requested to put the appetizer order in first and the pasta and entrees later in order to take our time. Instead, he pushed us to put it all in at once, claiming that the pastas would take a lot of time and that we wouldn't be rushed at all. Our appetizers were delish, but came all at once. When we'd finished the plates were quickly cleared...and not 5 minutes later we found BOTH our secondi pasta dishes AND our main course entrees laid out in front of us. On top of this, the 2 side dishes we'd ordered with the main courses never showed up! I wasn't happy, it was only 10:30 at this point, a half hour from when we'd started. Again our plates were quickly cleared when we'd finished and we ordered dessert which was popped down in front of us quickly. Our meal had been completely rushed-we were done at 11pm, in just one hour! Despite this, our group agreed that we would take our time with dessert & order more cocktails in effort to ring in the new year at 12am. That's when without being asked if we wanted another round and WITHOUT ASKING FOR IT, our check arrived on the table. Mind you, no one was waiting for our table-so what was their rush? At this point I'd had enough. It was NYE and I felt like they were trying to push us out the door before midnight, while the restaurant still had plenty of seated tables. I went to the manager and explained everything to him-that we had specifically asked the server to space our dinner out, and that not only had we been rushed but our check had come without request when we'd planned to stay. He brusquely told me that he encourages the waitstaff to put in orders at one time and barely acknowledged my points. He told me he'd be happy to bring us another round of drinks, which I accepted. We rang in the new year, but without a champagne toast-the restaurant had offered NONE. And if that wasn't enough, they didn't even comp us that last round of cocktails-we paid for them! What a gross way to treat customers who paid a fortune for dinner, especially on New Years!! And to add insult to injury, the manager sarcastically stopped us on the way out to wish us a happy new year and to add that he hoped we'd enjoyed the rest of our experience. It's a shame that this place is managed by such a terrible staff, because the food was delicious. But if I lived in Philly this would be the LAST freaking place I'd give my money to ever again! Go to a Steven Starr restaurant instead, he knows how to run things!
(2)Brad P.
The black linguine with squid and chorizo and tartufo al bacio dessert are stellar. If you eat at Amis and don't partake in these items, then you have permanently sullied the quality of your life. I don't really recommend the imported bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta. The salami del giorno with marmalade is good. The salami is thicker than you'd expect and the marmalade adds a delightful sweetness. The grouper is OK.
(4)Lindsay H.
I am a fan of all the Marc Vetri Restaurants and can not wait for him to keep opening up more. I was at Amis on friday night and once again, it did not disappoint. This place is always packed so reservations are necessary. Even with reservations, you may need to wait a few minutes but, for my group, it was friday and we were happy with having some cocktails at the bar. I was thrilled with the table they seated us at. One of my complaints has always been how close they seat you to other tables but our table was sort of off in the corner with plenty of room. There are a few highlights at Amis that I must mention. First, they have my favorite preparation of sweetbreads that I've ever had. They're almond dusted, fried and served with an orange fenel marmalade. They are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and the marmalade adds an awesome sweet flavor to a salty dish. YUM! That aside, the pastas are always a highlight as well. My favorite pasta this time was a rigatoni with a wild mushroom ragu. The pasta was aldente and the ragu was creamy, salty and delicious...especially if you love mushrooms like me. From here, there were two seafood dishes that blew my mind. The skate wing and the swordfish meatballs. HOLY skate wing. They dust it in this super fine flour and pan fry it just to give a little texture, serving it with a lemon butter sauce with fried brussel sprouts...very approachable. The flavors and textures in this dish were heaven. I could eat this dish all the time and be happy. After that, the swordfish meatballs. YUM! The meatballs just fell apart when you touched them and were perfectly tender and juicy, served over some creamy polenta. The only thing I wasn't crazy about for this meal were the desserts. They were good but not great. Honestly, I can't even remember what we had but everything else was so delicious, it doesn't even matter!
(4)Joe C.
Sal's Meatballs. As good as my grandmother's, maybe even better. ( I can't believe I just wrote that, sorry Grandmom) Amis has great atmosphere, great food, and great service. This is my 3rd time there, I've tried most of the menu, and never had a bad choice. In addition to the meatballs, try the homemade salumi, and any of the bruchetta's. Split the pastas (I love the Al'amatracani and the cacao e pepe) and then try any of the Beast of the week specials. And whatever you do, save room for dessert.
(4)Leya r.
This is one of the best restaurants of all time. The food is beyond worlds. It's absolutely exquisite. Everything I have ever had is exquisite. The service is also second to none. This is the best restaurant in Philly. And one of the top in the east coast. You will not regret this!!!
(5)Max E.
Came in here on a Tuesday night with reservations for two. We had to wait a LONG time (30+ minutes) because we didn't want to sit at the chef's counter. They were very nice and apologetic, and even gave us glasses of wine and some appetizers. The food was delicious - I'm a fan of simple dishes and loved the cacio e pepe and the mozarella with pears. The bread pudding was the star of the meal. I'll definitely come back - but hopefully on a night when it's a little less busy.
(4)Ted Z.
A much deserved five stars! Took a couple of my clients from out of town who were adventerous enough to try some daring , different choices. Had a couple of neat drink options too, I ordered a Strega Morti and it was fantastic. The swordfish meatballs in polenta were great but so were the Brussel sprouts and every other item we had. Go you'll love it! I know I'll be back
(5)Allison D.
Let me preface this review by saying I used to live across the street from this place..dangerous for my wallet and waistline. My standbys are the Amis punch, bufala ricotta and pecorino pasta. Nice people, good food!
(5)Jason G.
Wow. This place is amazing. I came here for my birthday, and I was impressed with every dish I tasted. It's just another stand-out restaurant from (arguably) Philly's best chef. The service was also impeccable. I got Sal's Meatballs, polenta, the baked pecorino, the bufala mozzarella, the cacio è pepe, and the apple dumpling. They also give you olive oil focaccia, which is outstanding. I highly recommend all of it. I also heard the veal tongue is outstanding, but I didn't get to try it.
(5)Jenn W.
Great place! I like that it's not on one of the super busy streets in Philly. Bruschetta is really great as an appetizer, and it's served with the spread on the side and the bread apart (the bread was surprisingly thick and fluffly, not the usual bruschetta that I expected). I had the stracciatella w/ plum and almonds, and it was awesome! It tastes like a smoky mozzarella. Couldn't taste the plums much, but it was still great. I love pasta, and I couldn't resist after being told that their pasta is all made in house. I had the bucatini on the waiter's suggestions and it was really tasty! It had an almond pesto sauce with some cooked jalapenos (not spicy at all). My boyfriend had their entree special for the day, salmon filet with cucumber salad. He said that the salmon was really good, but wished it were bigger. For dessert, we had their tiramisu (off menu but always available per waiter) and the special of the day, coffee cake with blackberries. We actually both liked the coffee cake much more than the tiramisu. The tiramisu was a so-so average tiramisu. Nothing amazing. I really liked our waiter, who knew all the ingredients in the dishes and was able to answer all my questions (impressive). I also like that part of the kitchen is open to viewing, which is cool. Valet parking is $8. I didn't use it, but may be convenient for some. Reservation recommended, especially for larger groups!
(4)Kevin R.
We found ourselves at Amis for our Wednesday date night because of all of the great reviews on Yelp. We were seated immediately by the very friendly host and hostess and ordered up a couple of Martinis to go with the olive oil infused bread. We started off with a couple small plates...roasted cauliflower, baked pecorino with honey, and swordfish meatballs. The cauliflower and the cheese were good but the meatballs were mealy and very fishy tasting. I had the Jalapeno and almond pesto pasta for my main...overcooked and uninspired. For desert we shared a sundae with a blood orange sauce. The overly bitter sauce didn't pair that well with the very sweet ice cream. To be honest I didn't even like the bread. I'm actually still looking forward to trying Osteria and haven't given up totally on Mr. Vetri.
(3)Patrick H.
This Valentine's Day was my visit to Amis and I have to say I was quite pleased with it. The service was very accommodating and prompt. The servers seem to have good understanding of the menu. The place is a bit small and can feel congested, but it's easy to drown out. The food was very well prepared and cooked perfectly. I had the pork shank and my girlfriend had the steak. My pork was very tender and moist and the steak was cooked to a perfect medium. The beer selection was limited but you'll definitely find something you'll enjoy. One thing I've grown to love about Vetri's establishments is the use of mortadella, and this place is no exception. Out of the three Vetri places I have been, this may be third, but third on a Vetri list is still excellent!
(4)Julie M.
I would definitely expect more from a Vetri establishment. Alas, Amis just did not meet my expectations at all. First, it took about 15 minutes just to get a drink and bread on our table. Then we ordered appetizers and found everything to be greasy/oily and simply not that good. The best thing we tried was the swordfish meatballs. We had one pasta--the chestnut duck; you know that it's bad when you think that you would have been better off having frozen store bought pasta vs fresh VETRI pasta. Yeah, it was that bad. It was goopy and the noodles had an odd consistency. One dessert we had was the saving grace of the meal: the nutella waffle was very well done except that only half the waffle was covered in nutella. Otherwise, it was a tasty dessert. Moreover, the service was pretty atrocious. We were ignored for very long stretches of time. We had about 3 different waiters so none of them could remember what we had already ordered. It was very haphazard. I definitely would not return to Amis. I would much rather go to Osteria or Vetri.
(2)C M.
My husband and I had a delicious meal at Amis to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. The restaurant was bustling and very crowded when we arrived. We started with the baked pecorino and swordfish meatballs. The pecorino was salty and sweet. Our only complaint was that there wasn't more bread! The swordfish meatballs were strangely delicious. The seafood taste was completely unexpected when biting into a very familiar looking meatball. My favorite dish of the night was the bucatini with jalapeños and almond pesto. The dish was spicy and crunchy. I couldn't get enough! Overall the meal was fantastic but I don't think this is a great date spot. The tables are very close together and it can get very loud inside. I would definitely come back with a group.
(5)Megan K.
Oh, Amis, there is much that I will miss when I leave PA and return home. While traveling solo, I decided to treat myself to a nice meal, so after some deep searching on yelp, I came across Amis. Luckily Amis was a short walk from my hotel, and when I arrived I was promptly seated. I was seated near the kitchen and my waiter suggested that I sit at the chef's counter for a more exciting dining experience, and I was so happy that I heeded his advice. After the waiter went over the menu and the specials, I put in my drink order for one of their West Coast IPA offerings on their draught list that appears to rotate quite frequently. The IPA hit the spot and ended up pairing nicely with my food choices, which lead me to have another one throughout the course of my dinner. I decided to start off my meal with the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade. This starter came with five small sweetbreads that were lightly fried to a succulent perfection. The sweetbreads themselves were flavorful but the fennel marmalade stole the show. It was tangy and sweet and really coaxed the tender and savoriness out of the sweetbreads. I savored each bite and was surprised at how quickly I inhaled the dish. As I was waiting for my main entree to come out, the chef gave me a "sampler" taste/plate of the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. The portion was large, but I appreciated every bite of it. The duck flavor permeated the dish and nuttiness of the chestnuts really complimented the duck. I forced myself to stop after a few bites so that I wouldn't fill up before the main dish. The lamb shank arrived about ten to fifteen minutes after the fettucine, and this dish was impressively displayed. A Fred Flintstone-esque shank of lamb was perched on top of a creamy polenta and topped with a tomato based sauce. My-oh-my was this dish something! The lamb was falling off the bone as soon as I cut into it, and it was very rich and moist. The polenta added another level of creaminess to the dish and it did well to compliment the lamb as well as on its own. My favorite aspect of the dish ended up being the tomato sauce, which surprised me. It was well spiced and really enhanced the lamb, which on its own was actually a little under seasoned in my opinion. I ate about a third of this massive lamb shank, as I wanted to leave room for one of their desserts. After hemming and hawing over my dessert options, my waiter pointed me to the special which was what they called an italian donut, which was a light pastry dough filled with a maple custard and topped with a streusel, pecans, and chocolate sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. Incredible. I'm pretty sure I fell silent as I ate this dessert, and I savored every bite. I loved how it was dense and rich, but it wasn't overly sugary. A great ending to the meal, which was made even better by one of their scotch offerings, being the Balvenie 12 year. The service was friendly and spot on, and there were no hiccups whatsoever the entire night. The manager even was talking to me throughout the night, and helped me pick out the scotch to pair with the dessert. Vetri was even in the kitchen when I arrived, which was great to note. Amis, if I'm ever back in Philly, I'll gladly come running back to you or one of your sister restaurants!
(4)Nick D.
I was actually excited to write about Amis after I ate there. First off, the place itself is really cool. It's got that old-world feel to it. Lots of brick and wood. As for the food, pretty excellent. The bruschetta with bufala ricotta and black pepper was amazingly good. The cheese was fresh and creamy, and the bread charred wonderfully. I had the chicken al mattone for an entree. This is a chicken leg and thigh, deboned and cooked under a brick. The skin is wonderfully crispy and the chicken itself it crazy juicy. My wife had the skirt steak with roasted figs. Great flavor, but it probably could have been cooked for another minute or two. The highlight of the meal, however, was the pasta. We had the bruschetta, then split a pasta, then had our entrees, but the pasta was CLEARLY the best thing we ate so it gets mentioned last here. Cacio e pepe. If you've never had it, it is simplicity at it's best; pecorino, black pepper and pasta. It is a classic in Rome. I had it while on a trip there, and it was incredible. But I have to admit, that the cacio e pepe at Amis was just as good. Amazingly simple, creamy, not too heavy, not too salty, just spectacular. I will dream of that dish. Do yourself a favor and have it.
(5)Erika B.
I will become a regular to make up for lost time. I had a hunch that I would be returning as soon as I walked in to this casual, dimly lit and rustic looking place. The small dishes aren't quite as tiny as I had expected them to be so that was a pleasant surprise. The monkfish skewers in some type of nut based sauce were very good. The PASTA is what this place is all about. My hen and apple ragu was perfect. My friend's black spaghetti was perfect. The pork tagliatelle was perfect. Next time I will have to have only pasta and an entree so that I don't fill up too quickly. Another plus, they had a great beer list. Service: I have to note that that the food really had to be satisfying to make up for the offensive start to the night. The manager apologized for the 30 minute wait for our reservation because the hostess forgot about us...it was obnoxious and the resolution was unprofessional. I usually don't comment on service but this really rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)R. M.
For the sake of humanity, please put the salt down.I could not finish my meal because of it. Sent the pasta back, came back just as salty. I finally just gave up. The mussels were delicious but not special at all. Service is decent but I felt like I was eating at the Cheesecake Factory. Totally not what I expected at a place like this.
(2)Ryan B.
The pasta dish literally defined "al dente" and the veal tongue is not to be missed. Thank you fellow Yelpers for the tip on the Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey which is a real winner.
(5)Grace S.
The oft-quoted swordfish meatballs are really flavorful, but (I'm not a fan of polenta, unfortunately) the consistency was very similar to Asian fishballs which I was not expecting at all. It is also a strange gray color... The tripe stew was delicious. if you're a tripe person, definitely try it. I can't describe tripe, but it's slightly slimy, chewy, and has a very distinctive innards-type of flavor. The lamb croquettes were awesome--plenty of shredded lamb and the croquette had a very thin crust (not greasy at all). The bucatini was very fishy tasting, but that's what I get for not asking about the descriptions ahead of ordering. The pappardelle was perfection, extra thin, beautiful ragu sauce that wasn't too salty and was satisfyingly meaty. The monkfish was overly salty, unfortunately, and I wish I had known it was battered and fried. The mushrooms were just salt salt salt. The table bread was very blah too, but our server made up for it by being very attentive but totally un-intrusive. And of course the Mum Mum's rice pudding is delicious with the figs and black cherry marmalade. 4 people shared it while finishing off our 3rd or 4th carafe of red wine (500 ml for $20). I observed lots of dates going on so it's a pretty happenin' place!
(4)John B.
Well beyond expectations. Meatballs, cacio e pepe, and specials were all incredible. Great atmosphere - sat at the chefs counter which was served as great entertainment for the evening. Fantastic night - will surely be back soon.
(5)Joey P.
My last dinner in Philly and Amis was an excellent choice. My wife and i shared a few small plates. The sheeps milk ricotta with pepper was outstanding. The sweetbreads melted in your mouth and the bufala mozzarella was so fresh. I wish i could have tried everything. We each then had a pasta. The pasta was definitely made in house. All i can say was it had some chew. The texture was amazing. The pappardelle was so thin it melted but the star of the night was the Tonnarelli "Cacio E Pepe"with pecorino and black pepper. The peppercorns were slightly crushed giving off a wonderful taste. Our waiter was amazing. He explained each dish and gave great recommendations. The entire staff was so attentive. The prices for what you got cannot be beat. My wife and i ate and drank like we were going to the chair and the bill was under $100. Highly recommended to anyone who loves off the menu type items.
(5)Jack S.
Rotten Child of the Vetri Family
(1)Gerald F.
Always 5 *****'s. My linguine pasta was voted the best meal. The meatballs are always outstanding. The chocolate bonbon is probably top 3 chocolate deserts in the city....if not #1. Be sure to say hi to Chef Chris if he's on. Love the awesome lady chef. don't know her name. GREAT STAFF YO!
(5)Andrea H.
Dee-licious! I love tastes of things and they way the menu is set up, they encourage you to order a couple small plates each. Italian tapas if you will. We took them at their word and ordered loads for the table. They were all delicious and the perfect size to pique your interest and leave you wanting more. We got over excited when ordering and managed to order too much pasta & secondi, delicious as they were. If I was to go again, personally I'd stick to the intro dishes. Drinks wise, they had Woodford so I was delighted but the wine was warm when it arrived. They did everything to chill it down and make sure it was at optimum serving temperature for the rest of the bottle. Service was super and the interiors are intimate and gorge.
(4)David J.
Food was outstanding. Touch of class - they gave us an extra dessert after our waitress realized my wife was pregnant and couldn't decide between two of the offerings. The only reason I do not give Amis 5 stars is because they played horrible classic rock all night. I know this is a truly subjective point, but it just doesn't fit the restaurant.
(4)More-aa P.
Quite good! Not the place to take your older relatives as its quite crowded and noisy, but a young lively enjoyable atmosphere. Fung shui around the bar leaves something to be desired as I felt like my bum was encroaching on a fellow diner's table. But I was lucky enough to be seated on the raised area to the right. The center 2 tops in front of the kitchen are practically on top of each other. Enough about the size. Food very good, service excellent. I felt the wine list could've been more ambitious compared to the innovative menu items. Quite pricy but largely worth it. Like other diners, my first Vetri experience. I'm looking forward to trying Osteria and saving up to go to Vetri eventually. Not so sure I'll be running back to Amis, but I was not disappointed.
(3)Trang N.
We're not sure if my husband and I went to the same restaurant as everyone else?! We had high hopes as we are huge fans of Osteria and frequent there often, not to mention the glowing reviews from the other Yelpers about Amis, we were really excited to try it! We came here last night for our three year anniversary celebration, since it's a Vetri restaurant with a James Beard award winning chef, it automatically had to be good right? Meh. We brought along our one month old son and had no issue getting seated at a four top to accommodate the car seat, so that was a great start to the night! The space was small and akin to an industrial warehouse. The staff was friendly but the service was very spotty, we really appreciated that everyone congratulated us numerous times on our anniversary which was really nice. We started off with the mixed salami plate- bland selections of meats, more like fancy pepperoni, flavorless pate and ham in a board! Sweetbreads - undercooked which made the protein gelatinous and was overly salted, which was disappointing since the flavored were there just prepared poorly. Pork belly- was the texture of raw bacon, I'm use to having it prepared with a crispy skin and a cooked pork, so it was very off putting, but perhaps that was just not our personal preference. Meatballs- again undercooked and underseasoned. Aren't meatballs the Italian staple? How we're they not phenomenal?! My husband said that he would preferred a Wawa meatball and I would have to agree with him! Perplexed, we decided to go very conservative with our entree, in fact we lost faith In the chef and split a basic pasta dish, which we never share entrees! We just couldn't bare to spend anymore money on mediocre food!! It the duck bolognese special was actually pretty good, so at least we had one good dish during our evening out. Our server seemed to be overwhelmed with the amount of tables he had, so perhaps that is why the service was so lacking. The bus boy started to clear our table without aaking If we were finished, we actually had to stop him a from removing one of our plates. We had to ask for refills on our cocktails too! We declined dessert, but to our surprise they came over with a complimentary rice pudding and some vanilla ice cream with a candle which was very tasty, so the night was redeemed somewhat, however we left feeling very disappointed with the dinner courses for our special occasion. It's ashamed because it's literally a block from our house, it could have been our default place to eat!. Amis was a miss!! It really fell way short of our expectations.
(2)Hector R.
Birthday dinner, delicious food. The mortadella meatballs are delicious! And wait staff !
(5)Ann V.
So the last time I was here I gave them 5 stars but this time around my dining experience was even more amazing! I guess I could say that last time it was 4.5 stars w/out adjusting it and this time would be 5 stars! OR they could create a 5 star+ button. Just saying.... So this is what we had. Appetizer: Mixed salumi plate: salami del giorno with marmalade, pork liver terrine - so good, mortadella with hazelnut honey, Grilled smoked mozzarella, Sal's old school meatballs - just as i remembered from my last meal, paccheri w/ swordfish, strozzaprete - prob my fave of the evening, braised snails with scallion crema bruschetta - was decent but not my fave. Entree: Guinea hen leg saltimboca - I thought this was pretty tasty but was pretty stuffed at this point and was just eating to eat. Mixed seafood grill - perfectly nice and simple. Charred asparagus with romesco sauce - just getting my veggies in for the day. Dessert -- Belgian style waffles with nutella - nutella doesnt need to be explained, "tartufo al bacio" - hazelnut anything reminds me of nutella - enough said. Food coma.
(5)Kelly F.
Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I love the menu and chefs who aren't afraid of creative food and unique ingredients. The food itself was pretty good but maybe a tad overpriced. The swordfish meatballs were good. The baked pecorino was a little too sweet for my taste. The bucatini was good but maybe needed a little more almonds or something else the portion was decent. The seafood stew? Wasn't a stew at all and very very small. The waiters were great and the ambience very nice but yes it was kind of hard to hear my dining partners and it wasn't full.
(4)Emily W.
I can't wait to visit again! One of my favorite Italian restaurants of all-time. Homemade pasta is excellent and I absolutely love the cucumber dill salad! Lemon blueberry mascarpone torte mmm mmm mmm
(5)Kevin W.
Outstanding all the way around.
(5)Katie N.
My girlfriend and I had a wondeful experience from the second we walked in the door. The ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and intimate yet fun and funky. The food came quickly and everything was cooked to perfection. You could tell everything, down to the bread, was homeade with their own flare. Having lived in Italy, my girlfriend is pretty particular about her espresso. For the first time, she was blown away at how similar the espresso was to her experiences in Italy. Awesome customer service; WILL BE GOING BACK!
(5)Michael U.
Full Review in Blog: Having already scheduled the Degustazione at Vetri and a lunch at Osteria for later in the week it seemed only logical that I sample the whole lineup during my visit and as such my first lunch of the trip would occur at the newest of the spaces - Amis, on South 13th Street. Collecting on my 1:15 reservation I was offered outdoors or indoors and wanting to watch the action I selected a seat at the bar so that I could watch the kitchen at work. Greeted by my pleasant (and exceedingly helpful) server as well as General Manager Ben Fileccia I inquired about portion sizes and how best to experience as many tastes as possible without filling up too quick. Differing from the contemporary feeling of Osteria and the rustic formality of Vetri there were a few commonalities between the three - specifically the flowered and the service which was all at once pleasant, whimsical, professional, and knowledgeable. Starting things off, my first selection would be the daily House Cured Salumi Platter. Beginning first with the hard salami I found the flavor to be appropriately porky but nicely balanced by the aromatics while the onions added a pungency that helped to meld the flavors together. Moving next to the coppa and honey - a delectable balance of sweet and savory with the crunchy walnuts adding texture. Finally, and most anticipated, was the terrine - not fully whipped I have to admit I truly loved the chunky texture and the overall flavor was more foie gras than chicken. Paired with sour black cherries the pate spread nicely on the bread and most definitely served as the highlight of the platter. Dish 2, Almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade didn't wow. While the thymus itself was appropriately crunchy on the outside and creamy within, I personally did not taste much almond or sweetbread as the marmalade overwhelmed some of the subtleties of the dish. Having had a number of sweetbread preparations over the years I will note the quality of the product was excellent, but the flavor pairing just was not to my liking. Dish 3 - Fried lamb's tongue with salsa rossa was minimally gamey but intensely textural and compelling as the lightly fried tongue was exquisitely tender and balanced nicely with the sweetened red pepper reduction. Adding lightly cooked red onions served to add a vegetal texture and the entirety of the course was truly enjoyable - a definite must order. My final small plate would be the charred prosciutto wrapped figs with ricotta. Another exploration of sweet and savory these small bundles featured creamy figs wrapped with razor thin prosciutto slices that were seared black before my eyes before being plated atop a bed of whipped ricotta. Drizzling the entirety of the dish with a thick acidic balsamic reduction and served piping hot I will admit that the $12 price tag seemed a bit steep for only four servings, but the complexity and intensity of the flavors more than justified the expense. Asking the chef closest to me what pasta he'd recommend I was guided to the fettuccine with pork ragu and stone fruit. With pecorinio shaved over the dish before me I plunged a fork into the thick ragu and was met with a subtle mélange of salty shredded pork and the sweet fructose of the fruits. Melding perfectly with the al dente pasta I will say that this dish was the second best pasta I had during my trip to Philadelphia, falling just short of Vetri's signature spinach gnocchi in "wow" factor. Sated but not stuffed my next order was coffee - my first of 5 experiences with the La Colombe lineup during my trip to Philadelphia. Cocoa accented with high notes of caramel the coffee was stunning and a perfect pairing for chocolate based desserts (future tastes at Osteria and Vetri only served to confirm this) - I bought three pounds before returning to Ohio. Accompanying the coffee, this time ignoring my server's suggested dessert, was the daily dessert special of Tiramisu. With lady fingers made in house and the evening's batch being prepared before me a large slice was presented on a plate and although not avant-garde in any way, the classical preparation was flawless in execution with cocoa, mascarpone, coffee, and rum each presenting prominently. Looking back in retrospect at the Vetri family of restaurants I can now say that Amis is certainly the least refined and yet not the least pricey. Tapas in its presentation I feel the ideal way to experience it would be with a group, as is their intent, in order to taste as many different presentations as possible - and if I lived locally I'd be looking for a group right now in order to head back for more.
(4)Joe C.
Let's start off with the most important things first....the have a liquor license with wine and a full bar so no BYOB here. Yes it is a big deal especially for us tourist who are not used to BYOB and don't know where the liquor stores are. Now the food....every pasta we tried was exceptional with my fav being the "Cacio e Pepe" tonnarelli pasta with back pepper and pecorino cheese and the Spinach Lasagna. Both of these are worth the flight back to Philly from LA.
(4)Anthony Y.
chef spence crushes it. the talked about hits mortadella mousse, meatballs and affordable wines top my list of favorites. i went for a business meal but will definitely be back frequently with my wife.
(5)Alie A.
I simply cannot understand why it took me two years of passing by this place every day to actually come for dinner. I could kick myself for what I have been missing out on. The interior is gorgeous and intimate. It's far smaller inside than I had imagined it to be. It reminded me a lot of Barbuzzo as far as the menu options go. Forever a tapas fan, this family style dining allows for a lot of variety and you get to have a little bit of everything. The bartender was excellent in helping to pair wines with what we both typically like. Great selection and on point recommendations. We sat at the Chef's table which was fun to watch the kitchen bustle on a busy Sunday night. Our server staggered our selections so that we were constantly eating from start to finish. (FYI gained ten points in one sitting..easy. Thank you, Marc Vetri.) The first dish was the whipped ricotta and toasted and light oiled bread. Delicious and the perfect starter dish. Next came the swordfish meatballs with polenta and pine nuts. I had heard this was a house favorite, and I can certainly see why. Very unique flavor. If you are an adventurous eater, the sweetbreads with fennel marmalade were mind blowing. Just pretend you don't know what your eating and it tastes like chicken.. The Chicken Al Matone infused with garlic and olive oil and served over a bead of spinach was the juiciest, most flavorful thing I may have ever had. I tried to explain it to a friend following the meal and couldn't even do it justice. I literally stuttered to explain its awesomeness. We also have the spicy bucatini stuffed with jalapeño and almond pesto was rich and savory..also a know house favorite and certainly one for a reason. Although I thought my pants might split by this point in the evening, we simply couldn't go without trying the tiramisu which was absolutely something to write home about. Ladies and Gents..this mean was one for the books. I am going to throw a really big statement out there..I think this may be the best restaurant in Philadelphia. There. I said it. Can you handle that? Yum.
(5)De V.
Amis was highly recommended and now I can see why! The ambiance is loud/fun environment. We sat at the Chef's table where we observed apps & desserts being made. The staff was so nice and answered questions on the variety of plates we watched them prep. The food is phenom, definitely a must to try this place out.
(4)Carlo M.
Nice location on a quiet street just outside of the drab high-rises of Center City, and a nice ambiance. They were poor on meeting their reservations however. We got there on time, and were told to wait at the bar for our table. Little did we know there were still three couples ahead of us. Luckily, they opened up the chef's table right next to the kitchen, so we were able to sit there, which I actually really liked. With that aside, I thought the food was actually very good. The bread was quite tasty, and it went really well w/ the mussels we had for appetizers. It was a great surprise to find little pieces of pork in the broth! I liken the feeling to finding an onion ring in your fries when you go to Burger King. Anyway, great mussels. For my main dish, I ordered the black spaghetti w/ squid & chorizo. It was really good. I don't know what else to say. Beer & wine were reasonably priced, as was the rest of the menu. We were going out afterward, so we skipped dessert. But we sat right in front of the dessert station, and all of them looked really good. I'll have to come back here to try them.
(4)Alexandra C.
It was really nice of my bf to surprise me with a reservation here on NYE. Unfortunately though it seemed as if we found the Philadelphia Olive Garden. Holy disappointment this turned out to be. The star is for the excellent service from our very nice waiter. Eggplant caponata app -- Nice price of $6. This is usually a fave of mine but found it to be much too oily and lacked the true flavor it should have. Served with super thick slices of not good tasting bread which were all terribly charred. Okay..so the 3 pasta dishes should be better..After all we were told to only order the pasta here and from the looks of our dining neighbors next to us they left almost all of their food on both their plates and sort of shook their heads (looked as if they had some sort of fried filet with a salad?) So of course we were lucky enough to know to order the right things! Wrong. I have never had heavier sauced pasta dishes in my life. Normally I am a salt-aholic and put salt on everything. This was the first time I didn't want to. Everything was so completely OVER salted it was barely edible. The pastas all so overcooked you couldn't tell if you were eating fresh pasta - In fact it could have very well been a store brand. Squash lasagna- an oily mess with what tasted like cheap cheddar cheese melted over the entire thing. Overcooked mushy lasagne with a tiny amount of squash, which gave it really no squash flavor - just salt and cheese. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe - thought I was going to choke to death on a peppercorn. The tonnarelli was wayyy too overcooked. The most overly creamy/buttery/salty dish I have ever had in my life. Olive Garden could do it much better than this - and that's not saying much - at half the price. Pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu - the dish I was dying to get after seeing it on the online menu. This was the best one of the night. Again- too much oil and salt but the mushrooms gave it some actual flavor. Noodles were again too overcooked, but not as badly as the other 2 dishes. Once again my theory proves right! If I don't like the bread at a restaurant I end up not liking the meal. The bread looked like focaccia but tasted like some stale sourdough. This isn't good cooking. If it were the pasta would have been cooked al dente to perfection, the sauces would be light to compliment the pasta, half a salt shaker wouldn't be poured into the food. I'm a tough critic, I know.. But this food left me with Italian food nightmares and perhaps a few pounds. Not sure if I will ever try Italian outside of my family's home again!
(1)Sarah F.
Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.
(4)Samantha B.
After Osteria, I didn't know what to expect with Amis. I was pleasantly surprised. The vibe is completely different. Much younger, hipper, cool bar, and more intimate than Osteria. We were seated at a table in the corner, would have been a bit better if there wasn't a couple very close to us on the right, but what can ya do. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and informative. To start we got the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, which was gooey, sweet, and cheesy. Can't go wrong there. We also got a scallop appetizer special that was equally tasty. And to be honest, we probably got the brussel sprouts, but I can't really remember. For our two entrees we got the Tagliatelle with bacon and root vegetables and the Porchetta with roasted potatoes. Both entrees were good, but not amazing. The pork was a little dry, but extremely flavorful. I would definitely come back again. Good experience, but a bit pricey.
(4)Patrizia C.
So glad I finally tried this. The menu looked incredible, the food was excellent and the service superb! I got the pappardelle with oxtail, it was delicious but I did find a couple of bones. I casually mentioned it to the waitress who was so sweet, she brought our table free dessert because of it! I will most definitely be back!
(4)Paul L.
Amis has become my destination whenever I want to impress a guest or for celebration. The food here is always good and consistent, I've never been disappointed during my many visits. Last night for Dining Out For Life, my companion and I came here for a meal and the place was virtually packed at 7:00. I sat at the bar and had an amazing prosecco cocktail called Alto. It's amazing because it's mixed right and also the orange peel they put in there make the whole drink fizzes up like a fountain and perfumed the whole drink with its fragrance. One of the best drinks I have for a long while. Amis is the place that introduced me to the combination of cheese and honey. Other Italian food and wine place have similar appetizers now but I will always come back here for their baked pecorino. It's like french toast but so much better. I just wish they offer more seeded toast for me to spread it on. I love their veal tongue, well, I wish it was a chewier cow tongue but the pepper mostarda was awesome, even the bed of spring onion that it was served in were great. The "explore the menu" function is not as updated as often and when I fully intended to order the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu or the oxtail canneloni, they have already switched those items out. the spaghetti with pork jowl is quite awesome. The pork jowl was really tender. The pasta perfectly al dente. I have never had pasta this perfectly cooked before. NEVER. Every restaurant has their own brussel sprout dish now and Amis' fried brussel sprouts is really a good addition. They are crispy like potato chips, well seasoned and really, really addictive. I don't know if they are good for you but I'm telling myself that they are. We had to thank the very friendly waitress that recommended it to us. We also ordered a monkfish dish that was ok. All the food and drinks were quite good and I imagine I'll be back for more again sometime soon.
(5)Rachelle R.
My husband and I recently visited Philly from NYC and checked out Amis on our first night there. We loved sitting at the chef's table and watching the busy kitchen. I loved that they serve non alcoholic drinks on their menu, like the pineapple soda (light on the pineapple, kind of like an Italian soda). The food was pretty spectacular. I went with the marinated shrimp with fennel and persimmon and LOVED it - the flavors are really complex but go very well together. My husband went with the sweetbreads which were just perfect. A lot of places fry sweetbreads and pair it with a bunch of crap that take away from the flavor - these were dusted with almond, and served with a simple fennel marmalade which was incredible. For mains, I went with the monkfish with lemon and escarole and was in heaven. My husband got the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. I had never even heard of chestnut fettucine and it did not disappoint - yum! The only complaint I can think of is the fact that it was super busy and our waitress forgot to bring us bread, and at one point my husband asked to see the wine menu, she brought it, but forgot to come back for his order. It was a little annoying, but we ended up getting a comped side of braised kale and comped assorted cookies for dessert which more than made up for it. The hostess was so sweet and asked us how we liked dinner as she handed us our coats, and we had an awesome chat with the owner/manager (I forget his title) and were pretty happy with the bill as well - very reasonable for the experience. Overall, fantastic food and drinks, awesome quiet/quaint street, warm and welcoming, not at ALL pretentious - definitely a big fan and will return next time I'm in town!
(5)Doris T.
The meal starts out with complementary bread that's cake like. The ricotta with black pepper is a must try! It's been days and I'm still thinking about this dish. If you're feeling adventurous order the grill veal tongue. It was my first time having veal tongue and not my last time. For the main entree we ordered the spring pea tortelli in a lamb ragu. It has to be one of the best tortelli in the city. The service was good nothing over the top. Overall, the food is great. So if you are looking to over load on delicious carbs give this place a try!
(4)Richard Michael L.
Just sublime. Went last night for maybe my 100th time? Took a vegetarian, which means I got to eats lots of CHEESE and desserts! Excellent swordfish meatballs, Sal's meatballs, baked pecorino, veggies, and desserts. Yum. The house white wine is a bargain. Outdoor seating on a warm Wed night was chill. Service is impeccable, as always. Danielle, Arturo, Ned, and the rest of the staff rock.
(5)Brett B.
All time favorite restaurant in Philly. Nice enough to feel like you are having a nice night out but not too fancy to make you uncomfortable. Menu is always changing and definitely never disappoints. Service is great. Food even better.
(5)Shirlana D.
It was love at first bite here! My bf took me here to celebrate my PhD proposal being approved. It was a last minute date, but it was great! The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had the meatballs for an appetizer and can I tell you, they were so good, I thought we might have to fight over who would get the last one (of course, he is a gentleman, so he offered the last one to me). The bread was light and fresh, served with warm butter as I like and the food was fresh. Our dishes were flavorful and well seasoned. We didn't have to wait long for our food and the seating, lighting and ambiance were perfect. The dessert was heavenly! We had the Belgian style waffle with nutella and hazelnuts - can you say DELICIOUS! This place is off the beaten path and is not located in restaurant row and because of such, may not get as much play. However, this restaurant is 5 stars all the way. Did I mention the ambiance is wonderful. This is definitely a place where you can go to have a nice evening with the one you love and share the love of food :).
(5)Jim G.
I've been meaning to review this place for a long time. This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The atmosphere is great: laid back and casual, but rustic and trendy. The food never disappoints. I highly recommend the baked pecorino - it's the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and nutty. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is also a "go to" dish for us. Otherwise, I recommend trying whatever is on special, because it's always awesome. They also have a nice selection of wine and a few craft Italian beers (bonus points). Where this place really shines, though, is in the service. Servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. If you ask how much food to order, they will tell you the right amount without trying to "oversell" you. Overall, I highly recommend Amis for simple, rustic Italian cooking and the feeling that you're having dinner with your "friends."
(5)Jenna H.
We don't usually get dessert with dinner and wine, but here, it's a MUST, and I'm talking about the Belgium waffle dessert! They make it fluffy, so it's not as thick and filling as a regular Belgium waffle, but has the same great taste topped with delicious ice cream! The menu does not have descriptions, so definitely ask the wait staff about anything you want! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and explained several of the appetizers and entrees to us in order to make a decision. The extensive wine list is also in Italian, and I usually drink Napa Valley Cabernets, so the waitress recommended one of the best wines I've ever had! They serve a variety of salad, pasta, seafood, and meat entrees along with a large selection of bruschetta, meat, and cheese appetizers. Appetizer must: Sal's famous meatballs with tomato covered potato. You get three juicy meatballs with a little potato underneath them, and the flavors were impeccable! We were looking for pasta and had the ricotta and tonnarelli dishes. Both were outstanding. While other reviews mentioned "generous" portions, I would categorize them as below average for what we usually receive at high-end Italian restaurants. We both finished our plates and could have eaten more, whereas usually I cannot finish an entire pasta entree. This was even after consuming one appetizer, fresh bread (provided to all patrons but with no dipping oil), and our complimentary side (described below). The service was top notch! Besides our waitress being attentive and knowledgeable with everything, we were offered a complimentary side that we shared while waiting for our meals because the chef was not happy with how the entrees resulted. Therefore, he started over while we enjoyed the side. We greatly appreciated this level of service! I'm surprised it's rated $$$ because most entrees were $16-20 a piece minus a few exceptions. We got a bottle of wine, two entrees, one appetizer, and one dessert for $115 plus tip! The ambiance was upscale, yet we saw people wearing anything from t-shirts and flip flops to dressy. They have $18 valet that is the best option unless you want to park and walk quite a bit. They had outdoor tables, but we opted for inside as outside seating is on the sidewalk by where everyone arrives, walks by, and valet. We enjoyed our date night and would definitely go back as we are huge fans of the Vetri restaurants!
(4)Roger F.
I was here for a party of 9 for a birthday party. We ordered a bit of everything from the menu, from the eggplant bruschetta, to the striploin with mushrooms. All of it was a smash hit. The service was excellent. We were in very capable hands, despite half of the guests being agitated from bad 95 traffic, and 2 of the guests hardly being able to hear anything. It was noisy when we went at 6, but I imagine much of that was our fault. The specials for us were all variations on salmon, with a crudo dish with blackberries as a starter, and a seared steak as an entrée. We ended up getting the crudo, which was an interesting and unexpected take. Our bill came to around $700 for 9 people, and we ate a *lot* of food.
(5)Richard R.
Finally made it over to Amis on a beautiful May night in the city. This is the 3rd Vetri restaurant we have visited, Alla Spina and Pizzeria Vetri being the other two. Amis is very pleasant inside and has an open and comfortable feel. The restaurant was doing a brisk business on this Thursday night. The recession sure looked over at Amis. The dishes we had were as follows, some selected from other Yelp reviews, thanks. Mortadella with hazelnut honey salumi - We really like this dish, it was sweet and salty. Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts - My wife loved this but it did have some flavoring with anchovies. If you don't like anchovies beware. Ironic because I am not a fan of anchovies but I liked this dish. I didn't love it but the pine nuts made it interesting and the anchovy taste was just below my breaking point. Spring pea tortelli with lamb ragu and mint - This was a fantastic dish, it is worth coming back for. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - This was also excellent with just the right amount of heat. Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - The eggplant fries were fantastic, very good dish. Olive oil cake with blood orange marmalade and whipped cream - This was OK, didn't really wow us. Amis serves this bread cooked in olive oil. Beware; it is awesome and easy to fill up on. Our service was excellent even though the restaurant was busy. With the 2 appetizers, 4 pasta dishes, 1 dessert a couple of coffees and 2 beers and a soda we were in the $130.00 range or about $32.00 per head before tip. Amis is not cheap but we were all stuffed. I liked Amis and glad we were able to get there.
(4)Katie B.
Went to Amis for brunch last weekend and walked in with very high expectations. Osteria, Alla Spina, Lo Spiedo, and the pizzeria are all incredible, and Amis was next on my list. Service, decor, and ambiance were fantastic. I highly suggest the cheese appetizers, and my brother loved the Jersey Bomb (an awesome looking breakfast sandwich). The bellinis, bloody mary, and cappuccinos were all perfect. Seriously can't recommend this place enough!! Best brunch I've had in Philly.
(5)Richie H.
First time coming here and enjoyed our meal and service. We ordered -Salami Del Giorno with Onion Marlamade - home made salami, but it was okay. -Sal's Meatballs - very tender and delicious - beef, veal, and pork - cooked to medium. -Cacio E Pepe - we just came from Italy and not a bad rendition of the classic pasta dish. It's a little blander than what we got in Italy, but you can really taste the pepper and wasn't as salty (which we preferred) -Rigatoni - good dish as well - cooked al dente. -Dessert - Belgium waffle - very tasty and extraordinarily light/fluffy waffle. Great with the nutella and hazelnuts. Awesome place - not as good as Italy, but close enough!
(5)Mark Z.
What a great dining experience I had here! I decided on taking my girlfriend here for my birthday and I am very happy with the decision. The restaurant itself has this very lax atmosphere and contemporary look. Our waitress was a total sweetheart and was very friendly, as well as attentive. My girlfriend and I wanted to start off with the swordfish meatballs as an appetizer. When we got our meatballs, we also got Eggplant Caponata on the house for the long wait (wasn't really questioning the wait, but awesome!). Both of the starters were great by the way. We also split the bucanti which was amazing! It had some nice heat with out being too over powering. I decided on the lamb shoulder as my entree. That was really good and tender, also the potatoes were seasoned nicely. Our dessert was the Belgian waffle with the semifreddo and nutella to share. That was a really nice way to end our great meal. I can't stress enough that people should go here for a good meal and awesome service.
(5)Shani T.
Amis may or may not be my favorite restaurant in Philly. Okay, fine, it is. I can't help but recommend this place to everyone that visits Philly. AMIS, YOU WIN, YOU HAVE MY HEART, OKAY? Amis is even better than my favorite Italian restaurant in New York (Giano). I love Italian food, and I only love it as much as I do today because of Amis. This place is amazing delicious beautiful intimate and have I mentioned amazing? A good friend of mine took me here before I graduated college and I regret not having discovered Amis before then. We started with the salami del giorno with onion marmalade ($8), which was delicious. The salami comes in slices that are quite thick, and the marmalade balances the saltiness of the salami perfectly. The plate comes with around 5 slices of salami but it was a great appetizer. For entree, I got the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper. Oh my goodness, I loved this so much. The pecorino sauce with black pepper is rich, but not heavy in a way that made me feel too full from flavor. An extremely simple dish, but it's what I imagine a pasta dish would be like from Italy. The pasta was cooked to perfection and I am literally salivating as I type this. For dessert, my friend and I split the belgian waffle with nutella and ice cream. UGH I WANT TO EAT THIS EVERY DAY. The belgian waffle was fluffy, but still had a nice crunch. The ice cream was perfect and I could just eat a jar of nutella myself normally so there's that. I left Amis so full and so satisfied. Like, never been happier in my life. I recommended a couple of friends to go to Amis when they visited Philly for the first time and they loved it too. Definitely a great restaurant for a date, as it is very intimate, with dim lighting and very cute decor. Amis, I love you. So much. So so much.
(5)Aaron L.
We frequent Amis but came for the Seven Fishes dinner in July. It was outstanding to say the least. The coursed dinner was presented quite well and the flavor profile was incredible. The star of the dinner was the spaghetti and crabs and they couldn't have been more flavorful. To wrap the dinner up the desert combination was also top notch, including a savory buttermilk shortcake. Always a great dining experience and this was no different! See you next time, Amis.
(5)Christina V.
Just one stop at Amis and this place is by far, my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. The decor is right up my alley- rustic meets modern. Lots of wood work, a large bar, and a quiet industrial feel. Perfect non-pretentious vibe. It was my first trip to Amis and was my dates choice- he raved about it and couldnt believe i hadnt been there yet. We were a bit early for our reservation so we grabbed a cocktail at the bar. It was packed and the bartenders were attentive and quick to take our order. Once our reservation was ready we decided to sit at the chef's table. The kitchen was clean and bright and friendly. Our server was quick to greet us and start us off bread and a refresher for cocktails. Once ready to order, I let my date take the reins. And I couldnt have been happier. We ordered the bufala ricotta and black pepper and Sal's meatballs to start. Both were out of this world, insanely crazy delicious. The meatballs were so tender and the ricotta was served with this charred thick sliced seeded bread. We also got the Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and another dish which I can't remember- not because it wasn't good but because I probably devoured it too quickly. The tonneralli was rich and probably right off the boat from Italy. The service was just as impeccable as the food and just when we thought we were done - our server brought over complimentary Mom-Mom's rice pudding which was phenomenal. I want to live here.
(5)Jack J.
Came here for Valentines dinner and was thoroughly impressed. This is my first Marc Vetri restaurant and it did not disappoint. I yelped some of the more popular selections before coming here. We ended up ordering the fried cauliflower and the swordfish meatballs for appetizers. The swordfish meatballs were perfectly cooked, but my mom makes her own fish balls and I couldn't distinguish the difference in meatballs made with white fish and this swordfish - nonetheless, it was delicious. The fried cauliflower was great as well, didn't really taste fried to me, more like baked? For our main course we had the Cacio E Pepe and Paccheri with Swordfish and Eggplant fries. I can't speak much for the Cacio E Pepe, but the Paccheri was delicious and a very interesting looking dish. Slightly salty, but savory nonetheless. It's definitely a foreign idea to me - paccheri in tomato sauce with basil, swordfish bites, and topped with a few eggplant fries. Somehow it worked, kudos Vetri. For dessert I had seen the Belgian waffles with nutella on here, so we had to have it. It did not disappoint. We were so stuffed at that point - the portion sizes were larger than I had anticipated.
(4)Brennan D.
Excellent meal and fantastic service. The Jalepeño pasta dish and fettuccini corn dish were delicious. The pasta entrees were not overwhelming in size, so I'd recommend getting a couple small plates. My fiancé and I did the meatballs and the salami w/ honey sauce. They have an wide variety of cocktails, beer, and wine to goose from, but we went with the house table white wine - $20 for approx 4 glasses. Service was polite and helpful with menu options - our server was Graham. He recommended his top choices and he was very nice. Definitely will be back!
(5)Sari A.
Went there with some friends hoping for another lucky strike of good food. I started with the Bufala Mozzarella with Clementines and Walnuts, nothing exceptional to brag about! My friend, however, had the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, It was Warm, melted and looked amazing and I knew I had to try it. The saltiness of the gooey cheese and the sweetness of the almond honey drizzle was divine. I totally regret not getting it! Rigatoni with skirt rib ragu was my entree. The home-made rigatoni was okay, not the best I ever had. Besides the tough texture, the chef was so generous with salt! Seriously, my pasta was extra salty that I thought either my blood pressure will be elevated or I will dehydrate. I think I did drink more than five glasses of water to compensate the highly-salt dish. After the disappointing appetizer and entree, I was hoping that my dessert at least will be the "icing on the cake,"I believed that it will be hard to go wrong with the Belgian Style Waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts, it sounded as the winning combination. Again, it was decent, not really memorable. I had a bite of my friend's Mom-Mom's Rice Pudding looking for some comfort, I was dissatisfied. The chef complementary tiramisu was average! Nothing was memorable except the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, I will go again just to have it for myself! Disappointing highlights: 1/ We weren't seated until the rest of our party showed up- we waited at the bar. 2/ Food took forever to come out, with long gap between courses 3/ I'm even more disappointed because its part of Vetri's family! Three Yelps!
(3)Lynne K.
Overall, the food and service were terrific here. We sat outside and thus did not get a great sense of the ambiance indoors, but I would certainly be willing to come back and try indoor seating when the weather isn't quite as nice. We split two pastas, one entree, and one vegetable side dish between two people and felt that was the right amount of food (though we went hungry!). Our server was knowledgeable and helpful.
(4)Justyn W.
I am so glad I made the decision to go and check out this restaurant before leaving the city. My friend, and fellow Yelper, Sarah P. was kind enough to indulge me for an evening dinner at a place I had only heard great things about. We were quickly accommodated with seating once we arrived, and our waiter was extremely attentive and fun as well. The pasta and other items were clearly fresh and I suggest you check out the pictures I've posted to get a better idea of what the final product looked like. But the meatballs paired with my pasta extremely well, and were large and filling but still light at the same time. Not to mention the adult beverages we checked out were pretty tasty as well. Our waiter surprised us with tiramisu presumably because I told him it was very likely my first and last trip to the restaurant, and believe me when I say it didn't disappoint either. This place is definitely solid and it's rating speaks for itself. I look forward to possibly coming back whenever I revisit Philly, and recommend it to anyone considering.
(5)Saloni G.
My recent experience at Amis was great! We shared the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey which was good but I think my expectations of it were set too high. It was pretty sweet, which kind of overpowered the taste of the cheese itself. The Fried Cauliflower with Pecorino and Salsa Rossa was really good! The cauliflower was well marinated, crunchy, and fresh. I definitely recommend this dish on the side! For my entree, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. There were a lot of japapenos so be careful if you're not spice-tolerant! The pasta was clearly freshly made and delicious. Some Italian restaurants tend to make their pasta too oily but Amis was right on point! I stole a bite of my friend's Tartufo E Bacio which was very rich. It's basically a dome of chocolate and was delicious. Our service was good but slowed down when it got busier. They are pretty attentive and will happily bring more of the bread if you ask! I've heard their brunch is good too so I might stop by again in the future!
(4)Sarah K.
Came here last week with a friend and it was great as always. Not as good as I remembered it but we over ordered so maybe I didn't enjoy it as much. The ricotta as always was perfect. The charcuterie plate was interesting but I don't love mortadella. The salami was very flavorful. The swordfish meatballs were really fishy, my husband said that's to be expected, but he wasn't there to know just how fishy they were. The cauliflower was just perfect. My biggest issue was the cacio y pepe, when I was in Italy I fell in love with this dish. However at Amis it tasted a little pasty and not very peppery which is kinda imperative to the dish. The pasta with the jalapeños made up for it, had a great kick. The staff as always was great. We were so full at this point that we knew we wouldn't be able to eat the scallops we ordered so the waiter canceled it for us no problem. Overall very good.
(4)Zinnia M.
Amis has become a favorite go-to for a date or dinner/drink with friends. I love the atmosphere and the food and the service is usually excellent. They do get quite crowded on weekends, so make a reservation for dinner! For drinks, they have a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. My favorite is the prosecco - seems to go with everything and if you're craving something a little more fun, order a granita! They'll serve you a prosecco with a little dish of semi-frozen berry deliciousness to add to it and it's just so yummy! We usually go with the small plates to get a nice variety, and who doesn't like sharing? A couple of the stand-outs: warm pecorino with almond honey (divine), quail with bitter greens and kumquat marmalade (great complementation of flavors), fried brussels sprouts with lemon (perfectly seasoned and a great portion). I have a pretty specific diet, and can always find something tasty! I've had to wait for a few times when we didn't have a reservation and ran into friends there the other night that waited even WITH a reservation, but they were quite busy and make it up to you with their friendly waitstaff and oftentimes even some complimentary small plates from the kitchen. Highly recommend! Have taken out of town visitors and they loved it just as much as I do.
(5)Vivian T.
* * * * * 5 STARS I came here exactly 1 year ago yesterday and had my first date with my now fiancé. I can't believe the second visit here was better then the first... which hardly happens. Ask my fellow yelpers. I loved the professional service provided by the manager and his ability to make the guest feel special. Also, our waitress Allison was the bomb! The service was the best ! Now lets get to the nitty gritty.... the food! For starters, we had the pork cheek which was so tender, the almond dusted sweetbreads which literally melted in your mouth and the pumpkin spread with toasted pumpkin seeds on sesame bread which was sweet with a kick. The apps blew my mind! For entrees, we had the lamp shank, the porchini dusted steak and the fettucini w. duck. The entrees were amazing and very well portioned. So savory and blew my mind again! For desert, we had the rice pudding and tiramisu which was also too good to stop eating. This blew my mind again and again. All in all, 5 stars well deserved... another great Amis dining experience with great wine, fabulous service, lovely ambience and mind blowing food and last but not least the perfect date.
(5)Arvid Y.
Our director took us to Amis for late night food and drink. As he would say, "it was fantastic!" The ambiance is classy-casual and romantic, with dim lighting and uniformed waitstaff. It's a small physical space, but well-arranged and cozy. Seemingly a perfect date venue. A tad bit on the noisy side however. First of all, they surprised us with a complimentary pasta dish. I'm not sure if it was another table's botched order, but regardless, it was a pleasant surprise. This complimentary dish, the bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto, ended up being my favorite plate of the night. I've never had a jalapeño pasta dish before, but wow does it work well in this dish. The jalapeño kick is simply addictive and I found myself fighting my colleagues for the last few bites. The bucatini was well cooked and the cream sauce was well-balanced, rich without being overly heavy. To top things off, the almonds added some much appreciated texture to the dish. So good! We also ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and a braised pork pasta special of the day. Both were very good, but I just couldn't stop thinking about the jalapeño pasta dish, it was that good. It's probably one of the best pasta dishes i've had ever. For dessert, we had the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Amazing! The crispy exterior, warm cake interior contrasting with the crunchy hazelnuts and soft semifreddo was heavenly. The combination of the jalapeño bucatini along with the Belgian waffle dessert could very well serve as my last meal request, if I ever found myself on death row. Overall, I was impressed with with Amis' atmosphere and service. The waitstaff was friendly and on point. They have a nice selection of wine and liquor. We also had a celebrity sighting and Aziz Ansari was dining a few tables down from us. I'll definitely be returning to Amis the next time i'm in Philadelphia.
(4)Manosai E.
Came here with my girlfriend at 8:30 on a Monday night. The place was pretty busy for the day and time of the week but we had a reservation. I thought the tables were a little too close to each other, made it seem like you were invading on your dining neighbors' privacy. We didn't have much of a choice when it came to a lot of the entrees since the only meat we eat is chicken but we still decided to order the ricotta bruschetta and bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. The ricotta was slightly heavy but delicious. We'd heard from friends who had been here before that the bucatini would be amazing so we were definitely excited for that to come to our table. We weren't disappointed. 5 stars just on the basis of that dish. It was absolutely delicious and unlike anything I've ever had. The sauce reminded me of pad thai since it was nutty and creamy but the jalapenos were a great touch that made the entire meal a bit spicier than I was expecting. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed the dish and were happy with the overall experience.
(5)Devina G.
We indulged for an evening of deserts and drinks at Amis. This was another favorite of our hosts, so we were excited. I don't remember what everyone ordered, but the twin and I shared the Belgian style waffle with Nutella. The The waffle was topped with vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Semifreddo is a frozen cream or custard, almost like ice cream. My first bite into the fluffy warm waffle, laced with melting sweet cream and Nutella was simply heavenly. I have no other words to describe it. It was fantastic and our entire group loved it! I ate it so slow to savor every moment with each bite. Aside from the heavenly waffle, I really enjoyed being there. Very casual and definitely a great atmosphere. Drinks were reasonably priced as well. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Olivia R.
I have been to Amis for brunch twice now, and it is the best! Fantastic food, service, and atmosphere. Here are some highlights: FOOD: BAKED PECORINO is a plate of gooey, cheesy goodness with a bit of a sharper taste. RICOTTA is a pretty standard ricotta dish but delicious nonetheless. BELGIAN WAFFLE WITH SEMIFREDDO is so delicious! I have never had semifreddo before and it is basically a stickier, creamier version of ice cream. The one that comes with the waffle is butter flavored, so if you spread it out, it is as if the waffle has butter and ice cream on it at the same time. If you are in the mood for something sweet, I definitely recommend this. If you are in more of a lunch mood, definitely go for one of the PASTAS - they are all hand-cut and very tasty (at least one person tried each one in my party). SERVICE: This is probably the best service I have had at a restaurant ever. The waitresses were so nice and friendly and were great about explaining everything on the menus and giving recommendations. The first time I went, the baked pecorino was taking a bit longer than usual to come out so she just gave it to us on the house. Then when we were looking at the dessert menu, we mentioned to each other that we had wanted to try the olive oil cake but were too full to get it. Five minutes later, out comes the cake, also on the house! The second time I went, they gave us ricotta on the house as well. So considerate, and it made the dining experience all the better! ATMOSPHERE: Amis has a well-lit, airy, bright atmosphere. There are beautiful lamps made of little red bottles of cordial. My favorite part is the bakery counter, filled with scones and bread and open toward the restaurant. Behind the counter you can see into the kitchen, a nice touch. If you are looking for a nice place to go to brunch, I definitely recommend Amis!
(5)Bruce N.
A bit pricey but the food here is WORLD CLASS! Service is awesome, and even the valet Kory goes above and beyond the call of duty. THIS is how a restaurant should be.
(5)Andrea A.
Yes yes yes. If this place was byob I wouldn't eat out anywhere else on date nights. Delicious small plates and an intimate setting that still can translate to casual- love it here. Order: swordfish meatballs, mortadella with honey, any of the pasta dishes & the ice cream Sunday with blood orange.
(5)Peter V.
We came here for dinner on a Saturday. The place was packed for the night. Opted to sit at the bar. Hostess also said that tables outside are on a first come first serve basis. Bartender Michelle was great throughout the night. Super attentive even though it was a very busy night. She gave good recommendations on both drinks and food. The only issue with our meal was the long wait time between our antipasto and our entrees. All dishes were good except for the eggplant lasagna. It was tasteless and would not recommend. We ended our meal with tiramisu and was given a salted butter semifreddo on the house.
(4)Lucy S.
Great Tuesday night dinner with work friends. We started at the bar with a cocktail. Good selection but a little annoyed that the bar tender kept ignoring my request for a drink while my guy colleagues were chatting and being indecisive. The waitress was a bit aggressive in seating us. We said we wanted to finish our drinks at the bar and she said we rather she we didn't. When we sat we put our hands in the waiter to choose our food and wine based on recommendation from a friend who had was with us who had been there before. We started with a nice red medium body to go with out first course - burrata and house made charcuterie. Burrata was awesome didn't try the charcuterie a little too fresh for me. Fellow dinner gave good reviews. Next course was octopus and another dish of cauliflower. Cauliflower ROCKED. The pastas were the standouts the almond pesto with jalapeño not to be missed. We finished with scallops and lamb. A little on the odd side was the second red was lighter than the first. Not a major party fowl - but strange since waiter picked wines -knowing we were going to have two bottles. All and all. Great experience.
(4)Joe D.
We ate and drank everything and you we couldn't go wrong. From the pre-dinner cocktail (Ginginber - 12 hendrick's/ginger/cucumber), to the bread (omg), apps, wine, and entree's. This review is long over due since the first time we went was to "carb up " for broad street, and I should have update you all on yelp prior. My bad - cuz its so good - Im actually salivating, and making a reservation at Amis as we speak. Cheers
(5)Jacqueline O.
Vetri killed it on this one. Best restaurant in Philadelphia. Doesn't matter if you can't pronounce it or have never heard of it... It is to die for. Just about all of the starters are amazing. My two favorites have to be the straccitella with heirloom tomatoes and basil and baked pecorino with almond honey. Both of these are not to be passed on. The only appetizer I would say to pass on is the swordfish meatball. It is so fishy it's almost unbearable. Al time favorite dish- bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. It is the perfect combination of spicy and creamy. For dessert the Belgium waffle with Nutella is a slice of heaven. It's hard to believe something this good even exists. However tiramisu here is a trigger word for me. So say a prayer it is the dessert special.
(5)Lily C.
One of the best Italian meals I've had in Philly. I really liked the atmosphere - it was lively and loud without being unbearable. The service was not great that night...I was seated for ~20 minutes before I was greeted by a waiter or before I was able to get a glass of water. The service did get progressively better throughout the night, I guess as they got less busy. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto and striploin with mushrooms and chimichurri. Both of these were absolutely mouth-watering and I won't be able to live with myself if I don't return for these the next time I'm in Philly. The presentation of the dishes and the flavors were amazing.
(4)Vidushi B.
Amis might be my favorite restaurant in Philly. I've been here a few times for dinner, and it's been excellent, but this review is for the brunch, which I had the pleasure of trying for the first time yesterday. I went with four friends, so we decided, first, to get the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey to share. It was so, so good. Baked cheese is heaven in any form, but the almond honey was the perfect touch. The bread that came with it was excellent as well - it tasted like garlic bread. For my main course, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. I enjoyed this a lot as well, though it wasn't what I expected. The sauce was kind of buttery, and it wasn't that spicy. I still enjoyed it though, though I hope to try some of the other options next time. The food was incredible. However, the service was AMAZING. The Baked Pecorino took a while to come out, and we had been waiting for a while. The manager approached us and apologized, and told us it was on her, which was very nice. However, at the end, I mentioned I was too full for dessert, though I wanted to try the olive oil cake. The waitress brought it out for us free of charge as an apology for earlier. I was shocked -- this is what truly impressing your guests means. (The olive oil cake was very tasty as well!). Probably truly the best service I have experienced. I can't wait to return to Amis again. And again. And again!
(5)Food Love R.
Oh my god!!!!!! Food is excellent (highly recommend bucatini) but the service out shine above it all. The best restraint service experience I've ever had in the past decades of many restaurant service. Thanks to the amazing shied Drew and great server Diana. We will be back with more friends and family. Just go there and it would be the best time you would ever have.
(5)Erin B.
My husband and I had our first wedding anniversary date here, on a friend's recommendation. We enjoyed every single moment. It was snowy outside and cold. we found close by parking spot that wasn't filled with piles of snow. we walked in - reservations of course, and were promptly seated. The waiter was kind and always around when you needed him, and not too obtrusive. We ordered many things to share, and i believe we had Sal's meatballs (delicious) and some fried Brussels Sprouts (life-changing, seriously), among other things. Our overall experience was a pleasant one and we would both love to go back and try more things on the menu. Nothing we ordered was bad, i am pretty sure you cannot go wrong here. They were out of the appetizer i wanted (pecorino with almond honey), so i guess i just have to come back to try it! one gripe- i always drink water. why please tell me, is water $5?? since when did restaurants start charging for tap water? This left a bad taste in my mouth - but thankfully i polished off my meal with a yummy latte to clear that bad taste. I am normally an outspoken patron, and would have mentioned it to the waiter, but my husband rushed out the door before i had the chance.
(5)Liza K.
Amis was never on my radar, and I'm glad I gave it a try when a friend suggested going there after a long work day. We made reservations ahead of time as they're always packed. We got there early and sat at the bar for a drink, which was a great way to pick the bartender's brain and try a couple different wines before picking our favorites. We were seated at a little table facing the open kitchen, which was great. We right right in the middle of things! It wasn't too cramped, but you definitely get the feel of being surrounded by a lot of people and it was quite loud. I didn't get to see the whole restaurant, but this part of the restaurant might not be the best for an intimate affair. The couple next to us, celebrating their anniversary got a lively experience, as everyone near them congratulated them, or offered them food. So if you prefer to be left alone, I'd suggest requesting a quiet table or something. Loved the food too! We had heard that the ricotta was to die for, and it was! Served with thick slices of a sweeter kind of toast we could have just eaten that. It was very good ricotta! Creamy, rich and just a little bit fluffy, it was deceptively filling. I think in the end we ordered too much for 2 people - the ricotta and other other plate would have sufficed. The Arancini meatballs were also recommended, and were good. However, in my humble opinion, they weren't anything special. I'd save room for something more exciting, like the ricotta or pasta! Last, we had the Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. The server said they weren't too spicy, but they definitely had a very strong kick to them. I liked the bucatini noodles - for people who aren't familiar they're spaghetti-like noodles, but with a hole in the middle. The jalapenos and almond pesto gave this dish a unique twist and made it feel a bit lighter than alfredo or another creamier sauce. I'm glad we tried simpler dishes, but I'd like to sample more exciting dishes next time. Out of the three, I'd have the ricotta again. The wine selection was great, and the bellinis are also crisp and tasty. I'd probably go for wine again next time, and get the bartender's help to pick the right one. Well done, Amis!
(4)Therese M.
Amis was my pick for my birthday dinner back in November. I'd been wanting to give it a try for a while now and it did not disappoint! We started off with the bufala ricotta bruschetta and baked pecorino w/almond honey. While both were good, the baked pecorino definitely won that round. Next up were Sal's old school meatballs.. they were simple but in a good way. For our main dishes, I had the fettuccine w/duck Bolognese and he had the bucatini w/jalapeno and pesto. I'm a sucker for anything with duck in it- so getting the fettuccine was an obvious choice. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was perfect. The duck complimented it well. The bucatini was also very good, but after trying both dishes, we each liked our own pick better (as per usual). If you have room for dessert, get the Belgian waffle! Ohh and can't forget about the drinks.. I was a huge fan of the Alto and plan on attempting to make it at home!
(5)Meg k.
We went for dinner with high expectations but were disappointed with the food. Ordered the combination salumi platter, quail antipasti and cacio e Pepe pasta. Quality of salumi was good but the plate was unimaginative. Left us wanting for some cheese or pickled veggies. And overall too sweet. Quail again was cooked well but came with cornmeal and cherry(?) sauce.. Nothing that wowed the palette. Cacio e Pepe was dense and Parmesan that became a cheese sauce making the pasta too heavy. Was expecting clean, fresh flavors overall from a restaurant this caliber, unfortunately it falls short. Liked the ambience (loud but it was appropriate) and service.
(3)Sumera K.
I have come here for drinks and dinner a few times over the years. Most recently visited on a Saturday night two weeks ago. Originally, I had made reservations for a party of two, but then added additional people to our party...and surprisingly, there wasn't a problem. Yay! I'm a big fan of places with great customer service. score. Had the eggplant caponata, roasted lamb, roasted mushrooms...all paired with a bottle of red. Everything was delicious except for the lamb. It was very dry and a bit overly salted. Overall, Amis is a great go-to and on point. The ambiance is seductive, has great service and delicious flavors...GO!
(4)Anish R.
Great place to take for a fancy date night. Strongly encourage calling ahead of time. The bread was fresh and tasted amazing each time ( I had to call for seconds!) The swordfish meatballs were a great way to start the meals. For dinner I had a sweet corn pasta type dish that was seasonal (late review I had this in the beginning of October) which was also great. A little pricey, but great night time dinner atmosphere on a Friday night.
(4)Yvonne L.
Nice ambience and locale. Reservations needed. Food was above average, quick service. Sometimes way too quick, the waitress hardly gave us time to dig in to our dishes and she was already asking us how it was! Starters of meatball and fried cauliflower were great. Seconds pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto had an awesome al dente texture but the sauce was a little meh (couldn't tell what the flavor was). Scallops were good and the chocolate dessert was delicious. I would repeat!
(4)John K.
Feel free to check out the blog for some more deetz on Amis and the Chef, but I'm sure we're here for the food. So let's get on with it! The restaurants features something called Beast of Amis, a nightly round of specials that showcases different parts of an animal in a variety of dishes. Tonight's special was pork three ways. Unfortunately, in an effort to showcase some a la carte dishes, the GF and I decided to pass. Still, if there was a pork belly special on hand, I'm sure I would have been tempted. Blood and Soda [$11] Famous Grouse, cherry herring, vermouth I started off the night with this scotch-based drink. For those that are interested in entering into the realm of whiskey, this is a great entry course. Light, refreshing, and bright, the cherry liqueur came through on the finish nicely. Easy drinking. Mandoria [$11] Tito's handmade vodka, amaretto, pineapple The GF's drink offered even easier drinking. The amaretto brought forth soothing undertones of sweetness with the pineapple providing brightness. The vodka was easily masked, but definitely there. Bread Service Our night's indulgence started off with incredible olive oil focaccia. Light and airy within, the exterior had a crispy crust laden with sea salt. It took all I had not to get up and attack the whole house-made loaf being portioned out for the evening's diners by the server's station. Come for the bread alone. Seriously - it's that good. No accoutrements needed here. Eggplant Caponata [$8] In line with our eggplant kick (at least one of our weekly dinners involves l'aubergine), we had to get the caponata. It came with four slices of grilled, buttery sesame-crusted bread. A perfect vehicle for the smooth, savory eggplant. Certainly a contrast in textures as well as temperatures, with the caponata being served appropriately cold. Bufala Mozzarella [$12] Charred asparagus, mint, pickled red onions The mozz was expectedly creamy and rich, with the charred asparagus offering a bit of texture. The pickled onion and vinegary base provided the necessary hit of acid. It's clear that the quality of the ingredients are there, but it truly is the sum of the parts that make each bite perfect. Salami del Giorno [$8] Onion marmalade House-made salumi (crafted over in a room at Vetri Ristorante no less!) came complimentary from the kitchen. And I'm glad it did - mainly because it's now a must-order. The salumi were sliced gossamer thin - cleanly flavored and nicely complimented by the sweet onion marmalade. The quality is evident here, unadulterated by much else. I couldn't help but think about the next Vetri-Spence-Michaud venture however. Vetri-wich anyone? (Craftwich ... Grahamwich ... you get the drift). Fried Cauliflower [$9] Pecorino, salsa rossa The GF has really been in the mood for cauliflower so we decided to get this dish. The cauliflower were crispy, yet incredibly meaty and not greasy at all. It's definitely well-seasoned with the salty pecorino and salsa rossa adding extra layers of flavors. It was a good dish to alternate with the sweetness of the salumi and onion marmalade or the creamy-vinegar juxtaposition of the bufala mozz. Arancini [$12] Short rib ragu, truffle pecorino Starting to make our way into some of the pastas, we had to get the arancini. These were deftly made - crispy on the outside, yielding to a creamy interior filled a surprisingly mild pit of cheese. In fact, at first I thought it was a bit bland, but it completely made sense when paired with the bed of well-seasoned short rib ragu. Pappardelle [$16] Smoked guanciale, parsnips For our first pasta proper, we went with the pappardelle. The GF was sold on the parsnips and for me, how can I say no to guanciale? The fresh pasta had bite and was not drenched, but perfectly coated in the sauce. While the GF was begging for more of the parsnip, the pork jowl/cheeks were incredibly smoky and offered the heft and salt that each bite richly deserved. Spinach Lasagna [$16] Veal bolognese We were getting full at this point, but this next dish came out, compliments of the kitchen again. While the previous pasta was great, clearly the chefs know how to order better than I. In fact, I may just have the kitchen order up my entire next meal. Basically, if you see spinach-pasta dish on a Vetri menu, you should probably just order it. I mean, we all know about the incredible spinach gnocchi at Vetri Ristorante, but this lasagna certainly holds its own. In fact, you could taste each individual layer that at one point I thought I was eating a large raviolo, infused with delicate spinach flavors. The exterior was so deftly crisped that it was like eating well-seasoned fried cheese with the veal bolognese adding an extra layer of sweet savoriness. Definitely a favorite of the night. *** TO BE CONTINUED ***
(5)Gino C.
Amis is in my Top 3 of Philadelphia restaurants! Marc Vetri does his homework visiting Italy for recipes, ingredients and decor style, and it shows. Take it from a guy named Gino Giuseppe, this place is *authentic*. The menu is arranged in such a way that you eat many courses and share small plates, just like it's done in the "old country." It's great for sampling all the original offerings -- I'll suggest Sal's famous meatballs and the eggplant fries as a few of my favorites. I've sat at the bar for a glass of wine and a few small plates during happy hour and sat outside for a special occasion dinner complete with a bottle of wine, and Amis is perfect for both. The service is always spot on. There is an open kitchen in the back of the restaurant with bar seating if you'd like to watch your meal as it's made. It's a nice touch and adds to the casual atmosphere, but the kitchen can get a bit loud during busy dinner hours. Amis means "to be fond of" or "love" in Italian, which is very apropos of my feelings towards this gem! Ciao mon ami!
(5)Fiona L.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!! I came here about four months ago, and I honestly don't remember what I ate or drank. It's a blur. I ONLY remember that I had a DELICIOUS DINNER and LOVELY night at the Amis. Amis has a very similar ambiance as Vernick and Rough. All are very romantic and dimly lit, which is perfect for dates!! Also, they are more on the upscale side, but I find Amis more young and lively (or maybe that's because we were sitting by the bar area). Again, we ordered two appetizers. One of them was the fried potatoes. It was okay in compared to Vernick's potatoes. These potatoes were cut too largely, so it wasn't as crunchy and was more starchy (potato-y). Also, with the great amount of starch, it fills you up quickly even though it's only an appetizer. For the main course, I got an order of pasta with little chunks of meat. I CANNOT RECALL the name of the pasta, but it was SO PERFECT! I usually never finish my pastas, but I FINISHED it! I almost wanted to eat the plate too....but my date stopped me. The pasta was cooked to the right hardness, about a minute passed al dente. Soft enough but not too soft giving a bouncy feel. The sauce - tomato, meat, and cheese - was in great proportions creating a satisfying and comforting meal! The BEST was the alcoholic drink. Again, I don't remember the name of the cocktail because the waitress recommended it, and with all those Italian names that I cannot even pronounce, it's hard to remember the names. The drinks was PINKish-RED. First I was given a glass of (I forgot what color) wine or champagne. Then, I got a side of sugary, shaved ice looking like type of thing that I added to the glass. That unknown substance was delicious! It made the drink sweet but alcohol, which is EXACTLY what I wanted. Besides the food, the ambiance is awesome! Upscale, romantic, yet relaxing. Also, the server knew the menu very well and gave very good recommendations! I would totally come here again to try something knew plus find out those names of the dishes!
(5)Lindsay D.
It's rare that a restaurant achieves 5 stars on all levels, but Amis is firing on all cylinders bringing their A game every.single.time. We've been here twice in the past 3 weeks and both times requested the chefs table. There is something exhilarating watching a true Chef command his kitchen. Ned is a pro, but I imagine it fairly easy when your team consists of competent, talented, awesome people! I have to mention Arturo, I don't know his "real" title, but he's food expediter extraordinaire! This man never flusters, whisks plates away as soon as they hit the counter and can call out tickets like a boss. It's really amazing to watch this crew prepare and create....sit at the chefs table. We do go for the food too...everything is super fresh, perfectly seasoned, uniquely crafted and just god damned delicious! Some of our favorites and must haves include the escarole salad, whipped ricotta, meatballs, the jalapeño pasta and then usually whatever the "beast of the week" is. Ask Ned about the Mortadella, he's got a proud story for you. The adult version of bologna does NOT disappoint. Gone are the days of pairing it with cheese and white bread....these creative geniuses pair it with a hazelnut honey situation that will change your life. Leave room for desert or don't and order it anyway. They make a nutella waffle ensemble that makes you think about it even when you're not there. OR the rice pudding. It's not just "rice pudding", it's RICE PUDDING...I will fight you for a spoonful if you've got leftovers. Amis knows how to craft and present their cocktails as well. No matter how busy, our drinks are accurate, cold and delicious! We are always treated like we're the only people in the place, Jen, one of the managers, has a way of making you feel like you belong right where you are and makes sure every single thing is enjoyable. She's a gem to see when we go in. I love Amis, can you tell? If their pastas, small plates and beast of the week creations were carb friendly, fat free and minimal calories we would be in at least twice a week. True story. Make yourself a reservation....You're welcome.
(5)Smrithi D.
I couldn't wait to try the Marc Vetri restaurants when i moved here and this is one of my firsts. The ambiance is casual yet nice enough for a fancy date. I called ahead to make reservations for a weekend night and there was no wait. The bread was freshly cut and service was great! The swordfish meatballs are a must try (as everyone else below me said) and I normally dont touch meat but decided to go for a bite. Didint disappoint. The pasta dishes were nothing special but still very well made with delightful little additions. Overall, pretty awesome place but I dont know if its one I'd frequent.
(4)John D.
We came to Amis coz of Marc Vetri and Brad Spence, with high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. The interiors are classy even the noise level is over the top. The house made rhubarb strawberry soda was pretty good. The salami platter was good but it was a lot of sweet accompanying the meats with no piece of crunchy toast (maybe an in house bread). The Cacio e Pepe was, unfortunately, a travesty. The pasta, which was pretty good, was ladled in some cheese sauce which had a very grainy texture and grated Parmesan. I'm afraid to say we might not be back soon.
(3)Jay D.
We took friends from out of town here last weekend. We've been to Amis at least five times in the past few years and have typically enjoyed our experience quite a bit. This was the exception. We all ordered a glass of wine or cocktail on the server's first pass. On their second pass, we ordered five small plates to start. The server awkwardly encouraged us to order larger plates at the same time. When we declined he stated that would then lead to a lag in service as the larger plates would arrive later than had they been ordered along with the small plates. Thanks for your subjective education on kitchen turnarounds at Amis. We received our small plates and again were asked if we were ready to order larger plates before we'd had a chance to even spoon any of it onto our plates. Again we declined, but ordered another round of drinks. When we were about halfway through our small plates the server returned. By now his actions had really begun to take over our meal. Our conversations revolved around rarely having had a server act this way, etc. Once we'd finished our small plates we were ready to decide on large plates. We typically would have ordered dessert but wanted to remove ourselves from this experience as soon as possible. Our bill was just shy of $300. This is $300 we will gladly spend at other restaurants of similar menus around this great city of Phiadelphia. Restaurants where management has instilled a strong foundation of placing a guest's experience paramount. When this is the case, the dollars will roll in naturally and the tables turn themselves.
(3)Nicole E.
Amazing! Went here for dinner tonight and the menu had so many delicious sounding options. I tried two appetizers and a pasta and loved it all. The staff was friendly and prompt, the atmosphere warm (which was great on such a cold night).
(5)Pamela N.
Incredibly delicious! All those reviews about pecorino cheese with toasted almonds and honey are true! Excellent cheese with amazing flavor added to it! Bucatini pasta is the bomb! Much better than the cacci i pepe vegetarian folk! Carafe of table wine! Awesome!
(5)Sarah P.
My friend and fellow yelper Justyn W. recently landed a dream job in San Francisco and we went here to celebrate and send him off in style. Amis was the perfect place to ball out. I typically am pretty frugal, so I was absolutely soaking in the classy-casual atmosphere and feeling glamorous. Amis is upscale without being stuffy or pretentious. The food is high quality and fresh. Slam dunk items are the baked pecorino with almond honey and the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. I absolutely recommend you try them. The pecorino is just so gooey and decadent when portioned out onto a crispy piece of bread. The bucatini highlights the unparalleled quality of pasta at Vetri's restaurants- fresh and perfectly chewy. The jalapeno flavor is mild, so even people who are spice averse will enjoy this special and memorable dish. The buffala ricotta and black pepper bruchetta was also excellent: rich, but a bit lighter than the pecorino. The brussels sprouts were yummy, but they were a bit oversalted, which had me chugging water to clear my palate. Still, just a small complaint in the context of an otherwise flawless meal. I also stole a bite of Justyn's "cacio e pepe", and the pasta was super fresh. The Amis cocktail went down easy, and I had to impose a limit on myself so I didn't keep ordering them! At the end of the meal, our waiter brought out a complimentary slice of tiramisu since we mentioned we were there for a celebration! Such a nice touch to end a very fun night. We went late on a Wednesday night, so there wasn't a wait, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation if you come on a Thursday-Sunday night, because it gets packed.
(5)Loren Y.
Fantastic! Had an amazing birthday dinner here with my mom last night. The prosecco was crisp, the appetizers were portioned perfectly and the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper was delicious! We split everything and it was the perfect amount of food. Our waiter was beyond accommodating (I forget his name, ugh I suck) and even provided us with a complimentary dessert for my birthday. I was totally surprised and very gracious. We didn't feel rushed at all and could take our time just chatting and drinking before even ordering our appetizers. Each plate that arrived at our table was timed perfectly. Would absolutely come back again. Thanks, Amis!
(5)Emily H.
This place is definitely a neighborhood gem. I went here for my mom's birthday yesterday and everything was absolutely delightful from the food to the service to the ambiance. Our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu and made sure we had everything we needed at all times. We didn't even tell him it was my mom's birthday and just by noticing her opening gifts, he brought out a cup of ice cream with a candle in it at the end of the meal which was more than thoughtful. The food was reasonably priced - of course we got lot of food so it added up but I would definitely recommend going here for a nice evening out. The focaccia bread that they give you in the beginning was probably the best bread I've ever had... We got swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower and grilled shrimp to start and then I got the monkfish (which I had never had before but loved - it was in a lemon butter herb sauce) and split the cacio de pepe pasta with my sister. It was more than enough food but I couldn't resist getting a cappuccino at the end which was also delicious. I have nothing but good things to say and would love to come back!
(5)Ryan B.
Note: This is not a review of the food or dining experience. I live in California while my brother lives in the Philadelphia area. As a gift, I decided to purchase a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in Philly. In searching online, I came across Amis and liked what I saw. I called yesterday evening to purchase the gift certificate and was told that I needed to call back later after the Friday evening dinner service to purchase the gift certificate as they were too busy to take the order. I was surprised, but didn't think too much of it. I called back 2 hours later and had to leave a phone message. I asked for a call back, but never received one. I called again this evening and was told the same thing. I'm an independent business owner and I find it shocking that these people can't take a handful of minutes out of the evening to run my credit card and take down some order details. Nor are they willing to call me back during a less busy time of the day or answer a call at a time of their own specification. This is poor service plain and simple.
(1)Lisa K.
Our server Jesse was great and had some great suggestions We stuck with the small plates and will have to go back again to go with the larger plates at a future date Our favorites included the salumi plate baked pecorino (amazing!) and sweetbreads. We also had the swordfish and regular meatballs. Neither of us liked the swordfish meatballs and the regular meatballs were ok. If you want meatballs go somewhere else Our server noticed we did not touch the swordfish meatballs and without asking it was removed from our bill. We did not expect them to remove the charge as sometimes personal taste does not mean something is bad just wasn't for us. Great gesture on their part and probably would have us go back Nice wine options and even gave us a few tastings to help us choose a bottle . Dessert was great as well, so save room. (rice pudding is home made!) Yes it is loud and crowded but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't have to worry if we were being to loud.
(4)Heather H.
I've been here a few times for dinner and always a delight. Recently, I came here with a group of girlfriends for brunch. Also tasty times. What I love is the service. I ordered a brunch pasta dish... Duck something something. I love duck, but when I got my dish, it tasted like fish. Like really fishy. I rarely send anything back but this time I did. The server apologized, brought me a salad on-the-house to nipple while my friends ate their main dishes. He came back with my new order which was yummers. What I loved is that the chefs tried my fishy dish, rejected it and knew exactly what went wrong. They wanted to be sure that they made things correctly every time and took comments to heart in order to make them better. Someone accidentally added sardine sauce! Oops. Things happen. They made it better.
(5)Beth R.
Appetizers were delicious especially the honey baked pecorino and the ricotta bruschetta. Bronzino was wonderful. Swordfish meatballs were also tasty but the polenta it was served on was not good. Giving it 3 stars because of the service. Took a long time to get our drinks and bread for the table. Also the staff gave our dishes and drinks to the wrong people and for such a pricey dinner I think they should have known who was getting what.
(3)Harriet J.
Came to brunch for a friend's birthday and loved the ambience/ decor of the place but unfortunately food was just average. Would be down to come again for dinner/drinks in the future.
(3)Matthew H.
Made some reservations here for a birthday and since it is a member of the Vetri family I had no doubt that it would be good. The space is very nice and it looks to be a converted warehouse. The noise level is a little high due to the fact that you are in a wide open space and there doesn't seem to be any noise buffets anywhere but oh well. We had 5 of us which allowed us to order a wide variety of things. Everything was extremely good and my only complaint is that we didn't order more. The appetizers that we started off with were the veal tartare (the weekend special), the cockles with corn and chorizo, the swordfish meatballs on polenta (super awesome and interesting, get these), the pork belly with stone fruit (very nice contrast in flavors), and the baked pecorino with almond honey. The bread was legit and looked like it was Luscio's to me so you know it's good. The broth for the cockles was good for dipping the bread in. The veal tartare was just killer, beyond tender and super tasty, I wish I had it sitting in front of me now. For entrees we ordered a few orders of the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper which had a sauce that was similar to alfredo but not as heavy. For those of you who don't know, Amis is Vetri's more pasta focused outpost and it shows the pasta is just stellar, we will be back for more of this and to really compare it to Mercato. We also ordered 2 orders of the lamb shoulder with potatoes and also a pork chop cooked medium rare. A few other things, if you aren't familiar with Verti's love of brining meats I am telling you about them now. This man knows what he is doing, most of these meats are brined for at least 3 days which is 2 more than you will find in 99% of other places. Because of that the meat takes on a totally new flavor and the brine doesn't just change the flavor it adds to it. The lamb was unreal, they roast the shoulder after brining it then shred it then make a nice steak and throw it on the flat top to get it hot again and crisp up the outside, just super enjoyable to eat and the flavors are awesome. The pork chop was at least an inch thick and cooked to order, medium rare. Again the brine does nothing but add flavor and it tasted as though there was a maple syrup glaze put on it before it went on the grill. Regardless Vetri and Brad Spence have shown yet again why we love them so much, they know their meats. We will be back to try more pastas as well as the desserts. If you haven't gone yet, go.
(5)Chris C.
Came here a few weeks ago for my friend's birthday with his wife and two children. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers, pastas, side dishes and desserts, but what stood out the most were the meatballs (courtesy of the house), duck sausage and pork chop (one of the best pork dishes I have ever eaten). However extraordinary the food, the service was even better. The staff at Amis went above and beyond to serve us and make my friend's night special. I was sincerely touched by the consideration and concern the restaurant showed towards us, in a way that I rarely ever see. Thank you, Amis.
(5)C K.
Came here for dinner and left full and happy. A breakdown of what we ordered: Pecorino with almond honey - highlight appetizer, what a great combination of sweet and savory. Wish they gave more than 2 small pieces of toast to scoop up all of this deliciousness. Swordfish meatballs - wonderfully salty and tender. Salumi del giorno with onion marmalade - was disappointed in the salumi, was not what I expected. Was hoping the salumi would be more salty, and the marmalade was a little overpowering. Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper - so simple and delicious. The pasta was cooked to absolute perfection. The little bit of cracked black pepper gave it a kick. Could eat this every day, would never get sick of it. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - this dish was my favorite of the night - so different and unexpected combo of ingredients, but it really works. The jalapeno gives this dish a spicy kick that lingers and the almond bits gives you the crunch. Amis gets 5 stars for their pasta alone. The best pasta that I have ever eaten. Our waiter was also really great. Only complaint is that the tables are very close to each other so you can hear everything your neighbors are saying.
(5)Vicki O.
Outstanding food and service. Went to brunch. Everything delicious. Each dish better than the previous. Started with bread selection. Fresh and tasty. Apple jam spread nice touch. Next polenta - well prepared noodles and awesome sauce. Would have licked the plate. Always love to try scrapple and am usually disappointed - this restaurant did not disappoint. Scrapple was delicious and perfectly prepared. Slightly crispy on outside and soft on inside. Main courses were gnocchi with sausage and Jersey cannonball with arugula. We shared. Both Excellent! Finished meal with hazelnut waffle (shared) another delicious selection. Coffee is great - strong and fresh. Looking forward to returning for dinner. Nice atmosphere. Highly recommend this gem.
(5)Michael C.
Went here last week! Baked pecorino with almond honey is to die for ! Should have gotten 2 orders! Did not want to share! The bucatini with almond pesto and jalapeños is great also another winner from Marc Vetri
(5)Karen S.
In the past few years I have dined often enough at Amis. I almost always sit at the bar and I honestly have never had anything less than an amazing experience. Most recently, I took myself on a date: dinner at Amis and a great football game with other rowdy fans. It was a Monday. I wouldn't say I dine solo often but I have done it enough times to have felt uncomfortable in a space and to also feel totally at home. The staff at Amis made me feel quite special this night and so I just had to write this review. The food at Amis to me is always delicious. A few times dishes have been slightly salty but I can deal with that. This particular night I ordered just two plates and a cocktail. The staff brought me an extra plate for no particular reason (except maybe because I was solo) and all three were extraordinary. I gobbled up every last bite. But the service in particular this night was perfect. The bartender was ever attentive but not overwhelmingly so. When you dine alone, this is crucial. You want slightly more attention than if you are in a group but not so much so that it draws attention to the fact that you are alone. This bartender really just nailed it and I'm so appreciative that there are others in this world that are aware of and possess the capability to provide a level of service that is intuitive. Thank you for what you do!
(5)Derek W.
The verdict is in: converted warehouse spaces are perfect settings for restaurants. Here, the wide open and light-filled dining room with simple but sublime decor and a convivial ambiance translates into a gorgeous overall aesthetic that challenges the chef to create innovative, delicious, and beautiful food. Thankfully the chef is more than fit for the challenge. The good vibes started early on, as we walked up the leafy block of South 13th Street and into this handsome, post-industrial brick building. The first thing that hit the table were four freshly-baked, glistening slices of olive oil focaccia. As our uber-chill server presented the bread, I thought to myself...doesn't all focaccia have olive oil? How is this so different, special? The answer came back instantly: this is focaccia 2.0, maybe even 3.0. The olive oil permeates every micro-nook in the bread, crust to center, and the server explained that they continuously bathe with the oil as it bakes. With nothing else, one would have a satisfying feast, but there was so much more. The buffalo mozzarella with charred asparagus, mint, and pickled red onions was an obvious starter choice, despite the presence of other very tempting options. Everything came together nicely in a rich and diverse palette of flavors, and the buffalo mozzarella, often hard to find, was a rare treat. I would have appreciated a bit more asparagus, but alas, perfection is elusive. The pasta menu stumped us profoundly, as every dish, plus the two specials of the evening, were order-worthy. We relinquished control to our server, a decision that proved genius. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto was a harmonious convergence of nutty and spicy, the latter taste somewhat muted as the peppers were cooked down to a modest mellowness. The fettuccine with guinea hen ragu and snap peas featured delicately braised meat and very thin, homemade noodles, delivering a light and deeply satisfying dish. We made the brilliant decision to pair the pasta with fried Brussels sprouts with lemon. The result was a huge bowl of impeccably cooked, not too greasy, subtly tart sprouts: yet another example of how 21st century chefs have fully resuscitated the reputation of this previously ostracized vegetable. The grand finale of the evening was an extraordinarily rich salted butter semifreddo with rhubarb marmalade and sbrisailona, a crumbly almond cake that likely makes few if any appearances on contemporary American menus (a shame). Our sense of the semifreddo's richness was undoubtedly increased by our realization that it tasted almost exactly like straight softened butter. Along with the semifreddo, our new amis at Amis brought us Mom-Mom's rice pudding, a splendid and creamy rendition of an old favorite, topped with figs, pistachios, and other delights.
(5)Jen L.
I have been here twice with a group of co-workers, and I will summarize our experience with this: great food, not the best for being able to hear the person sitting two chairs down from you. It's a bustling place with attentive service and a menu that will have something for everyone. Notable dishes: Mortadella with hazelnut honey Pecorino with almond honey Swordfish meatballs Monkfish Branzino (maybe skip the beef, it was over-seasoned)
(4)Steve S.
My First dinner in Philadelphia was awesome. I was watching Unique Eats on the Food channel and they did a feature on Amis. I was going to Philadelphia in two weeks so I bookmarked it. Wow, good thing I did. The food here is awesome. We got there at 7 pm without reservation, they were packed, but I mentioned we were visiting from California and they found us a table. Woo hoo. The place is on the small side & was dimly lit. Instrument music was playing in the background. Echoes of conversations reverberating around the restaurant. Really good ambiance. The service was on point. He knew it was our first time and was very patient in explaining the menu (we had a lot of questions). He gave us time to look through the menu & was very good with recommendations. Here's the rundown of what we got. My coworker & I shared 2 appetizers. Pork Belly Special Antipasti - delicious. It was only two pieces though, but really good. It was accompanied by grilled broccoli florets and parmesan shavings. The broccoli was on the burnt side but it was so good. I'm not sure if the burnt pieces was intentional or not, but it worked. Mussels w/ Leeks & Fried Long Hots: So Delicious. Mussels were perfectly cooked. The white wine sauce was just out of bounds good. This dish came with garlic toast. Dipping the toast in that sauce was just so gooooood. Highly recommend this dish. My coworker got the Chicken Spiedini w/ Apple Mostarda & Arugula. Another winner. The chicken was just so juicy and very tasty. But the apple mostarda & arugula took this dish to another level. My coworker gave me half a skewer of this dish and I wanted more lol. Chicken is the last thing I would have ordered at this place, boy was I wrong. Delicious chicken dish. I got the Pappardelle w/ Oxtail Ragu & Pears: Super dish. Pappardelle was cooked perfectly. The oxtail ragu was so tender and delicious. The pear was sneaky good. You would get a piece of pear and the taste would completely change. Yum yum yum. We were stuffed, we told our waiter (Jesse) we would pass on dessert. What did he do, he brings over a big chunk of Tiramisu (which was the special dessert of the day, was not on the menu) brownie points check. The tiramisu was so flavorful. I was stuffed, but there is always room for jello... Lol We were so stuffed, we decided to walk the mile & a half back to the hotel. We needed the walk in the freezing cold to work some of the calories out. Great Food, Great Service & Great Atmosphere. This is a 5 star PLUS rating from me. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Carla J.
When I go out to eat, I want to feel like I am getting what I pay for! Absolutely amazing food, service and just a top notch restaurant! For a Wednesday night, it was so crowded! Make your reservations now!!! That should tell you how awesome this place is! We sat at the Kitchen bar which added to the fun! Just watching the chefs Jack and Alex working together was great and makes you want to try everything! Swordfish meatballs, cauliflower, and a cheese dish with toast! Fantastic. Now the others ate the Veal tongue- and raved about it. I got the striploin for dinner (OMG!!) and yes they talked us into dessert! Tiramisu was light and topped off the night perfectly! Vetri did it again! just a fantastic night out! Thanks to all at Amis for making our night so awesome! , We will be back to see you soon!
(5)Sonia P.
Awesome dining experience in Philly! Be sure to make a reservation at Amis - the restaurant was still packed during our 9:15pm reservation on a Saturday night and remained full throughout dinner. I was slightly confused when I heard the name because "amis" is "friends" in French and originally assumed it was a French restaurant, but Amis actually serves unique, upscale Italian dishes - and they do it damn well. Starters: eggplant caponata bruschetta (fantastic flavor, I could have eaten it by the bowlful) and arancini with braised meat (I still prefer a classic marinara sauce, but the ragu paired with the rice fritters is a nice twist). Pastas: spinach lasagna with veal Bolognese looks small at first, but it's the perfect portion of homemade spinach pasta with rich meat sauce. I had my first experience with squid ink pasta (pasta special that night). The pasta tasted slightly briny from the squid ink and there were tons of jumbo lump crab meat throughout the gorgeous, inky, black strands of pasta = the absolute perfect seafood dish, I adored every bite. The "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut dessert looked like a giant chocolate Baci bomb - as a major lover of all things chocolate, I approve! Service at Amis is on point, prices are reasonable, nice options for alcohol, ambiance is lively, modern, hip, and I'm a big fan of the open kitchen. I would totally return here during my next trip to Philly.
(4)Dushyanth S.
Oh my god! The definition of delicious was created by food tasted here. My fiance and I got the jalapeño bucatini twice! So freakin out of this world! I am not a huge fan of Italian food but this is just so delicious! The meatballs were soooo good. Oh even the bread was delicious. If any of you reading this is visiting philadelphia, please DONOT leave without trying this place. Oh and for the wonderful residents of the city of brotherly love, come try it.
(5)Joe A.
I was looking forward to eating here but was very disappointed by the food. I ordered Caci and pepi pasta which is very simple to make but it was incredibly salty. I never send food back but this time I had to send it back because it was inedible. They made a second dish and it was still inedible. Someone has a very heavy hand on the salt or the cheese was incredibly salty. The server was very helpful trying to remedy the situation but it was very disappointed.
(1)Veen H.
My husband and I has dinner here last night at the chef's table, which is great for small parties and you get to experience all the action, smells, sounds and even chat with the chefs! The fact that I was under a foot away from a giant vat of liquid chocolate didn't hurt either :) The cocktails (punch, wine granita) are on point and potent. The baked pecorino appetizer and the pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto were highlights of our meal.
(4)Meredith B.
Last night I finally made it to Amis and I regret it took this long. Everything was outstanding. It was a perfect girls night, myself and one other friend. We sat at the kitchen table overlooking the whole kitchen. Our server (Lindsay) was a rockstar. I thought she was awesome. We ordered: Stracciatella with sweet onion marmalade - sitting at the kitchen table we saw this made time after time. so we ordered it. it's soft lovely milky cheese with a sweet onion marmalade that goes perfectly on top of grilled bread slices. Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - Why don't my meatballs taste anything like these? These meatballs are amazing and yet not heavy or cheesy. The only way to describe them is flavorful, not heavy and not dark... not sure if that makes sense. I felt like they were light meat not dark... I could totally be making this up but that's what I was thinking as I was scarfing them down. The tomato and potato puree accompanied them well. Arancini with short rib ragu and truffle pecerino - I'm not one to typically go for arancini but I do understand their appeal and I can respect a good one when I have one... this was a good one. I need to mention the short rib ragu that comes with this makes me want to come back and see what pasta dishes might also have the short rib ragu with it. The balls were nicely cooked with a cheese center. Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - Yes. Just do it. Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts - I'm going to be dreaming of these for the next few nights. I might start looking up recipes for when I have dinner parties. I forget the cocktail we had but I highly suggest starting your night off with one of them. Ah yes now I see it we had the Alto (prosecco/ginger/blood orange bitters). It is a great cocktail that starts the meal off right. All in all I believe this experience put Amis on the top of my Vetri restaurants. Service, Food, Drinks everything... homerun.
(5)Evelyn J.
I have been here for dinner a bunch and I absolutely love it. Today I went for brunch and it was amazing! I got the rigatoni with sausage and my friend got the Belgium waffle. They also brought out the duck bolognese from the kitchen on the house because my friend is there almost every week. All three were fantastic- I can honestly say that the waffle was the best thing I have ever tasted. Highly recommend this place, especially for brunch. There are not too many good places for brunch in philly, but who cares I guess if we have this place! Definitely going back as much as I can
(5)Margaret W.
Um wow! Someone recommend this place to me and I just happened to be in the area. Great food...amd I am not a foodie. The apple and cabbage salad w dunbarton cheese and walnut pesto was tasty and tart. Lots of flavors and refreshing. The cacio e pepe was delish and filling. Not really impressed with the bread served I sat at the chefs table and had a ball watching the pros in the kitchen. The staff was REALLY friendly and appreciated my questions about the menu. Next up? The pear tart. Oh and the fried brussel sprouts and lemon I highly reccomend. I will be back and I would reccomend to friends and family. Thanks Amis for a fun night!
(5)Tina D.
One of my favorite Vetri restaurants. Our wait staff is always pleasant. We are semi-regulars being that I live in the hood and we usually get waited on by one of two people. They are both awesome! The food is simple and delicious. I lived in Rome for a year and the food here is definitely reminiscent of the food I ate in Rome. A few of my favorite items are: The bufala ricotta with black pepper is to die for! It is rich, creamy and just utterly delicious. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes. The Tonnarelli cacio e pepe is typical of Rome and it's amazing here. I'm also a big fan of the Buccatini with jalapeno and walnut pesto. The kitchen always sends us extra dishes. They make us feel special each and every time.
(5)Sima Z.
Loud beyong belief! Service was very good. Our group of 50-70 yr olds We reviewed the menu before arriving and we're excited to try the sweet breads and Calf tongue. We also ordered the roasted veal and Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts we're overdone and over salted. Sweetbreads we're dusted in almond meal and we're very dry. The tongue dish had an overly sweetened sauce. Overall, not a pleasant dining experience.
(2)Shannon P.
Nothing says I love you more than sharing a plate of fried baby cow thyroids. Just kidding, although I did feel the love when I was brought to Amis to celebrate Valentine's Day. The boo planned way in advance and got our reservation a couple of months prior. Since there are already hundreds of reviews telling you how wonderful Amis is, I'll simply tell you what I ordered and how I felt about it. First off - house red. So deliciously palatable from somebody who primarily drinks white wine. I had the waiter write it down for me. Starters: Swordfish Meatballs, Baked Pecorino, and Sweet Breads. On a hot tip from my coworker I ordered the sweetbreads, the remainder was from yelp reviews. The meatballs didn't really taste like swordfish per say, but they were tasty. The sweet breads on the other hand, were exotic, tender, and a bit citrusy. Granted, I did not ask what "breads" of the body these were before I ate them, and I felt a little guilty afterwards when I found out it was from baby cow (veal) since I'm not a veal eater. Still, it was a good decision. They weren't organy...and not what I expected, which was pulsating food with veins throughout. It was as tender as slow roasted pork, and accompanied by a marmalade that added a sweetness to the savory. Baked Pecorino was good, but it didn't stand out as much as the sweet breads in terms of memorability. Pasta: Chestnut Fettucine with Duck Ragu...again ordered on the hot tip, and well worth it. The portion size is just right to ensure you're not taking it home, but you're full enough. Little flakes and some chunks of duck meat hid in the fettucine hollows. It's not served with a red sauce, it's a sauce from the duck...so a little brown in color but hearty in taste. Main: Lamb Shank. I know it's hypocritical to say I'm not a veal eater and then I go to town on a lamb. But I'm a hypocrite. The lamb was so so good. We had gawkers from both sides of the table ooohing over it. You receive a pretty sizable shank, which looks like a big drumstick. It's tender, falls off the bone, and has a flavor I can only describe as "homey". Again, it's served in a brown-ish sauce, which typically I despise - it's my one hate, ghoulashy things - but the meat was so good I got over the sauce. We didn't get dessert since we were a little drunk and a lot full. But they highly recommended the waffle to us. I'll miss you Amis - til next time!
(5)Thor T.
Even on a Tuesday evening, Amis is completely booked and running smoothly thanks to the watchful eyes of the general managers and professionalized staff. Our table of three indulged in smaller anti-pasti and the so-called "quinto quarto" dishes (Italians give this name - the fifth quarter - to parts of the animal that are euphemistically called "variety meats" in the US). At Amis, these include sweet breads, veal tongue and Roman tripe stew. All appetizers - the escarole salad with apple, the fried cauliflower (generously offered by the suave assistant general manager), the veal tongue and veal terrine, the scallop crudo and tripa, and the eggplant caponata - were very good, full flavored and well prepared - the sweet scallop crudo being a stand out. I have two minor quibbles: the mostarda, served as a rhubarb/strawberry version with the terrine, and a red pepper version with the tongue, did not have the mustardy snap I love so much and was too sweet for my taste (I have noticed this at other Philly restaurants). The amount of cheese on the Roman tripe was excessive, similar to a French onion cover rather than the light dusting this dish should have. We tried two pastas - the bucatini with almond pesto and the special, fettucini with ramps and guanciale - both very good with a nod to the bucatini for lightness. The bone in lamb shoulder chop was sizable, nicely seared but as one would expect from such a cut, tough in places. I also liked the freshly baked, soft bread save for the burned areas that gave it a bit of an acrid taste. A friendly and effective wait staff, a good beer selection and small but adequate wine list (steeply priced as almost all Philadelphia wine lists) round out an all-around pleasurable dining experience. No wonder Amis is so popular. With its assertively flavored plates, bustling atmosphere, and fine service, it ranks among the elite of Philly's restaurants.
(4)Eric B.
Very delicious. We liked the smaller portions. My wife and I got two appetizers, a pasta and then a meat dish and we shared everything and it filled us up. We were amazed at how good and unique it was (swordfish meatballs). Also not too expensive and the service was excellent. We highly recommend. Just be aware that it is a noisy atmosphere in there, so don't go with any soft talkers.
(5)Aubrey E.
If I had to pick one word to describe my dining experience at Amis, it would be "underwhelming". I really wanted to love Amis. They have a great looking menu, but unfortunately we just didn't love the food. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto while my husband ordered the monkfish. Neither of our entries were bad, but neither of them were spectacular. For the price and the Vetri name, I was expecting a tastier and more pleasant dining experience.
(3)Jemma C.
Turns out our second visit was just an off day as we've just returned and the food and service were fantastic!
(5)Parker S.
Nice, upscale casual interior. Excellent menu with a variety of options. Came here with my wife. We got 4 small plates and two entrees which was too much food, but it was delicious. With drinks and our meals our bill was just under $100 which was reasonable considering the quality and amount of food we received. I'll be back.
(5)Christine B.
So I finally made it to one of Vetri's restaurants, and it was a great choice. When we first sat down, the waiter was a little aggressive. We were chatting and hadn't looked at the menus, but he came by a few times to see if we were ready. We finally ordered a carafe of the red wine. It was decent, nothing special. The waiter immediately returned to get our food order and of course we weren't ready. We were probably there 10 minutes and he had already come by at least 5 times so we figured we better figure out the food. I don't think I've ever felt so rushed and the restaurant wasn't crowded, but after the food order was placed the waiter pretty much left us alone. Onto the food, started with the baked pecorino and honey, and prosciutto wrapped figs. The pecorino was definitely the star of the show. I would absolutely order that again. The figs were good, but I've had better. Next we shared the lamb and the rigatoni with wild boar ragu. The lamb was awesome. The waiter gave us this explanation when we ordered that its prepared differently and is brined, and a couple other things that almost scared me away, but I figured Vetri isn't going to serve something that isn't good. I didn't find it salty at all. It had a very interesting texture, kind of like short ribs without all the fat. Some of it was a little dry or just overcooked though and took a lot of effort to cut. The rosemary potatoes that came with were super tasty. I wasn't so sure about the pasta at first, but it grew on me, and then I wanted to keep eating it. It has a very unique flavor, I can't really describe it, except to say that it tastes great. I would probably try another pasta next time. Ended with the tartufo, but I only had a bite. It was very rich, and I'm not a huge dessert person, just wanted to taste it. All in all a really great, but pretty expensive dinner. Definitely recommend it.
(4)John S.
Stopped in late at 1015pm w da girlfriend Make a reservation! i did and walked past the 10 ppl waiting for tables, right to our table The FOOD: -Veal Sweetbreads were awesome! -Octopus salad was pretty good too. -Rabbit terrine w/fennel was sweet tasting, pretty good. -Burrata cheese was delicious. -Aranchinis were very cheese and served over ragu. solid. -Dessert-pana cota w/strawberries- absolutely delsih! Best were sweetbreads & Panacota. The Drinks: got the house Red and it was relish. got the 500ml (half bottle) for $20. not too bad. Overall: I liked how it was small plates. We did not order a single big entree dish. Our server was a little strange and needed to know the dishes better. I would come back.
(4)Mike H.
Outstanding meal. We went post-show and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Great wine list of small producers, staff was knowledgeable about the wines and how they might pair with the meal. We shared four apps and each had a pasta entree, definitely the way to go here. We had: - Baked Pecorino with almond honey (and toasted bread), simple but executed wonderfully - Roasted butternut squash with shaved pecorino (toast to make a bruschetta with), it was cold which surprised us, but a perfect app - Salami del giorno with marmalade, good peppery salami - Tripe Alla Romana (Tripe stew), hearty, delicious, might have been fav if not for my entree... - House-made pasta with cream sauce and a pile of SHAVED WHITE TRUFFLES! Lucky timing, they only have these for a short period each year. That was enough, but the server brought us out a complimentary dessert of Mom-mom's rice pudding (rice pudding, dark cherry, cherry sauce, and pistachio) Wow, would not have ordered this with the nuts and rice pudding, but it was a top ten dessert!
(5)James H.
I sampled the menu at Amis with a party of 9, and I must say that every person thoroughly enjoyed what they ate. Even two notoriously picky eaters and a gluten-free friend were satisfied. In terms of antipasti/small plates, the marinated octopus was perfectly cooked, as was the scallop crudo. Two really well done dishes. The bufala ricotta was unfortunately over-salted (especially when combined with their brushetta, as intended), but this was forgiven as the dish was delivered by Marc Vetri himself. The fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts were flavorful and crispy (the cauliflower less so). Finally, the baked pecorino with honey was delicious and reminded me of the seared halloumi at Audrey Claire. A variety of entrees were ordered, but the stand-outs were the duck breast with pickled rhubarb over polenta, the bone-in lamb, and the spinach fazzioleti. The restaurant was a little dark in areas, and on the noisier side (though admittedly my party was responsible for a good deal of it!), but overall what you'd expect for a place that seems to be geared toward family-style dining. I thought the wine selection was great, and the menu is broken into reds and whites ordered from lighter to fuller body. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the quality of ingredients and preparation. Our server was totally accommodating and very helpful. Overall, good value and a solid selection of playful Italian cuisine. I may be moving to California, but I will remember Amis if I ever find myself in Philly again.
(4)Colleen C.
If there was ever a restaurant to change my perception about Philly, I would have to look no further than Amis. Not sure if my boyfriend, Danny, and I would have stumbled upon this place during our visit to Philly if I hadn't won a raffle for the annual charity event, "The Dude Hates Cancer." Amis had generously donated a gift certificate to this raffle which I had won back in August 2010. The Maitre D seated myself and Danny directly in front of the open kitchen. Total win! I think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs when we first ordered the appetizers. No regrets. Everything was absolutely delish. From the bruchetta of imported bufala ricotta and black pepper to the swordfish meatballs accompanied by one of the best polentas I've ever had. Underscore the word, "ever." Oh but appetizers didn't stop there, we received a house plate of a grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda. Danny and I smiled brightly at first and then had a "oh shit moment" of sorts. Of course, I had wrongly assumed Danny (a classically trained chef) was well versed already in cooked tongue. Me: "So..you've had tongue before, right? How is it?" His response, "Nope, but I'm about to find out." Now, as much as I do enjoy food, I am quite PICKY. Yes, there are people who have special diets....the gluten-free, low sodium, vegan....yeah, then there's me...the picky. Yet, I decided to ignore my diet this one instance and politely picked up a piece of tongue labeled with grill marks and coated with what appeared to be a glaze (this would be the pepper mostarda). Immediately took my first bite...looked at Danny. "So umm...are you gonna eat the rest of that?" My only regret is that the pasta dish of ravioli was absolutely heaven and I wish I had ordered more of it. So tender and the sauce perfectly complimented the pasta. Dinner was good, but I think we were stuffed by the time it even came around. Danny had the duck which was plated beautifully. Of course, there is always room for dessert. The tartufo was delicious and we also had "mom mom's rice pudding." To be honest, I'm not a rice pudding fan at all, but this dish was so creamy and filled with so many different fruit flavors. I highly recommend it if you're at all into rice pudding. Absolute lip-smacking heaven. Thank you so so much, Amis, for your wonderful food and hospitality. Exceeded our expectations tri-fold. Danny and I will be visiting Philly soon again!
(5)Brendan K.
Amis consistently delivers in the realm of food, service and atmosphere. I prefer sitting at the bar or the chef's counter. I always seem to end up with a delicious surprise from the kitchen. Their pasta is always delicious and the menu is very well-priced. Industry night is also a lot of fun. A great place for a romantic dinner or a quick bite.
(4)D S.
3.75ish. Spent a Wednesday evening here for a full dinner with a couple friends. Very busy and I must say, great tunes. I rarely notice music at a restaurant, but it was a welcomed surprise. Recommended for a relaxed, casual meal. Arrive early and start at the bar for a pint. Beer selection was notable for an Italian joint. The food was well-prepared and tasty. Go for one of the bruschetta plates to start. Finish with tiramisu if they have it. My entree was average. Italian is tough for a wow. Being an out-of-towner and unsure of Philly pricing, it seemed a little on the high side for the nabe. I could be way off there though.
(4)Zanna H.
This is the best meal I have had in a while. We went here as a belated anniversary outing and it was totally worth it. The lowest point food wise was the sweetbreads which were a tad on the chewy side but otherwise very good. The mortadella mousse was really creamy and the toast with it was just right. I ordered the eggplant lasagna for my entree and it has ruined me for all other lasagna. I don't say that phrase lightly. I would drop kick Garfield without blinking to get at a tray of this lasagna. To make sure my waistline got the message that this was the off-diet splurge night I ordered the salted butter semifreddo sundae with berries and crushed biscotti. So decadent and nicely balanced with the berries adding the tartness to cut the sweet of the sundae. This is now firmly on my short list of higher tag places for special occasions.
(5)John D.
Absolutely loved this place! Service was wonderful, everyone was friendly, attentive and fun! Appetizers and entrees were the best. Especially enjoyed the Turkey Milanese - was awesome! Desserts were scrumptious also. Definitely going back again, when we can get in :)
(5)Connie C.
I originally heard about Amis through a friend who had dinner here before and heard great things so I made reservations for my girlfriends and I- we were celebrating me and my friend's birthdays. We went on a Sunday evening and it wasn't busy so it was on the quieter side. The hostess/waiter were all very attentive. We ordered the following: Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pinenuts Whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese Chestnut fettucine with duck ragu Braised lamb shank with root vegetables Fried brussels sprouts and lemon I was hesitant to try the meatballs but it was actually delicious. The whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder and chestnut fettucine with duck were my favorite dishes- really awesome portion sizes, meat was tender in both sauces, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The side of fried brussels sprouts were absolutely amazing- I'm not a big fan of brussels sprouts but now I am! The braised lamb was very tender and to my surprise, not gamy at all. I'm not a big lamb fan but this one was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The root veggies that came on the bottom though, I would say, did not compliment the meat very well. I think you would need to order a side of veggies. We also ordered dessert- I can't remember what my friend ordered but I got the belgian waffle with nutella and it was DELICIOUS! You can't go wrong with nutella though. Overall, I would definitely come back- I'm a big fan of Vetri Family restaurants!
(4)Scott M.
The food was reminiscent of our time in Italy. The baked pecorino with honey was delectable. Also enjoyed the meatballs and the crispy pork shank. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. I recommend sitting at the bar seats by the kitchen, so you can smell and see all the fabulous foods as they are made.
(5)Diana W.
I've been wanting to try Amis since it opened a few months ago. I live two blocks away and it always sounds loud and lively when I walk by. Last night did not disappoint! Reservations seem necessary, but I made mine only one or two days before and it was fine. I was there with three others, and we shared 8 plates total. the baked pecorino with honey was to die for. to. die. for. except they should give you a little more bread to go with it... fritto misto was great, except the shrimps still had heads...never seen that before. but the zucchini chips were amazing. and the stuffed figs (something i order whenever i see them on a menu) were just ok. tria has better ones. however, the larger dishes were amazing. we had the fettucini with pork ragu, which practically melted in my mouth it was so delicious. the eggplant lasagna was amazing and not too overwhelming. and the lamb with potatoes was made to perfection. grilled veggies topped it off just right. for dessert we split a fruit crisp that was so good i wanted to lick the bowl. we also had the waffle with nutella, but i wasn't as crazy about it (and i love nutella, so that's saying something). i definitely suggest anything with local in season fruits and veggies. and if you want a cocktail instead of wine, go with any of their fun prosecco drinks! the granita is my new favorite beverage. oh, and the staff was great, very helpful and on point- even when it got super busy later in the evening.
(4)Jesse E.
Mark vetri? Italian? can't miss right? ... not so true this time. The food is quite good as you can imagine but that's not where Amis falls short ... it's everything else. First of all, I would stick to the italian dishes and avoid any specials or their "jersey cannonball" type dishes. the pastas are all great as are their sauces, but their antipastas leave a little to be desired especially if you (like me) really enjoy the ones at Vetri and Osteria. I have been here a few times for dinner and the food is always quite good but the service and drinks are lacking and the prices are just as high as vetri and Osteria so why not just go to one of those instead? I went here for brunch for the first time the other day and the problems from their dinners were 2x worse. The food wasn't quite as good and the drinks really leave something to be desired. Our server messed up 3 different things and only one was properly rectified. the worst part by far was the price.. $332 for brunch for 7 is just not acceptable unless it's a 5 star restaurant and Amis is just not that good
(3)Steven S.
Trendy, fun and amazing food! We loved it!!!
(4)Ryan R.
Awesome dining experience. Sat at the bar with a group of 4. The bartender, Brian, was incredible. He was the absolute model of service. He brought out a couple of samples to pair with our meals that were great. Can't give enough praise. Sit at the bar and let Brian take car of you.
(5)Juliana G.
Amis-tery Story: The Case of the Wet Feather-Vest I first dined at Amis on opening night, where I tasted Ricotta imported from an alpine town, a succulent appetizer whose subtle flavors would continue to haunt me for months to come. My desires in full force, I convinced my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary at Amis. Little did we know that the unspeakable, gastronomical pleasures (tuna steak to die for) were ill-fated to conflict with the horrible service we experienced. Though we made the reservation a couple of months ahead of time, when we arrived, there was no table for us, and we had to wait about 20 minutes before we were seated. Finally, when we went to the hostess to retrieve our coats, my vest was missing from the hanger. When I asked the hostess where it was, she whispered to one of the managers and he went into the back office. When he returned, he brought back my vest which was soaked through with what I hope was water. It was dripping and I had to carry it home in a bag. We still muse over possible explanations, but none are so sensible as to tempt me to re-cross the sharp divide of Broad Street.
(3)Thao H.
Good food and nice ambience for a date or just having dinner with a few friends.
(4)Anna p.
Swordfish meatballs!!!!!!!!!! need I say anything else
(5)Vincent C.
The food is amazing! The price is a bit high for the portions - but, as I said, the food is amazing. Highly recommended.
(4)Justin M.
OK, went back over a year later and well, things haven't changed. If I'm setting the bar too high, well, that's what a national reputation brings. Marc Vetri has been hyped out the wazu, and I just don't taste it, folks. The meatballs were so pedestrian, I feel like I've had them a million times around the world, including my own kitchen. You shouldn't feel that way for the price point. Everything is smothered in cream and cheese, so of course it tastes good at first, and then you realize you feel nauseated and get sick of the one trick the pony is doing. Sadly, I'm over it. Fun P.S.: I'm on a flight to San Francisco the very next day and sit next to a guy who coincidentally dined at the restaurant the night before as well! We compared notes and started finishing each other's sentences about the disappointment we felt. Sigh.
(3)Brian C.
Had been wanting to come here for a while, since I won't pay Vetri prices for food, and loved the pizza at Osteria. We were a bit diappointed, though. This was New Year's Day at 6pm, so the place was pretty empty. Service was fast and courteous and helpful. Somehow though, it was loud. And though the music wasn't loud, it was classic rock. I'm a fan, but it in no way fits here. Perhaps it's the play between the bar and the restaurant atmosphere mixing in a small space? Anyway, the food: Swordfish meatballs - excellent Striped bass crudo - good Rotini with wild boar ragu and pears - very good squid ink linguine - good We expected excellent all aorund, but the prices were in line with the quality. We'll have to try again to give it another chance.
(3)Melissa S.
This was so fantastic. Service was amazing, food was so delicious. We will be back for seconds as soon as possible. We took cues from yelp reviews on what to order. We were a group of 4 and ordered 4 small plates on the left side of the menu to share and then each ordered a pasta. I was surprised by the size of the small plates, it was more then enough. We were stuffed. baked pecorino with almond honey Brushetta - buffalo mozzarella with pepper Swordfish meatballs Aroncini I also got the squash lasagna - it was so good I want to go back tonight and eat it again! We also ordered the skate with Brussels sprouts, but then the chef didn't want to serve it. I guess it was a bad batch. So instead they made us a cod dish with fried Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were delicious. The also gave us free Swedish meatballs and the pasta tuna dish. The Swedish meatballs were good though!
(5)Ellen L.
Very enjoyable meal.
(4)BC L.
Pretty good. We had a reservation, but had to wait at the bar for 15-20 mins before we were seated. The place also gets pretty loud on the weekends and we had to shout the entire meal. It was still a great evening/dinner out and our waitress knew her stuff. We tried all of her recommendations and were not disappointed!
(3)Mauro D.
Outstanding! I just got back from Rome and was thrilled that Marc Vetri has captured the esscence of Roman Cusine. Thank You! And to Franklin M - don't quit your day job to become a food critic.
(5)Jessica M.
Great scene, delicious food and Marc Vetri was there....worth checking out! With a friend in town, I knew I wanted to go somewhere new (for me) and exciting. Amis ended up being the right choice for both of us. The server was attentive and informative without being overbearing and recommended the perfect bottle of wine and amount of food that left us satisfied but not feeling like stuffed pigs when we left. I can recommend all 3 of the items we started with since they were equally yummy - Mortadella Mousse (who knew?), baked pecorino which was savory and sweet with honey and nuts on top, and Sal's meatballs which were bite sized and not too heavy. I should also mention the bread at this point. It was unlike anything I have had before. Instead of having a separate dish of olive oil for dipping, the oil was already in there, making the bread moist and addictive. For the main course, we chose one more meat dish - the pappardelle with veal breast ragu - and the mixed seafood grill. The pasta and veal was absolutely amazing and I will definitely order it again. The mixed seafood grill was good, amazingly fresh tasting and cooked perfectly but after all of the amazing tastes we had had so far, it was kind of a let down. I liked it, I am glad that I tried it but I will pass on that plate on my next visit and try something else - probably the gnocchi with oxtail ragu that I am still regretting not ordering. Even though we could have gone without dessert, I am pleased to report we did not. The beligian waffle topped with my favorite - Nutella - was not a disappointment. It was delicious to the last bite - soft and crunchy at the same time (thanks to the toasted hazelnuts sprinkled on the ice cream) it is not to be missed. All told, it is a very nice place to check out if you have not already. It can get loud but that shouldn't make you think twice about heading to Amis...soon!
(4)Surabhi M.
Having eaten at all of Marc Vetri's establishment apart from Amis, I was due to stop by there. So we did, to get some dinner and drinks with my out of town friend, who loves Italian. Having experienced epic service at Vetri and good food all around, our expectation were high. Food did not disappoint but the service left me questioning my experience. We sat at the bar. There were two servers (1 male, 1 female) they worked in tandem and do not have their individual customers. The male server kept ignoring us, when we asked question gave minimal answer and did not bother to listen to the follow-up questions. The female server was great. What was odd, the male server was very warm to all the other customers around us who also sat at the bar. We started noticing the different treatment to us v.s. everybody else more and more. I couldn't figure out why was that, because we were only two women (rest all were couples or groups that involved males) which is ridiculous to even think of in Philadelphia or because we are from another country. I don't know what is worse being discriminated by a sexist or a racist or both. I am hoping that it was unintentional and just a bad day. Regardless it made us uncomfortable. We did mention our displeasure to the manager Nancy on our way out. I hope that nobody ever has to experience this again. I don't know if I am going back. Not to mention, I was embarrassed for having taken my friend who was insulted as well. I am not very sensitive to people's behavior in general and have a high threshold to get offended, but such behavior is not acceptable no matter how tolerant I am otherwise. We did tip the minimum 15% because of the female server who was nice to us.
(2)JJ J.
I'll start by saying I hate Italian food. It's always my last choice. That being said I was blown away by their octopus dish. For some reason I was expecting it to be warm but even though it was a cold dish it was still really good. I sat at the bar and had a great bartender. She was a total sweetie. I had their pasta of the day. Omg was it amazing. This place could totally chance my mind about italian food.
(5)S S.
When the waiter was cleaning the crumbs from our table I asked him to put them in a to go box. Another fabulous restaurant by Mark Vetri. Great service and fantastic food. Olive oil bread basket was incredible. Tuna croquettes were these wonderful little balls of savory delicious tuna. The pecorino and pepper pasta....NEEDED MORE! Savored EVERY bite! Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is as good as it gets! No dessert since we were stuffed by all the food we ate!
(4)Neil A.
All good except the hype led to needless delays in being seated at our reservation time. We had a drink at the bar,which was tight but once we sat we were out within an hour.looked like people lingered at their tablex because they thought they had to justify the hype Food was very good only thing to salty was the seafood. Wine list needs work but would definitely go back on a week night!
(3)Margeau N.
As a regular patron of the Philly restaurant scene, both fine dining and otherwise, I have to admit that I was excited to try the latest Vetri endeavor. I was sadly disappointed. Maybe I went on an off night (a Tuesday in December)...but everything - the food, service, ambiance- was a let down. I started with the shaved fall vegetable salad, which was good, but certainly didn't meet my expectations as to flavor or presentation. I ordered the bucatini with braised oyster mushrooms as an entree. It was oily/greasy and overseasoned, with cheese that overwhelmed the flavor of the mushrooms. Honestly, I have had better pasta dishes at certain inexpensive, chain Italian restaurants I patronized occasionally in college. It simply was nothing special, and definitely did not live up to our expectations. One of my friends ordered the gnocchi, which was also a greasy disappointment. The octopus appetizer was alright, but again, nothing special. The worst thing about Amis was the atmosphere, however. It was so loud that we literally had to shout to hold a conversation. There were 6 of us at the table, and we were celebrating a friend's birthday. Luckily, I sat next to the friend with the birthday, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to communicate with him at all- it was that noisy. Our waiter was no help - he practically mouthed the specials and when we asked questions, his attitude fluctuated between smarmy and condescending (to a crowd of fairly discerning diners, mind you - we are not rookies of fine dining) and brusque and unhelpful. At first we thought it was one table of loud diners ruining the ambiance for everyone, but even after they left, there was a din that couldn't be overcome. It was unpleasant. It's really a shame, since I've had several, much better experiences at Osteria, another Vetri restaurant. It seems that Amis needs to be reworked.
(2)Susan F.
Very friendly and efficient staff. Excellent wine selection. We went after going to Les Mis at the Academy (easy walk). We asked, at the last minute, if we could add another guest and they graciously made accommodations for us with only a slight time change. The appetizer (small plate) selections were impossible to choose from because they all sounded yummy. The pasta selections and chicken saltambucca (sp?) was outstanding. Can't say enough good things - even desserts were all above average. Would definitely go back.
(4)B B.
Ate at Amis on Saturday. Brunch. Damn. So good. We had the bufala riccota with marinated fall vegetables. I had rotini with breakfast sausage and egg yolk. My wife had a raviolo all'uovo. Everything was awesome and it is glaringly evident that everybody who works there really cares about the food. The best.
(5)Bill q.
Great, but a little steep fried lamb tongue B sweetbreads A+, but small salumi A, but small cacio e pepe A+ oxtail gnocchi A+ strazzapretti A sausage & peppers B beef steak B+ waffles B My wife ordered what seemed like enough food, and while we thought there was more to come, the waiter asked if we were ready for dessert. We weren't full, so we ordered more. Wierd: the waiter put his nose in MY glass to smell the wine? Never seen that one... Awesome food high prices/ small portions service quirks But overall very good.
(4)Shannon D.
We were lucky enough to have the amazing food experience at Amis that others have written about and couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere is modern but cozy with a great, buzzing energy that doesn't make you feel rushed through your meal, but leaves you feeling doted on by the staff. After sampling two (strong, delicious!) cocktails at the bar, we were shown our table for 4, which was far enough away from the tables around us without making the dining room feel too vast. The wine list was very nice and not at all overwhelming, which made choosing our wines to go with our meal easy. In fact, the cocktail menu and food menus are in a similar style; plenty of options for diners with different tastes, yet simple enough for you to know great care is put into all of the dishes. The food was, in a word, FANTASTIC. Dinner really blew some other fine dining experiences we've had recently right out of the water. Highlights: Bufala Ricotta Bruschetta (great to share, light and creamy)...tuna croquettes (delicately fried, super fresh)...pork belly with fried peppers (come on!). We had the black spaghetti with braised squid and the grilled steak with marinated mushrooms for 'dinner' entrees. Both were cooked and prepared so excellently that I almost forgot how creepy black spaghetti can look. While I found the pasta salty for my taste (and thick with squid flavor- so only for those who love it) my boyfriend thought it was perfect and blinked at me with confusion when I mentioned the sodium content. So while everything we had on the table was an absolute winner...we all agreed that one dish was one we'd eat every day of our lives, were we so lucky: the fried Brussels sprouts side dish. Honestly, if you come for one thing, this may be it. But don't just come for one thing...just make sure you order this. Our meal was made even more amazing by our server, Lindsay, who was not only sweet, knowledgeable and attentive but a true professional who is polished without being uppity. When you dine here, ask for Lindsay. She is a doll. Of course, this amazing dinner did not come cheap, but we were prepared to splurge this time. In fact, this is one of the only restaurants in Philly I would recommend 100% confidently to anyone who asks for an excellent night out...who can pay for it. And if you can't pay for it, just come and ask for Lindsay...then order a side of Brussels sprouts.
(5)Jon P.
My girlfriend and I went to Amis a couple of weeks ago. It was our first Vetri restaurant, and we came with high hopes, though not much of an idea of what to order. The atmosphere was great--nice tasteful, not too pretentious. The menu was unnecessarily opaque for a country bumpkin like myself. No descriptions of the menu items, and lots of long Italian words in the titles (for example the ice creamy dessert is called "semifreddo" instead of gelato). Still, our young waiter was quite happy to oblige or requests for explanations of half of the words on the menu. We appreciated the availability of an affordable carafe of house red. For an undiscerning palate like my own, it hit the spot. For appetizers, we went for the Ricotta with Black Pepper Bruscetta and the Escarole Salad with Apples and Radishes. Both were absolutely, deliciously simple. Couldn't have been happier. The entree is where things got dicier. We went for the Strozzapreti with Clam Cockles and Muscles and the Guinea Hen Leg Saltimbucca with Prosciutto and Sage. I liked the guinea hen better, but both were disappointments. I'm a chronic over-salter, but these went above and beyond even my salty tastes. Too much. And the strozzapreti didn't even have that much taste beyond the salt. For dessert, we went with the Waffles Amis and the Pear Almond Tart (forget the exact name of the pear/almond dessert). The waffles were wonderful, the pear almond dessert not so much--dry and tasteless. Overall, not a bad experience, but Amis did not live up to my expectations, and I can't give it more than 3*'s. I may go back sometime to do a better job of picking those entrees.
(3)Stephanie Y.
Great food, reasonable prices, and great service. I started with the homemade strawberry rhubarb soda. It was so refreshing. The swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts were absolutely delicious. The Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (more traditional) were also delicious, but not as good as the swordfish meatballs. The fettuccine with corn and scallions and the spaghetti with chilies and parmesan were both delicious. The pastas were perfectly sized portions for one person if you also get an appetizer. I ordered one appetizer and one pasta, and I was full when I left. Definitely not the best Vetri restaurant, but I would return.
(4)Stefanie A.
I was thrilled when a date made a reservation at Amis. I had wanted to go for awhile, but it's not cheap, or easy to get into. After dining there, I realize why--excellent service, large menu, transporting food, and a great atmosphere (though strangely, they were playing 80s music. But I digress...) We had read on chef's feed that the swordfish meatballs were exceptional, and while I was was less than excited for them, they were amazing. We were sad there were just 3. The braised calamari was tender, and swimming in a brown/red sauce that was a bit fishy, but in a good way. And it was served with toasty bread. Sweatbreads were a little too fried for my taste but dusted in a tasty almond coating so the tempura was nicely complimented. And you should not miss the veal rago pasta, which was perfectly seasoned. The cacio e pepe was the only disappointment, in a thick creamy sauce which was slightly tasteless. But if you do dessert--if you have room after the rich food--the rice pudding, which I'm typically not a fan of, was smooth, creamy, and covered with a cheery sauce which was equally sour and sweet. Our server was friendly as was host staff leading to a warm atmosphere. I ca't wait to go back and try more of the amazing-looking menu items.
(5)Meems C.
I have read some not-so-stellar reviews and wonder what went wrong. It's authentic Italian food people, not a fucking Olive Garden. I visited with my fiance for our usual date night and had a FANTASTIC time. We were greeted warmly by the host and had a seat at the bar while waiting for our table. We barely had even recieved our drinks before they told us it was ready, took our drinks and coats for us, and sat us at the chef's table. The place was PACKED (and our reservation was at 9:45). We started with a slew of apps including bufala ricotta and black pepper, Sal's old school meatballs (the tomato potato was the most ridiculous thing I've ever eaten - I wanted to put it on everything), grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda, and the arancini di riso with meat ragu (golden fried rice balls stuffed with gooey and delicious meat). Everything pleased our palates and I wanted more!!!! We then moved to the pasta course and had the pappardelle with veal breast ragu and the gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu. YUM-MY. The gnocchi isn't the usual suspect - so don't expect your store bought gnocchi. They are much larger, different texture, and delicious. After pasta, we were pretty full, but decided to share the abbachio con patate. Delicious. The lamb had a really nice lightness to it, not gamey whatsoever. There was a slight searing on the ouside pieces and I fell in love. The potatoes weren't the best I've ever tasted, but went nicely with the dish. Very full by this point, we were talked into dessert, thinking we would each only be able to fit one bite into our stomachs. We were wrong - we had the "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. WOW. It was like a mini chocolate igloo sitting in front of us. So good, we ate almost the whole thing. Note : we also had a bottle of white wine (and I can't remember for the life of me what it was called) but it paired very well with our courses, even with the heavier, meatier items. This was the HIGHLIGHT of our night out. The staff was wonderful, the place was small and cozy, and most important, the food was orgasmic. Yes, I went there. I will also mention that there are really cool looking cocktails that we didn't get to try, but if you're looking for beer, you're SOL, unless you want to pay $22 for RR Consecration. Overall, we are going back. You should go too. Now.
(5)Phuong L.
Good food, good beer, and very accommodating. Two people who we were meeting were stuck in traffic on a Friday night and they let us push back our 7 pm reservations to whenever they arrived, which was pretty close to 7:45. I would definitely go back to try their other unique dishes
(4)jen d.
overall dinner was great - but we were disappointed at how greasy/fried many of the menu options were. biggest disappointments: -artichokes - way too greasy, all you could taste was the oil -cauliflower - was supposed to be grilled - seemed more like soaked in oil and then set on fire greatest dishes: -oxtail gnocchi - light, delicious, savory (this dish was expectedly rich) -swordfish rigatoni - light and delicious -escarole salad - light & refreshing -eggplant caponata bruschetta - delicious, slightly sweet/tangy service was great - when we expressed our dissatisfaction w/ the artichokes they were immediately replaced w/ 2 new dishes on the house. loved the Alto ginger beer/prosecco cocktail. great bar staff too. nice industrial/modern/yet warm environment. definitely worth going back again - might be a lil' choosier w/ what we pick from the menu. loved that portion sizes are modest.
(3)Emily C.
Ancinis were good. Eggplant caponata was good. Eh, neither were outrageous, just good. I had the cacio e pepe, which after hearing all the great reviews, I was not terribly impressed with... and this is a classic Italian dish that I was really looking forward to! Was it a fluke, was it me? It seemed a little more like it was coated with heavy alfredo sauce rather then high quality pecorino and cracked pepper. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente though. THE GOOD: my boyfriend's ravioli with spring onions was TO DIE FOR! I could have eaten that all night, seriously... simple, light, and DELICIOUS! The perfect summer ravioli. Strangely (and because he loves his jarred alfredo sauce), he actually thought my cacio e pepe was better. What we should have done was simply switch meals and everything would have been perfect. MUST HAVE: The salted buttercream ice cream!
(4)Sara L.
LOVED it! Came twice--once with the girls and once with a large family party. Amis was super nice and patient with both groups. The friends and fam both are full of special requests and dietary restrictions. The fam was particularly challenging--one shellfish allergy, one vegetarian, one no tomatoes/acid, and one no fat eater (at an italian restaurant)! We started with some amazing onion focaccia that comes to the table. Everyone gobbled it down and looked for seconds. For drinks we tried the punch and the house wine (red and white). The punch was excellent, lemony and fresh tasting. Everyone of the picky people also liked the red wine. A nice carafe for sharing. We licked the ricotta bowl clean, ordered a second round of eggplant, and each had our own personal artichoke. Because sharing fried artichokes doesn't work. Also on the plus side: the coppa salami with hazelnut honey and the cheese selection. We tried the brown butter polenta which was good but not amazing (very polenta-y). For dinner, the lamb was amazing, also the vegetable plate and the tonnarelli pepper and cheese pasta. Desserts were less impressive to me overall, but still good. Really enjoyed it!
(5)Michelle K.
My expectations were high and they were not met. I ordered the polenta and it was BLAND. I also had 2 pasta dishes the gnocchi and cannelloni, both were very average. For dessert the waffle w ice cream was good, that was probably the best dish. The service was great but the food was very average and overpriced. I dont think I would go back to eat .
(3)Liz M.
I absolutely adore this place. Favorites are the grilled artichokes, the pasta with fresh corn, and the most tender rosemary chicken you can imagine. For desert, try the rice pudding. It might be the best I've ever had. The staff is warm and welcoming--Amanda is our favorite, so nice--and the atmosphere is lively without being too loud. We enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen so we can watch the chefs do their thing. A lovely restaurant all around.
(5)Rachel S.
Amazing food, great service, fun atmosphere..... Vetri does it again!
(5)Joe R.
Made my first visit to Amis on 1/2/11. Totally enjoyed my meal and atmosphere. For starters my companion and I shared the shaved vegetable salad. It was very tasty. Had the persimmon and fennel lasagna with a side of roasted squash for my entree. Both were excellent. Finished it off with the apple cake which also was great. Can't wait to go back.
(5)E.J. C.
Amis is a fantastic Italian restaurant and a great addition to the Vetri family of restaurants. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is helpful, and the food is mouth watering. The decor of the restaurant is a mix of rustic and industrial. And it is always nice when there is an open kitchen. It can get a little loud, but not to the point that you can't hear the other members of your party. The waitress was very nice and helpful. She guided us to some of her favorite dishes, and never steered us wrong. The food really is that good. The bruschetta is a delightful start to the meal. The ricotta is creamy and finished nicely with olive oil and black pepper. The eggplant has nice big chunks and spreads well onto the grilled bread. For antipasti, the mussels are cooked in a great broth. Make sure to get some extra bed to sop it up. The pastas are homemade and cooked well. The tonorelli with pecorino and pepper is great to share for an appetizer. The pacherri with swordfish comes out like a present, topped with eggplant fries that I wish I could have had a whole bowl of. For entrees, the turkey milanese is delicious. It is pounded flat, comes out hot and crispy, and paired with an arugula salad. The daily special ribs were tasty, with a glaze that made a nice bark on the rib. The mixed seafood grill is good if you want something on the lighter side. And for dessert, you must get the polenta shortcake with strawberries and salted butter semifredo. The shortcake and the strawberries are delicious by themselves, but the semifredo elevates the dish. The price point isn't that bad, especially when compared to other Italian restaurants in the city. Can't wait to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)Mark D.
Great place! Little plates are spectacular and it fits perfectly between his Marc Vetri's two other restaurants. My favorite thing is to get an assortment of 4-5 little plates and make that dinner. Also has a really good bar.
(5)Ronald S.
Am I going to learn to love you? You aren't cheap and you aren't dirty. It's not a love at first sight type of thing but maybe, just maybe.
(4)David Z.
Stopped in last minute on a Friday. We sat at the bar. The menu was interesting. The service was great. Apparently the second course took longer that it should have even though we didn't even notice so they brought s a complimentary bruschetta. It was a very nice gesture. They also had a great selection of interesting cocktails. This place was packed by 6 pm.
(4)Lucy S.
Great Tuesday night dinner with work friends. We started at the bar with a cocktail. Good selection but a little annoyed that the bar tender kept ignoring my request for a drink while my guy colleagues were chatting and being indecisive. The waitress was a bit aggressive in seating us. We said we wanted to finish our drinks at the bar and she said we rather she we didn't. When we sat we put our hands in the waiter to choose our food and wine based on recommendation from a friend who had was with us who had been there before. We started with a nice red medium body to go with out first course - burrata and house made charcuterie. Burrata was awesome didn't try the charcuterie a little too fresh for me. Fellow dinner gave good reviews. Next course was octopus and another dish of cauliflower. Cauliflower ROCKED. The pastas were the standouts the almond pesto with jalapeño not to be missed. We finished with scallops and lamb. A little on the odd side was the second red was lighter than the first. Not a major party fowl - but strange since waiter picked wines -knowing we were going to have two bottles. All and all. Great experience.
(4)Joe D.
We ate and drank everything and you we couldn't go wrong. From the pre-dinner cocktail (Ginginber - 12 hendrick's/ginger/cucumber), to the bread (omg), apps, wine, and entree's. This review is long over due since the first time we went was to "carb up " for broad street, and I should have update you all on yelp prior. My bad - cuz its so good - Im actually salivating, and making a reservation at Amis as we speak. Cheers
(5)Jacqueline O.
Vetri killed it on this one. Best restaurant in Philadelphia. Doesn't matter if you can't pronounce it or have never heard of it... It is to die for. Just about all of the starters are amazing. My two favorites have to be the straccitella with heirloom tomatoes and basil and baked pecorino with almond honey. Both of these are not to be passed on. The only appetizer I would say to pass on is the swordfish meatball. It is so fishy it's almost unbearable. Al time favorite dish- bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. It is the perfect combination of spicy and creamy. For dessert the Belgium waffle with Nutella is a slice of heaven. It's hard to believe something this good even exists. However tiramisu here is a trigger word for me. So say a prayer it is the dessert special.
(5)Vidushi B.
Amis might be my favorite restaurant in Philly. I've been here a few times for dinner, and it's been excellent, but this review is for the brunch, which I had the pleasure of trying for the first time yesterday. I went with four friends, so we decided, first, to get the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey to share. It was so, so good. Baked cheese is heaven in any form, but the almond honey was the perfect touch. The bread that came with it was excellent as well - it tasted like garlic bread. For my main course, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. I enjoyed this a lot as well, though it wasn't what I expected. The sauce was kind of buttery, and it wasn't that spicy. I still enjoyed it though, though I hope to try some of the other options next time. The food was incredible. However, the service was AMAZING. The Baked Pecorino took a while to come out, and we had been waiting for a while. The manager approached us and apologized, and told us it was on her, which was very nice. However, at the end, I mentioned I was too full for dessert, though I wanted to try the olive oil cake. The waitress brought it out for us free of charge as an apology for earlier. I was shocked -- this is what truly impressing your guests means. (The olive oil cake was very tasty as well!). Probably truly the best service I have experienced. I can't wait to return to Amis again. And again. And again!
(5)Food Love R.
Oh my god!!!!!! Food is excellent (highly recommend bucatini) but the service out shine above it all. The best restraint service experience I've ever had in the past decades of many restaurant service. Thanks to the amazing shied Drew and great server Diana. We will be back with more friends and family. Just go there and it would be the best time you would ever have.
(5)Erin B.
My husband and I had our first wedding anniversary date here, on a friend's recommendation. We enjoyed every single moment. It was snowy outside and cold. we found close by parking spot that wasn't filled with piles of snow. we walked in - reservations of course, and were promptly seated. The waiter was kind and always around when you needed him, and not too obtrusive. We ordered many things to share, and i believe we had Sal's meatballs (delicious) and some fried Brussels Sprouts (life-changing, seriously), among other things. Our overall experience was a pleasant one and we would both love to go back and try more things on the menu. Nothing we ordered was bad, i am pretty sure you cannot go wrong here. They were out of the appetizer i wanted (pecorino with almond honey), so i guess i just have to come back to try it! one gripe- i always drink water. why please tell me, is water $5?? since when did restaurants start charging for tap water? This left a bad taste in my mouth - but thankfully i polished off my meal with a yummy latte to clear that bad taste. I am normally an outspoken patron, and would have mentioned it to the waiter, but my husband rushed out the door before i had the chance.
(5)Lily C.
One of the best Italian meals I've had in Philly. I really liked the atmosphere - it was lively and loud without being unbearable. The service was not great that night...I was seated for ~20 minutes before I was greeted by a waiter or before I was able to get a glass of water. The service did get progressively better throughout the night, I guess as they got less busy. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto and striploin with mushrooms and chimichurri. Both of these were absolutely mouth-watering and I won't be able to live with myself if I don't return for these the next time I'm in Philly. The presentation of the dishes and the flavors were amazing.
(4)Doris T.
The meal starts out with complementary bread that's cake like. The ricotta with black pepper is a must try! It's been days and I'm still thinking about this dish. If you're feeling adventurous order the grill veal tongue. It was my first time having veal tongue and not my last time. For the main entree we ordered the spring pea tortelli in a lamb ragu. It has to be one of the best tortelli in the city. The service was good nothing over the top. Overall, the food is great. So if you are looking to over load on delicious carbs give this place a try!
(4)Richard Michael L.
Just sublime. Went last night for maybe my 100th time? Took a vegetarian, which means I got to eats lots of CHEESE and desserts! Excellent swordfish meatballs, Sal's meatballs, baked pecorino, veggies, and desserts. Yum. The house white wine is a bargain. Outdoor seating on a warm Wed night was chill. Service is impeccable, as always. Danielle, Arturo, Ned, and the rest of the staff rock.
(5)Brett B.
All time favorite restaurant in Philly. Nice enough to feel like you are having a nice night out but not too fancy to make you uncomfortable. Menu is always changing and definitely never disappoints. Service is great. Food even better.
(5)Michaelea T.
Bottom line: this food is tasty. The food is excellent. The beef tongue appetizer is incredible and well seasoned. Additionally, seriously consider the baked cheese with honey- it is very delicious. The pastas are always perfectly cooked and the flavors are distinct and intense. I have not yet even disappointed by their grilled or fried fish options either. Service is decent, though we had to ask for bread for our table. The interior has this industrial thing going on, so that's interesting. It gets kind smokey because of the open kitchen, but I think having smokey clothes is worth the culinary experience that you get.
(4)Sarah E.
I'm a little lost on what to rate this place, so I'll explain my experience first. My husband and I live on 13th and Pine, so we were excited that we were so close to a "good" restaurant (they are always packed), so we made a reservation for a Friday night. We were promptly seated and explained the specials, drinks, yadda yadda yadda. I ordered a sparkling red wine to begin with which was one of their specials and we got a bottle of rose to split during our meal. (We found both of these were good and I was pleased that they offered a sparkling red, although at $12 a glass I stuck to one) We began with the fried artichokes which were very good and then I ordered the tuna fillet with fennel and my husband the roasted lamb with potatoes. We kept our menus just in case we wanted more as I know they are a tapas style place, but since we ordered off the "main course" area we assumed that the price (Around $20 for each) would probably mean that they were larger than the standard tapas. Alright, this is where the evening takes a turn, I was presented with my dish, a very nice fillet of tuna with sauteed fennel and lemon. Flash seared on one side and raw on the other it was just to my liking. However I can't say the same for my husband's dish. The lamb was a small (about the size of a cordless telephone) and was accompanied by 4 roasted potatoes. That's. It. No sauce. No garnish. Nothing. The lamb itself was lackluster-dry and chewy-and the potatoes were..well...boring. The table next to us had the same dish and the same reaction. The service was good and I enjoyed my half, so maybe we just got them on a off night or ordered the wrong thing. I'd like to try them again, but my husband refuses to return. Total of check was around $115 (the wine totaled to about $50),and I certainly wouldn't say that it was worth that amount of money. I rate it 2.5 stars as it wasn't the worst, but I am still not convinced enough to give it 3.
(2)Shweta N.
I'm still dreaming about this place. I came here with my sister, brother in law, and boyfriend to carb load before a race. Best. Decision. Ever. We started with the marinated olives, and then sampled the squid salad, old school meatballs, fried cauliflower, bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, chicken al mattone (perfectly cooked), one of the pasta specials for the evening- a chicken ragu pasta, and finished with a chocolate semifreddo and the tartufo al bacio. Everything was amazing, amazing, amazing. The wine list was also fabulous, and yes, even before our run the next day, we couldn't help but sample several of the selections (if you enjoy a very dry wine, the Petra Zingari is to die for, but my favorite paired with the meal was the Casolare Rosso). The highlights of the meal for me were the squid salad and the jalapeno bucatini (surprisingly spicier than I anticipated!) The best part? The price! I was actually amazed at the final bill- expecting the meal to be far more expensive than it was. I would love to come back here the next time I'm in Philly, but my guess is that the wait for a reserve is long!
(5)Alex F.
Amis is type of restaurant that makes me totally nostalgic for Philly and that I can't seem to find in Manhattan. Over two years I went to this place a bunch of times. The food was always delicious and deceptively simple. The cooking had a warmth and hominess that always managed to give me a sense of general well being. You could go back and forth between go-to classics and stuff that was a little more organ-meat adventurous. You could get white truffles shaved on your ____ or just have a simple plate of pasta. Vetri gets flack for some reason, but this place is truly a gift. Awesome, accessible cooking that you could afford to eat at weekly if you wanted to (and stayed away from the white truffles.)
(5)Kevin W.
I ate hear quite a few times over the last year or so and Sunday's nights meal was over the top!! Make sure you save room for dessert and order an extra! The salted butter semifreddo was excellent!
(5)John B.
I wish I came with more people and ordered more variety. My wife, although she's eating for two nowadays, still can't handle as much as a hungry teenager. And I'm no longer in highschool basketball team. The best we could do between two of us were Baked Pecorino with almond honey Octopus with potato and olives Trippa Alla Romana roman tripe stew Sal's Old School Meatballs with tomato potato Gnocchi Alla Romana with oxtail ragu Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries I wish I didn't order Octopus and Paccheri with swordfish. Both dishes were IMHO mediocre. The octopus were slightly rubbery and tasteless compared to the delicious octopus salad at Raddicchio Cafe. The Paccheri was, no offense, nothing special. Gnocchi was interesting (-ly disappointing) because I was expecting small nibbles of gnocchi that you normally see. Instead two flat disks of "gnocchi" were served with the ragu. When you eat them, they break apart and somewhat disintegrate...making them almost the consistency of polenta/mashed potato. The baked Pecorino was good, but how hard is it to bake good cheese? Meatball was good. but I could have done without potato. Trippa stew was the highlight of the meal. The tomato-based (I think) soup was delicious and hearty, topped with stringy cheese. The tripes were chunky but tender. It wasn't too soft but wasn't too chewy: perfect tenderness. I think I could swim in the stew. Actually if I had the stew as the meal with more toast, I'd be a happy man and the review could have been a 5-star. But then again, the other dishes were disappointing (largely due to high expectation).
(3)Andrew P.
Very underwhelming. Do not buy into the hype. Maybe I was there on a bad night, but the staff was slow and the whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese pasta that I ate had absolutely no taste and was super overpriced (18 dollars?...come on). I also ordered the ribeye involtini with wilted spinach which was poorly seasoned and a boring dish overall. The only good thing on the menu is Sal's Old school meatballs. Other then that, save your time and your money. You are better off going to Modo Mio in NoLibs. If you do decide to go to Amis, its probably wiser to just go for a glass of wine and a small app at the bar. I really did expect better out of this restaurant. Trust me, I am saddened that I had to write a review such as this one.
(2)Robert K.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon, I entered this little gem of Philly and had on of the best meals I've had ever. Period. This is Italian with a capital I. The menu is organized and easy to read but full of delightful and unusual fare that would fit any palat. I began with swordfish meatballs and polenta that was out of this world. My dining partner had bruchetta riccotta. The ricotta was unbeleivable and melted in your mouth. We followed up with a quail appetizer thas was also cooked to perfection and succulent beyond measure. The manager treated us to a raviolo dish and being that the pasta here is the nations top ten according to bon appetit, it did not dissapoint. For the main course we had lamb and potatoes. Although a simple sounding dish, the meat was cooked in an orignal way that made the meat full of texture and taste at the same time. The potatoes were simple and wonderful and the mark of any good kitchen, the entrees were served steaming. The decore was modern and subtle yet sophifsticated and not stuffy. The open kitchen gave a great vibe and buzz to the place made the whole experience effortless. Amazing meal, service and staff. Highly reccomended!
(5)Christina P.
The thing that initially drew me in with Amis is their adorable outdoor seating on a shady block of 13th street. Me and a friend grabbed a two top by the door and we were soon greeted by our waitress, who was awesome. They start you off with something she called 'olive oil bread' which was basically chewy, pleasantly greasy goodness. Be careful not to down whole loaves by yourself because it will be tempting. The wine list was definitely on the expensive side we split a carafe of the house red for $20, and it was actually really good for the most basic wine choice. After spending 15 minutes changing my mind, we both settled on the eggplant lasagna with heirloom tomatoes. The waitress seemed surprised and a little put off that we didn't order any salads, appetizers, or sides, and when the lasagna arrived I realized why. The portions are pretty stingy (and by stingy I mean what people should be eating but tiny compared to normal ginormous restaurant portions). I wouldn't have minded the small portion if it matched the price, but for $16 I expected to have leftovers to take home. It was a lot flatter than normal lasagna and almost looked like a crepe, but you could tell the pasta was homemade. I might go out on a limb and say this was the best lasagna I've ever had. The top was cheesy and broiled so it was melty and crispy at the same time. The sauce was flavorful and fresh and there were lots of chunks of fresh tomatoes. So. Good. For dessert, I got the chocolate hazelnut tartufo from the raving review of our waitress. It was $10, which is really steep for dessert by my standards, but I figured I would go for it. Turns out, it was more than worth it. This tartufo was one of the best things I've ever eaten. Rich chocolate cake topped with a chocolate/hazlenut semifreddo (our waitress described this as if ice cream and gelato had a baby) with whole hazlenuts and candied cherries, all covered in a hard chocolate shell. The only thing preventing me from giving 5 stars (or more if I could) to Amis is the price to portion ratio. I wish it wasn't so pricey because everything I had was beyond delicious. I will probably end up going back and trying to ignore my bank account's cries after I leave.
(4)Holly H.
So tasty, so cozy, so crowded on a Thursday night. We were there after 9, and the party was still going strong, but with crafes of house wine for $20, I shouldn't be so surprised. We had a great time, but for us, it was all about the appetizers. The ricotta with olive oil and black pepper bruccetta was great bang for the buck, the homemade salumi with marmalade was tasty (although a bit tiny, even for places like this), and the swordfish meatballs were absurdly good (may all your meatballs be swordfish!!). My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was tasy but the cheese on top was pretty closed to crispy (as opposed to melty) and the large pan baked gnocchi hasn't won me as a fan. Husband's pork chop was a tasty pork chop, but it also didn't wish any blue ribbon prizes for presentation or inventiveness (although it gets the ribbon for being a good pork chop). I'm surprised it was on the menu if they couldn't really get it to the place that matches so many of the other dishes. We'll absolutely return - because even with 3 apps, 2 entrees, dessert, wine crafe, and cappacino, we just hit the $100 mark (pre tip), and thats a great Thursday night in my book. We shall, however, stick with the first courses.
(4)Alyssa G.
Absolutely amazing! Our waiter was attentive, knowledgeable, and very nice. The food - wow the food is AWESOME. The baked aged parmesan small plate served with honey and crostini was to die for...how can something so simple be THAT good?? Two of us got the lamb shank which was cooked to perfection (falling off the bone, melt in your mouth perfection). The other two got some sort of steak and sausage - I tried both and they were equally delicious. The two bottles of wine we ordered were outstanding. So good, in fact, that my boyfriends Dad had a case shipped to his house. Amis has such a great atmosphere; we had a fantastic time and will definitely be back. Hands down one of the best restaurants in Philly! Certainly one of my favorites.
(5)Georgia H.
Probably the best Italian I have EVER had. And not only is the food delicious, but the ambience is classy, understated, warm, and welcoming. Our server, Amanda, was very sweet and helpful in recommending items on the menu as well as explaining their "family table" concept. My boyfriend and I chose to sit by the open kitchen, which was fun to see the kitchen staff of chefs at work preparing all the tasty dishes. The chef even sent over a dish of amazing steamed mussels for us "first-timers". We were almost completely full off the baked pecorino, heirloom tomato bruschetta, and the loaves of delicious rosemary-olive oil bread. However, when our main dishes arrived, we couldn't resist the housemade pasta and seared chicken. We ate almost half and Amanda boxed up the rest of it for us to take home. The carafe of house wine was also a perfect accompaniment to a delectable meal. All in all, decently priced, high-quality, complex ingredients, and a fabulous place to sit, sip, munch, and enjoy the ambience. Can't wait to come back! Oh and did I mention it's only a block or so away from our apartment??
(5)Felicia D.
Out of Marc Vetri's tasteful little empire -- grand Vetri, scene-y Osteria and new little brother AmÃs -- I can write with certainty that AmÃs is my favorite outpost. Deliciousness, value and a real "fun factor" all combine here to provide a memorable night out, whether you go full-bore in the lively dining room or just pick at a few appetizers at the comfortable bar. Though AmÃs is a bit more design-forward than the casual Roman trattorie that inspired it, the conviviality and spirit of the originals is absolutely evident. An energetic and ultra-informed staff complete the atmosphere, providing explanation of unfamiliar ingredients or obscure preparations without attitude. A selection of high-quality cocktails, craft beers and reasonably-priced wines sharpen the appetite for the rich spread the menu offers. So many pastas tempt, it's a battle of wills to choose just two for a two-person date. The best of the lot was the melting oxtail ragu over super-soft gnocchi (Gnocchi Alla Romana); conversely, the cacio e pepe, touted as a signature dish, was just too simple to justify the price, though the handmade tonnarelli was elegantly made and perfectly cooked al dente. A wide variety of house-made charcuterie and offal dishes were hits with the fatso foodies who populate my dining-out circle. Much fuss was made over the mortadella mousse and pork liver terrine with mostarda. If you enjoy over-the-top meaty richness, don't skip these. The lightly fried lamb's tongue with salsa rossa was easily my personal favorite of the night -- if you've never had tongue, this preparation is the ideal point of entry. Every first Monday of the month, AmÃs hosts an "Industry Night" with free food and drink specials for restaurant worker bees. We were offered a chance to sample a few dishes that will be on the new menu -- standouts included a braised squid dish and a baked pecorino that could supplant queso fundido as my fat-kid guilty pleasure. Fresh waffles dripped with Nutella and crushed hazelnuts finish you off. I will confess, there are lighter desserts, including lovely gelati and sorbetti -- but you know what they say -- "When in Roma, eat everything you want."
(5)Ashley L.
My new favorite restaurant! The decor is clean and modern. The staff are friendly and attentive. And the food... YUM! You must get the fettuccini. The table next to us was enjoying it while we were being seated. We couldn't help but stare; it just looked so good! And it was. Homemade pasta in a creamy sauce with scallions and corn, adding the perfect amount of texture. Note- the pasta dishes are served as a smaller portion, best for splitting as an app. For my entree I had the duck breast with farro and stone fruit. The duck was extremely flavorful and had a perfectly crisped skin. The fruit mixed in with the farro added a great contrast to the flavors of the dish. I also got to taste the roasted scallop, which was equally delicious. Again, the dishes are modestly portioned, but between the split pasta dish and my entree, I was completely satisfied. Dinner can get a little pricey, but it's well worth it!
(5)Emily W.
We've been here twice and have had a blast each time. It's approachable Italian food and honestly, reminds me some of the best meals I had when I was living in Italy. Between the food and the service, I really can't say enough good things. The key is to go with a group of people who don't mind sharing. It's worth trying as many dishes as you can. The bread that comes out is supposedly focaccia, but it's richer and more buttery than any other focaccia I've tasted. For five people, we got the braised snails, bufala ricotta crostini, a mixed salumi plate, and arancini to start. The arancini normally only comes with 4 portions, but they kindly added on a fifth for us. The snails were tasty and not too chewy; and the ricotta was creamy, but I wish it would have had more of the tang that I associate with ricotta di bufala. That didn't stop me from asking for more bread to finish it off though. I'm never one to order mixed salumi by myself, but let's just say that my sister, who rarely eats meat, set up camp at the pork terrine. And the arancini are little pops of goodness with their creamy, savory interior and crispy exterior. For our entrees, we decided to tackle the pasta section since it all looked so good and seemed to take advantage of spring's bounty. We ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe," the bucatini ai fagioli, the fettucine with lamb ragu and mint, the chard ravioli, and the wilted spinach as a side dish. And they brought us a dish of their special pasta that night- a sweet pea agnolotti- "on the house." It's so hard to pick a favorite pasta here, and in fact, when we all went around to name our favorite, we each picked a different one! I loved all of them as the pasta was perfectly cooked and the sauces clung to each of them beautifully. But if i could only eat one dish again, I would go for the fettucine with the lamb ragu and mint. Now I'm normally not a lamb fan, but the tiny shreds of gamy lamb worked so well with the brightness of the mint. The sauce had body that helped it cling to each noodle, but it didn't overpower the flavor of the pasta. If you're going for the first time, definitely order the tonnarelli in your mix. It's a super-luscious version of the butter, noodles, and cheese dish you used to make 9or still make) for yourself in college. And even though we were all full, we all wanted a little something sweet to round out the meal. Their dessert menu was well-thought; each of their desserts brought a little something different depending on what you were craving- sweet, doughy, cheesy, icy, fruity, crunchy, chocolatey, and nutty. We settled on the ricotta crumble tart, the polenta shortcake with strawberries and (killer) salted butter semifreddo, the Belgian style waffles, the special tiramisu, and the prosecco rhubarb granita. I'm usually a chocolate or nut fanatic, but my favorite of the bunch was the polenta shortcake. It wasn't overly sweet, and the corn/ strawberry combo with buttery ice cream was satisfying without being too rich. My second choice would be for the Belgian waffle because it's just so fun to eat, but the other desserts are not far behind. For five people with all of this food and two carafes of house wine, it was about 50pp. And we got a lot of food. This is definitely one of my favorite places in Philly, so I'm sad to hear that other people didn't have great experiences. I know I'll be back though!
(5)elanya m.
Great place! Ate the octopus, bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta, Sal's meatball and lamb for the main course. Friends had the seafood grill and the hen leg; all very good. Def. recommend but I still enjoy Osteria a tad bit more.
(4)Richie G.
Had another great meal here last night. The menu remains very inventive, but this time we got to experience the chef's ability to innovate too. The specials were a trio of pork preparations, two of which we tried. A wonderful fettuccini entree featuring the pork shoulder and a pork belly and polenta preparation that was unreal. The starters, including the amazing swordfish meatballs, continue to make a trip here worth it all by themselves.
(5)Sean G.
Food: 3.5 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 4 stars Location: 3.5 stars Price: 3.5 stars Recommendations: I would recommend starting off with a combination of the bruschetta and salumi for appetizer. The 'imported bufala ricotta and black pepper' is a must have. The whipped ricotta is so smooth and creamy; it literally melts in your mouth. The 'mixed salumi' plate is a great addition to the ricotta. The variety and quality of the salumi is excellent. The main courses unfortunately did not match the quality of the appetizers. The initial pasta we ordered was the 'spinach pasta with sausage'. It definitely was the better of the 3 main courses. The pasta was very fresh but the sauce was a little flat. The 'gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu' was far too salty as was the "mixed seafood grill' secondi. My girlfriend who enjoys food on the saltier side was overwhelmed by the amount of salt used in the dishes. Overall, we had a great time at the restaurant. The ambiance is great and the service is wonderful too. The general consensus was that the food did not meet all the initial hype and expectations. I'm not sure if we will return for another dining experience. Overall: 3.5 stars
(3)Zach Y.
For as classy as this place looks and sophistication of the wait staff, I was unimpressed with the food. I found it pretty common and bland. I do have to say the porscuitto and figs appetizer was very tasty
(3)Marie D.
The best part about birthdays in my family is going out for dinner. Birthday boys and girls get to choose the spot of celebrating and over-eating. My choice was Amis. Looking for parking was painful and by the time I scored a spot (in a lot on Broad) my family was inside already imbibing at the bar. Time to play catch-up. One Alto (prosecco cocktail with blood orange bitters a macerated cherry and a lemon twist) for me, barkeep! Very refreshing. That's all I tried of their drink selection. We brought our own wine which they'll gladly open for about a $25 corkage fee per bottle. What I'm going to say next may seem like an exaggeration but I wouldn't lie to you: the 8 of us devoured 90% of the menu with not one crumb left. I've eaten almost all of it here and here are the things you must have: mortadella mousse brushcetta, pork liver terrine, gnocchi with oxtail ragu, buccatini with pork jowl, marinated lamb. It's a lot of spare parts, I know, but you'll love it all. The rusticity, the exposed ceiling, distressed woods, books on the shelves and an open kitchen that seems so tangible from any corner of the room all make you feel right at home. Reminds me of a Sunday dinner in a tiny Philly rowhome where you could ask for seconds from the kitchen while parked in front of the TV in the parlor. Amis staff is so amiable they just might oblige.
(4)Philly P.
OK, I get the whole Amis is owned or related to the restaurant Vetri... BLA BLA BLA... Both are over-priced over-rated places that serve mediocre food. Both are more concerned with their "fancy" ingredients they add rather than looking at the greater picture of things and asking... "Is this good?" I ordered pasta that was supposed to have a touch of mint in it. Cool, I get it, mint in pasta, different, unique... Not for me and I am sure NOT for several others. After eating my breath was minty fresh because he added way too much. Service was good, food was pricey, looked nice (I guess) but was lacking some sort of soul in it... Maybe Jose Garces and Marc Vetri can open up a restaurant together... M-E-D-I-O-C-R-E !!!
(3)Mandy H.
This was my first Mark Vetri experience and I hope to have more in the future. I made a reservation for 4 at 5:45 on a Sunday night to have dinner with my boyfriend and his parents after exploring the city a bit. However, my pre-dinner plans weren't as time consuming as I thought they would be so I called Amis to see if I would be able to move my reservation up to 5. The host told me it was no problem. When we arrived at 5 of 5 the restaurant had just opened for dinner and the waitstaff were actually having their nightly meeting with the managers. The same host I spoke to on the phone happily sat us at the bar and grabbed a bartender to serve us while we waited for our table, which was really nice. Especially since the restaurant wasn't ready for us. Also, even though we were the first table to arrive, I could see how people say the restaurant can get really loud as the ceilings are really high and everything reverberated off of them. We ordered the house red wine in a carafe, which wasn't too full bodied and nice. 500 ML for $20 isn't too bad either. I think the bartender said it was a mix of Cabernet and Grenache. Very soon after we had a few sips of our first round of drinks, we were seated at a table near the kitchen. Our waiter was very helpful in answering any questions we had about the menu and quickly got our orders out to us. Since it was Sunday we had the opportunity to do the Sal's Sunday family-style dinner, but we all opted to go with the regular menu since this was our first time at Amis. l I ordered the seafood grill which came with 2 butterflied shrimp, two small squid tentacles, 1 calamari ring, 1 small fillet of swordfish, 1 buttery scallop, and a side of polenta. Be warned the portions are tiny. I'm a small person and I was still hungry after scarfing my meal in about 5 mins. My boyfriend ordered the guinea hen special, which was topped with mushrooms. Because of the mushrooms I didn't partake in that meal, but it looked good. My boyfriend's parents both had the pork ribs. His dad was clearly disappointed with the a la carte set up of the meal at first glance. However, after he finished his meal, he said he got over the fact that it didn't come with mashed potatoes haha. I tried one of the ribs and it was very good. I had heard the pasta was the best, but I was pretty hungry by the time we got to Amis that I chickened out on being a little more adventurous and stuck with my usual seafood meal. After dinner (since I was still pretty hungry) we ordered cappuccinos and desert. I had the cafe affogato which is italian vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over top. The combination of the sweet vanilla ice cream and bitter espresso was perfect. My boyfriend and his dad ordered mom-mom's rice pudding. They're both suckers for puddings I'm learning. I'm not a big fan of the texture of rice pudding, but I gave it a whirl and it was REALLY good. If you like rice pudding, this is definitely a good one to try. Overall, the service at Amis was really great. They made you feel very welcome and at home. The portions were pretty tiny and although everything I tasted had a good flavor, I thought it was a little too simplistic. Nothing I tried really wowed me. However, the deserts were really delicious and I would probably come back just for desert.
(3)Lawrence K.
Went here on a Weds night a few weeks ago. Great, lively, bustleing and noisy space; lots of fun. delicious food. very stylish and chic clientel. go with friends and get to know your neighbors. Upon arrival, there were no tables immediately available so the maitre'd offered us seats at "The Chefs Table." He made this sound exclusive but it's just seating at the counter looking over the open kitchen. We actually liked this since it's fun to watch the line cooks do their thing and you get to see all the food going out. We ordered our selections based more from seeing the dishes than by reading the menu. The wine list was way too expensive for my BYO-preferred palate so we just ordered a carafe of the house white which was, I believe, Trebbiano (a simple Italian/Tuscan varietal). The wine stems/glasses were of excellent quality which made it a pleasure to sip this simple but fresh and tasty house wine. It was a good match with the swordfish meatballs which were tasty and interesting. We also ordered the mussels which were very good with awesome sauce to mop up with the bread. Also had an incredilbly good cucumber salad with hot pepper, mint and super creamy, delicious ricotta cheese. really really good; sort of like an Italian-style Isreali salad. With a carafe of house red this time (blend of Sangiovese and Merlot) we ordered the eggplant lasagna. just a fabulous mess of homemade pasta, eggplant, tomato and cheese, all broiled to perfect bubbly deliciousness. I also ordered the duck with grilled peaches which was great too. We were also comped an order of Sals "old school" meatballs; again they made it sound like "the chef" sent them over out of the goodness of his heart but we saw a waiter bring them back from the dining room a minute before, but we didn't mind because these meatballs were OUT OF THIS WORLD - very rich tasting from (what tasted like to me) parmegiano reggiano (the real deal) added to the forcemeat before cooking. These were, bar none, the best meatballs I've ever had! I felt sorry for whoever sent them back. We liked them so much we got anoher order! The service was friendly and attentive and, even though a little disengenuous, the free meatballs that were sent back was a nice touch. Overall, i thought the food at Amis was outstanding. I'd give it 5 stars except I thought it was just a little too pricey for what the place is trying to be. But if you've got some cash to spend and dont mind a little noise (and lots of fun) I'd definitely recommend it.
(4)Peter H.
After all the raves over Vetri and Osteria, I expected my first Vetri experience to be something special. I foresaw contented bellies, drunk-ish smiles of the post-coital variety, happy babbling about our favorite dishes, and significantly lightened wallets. Checkmark for the lightened wallets. That's about it. We did our research and anxiously awaited the Fried Artichokes, Oxtail Ragu, and various Mediterranean small plates. Artichokes: bland and over-salted. Just because its sea-salt doesn't mean it's class. Oxtail Ragu: okay, this is kind of tasty, but its tiny. This is supposed to be a highlight? I adore oxtail in its many forms. This version ranks near the bottom of my list. Did not get the swordfish rigatoni, but maybe we should have. No matter how good it was it could not have saved our experience. Great decor, classy service, dessert chocolate waffle was delicious, but money's a little too tight to pay princely sums for small portions of just okay food.
(2)Jillian M.
Best food in the city. Fresh menu with interesting combos of flavors and ingredients. We love Amis best of all the Vetri restaurants! Great cozy, laid back but trendy environment. Great spot for foodies! Make sure that you try the Alpha Box & Dice served by the glass on the wine menu. You can't find it anywhere else and it is totally worth the $$$$. Trust me.
(5)Aj J.
The atmosphere is very romantic with a great wine selection. The fare is quite good with nice simplicity and great innovative ideas. Great for a date or a group of friends; the prices are reasonable and the staff very professional. I'd definitely recommend if you want to have great italian cuisine.
(5)Retset Y.
I was skeptical after reading the mediocre reviews of Amis before dining there for my birthday but thankfully, my caution was not warranted. It was a fine meal. Through and through a very satisfying dinner. Service was outstanding. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu items. Support staff was always on task as well. My boyfriend and I sipped on Saison while we munched on delicious Salumi, eggplant capponata and seafood frito. Our second course consisted of a veal canneloni, roasted lamb and tuna steak. All delicious and well-portioned. The rhubarb tart for dessert was the perfect nightcap as well as their freshly brewed coffee. The best cup of coffee I've had in a very long time. Despite people's gripes on Amis' portion sizes, I left the restaurant feeling so very full and happy.
(4)Candace C.
Amis is an absolutely adorable restaurant that came highly recommended to me by my foodie friends. I took my sister here, and we both left thinking it was a good meal but nothing extraordinary. We started with glasses of wine each; both were red and to our liking. The meatballs with polenta went nicely together. The polenta by itself was a little bland and the meatballs were too salty. By together, they were were well balanced. The mussels here were delightful. They were well-seasoned and accompanied by delicious hearty pieces of bread. The pasta was not very memorable, despite being the special of the night. I will likely come back to Amis to give it another try; maybe I'll consult Yelpers before I come back!
(3)Chris S.
A colleague wanted to go here so we gave it a try. Bread is olive oil infused and pretty amazing. First time I have ever had that. Favorite appetizer was the swordfish meatballs. I went with the seafood mixed grill which was lightly grilled and drizzled with olive oil. Felt very healthy after eating that meal. Moderately priced and I would eat here constantly if I lived in Philadelphia and was paying. I would come back but would want to explore other places in Philadelphia before making this a staple.
(3)Zee W.
this is a review for their sunday brunch: as a waffle-lover, i was excited to try their "philly's best" waffles - unfortunately, i was left disappointed. it was dripping in syrup. i love sweets, but too sweet for my taste buds. my s.o. ordered sausage and it was tasty, though too salty. the polenta was okay. service was good, but considering the price, i'd have to say i was underwhelmed. they also charged us for water! i requested still (as opposed to sparkling), thinking that would be tap, but they charged us $5!! i was happy to find that on a sunday (late) morning, the restaurant wasn't too crowded. now, i know why. too expensive, quality not up to par. don't think i will be going back.
(2)Karl S.
Really? Nope. sorry. Overpriced mediocre BS. I'm not cheap. Really. But $60 for 2 appetizers, including what looked like and tasted like lunch meat, house cured or not, it's lunch meat, and 2 half pours of wine. Pour me a real glass of wine damn it! Beautiful space, pleasant, if not slightly over selling the BS, bartender, is not enough. Drink the cool-aide folks.
(2)Chris H.
Went to this restaurant with my bf on his birthday. We walked in and were immediately sat at a table right across from a party that had two young, vocal children. I love babies, but it did make it difficult to enjoy our meal, which is overall not a reflection on the restaurant, but it was definitely not a smart place to seat us, especially bc we were placed in a very dark corner. Anyways we ordered food and drinks, the waitress accidentally brought my bf the wrong drink, but we didn't really care since we were curious about trying it anyways. Apps come out and they're delicious, and make us excited for whats to come next... ...which was a major disappointment. My boyfriends entree, the eggplant lasagna, while delicious, was an embarrassingly small portion. My entree, the pork chop milanese, was HUGE and not exciting. The best part of it was the arugula and tomato side salad, which was also lacking. The pork chop itself was dry and tough. boyf says: was very excited to try this place. i have a powerful fetish for lasagna and their eggplant lasagna looked scrumptious online. trudged to the place with the girlfriend and although the decor was pleasant, we found the lighting to be way too dim and personally, i thought the selection of music (mostly loud classic rock) heavily detracted from the restaurant's atmosphere (0.5 star deduction). we were also not expecting the place to be a family-friendly joint (as it was certainly not advertised as such), and the preponderance of whining babies was uncomfortably jarring (0.5 star deduction). while the beer and wine list looked very nice, our waitress mixed up my order and brought me the wrong beer (0.25 star deduction), and service in general seemed to be hampered by those god damned babies (0.25 star deduction). anyway, i thought the appetizer i ordered (peppered buffalo milk ricotta bruschetta) was phenomenal, but my main (the eggplant lasagna), although delicious, was so small it was a joke. it was near-paper thin and for 18 dollars, felt like an absurd rip off (1 star deduction). i would not recommend this place for younger couples, children-free couples, single folks, or anyone looking for hearty lasagna. overall, 2.5 stars. a restaurant with high potential, that was heavily brought down by its 'family friendly' atmosphere, poor music selection and overpriced pasta.
(3)Joan V.
Glad they did away with the sidewalk bar as outdoor seating.
(4)Beth K.
Incredible pasta, great location from where we live and a laid back but still semi-formal for a nice occasion atmosphere.
(4)Jim F.
Went to diner here on Saturday night. This is my 4th or 5th time at Amis. Started off with an Amis punch which wasn't too sweet and pretty good though a little small (with lots of ice). Had a Deep Fried Pork balls special which had great flavor but the texture was too mushy for my liking. Had the Melon & Cucumber Salad. AWESOME! Corn & Tomato salad was very good. Enjoyed the Baked Cheese and almond honey very much. Had the Spaghetti with Chiles. Good but a little hot and not much flavor going on. Overall very good. I didn't care much for their Sunday brunch on a prior visit but still Amis is a SOLID 4.5 star experience.
(4)Ricky R.
If you are in the mood for tapas-style dining but not in the mood for one of the Jose Garces restaurants, then give this place a try. We went there recently and had an incredible meal of small plate dishes. Sure, you can get bigger entrees. But go for the smaller dishes so you can try a real variety of things. We had a pretty amazing roasted pumpkin and mozzarella dish. And a pasta with a sauce made from - ready for this - pig's head. I was a little dubious but the waiter said it was one of the favorites when they make it. After tasting iy, you could understand why. Good wine list as well. Great Vetri food at affordable prices!
(4)Grace G.
This place was very good, having been to both Vetri and Osteria we had high expectations. We got the baked pecorino with honey, the old school meatballs and the veal croquettes special, which was insanely good. The only downside was that the small plates were not spaced out like normal tapas. Two of them came out together and the next one a few minutes later. The entrees were very good, we got pork shoulder and duck. Nothing out of this world about them, but enjoyable. For dessert, we got the salted butter sundae, which was tasty.
(4)Alexa R.
My husband and I tried Amis last night as it's close to our house and we loved Osteria, which is not as close and hard to get reservations! Our server, Graham, was phenomenal. The appetizers were delicious, albeit a little salty, and I find that 20 dollars for a carafe of table wine is affordable and fair. The entrees were a fine size -- husband had the ravioli with spring asparagus (so good - I wish I had ordered them!!) and I had the mixed seafood grill. I wish the seafood grill had come with veggies as opposed to polenta. I would go back in a heartbeat and sit at the bar and order apps. The entire place has a cozy, warm feel. Loved it!
(4)Nick T.
My fav place to eat in Philly. Met a friend for dinner. Started at bar. Great cocktails. Dinner was pastas and fish. Great flavors. Great service.
(5)Kimberly S.
I've been to all of Vetri's restaurants and although they are all outstanding and noteworthy, I think my recent dinner at Amis proved that Amis is my favorite. I came with a party of 6 and we had a 5 star flawless dinner. Each couple ordered about 3 dishes and we passed everything around, so I was able to try a good variety of the menu. Every dish was mind blowingly delicious, from the monkfish spiedini to the squid ink pasta; from the hen ragu to the fried brussel sprouts; from the roasted scallops to the tiramisu! Something as simple as the tonarelli cacio e pepe was done to perfection. I even loved the Amis Punch cocktail. Service was great, and really, the only complaint I have is that the reservationist never properly saved the change to my reservation when I had called a few days prior to change it from 5 people to 6. We promptly arrived to the restaurant and had to wait 20-30 min. for a table because of the confusion, but in the end it was no big deal. I would love to become a regular at Amis and will definitely be returning.
(5)Jeremy J.
It is close quarters with nearby diners, but we've had tighter accommodations so it is not worrisome. The noise, however, is near-deafening. I struggle to hear myself, let alone the poor quiet-voiced server who tries to relay the evening's specials. Juliet has to help translate. As the night wears on, the chaotic garble does ease slightly. I begin with a generous pour of Prosecco, with a sidecar of red wine granita. A spoonful of the frozen red wine goes into the sparkling wine. Mix. Drink. Repeat. Enjoy. It is sweet and lively on my tongue, preparing me for the roller coaster of flavors to come. Ever since dining at Joe Allen, I have been craving escargot again. As luck would have it, Amis offers braised snails in a scallion crema. They are bright green chunks coated in a thick cream sauce. Take a scoop and dump them on a toasted, burnt-edged piece of bread. Yum! These are not quite the full-bodied, wine-soaked snails I had in New York; they are more subdued and earthy, with a delicate onion taste. The combination of burned toast and creamy snails is decadent. Juliet also orders pan-fried artichokes (they are crunchy, oily, and tasty) and pork liver terrine topped with tomato marmalade (sweet, slightly greasy, and tastes much like any other pork terrine I've had). There are so many captivating entries on the menu, I'm not quite sure what to order. I really don't want to "meat it up" with a hunk of veal so I settle on seafood. Since Juliet doesn't like peas, I seldom get to eat them at home...and I love peas! My eye gravitates toward the braised squid with artichokes and spring peas. Thick-cut circles of firm squid flesh bobble in a shallow, spicy tomato broth sprinkled with green peas. Islands of quartered artichoke hearts peek out from beneath titanic wedges of more crisp-black toast...which I use to sop up the soup when I've polished off most of the calamari. The dish is demonstrative, bold, and very addictive. My only criticism is the squid seems just a smidge too firm, as if it had been slightly overcooked or left under a heat lamp. I highly doubt the latter, though. Suffice to say, it is a good dish and one which I'd happily order again. From good to great, now. While Juliet opts for crispy veal breast with marinated mushrooms, she had also been circling another plate: the fettuccine with lamb ragu and mint. Did someone say mint? As some of you might know, I'm a mint fanatic. Love it. Put it in everything, please. I, too, considered ordering the fettuccine but ultimately went the seaward route. A quick pow-wow, though, and we decide to order it for sharing. Because sharing is caring. Or something like that. Man, am I glad we ordered that pasta. The noodles are perfectly prepared, not too squishy, but slippery and glistening with olive oil. Hearty bits of shredded lamb ragu mingle under a mound of shredded Pecorino cheese. Little green specks of mint add just a hint of color. It is imperative to gather all components on your fork, so you get the full effect--salty, meaty, with a surprising lightness from the mint. It is pasta like a sexy poem in your mouth. I am full now. Dessert is totally out of the question...until I read the very bottom item on the menu: prosecco rhubarb granita with pistachio biscotti. Saving the best for last, eh, Chef? Surely there must be cracks in my stomach that need filling. The granita is sweet and very tart, actually quite refreshing. I get uncomfortably close to brain freeze as I use the biscotti as a spoon for the shaved ice. Time to stop. Time to go. Time for bed. From our little tour of Chef Michaud's cuisine, it's pretty easy to see how he earned his award. Kudos! But don't take my word for it. See what my better half has to say on our website (linked in my profile).
(4)Anna Marie C.
marc vetri is like, a superstar in my eyes. my birthday experience at osteria last year with my bestie was one of my favorite meals ever. so i came to amis with higher than high expectations, and i think that was its downfall. the space is cozy, cute, perfect. really. i walked in, promptly greeted, and was already a little bit happier. we sat at the counter (which is how we roll) and it all started going downhill from there. the plus was watching the every-bustling kitchen, which is always fun. i had the fried artichokes, buccatini, seafood fritto (apparently i was on a fried kick)... my friend had the olives and seared tuna. everything was good... but no dish made me scream and yell and want to go back for more. the waiter was extremely awkward, making me feel like i was somehow a nuisance or something. he never offered tastes of wine, just so we could figure out what we wanted to drink (which i feel like is a must at this price point). the crowning moment was the hair found among my too-soggy tiramisu, which it took prompting by the kitchen for the server to notice. he took it away (thankfully)... but instead of asking if i wanted another, or a replacement, he just silently dropped off another bill with the dessert taken off. really? isn't your job to talk and be friendly? and in the end, my bill came out to be about the same as osteria, but my experience here was not even half. sad.
(2)Suzanne H.
I recently went to Amis for a friend's birthday dinner and I really liked it. We got a selection of bruschettas, octopus, and meatballs for appetizers. Everyone loved them all. For the main course, I got a homemade pasta dish and it was to die for! I will get pasta every time I go back (which will be often). The friends I was with really enjoyed their seafood dishes. For dessert we received complimentary ice cream, for the birthday girl of course. The ice cream was soooooo good I couldn't stop eating it even though I was full. I thought the menu was reasonably priced. It was a little bit loud and crowded inside and I wasn't a big fan of our waitress, but the food was delicious and overall I really liked this place.
(4)Amanda R.
Best friend/favorite eating partner at my side, heat wave in temporary remission, Joe Jackson playing on the stereo, we got to sit at the chef's table - all the conditions were primed for a memorable evening and Amis did not disappoint. Mortadella mousse - creamy, smooth and porktastic. Sweetbreads with fennel pollen - hot, crispy, organy and succulent. A bucatini all'amatriciana that I described as "the best drunk food ever" was chewy, salty, meaty and cheesy in all the best ways. And the meatballs! You wonder how meatballs could possibly blow your mind? Just order them, sidled up to the potato/tomato mash. Also have tried the veal tongue, carciofi, pork terrine, cacio e pepe, and strozzaprete alla vongole which were merely amazing. The only less than memorable dish was the beef carpaccio - solid, but it didn't blow our mind like so many of the other courses did. Desserts don't drop the ball - all of the semifreddos are amazing, especially the Amaretto, topped with fudge sauce and crunchy toasted almonds. Because too much is never enough in my book, I adored the tartufo - chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo studded with cherries, resting on a spongy chocolate cake and covered with a thick shell of dark chocolate - then drizzled with chocolate sauce, as if you didn't already get the point. I love gilded lilies. Yes, it's a little pricey, but if you're willing to splurge on a delightfully fun, memorable meal, it's worth it. A meal at Amis is like a fireworks display.
(5)Vincent F.
Its been a while so I don't remember many details but I wanted to review this place since I had such a nice time there. First off, our server was really friendly and fun and that fits in with the vibe here which is a relaxed, not too quiet, fun but cozy kind of vibe. The drinks were great but we found that the caraffe of amis punch (sorry my memory is spotty) was way over priced for the size. We actually complained about this and got a free one 2 seconds later. Nice response by the manager! There were 5 of us and we like to share and try stuff so we ordered practically everything we saw and everything was pretty great. Although the portions weren't huge, they were fairly priced so we just ordered more... Mixed seafood grill was wonderful and perfectly cooked. Octopus was perfect, as were the interestingly prepared artichokes (get them). Carpaccio was good but nothing amazing (which was the case with the polenta.. skip it). The gnocci was very good but nowhere near the quality of the gnocci at Vetri. We had another pasta dish which was very good but sadly I can't remember it off hand. The best part (and I know this is odd since I usually am not a huge desert person) was the desert we had. Previously my favorite desert was from Villiage Whisky (the strawberry shortcake) but the new winner is the Waffles with Nutella and hazelnuts. Get this no matter what you do! At the end of the night we were really surprised to see that our check was a lot less than we had thought since we drank a bunch and ate whatever we wanted (ordering on the fly from course to course). Overall I'd definitely say that the value was way up there. Was this an amazing dinner? That night I was thinking that it was good and a good value but nothing really spectacular. A few days later I was still thinking about how great a time we had. Now I'm ready to go back. What do you think?
(4)Jay M.
Wow! We talked about this place for over a week after we recently had dinner there. It was the best meal that my partner and I had in quite some time. It's the small plate theme and we shared everything. An eggplant ragu bruschetta, mussels, sword fish meat balls, canneloni with flava beans and pine nuts, and a wonderful past dish. If you're a foodie you will love this place. We're heading back later this week and can't wait!
(5)Zack T.
MY belgian waffler was delicious, it was light and the sweetness just right to my tastebud. The environment of the restaurant also was lovely and spacious. Overall dining experience is 5/5.
(5)Chad B.
I clearly got this place on an off night. Had a bad experience top to bottom. Had reservations at 9 for 3 people for a friends birthday. Showed up around 8:45 and was told it would just be a few minutes. We got drinks at the bar. Pretty tasty. Checked in around 9:10 on the table - was told just a few more minutes. Checked back in at 9:20...was told "they were clearing the table". 9:30...still not seated. Checked in again and the hostess said she would send over the manager. He came over and explained that they were only 15 minutes behind and were just waiting for a few tables to finish. I was confused and said our reservation was for 9:00....He didnt say "Oh, I apologize we have you down for 9:15" he literally said "No, your reservation is 9:15". While he was standing there I pulled up the email confirmation (hoping I had it right) and of course my email confirmation showed 9:00. Upon showing him the email....he said nothing. Walked away to the host station. Strangely we were seated within 30 seconds....without apology or explanation. I know it might seem annoying or simple but we didnt get seated until 9:40. I am fine waiting...just want to be treated properly. A simple apology would have made the whole night better The food? Well it was solid but not great my favorite two items of the night....the sweetbreads and the mortadella (my favorite) mousse. Squash lasagna was just very average to me...nothing great, nothing awful. The Swordfish meatballs seemed very fishy ( I realize it was fish). I would give the Food a 3 1/2 stars. Again....I am guessing our palettes were off due to being in a pissy mood.
(2)Lydia T.
Mixed Seafood Grill: Scallops, tender skate, calamari,swordfish. Grilled to perfection, simple salt and pepper. Palenta with brown butter: also simple and very good Escarole and radish salad: very light and refreshing. Drinks Campari and grapefruit with basil....one of the better combinations with Campari I have tasted. Limonchella and iced tea vodka total bill just about 65, including drinks. Overall very pleased with the meal. Best seat in the house is overlooking the open kitchen.
(3)Mike C.
Awesome food. Well prepared with fresh ingredients. Mortadella with Hazelnut and Honey was awesome, a great combination of flavors. Bucatini with cheese was very good, pasta is fresh and cooked perfectly. My only regret is I wasn't hungrier so I could have eaten more
(5)Judie G.
Great new addition to the Vetri line up! Loved the casual atmosphere and menu. Tried several of the seasonal specials that were fantastic, most notably the heirloom tomatoes with sweet corn and cream and the rice pudding with strawberries and balsamic vinegar. The ribeye was great, but a small cut for the price. But cooked and seasoned wonderfully. Great wine list of mostly southern Italian wines. Tiramisu (not on normal menu) was perfection. Am so happy this place is right around the corner from our house. Sure to become a neighborhood favorite.
(4)Jen L.
Amis is sexy and hip and in a cool neighborhood, and I like the idea of it, but I was ultimately disappointed in our experience. The food was okay but I just don't understand their concept of small bites. These were miniscule bites, and kind of bland. The server raved about the meatballs, we ordered, (there were three to an order, like three teensey weensey meatballs) and we were like, "meh". * The arancini (two to an order, they are also super-tiny) are just boring. The shaved parmesan on top offered the only flavor. * The veal canneloni needed something, maybe salt. I'm not sure. * I liked the buffala ricotta bruschetta but $8 for two small pieces of bread is a bit redonk, Mr. Vetri. I'm not cheap in the least but I left starving after a $90 tab for two glasses of wine and what amounted to just a few bites of food. Heavy sigh.
(2)Hannah C.
I was so excited to try out Vetri's Roman trattoria-style eatery having been to Rome twice in the past year and eating the best pastas of my life. And Vetri is a rock star in Philly, and Amis got good reviews and I basically thought I could trust all that...Wrong. The pasta sauces weren't even close to being Roman let alone tasty Italian-American! The cacio e pepe was more alfredo and the pecorino lacked the tangy bite and saltiness that I love in that dish. It was just so creamy and mild with not nearly enough black pepper, not authentic at all. The amatriciana was even worse. There was a scarce amount of giant cubes of pancetta that were basically just fat. The tomato sauce was pretty much just tomato - no spice, no flavor, just warm tomato... I had the best amatriciana in Rome for half the price, and an arguably equally good bowl at our standby Melograno. We got the secondi special that evening, pork loin wrapped in pork belly and they had just got the pig in the day before. The pork belly was very fatty (to be expected), but the loin was tough. When you pay for a special at a Marc Vetri restaurant, badly cooked pork is unacceptable. The salad was so salty that they might have made a mistake (either way, a bad move), the grilled focaccia that came with some of the apps was soaked in stale oil that oozed and coated my mouth when I bit into it (gross!), but the meatballs were good (not spectacular though). The napkins look like dish towels, which is kinda neat, but they shed like crazy all over your clothes. Whatever you do, don't wear black. What we liked: the service was fine, but it was very in-and-out and our dinner was over in less than an hour. Vetri's famous fresh pasta was solid. They were a bit overdone for my taste, but I like my pasta very al dente so I'll give them the pasta. Overall, we were so disappointed by the meal that we didn't even stay for dessert. I would not recommend this restaurant at all. I feel like we ordered a balanced spread of dishes, and we weren't impressed by any of them.
(2)L R.
Everything about this restaurant is perfect. My dinner, tile fish prepared perfectly, was exquisite! The cauliflower appetizer was incredible - so full of flavor. And the salted butter dessert was to die for. The meal was beyond our expectations, but what really stands out at Amis is the staff. There was a genuinely happy hostess who seemed so pleased about our experience she could have been mistaken for an owner. That giant bright smile was just so warm. Our waiter was AMAZING! He described each dish with a perfect run down on the ingredients and the effect that the combination of flavors has on the whole dish. I was so impressed when as he was explaining the tile fish entre specials, an appetizer arrived and was presented silently to the waiter by a manager in a suit. No wonder the staff here is so great; there's a genuine appreciation from the management for the quality of the dining experience they offer. This is a place not to be missed. Our dinner lasted over three hours and was perfect from start to finish. The manager came to our table twice! The wine special was delicious and made the meal so much more enjoyable. I can't wait to come back to Philly! We ate here on our final night of a conference, but I wish I had eaten here first - we could have had three tremendous meals! Thank you for a lovely evening.
(5)Leah G.
I was eager to try Amis and was not disappointed. Our table opted to share several small dishes and loved them all. The ricotta bruschetta was very enjoyable. The beef carpaccio was fantastic. Our pastas were also a treat. My only dislike was our salumi plate, but that may say more about me than Amis. For dessert, we shared the cookie plate and the amaretti semifreddo. I am not a dessert person, but ate more than my fair share. I am excited to add this to my neighborhood restaurant circuit!
(5)Food Hound S.
All four of us had a great experience at this restaurant. Though we had to wait about 15 minutes for our table to be ready, the staff was quite accommodating. Our waitress, especially, was very helpful in suggesting her favorite dishes all of which were spot on. The wine menu was quite good as well, but a bit pricey. Here's what we had: eggplant caponata imported bufala ricotta and black pepper black pepper salumi baked pecorino with almond honey Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato vegetable fritto misto tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper pappardelle with veal breast ragu abbacchio con patate (roasted lamb with potatoes) "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries tiramisu Happy Eating!
(4)Vivian T.
I loved the ambiance of this restaurant and the dishes were flavorful and nicely portioned. But holy cow is the food salty. We had to send the pork sausage back because my lips started to dry out. It was like taking a spoonful of salt to the mouth. Sweetbreads were really tasty. If you eat the sweetbreads alone, salty but combined with the layers of sweet (i think it was apricot) marmalade type reduction, it was quite tasty. Veal terrine was good. Nothing amazing. We had the pecorini pasta and again it was a bit on the salty side. Also, really heavy and rich. Brussel sprouts were quite tasty. I loved the layer of lemon (slight) in the sprouts. Entrees were a bit of a disappointment. Again heavy heavy hand on the salt. I love salty foods but this was a bit too much for me. I'd come back to the restaurant just because the atmosphere is really great.
(3)Henry D.
This is a fine place to get upscale renditions of Italian comfort food. We started with the arancini di riso with meat ragu, two very tasty rice balls which were very enjoyable but a third would've made the dish more substantial. After that we had our entrees. I went with the paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - very hearty and tasty and a good dish for the price. My wife had a pasta special that I can't quite remember but I know that she was offering lots of it to me while snagging bites of my paccheri. :) Service was fast and attentive and we were out in no-time. I think for the amount of food you actually eat it's a little overpriced but I'd recommend this place for a couple or group looking for a nice night out in Philly.
(3)CAROLE L.
Seriously disappointed. The noise level was so high it was hard to hold a conversation. I was prepared to put up with this if the food had been better. Everything was seriously under seasoned. We ordered the shaved pork belly with watermelon and the meat had no flavour. As the table had no salt and pepper I am assuming the chefs would have fine tuned the seasoning. The steak was so under seasoned we had to request salt.
(2)J K.
Came here for a pre-theater meal on a Friday and the place was bustling. Even so, service was prompt and efficient. Our server took the time to answer questions and explain the menu. Food was delicious, some standouts include the pork trotter rice balls, the pasta with lamb (on special) and the chocolate banana dessert. Wish I could have tried more of the menu- will have to come back again when I recover from the expensive prices!
(3)Mark P.
Really enjoyed the ambience and experience. We elected to order many small dishes and other than the volume of food perhaps being a tad small we enjoyed the mix. House red wine in carafe was far better than expectations. Belgian waffle desert was sinful. Our bill was rung up improperly (to our benefit) and when we pointed out, kudos to the manager for buying us a drink for our honesty. Wait service was attentive and engaging.
(4)Ben T.
I'll admit that I expected a lot from this place, having had very good experiences at both Vetri and Osteria. Unfortunately, it was a big letdown. I love Italian food, and I appreciate the idea of simple small plates of it, but for how much you are paying, it is reasonable to expect more dynamic flavors - especially with the name attached to the place. None of the 5 plates we ordered were especially remarkable, and two of them (the bruschetta and the ribeye over arugula - a whopping $26) were downright bland. I will give credit for the delicious dessert, as both the waffles amis and tiramisu were sublime, but that didn't make up for the overpriced mediocrity that preceded it. The service needs to chill. I must have told our server "Yeah, everything's cool" a dozen times. I understand the need to get things right in a place like this, but its gets very annoying to be interrupted every 5 minutes. As other reviewers have mentioned, it is very loud in there. I love the Stones but it seems inappropriate to have to shout over "street fighting man" to be heard in a place like this. I feel silly saying this because I knew what I was getting into as far as pricing, but looking at the bill I honestly felt ripped off. For close to $90 per person, one expects a well above average experience. What we got was distinctly, painfully average.
(2)Mindy Y.
LOVED it. The buccatini all' amtriciana is quite possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. The arancini made me swoon and the grilled smoked mozz with pickled veggies was heavenly. The wine, ambiance and service rounded out the evening. Amis has a cozy setting that's quieter than Osteria yet more attainable than Vetri. You can dress up or dress down, spend a lot or a little, but either way you go.. you'll have a fantastic time.
(5)Kelly W.
OMG, get the artichokes! They're double fried, of course they're greasy, but they are out of this world! I would go back again just to eat at the bar and have a small plate of artichokes. OK, and the ricotta or eggplant bruschetta. And probably the rigatoni. I love that you can eat while sitting at the bar, at the kitchen counter, or at the communal tables (shared seating at tables that don't require a reservation!). The bar is open late and offers hard to find beer and wine from Italy. I thought the service was great and attentive. I like the repurposed wood and iron designs that make up the rustic setting of this restaurant. And the lamps made from Campari bottles. So cute! Vetri's done it again. Amazing. Love it!
(4)Barb K.
A friend of mine told me about Amis shortly after it opened, but it took me nearly a year to actually make it in--I wish I had gone in sooner. The food was good, the service was superb and we had a nice overall experience, leaving (as another reviewer mentioned) full but not stuffed. We shared four appetizer plates, the eggplant caponata, Sal's meatballs, veal tongue, and the porchetta. The standout was the veal tongue. It was surprisingly crispy on the outside but melted in your mouth. It was excellent. We ordered Sal's meatballs on the recommendation of our server, but I wasn't wowed. The sauce it was served in was probably better than the meatball. It wasn't bad, but not necessarily worth the $$ and I wouldn't order it again. The caponata was pretty good too, it is served with crusty bread but it is slightly too much for the delicate flavors of the eggplant. Having lived in Italy, I was expecting slightly larger portions so we shared an entree--the oxtail gnocchi. Served in a gratin plate, the oxtail was braised to perfection and had a great balance of flavor with the gnocchi, though they didn't seem to be your "traditional" gnocchi--it was hard to tell as the gnocchi was on the bottom of the dish and they were smothered with the meat. We also shared the nutella belgian waffle with vanilla semifreddo for dessert, which was good, but not memorable. The restaurant itself has a great aesthetic but the music was a bit off--somehow the 80s/90s hits didn't seem quite right. Despite that, I'm definitely going to eat here again.
(4)kris j.
I have been wanting to try Amis for about a year and I must say, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, the food was good----especially the linguine with corn and scallions and the entrees. But, the hostess was downright rude (and yes, we had reservations) and our waiter was slow and not at all into his job. It took us 15 minutes to get a drink (just a glass of wine) after it was ordered and while the entire staff was preoccupied with refilling water glasses, the offer the clear plates or get another drink for us was slow. And then after my partner said no to another glass of wine, he received in anyway because the waiter couldn't hear us. And that's my biggest complaint; it is really NOISY for a fine dining restaurant. Part of that is due to the building which is a lovely use of the space, but do you really need to play the music that loud? And.....dining to the Stones and to the Ramones "Blitzkrieg Bop"? Especially when we were some of the younger folks in the restaurant?
(2)Gustavo B.
Amis is a hit or miss kind of restaurant, that is why the mix reviews. We all started with some bruschetta, except for me. I had the trippa alla romana (tripe stew), for which our friendly waitress encourage my menu selection. Well, the bruschettas were all very appetizing, but my stew was pretty average. It tasted kind of cheesy, and I don't even think cheese is supposed to be an ingredient. I have had the original dish in Florence, and also the Spaniard version of this dish. Both very different than Amis version. As a main course my wife had one of the pasta specials and I had the roasted lamb with potatoes. The pasta was just average, my lamb was very dry. Overall, the worst lamb dish I have had in Philadelphia so far. We were disappointed about coming here for dinner. I mean, Amis chef is a James Beard award winning chef, and the food we had was just average at best. At least it was not extremely expensive for what we ate. Also the restaurant is so loud that you can barely hear the waitresses or the people sitting in front/next to you. Service was good. Their prosecco is not bad.
(3)W M.
I love what Amis is doing. We were there for Philly beer week. The menu is pushing the envelope. Fish meatballs, mint lamb ragu, cucumber salad with mint and ricotta... On the more normal end we also had the grilled seafood, bruschetta, and a cheese platter, all of which were delicious. Our service was great, the food was exceptional, and I really liked the atmosphere. The place isnt cheap, but it is certainly not overpriced. Amis is INCREDIBLE for Philadelphia. I hope Vetri keeps the menu adventuresome. Likewise, I hope he keeps changing the menu so diners can experience new combinations and flavors each time they go. I am a foody, but I would never have put mint in a ragu in a million years. While there is a BYOB difference for some of the restaurants im about to mention, why go to Audrey Claire, Twenty Manning, MeMe, Friday Saturday Sunday, or Valanni, when you can experience something totally different at Amis.
(5)Karin R.
Cucina Romana is a unique cuisine that focuses on preparing fresh ingredients in a simple manner. The flavor should be intense and clean. They are at Amis. Our dinner left me feeing like I was back in my favorite trattoria in Rome. Nice bar, good wines that can be bought by the glass or bottle at reasonable prices. Be sure to start your evening with an cocktail apertivo and save room for the dolci.
(5)Cypress P.
Love at first bite. Really. It is THAT good. I have to admit, I found the menu to be a bit intimidating, but luckily for me I wasn't doing the ordering. Everything that was ordered for me and suggested by the bartender was incredible. We had an assortment of "meatballs" ( swordfish, traditional, and tuna croquettes) and each was better than the last! The only thing that I would consinder to be average were the mussels, but the blush sauce that they were in was perfect for dipping the fresh bread in! Can't wait to return.
(5)Sandy D.
Loved Amis. My wife and I went there for the first time and I could not have been happier with the food and the service, absolutely first rate. We had the veal tongue, for the first time ever, and it was fantastic. We wish we had more room to sample deeper into the menu, but it will have to wait for future visits which are already getting booked.
(4)Michele C.
My husband took me here tonight for Valentine's Day dinner. I knew nothing about the place in advance except that it's a Marc Vetri restaurant, and he is an amazing chef (though I've yet to make it to Osteria, it's on my list). We were not disappointed. Every dish was fantastic. I stuffed myself silly (small plates? how much can I eat? yeah, right) and hope to save up all day next time for a meal this good. Brief description: this sleek industrial/modern space is really inviting. I love the fact that you can eat at the bar and watch the cooking take place. That is really cool :) The place was noisier than I expected and the tables were very close together, so you were kind of sitting (almost) on your neighbor's lap.... but these are minor details :) Now onto the food..... there is much to choose from, which is nice... I'm a huge eggplant fan, and the highlight of my evening was the eggplant brushetta dish. I have never had eggplant spread that good. My only complaint was that two small slices of garlic toast were not enough to sop up all of this goodness (no fear, there was other delicious bread on the table). If you get nothing else at Amis, get the eggplant bruschetta. A close second are the eggplant "fries" that strangely decorate the rigatoni with swordfish. Delish and addicting. If they sold these fries from a street vendor, I'd be in big trouble.... Other standouts: Roasted potatoes (my husband's favorite), crispy and delicious Baked clams (yummmmm) Turkey cutlet - who would of thought that turkey mascerading as a thinly pounded veal cutlet could taste so good? Simple, but delicious, and nice with the accompanying greens and freshly shaved parmesan. Others: The grilled cauliflower lightly breaded -- ok, but not exceptional. It was too hard for my taste. Beef carpaccio - nothing against, it, just not my thing (hubby loved it) I hope I'm not forgetting anything.... Desserts were good. The menu is extensive and everything looked delicious. We had an "ice cream sundae" with the most delicious amaretto-tasting ice cream I've ever had, sprinkled with walnuts and covered in fudge. My husband had the chocolate ganache cake that was good, but I wasn't a huge fan. I'm coming back for the Belgian waffle with nutella ... had I not had pancakes for breakfast, I definitely would have gotten it. Service was great. Very attentive and helpful. A new favorite -- we'll be back for more.
(5)D J.
The food was good, and just what we expected. The place was too loud, though, and the music didn't help (although it was good music). Also, sitting at the communal table gets a little uncomfortable after awhile without backs on the stools. But, the food delivers, and the service was good. It's a lot like eating cicchetti or spuntini at a bar in Italy. Except that at Amis, you don't have to engage in elbow battle at the counter with other hungry people, and you have a piece of paper with snacks listed by name, so you don't have to point. From that standpoint, eating at Amis was a real pleasure. Our waiter was always around to get us more of what we wanted. We could order anything at any time and it was easy to ask questions and make changes. My one gripe is that the servings need to be either smaller and cheaper, or larger to accommodate sharing. We would have gladly dispensed with the "main" courses (although they were excellent) and had nothing but snacks, wine and contorni. From our perspective, it would have been better to have had 8 little crostini with a small selection of different toppings for $12 rather than two pieces of bruschetta for $10. We can't wait to go back, though. It's going to be great in the spring and summer when the menu can take advantage of local producers. One last quibble... This is simple food, and you don't need a suit to seat people for it. The welcoming committee needs to dress more casually.
(4)Michele S.
Cute little restaurant with fabulous food. We didn't have reservations, which I would recommend, but they somehow fit us in. Would definitely go back but it is a little pricey so just be prepared!
(4)Christie E.
I got the cacio e pepe pasta dish, the scallops crudo and the pitzel and semifreddo sandwhich all of which were amazing. My date's dish was the pork chop, good but not as great. Also, great service!
(4)Ripp K.
Creative and original food well executed. Highly recommend you try the swordfish meatballs. The vibe and restaurant is very open, rustic and comfortable. Wine selection was fantastic and the bartender we sat with b4 our meal made some great suggestions. Only knock on the place was our waiter who was about as fun and enjoyable as drywall. Otherwise highly recommend it and will be back. ALSO the music on the sunday night we went was awesome. rolling stones, fleetwood mac, the beetles...i was in classic rock heaven.
(4)Dom R.
Brunch'ed it at Amis for my mother's birthday celebration. We were a group of 5 and were seated at a round table. Because of said seating at round table, we decided to play a game. A Food Ordering Game. We started with my mother, who picked one item to order off of the menu. We worked clockwise around this round table, with each person ordering a different item off of the menu. The only Rule of this Ordering Game: no duplicate items can be ordered. This allowed for our party to try almost the entire menu, as we made it about 5 times around the table. Our server thought we were both funny and nuts at the same time. The cichetti-like plates (italian tapas) made this ordering game a success. The highlights for me were definately the Sunny Side Up Duck Egg with Grilled Guanciale and Pecorino Fondue. Anything with guanciale and I'm in...I could eat this dish for breakfast every day. If breakfast (and eggs!) were actually a relevant meal in Italy, i could see this being served all over the country. The mortadella mousse was equally amazing. The Italian cocktails worked perfectly with this brunch menu and are much more interesting than your standard Bloody Mary/ Mimosa brunch boredom. A good cappuccino is hard to find in America, let alone Philly. The cappuccino at Amis is as authentic as it gets and will hit tyour cappuccino fix. Overall, I give Amis 4 Stars. Only 4 because I gave 5 Stars to Amis' big brother Osteria. And the big borther is always better, right?!? I need to return to Amis for dinner soon. The Belgian Waffles with Nutella are calling my name.
(4)M D.
I really didn't get the hype of this place and was essentially disappointed after having read the rave reviews. Makes me think trendy metro Philadelphian diners live on boxed mac and cheese except when they eat here. The menu is eclectic to say the least. So over-the-top eclectic that deciding on something was just to pick a few things and hope for the best. Low lighting is usually a good sign that the dishes are not eye appealing and of course they were all mega-petite as well. The salumni, -- the terrine was the better part of it but if not for the sauces, nothing amazing. The baked pecorino with honey was a cup with a half-inch of melted cheese at the bottom. The squid salad had no flavor. The swordfish meatballs were good (not for everyone's palate) but the polenta did not match and was bland as hell. Fried cauliflower, again nothing to write home about. From the entrees, our server, who was very gracious but lacked table-side personality, recommended the chicken sausage. Really, this reminded me of the turkey sausage patties at the breakfast buffet, gnarly and salty, and served over the once-again bland brown polenta. Four over-salted scallops for $24; not fried, but seriously charred salty brussels sprouts; my friend who loves whole fish was not impressed with the bone-laden, flesh-lacking Dorado and the thin pork chop was similar to what one gets from using Shake n' Bake. Perhaps a home-made pasta dish would have brought redemption but we didn't try any. Semi-fredo with chopped fruit and chocolate sauce is a mix of odd texture and taste that obliterates the smoothness. By 7pm, the noise level was so aggravating. If this was Italian fusion, it doesn't work and we wondered why an Italian restaurant has a French name, but moreso, when I drop over $300 on dinner (only because few of us had cocktails), I expect to be wowed. Not the case here. Apparently the celebrity Vetri name no longer needs to prove quality. Eating a name? Maybe for some, not for me.
(2)Jenny S.
I came here with a large group for a dinner with coworkers and it was amazing!! The service couldn't have been better (and we had some high maintenance folks with us). The ambience was very quaint but elegant and the food was fabulous. Dessert was my favorite- some chocolate cake with peanut butter inside. Mmmm! Two thumbs up for sure!
(5)Charles R.
Too fast on the food, but otherwise very good. Unlike other reviews on here our dinner from start to finish was very good. Salad was fresh, crisp, cold and had a wonderful light dressing on it. Sweetbreads were very tender and rich. Probably rate them as good as Fonds. Pasta with cabbage and house made sausage was cooked perfectly and had wonderful combination of flavors. Pasta with Ox Tail ragu was very rich and the pasta was al dente. House made Tiramisu was a little different than most in Philly as it was moist , but now overpowering with rum sauce. Portions were good sized, and the fresh baked bread was moist and tasty. My only complaint was the pace of the meal. Once we ordered the courses came really fast, much faster than I would like. They were packed and had lots of people sitting at the bar waiting for tables so maybe that was the rush on the food, but next time I would request a breather between courses. They just started a valet service which comes in very handy around that area. Prices I thought were nominal for downtown in an upscale setting. Yes, it is very loud, but what "in" restaurants in this city are quiet? I would put this on a par with Osteria.
(4)David F.
I'd say it's three stars for dinner, but five stars for brunch (so four is an average). So go on Saturday or Sunday morning, and start with a Granita, which is an amazing cocktail of prosecco and accompanying red wine granita. You could stop there and the trip would have been worth your while -- but don't. Go for the raviolo al uovo, and pair it with roasted potatoes. There's no better way to start the day.
(4)Lily W.
I just came back here from a dinner. We went to an early dinner on Sunday afternoon and it was still quite crowded. On Sundays they offer a "sunday supper" family style meal. It was pasta with gravy and meatballs. We didn't get that but a couple of people around us did and it looked good. For starters we had the bufalo ricotta and salumi plate. Very tasty. For entrees I had the squash lasagna which I enjoyed a lot. I love squash. My brother got the rib eye which was very good quality meat, very tasty but very rare though so watch out if you like your meat well done. My dad got the gnochhi with oxtail ragu which was very nice. My mother ordered the pasta with pecorino romano - I don't know why she did that because she hates pasta with cream sauce. I can't comment on that dish but it was not her cup of tea. Dessert was amazing - I got tartufo and this was not your standard tartufo. The ice cream in it was all chocolate with hazelnuts. My brother got the amazing nutella waffle sundae and my dad the pistachio profiteroles. I am stuffed and ready for bed now. Nice ambience - the tables are a little close together but whatever. I would like to return.
(4)hiro m.
Good dinner, amazing dessert. The tartufo, tiramisu, affogato, and olive-oil based cake were all fantastic. The portions for food were small compared with what I'm accustomed to, but most of the food was good. Apparently the pork shoulder wasn't so great (someone at my table ordered it and wasn't taken with it). I tasted the tonarelli and the eggplant parm lasagna -- both were quite tasty. Sitting outside was really nice.
(4)Ashlee P.
Amazing meal with amazing service to match. Restaurant was packed and our server managed to make us feel like we were her only table. And the food....oh the food, how incredible!!! From delectable crumbly pecorino cheeses to hearty plates of pastas and finally to our meats, mine, a deliciousy glazed pork chop, his a citrus tuna with fennel pasta...I will definitely be going back! Not a good atmosphere for a romantic dinner, very open layout, so it tends to get rather loud...
(5)Alejandra I.
Ok. I went last night, Wednesday. It was packed but we got seats at the window, our waiter was AWESOME. Very attentive, very...! I had the red table wine, it was ok. For an appetizer, polenta with brown sugar.... I didn't care for it. Then I had gnocchi- it was traditional gnocchis, dumplings, it was like one big flattened gnocchi. It also was good, not excellent, the sauce was a little ragu-ish. The best thing about dinner was dessert, we had a belgian waffle with Nutella & ice cream on it, that was delicious.. but my Tartufo... OMG. Sooooooooooooooooo............... delicious, perfect. I got goosebumps just by remembering it now. I would go back again, the ambiance was excellent.
(4)Natalie P.
We sat at the counter because we missed our reservation due to a major car accident back up on the bridge. We ordered 5 small plates. The grilled octopus is excellent, eggplant caponato just OK, coppa with honey was very good, il tartufo (aritchoke) was outstanding, and the meatballs were good. My glass of wine was excellent but expensive ($12) and it was maybe 4 ounces. I don't mind choosing an expensive wine but I think it should be a substantial glassful
(4)Steve M.
Awesome, Awesome. If you have never been here it is a must. Everything was amazing from host to floor Manager. One of the best I have ever been at.
(5)James E.
My girlfriend and i went to Amis after seeing a few good reviews and realizing the restaurant was so close. The atmosphere was great, we slipped into a few open tables at the chef's counter and ordered our meal. While their wine list was somewhat expensive, we got a carafe of the house red and moved on from there. Their mussels were excellent and our waiter brought us extra bruschetta out, effectively doubling our order. The oxtail ragu and the mixed seafood grill were both excellent as well as the rice pudding and pistacio crusted chocolate cake that soon followed. Our bill was $120 figuring in a $20 gratuity and within 1.5hrs we had a very satisfying meal. We're returning soon to give brunch a try.
(4)Patricia H.
Went back last week...ordered the same dishes and more this time and the food was extremely average. very disappointing.
(3)Tyler B.
We had a wonderful experience at Amis. On a Wednesday night, we were promptly greeted and seated in a warm inviting atmosphere. The wine selection was appropriate for the small plate and large plate offerings. I enjoyed the octopus antipasti and braised oyster mushrooms pasta dish (both delicious). My dinner companion enjoyed a rather simple starter salad and the citrus grilled tuna steak. I sampled both. The tuna steak was served very rare and tasted fresh, especially with the light citrus highlights. Overall, the food was delicious! The portions were medium-large sized...we left satisfied but not stuffed. Finally, the service was excellent...from greeter to server to support staff. This makes a big difference to me, having experienced too many other restaurants where the servers are inexperienced or indifferent or both. Even with a lot of other restaurants in the city we'd like to try, we talked about plans to come back to Amis! Next time I will leave room so I can try one of the desserts.
(5)Megan K.
got to hang out with my fav friend and we decided to meet here. it was crowded, but miraculously 2 seats were open at the bar. the place is small and cute. outside seating, which is a huge plus. its definitely a sexy date spot. the bartenders joanne and brian were awesome. they were busy, but never let our glasses go empty. they suggested what to try, we shared a bunch of small plates. everything was super tasty. overall, very pleasant.
(4)Michael S.
This was our second time at Amis. Our first visit was perfection with an excellent waitress and terrific food, our second visit was so so. We were measuring our second visit against our first. We started with the seafood misto which was overseasoned, the prusiutto wrapped figs which was the tastiest dish of the night, and escarole salad which was average. There was a mix-up with our drinks so we didn't get our drinks until after we finished our appetizers, this was taken off of the bill. My wife had paccheri with swordfish - she was disappointed because she felt the sauce to be excessively oily and the eggplant fries which were undercooked (eggplant is not very good if not well cooked). I had the Turkey milanese which was exceptional and not the first food I would think about at an Italian Restaurant, but well worth it. It was cooked to perfection. We ended with the yogurt semifreddo with braised cherries. We would recommend this. The service on this visit fell well short of our first visit where the waitress proactively explained the menu, made wine recommendations with each dish, and was pleasant. On this visit, we were asked often about the menu "do you have any questions?", but very littlle was offered unless we asked. It was a pleasant evening out, but not exceptional.
(3)Lea S.
The server was friendly and super knowledgeable about the entire menu; however the food did not live up to the expectation for a Vetri restaurant.
(3)Tamara W.
My boyfriend was meeting me and another couple there, but was delayed by the snow. So I had to keep pushing back our reservation. They were super accommodating, on a Friday night no less, which definitely won me over. The food, though, was not all that remarkable. Don't get me wrong, everything was tasty, but nothing stands out upon reflection. Except the "semifreddo," but that's only because it was more like a custard than a real semifreddo. It had a nice flavor profile, but the texture and consistency were off. Anyway, having never been to Vetri, I could be wrong about this, but this seems like the perfect place for people who love Mark Vetri, can't afford his flagship enterprise on a regular basis, but want to get as close to that experience as possible without setting all their money on fire to do it again.
(3)Joseph N.
Had dinner at Amis last night and was not impressed. Starting with cocktails, they were overpriced and small. Wine was also overpriced and the quantity seemed to be less than other restaurants. We started dinner with the melted pecorino with almond honey was was ok and followed that with the squid ink linguine was was very salty and did not have a lot of flavor. My wife had Skate for her entree which was unremarkable except for the brussle sprouts which were outstanding. I had the rib eye which for 26.00 was pencil thin and probably no more than 4 ounces of meet. For desert we had the tiramisu which was unremarkable and when my wife ordered Irish coffee, it was served in a coffee cup with no whip cream and a separate charge of 9.00 for a shot of Jamison's Irish Whiskey. The ambiance was very noisy and don't understand why they choose the music they did. it added to the noise and was not relaxing. Why not play something soothing? Service was attentive and kudos to the valet who told us to give the waitress our claim tick 10 to 15 minutes before we wanted the car so it would be waiting for us. We have now eaten at three of Vetri's restaurants and the only one I would return to is Osteria.f
(2)Missy B.
Last night, I went to Amis with 6 other friends and had a great dining experience. First, the service was great. Everyone was friendly and worked hard to accommodate our large table. The exposed wood and iron decor was unique and welcoming. The food was sensational! Our table ordered several bruschettas, pastas, and entrees. My favorites: Buffalo Ricotta Bruschetta, Eggplant Bruschetta, ALL of the pastas and the roasted lamb with potatoes. (Potatoes were cooked perfectly-A huge compliment coming from a true Irish Meat and Potatoes girl). I would recommend anyone to go.
(5)Kevin D.
Just made the worthwhile trip to Chef Marc Vetri's third fantastic restaurant venture, Amis... Envisioned by Vetri with Gruber Design Associates, the 80-seat space is as unique as it is delightful with distressed zinc bar, repurposed tables, church-pew banquettes from Provenance, raw steel throughout and gorgeous faceted mirror pendants by way of Groundwork. Already a media darling after just two weeks, Amis is already planning to expand service to include lunch come March.
(5)shaw g.
Great meal last night! Special appitizer and pasta were tasty and perfect to share. Beer was tasty. Would have ordered a side if something green on the menu.
(4)Kimberly J.
I stopped by Amis late on a Thursday evening to meet a friend. It was absolutely packed! Being extremely comfortable at the bar, we managed to grab a seat and decided to eat there as well. He ordered various dishes for us to share (normally I'm not one to let this happen, but when in Rome...right?). The first to arrive was the bruschetta, which was quickly followed by an escarole salad and the infamous "Sals old school meatballs". Honestly the best meatballs I've ever had. (Sorry, Gram.) We then split the gnocchi alla romana and capped off the night with the walnut apple cake. Every bite was amazing...and extremely filling, I think I literally waddled out the door. Fortunately I didn't have to pick up the check, but I would undoubtedly pass up a few nights at my local pub to be able to indulge in this Italian delicacy again. In addition to the food, the atmosphere is modern, yet cozy and the waitstaff was extremely friendly. It's the perfect place to bring a date or to go for a night out with your girlfriends.
(5)Kristine D.
Went here for dinner last night, and some aspects of the menu are right on. The whole left side of the menu is appetizer and smaller dishes. This is where Amis goes right. All the little dishes are presented well and mix delightfully. The marinated tomatos and bufala cheese were incredible. Lots of bread for dipping as well. The bacon wrapped figs were just OK. We ordered dinner and after the incredible presentaion of the appetizers, we all felt a little let down. There was no presentation or dress of any kind on the dinners. I had the pork shoulder, which was cold, shredded pork on a bed of arugala with plums and mangos. Although this was quite good, it was somewhat bland and too small. i should have ordered a side with it, like the server recommended. My fiance ordered the lamb and potatoes. Again, no presentation. Just meat on a plate with potatoes. The lamb looked dry, but was tender. The dinner plates were mostly boring, and i felt robbed of the experience. Dessert lightened the mood as we had the waffle with nutella, hazelnuts and ice cream (almond maybe?) The wine list is nice, but expensive. Overall, it was not as expensive as I thought it was going to be, but we still spent $60 per person. If I were to go back, I might stay at the bar and have all appetizers.
(3)patrick k.
mushy gnocchi.
(3)Rick C.
I wasn't feeling that great and before heading over to Philly with my wife and another couple for dinner at Amis I looked at the website menu (as I often do). Oh no, I thought, another trendy, noisy, "Tapas" restaurant with pig jowls and fried eggs! I'll admit I walked in with a chip on my shoulder, but I came away with a favorable impression of Amis, especially the food. First, some negative observations (that's me, of course!): We arrived on time for our 7:45 Saturday evening reservation and our table was certainly available but we were directed to the bar for drinks while they checked to see if our table was ready. I felt this was bad form although my friend Ricky disagreed as it was Saturday night and we were there for the "experience". Its hard for me to make a huge deal of this since I was not drinking alcohol and like I said I wasn't 100%. Anyway, I ordered an unsweetened iced tea and that seemed a bit much for the bartender as was my wife's bloody mary drink order - no bloody mary mix! We were naturally seated as soon as we had drinks so I guess that wasn't too bad. The chairs were light weight and flimsy. If you stood up and your coat and/or pocket book was on the back of your chair, it would fall back onto the floor. We were provided with those lint-inducing white dish towel napkins and I was wearing a black sweater and black jeans. I did request a black napkin though and the staff was happy to provide me with one. The rest rooms were a bit of a mess...overflowing trash cans filled with crappy brown paper towels like they must provide in prison and standing water all around the sink counters. Toward the end of the evening I did discover that an effort had been made to do some tidying up at least. The noise level was quite high by the end of our experience. We were kidding around about all the apps you can download on an iphone, so at my urging Ricky did just that and the level was over 90 decibels out of 110 max on his app. The manager explained that they (owner Marc Vetri and his team, I guess) were going for that kind of loud Roman trattoria feel. They got the loud part! Last negative...the new valet parking service was not on its game as we waiting a loooooong time for our car at the end of the evening and the manager was very apologetic but clearly frustrated with the outside vendor. Now for the food, and it was good, beyond my negative expectations. You see, I'm one of maybe the minority that was not yet a Vetri fan. I had found Osteria (on 2 visits) to be pretentious and way to full of itself. And trendy oh so trendy with brined chicken, herbs grown on site (on North Broad Street, really?), every part of the pig brought into play, etc. Amis for me was much better. The escarole salad with apples and radishes was wonderful and a much larger portion than I had expected in a "small plates" format. My companions loved the fennel gratin with parmesan salad. The skate was really great - it was served with fried brussel sprouts that were cooked just right and so tasty! Ricky raved about the rotini with wild boar ragu and pears (think San Gimignano, Italy!). Bonus points to the restaurant and our excellent server for honoring my personal request for no added salt or pepper. Probably the best was last - the desserts. The belgian style waffles with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazlenuts were great as was the "tartuffo al bacio". Judy loved the rice pudding but she loves everything anywhere and I found it to be on the runny side and nothing special. By the way there were 4 semifreddos on the dessert list...really? I'm a little unusual so I like green tea, not coffee. I give Amis bonus points for being able to provide a quality bag of green tea to end our meal. With drinks and a bottle of red wine (the cheapest on the menu I think), dinner with a good tip ran us $155/couple so it wasn't cheap, but I'd have to say that I'd recommend Amis. 4 stars out of 5.
(4)Jennifer S.
I have now been to Amis three times, once for dinner and twice for brunch. Love it! The night I went for dinner we sat outside which always gets points with me. I thought the food was excellent and the portions not too huge which is perfect if you want a few apps and a dessert in there too. I had the swordfish over fresh pasta (pacciere), hot and very good. I hate to say it but what stands out most in my mind from the dinner was the molten chocolate cake. If I had my choice though, I would return to Amis again and again (as I have) for the brunch. The interior of the restaurant is really beautiful, I love the open style kitchen and watching the prep. The fresh orange juice is worth it, as is the coffee. My first time for brunch I was with my mom, we shared the bruschetta with fresh ricotta and tomatoes. Amazing, so delicious and simple, and easily replicated at home. My main was the frittata baked with wild mushrooms, good but a little dry. My mother had the polenta with brown butter and sage- excellent- the artichokes and some cheese from the daily selection. My second trip there I enjoyed the fresh pasta with butternut squash and a cream sauce. Truly outstanding... it was heavy for brunch, but the portion was small enough that it was a perfect indulgence. It looks like the menu is constantly changing appropriate to what's in season. If you are looking for a place for brunch that is really a cut above the rest this is your place. Thank you Marc Vetri!!
(5)Brittany L.
Went here the night before the Philadelphia Marathon so my husband could have his pasta dinner. It was delicious! We ordered several appetizers, all of which were gone immediately, including the extra artichoke they brought to our table. I had the papardelle with meat sauce. The homemade pasta makes all the difference, so wonderful! Next time we're visiting family in Philly, we'll have to take another trip to Amis.
(5)Richard C.
We had a great meal at Amis. Our waiter knew the menu inside and out so that was helpful. The baked pecorino with almond honey was fantastic. I had the guinea hen for dinner which was very flavorful but not as tender as I expected. I ordered a bottle of wine but they were out of stock so I settled for something different. It was a good experience and I would definitely go back again.
(4)Jacky O.
A very clever and thoughtful menu that results in a wide range of unique taste experiences, with an educated and personable staff and a cool industrial vibe inside. Excellent wine list and probably the best pasta dishes in Philadelphia. Take a risk with your order - you won't regret it.
(4)Addy P.
Yum! Have been to Vetri and Osteria and loved both so I figured I'd enjoy Amis - I was right. The atmosphere was lively and energetic. Amis appeals an energetic crowd. I had the lamb ragu and it was delicious. The restaurant is more affordable than Vetri's others and offers a diverse menu. Highly recommended!
(4)Emilio M.
i happen to love all of the Vetri restaurants b/c i believe their attention to detail is second to none. this place is no different. we were in center city yesterday for my younger son and we decided last minute to stop in for brunch. this is absolutely the best kept secret in Philly. no waiting (first time ever and you know how good the food is), and a very relaxing atmosphere to just hang out and sample the whole menu. my wife and i started with great campari cocktails. we then had the olive oil torta w/ apple butter and fresh whipped cream, what a moist delicious cake. being a cheese guy i wanted to try the baked pecorino with almond honey, it was a fondue w/crushed almonds in honey, how simply basic italian and a real treat. next Tonnarelli carbonara, raviolo all'uovo (which my son devoured), & squash lasagna (sooo goood). then house made polenta scrapple with farm eggs and tomatoes & sunny side up duck egg with grilled guanciale over soft creamy polenta, WOW! and if that weren't enough, my son needed dessert. we had a tiramisu and the choc pear torta for good measure. needless to say this held us over thru dinner as well. what a great way to experience the restaurant and how fantastic all of their ingredients are.
(5)David B.
This cozy dimly-lit bistro is definitely worth a visit. Although we were dressed smart/casual, I liked the tone that was set by the 2 managers in well tailored suits. Be warned the tables are close together and not everyone in our party was a fan of the dim lighting. I am not a fan of restaurants with a certain ratio of terms that the average joe/josephine is not going to be familiar with. This is a pet peeve of mine in Vetri's restaurants. I don't mind asking the server a few questions but everyone had to ask questions about almost everything they were considering ordering. However, our server was knowledgable and answered very competently. Although the house table wine is perfectly acceptable and a good value, the wines-by-the-glass are otherwise unreasonably pricey. I ordered the pork terrine, which was absolutley delicious BUT I have never been served terrine (in any restaurant in any country) without toast of some kind. For my entree, I had spinach pasta with crumbled capon sausage. Everyone at the table wanted to taste everyone else's dinner. I'm normally ok with this but last night I definitely didn't want to give up any of my entree. I've read other reviews where there were complaints about the portion size. I thought the portions were fine and I was happy to have had room to order dessert - ricotta crumble with pine nut brittle. When you order coffee, I recommend asking for a cup which will allow you to put your finger through the handle. Their regular coffee cups look nice but are truly ridiculous and annoying. A refill of decaf arrived warm and there was a lengthy wait for a hot replacement. It did, however, arrive in a larger cup that you could hold properly. I left perfectly sated.
(4)Jane N.
Excellent wine selection and very good service the two times we've been (thank you, Bethany!) Lots of selection on the menu, and the pasta dishes are solid. I went with a group of girlfriends one night and we ordered several different items - all of them delicious and rightsized portions. My only criticism is that the polenta with brown butter side should be renamed brown butter with polenta. The butter was so overpowering that we could barely taste the polenta. Hopefully, that was simply a more buttery batch. Great outdoor seating, too.
(4)Megan M.
Amis was possibly the best meal ive had in the city in a very long time. It was so good because every aspect of the experience was spectacular. We wanted to try everything because it was so hard to choose just one or two things. So we got about three different appetizers, three anit-pastas, two pasta dishes and two desserts. That's the way to go! The veal tongue and octopus were incredible. The papparadell was aldente and melted in your mouth. We got two caraffes of red wine and I topped the night off with a hazelnut chocolate tartufo and a macchiato. Our bill was so reasonable. I got out of there well under $75 with tip per person.... $75 for all that food! Our only complaint was our server rushed us a bit. We sat at 8:00 or so and we wanted to sit and relax and enjoy. We let her know we'd be ordering a little at a time because we wanted taste, then decide on our next dish. She was a little put off by that and told us they were busy and we should order all at once. She was very nice about it however, we weren't going to be rushed. To her dismay we ignored that suggestion and ordered bits at a time anyway. All in all it was sinfully delicious food and wine, great friends and perfect ambiance to enjoy the perfect company in.
(5)Jen A.
I have eaten here a few times and love it more each time. Great, friendly and helpful service! The food is amazing. The baked pecorino with almond honey is a must have to start the evening off. Some items on the menu can be a bit confusing so I always ask the server for recommendations and usually try a few things they list. I have never been disappointed in what I get. Some of the things I have loved are the sweetbreads, the papardelle with veal breat ragu and the octopus.
(5)Beth H.
Capon sausage spinach past was amazing. Our table shared four deserts and we could not decide on the best. It was a little too "close quarters" and very noisy.
(4)Mindy H.
I was really looking forward to our meal here, especially after they were rated so highly in Philadelphia magazine. Unfortunately, it was a complete disappointment. The only positive thing I can say is that the restaurant has a good vibe. But I've had much better italian food at our local bar. For our entrees, we had the gnocchi with ox tail and the papardelle with veal ragu. Both were fairly bland stew over a bland starch. Honestly, nothing stood out here. And they rushed us through the entire meal. Apps through dessert in 75 minutes. When I tried to slow down, they just brought another course. One last bit of annoyance - the waitstaff had obviously all been instructed to recite the same cheesey lines such as "the artichoke sells out by 8:30" and "the tiramisu has been haunting my dreams" which we heard repeatedly from several servers. This isn't Fridays people.
(2)Jeremy B.
Having high expectations, I'll start by saying the food was simply amazing. We got the buffalo ricotta with olive oil-clean and wonderful. Cured meat with a honey-hazelnut? condiment, it was excellent and a terrific compliment to each other-superior to others in this city. Gnocchi, was again simple but it tasted so good, another few of those and I am all set. We got the Tuna-wonderful sauce, I have never had something served only grilled on one side. The texture, flavor and contrast/connection with the raw and seared side were perfect, what a great concept. The seafood mixed grill had scallops, shrimp, swordfish and calamari, possibly another choice but my recollection is fuzzy. Each item was cooked perfectly and you can tell the freshness of each as well. The sauce melded perfectly with each item. We finished the meal with a great coffee, La Colombe. The space is beautiful, obviously new and clean but homey and rustic feeling as well, great energy. We were sat for our reservation in 10 minutes after arriving 15 early to checkout the bar. So, when the host came over to seat us at our table from the bar. I was especially shocked, he did not even offer to carry our drinks from the bar to our table. As I remain the poster-boy for clumsiness, I could not see how this was right, a start overlooked shortly after the foccacia arrived. This took me back, remembering that even at TGI Friday's the host would do this piece of basic hospitality. I got over this in a quick second because our server was very hospitable and our food was timed perfectly as well. As dinner was winding down, I went to the restroom. I was again shocked to see how littered it was with paper towels, tp and the toilet was nasty. Not what I expect from any where I am dropping more than a few bucks. I will definitely return because I live close, cannot wait to try the rest of the menu and love Primitivo on the wine list, dangerous.
(3)Jim G.
Everything we had ranged from very good (grilled mozzarella, polenta, lamb's tongue, seafood fritto misto, the olive oil cake) to outstanding (guinea hen, the gnocchi with oxtail ragu (my favorite dish of the meal), strawberry rhubarb tart)- oh, except for the ravioli. The description of them on the menu was very simple. But the plate came out and there was a secret ingredient they left out- mint. I like mint in some foods, such as middle eastern dishes where it's mixed in, but this time it completely overpowered and ruined the dish. No way would I have ordered it if mint was in the description. My other complaint, since I am so prematurely geriatric, is the same as I have about several other new restaurants- too loud. See, someone came up with this idea (and unfortunately proved it in a study) that if people are disinclined to talk while they eat, they will eat quicker and leave sooner and you can turn more tables per night that way. Amis obviously wants you to not linger- no sound deadening anywhere, and they play music at a decent volume. The problem with their approach is that while they may want you out as quickly as possible, the menu is designed to make you linger since it's small plates. We ended up ordering 4 separate times and were in there for almost 2 hours. So my thought is if people are going to be eating 3 or 4 courses per meal anyway, put some sound deadening up and at least let them enjoy the company of the people they are with. No one is going to be leaving as quickly as you want. Judging from several reviews of this place, I was sort of expecting amuse bouche portions for main dishes. But they weren't nearly as small as I'd been warned about. Perfect for dining for 2. We ordered about 5 dishes each and left happy and full. It's not Vetri or Osteria level expensive, but being small plates oriented I wouldn't recommend dining there on a budget, either (we spent $80 per person). Then again, if you're on a tight budget you probably shouldn't be dining out anyway, or so says Suze Orman.
(4)Daniel T.
We were very underwhelmed with Amis. Between 3 of us, we spent about $280, including food, drinks, tax and tip. The drinks good. The limontella was really good but very sweet so hard to drink more than one. The food was not so good. Of about 8 plates, we were happy with two. The oxtail gnocchi and the arancinis were good. We ordered the octopus and it was awful. We actually sent it back. It tasted like frozen octopus with no flavor and basically dissolved in our mouths. The snail bruschetta was way too salty. The stuffed clams lacked flavor and were too salty as well. We began talking to the table next to us when they saw us send back a plate. They too said their food wasn't good. For dessert, the server was raving about the tiramisu. It tasted like whipped cream with cinnamon on top. He also said his favorite dessert was the pear tart. It was awful. It had no flavor. The mint leat on top was completely wilted as if it had been sitting in the fridge for a week. For a $10 dessert, the garnish should never be wilted, and I think the lack of freshness in the garnish really carried over through the whole meal. I will definitely not be returning.
(2)Lisa D.
It was just ok. I had the gnocchi and I've had better. Service was good.
(3)Catherine S.
I have been to Amis twice now and was disappointed both times. While the atmosphere and service are great, they can't make up for the obscenely small portions and obscenely high prices. The menu is deceiving because everything is priced $10-25; but it takes about 2 of their "entree-sized" dishes or 4 of their "lighter bite" dishes per person to give you the sense of having actually eaten dinner. Add on a few drinks, and there is no way you're having dinner for two for under $130 there (and you'll still probably go home and break out the cereal). I hate leaving a restaurant feeling ripped off, but that's exactly how I felt both times I left Amis.
(1)Bella Vista R.
So, Wow. Was glad to hear that a Vetri place was coming to the 'hood. We have been several times since it opened and literally have not had a bad dish. First of all the best deal is the $20 caraffe of house wine that has about 5 glasses in it. Seriously where else are you gonna get a decent glass of wine in the city for 4 bucks?! Let alone a Vetri place? Anyway, the food is awesome and yeah a little small, but c'mon, do you really expect a place like this to give huge portions? Go for the Bucatini with Pork Jowl, the Ox-tail Gnocchi, and the Waffle Dessert. Have fun, enjoy the communal tables, and the great food. Our bill? Two carafes of wine, two apps, 4 pasta dishes and 1 dessert? $120 even.
(5)Wen C.
Based on Vetri's reputation, we figured it would ok to go even though Amis just opened. And we were right, service was fantastic- in fact it seemed like they had extra staff on hand and Marc Vetri was there too. the waiter described the food as small plates but I thought they were actually bigger than most small plates. Between two of us we over ordered : three antipasti (fennel salami, marinated sardines, arancini), a pasta with pork jowl, tuna with fennel and citrus and two desserts (espresso budino and olive oil torta). all were delicious. the atmosphere was comfortable, loud but in a good way for a casual restaurant. I agree that the classic rock in the background was a little bizarre, but then again i kind of liked the unexpected contrast between the music and the rest of the atmosphere.
(4)Katie B.
Went to Amis for brunch last weekend and walked in with very high expectations. Osteria, Alla Spina, Lo Spiedo, and the pizzeria are all incredible, and Amis was next on my list. Service, decor, and ambiance were fantastic. I highly suggest the cheese appetizers, and my brother loved the Jersey Bomb (an awesome looking breakfast sandwich). The bellinis, bloody mary, and cappuccinos were all perfect. Seriously can't recommend this place enough!! Best brunch I've had in Philly.
(5)Richie H.
First time coming here and enjoyed our meal and service. We ordered -Salami Del Giorno with Onion Marlamade - home made salami, but it was okay. -Sal's Meatballs - very tender and delicious - beef, veal, and pork - cooked to medium. -Cacio E Pepe - we just came from Italy and not a bad rendition of the classic pasta dish. It's a little blander than what we got in Italy, but you can really taste the pepper and wasn't as salty (which we preferred) -Rigatoni - good dish as well - cooked al dente. -Dessert - Belgium waffle - very tasty and extraordinarily light/fluffy waffle. Great with the nutella and hazelnuts. Awesome place - not as good as Italy, but close enough!
(5)Mark Z.
What a great dining experience I had here! I decided on taking my girlfriend here for my birthday and I am very happy with the decision. The restaurant itself has this very lax atmosphere and contemporary look. Our waitress was a total sweetheart and was very friendly, as well as attentive. My girlfriend and I wanted to start off with the swordfish meatballs as an appetizer. When we got our meatballs, we also got Eggplant Caponata on the house for the long wait (wasn't really questioning the wait, but awesome!). Both of the starters were great by the way. We also split the bucanti which was amazing! It had some nice heat with out being too over powering. I decided on the lamb shoulder as my entree. That was really good and tender, also the potatoes were seasoned nicely. Our dessert was the Belgian waffle with the semifreddo and nutella to share. That was a really nice way to end our great meal. I can't stress enough that people should go here for a good meal and awesome service.
(5)Shani T.
Amis may or may not be my favorite restaurant in Philly. Okay, fine, it is. I can't help but recommend this place to everyone that visits Philly. AMIS, YOU WIN, YOU HAVE MY HEART, OKAY? Amis is even better than my favorite Italian restaurant in New York (Giano). I love Italian food, and I only love it as much as I do today because of Amis. This place is amazing delicious beautiful intimate and have I mentioned amazing? A good friend of mine took me here before I graduated college and I regret not having discovered Amis before then. We started with the salami del giorno with onion marmalade ($8), which was delicious. The salami comes in slices that are quite thick, and the marmalade balances the saltiness of the salami perfectly. The plate comes with around 5 slices of salami but it was a great appetizer. For entree, I got the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper. Oh my goodness, I loved this so much. The pecorino sauce with black pepper is rich, but not heavy in a way that made me feel too full from flavor. An extremely simple dish, but it's what I imagine a pasta dish would be like from Italy. The pasta was cooked to perfection and I am literally salivating as I type this. For dessert, my friend and I split the belgian waffle with nutella and ice cream. UGH I WANT TO EAT THIS EVERY DAY. The belgian waffle was fluffy, but still had a nice crunch. The ice cream was perfect and I could just eat a jar of nutella myself normally so there's that. I left Amis so full and so satisfied. Like, never been happier in my life. I recommended a couple of friends to go to Amis when they visited Philly for the first time and they loved it too. Definitely a great restaurant for a date, as it is very intimate, with dim lighting and very cute decor. Amis, I love you. So much. So so much.
(5)Aaron L.
We frequent Amis but came for the Seven Fishes dinner in July. It was outstanding to say the least. The coursed dinner was presented quite well and the flavor profile was incredible. The star of the dinner was the spaghetti and crabs and they couldn't have been more flavorful. To wrap the dinner up the desert combination was also top notch, including a savory buttermilk shortcake. Always a great dining experience and this was no different! See you next time, Amis.
(5)Christina V.
Just one stop at Amis and this place is by far, my favorite restaurant in Philadelphia. F.A.V.O.R.I.T.E. The decor is right up my alley- rustic meets modern. Lots of wood work, a large bar, and a quiet industrial feel. Perfect non-pretentious vibe. It was my first trip to Amis and was my dates choice- he raved about it and couldnt believe i hadnt been there yet. We were a bit early for our reservation so we grabbed a cocktail at the bar. It was packed and the bartenders were attentive and quick to take our order. Once our reservation was ready we decided to sit at the chef's table. The kitchen was clean and bright and friendly. Our server was quick to greet us and start us off bread and a refresher for cocktails. Once ready to order, I let my date take the reins. And I couldnt have been happier. We ordered the bufala ricotta and black pepper and Sal's meatballs to start. Both were out of this world, insanely crazy delicious. The meatballs were so tender and the ricotta was served with this charred thick sliced seeded bread. We also got the Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and another dish which I can't remember- not because it wasn't good but because I probably devoured it too quickly. The tonneralli was rich and probably right off the boat from Italy. The service was just as impeccable as the food and just when we thought we were done - our server brought over complimentary Mom-Mom's rice pudding which was phenomenal. I want to live here.
(5)Jack J.
Came here for Valentines dinner and was thoroughly impressed. This is my first Marc Vetri restaurant and it did not disappoint. I yelped some of the more popular selections before coming here. We ended up ordering the fried cauliflower and the swordfish meatballs for appetizers. The swordfish meatballs were perfectly cooked, but my mom makes her own fish balls and I couldn't distinguish the difference in meatballs made with white fish and this swordfish - nonetheless, it was delicious. The fried cauliflower was great as well, didn't really taste fried to me, more like baked? For our main course we had the Cacio E Pepe and Paccheri with Swordfish and Eggplant fries. I can't speak much for the Cacio E Pepe, but the Paccheri was delicious and a very interesting looking dish. Slightly salty, but savory nonetheless. It's definitely a foreign idea to me - paccheri in tomato sauce with basil, swordfish bites, and topped with a few eggplant fries. Somehow it worked, kudos Vetri. For dessert I had seen the Belgian waffles with nutella on here, so we had to have it. It did not disappoint. We were so stuffed at that point - the portion sizes were larger than I had anticipated.
(4)Sari A.
Went there with some friends hoping for another lucky strike of good food. I started with the Bufala Mozzarella with Clementines and Walnuts, nothing exceptional to brag about! My friend, however, had the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, It was Warm, melted and looked amazing and I knew I had to try it. The saltiness of the gooey cheese and the sweetness of the almond honey drizzle was divine. I totally regret not getting it! Rigatoni with skirt rib ragu was my entree. The home-made rigatoni was okay, not the best I ever had. Besides the tough texture, the chef was so generous with salt! Seriously, my pasta was extra salty that I thought either my blood pressure will be elevated or I will dehydrate. I think I did drink more than five glasses of water to compensate the highly-salt dish. After the disappointing appetizer and entree, I was hoping that my dessert at least will be the "icing on the cake,"I believed that it will be hard to go wrong with the Belgian Style Waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts, it sounded as the winning combination. Again, it was decent, not really memorable. I had a bite of my friend's Mom-Mom's Rice Pudding looking for some comfort, I was dissatisfied. The chef complementary tiramisu was average! Nothing was memorable except the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, I will go again just to have it for myself! Disappointing highlights: 1/ We weren't seated until the rest of our party showed up- we waited at the bar. 2/ Food took forever to come out, with long gap between courses 3/ I'm even more disappointed because its part of Vetri's family! Three Yelps!
(3)Lynne K.
Overall, the food and service were terrific here. We sat outside and thus did not get a great sense of the ambiance indoors, but I would certainly be willing to come back and try indoor seating when the weather isn't quite as nice. We split two pastas, one entree, and one vegetable side dish between two people and felt that was the right amount of food (though we went hungry!). Our server was knowledgeable and helpful.
(4)Justyn W.
I am so glad I made the decision to go and check out this restaurant before leaving the city. My friend, and fellow Yelper, Sarah P. was kind enough to indulge me for an evening dinner at a place I had only heard great things about. We were quickly accommodated with seating once we arrived, and our waiter was extremely attentive and fun as well. The pasta and other items were clearly fresh and I suggest you check out the pictures I've posted to get a better idea of what the final product looked like. But the meatballs paired with my pasta extremely well, and were large and filling but still light at the same time. Not to mention the adult beverages we checked out were pretty tasty as well. Our waiter surprised us with tiramisu presumably because I told him it was very likely my first and last trip to the restaurant, and believe me when I say it didn't disappoint either. This place is definitely solid and it's rating speaks for itself. I look forward to possibly coming back whenever I revisit Philly, and recommend it to anyone considering.
(5)Saloni G.
My recent experience at Amis was great! We shared the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey which was good but I think my expectations of it were set too high. It was pretty sweet, which kind of overpowered the taste of the cheese itself. The Fried Cauliflower with Pecorino and Salsa Rossa was really good! The cauliflower was well marinated, crunchy, and fresh. I definitely recommend this dish on the side! For my entree, I ordered the Bucatini with Jalapeno and Almond Pesto. There were a lot of japapenos so be careful if you're not spice-tolerant! The pasta was clearly freshly made and delicious. Some Italian restaurants tend to make their pasta too oily but Amis was right on point! I stole a bite of my friend's Tartufo E Bacio which was very rich. It's basically a dome of chocolate and was delicious. Our service was good but slowed down when it got busier. They are pretty attentive and will happily bring more of the bread if you ask! I've heard their brunch is good too so I might stop by again in the future!
(4)Sarah K.
Came here last week with a friend and it was great as always. Not as good as I remembered it but we over ordered so maybe I didn't enjoy it as much. The ricotta as always was perfect. The charcuterie plate was interesting but I don't love mortadella. The salami was very flavorful. The swordfish meatballs were really fishy, my husband said that's to be expected, but he wasn't there to know just how fishy they were. The cauliflower was just perfect. My biggest issue was the cacio y pepe, when I was in Italy I fell in love with this dish. However at Amis it tasted a little pasty and not very peppery which is kinda imperative to the dish. The pasta with the jalapeños made up for it, had a great kick. The staff as always was great. We were so full at this point that we knew we wouldn't be able to eat the scallops we ordered so the waiter canceled it for us no problem. Overall very good.
(4)Zinnia M.
Amis has become a favorite go-to for a date or dinner/drink with friends. I love the atmosphere and the food and the service is usually excellent. They do get quite crowded on weekends, so make a reservation for dinner! For drinks, they have a great selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. My favorite is the prosecco - seems to go with everything and if you're craving something a little more fun, order a granita! They'll serve you a prosecco with a little dish of semi-frozen berry deliciousness to add to it and it's just so yummy! We usually go with the small plates to get a nice variety, and who doesn't like sharing? A couple of the stand-outs: warm pecorino with almond honey (divine), quail with bitter greens and kumquat marmalade (great complementation of flavors), fried brussels sprouts with lemon (perfectly seasoned and a great portion). I have a pretty specific diet, and can always find something tasty! I've had to wait for a few times when we didn't have a reservation and ran into friends there the other night that waited even WITH a reservation, but they were quite busy and make it up to you with their friendly waitstaff and oftentimes even some complimentary small plates from the kitchen. Highly recommend! Have taken out of town visitors and they loved it just as much as I do.
(5)Brennan D.
Excellent meal and fantastic service. The Jalepeño pasta dish and fettuccini corn dish were delicious. The pasta entrees were not overwhelming in size, so I'd recommend getting a couple small plates. My fiancé and I did the meatballs and the salami w/ honey sauce. They have an wide variety of cocktails, beer, and wine to goose from, but we went with the house table white wine - $20 for approx 4 glasses. Service was polite and helpful with menu options - our server was Graham. He recommended his top choices and he was very nice. Definitely will be back!
(5)Vivian T.
* * * * * 5 STARS I came here exactly 1 year ago yesterday and had my first date with my now fiancé. I can't believe the second visit here was better then the first... which hardly happens. Ask my fellow yelpers. I loved the professional service provided by the manager and his ability to make the guest feel special. Also, our waitress Allison was the bomb! The service was the best ! Now lets get to the nitty gritty.... the food! For starters, we had the pork cheek which was so tender, the almond dusted sweetbreads which literally melted in your mouth and the pumpkin spread with toasted pumpkin seeds on sesame bread which was sweet with a kick. The apps blew my mind! For entrees, we had the lamp shank, the porchini dusted steak and the fettucini w. duck. The entrees were amazing and very well portioned. So savory and blew my mind again! For desert, we had the rice pudding and tiramisu which was also too good to stop eating. This blew my mind again and again. All in all, 5 stars well deserved... another great Amis dining experience with great wine, fabulous service, lovely ambience and mind blowing food and last but not least the perfect date.
(5)Arvid Y.
Our director took us to Amis for late night food and drink. As he would say, "it was fantastic!" The ambiance is classy-casual and romantic, with dim lighting and uniformed waitstaff. It's a small physical space, but well-arranged and cozy. Seemingly a perfect date venue. A tad bit on the noisy side however. First of all, they surprised us with a complimentary pasta dish. I'm not sure if it was another table's botched order, but regardless, it was a pleasant surprise. This complimentary dish, the bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto, ended up being my favorite plate of the night. I've never had a jalapeño pasta dish before, but wow does it work well in this dish. The jalapeño kick is simply addictive and I found myself fighting my colleagues for the last few bites. The bucatini was well cooked and the cream sauce was well-balanced, rich without being overly heavy. To top things off, the almonds added some much appreciated texture to the dish. So good! We also ordered the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper and a braised pork pasta special of the day. Both were very good, but I just couldn't stop thinking about the jalapeño pasta dish, it was that good. It's probably one of the best pasta dishes i've had ever. For dessert, we had the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Amazing! The crispy exterior, warm cake interior contrasting with the crunchy hazelnuts and soft semifreddo was heavenly. The combination of the jalapeño bucatini along with the Belgian waffle dessert could very well serve as my last meal request, if I ever found myself on death row. Overall, I was impressed with with Amis' atmosphere and service. The waitstaff was friendly and on point. They have a nice selection of wine and liquor. We also had a celebrity sighting and Aziz Ansari was dining a few tables down from us. I'll definitely be returning to Amis the next time i'm in Philadelphia.
(4)Manosai E.
Came here with my girlfriend at 8:30 on a Monday night. The place was pretty busy for the day and time of the week but we had a reservation. I thought the tables were a little too close to each other, made it seem like you were invading on your dining neighbors' privacy. We didn't have much of a choice when it came to a lot of the entrees since the only meat we eat is chicken but we still decided to order the ricotta bruschetta and bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. The ricotta was slightly heavy but delicious. We'd heard from friends who had been here before that the bucatini would be amazing so we were definitely excited for that to come to our table. We weren't disappointed. 5 stars just on the basis of that dish. It was absolutely delicious and unlike anything I've ever had. The sauce reminded me of pad thai since it was nutty and creamy but the jalapenos were a great touch that made the entire meal a bit spicier than I was expecting. My girlfriend and I really enjoyed the dish and were happy with the overall experience.
(5)Devina G.
We indulged for an evening of deserts and drinks at Amis. This was another favorite of our hosts, so we were excited. I don't remember what everyone ordered, but the twin and I shared the Belgian style waffle with Nutella. The The waffle was topped with vanilla semifreddo and toasted hazelnuts. Semifreddo is a frozen cream or custard, almost like ice cream. My first bite into the fluffy warm waffle, laced with melting sweet cream and Nutella was simply heavenly. I have no other words to describe it. It was fantastic and our entire group loved it! I ate it so slow to savor every moment with each bite. Aside from the heavenly waffle, I really enjoyed being there. Very casual and definitely a great atmosphere. Drinks were reasonably priced as well. I will definitely be back the next time I'm in town.
(4)Olivia R.
I have been to Amis for brunch twice now, and it is the best! Fantastic food, service, and atmosphere. Here are some highlights: FOOD: BAKED PECORINO is a plate of gooey, cheesy goodness with a bit of a sharper taste. RICOTTA is a pretty standard ricotta dish but delicious nonetheless. BELGIAN WAFFLE WITH SEMIFREDDO is so delicious! I have never had semifreddo before and it is basically a stickier, creamier version of ice cream. The one that comes with the waffle is butter flavored, so if you spread it out, it is as if the waffle has butter and ice cream on it at the same time. If you are in the mood for something sweet, I definitely recommend this. If you are in more of a lunch mood, definitely go for one of the PASTAS - they are all hand-cut and very tasty (at least one person tried each one in my party). SERVICE: This is probably the best service I have had at a restaurant ever. The waitresses were so nice and friendly and were great about explaining everything on the menus and giving recommendations. The first time I went, the baked pecorino was taking a bit longer than usual to come out so she just gave it to us on the house. Then when we were looking at the dessert menu, we mentioned to each other that we had wanted to try the olive oil cake but were too full to get it. Five minutes later, out comes the cake, also on the house! The second time I went, they gave us ricotta on the house as well. So considerate, and it made the dining experience all the better! ATMOSPHERE: Amis has a well-lit, airy, bright atmosphere. There are beautiful lamps made of little red bottles of cordial. My favorite part is the bakery counter, filled with scones and bread and open toward the restaurant. Behind the counter you can see into the kitchen, a nice touch. If you are looking for a nice place to go to brunch, I definitely recommend Amis!
(5)Bruce N.
A bit pricey but the food here is WORLD CLASS! Service is awesome, and even the valet Kory goes above and beyond the call of duty. THIS is how a restaurant should be.
(5)Andrea A.
Yes yes yes. If this place was byob I wouldn't eat out anywhere else on date nights. Delicious small plates and an intimate setting that still can translate to casual- love it here. Order: swordfish meatballs, mortadella with honey, any of the pasta dishes & the ice cream Sunday with blood orange.
(5)Peter V.
We came here for dinner on a Saturday. The place was packed for the night. Opted to sit at the bar. Hostess also said that tables outside are on a first come first serve basis. Bartender Michelle was great throughout the night. Super attentive even though it was a very busy night. She gave good recommendations on both drinks and food. The only issue with our meal was the long wait time between our antipasto and our entrees. All dishes were good except for the eggplant lasagna. It was tasteless and would not recommend. We ended our meal with tiramisu and was given a salted butter semifreddo on the house.
(4)Liza K.
Amis was never on my radar, and I'm glad I gave it a try when a friend suggested going there after a long work day. We made reservations ahead of time as they're always packed. We got there early and sat at the bar for a drink, which was a great way to pick the bartender's brain and try a couple different wines before picking our favorites. We were seated at a little table facing the open kitchen, which was great. We right right in the middle of things! It wasn't too cramped, but you definitely get the feel of being surrounded by a lot of people and it was quite loud. I didn't get to see the whole restaurant, but this part of the restaurant might not be the best for an intimate affair. The couple next to us, celebrating their anniversary got a lively experience, as everyone near them congratulated them, or offered them food. So if you prefer to be left alone, I'd suggest requesting a quiet table or something. Loved the food too! We had heard that the ricotta was to die for, and it was! Served with thick slices of a sweeter kind of toast we could have just eaten that. It was very good ricotta! Creamy, rich and just a little bit fluffy, it was deceptively filling. I think in the end we ordered too much for 2 people - the ricotta and other other plate would have sufficed. The Arancini meatballs were also recommended, and were good. However, in my humble opinion, they weren't anything special. I'd save room for something more exciting, like the ricotta or pasta! Last, we had the Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. The server said they weren't too spicy, but they definitely had a very strong kick to them. I liked the bucatini noodles - for people who aren't familiar they're spaghetti-like noodles, but with a hole in the middle. The jalapenos and almond pesto gave this dish a unique twist and made it feel a bit lighter than alfredo or another creamier sauce. I'm glad we tried simpler dishes, but I'd like to sample more exciting dishes next time. Out of the three, I'd have the ricotta again. The wine selection was great, and the bellinis are also crisp and tasty. I'd probably go for wine again next time, and get the bartender's help to pick the right one. Well done, Amis!
(4)Therese M.
Amis was my pick for my birthday dinner back in November. I'd been wanting to give it a try for a while now and it did not disappoint! We started off with the bufala ricotta bruschetta and baked pecorino w/almond honey. While both were good, the baked pecorino definitely won that round. Next up were Sal's old school meatballs.. they were simple but in a good way. For our main dishes, I had the fettuccine w/duck Bolognese and he had the bucatini w/jalapeno and pesto. I'm a sucker for anything with duck in it- so getting the fettuccine was an obvious choice. It had lots of flavor and the portion size was perfect. The duck complimented it well. The bucatini was also very good, but after trying both dishes, we each liked our own pick better (as per usual). If you have room for dessert, get the Belgian waffle! Ohh and can't forget about the drinks.. I was a huge fan of the Alto and plan on attempting to make it at home!
(5)Andrew W.
Amis features a very simple and interesting menu offering a variety of options for lamb, seafood, and pasta. My gnocchi with oxtail ragu was very good, although I was not totally into the unorthodox preparation of the pasta- it seemed more of a potato dish than gnocchi. My favorite part of the meal, though, was the appetizers... so many to choose from and each one was delicious. Having been extremely impressed with osteria, I guess I was hoping for a bit more... but this was still a good night out. I wish the wine list was a bit more reasonable, though.
(4)Brian H.
I used to "love" this place, haven't been there in a year, but was there 3 times in the prior year. Now, I only "like" the place. Wow, the ultimate lover break-up, "I like you, but I am not in love with you anymore". Don't cry, please! I started with a measured (yes, with a jigger) serving of gin in my martini "up", so the glass came up half full for $14. A very pretty glass, though. :-P The eggplant caponata, was perfect to eat with our drinks, 4 half slices of grilled bread and a small little tiny dish of roasted eggplant, very tasty. The sweetbreads, served fried, although very tender and perfectly cooked and served with a fennel marmalade, had no taste whatsoever. The marmalade needs some serious work, I liked the idea, but it did not deliver to the palate. For entrees, the skate was a very good dish served with fried brussel sprouts which matched, in my opinion, the flavor and texture of the fried artichokes which I used to adore here. The skate was tender and moist. A good dish overall. On the other hand, our other dish of the rotini pasta with the boar ragu and pears was just average. The pasta itself was inconsistently cooked, some al dente, some mushy, some stuck together. The boar ragu was above average in flavor, but the pears? Huh, there was supposed to be at least a pear flavor in there....notta. The dish was served smothered in grated cheese, which turned what could have been a delight into just a pasta with a ragu and cheese. The service was good, the time between dishes was perfect. I am not writing this one off yet, let's get through the winter and maybe the spring will bring new life into this relationship.
(3)L M.
Had a great meal with the family at Amis. If you're looking for a more quiet & relaxing experience, definitely choose a table outside! It was nice to be able to hear each other talk. All of the food we had was delicious -- the eggplant caponata, pecorino with almond honey, duck pasta special, and Mom Mom's rice pudding being a few standouts. Beer is reasonably priced and they have a good variety on draft. My mom and brother really loved the peach cocktail. Service is friendly and Mr. Marc Vetri himself even stopped by to refill our waters and make sure we were having a nice time.
(5)Matt W.
absoluletly fantastic.
(5)Sean T.
I've been here a few times and always had a wonderful meal. The things they do with cauliflower and brussels sprouts! Fantastic atmosphere. Good beer selection. The staff are friendly and informed on all the menu items.
(5)Brett V.
Given the fact that Amis opened on Thursday and I ate there today (Monday) I'm very impressed with how well and smoothly the restaurant is running. All the major players were on site supervising service, including Marc Vetri, who popped in and out the kitchen several times while we were there. The atmosphere is warm, fairly loud (both the acoustics and the rock music), and a mix of high-end and casual. Service overall was excellent and so was the food. Any kinks they still have to work out are minor and the caliber of the food makes up for any shortcomings. This is a small plates restaurant so don't go in expecting heaping portions of Olive Garden slop. Do get the oxtail ragu gnocchi. It's exceptional. The sweatbreads are tender and delicious. The drink menu (we had the alto and the ginginber) is well put together and the desserts are very good. Overall you get a well rounded high quality meal for about $40-$65 per person. This will easily be one of the best restaurants in the city from what I've experienced so far.
(4)Robert M.
The service was excellent and the food is at the top of its class, We waited a long time for our dessert to be made so the manager gave it to us on the house, and we didn't even complain about the wait in the first place! that's excellent management .
(5)Rose F.
Off the beaten path for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Go here for the wine and appetizers. Let's talk about the: Food: I enjoyed the appetizers more then my main dish, scallops & polenta and baked pecorino with almond honey a must!!!! I had the rabbit for the main dish and I can tell it was good, but my taste buds didn't agree. the wine is excellent! the Service: it was wasn't memorable and it's neither a good or bad thing. Dining experience: I left more than safisfied with the food, i left stuffed. If you can eat here, do so, but don't be bummed if you didn't.
(3)Robert N.
Meh is what it says when you give a restaurant a two star rating here, and meh is exactly how I felt upon walking out after my meal. Don't get me wrong, the food was wonderful, a real treat and a luscious throw back to the best trattorias of southern Italy. And I'm really not a complainer when it comes to restaurants, but my experience made me want to take the time and sit to write a review. The overall experience fell well short of the expectations we have of the the top restauranteurs in this city. The service was mediocre at best. Most of the staff left me with the feeling they were "overtrained" to be nice. I like a more relaxed natural discourse with the staff than that especially in this type setting. The waiter was confusing in explaining the menu, eventually admitting there were no special. It was just that the menu had recently and completely changed. The bus boy whisked a dish away without first asking. I really wanted some more of that sauce on my arancina oopss...too late. He never bothered asking if I was done before grabbing the dish. Also Marc, and I know you and your staff read these reviews, would it kill you to put more than one amarena cherry in the tartufo? I know they're a little pricey, but often people want to share desserts. It would be nice for each person to get a full effect of the flavors the chef intended. Especially since the menu says cherries (plural). After touting the flavorgasm of amarena cherries to my significant other, upon finally finding one and digging through the rest of my tartufo it was "Oh sorry honey, I had the only one they put in the dessert. And jury's still out on that bread. I'm pretty sure I can bake the same thing in my bread baker and the recipe that came with it now that I know to just add sea salt on top. And salt does seem to be a common flavor which stands out in most of the dishes. Particularly the pasta. The ambiance was very nice, but rather loud if you like conversation that's especially personal in nature given the next tables are five inches away from your elbow. I did enjoy hearing about the sex life of the two energetic young ladies at the table next to ours though. The four of us decided we're going out together next week to try a Garcas restaurant. Thanks Marc! Seriously, it's quite a shame when the food is this good that so many other things seemingly have fallen through the cracks.
(2)Kathy D.
Wow, their pasta is worth the visit!!!! That was definitely the highlight of the meal. We got a scallop app, with a red wine carafe, which were both delicious. The skate entree was a little salty, but the pork pasta ragu and Nutella waffle dessert were out of this world! The layout is cozy and they also offer outdoor seating. There are a few seats that overlooked the kitchen and a small bar in the restaurant as well. The meal was a little expensive, and the atmosphere was casual. Will be back for a special occasion.
(4)Jim L.
Amis has become a true favorite of mine since discovering the restaurant a little more than a year ago. My girl and I dined there on Friday evening and it easily lived up to our expectations. The place has a nice, cozy feel to it and the service by our waiter, Graham, was right on the money. We started with a cocktail each. Dirty martini for me and a signature cocktail from the menu for girlfriend. Smiling faces and warm fuzzy feeling. Thank you bartender. For appetizers we shared the swordfish meatballs, tasty and highly recommended, and an appetizer special of lamb sausage, excellent. After the appetizers, we shared a second course of pasta. I can't see going to Amis and not getting one of their delicious pastas. We went with the tonnarelli with pecorino and black pepper and it was excellent. For entres, my girl went with the scallop dish and absolutely raved about it. I love Amis' meat dishes and couldn't resist the grilled rib eye over arugula salad. Here is where I could make one minor complaint. I ordered the steak medium, figuring it's the safest bet for rib eye. The steak was actually served rare but I couldn't help but laugh when I realized it was such a fine cut of meat that the rare serving actually turned out to be quite appropriate. I think my girl and I actually wanted to skip dessert but they're so delicious at Amis that our will power was quickly reduced to nothing. Girlfriend absolutely love the olive oil torta and was in dessert heaven. I went with the Graham recommended tiramisu. Graham promised perfection and Amis delivered. Excellent dessert. I can't get enough of this place. Walking distance from home and It never disappoints. Very highly recommended. Enjoy.
(4)Howard I.
Overall, a good experience. The service was great. The atmosphere was lovely (except for the unkempt bathroom). The only thing that didn't standout was the food. It was good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't anything special. We had a party of six and ate family style, so I had a chance to try a number of dishes, but nothing blew me away, and for the prices, they should have. If money is no object, then by all means, go have a nice night out, but if this is your choice to blow your paycheck and impress, go somewhere else.
(3)Steve M.
Amis, I love you. I love your delicious, slightly-al-dente pastas. I love the simplicity of your pasta with just cheese and pepper. I love the perfect combination of baked pecorino with honey and almonds. I love your decor. I more-than-love your almond-dusted sweetbreads. I even love your martini glasses. I'm not so into Italian desserts (I like mine way, way sweeter than most Italian desserts allow), but that just means I have more room for pasta! Oh... and the skate. Try the skate. The thinnest fried crust on perfectly tender skate with that terrific lemon sauce and perfectly crispy fried brussel sprouts... I loved that, too :)
(5)Charles W.
I really liked the layout of the space. Nice mix of contemporary and rustic italian decor. We got there for a 5pm Saturday seating, which is awesome because there were no crowds and we got the full attention of the waitstaff. The way the tables were placed very close together, I suspect we would have felt claustrophobic it the house was packed. As for the food, it was very satisfying. The squid ink pasta had a hint of the pier in it's aroma, which I like. The rotini with black trumpet mushroom was out of this world. The herb butter sauce truly highlighted the texture and shape of the handmade spiral pasta. The kale side dish and the eggplant caponata were decent and well executed, but not anything unique. By far, the star of the meal was the sweetbreads with almond dust and fennel jam. The breading was was light and airy, the sweetbreads themselves were unbelievably creamy, and the jam was very subtly tart, and perfectly balanced the entire dish. I would seriously get two orders of this dish next time around!
(4)Taylor H.
very good italian, definitely good for a weekend night out, good for small groups. Enjoyed it very much.
(4)Jeffrey G.
Had a fabulous dinner on March 5th. Everything we had was so tasty. Portions were perfect for the two of us because it gave us the opportunity to try lots of things. The staff was great, especially our waitress, Maris! Can't wait to return.
(4)Diane G.
Outstanding food and service. Depending on where you sit you could be very cramped. Very loud the evening we were there.
(4)Christine L.
I came to Amis with a friend for a celebratory dinner; I had just read that it was one of the best places in America to get pasta, so we were hoping for something extraordinary. We had a salumi to start with, I had a pappardelle dish, and she had a rigatoni dish. We enjoyed the meal, but it didn't seem worth the hype.
(3)Jonas B.
Have been to this restaurant several times during recent project work in Philadelphia, and I can say that I'm consistently impressed with the food and service, particularly given the relatively modest price point. Atmosphere is terrific, very relaxed and comfortable. Service is consistent with the best service at much more expensive restaurants, but with a friendliness that you won't find elsewhere. The food is dependably terrific. I've tried 10-12 things off the menu now after several visits, and I have been happy with everything. The swordfish meatballs were standouts - buttery and delicious. Also, the roasted lamb - really amazing.
(5)Annie M.
2.5 ..... Come eat here if you want hypertension..... Came here with three other people so we were able to order 6 dishes to share. 3 appetizers, 2 pastas, and 1 entree. With so many different dishes and flavors, nothing really stood out except that everything was WAY TOO SALTY. The only thing that tasted okay was the baked pecorino (though it was so ordinary still). Maybe I could've commented more on the taste of everything if I tasted more than just salt. I don't usually drink that much water but man I had to keep getting my cup refilled. Even then, the waitress was not coming by to refill our cups often enough..... On top of that, everything was teeny tiny and overpriced. Disappointed to the max. In case you wanted to know what NOT to order... - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (tasted like a normal meatball, just loaded with salt) - almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade (smallest appetizer ever... it looked like 4 small pieces of calamari) - rotini with pork ragu and stone fruit (more salt...) - strozzaprete with cockles (the extreme of SALT OVERLOAD) - abbacchio con patate (overcooked, beef jerkey-like, the potatoes were good though)
(2)Michael K.
Really enjoyed our meal here. Highlights were the Swordfish Meatballs, Pig Foot Ragu, and Mama's Rice Pudding (the best I've ever eaten...and I've had lots). I'm not writing a lot because this place doesn't need flowery prose to prove itself. Just go, you won't be disappointed.
(5)M P.
Went here for valentine's day. Had a lot of small dishes, including: Baked pecorino cheese with almond honey (appetizer) - really really good, lots of melted cheese Root vegetable salad - so so, probably should have skipped it Mussels - in Romanesco sauce, with awesome bread for soaking up the sauce Rotini with black trumpet mushrooms - Amazing. Salted butter gelato waffle pizzele - enormous and worth going back just for that. Best thing we had. Bottle of Cava - always good Service was pretty attentive and professional. They also have chef's table style seats facing the kitchen, which might be cool to check out next time.
(5)Ann E.
If you are in Philly, don't miss this restaurant. We shared small plates. Standouts included swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower, squid salad, almond dusted sweetbreads. But, the truly wonderful dish was the mortadella with hazelnut honey. We had 2 servings and I would have loved to have a jar of that wonderful honey just to have spoonful whenever I want it! The staff at this restaurant is as impressive as the food. We had one dish that was not what we expected. When our server checked on us, we mentioned this dish and he reacted immediately. You would have thought we told him our entire meal was a disaster! They brought another small plate for us, gave us an extra dessert and were truly concerned about the quality of everything they served. By the way, the extra dessert they brought was Mom's Rice Pudding-outstanding!
(5)Jeff S.
This was an excellent choice for a upscale casual night. The service was classy but not over the top, the atmosphere energetic, and the food was delicious. The seating is very close to other patrons so don't expect quiet.
(4)Carol P.
All the comments about the size of the portions are spot on. Amis serves small plates at regular plate prices. Even Garces restaurants give you more food except during restaurant week. Luckily, I went to a party afterward.
(3)Dave S.
The food and set up was great. Not a place for someone who likes quiet. From start to finish everything was spot on.
(5)Felicia Q.
One word (said with pauses for emphasis): Un-in-spired. Marc Vetri - and I say this with deep sadness because I've wasted so much time reading articles about him - should return at least a couple of his awards. Last night, we decided to give Amis a second chance. And, like most second chances that are given reluctantly, it was met with profound disappointment and kicking of myself. 5 o'clock dinner reservations on a Saturday night. We arrive at 4:55 p.m. to an empty restaurant, chilly in all the wrong ways (i.e. not Vodka chilly). The place was dead, yet the host had to "see if our table was ready" so we went to the bar. The bar was dead, yet the bartender couldn't take the time to put cherries in the Manhattans. Once seated, the waitress politely insisted that we put our entree orders in, "for the sake of a Saturday night" whatever that means. Yes, I believe it's Restaurant 101 to make your customers feel rushed to order. Talk about a turn-off. But, honestly, all of this could have been wiped from my mind ala Eternal Sunshine if the food had been as delightful as the reviews promised. Meatballs were weak. (Barbuzzo's meatballs are 1,000 times better.) Pasta dishes were a snooze. Gummy squid linguine in oil. Rigatoni in what looked like the pasta water with cherry tomatoes. Meat dishes were bleak. Ribeye steak and fried veal: both served with a pile of arugula on the side. A kid at The Art Institute could have done this. A kid who isn't even in the Culinary Arts program. (No offense to that kid.) My yelp review is more inspired than Amis. Take your $300 (for four people) somewhere else where the chefs/servers/staff actually care.
(2)Amy B.
My boyfriend, his sister and I went to Amis last night (4/19) to celebrate his sister's birthday. We didn't make a reservation and upon arriving we were told it would be 30-45 minutes. We figured this was reasonable and decided to have a drink at the bar while we waited. However, after waiting for 45 minutes, the hostess came over to us and told us that because there were no reservation cancellations they couldn't seat us. That was super annoying but luckily the bar is full service so we ordered from the awesome bartenders (didn't get their names unfortunately). This is where the night really turned around. We ordered about 6-7 tapas and the bartender very generously brought us at least 4 more tapas free of charge. Needless to say, he got an awesome tip. Our favorites were: the jalepeño pasta, the porchetta with onion marmalade, and the arancini. We enjoyed everything else we got also (ricotta and eggplant bruschetta, rabbit terrine, brussel sprouts, mussels, baked pecorino) but those were the best. Would definitely come back again next time we are in philly.
(4)Stephen S.
Oh Marc Vetri, you maestro of pasta, guru of Italian cooking, can you do any wrong? I moved away from Philadelphia right around the time that Amis opened. I had been to Vetri and Osteria but never had the chance to go to Amis. This is a great place to come in and experience Vetri's cooking without having to order the fixed menu at Vetri. I was very impressed with everything but the star of the evening was the squash lasagna. This is not your mother's lasagna, it's thin and delicate, not overly cheesy. I also really enjoyed the swordfish with eggplant fries but thought that the eggplant fries were much better than the accompanying fish.
(5)Eric P.
Amazing experience at Amis. We arrived late (11PM) after a show and they took us in with excellent service and no complaints. Definitely one of the top 5 Tapas places in the city. Make sure you try the Pork belly appetizer and the salami sampler. Pasta was exceptional and the skirt steak entrée was to die for. Very good wine selection as well. Don't skip dessert either because the salted butter ice cream was awesome. Don't miss out on this gem !
(5)Jadiey C.
What can I say about, Amis... This review is primarily based on the horrible service. Can you say "Hover"!!! That's how I felt the entire night as our hostess hung over us, making the dining experience horrible. The food was pretty good, especially the fried brussles and baked pecorino. The monk fish was a bit pasty but my date loved the duck ragu. During my initial ordering I forgot to order my brussels and the hostess looked at me like I had 4 heads, when I tried to add it on later. Due to the open kitchen, we could see her go back to the chef and talk trash about our late order. Once the brussels came I was pretty much ready for the experience to end, but they were tasty. The highlight of the evening, the valet parked my car near the front door so we could leave quick... never to return again...
(2)Dan G.
Hmmm... so many good reviews. I was being treated for my birthday (and she would not be this kind)... so we had a reservation and were seated immediately, was going to be seated at one of the two tops along the back and they were packed pretty close, so they moved us to one of the high tops near the bar... service was great, drinks were good... The appetizer was the assorted, I think it was three of their selections and it was okay but nothing special... one was good, the others were so so... my dinner was not bad, Prime Rib... but again nothing special and not much of it... thin piece of meat with a lot of fat... she on the other hand had lamb and it was the driest overdone flavorless piece of meat ever... I tasted it because she couldn't eat it and it was pretty bad... Was too bad the food was so disappointing because the ambiance was nice... price was a little up there for 4 drinks, an appetizer and dinner put us close to $200 (with tip)... that wouldn't be bad for an outstanding meal... in this case it wasn't.
(2)Matthew G.
Great Italian food for those bored with Chicken Parm
(4)Robin D.
i love this place... even though both times I went they screwed up first time we went on a weekend and it was busy, so they didn't seat us until an hour after our reservation. we had to stand at the bar. but before we could get angry they showered us with free drinks and food. they continued to do so at the table. the second time i went, they gave my mom the complete wrong order. when she told the waiter it was wrong he agreed and said "enjoy that while i get you what you ordered". less than 2 minutes later they brought the correct dish and we got to enjoy the other... for free. AND every bite of their food was amazing and unique. great rustic italian. i love the pasta. great food + classy handling of errors = more than good enough for me wouldn't recommend it if you're in a rush/aren't amused by free food
(4)Jessica B.
Amis is right in my neighborhood, and it's pretty great. The food is affordable, interesting, and delicious, and they're open till midnight on weekends, which is fantastic. Service is almost completely perfect (servers are fantastic, hosts are a little TOO eager) and if you go late-ish in the evening, it's not a loud space at all. We've tried the grilled veal tongue (melt-in-your-mouth tender), the arancini (fried cheesy-ricey deliciousness) the rotini with the wild boar ragu, and the fennel gratin. All of it was delicious. Add to that a carafe of wine, and you have a very nice dinner for two. We should start going here more often... it's a great place.
(4)Jeff P.
Let me begin, by saying I had high expectations after reading that Amis chef, Jeff Michaud, had won the James Beard award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic. My wife and I had also dined at Amis' sister restaurant, Osteria, back in the winter, and both of us enjoyed our food, but felt that we horribly overpaid for our meal, so I definitely had mixed emotions walking into the restaurant. Amis is located in what is considered the "Gayborhood" section of Philly, and shares the locale with some serious restaurant heavy hitters in my book, Mercato, Barbuzzo, the somewhat underrated Bindi, and Garces Trading Company just to name a few. Happily, I can say Amis lives up to the competition. First off, I like the space. There is outdoor seating, and inside the whole ambiance is very relaxed with a hip polished industrial feel to it. Also, I like that there is a second bar area, where you can sit and watch the chefs do their work. We did not sit at that bar area, but had a two top across the aisle from it giving my wife a view of the kitchen bar. My wife picked out a 500ml carafe of house white for $20. Not sure what it was (Pinot Grigio or a blend), but it was totally drinkable on a warm summer night. Instead of ordering an app to share and two mains, we decided on a bunch of small plates. We started with braised snails with scallion crema, house made mortadella with hazelnut honey, arancini di riso with meat ragu (fried rice balls), whole roasted baby peppers with chicken conserva, and swiss chard ravioli with spring onion ragu. All dishes were on point. I especially enjoyed the pasta dish, but wished they had included a few more ravioli which were very light, and full of that earthy vegetal flavor I LOVE from good greens. Homemade pasta makes such a difference. The favorite dish for me were the fried peppers. Reminded me of the hundreds of padron peppers my wife and I scarfed on a recent trip to Spain. I am like Pac Man eating pellets with those things. They have a slight amount of heat, but nothing overwhelming, and the sweetness of the chicken confit totally worked. We ordered 2 more dishes, imported bufala ricotta and black pepper with crustinis, and Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato. I enjoyed both dishes, but was unsure if the meatballs were undercooked, or were supposed to served mid rare in the middle. I ate them anyway, as I could not find our server at the moment. The ricotta was beautifully creamy, and my wife thought it could have used a little sea salt on top. I was happy with it the way it was served. I could have kept eating, but thought better of it. No dessert this time (Termini cannolis were in the car), but will return this weekend for a second go around. We had good, but not great service, and unlike Osteria I felt that the prices were fair. I am very excited for a return visit, and will order a little more adventurously with my eye on the veal tongue and sweetbreads.
(4)Miguel R.
I needed a quick restaurant recommendation for an after-work date with the lady. A coworker of mine suggested Amis, and I'm glad I went there. The service was great, and the food was fantastic. Mind you, we went on a Tuesday night at around 6PM - I'm sure the experience will vary on a Friday/Saturday evening. We got a kick out of ordering, since neither of us really knew what half of the stuff was on the menu - we ended up with the swordfish meatballs, calamari/shrimp/cucumber misto as appetizers, and for our next course we had the monkfish, polenta, and squid ink pasta. For dessert, I had a whiskey, and a bite of the tiramisu. I would definitely recommend the place, and look forward to visiting again.
(5)Claire C.
This is a few blocks off the popular 13th and locust cross sections of restaurants, but it's totally worth it. It's a great place to catch up with friends or enjoy a bit of home cooked italian food. my only tip is to get as many plates of the meatballs as possible. you will definitely not regret this decision.
(4)Jen R.
If you are going to Amis, be sure to leave your home well before your reservation time and familiarize yourself with the area. Find the parking garage before you get there or you will be late. Traffic and Parking for us was a nightmare. There was no street parking but we eventually found a small lot a few blocks away. This caused us to be late for our reservation. Luckily they didn't cancel on us. The food at Amis was really good. Unfortunately they are very small portioned tapas with a big price. Be prepared to spend over $100 for two people. The food was good but we didn't feel it was worth the price. We weren't stuffed when we left the restaurant. The tables are too close together, making it uncomfortable. There are always people moving around you. I'd like to try Amis again. I had high expectations and it could be that our ordeal with traffic and parking ruined our day for us.
(2)Elizabeth B.
I had a memorable night with 5 friends who treated me for my birthday. A reservation for six was secured maybe a month in advance, and since the place is small and trés popular I recommend calling ahead, if only for piece of mind. We shared the octopus and two kinds of bruschetta to start -- everything was delicious. I am a big fan of octopus and I like to try it wherever I go -- two thumbs up here. The bruschetta was tasty, however the bread a little too crusty (think - you have to bite into it like a rabid dog) but made up for by the creamy, bright flavored cheeses. Service side note: Server left a lot to be desired. She was a little smart mouthed and talked about the chefs. As in gossiped. It was off putting and inappropriate, especially since we could see them from where we were sitting and it seemed like they were competent, efficient and having a fine time just doing their jobs. She was impatient when we couldn't decide what type of wine to share -- there were six of us and several who shall remain nameless are indecisive. Please, come back in five minutes. I want point out that the rest of the staff was pleasant and professional. Anyway, for the main course I had the paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries. The swordfish was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the pasta was perfection. I could take or leave the eggplant fries -- an interesting concept but they were a little soft, not nearly enough crisp. The dish was beautifully presented -- as was everything on the table -- the portion appeared deceivingly small but it was in reality just the right size. For my birthday I was surprised and pleased to share some ice cream with my friends. It perfectly capped our dining experience.
(4)Juan R.
Went here for one of my last dinners in Philadelphia. My gf and I wanted some real good italian before moving out west. Had a couple cocktails, appetizers, and entrees. I went here about a month ago, and can't remember every detail of the meal but here's a recap... We had pecorino and honey, roasted potatoes, squash lasagna, pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu, and belgian waffle w/ nutella and vanilla semifreddo and hazelnuts. Everything from my memory was delicious, and service was good. I would say this is more along the lines of a high 3, but rounded it up to a 4.
(4)Alison P.
I went to Amis recently for dinner and it was absolutely fantastic. I would actually give it 5 stars except for a service snafu-- when my boyfriend and I arrived (with a reservation to celebrate his birthday) a couple was seated at a 4-top ahead of us and then we were told there was a wait. Then a group of 3 walked in without a reservation-- the hostess sent them to the bar and then seated them. I complained that we did have a reservation and felt we should have been seated first. We had to wait 10 minutes for a table. The host (maitre'd?), who was much more professional, in service as well as dress, was incredibly kind and made up for it-- as soon as we were seated he sent over an antipasti-- the bufala ricotta with grilled bread which was a perfect way to start the meal. All of the food that we ate was phenomenal! I tried the swordfish meatballs because I had read about them-- I probably wouldn't have ordered them otherwise-- and I LOVED them. So flavorful with a rich swordfish aftertaste but upfront tasted like a really good, juicy meatball, and such an interesting dish. My other favorites of the night were the pig trotter's arancini (OMG melted cheese, risotto, and bacon? yes please!) and the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. Also, if you're ordering dessert, you must must try the pizelle with salted butter semifreddo icecream sandwich. It was dessert perfection-- salty, sweet, and a little tart, with cranberry compote on top. Worth going to Amis just for drinks and dessert alone! I will absolutely be returning to Amis in the future-- Vetri does not disappoint. The dishes are small so it ends up being a bit pricey, but it is worth every penny. Go with friends and try a lot!!
(4)Hayley Sara B.
This restaurant is a living, breathing, delectable food-producing organism. The open kitchen, boisterous Saturday night crowd, and incredible soundtrack (stones, janis joplin) gave true meaning to the term "dining out." If I could eat Amis' twice-fried artichokes and butternut squash every day for the rest of my life, I'd probably never complain again. ORDER THE SQUASH. It is incredible and served in an adorable silver serving dish. We also oo'd and ahh'd over the guinea hen leg (deboned, pounded thin, and fatty but not overly so) and the mortadella mousse (or "crack", as we kept calling it). Throw in $20 for a carafe of some delicious house red and I was in heaven. I'll take Amis over the stuffier, (WAY) pricier Vetri any day (excluding Vetri's spinach gnocci, of course, which you must try before exiting this planet). It's the perfect restaurant for a loud family birthday or a splurgy dinner with friends.
(5)Geoff G.
I dined at Amis this past April and enjoyed a fabulous meal. I met my mom at this restaurant mid week to catch up and spend a night out on the town. We were able to get a last minute reservation at Amis and were not disappointed. A few things you need to know about this restaurant. First, it pulls in quite a happy hour bar crowd. There were a lot of suits lined up at the bar chatting away. Second, the tables are quite close together. When you combine those two elements with the fact that the restaurant has a warehouse type feel to it, the place can get obnoxiously loud. If that is a turnoff for you, then look for a different place to dine. Also, Amis is not a BYOB. This was a plus for us, since we were specifically looking for a restaurant that wasn't BYOB. Onto the food! My mom and I started off with a couple of small plates to share. We split the Eggplant Caponata which was delicious. The saltiness of the eggplant balanced out the olive oil that it was cooked in. The bread that went with the dish was delicious. We also shared swordfish meatballs. These 3 meatballs were laying on a bed of polenta with toasted pine nuts. The meatballs had so much flavor and were incredibly moist. The polenta complimented this dish wonderfully and the pine nuts added some texture to really round out the dish. For entrees, I had the lamb and my mom had a fried flounder special. The chef prepared the lamb very different from anything I have had before. The lamb seemed to be slow roasted and then shredded off the bone and crisped up on a griddle..... think almost like a jerky style texture, but not quite as dried out. The end result was shredded lamb that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The roasted potatoes that it was served with made for a memorable dish. Another highlight of the meal (besides the swordfish meatballs) was the pappardelle with oxtail ragu. I had heard so much about this dish and it did not disappoint. My mom and I split this as a side dish and it was wonderful. The rich oxtail ragu was just enough to balance out the wide pasta sheets that were cooked just a tad past el dente. Extremely tender and fresh. If you haven't made a trip to Amis, I would recommend you try it. The place isn't for everyone, but if you are a foodie that likes to get creative when dining, then this could be your next gem. The plates aren't huge, so you have to order multiple things on the menu to create a complete meal. PROS: Hip Atmosphere, Innovative Menu, Divine Food (especially the swordfish meatballs and pappardelle pasta) CONS: Small vineyard winelist, noise levels can be extremely loud, and this is not your traditional menu
(4)Jemma C.
Turns out our second visit was just an off day as we've just returned and the food and service were fantastic!
(5)Parker S.
Nice, upscale casual interior. Excellent menu with a variety of options. Came here with my wife. We got 4 small plates and two entrees which was too much food, but it was delicious. With drinks and our meals our bill was just under $100 which was reasonable considering the quality and amount of food we received. I'll be back.
(5)Christine B.
So I finally made it to one of Vetri's restaurants, and it was a great choice. When we first sat down, the waiter was a little aggressive. We were chatting and hadn't looked at the menus, but he came by a few times to see if we were ready. We finally ordered a carafe of the red wine. It was decent, nothing special. The waiter immediately returned to get our food order and of course we weren't ready. We were probably there 10 minutes and he had already come by at least 5 times so we figured we better figure out the food. I don't think I've ever felt so rushed and the restaurant wasn't crowded, but after the food order was placed the waiter pretty much left us alone. Onto the food, started with the baked pecorino and honey, and prosciutto wrapped figs. The pecorino was definitely the star of the show. I would absolutely order that again. The figs were good, but I've had better. Next we shared the lamb and the rigatoni with wild boar ragu. The lamb was awesome. The waiter gave us this explanation when we ordered that its prepared differently and is brined, and a couple other things that almost scared me away, but I figured Vetri isn't going to serve something that isn't good. I didn't find it salty at all. It had a very interesting texture, kind of like short ribs without all the fat. Some of it was a little dry or just overcooked though and took a lot of effort to cut. The rosemary potatoes that came with were super tasty. I wasn't so sure about the pasta at first, but it grew on me, and then I wanted to keep eating it. It has a very unique flavor, I can't really describe it, except to say that it tastes great. I would probably try another pasta next time. Ended with the tartufo, but I only had a bite. It was very rich, and I'm not a huge dessert person, just wanted to taste it. All in all a really great, but pretty expensive dinner. Definitely recommend it.
(4)Eric B.
Very delicious. We liked the smaller portions. My wife and I got two appetizers, a pasta and then a meat dish and we shared everything and it filled us up. We were amazed at how good and unique it was (swordfish meatballs). Also not too expensive and the service was excellent. We highly recommend. Just be aware that it is a noisy atmosphere in there, so don't go with any soft talkers.
(5)Aubrey E.
If I had to pick one word to describe my dining experience at Amis, it would be "underwhelming". I really wanted to love Amis. They have a great looking menu, but unfortunately we just didn't love the food. I ordered the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto while my husband ordered the monkfish. Neither of our entries were bad, but neither of them were spectacular. For the price and the Vetri name, I was expecting a tastier and more pleasant dining experience.
(3)John S.
Stopped in late at 1015pm w da girlfriend Make a reservation! i did and walked past the 10 ppl waiting for tables, right to our table The FOOD: -Veal Sweetbreads were awesome! -Octopus salad was pretty good too. -Rabbit terrine w/fennel was sweet tasting, pretty good. -Burrata cheese was delicious. -Aranchinis were very cheese and served over ragu. solid. -Dessert-pana cota w/strawberries- absolutely delsih! Best were sweetbreads & Panacota. The Drinks: got the house Red and it was relish. got the 500ml (half bottle) for $20. not too bad. Overall: I liked how it was small plates. We did not order a single big entree dish. Our server was a little strange and needed to know the dishes better. I would come back.
(4)Mike H.
Outstanding meal. We went post-show and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Great wine list of small producers, staff was knowledgeable about the wines and how they might pair with the meal. We shared four apps and each had a pasta entree, definitely the way to go here. We had: - Baked Pecorino with almond honey (and toasted bread), simple but executed wonderfully - Roasted butternut squash with shaved pecorino (toast to make a bruschetta with), it was cold which surprised us, but a perfect app - Salami del giorno with marmalade, good peppery salami - Tripe Alla Romana (Tripe stew), hearty, delicious, might have been fav if not for my entree... - House-made pasta with cream sauce and a pile of SHAVED WHITE TRUFFLES! Lucky timing, they only have these for a short period each year. That was enough, but the server brought us out a complimentary dessert of Mom-mom's rice pudding (rice pudding, dark cherry, cherry sauce, and pistachio) Wow, would not have ordered this with the nuts and rice pudding, but it was a top ten dessert!
(5)Colleen C.
If there was ever a restaurant to change my perception about Philly, I would have to look no further than Amis. Not sure if my boyfriend, Danny, and I would have stumbled upon this place during our visit to Philly if I hadn't won a raffle for the annual charity event, "The Dude Hates Cancer." Amis had generously donated a gift certificate to this raffle which I had won back in August 2010. The Maitre D seated myself and Danny directly in front of the open kitchen. Total win! I think our eyes were bigger than our stomachs when we first ordered the appetizers. No regrets. Everything was absolutely delish. From the bruchetta of imported bufala ricotta and black pepper to the swordfish meatballs accompanied by one of the best polentas I've ever had. Underscore the word, "ever." Oh but appetizers didn't stop there, we received a house plate of a grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda. Danny and I smiled brightly at first and then had a "oh shit moment" of sorts. Of course, I had wrongly assumed Danny (a classically trained chef) was well versed already in cooked tongue. Me: "So..you've had tongue before, right? How is it?" His response, "Nope, but I'm about to find out." Now, as much as I do enjoy food, I am quite PICKY. Yes, there are people who have special diets....the gluten-free, low sodium, vegan....yeah, then there's me...the picky. Yet, I decided to ignore my diet this one instance and politely picked up a piece of tongue labeled with grill marks and coated with what appeared to be a glaze (this would be the pepper mostarda). Immediately took my first bite...looked at Danny. "So umm...are you gonna eat the rest of that?" My only regret is that the pasta dish of ravioli was absolutely heaven and I wish I had ordered more of it. So tender and the sauce perfectly complimented the pasta. Dinner was good, but I think we were stuffed by the time it even came around. Danny had the duck which was plated beautifully. Of course, there is always room for dessert. The tartufo was delicious and we also had "mom mom's rice pudding." To be honest, I'm not a rice pudding fan at all, but this dish was so creamy and filled with so many different fruit flavors. I highly recommend it if you're at all into rice pudding. Absolute lip-smacking heaven. Thank you so so much, Amis, for your wonderful food and hospitality. Exceeded our expectations tri-fold. Danny and I will be visiting Philly soon again!
(5)James H.
I sampled the menu at Amis with a party of 9, and I must say that every person thoroughly enjoyed what they ate. Even two notoriously picky eaters and a gluten-free friend were satisfied. In terms of antipasti/small plates, the marinated octopus was perfectly cooked, as was the scallop crudo. Two really well done dishes. The bufala ricotta was unfortunately over-salted (especially when combined with their brushetta, as intended), but this was forgiven as the dish was delivered by Marc Vetri himself. The fried cauliflower and brussels sprouts were flavorful and crispy (the cauliflower less so). Finally, the baked pecorino with honey was delicious and reminded me of the seared halloumi at Audrey Claire. A variety of entrees were ordered, but the stand-outs were the duck breast with pickled rhubarb over polenta, the bone-in lamb, and the spinach fazzioleti. The restaurant was a little dark in areas, and on the noisier side (though admittedly my party was responsible for a good deal of it!), but overall what you'd expect for a place that seems to be geared toward family-style dining. I thought the wine selection was great, and the menu is broken into reds and whites ordered from lighter to fuller body. The prices were reasonable, especially considering the quality of ingredients and preparation. Our server was totally accommodating and very helpful. Overall, good value and a solid selection of playful Italian cuisine. I may be moving to California, but I will remember Amis if I ever find myself in Philly again.
(4)Zanna H.
This is the best meal I have had in a while. We went here as a belated anniversary outing and it was totally worth it. The lowest point food wise was the sweetbreads which were a tad on the chewy side but otherwise very good. The mortadella mousse was really creamy and the toast with it was just right. I ordered the eggplant lasagna for my entree and it has ruined me for all other lasagna. I don't say that phrase lightly. I would drop kick Garfield without blinking to get at a tray of this lasagna. To make sure my waistline got the message that this was the off-diet splurge night I ordered the salted butter semifreddo sundae with berries and crushed biscotti. So decadent and nicely balanced with the berries adding the tartness to cut the sweet of the sundae. This is now firmly on my short list of higher tag places for special occasions.
(5)John D.
Absolutely loved this place! Service was wonderful, everyone was friendly, attentive and fun! Appetizers and entrees were the best. Especially enjoyed the Turkey Milanese - was awesome! Desserts were scrumptious also. Definitely going back again, when we can get in :)
(5)Connie C.
I originally heard about Amis through a friend who had dinner here before and heard great things so I made reservations for my girlfriends and I- we were celebrating me and my friend's birthdays. We went on a Sunday evening and it wasn't busy so it was on the quieter side. The hostess/waiter were all very attentive. We ordered the following: Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pinenuts Whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder bolognese Chestnut fettucine with duck ragu Braised lamb shank with root vegetables Fried brussels sprouts and lemon I was hesitant to try the meatballs but it was actually delicious. The whole wheat rigatoni with pork shoulder and chestnut fettucine with duck were my favorite dishes- really awesome portion sizes, meat was tender in both sauces, and the pasta was perfectly cooked. The side of fried brussels sprouts were absolutely amazing- I'm not a big fan of brussels sprouts but now I am! The braised lamb was very tender and to my surprise, not gamy at all. I'm not a big lamb fan but this one was cooked and seasoned perfectly. The root veggies that came on the bottom though, I would say, did not compliment the meat very well. I think you would need to order a side of veggies. We also ordered dessert- I can't remember what my friend ordered but I got the belgian waffle with nutella and it was DELICIOUS! You can't go wrong with nutella though. Overall, I would definitely come back- I'm a big fan of Vetri Family restaurants!
(4)Scott M.
The food was reminiscent of our time in Italy. The baked pecorino with honey was delectable. Also enjoyed the meatballs and the crispy pork shank. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. I recommend sitting at the bar seats by the kitchen, so you can smell and see all the fabulous foods as they are made.
(5)Diana W.
I've been wanting to try Amis since it opened a few months ago. I live two blocks away and it always sounds loud and lively when I walk by. Last night did not disappoint! Reservations seem necessary, but I made mine only one or two days before and it was fine. I was there with three others, and we shared 8 plates total. the baked pecorino with honey was to die for. to. die. for. except they should give you a little more bread to go with it... fritto misto was great, except the shrimps still had heads...never seen that before. but the zucchini chips were amazing. and the stuffed figs (something i order whenever i see them on a menu) were just ok. tria has better ones. however, the larger dishes were amazing. we had the fettucini with pork ragu, which practically melted in my mouth it was so delicious. the eggplant lasagna was amazing and not too overwhelming. and the lamb with potatoes was made to perfection. grilled veggies topped it off just right. for dessert we split a fruit crisp that was so good i wanted to lick the bowl. we also had the waffle with nutella, but i wasn't as crazy about it (and i love nutella, so that's saying something). i definitely suggest anything with local in season fruits and veggies. and if you want a cocktail instead of wine, go with any of their fun prosecco drinks! the granita is my new favorite beverage. oh, and the staff was great, very helpful and on point- even when it got super busy later in the evening.
(4)Jesse E.
Mark vetri? Italian? can't miss right? ... not so true this time. The food is quite good as you can imagine but that's not where Amis falls short ... it's everything else. First of all, I would stick to the italian dishes and avoid any specials or their "jersey cannonball" type dishes. the pastas are all great as are their sauces, but their antipastas leave a little to be desired especially if you (like me) really enjoy the ones at Vetri and Osteria. I have been here a few times for dinner and the food is always quite good but the service and drinks are lacking and the prices are just as high as vetri and Osteria so why not just go to one of those instead? I went here for brunch for the first time the other day and the problems from their dinners were 2x worse. The food wasn't quite as good and the drinks really leave something to be desired. Our server messed up 3 different things and only one was properly rectified. the worst part by far was the price.. $332 for brunch for 7 is just not acceptable unless it's a 5 star restaurant and Amis is just not that good
(3)Steven S.
Trendy, fun and amazing food! We loved it!!!
(4)Juliana G.
Amis-tery Story: The Case of the Wet Feather-Vest I first dined at Amis on opening night, where I tasted Ricotta imported from an alpine town, a succulent appetizer whose subtle flavors would continue to haunt me for months to come. My desires in full force, I convinced my boyfriend to celebrate our anniversary at Amis. Little did we know that the unspeakable, gastronomical pleasures (tuna steak to die for) were ill-fated to conflict with the horrible service we experienced. Though we made the reservation a couple of months ahead of time, when we arrived, there was no table for us, and we had to wait about 20 minutes before we were seated. Finally, when we went to the hostess to retrieve our coats, my vest was missing from the hanger. When I asked the hostess where it was, she whispered to one of the managers and he went into the back office. When he returned, he brought back my vest which was soaked through with what I hope was water. It was dripping and I had to carry it home in a bag. We still muse over possible explanations, but none are so sensible as to tempt me to re-cross the sharp divide of Broad Street.
(3)Thao H.
Good food and nice ambience for a date or just having dinner with a few friends.
(4)Anna p.
Swordfish meatballs!!!!!!!!!! need I say anything else
(5)Vincent C.
The food is amazing! The price is a bit high for the portions - but, as I said, the food is amazing. Highly recommended.
(4)Justin M.
OK, went back over a year later and well, things haven't changed. If I'm setting the bar too high, well, that's what a national reputation brings. Marc Vetri has been hyped out the wazu, and I just don't taste it, folks. The meatballs were so pedestrian, I feel like I've had them a million times around the world, including my own kitchen. You shouldn't feel that way for the price point. Everything is smothered in cream and cheese, so of course it tastes good at first, and then you realize you feel nauseated and get sick of the one trick the pony is doing. Sadly, I'm over it. Fun P.S.: I'm on a flight to San Francisco the very next day and sit next to a guy who coincidentally dined at the restaurant the night before as well! We compared notes and started finishing each other's sentences about the disappointment we felt. Sigh.
(3)Brian C.
Had been wanting to come here for a while, since I won't pay Vetri prices for food, and loved the pizza at Osteria. We were a bit diappointed, though. This was New Year's Day at 6pm, so the place was pretty empty. Service was fast and courteous and helpful. Somehow though, it was loud. And though the music wasn't loud, it was classic rock. I'm a fan, but it in no way fits here. Perhaps it's the play between the bar and the restaurant atmosphere mixing in a small space? Anyway, the food: Swordfish meatballs - excellent Striped bass crudo - good Rotini with wild boar ragu and pears - very good squid ink linguine - good We expected excellent all aorund, but the prices were in line with the quality. We'll have to try again to give it another chance.
(3)Melissa S.
This was so fantastic. Service was amazing, food was so delicious. We will be back for seconds as soon as possible. We took cues from yelp reviews on what to order. We were a group of 4 and ordered 4 small plates on the left side of the menu to share and then each ordered a pasta. I was surprised by the size of the small plates, it was more then enough. We were stuffed. baked pecorino with almond honey Brushetta - buffalo mozzarella with pepper Swordfish meatballs Aroncini I also got the squash lasagna - it was so good I want to go back tonight and eat it again! We also ordered the skate with Brussels sprouts, but then the chef didn't want to serve it. I guess it was a bad batch. So instead they made us a cod dish with fried Brussels sprouts. The Brussels sprouts were delicious. The also gave us free Swedish meatballs and the pasta tuna dish. The Swedish meatballs were good though!
(5)Ellen L.
Very enjoyable meal.
(4)BC L.
Pretty good. We had a reservation, but had to wait at the bar for 15-20 mins before we were seated. The place also gets pretty loud on the weekends and we had to shout the entire meal. It was still a great evening/dinner out and our waitress knew her stuff. We tried all of her recommendations and were not disappointed!
(3)Mauro D.
Outstanding! I just got back from Rome and was thrilled that Marc Vetri has captured the esscence of Roman Cusine. Thank You! And to Franklin M - don't quit your day job to become a food critic.
(5)Jessica M.
Great scene, delicious food and Marc Vetri was there....worth checking out! With a friend in town, I knew I wanted to go somewhere new (for me) and exciting. Amis ended up being the right choice for both of us. The server was attentive and informative without being overbearing and recommended the perfect bottle of wine and amount of food that left us satisfied but not feeling like stuffed pigs when we left. I can recommend all 3 of the items we started with since they were equally yummy - Mortadella Mousse (who knew?), baked pecorino which was savory and sweet with honey and nuts on top, and Sal's meatballs which were bite sized and not too heavy. I should also mention the bread at this point. It was unlike anything I have had before. Instead of having a separate dish of olive oil for dipping, the oil was already in there, making the bread moist and addictive. For the main course, we chose one more meat dish - the pappardelle with veal breast ragu - and the mixed seafood grill. The pasta and veal was absolutely amazing and I will definitely order it again. The mixed seafood grill was good, amazingly fresh tasting and cooked perfectly but after all of the amazing tastes we had had so far, it was kind of a let down. I liked it, I am glad that I tried it but I will pass on that plate on my next visit and try something else - probably the gnocchi with oxtail ragu that I am still regretting not ordering. Even though we could have gone without dessert, I am pleased to report we did not. The beligian waffle topped with my favorite - Nutella - was not a disappointment. It was delicious to the last bite - soft and crunchy at the same time (thanks to the toasted hazelnuts sprinkled on the ice cream) it is not to be missed. All told, it is a very nice place to check out if you have not already. It can get loud but that shouldn't make you think twice about heading to Amis...soon!
(4)Brendan K.
Amis consistently delivers in the realm of food, service and atmosphere. I prefer sitting at the bar or the chef's counter. I always seem to end up with a delicious surprise from the kitchen. Their pasta is always delicious and the menu is very well-priced. Industry night is also a lot of fun. A great place for a romantic dinner or a quick bite.
(4)Surabhi M.
Having eaten at all of Marc Vetri's establishment apart from Amis, I was due to stop by there. So we did, to get some dinner and drinks with my out of town friend, who loves Italian. Having experienced epic service at Vetri and good food all around, our expectation were high. Food did not disappoint but the service left me questioning my experience. We sat at the bar. There were two servers (1 male, 1 female) they worked in tandem and do not have their individual customers. The male server kept ignoring us, when we asked question gave minimal answer and did not bother to listen to the follow-up questions. The female server was great. What was odd, the male server was very warm to all the other customers around us who also sat at the bar. We started noticing the different treatment to us v.s. everybody else more and more. I couldn't figure out why was that, because we were only two women (rest all were couples or groups that involved males) which is ridiculous to even think of in Philadelphia or because we are from another country. I don't know what is worse being discriminated by a sexist or a racist or both. I am hoping that it was unintentional and just a bad day. Regardless it made us uncomfortable. We did mention our displeasure to the manager Nancy on our way out. I hope that nobody ever has to experience this again. I don't know if I am going back. Not to mention, I was embarrassed for having taken my friend who was insulted as well. I am not very sensitive to people's behavior in general and have a high threshold to get offended, but such behavior is not acceptable no matter how tolerant I am otherwise. We did tip the minimum 15% because of the female server who was nice to us.
(2)JJ J.
I'll start by saying I hate Italian food. It's always my last choice. That being said I was blown away by their octopus dish. For some reason I was expecting it to be warm but even though it was a cold dish it was still really good. I sat at the bar and had a great bartender. She was a total sweetie. I had their pasta of the day. Omg was it amazing. This place could totally chance my mind about italian food.
(5)S S.
When the waiter was cleaning the crumbs from our table I asked him to put them in a to go box. Another fabulous restaurant by Mark Vetri. Great service and fantastic food. Olive oil bread basket was incredible. Tuna croquettes were these wonderful little balls of savory delicious tuna. The pecorino and pepper pasta....NEEDED MORE! Savored EVERY bite! Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is as good as it gets! No dessert since we were stuffed by all the food we ate!
(4)Neil A.
All good except the hype led to needless delays in being seated at our reservation time. We had a drink at the bar,which was tight but once we sat we were out within an hour.looked like people lingered at their tablex because they thought they had to justify the hype Food was very good only thing to salty was the seafood. Wine list needs work but would definitely go back on a week night!
(3)D S.
3.75ish. Spent a Wednesday evening here for a full dinner with a couple friends. Very busy and I must say, great tunes. I rarely notice music at a restaurant, but it was a welcomed surprise. Recommended for a relaxed, casual meal. Arrive early and start at the bar for a pint. Beer selection was notable for an Italian joint. The food was well-prepared and tasty. Go for one of the bruschetta plates to start. Finish with tiramisu if they have it. My entree was average. Italian is tough for a wow. Being an out-of-towner and unsure of Philly pricing, it seemed a little on the high side for the nabe. I could be way off there though.
(4)Ryan R.
Awesome dining experience. Sat at the bar with a group of 4. The bartender, Brian, was incredible. He was the absolute model of service. He brought out a couple of samples to pair with our meals that were great. Can't give enough praise. Sit at the bar and let Brian take car of you.
(5)Margeau N.
As a regular patron of the Philly restaurant scene, both fine dining and otherwise, I have to admit that I was excited to try the latest Vetri endeavor. I was sadly disappointed. Maybe I went on an off night (a Tuesday in December)...but everything - the food, service, ambiance- was a let down. I started with the shaved fall vegetable salad, which was good, but certainly didn't meet my expectations as to flavor or presentation. I ordered the bucatini with braised oyster mushrooms as an entree. It was oily/greasy and overseasoned, with cheese that overwhelmed the flavor of the mushrooms. Honestly, I have had better pasta dishes at certain inexpensive, chain Italian restaurants I patronized occasionally in college. It simply was nothing special, and definitely did not live up to our expectations. One of my friends ordered the gnocchi, which was also a greasy disappointment. The octopus appetizer was alright, but again, nothing special. The worst thing about Amis was the atmosphere, however. It was so loud that we literally had to shout to hold a conversation. There were 6 of us at the table, and we were celebrating a friend's birthday. Luckily, I sat next to the friend with the birthday, because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to communicate with him at all- it was that noisy. Our waiter was no help - he practically mouthed the specials and when we asked questions, his attitude fluctuated between smarmy and condescending (to a crowd of fairly discerning diners, mind you - we are not rookies of fine dining) and brusque and unhelpful. At first we thought it was one table of loud diners ruining the ambiance for everyone, but even after they left, there was a din that couldn't be overcome. It was unpleasant. It's really a shame, since I've had several, much better experiences at Osteria, another Vetri restaurant. It seems that Amis needs to be reworked.
(2)Susan F.
Very friendly and efficient staff. Excellent wine selection. We went after going to Les Mis at the Academy (easy walk). We asked, at the last minute, if we could add another guest and they graciously made accommodations for us with only a slight time change. The appetizer (small plate) selections were impossible to choose from because they all sounded yummy. The pasta selections and chicken saltambucca (sp?) was outstanding. Can't say enough good things - even desserts were all above average. Would definitely go back.
(4)B B.
Ate at Amis on Saturday. Brunch. Damn. So good. We had the bufala riccota with marinated fall vegetables. I had rotini with breakfast sausage and egg yolk. My wife had a raviolo all'uovo. Everything was awesome and it is glaringly evident that everybody who works there really cares about the food. The best.
(5)Bill q.
Great, but a little steep fried lamb tongue B sweetbreads A+, but small salumi A, but small cacio e pepe A+ oxtail gnocchi A+ strazzapretti A sausage & peppers B beef steak B+ waffles B My wife ordered what seemed like enough food, and while we thought there was more to come, the waiter asked if we were ready for dessert. We weren't full, so we ordered more. Wierd: the waiter put his nose in MY glass to smell the wine? Never seen that one... Awesome food high prices/ small portions service quirks But overall very good.
(4)Brian J.
Maybe it's me. I'm not much of a tapas guy but I really expected more. We got there early so they seated us right next to the front door with bar stools for seats, we said we'd wait for another table and after 15 minutes they seated us right next to the back door. The wine they served me was fine but they only gave me a quarter of the glass worth. Food was OK. If you go you'll be shelling out a lot of cash for nothing much.
(1)Shannon D.
We were lucky enough to have the amazing food experience at Amis that others have written about and couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere is modern but cozy with a great, buzzing energy that doesn't make you feel rushed through your meal, but leaves you feeling doted on by the staff. After sampling two (strong, delicious!) cocktails at the bar, we were shown our table for 4, which was far enough away from the tables around us without making the dining room feel too vast. The wine list was very nice and not at all overwhelming, which made choosing our wines to go with our meal easy. In fact, the cocktail menu and food menus are in a similar style; plenty of options for diners with different tastes, yet simple enough for you to know great care is put into all of the dishes. The food was, in a word, FANTASTIC. Dinner really blew some other fine dining experiences we've had recently right out of the water. Highlights: Bufala Ricotta Bruschetta (great to share, light and creamy)...tuna croquettes (delicately fried, super fresh)...pork belly with fried peppers (come on!). We had the black spaghetti with braised squid and the grilled steak with marinated mushrooms for 'dinner' entrees. Both were cooked and prepared so excellently that I almost forgot how creepy black spaghetti can look. While I found the pasta salty for my taste (and thick with squid flavor- so only for those who love it) my boyfriend thought it was perfect and blinked at me with confusion when I mentioned the sodium content. So while everything we had on the table was an absolute winner...we all agreed that one dish was one we'd eat every day of our lives, were we so lucky: the fried Brussels sprouts side dish. Honestly, if you come for one thing, this may be it. But don't just come for one thing...just make sure you order this. Our meal was made even more amazing by our server, Lindsay, who was not only sweet, knowledgeable and attentive but a true professional who is polished without being uppity. When you dine here, ask for Lindsay. She is a doll. Of course, this amazing dinner did not come cheap, but we were prepared to splurge this time. In fact, this is one of the only restaurants in Philly I would recommend 100% confidently to anyone who asks for an excellent night out...who can pay for it. And if you can't pay for it, just come and ask for Lindsay...then order a side of Brussels sprouts.
(5)Jon P.
My girlfriend and I went to Amis a couple of weeks ago. It was our first Vetri restaurant, and we came with high hopes, though not much of an idea of what to order. The atmosphere was great--nice tasteful, not too pretentious. The menu was unnecessarily opaque for a country bumpkin like myself. No descriptions of the menu items, and lots of long Italian words in the titles (for example the ice creamy dessert is called "semifreddo" instead of gelato). Still, our young waiter was quite happy to oblige or requests for explanations of half of the words on the menu. We appreciated the availability of an affordable carafe of house red. For an undiscerning palate like my own, it hit the spot. For appetizers, we went for the Ricotta with Black Pepper Bruscetta and the Escarole Salad with Apples and Radishes. Both were absolutely, deliciously simple. Couldn't have been happier. The entree is where things got dicier. We went for the Strozzapreti with Clam Cockles and Muscles and the Guinea Hen Leg Saltimbucca with Prosciutto and Sage. I liked the guinea hen better, but both were disappointments. I'm a chronic over-salter, but these went above and beyond even my salty tastes. Too much. And the strozzapreti didn't even have that much taste beyond the salt. For dessert, we went with the Waffles Amis and the Pear Almond Tart (forget the exact name of the pear/almond dessert). The waffles were wonderful, the pear almond dessert not so much--dry and tasteless. Overall, not a bad experience, but Amis did not live up to my expectations, and I can't give it more than 3*'s. I may go back sometime to do a better job of picking those entrees.
(3)Shirlana D.
It was love at first bite here! My bf took me here to celebrate my PhD proposal being approved. It was a last minute date, but it was great! The staff were very friendly and accommodating. We had the meatballs for an appetizer and can I tell you, they were so good, I thought we might have to fight over who would get the last one (of course, he is a gentleman, so he offered the last one to me). The bread was light and fresh, served with warm butter as I like and the food was fresh. Our dishes were flavorful and well seasoned. We didn't have to wait long for our food and the seating, lighting and ambiance were perfect. The dessert was heavenly! We had the Belgian style waffle with nutella and hazelnuts - can you say DELICIOUS! This place is off the beaten path and is not located in restaurant row and because of such, may not get as much play. However, this restaurant is 5 stars all the way. Did I mention the ambiance is wonderful. This is definitely a place where you can go to have a nice evening with the one you love and share the love of food :).
(5)Jim G.
I've been meaning to review this place for a long time. This is definitely one of my favorite restaurants in the city. The atmosphere is great: laid back and casual, but rustic and trendy. The food never disappoints. I highly recommend the baked pecorino - it's the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and nutty. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto is also a "go to" dish for us. Otherwise, I recommend trying whatever is on special, because it's always awesome. They also have a nice selection of wine and a few craft Italian beers (bonus points). Where this place really shines, though, is in the service. Servers are knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. If you ask how much food to order, they will tell you the right amount without trying to "oversell" you. Overall, I highly recommend Amis for simple, rustic Italian cooking and the feeling that you're having dinner with your "friends."
(5)Jenna H.
We don't usually get dessert with dinner and wine, but here, it's a MUST, and I'm talking about the Belgium waffle dessert! They make it fluffy, so it's not as thick and filling as a regular Belgium waffle, but has the same great taste topped with delicious ice cream! The menu does not have descriptions, so definitely ask the wait staff about anything you want! Our waitress was extremely knowledgeable and explained several of the appetizers and entrees to us in order to make a decision. The extensive wine list is also in Italian, and I usually drink Napa Valley Cabernets, so the waitress recommended one of the best wines I've ever had! They serve a variety of salad, pasta, seafood, and meat entrees along with a large selection of bruschetta, meat, and cheese appetizers. Appetizer must: Sal's famous meatballs with tomato covered potato. You get three juicy meatballs with a little potato underneath them, and the flavors were impeccable! We were looking for pasta and had the ricotta and tonnarelli dishes. Both were outstanding. While other reviews mentioned "generous" portions, I would categorize them as below average for what we usually receive at high-end Italian restaurants. We both finished our plates and could have eaten more, whereas usually I cannot finish an entire pasta entree. This was even after consuming one appetizer, fresh bread (provided to all patrons but with no dipping oil), and our complimentary side (described below). The service was top notch! Besides our waitress being attentive and knowledgeable with everything, we were offered a complimentary side that we shared while waiting for our meals because the chef was not happy with how the entrees resulted. Therefore, he started over while we enjoyed the side. We greatly appreciated this level of service! I'm surprised it's rated $$$ because most entrees were $16-20 a piece minus a few exceptions. We got a bottle of wine, two entrees, one appetizer, and one dessert for $115 plus tip! The ambiance was upscale, yet we saw people wearing anything from t-shirts and flip flops to dressy. They have $18 valet that is the best option unless you want to park and walk quite a bit. They had outdoor tables, but we opted for inside as outside seating is on the sidewalk by where everyone arrives, walks by, and valet. We enjoyed our date night and would definitely go back as we are huge fans of the Vetri restaurants!
(4)Roger F.
I was here for a party of 9 for a birthday party. We ordered a bit of everything from the menu, from the eggplant bruschetta, to the striploin with mushrooms. All of it was a smash hit. The service was excellent. We were in very capable hands, despite half of the guests being agitated from bad 95 traffic, and 2 of the guests hardly being able to hear anything. It was noisy when we went at 6, but I imagine much of that was our fault. The specials for us were all variations on salmon, with a crudo dish with blackberries as a starter, and a seared steak as an entrée. We ended up getting the crudo, which was an interesting and unexpected take. Our bill came to around $700 for 9 people, and we ate a *lot* of food.
(5)Richard R.
Finally made it over to Amis on a beautiful May night in the city. This is the 3rd Vetri restaurant we have visited, Alla Spina and Pizzeria Vetri being the other two. Amis is very pleasant inside and has an open and comfortable feel. The restaurant was doing a brisk business on this Thursday night. The recession sure looked over at Amis. The dishes we had were as follows, some selected from other Yelp reviews, thanks. Mortadella with hazelnut honey salumi - We really like this dish, it was sweet and salty. Swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts - My wife loved this but it did have some flavoring with anchovies. If you don't like anchovies beware. Ironic because I am not a fan of anchovies but I liked this dish. I didn't love it but the pine nuts made it interesting and the anchovy taste was just below my breaking point. Spring pea tortelli with lamb ragu and mint - This was a fantastic dish, it is worth coming back for. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - This was also excellent with just the right amount of heat. Paccheri with swordfish and eggplant fries - The eggplant fries were fantastic, very good dish. Olive oil cake with blood orange marmalade and whipped cream - This was OK, didn't really wow us. Amis serves this bread cooked in olive oil. Beware; it is awesome and easy to fill up on. Our service was excellent even though the restaurant was busy. With the 2 appetizers, 4 pasta dishes, 1 dessert a couple of coffees and 2 beers and a soda we were in the $130.00 range or about $32.00 per head before tip. Amis is not cheap but we were all stuffed. I liked Amis and glad we were able to get there.
(4)Meems C.
I have read some not-so-stellar reviews and wonder what went wrong. It's authentic Italian food people, not a fucking Olive Garden. I visited with my fiance for our usual date night and had a FANTASTIC time. We were greeted warmly by the host and had a seat at the bar while waiting for our table. We barely had even recieved our drinks before they told us it was ready, took our drinks and coats for us, and sat us at the chef's table. The place was PACKED (and our reservation was at 9:45). We started with a slew of apps including bufala ricotta and black pepper, Sal's old school meatballs (the tomato potato was the most ridiculous thing I've ever eaten - I wanted to put it on everything), grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda, and the arancini di riso with meat ragu (golden fried rice balls stuffed with gooey and delicious meat). Everything pleased our palates and I wanted more!!!! We then moved to the pasta course and had the pappardelle with veal breast ragu and the gnocchi alla romana with oxtail ragu. YUM-MY. The gnocchi isn't the usual suspect - so don't expect your store bought gnocchi. They are much larger, different texture, and delicious. After pasta, we were pretty full, but decided to share the abbachio con patate. Delicious. The lamb had a really nice lightness to it, not gamey whatsoever. There was a slight searing on the ouside pieces and I fell in love. The potatoes weren't the best I've ever tasted, but went nicely with the dish. Very full by this point, we were talked into dessert, thinking we would each only be able to fit one bite into our stomachs. We were wrong - we had the "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. WOW. It was like a mini chocolate igloo sitting in front of us. So good, we ate almost the whole thing. Note : we also had a bottle of white wine (and I can't remember for the life of me what it was called) but it paired very well with our courses, even with the heavier, meatier items. This was the HIGHLIGHT of our night out. The staff was wonderful, the place was small and cozy, and most important, the food was orgasmic. Yes, I went there. I will also mention that there are really cool looking cocktails that we didn't get to try, but if you're looking for beer, you're SOL, unless you want to pay $22 for RR Consecration. Overall, we are going back. You should go too. Now.
(5)Phuong L.
Good food, good beer, and very accommodating. Two people who we were meeting were stuck in traffic on a Friday night and they let us push back our 7 pm reservations to whenever they arrived, which was pretty close to 7:45. I would definitely go back to try their other unique dishes
(4)jen d.
overall dinner was great - but we were disappointed at how greasy/fried many of the menu options were. biggest disappointments: -artichokes - way too greasy, all you could taste was the oil -cauliflower - was supposed to be grilled - seemed more like soaked in oil and then set on fire greatest dishes: -oxtail gnocchi - light, delicious, savory (this dish was expectedly rich) -swordfish rigatoni - light and delicious -escarole salad - light & refreshing -eggplant caponata bruschetta - delicious, slightly sweet/tangy service was great - when we expressed our dissatisfaction w/ the artichokes they were immediately replaced w/ 2 new dishes on the house. loved the Alto ginger beer/prosecco cocktail. great bar staff too. nice industrial/modern/yet warm environment. definitely worth going back again - might be a lil' choosier w/ what we pick from the menu. loved that portion sizes are modest.
(3)Stephanie Y.
Great food, reasonable prices, and great service. I started with the homemade strawberry rhubarb soda. It was so refreshing. The swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts were absolutely delicious. The Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato (more traditional) were also delicious, but not as good as the swordfish meatballs. The fettuccine with corn and scallions and the spaghetti with chilies and parmesan were both delicious. The pastas were perfectly sized portions for one person if you also get an appetizer. I ordered one appetizer and one pasta, and I was full when I left. Definitely not the best Vetri restaurant, but I would return.
(4)Stefanie A.
I was thrilled when a date made a reservation at Amis. I had wanted to go for awhile, but it's not cheap, or easy to get into. After dining there, I realize why--excellent service, large menu, transporting food, and a great atmosphere (though strangely, they were playing 80s music. But I digress...) We had read on chef's feed that the swordfish meatballs were exceptional, and while I was was less than excited for them, they were amazing. We were sad there were just 3. The braised calamari was tender, and swimming in a brown/red sauce that was a bit fishy, but in a good way. And it was served with toasty bread. Sweatbreads were a little too fried for my taste but dusted in a tasty almond coating so the tempura was nicely complimented. And you should not miss the veal rago pasta, which was perfectly seasoned. The cacio e pepe was the only disappointment, in a thick creamy sauce which was slightly tasteless. But if you do dessert--if you have room after the rich food--the rice pudding, which I'm typically not a fan of, was smooth, creamy, and covered with a cheery sauce which was equally sour and sweet. Our server was friendly as was host staff leading to a warm atmosphere. I ca't wait to go back and try more of the amazing-looking menu items.
(5)Ivan C.
cool atmosphere, great drinks however mediocre salty food
(3)Emily C.
Ancinis were good. Eggplant caponata was good. Eh, neither were outrageous, just good. I had the cacio e pepe, which after hearing all the great reviews, I was not terribly impressed with... and this is a classic Italian dish that I was really looking forward to! Was it a fluke, was it me? It seemed a little more like it was coated with heavy alfredo sauce rather then high quality pecorino and cracked pepper. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente though. THE GOOD: my boyfriend's ravioli with spring onions was TO DIE FOR! I could have eaten that all night, seriously... simple, light, and DELICIOUS! The perfect summer ravioli. Strangely (and because he loves his jarred alfredo sauce), he actually thought my cacio e pepe was better. What we should have done was simply switch meals and everything would have been perfect. MUST HAVE: The salted buttercream ice cream!
(4)Sara L.
LOVED it! Came twice--once with the girls and once with a large family party. Amis was super nice and patient with both groups. The friends and fam both are full of special requests and dietary restrictions. The fam was particularly challenging--one shellfish allergy, one vegetarian, one no tomatoes/acid, and one no fat eater (at an italian restaurant)! We started with some amazing onion focaccia that comes to the table. Everyone gobbled it down and looked for seconds. For drinks we tried the punch and the house wine (red and white). The punch was excellent, lemony and fresh tasting. Everyone of the picky people also liked the red wine. A nice carafe for sharing. We licked the ricotta bowl clean, ordered a second round of eggplant, and each had our own personal artichoke. Because sharing fried artichokes doesn't work. Also on the plus side: the coppa salami with hazelnut honey and the cheese selection. We tried the brown butter polenta which was good but not amazing (very polenta-y). For dinner, the lamb was amazing, also the vegetable plate and the tonnarelli pepper and cheese pasta. Desserts were less impressive to me overall, but still good. Really enjoyed it!
(5)Michelle K.
My expectations were high and they were not met. I ordered the polenta and it was BLAND. I also had 2 pasta dishes the gnocchi and cannelloni, both were very average. For dessert the waffle w ice cream was good, that was probably the best dish. The service was great but the food was very average and overpriced. I dont think I would go back to eat .
(3)Liz M.
I absolutely adore this place. Favorites are the grilled artichokes, the pasta with fresh corn, and the most tender rosemary chicken you can imagine. For desert, try the rice pudding. It might be the best I've ever had. The staff is warm and welcoming--Amanda is our favorite, so nice--and the atmosphere is lively without being too loud. We enjoy sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen so we can watch the chefs do their thing. A lovely restaurant all around.
(5)Rachel S.
Amazing food, great service, fun atmosphere..... Vetri does it again!
(5)Joe R.
Made my first visit to Amis on 1/2/11. Totally enjoyed my meal and atmosphere. For starters my companion and I shared the shaved vegetable salad. It was very tasty. Had the persimmon and fennel lasagna with a side of roasted squash for my entree. Both were excellent. Finished it off with the apple cake which also was great. Can't wait to go back.
(5)E.J. C.
Amis is a fantastic Italian restaurant and a great addition to the Vetri family of restaurants. The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is helpful, and the food is mouth watering. The decor of the restaurant is a mix of rustic and industrial. And it is always nice when there is an open kitchen. It can get a little loud, but not to the point that you can't hear the other members of your party. The waitress was very nice and helpful. She guided us to some of her favorite dishes, and never steered us wrong. The food really is that good. The bruschetta is a delightful start to the meal. The ricotta is creamy and finished nicely with olive oil and black pepper. The eggplant has nice big chunks and spreads well onto the grilled bread. For antipasti, the mussels are cooked in a great broth. Make sure to get some extra bed to sop it up. The pastas are homemade and cooked well. The tonorelli with pecorino and pepper is great to share for an appetizer. The pacherri with swordfish comes out like a present, topped with eggplant fries that I wish I could have had a whole bowl of. For entrees, the turkey milanese is delicious. It is pounded flat, comes out hot and crispy, and paired with an arugula salad. The daily special ribs were tasty, with a glaze that made a nice bark on the rib. The mixed seafood grill is good if you want something on the lighter side. And for dessert, you must get the polenta shortcake with strawberries and salted butter semifredo. The shortcake and the strawberries are delicious by themselves, but the semifredo elevates the dish. The price point isn't that bad, especially when compared to other Italian restaurants in the city. Can't wait to go back and try the other dishes.
(5)Mark D.
Great place! Little plates are spectacular and it fits perfectly between his Marc Vetri's two other restaurants. My favorite thing is to get an assortment of 4-5 little plates and make that dinner. Also has a really good bar.
(5)Ronald S.
Am I going to learn to love you? You aren't cheap and you aren't dirty. It's not a love at first sight type of thing but maybe, just maybe.
(4)David Z.
Stopped in last minute on a Friday. We sat at the bar. The menu was interesting. The service was great. Apparently the second course took longer that it should have even though we didn't even notice so they brought s a complimentary bruschetta. It was a very nice gesture. They also had a great selection of interesting cocktails. This place was packed by 6 pm.
(4)John K.
Feel free to check out the blog for some more deetz on Amis and the Chef, but I'm sure we're here for the food. So let's get on with it! The restaurants features something called Beast of Amis, a nightly round of specials that showcases different parts of an animal in a variety of dishes. Tonight's special was pork three ways. Unfortunately, in an effort to showcase some a la carte dishes, the GF and I decided to pass. Still, if there was a pork belly special on hand, I'm sure I would have been tempted. Blood and Soda [$11] Famous Grouse, cherry herring, vermouth I started off the night with this scotch-based drink. For those that are interested in entering into the realm of whiskey, this is a great entry course. Light, refreshing, and bright, the cherry liqueur came through on the finish nicely. Easy drinking. Mandoria [$11] Tito's handmade vodka, amaretto, pineapple The GF's drink offered even easier drinking. The amaretto brought forth soothing undertones of sweetness with the pineapple providing brightness. The vodka was easily masked, but definitely there. Bread Service Our night's indulgence started off with incredible olive oil focaccia. Light and airy within, the exterior had a crispy crust laden with sea salt. It took all I had not to get up and attack the whole house-made loaf being portioned out for the evening's diners by the server's station. Come for the bread alone. Seriously - it's that good. No accoutrements needed here. Eggplant Caponata [$8] In line with our eggplant kick (at least one of our weekly dinners involves l'aubergine), we had to get the caponata. It came with four slices of grilled, buttery sesame-crusted bread. A perfect vehicle for the smooth, savory eggplant. Certainly a contrast in textures as well as temperatures, with the caponata being served appropriately cold. Bufala Mozzarella [$12] Charred asparagus, mint, pickled red onions The mozz was expectedly creamy and rich, with the charred asparagus offering a bit of texture. The pickled onion and vinegary base provided the necessary hit of acid. It's clear that the quality of the ingredients are there, but it truly is the sum of the parts that make each bite perfect. Salami del Giorno [$8] Onion marmalade House-made salumi (crafted over in a room at Vetri Ristorante no less!) came complimentary from the kitchen. And I'm glad it did - mainly because it's now a must-order. The salumi were sliced gossamer thin - cleanly flavored and nicely complimented by the sweet onion marmalade. The quality is evident here, unadulterated by much else. I couldn't help but think about the next Vetri-Spence-Michaud venture however. Vetri-wich anyone? (Craftwich ... Grahamwich ... you get the drift). Fried Cauliflower [$9] Pecorino, salsa rossa The GF has really been in the mood for cauliflower so we decided to get this dish. The cauliflower were crispy, yet incredibly meaty and not greasy at all. It's definitely well-seasoned with the salty pecorino and salsa rossa adding extra layers of flavors. It was a good dish to alternate with the sweetness of the salumi and onion marmalade or the creamy-vinegar juxtaposition of the bufala mozz. Arancini [$12] Short rib ragu, truffle pecorino Starting to make our way into some of the pastas, we had to get the arancini. These were deftly made - crispy on the outside, yielding to a creamy interior filled a surprisingly mild pit of cheese. In fact, at first I thought it was a bit bland, but it completely made sense when paired with the bed of well-seasoned short rib ragu. Pappardelle [$16] Smoked guanciale, parsnips For our first pasta proper, we went with the pappardelle. The GF was sold on the parsnips and for me, how can I say no to guanciale? The fresh pasta had bite and was not drenched, but perfectly coated in the sauce. While the GF was begging for more of the parsnip, the pork jowl/cheeks were incredibly smoky and offered the heft and salt that each bite richly deserved. Spinach Lasagna [$16] Veal bolognese We were getting full at this point, but this next dish came out, compliments of the kitchen again. While the previous pasta was great, clearly the chefs know how to order better than I. In fact, I may just have the kitchen order up my entire next meal. Basically, if you see spinach-pasta dish on a Vetri menu, you should probably just order it. I mean, we all know about the incredible spinach gnocchi at Vetri Ristorante, but this lasagna certainly holds its own. In fact, you could taste each individual layer that at one point I thought I was eating a large raviolo, infused with delicate spinach flavors. The exterior was so deftly crisped that it was like eating well-seasoned fried cheese with the veal bolognese adding an extra layer of sweet savoriness. Definitely a favorite of the night. *** TO BE CONTINUED ***
(5)Gino C.
Amis is in my Top 3 of Philadelphia restaurants! Marc Vetri does his homework visiting Italy for recipes, ingredients and decor style, and it shows. Take it from a guy named Gino Giuseppe, this place is *authentic*. The menu is arranged in such a way that you eat many courses and share small plates, just like it's done in the "old country." It's great for sampling all the original offerings -- I'll suggest Sal's famous meatballs and the eggplant fries as a few of my favorites. I've sat at the bar for a glass of wine and a few small plates during happy hour and sat outside for a special occasion dinner complete with a bottle of wine, and Amis is perfect for both. The service is always spot on. There is an open kitchen in the back of the restaurant with bar seating if you'd like to watch your meal as it's made. It's a nice touch and adds to the casual atmosphere, but the kitchen can get a bit loud during busy dinner hours. Amis means "to be fond of" or "love" in Italian, which is very apropos of my feelings towards this gem! Ciao mon ami!
(5)Fiona L.
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!! I came here about four months ago, and I honestly don't remember what I ate or drank. It's a blur. I ONLY remember that I had a DELICIOUS DINNER and LOVELY night at the Amis. Amis has a very similar ambiance as Vernick and Rough. All are very romantic and dimly lit, which is perfect for dates!! Also, they are more on the upscale side, but I find Amis more young and lively (or maybe that's because we were sitting by the bar area). Again, we ordered two appetizers. One of them was the fried potatoes. It was okay in compared to Vernick's potatoes. These potatoes were cut too largely, so it wasn't as crunchy and was more starchy (potato-y). Also, with the great amount of starch, it fills you up quickly even though it's only an appetizer. For the main course, I got an order of pasta with little chunks of meat. I CANNOT RECALL the name of the pasta, but it was SO PERFECT! I usually never finish my pastas, but I FINISHED it! I almost wanted to eat the plate too....but my date stopped me. The pasta was cooked to the right hardness, about a minute passed al dente. Soft enough but not too soft giving a bouncy feel. The sauce - tomato, meat, and cheese - was in great proportions creating a satisfying and comforting meal! The BEST was the alcoholic drink. Again, I don't remember the name of the cocktail because the waitress recommended it, and with all those Italian names that I cannot even pronounce, it's hard to remember the names. The drinks was PINKish-RED. First I was given a glass of (I forgot what color) wine or champagne. Then, I got a side of sugary, shaved ice looking like type of thing that I added to the glass. That unknown substance was delicious! It made the drink sweet but alcohol, which is EXACTLY what I wanted. Besides the food, the ambiance is awesome! Upscale, romantic, yet relaxing. Also, the server knew the menu very well and gave very good recommendations! I would totally come here again to try something knew plus find out those names of the dishes!
(5)Lindsay D.
It's rare that a restaurant achieves 5 stars on all levels, but Amis is firing on all cylinders bringing their A game every.single.time. We've been here twice in the past 3 weeks and both times requested the chefs table. There is something exhilarating watching a true Chef command his kitchen. Ned is a pro, but I imagine it fairly easy when your team consists of competent, talented, awesome people! I have to mention Arturo, I don't know his "real" title, but he's food expediter extraordinaire! This man never flusters, whisks plates away as soon as they hit the counter and can call out tickets like a boss. It's really amazing to watch this crew prepare and create....sit at the chefs table. We do go for the food too...everything is super fresh, perfectly seasoned, uniquely crafted and just god damned delicious! Some of our favorites and must haves include the escarole salad, whipped ricotta, meatballs, the jalapeño pasta and then usually whatever the "beast of the week" is. Ask Ned about the Mortadella, he's got a proud story for you. The adult version of bologna does NOT disappoint. Gone are the days of pairing it with cheese and white bread....these creative geniuses pair it with a hazelnut honey situation that will change your life. Leave room for desert or don't and order it anyway. They make a nutella waffle ensemble that makes you think about it even when you're not there. OR the rice pudding. It's not just "rice pudding", it's RICE PUDDING...I will fight you for a spoonful if you've got leftovers. Amis knows how to craft and present their cocktails as well. No matter how busy, our drinks are accurate, cold and delicious! We are always treated like we're the only people in the place, Jen, one of the managers, has a way of making you feel like you belong right where you are and makes sure every single thing is enjoyable. She's a gem to see when we go in. I love Amis, can you tell? If their pastas, small plates and beast of the week creations were carb friendly, fat free and minimal calories we would be in at least twice a week. True story. Make yourself a reservation....You're welcome.
(5)Smrithi D.
I couldn't wait to try the Marc Vetri restaurants when i moved here and this is one of my firsts. The ambiance is casual yet nice enough for a fancy date. I called ahead to make reservations for a weekend night and there was no wait. The bread was freshly cut and service was great! The swordfish meatballs are a must try (as everyone else below me said) and I normally dont touch meat but decided to go for a bite. Didint disappoint. The pasta dishes were nothing special but still very well made with delightful little additions. Overall, pretty awesome place but I dont know if its one I'd frequent.
(4)John D.
We came to Amis coz of Marc Vetri and Brad Spence, with high expectations, but left a bit disappointed. The interiors are classy even the noise level is over the top. The house made rhubarb strawberry soda was pretty good. The salami platter was good but it was a lot of sweet accompanying the meats with no piece of crunchy toast (maybe an in house bread). The Cacio e Pepe was, unfortunately, a travesty. The pasta, which was pretty good, was ladled in some cheese sauce which had a very grainy texture and grated Parmesan. I'm afraid to say we might not be back soon.
(3)Meg k.
We went for dinner with high expectations but were disappointed with the food. Ordered the combination salumi platter, quail antipasti and cacio e Pepe pasta. Quality of salumi was good but the plate was unimaginative. Left us wanting for some cheese or pickled veggies. And overall too sweet. Quail again was cooked well but came with cornmeal and cherry(?) sauce.. Nothing that wowed the palette. Cacio e Pepe was dense and Parmesan that became a cheese sauce making the pasta too heavy. Was expecting clean, fresh flavors overall from a restaurant this caliber, unfortunately it falls short. Liked the ambience (loud but it was appropriate) and service.
(3)Jay D.
We took friends from out of town here last weekend. We've been to Amis at least five times in the past few years and have typically enjoyed our experience quite a bit. This was the exception. We all ordered a glass of wine or cocktail on the server's first pass. On their second pass, we ordered five small plates to start. The server awkwardly encouraged us to order larger plates at the same time. When we declined he stated that would then lead to a lag in service as the larger plates would arrive later than had they been ordered along with the small plates. Thanks for your subjective education on kitchen turnarounds at Amis. We received our small plates and again were asked if we were ready to order larger plates before we'd had a chance to even spoon any of it onto our plates. Again we declined, but ordered another round of drinks. When we were about halfway through our small plates the server returned. By now his actions had really begun to take over our meal. Our conversations revolved around rarely having had a server act this way, etc. Once we'd finished our small plates we were ready to decide on large plates. We typically would have ordered dessert but wanted to remove ourselves from this experience as soon as possible. Our bill was just shy of $300. This is $300 we will gladly spend at other restaurants of similar menus around this great city of Phiadelphia. Restaurants where management has instilled a strong foundation of placing a guest's experience paramount. When this is the case, the dollars will roll in naturally and the tables turn themselves.
(3)Nicole E.
Amazing! Went here for dinner tonight and the menu had so many delicious sounding options. I tried two appetizers and a pasta and loved it all. The staff was friendly and prompt, the atmosphere warm (which was great on such a cold night).
(5)Pamela N.
Incredibly delicious! All those reviews about pecorino cheese with toasted almonds and honey are true! Excellent cheese with amazing flavor added to it! Bucatini pasta is the bomb! Much better than the cacci i pepe vegetarian folk! Carafe of table wine! Awesome!
(5)Sarah P.
My friend and fellow yelper Justyn W. recently landed a dream job in San Francisco and we went here to celebrate and send him off in style. Amis was the perfect place to ball out. I typically am pretty frugal, so I was absolutely soaking in the classy-casual atmosphere and feeling glamorous. Amis is upscale without being stuffy or pretentious. The food is high quality and fresh. Slam dunk items are the baked pecorino with almond honey and the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. I absolutely recommend you try them. The pecorino is just so gooey and decadent when portioned out onto a crispy piece of bread. The bucatini highlights the unparalleled quality of pasta at Vetri's restaurants- fresh and perfectly chewy. The jalapeno flavor is mild, so even people who are spice averse will enjoy this special and memorable dish. The buffala ricotta and black pepper bruchetta was also excellent: rich, but a bit lighter than the pecorino. The brussels sprouts were yummy, but they were a bit oversalted, which had me chugging water to clear my palate. Still, just a small complaint in the context of an otherwise flawless meal. I also stole a bite of Justyn's "cacio e pepe", and the pasta was super fresh. The Amis cocktail went down easy, and I had to impose a limit on myself so I didn't keep ordering them! At the end of the meal, our waiter brought out a complimentary slice of tiramisu since we mentioned we were there for a celebration! Such a nice touch to end a very fun night. We went late on a Wednesday night, so there wasn't a wait, but I'd definitely recommend making a reservation if you come on a Thursday-Sunday night, because it gets packed.
(5)Loren Y.
Fantastic! Had an amazing birthday dinner here with my mom last night. The prosecco was crisp, the appetizers were portioned perfectly and the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper was delicious! We split everything and it was the perfect amount of food. Our waiter was beyond accommodating (I forget his name, ugh I suck) and even provided us with a complimentary dessert for my birthday. I was totally surprised and very gracious. We didn't feel rushed at all and could take our time just chatting and drinking before even ordering our appetizers. Each plate that arrived at our table was timed perfectly. Would absolutely come back again. Thanks, Amis!
(5)Emily H.
This place is definitely a neighborhood gem. I went here for my mom's birthday yesterday and everything was absolutely delightful from the food to the service to the ambiance. Our waiter was very knowledgable about the menu and made sure we had everything we needed at all times. We didn't even tell him it was my mom's birthday and just by noticing her opening gifts, he brought out a cup of ice cream with a candle in it at the end of the meal which was more than thoughtful. The food was reasonably priced - of course we got lot of food so it added up but I would definitely recommend going here for a nice evening out. The focaccia bread that they give you in the beginning was probably the best bread I've ever had... We got swordfish meatballs, fried cauliflower and grilled shrimp to start and then I got the monkfish (which I had never had before but loved - it was in a lemon butter herb sauce) and split the cacio de pepe pasta with my sister. It was more than enough food but I couldn't resist getting a cappuccino at the end which was also delicious. I have nothing but good things to say and would love to come back!
(5)Sumera K.
I have come here for drinks and dinner a few times over the years. Most recently visited on a Saturday night two weeks ago. Originally, I had made reservations for a party of two, but then added additional people to our party...and surprisingly, there wasn't a problem. Yay! I'm a big fan of places with great customer service. score. Had the eggplant caponata, roasted lamb, roasted mushrooms...all paired with a bottle of red. Everything was delicious except for the lamb. It was very dry and a bit overly salted. Overall, Amis is a great go-to and on point. The ambiance is seductive, has great service and delicious flavors...GO!
(4)Ryan B.
Note: This is not a review of the food or dining experience. I live in California while my brother lives in the Philadelphia area. As a gift, I decided to purchase a gift certificate to a nice restaurant in Philly. In searching online, I came across Amis and liked what I saw. I called yesterday evening to purchase the gift certificate and was told that I needed to call back later after the Friday evening dinner service to purchase the gift certificate as they were too busy to take the order. I was surprised, but didn't think too much of it. I called back 2 hours later and had to leave a phone message. I asked for a call back, but never received one. I called again this evening and was told the same thing. I'm an independent business owner and I find it shocking that these people can't take a handful of minutes out of the evening to run my credit card and take down some order details. Nor are they willing to call me back during a less busy time of the day or answer a call at a time of their own specification. This is poor service plain and simple.
(1)Lisa K.
Our server Jesse was great and had some great suggestions We stuck with the small plates and will have to go back again to go with the larger plates at a future date Our favorites included the salumi plate baked pecorino (amazing!) and sweetbreads. We also had the swordfish and regular meatballs. Neither of us liked the swordfish meatballs and the regular meatballs were ok. If you want meatballs go somewhere else Our server noticed we did not touch the swordfish meatballs and without asking it was removed from our bill. We did not expect them to remove the charge as sometimes personal taste does not mean something is bad just wasn't for us. Great gesture on their part and probably would have us go back Nice wine options and even gave us a few tastings to help us choose a bottle . Dessert was great as well, so save room. (rice pudding is home made!) Yes it is loud and crowded but we enjoyed ourselves and didn't have to worry if we were being to loud.
(4)Heather H.
I've been here a few times for dinner and always a delight. Recently, I came here with a group of girlfriends for brunch. Also tasty times. What I love is the service. I ordered a brunch pasta dish... Duck something something. I love duck, but when I got my dish, it tasted like fish. Like really fishy. I rarely send anything back but this time I did. The server apologized, brought me a salad on-the-house to nipple while my friends ate their main dishes. He came back with my new order which was yummers. What I loved is that the chefs tried my fishy dish, rejected it and knew exactly what went wrong. They wanted to be sure that they made things correctly every time and took comments to heart in order to make them better. Someone accidentally added sardine sauce! Oops. Things happen. They made it better.
(5)Matthew H.
Made some reservations here for a birthday and since it is a member of the Vetri family I had no doubt that it would be good. The space is very nice and it looks to be a converted warehouse. The noise level is a little high due to the fact that you are in a wide open space and there doesn't seem to be any noise buffets anywhere but oh well. We had 5 of us which allowed us to order a wide variety of things. Everything was extremely good and my only complaint is that we didn't order more. The appetizers that we started off with were the veal tartare (the weekend special), the cockles with corn and chorizo, the swordfish meatballs on polenta (super awesome and interesting, get these), the pork belly with stone fruit (very nice contrast in flavors), and the baked pecorino with almond honey. The bread was legit and looked like it was Luscio's to me so you know it's good. The broth for the cockles was good for dipping the bread in. The veal tartare was just killer, beyond tender and super tasty, I wish I had it sitting in front of me now. For entrees we ordered a few orders of the tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper which had a sauce that was similar to alfredo but not as heavy. For those of you who don't know, Amis is Vetri's more pasta focused outpost and it shows the pasta is just stellar, we will be back for more of this and to really compare it to Mercato. We also ordered 2 orders of the lamb shoulder with potatoes and also a pork chop cooked medium rare. A few other things, if you aren't familiar with Verti's love of brining meats I am telling you about them now. This man knows what he is doing, most of these meats are brined for at least 3 days which is 2 more than you will find in 99% of other places. Because of that the meat takes on a totally new flavor and the brine doesn't just change the flavor it adds to it. The lamb was unreal, they roast the shoulder after brining it then shred it then make a nice steak and throw it on the flat top to get it hot again and crisp up the outside, just super enjoyable to eat and the flavors are awesome. The pork chop was at least an inch thick and cooked to order, medium rare. Again the brine does nothing but add flavor and it tasted as though there was a maple syrup glaze put on it before it went on the grill. Regardless Vetri and Brad Spence have shown yet again why we love them so much, they know their meats. We will be back to try more pastas as well as the desserts. If you haven't gone yet, go.
(5)Chris C.
Came here a few weeks ago for my friend's birthday with his wife and two children. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers, pastas, side dishes and desserts, but what stood out the most were the meatballs (courtesy of the house), duck sausage and pork chop (one of the best pork dishes I have ever eaten). However extraordinary the food, the service was even better. The staff at Amis went above and beyond to serve us and make my friend's night special. I was sincerely touched by the consideration and concern the restaurant showed towards us, in a way that I rarely ever see. Thank you, Amis.
(5)C K.
Came here for dinner and left full and happy. A breakdown of what we ordered: Pecorino with almond honey - highlight appetizer, what a great combination of sweet and savory. Wish they gave more than 2 small pieces of toast to scoop up all of this deliciousness. Swordfish meatballs - wonderfully salty and tender. Salumi del giorno with onion marmalade - was disappointed in the salumi, was not what I expected. Was hoping the salumi would be more salty, and the marmalade was a little overpowering. Tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper - so simple and delicious. The pasta was cooked to absolute perfection. The little bit of cracked black pepper gave it a kick. Could eat this every day, would never get sick of it. Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto - this dish was my favorite of the night - so different and unexpected combo of ingredients, but it really works. The jalapeno gives this dish a spicy kick that lingers and the almond bits gives you the crunch. Amis gets 5 stars for their pasta alone. The best pasta that I have ever eaten. Our waiter was also really great. Only complaint is that the tables are very close to each other so you can hear everything your neighbors are saying.
(5)Derek W.
The verdict is in: converted warehouse spaces are perfect settings for restaurants. Here, the wide open and light-filled dining room with simple but sublime decor and a convivial ambiance translates into a gorgeous overall aesthetic that challenges the chef to create innovative, delicious, and beautiful food. Thankfully the chef is more than fit for the challenge. The good vibes started early on, as we walked up the leafy block of South 13th Street and into this handsome, post-industrial brick building. The first thing that hit the table were four freshly-baked, glistening slices of olive oil focaccia. As our uber-chill server presented the bread, I thought to myself...doesn't all focaccia have olive oil? How is this so different, special? The answer came back instantly: this is focaccia 2.0, maybe even 3.0. The olive oil permeates every micro-nook in the bread, crust to center, and the server explained that they continuously bathe with the oil as it bakes. With nothing else, one would have a satisfying feast, but there was so much more. The buffalo mozzarella with charred asparagus, mint, and pickled red onions was an obvious starter choice, despite the presence of other very tempting options. Everything came together nicely in a rich and diverse palette of flavors, and the buffalo mozzarella, often hard to find, was a rare treat. I would have appreciated a bit more asparagus, but alas, perfection is elusive. The pasta menu stumped us profoundly, as every dish, plus the two specials of the evening, were order-worthy. We relinquished control to our server, a decision that proved genius. The bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto was a harmonious convergence of nutty and spicy, the latter taste somewhat muted as the peppers were cooked down to a modest mellowness. The fettuccine with guinea hen ragu and snap peas featured delicately braised meat and very thin, homemade noodles, delivering a light and deeply satisfying dish. We made the brilliant decision to pair the pasta with fried Brussels sprouts with lemon. The result was a huge bowl of impeccably cooked, not too greasy, subtly tart sprouts: yet another example of how 21st century chefs have fully resuscitated the reputation of this previously ostracized vegetable. The grand finale of the evening was an extraordinarily rich salted butter semifreddo with rhubarb marmalade and sbrisailona, a crumbly almond cake that likely makes few if any appearances on contemporary American menus (a shame). Our sense of the semifreddo's richness was undoubtedly increased by our realization that it tasted almost exactly like straight softened butter. Along with the semifreddo, our new amis at Amis brought us Mom-Mom's rice pudding, a splendid and creamy rendition of an old favorite, topped with figs, pistachios, and other delights.
(5)Jen L.
I have been here twice with a group of co-workers, and I will summarize our experience with this: great food, not the best for being able to hear the person sitting two chairs down from you. It's a bustling place with attentive service and a menu that will have something for everyone. Notable dishes: Mortadella with hazelnut honey Pecorino with almond honey Swordfish meatballs Monkfish Branzino (maybe skip the beef, it was over-seasoned)
(4)Steve S.
My First dinner in Philadelphia was awesome. I was watching Unique Eats on the Food channel and they did a feature on Amis. I was going to Philadelphia in two weeks so I bookmarked it. Wow, good thing I did. The food here is awesome. We got there at 7 pm without reservation, they were packed, but I mentioned we were visiting from California and they found us a table. Woo hoo. The place is on the small side & was dimly lit. Instrument music was playing in the background. Echoes of conversations reverberating around the restaurant. Really good ambiance. The service was on point. He knew it was our first time and was very patient in explaining the menu (we had a lot of questions). He gave us time to look through the menu & was very good with recommendations. Here's the rundown of what we got. My coworker & I shared 2 appetizers. Pork Belly Special Antipasti - delicious. It was only two pieces though, but really good. It was accompanied by grilled broccoli florets and parmesan shavings. The broccoli was on the burnt side but it was so good. I'm not sure if the burnt pieces was intentional or not, but it worked. Mussels w/ Leeks & Fried Long Hots: So Delicious. Mussels were perfectly cooked. The white wine sauce was just out of bounds good. This dish came with garlic toast. Dipping the toast in that sauce was just so gooooood. Highly recommend this dish. My coworker got the Chicken Spiedini w/ Apple Mostarda & Arugula. Another winner. The chicken was just so juicy and very tasty. But the apple mostarda & arugula took this dish to another level. My coworker gave me half a skewer of this dish and I wanted more lol. Chicken is the last thing I would have ordered at this place, boy was I wrong. Delicious chicken dish. I got the Pappardelle w/ Oxtail Ragu & Pears: Super dish. Pappardelle was cooked perfectly. The oxtail ragu was so tender and delicious. The pear was sneaky good. You would get a piece of pear and the taste would completely change. Yum yum yum. We were stuffed, we told our waiter (Jesse) we would pass on dessert. What did he do, he brings over a big chunk of Tiramisu (which was the special dessert of the day, was not on the menu) brownie points check. The tiramisu was so flavorful. I was stuffed, but there is always room for jello... Lol We were so stuffed, we decided to walk the mile & a half back to the hotel. We needed the walk in the freezing cold to work some of the calories out. Great Food, Great Service & Great Atmosphere. This is a 5 star PLUS rating from me. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Carla J.
When I go out to eat, I want to feel like I am getting what I pay for! Absolutely amazing food, service and just a top notch restaurant! For a Wednesday night, it was so crowded! Make your reservations now!!! That should tell you how awesome this place is! We sat at the Kitchen bar which added to the fun! Just watching the chefs Jack and Alex working together was great and makes you want to try everything! Swordfish meatballs, cauliflower, and a cheese dish with toast! Fantastic. Now the others ate the Veal tongue- and raved about it. I got the striploin for dinner (OMG!!) and yes they talked us into dessert! Tiramisu was light and topped off the night perfectly! Vetri did it again! just a fantastic night out! Thanks to all at Amis for making our night so awesome! , We will be back to see you soon!
(5)Beth R.
Appetizers were delicious especially the honey baked pecorino and the ricotta bruschetta. Bronzino was wonderful. Swordfish meatballs were also tasty but the polenta it was served on was not good. Giving it 3 stars because of the service. Took a long time to get our drinks and bread for the table. Also the staff gave our dishes and drinks to the wrong people and for such a pricey dinner I think they should have known who was getting what.
(3)Harriet J.
Came to brunch for a friend's birthday and loved the ambience/ decor of the place but unfortunately food was just average. Would be down to come again for dinner/drinks in the future.
(3)Vicki O.
Outstanding food and service. Went to brunch. Everything delicious. Each dish better than the previous. Started with bread selection. Fresh and tasty. Apple jam spread nice touch. Next polenta - well prepared noodles and awesome sauce. Would have licked the plate. Always love to try scrapple and am usually disappointed - this restaurant did not disappoint. Scrapple was delicious and perfectly prepared. Slightly crispy on outside and soft on inside. Main courses were gnocchi with sausage and Jersey cannonball with arugula. We shared. Both Excellent! Finished meal with hazelnut waffle (shared) another delicious selection. Coffee is great - strong and fresh. Looking forward to returning for dinner. Nice atmosphere. Highly recommend this gem.
(5)Michael C.
Went here last week! Baked pecorino with almond honey is to die for ! Should have gotten 2 orders! Did not want to share! The bucatini with almond pesto and jalapeños is great also another winner from Marc Vetri
(5)Karen S.
In the past few years I have dined often enough at Amis. I almost always sit at the bar and I honestly have never had anything less than an amazing experience. Most recently, I took myself on a date: dinner at Amis and a great football game with other rowdy fans. It was a Monday. I wouldn't say I dine solo often but I have done it enough times to have felt uncomfortable in a space and to also feel totally at home. The staff at Amis made me feel quite special this night and so I just had to write this review. The food at Amis to me is always delicious. A few times dishes have been slightly salty but I can deal with that. This particular night I ordered just two plates and a cocktail. The staff brought me an extra plate for no particular reason (except maybe because I was solo) and all three were extraordinary. I gobbled up every last bite. But the service in particular this night was perfect. The bartender was ever attentive but not overwhelmingly so. When you dine alone, this is crucial. You want slightly more attention than if you are in a group but not so much so that it draws attention to the fact that you are alone. This bartender really just nailed it and I'm so appreciative that there are others in this world that are aware of and possess the capability to provide a level of service that is intuitive. Thank you for what you do!
(5)Anish R.
Great place to take for a fancy date night. Strongly encourage calling ahead of time. The bread was fresh and tasted amazing each time ( I had to call for seconds!) The swordfish meatballs were a great way to start the meals. For dinner I had a sweet corn pasta type dish that was seasonal (late review I had this in the beginning of October) which was also great. A little pricey, but great night time dinner atmosphere on a Friday night.
(4)Yvonne L.
Nice ambience and locale. Reservations needed. Food was above average, quick service. Sometimes way too quick, the waitress hardly gave us time to dig in to our dishes and she was already asking us how it was! Starters of meatball and fried cauliflower were great. Seconds pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto had an awesome al dente texture but the sauce was a little meh (couldn't tell what the flavor was). Scallops were good and the chocolate dessert was delicious. I would repeat!
(4)Sonia P.
Awesome dining experience in Philly! Be sure to make a reservation at Amis - the restaurant was still packed during our 9:15pm reservation on a Saturday night and remained full throughout dinner. I was slightly confused when I heard the name because "amis" is "friends" in French and originally assumed it was a French restaurant, but Amis actually serves unique, upscale Italian dishes - and they do it damn well. Starters: eggplant caponata bruschetta (fantastic flavor, I could have eaten it by the bowlful) and arancini with braised meat (I still prefer a classic marinara sauce, but the ragu paired with the rice fritters is a nice twist). Pastas: spinach lasagna with veal Bolognese looks small at first, but it's the perfect portion of homemade spinach pasta with rich meat sauce. I had my first experience with squid ink pasta (pasta special that night). The pasta tasted slightly briny from the squid ink and there were tons of jumbo lump crab meat throughout the gorgeous, inky, black strands of pasta = the absolute perfect seafood dish, I adored every bite. The "tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut dessert looked like a giant chocolate Baci bomb - as a major lover of all things chocolate, I approve! Service at Amis is on point, prices are reasonable, nice options for alcohol, ambiance is lively, modern, hip, and I'm a big fan of the open kitchen. I would totally return here during my next trip to Philly.
(4)Dushyanth S.
Oh my god! The definition of delicious was created by food tasted here. My fiance and I got the jalapeño bucatini twice! So freakin out of this world! I am not a huge fan of Italian food but this is just so delicious! The meatballs were soooo good. Oh even the bread was delicious. If any of you reading this is visiting philadelphia, please DONOT leave without trying this place. Oh and for the wonderful residents of the city of brotherly love, come try it.
(5)Joe A.
I was looking forward to eating here but was very disappointed by the food. I ordered Caci and pepi pasta which is very simple to make but it was incredibly salty. I never send food back but this time I had to send it back because it was inedible. They made a second dish and it was still inedible. Someone has a very heavy hand on the salt or the cheese was incredibly salty. The server was very helpful trying to remedy the situation but it was very disappointed.
(1)Meredith B.
Last night I finally made it to Amis and I regret it took this long. Everything was outstanding. It was a perfect girls night, myself and one other friend. We sat at the kitchen table overlooking the whole kitchen. Our server (Lindsay) was a rockstar. I thought she was awesome. We ordered: Stracciatella with sweet onion marmalade - sitting at the kitchen table we saw this made time after time. so we ordered it. it's soft lovely milky cheese with a sweet onion marmalade that goes perfectly on top of grilled bread slices. Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - Why don't my meatballs taste anything like these? These meatballs are amazing and yet not heavy or cheesy. The only way to describe them is flavorful, not heavy and not dark... not sure if that makes sense. I felt like they were light meat not dark... I could totally be making this up but that's what I was thinking as I was scarfing them down. The tomato and potato puree accompanied them well. Arancini with short rib ragu and truffle pecerino - I'm not one to typically go for arancini but I do understand their appeal and I can respect a good one when I have one... this was a good one. I need to mention the short rib ragu that comes with this makes me want to come back and see what pasta dishes might also have the short rib ragu with it. The balls were nicely cooked with a cheese center. Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - Yes. Just do it. Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts - I'm going to be dreaming of these for the next few nights. I might start looking up recipes for when I have dinner parties. I forget the cocktail we had but I highly suggest starting your night off with one of them. Ah yes now I see it we had the Alto (prosecco/ginger/blood orange bitters). It is a great cocktail that starts the meal off right. All in all I believe this experience put Amis on the top of my Vetri restaurants. Service, Food, Drinks everything... homerun.
(5)Evelyn J.
I have been here for dinner a bunch and I absolutely love it. Today I went for brunch and it was amazing! I got the rigatoni with sausage and my friend got the Belgium waffle. They also brought out the duck bolognese from the kitchen on the house because my friend is there almost every week. All three were fantastic- I can honestly say that the waffle was the best thing I have ever tasted. Highly recommend this place, especially for brunch. There are not too many good places for brunch in philly, but who cares I guess if we have this place! Definitely going back as much as I can
(5)Margaret W.
Um wow! Someone recommend this place to me and I just happened to be in the area. Great food...amd I am not a foodie. The apple and cabbage salad w dunbarton cheese and walnut pesto was tasty and tart. Lots of flavors and refreshing. The cacio e pepe was delish and filling. Not really impressed with the bread served I sat at the chefs table and had a ball watching the pros in the kitchen. The staff was REALLY friendly and appreciated my questions about the menu. Next up? The pear tart. Oh and the fried brussel sprouts and lemon I highly reccomend. I will be back and I would reccomend to friends and family. Thanks Amis for a fun night!
(5)Veen H.
My husband and I has dinner here last night at the chef's table, which is great for small parties and you get to experience all the action, smells, sounds and even chat with the chefs! The fact that I was under a foot away from a giant vat of liquid chocolate didn't hurt either :) The cocktails (punch, wine granita) are on point and potent. The baked pecorino appetizer and the pasta with jalapeño and almond pesto were highlights of our meal.
(4)Tina D.
One of my favorite Vetri restaurants. Our wait staff is always pleasant. We are semi-regulars being that I live in the hood and we usually get waited on by one of two people. They are both awesome! The food is simple and delicious. I lived in Rome for a year and the food here is definitely reminiscent of the food I ate in Rome. A few of my favorite items are: The bufala ricotta with black pepper is to die for! It is rich, creamy and just utterly delicious. You can't go wrong with any of the pasta dishes. The Tonnarelli cacio e pepe is typical of Rome and it's amazing here. I'm also a big fan of the Buccatini with jalapeno and walnut pesto. The kitchen always sends us extra dishes. They make us feel special each and every time.
(5)Sima Z.
Loud beyong belief! Service was very good. Our group of 50-70 yr olds We reviewed the menu before arriving and we're excited to try the sweet breads and Calf tongue. We also ordered the roasted veal and Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts we're overdone and over salted. Sweetbreads we're dusted in almond meal and we're very dry. The tongue dish had an overly sweetened sauce. Overall, not a pleasant dining experience.
(2)Mike G.
Uneven, hit & amis I finally experienced the third Vetri restaurant, Amis. After reading through yelp I wasnt sure what to expect. I can say now though, it makes more sense to consider the 2 or 3 star feedback for this place. As a table of five foodies, we shared everything and critiqued each bite as we normally would. The key word, I think, is uneven. There were very delicious highs and there were surprisingly disappointing lows or "meh"s. The appetizers (or smaller dishes from the first few sections of the menu) were clearly the most adventurous payoffs. The eggplant capanota, the melon-mint-pistachio salad and the swordfish meatballs on creamy polenta were delicious and among high-points. The spaghetti with pecorino and pepper with a cheese sauce was blah. Really, it could've used a tiny more cooking and a bit more flavor. Closing my eyes, I wouldn't distinguish this dish from a corner diner experience (ouch, right?). The Mussels were tasty but as quite a lot of our meal, they were way too salty. In fact, as the meal progressed we accumulated our week's budget of sodium intake. As we spoke up about it, we shared the opinion that just about all the dishes were noticeably too salted and this is not typically something we've noted at other restaurants. That's not our usual complaint, so you can imagine our surprise to be in a Marc Vetri restaurant admitting this to each other! We ordered two main dishes, a grilled rib-eye which was very tasty and tender, though a little bit more raw than we would've ordered. However, our server never asked us how we'd like our steak. Even the nice aruguala salad on the side of this dish was a bit too salted, though a nice balance of the bitter greens to balance the rich fatty and tender meat. The other "larger" plate was the seafood platter which was sparse and less than seeming $24 worth. I had a 3" square of toasted polenta filling a third the plate even. Desserts and coffee were wonderful. We had a good ricotta crumble cake. The Baci Tartufo, however, was divine. The coffee was very good but my friends that had espresso drinks were super impressed with the cappuccino and decaf espresso, going on and on about how great they were. I do not predict any of us heading back to Amis for dinner, though we admitted it might be smart to go for cocktail hr nearby, and stop in for an appetizer and dessert after.
(2)Julie A.
I spent my birthday dinner here on a Tuesday night. My dinner date and I had been to Alla Spina for late night drinks and a quick bite to eat a short time ago and had a great time, so we agreed to try Amis. It was a great place for a nice, relaxing, delicious dinner during the week. It was a fairly busy night for a Tuesday, especially at the bar, but our two-person table was in a quiet enough area for us to have a conversation. It was a little too dark in there, after a pretty rich meal and about three glasses of red wine and a few cocktails, my date and I were both feeling quite sleepy. However, it was a pleasant crowd and some bonus points for having some awesome music playing the whole time we were there. Simply put: I'd come back here for the swordfish meatballs, and the swordfish meatballs alone. They're incredible. If they sold those swordfish meatballs in a take-out bucket a la KFC, I'd buy a bucket every week. All of the other food was quite delicious as well, but the meatballs won me over. Head over heels in love. The other food we ordered: Ricotta bruscetta, which was fabulously creamy and salty and peppery. The grilled bread that was served along with the little bowl of ricotta added a nice smokiness to a simple dish. Arancini with ragu and peas. I was very excited when I saw these on the menu. They were okay, nothing to really brag about, the meat was decent, the peas were a little overcooked, and the arancini balls were nicely fried, not greasy at all. Two pasta dishes, one was rotini with mushrooms and peas. the other, spaghetti with pork jowls and spring onions. I got very excited about the freshly made pasta and pork jowls. A little too excited and after about two bites, I felt incredibly full. The pasta was a nice al dente, not too heavy, nicely seasoned. The pork jowls were a great snap of salty, porky goodness but the real winner was the rotini with mushrooms and peas. It was the right pasta dish for the weather, nice and light, with a slight sweetness from the perfectly cooked peas. I could go on and on about peas, they were so fresh and buttery. A very nice compliment to the salty, meaty mushrooms. The mushrooms could have been a little less salty but overall it didn't distract from the dish. The drinks: A carafe of the house red: great deal! It was a great choice for us to start off the meal and sip between courses. It was a good wine, nothing too distracting from the overall meal but pleasant to drink throughout. We both had a cocktail with campari in it. His had rye whiskey and I believe blood orange. It was smaller but certainly more potent than my drink. I think my drink had bourbon and grapefruit in it. I'm not totally clear on what exactly it had but it was a great way to end a good birthday meal. I'd come back, not just for the swordfish meatballs, but for a nice dinner for a cute date or drinks with a small group of friends. I'd definitely recommend this place. The price is worth the amount and quality of food and drinks. The ambiance is pleasant and fun, not overly upscale where you feel uncomfortable.
(5)JD H.
For me, this is as good as it gets. It may have been the kitchen counter corner seats allowing for a great view of the cooking and plating operation leading to fun conversations with the sous. Intelligent inquiries and buying a round for the kitchen staff resulted in some special attention and food we would have otherwise never tried. The staff was quite attentive and the menu has a lot to choose from. We were there on a Sunday evening when they featured their " Sal's Sunday Supper" which looked great (Spaghetti with Sunday Gravy, meatballs, sausage and a hardboiled egg) but since I was an Amis virgin, we decided to order a la carte from the many menu items that were offered. There were too many to get through on a single visit. Great starters included house made terrine, headcheese croquettes, and fantastic olives. A simple escarole and apple salad was really refreshing. The tripe stew was earthy and very cassoulet-like. It was outstanding by itself and could have served as the meal but the total stars of the night were the homemade pasta dishes we had: Tonarelli Cacio e Pepe and Buccatini with Jalapeño. I actually had dreams about those dishes afterwards because they were that good. A final recommendation would be the homemade rice pudding. . .apparently a secret recipe from the owner's grandfather. There was nothing bad that came out of the kitchen during my visit and so many things on the menu I would love to go back to try. Of the 3 nights in Philly, this was the best meal we had and one of the best I've had in my life in terms of great food execution. . .it was plain good cooking.
(5)Andrew K.
Had a great time. I really enjoy dining out and trying new things. The Vetri group does a great job of promoting their brand, but I just couldn't justify the price tag at Vetri, so Amis was the next best thing. First off, the service was great. The waiter was on his game and easily answered all of our questions and knew the in's and out's of the wine list. we started off with the old school meatballs and baked pecorino. Both items came out very quickly. The meatballs are a must-order if you visit. The baked pecorino was very tasty, but didn't blow me away. We then ordered the sweetbreads and pork belly followed by the squid ink pasta. Of the 3, the squid ink pasta was my favorite. If you want the "Vetri" experience without the price tag I highly encourage you to visit Amis.
(4)Michael N.
Amis is slowly emerging as one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. Really really great food. Excellent service. An intimate atmosphere but not too cramped. Reasonable prices for the quality of the food too. I would highly suggest reservations as the place is moderately sized and tends to be packed on any night of the week. On our most recent visit with two friends, we went with the following dishes... Appetizers - imported bufala ricotta and black pepper - (creamy and delicious) mortadella with hazelnut honey - (I personally don't love mortadella, but this was really tasty. The honey put it over the top for me.) Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato - (excellent dense meatballs made of beef, pork, and veal. they have a very interesting but good taste) Entrees - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (this was a little creamier than the cacio e pepe that I'm used to, but regardless it was excellent) pasta w/ duck ragu (I don't remember the actual name of this as it was one of the specials, but this was also nice. Shredded lumps of duck in the pasta. Very flavorful dish.) Dessert - belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts ( a big dessert, plenty to share) With a revolving selection of specials, you won't be disappointed or at a loss for options at Amis. They even have valet parking if that's your thing, but parking shouldn't be too difficult if you look south of South. Just be careful down there if you plan on walking back to your car very late.
(5)Momo T.
I came here once for dinner and ordered the rigatoni with short rib ragu and it was the best pasta I've ever had in my life. I returned another day during brunch to try their other dishes. Two bruschetta appetizers which were unmemorable and came with ROCK-HARD bread, causing me to cut the inside of my mouth. This time I ordered their bucatini with jalapeno and almonds and although it was very good, the pasta was too sticky and clumpy. A little disappointed since I had been dreaming about the first time I'd been here and I live an hour away. Definitely never coming back during lunchtime - I think there might be a big difference in the quality of cooks between lunch and dinner.
(4)Zoe P.
My BFF came down to Philly to visit me before she moves to LA FOREVER *tear* We had to celebrate together, so I reserved dinner for us two ladies at Amis. Italian food plus prosecco equals a good time had by all on a Saturday night. We entered the small space, were immediately seated in the slightly raised eating area of the dining room, which was packed and LOUD - in the good way, where you can tell everyone is having a good time eating and drinking. Our waiter was very nice and friendly, offered to keep our bottle chilled ($25 corkage fee, fyi, their wine list is good but I had been saving this bottle for a special occasion anyway), and told us the specials after filling our water glasses. Looking through the menu, it was REALLY hard to decide what to order. We wished that our party was larger, and kept sneaking peeks at the dishes others had ordered around us. My friend now has a few food allergies, but thankfully we could easily avoid them and ordered ourselves a small spread: bufala ricotta bruschetta: OMG delicious, the ricotta was super creamy, salty-sweet, and just perfect on it's own without the toasted bread slices. We actually ate most of it just with our forks it was soooo goooooood swordfish meatballs with creamy polenta and pine nuts: I enjoy swordfish, but this dish is something I want to replicate at home because this is how to LOVE swordfish. The three meatballs were juicy and tender, and the creamy polenta bed with pine nuts completed the comforting feel of this dish roasted monkfish cacciatore: My BFF spotted this dish at the table next to us and HAD to order it - and so glad we did! The fish was flaky and juicy, the tomato-y sauce nicely spiced orecchiette with mushroom ragu: a special that night, the mushrooms were tender but still with a bite to them, and the same with the pasta - thank god, there's nothing worse than an Italian restaurant (especially high end) that doesn't know how to cook fresh pasta Oh yes, and of course we had to have dessert...and since there were two of us, and we were drunk by this point, we shared TWO of them: the special tiramisu, which you HAVE to order if you are a fan of this Italian dessert, it's so light and delicious and creamy, and the salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almonds, which was a wonderfully surprising combination of flavors that danced on my tongue. We have to thank our waiter for helping us make that final decision on the sundae. All together we had a wonderful evening together - even if we had to talk a bit louder to be heard over the boisterous and jubilant conversations around us.
(4)Mike M.
Went back for the 2nd time last night, still a big fan. Went with a big (6) group, so was able to get a bunch of the little appetizer plates to start: Swordfish Meatballs - very good Arancini - very good, but nothing surprising, just a good take on a classic; while the arancini itself is very good the short rib ragu it comes with is heavenly Squid salsa with citrus - eh, okay but the least appealing of all Veal tongue - second best, such a surprising taste and really well prepared Fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa - wow, did not anticipate too much but this was the unequivocal star of the round, perfectly prepared and amazing taste (salsa rossa is fantastic) For entrees some people got a salmon/pasta special which was great, lamb shank was on the table and was a great portion and was well received, I got the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto, incredible. Glad I've been on a pasta fast and broke it on this because jeesh was this phenomenal. Desert was just an unreal 'cherry on top', got a bunch and every single one was fantastic; salted butter semifreddo sundae with chocolate sauce, blood orange marmalade, and almond, the belgian style waffle with nutella, and the "tartufo al bacio". Waffle one was the best but order any of those and you will be very happy as your sugar high kicks in....
(4)Travis R.
What a great meal. This place had the best Italian food I have ever had in my life. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. Both pasta dishes we had tonight tasted amazing. The service was excellent. Our waiter was very friendly and also very informative about the menu. The restaurant also had a great atmosphere. If you want Italian in philly.... This is the spot - hands down.
(5)Eileen T.
While we LOVE this restaurant, and have been here often, we were very disappointed the other night when we stopped in for wine and dessert at the bar after seeing a play at the Wilma. The female bartender was rude and dismissive. We wanted a glass of water, but every time we tried to get her attention she just walked by us. Then, when she was talking to the party next to us, my husband attempted to get her attention. She glared at him and said, "I see you. I'll be with you in a minute." Hubs was not pleased and I suspect she picked up on that when he asked for the check. He's usually very friendly to restaurant staff, but he was livid that she had been so rude. When she put the check on the counter she paused for a moment and smiled brightly and said thank you. Too late! We usually give very generous tips, but not this time. This time it was only 10%. And my husband felt that was more than she deserved. I must say that when we mentioned it to the host on the way out, he was apologetic and very nice. But I can't end this review without saying that Amis makes the most amazing rice pudding in Philadelphia. And the Mocato wine that the other bartender suggested was an excellent accompaniment. We will return - we love Amis and the food is always exceptional. But this time the visit was not pleasant.
(3)Lilly P.
1. They had our party of 6 standing in the doorway waiting to be seated for an hour even though we had a reservation, just because 2 out of our 8 were not there yet. 2. Everyone was disappointed with the tiny portions. 3. Waiter forgot my drink and didn't bring it until I reminded him much later. 4. My pasta/swordfish/fries dish was bland. 5. The bufala appetizer is pretty good. 6. The atmosphere is nice even though it's much too loud to have a conversation and too cramped to sit comfortably.
(2)J K.
Really disappointed with the food. My boyfriend is a health inspector, so we can't go out to eat at a restaurant without hearing about the 'violations'. The kitchen is open, so you can see all the action. While we were waiting at the bar for everyone in our party to arrive he noted a violation: none of the kitchen staff were wearing hair restraints. This is not a huge deal but ironically we had to send back someone's steak because there was a hair on it. I understand this could happen anywhere. While there were 6 in our party, I can only really comment on what my boyfriend & I ate. We started with the fava bean bruchetta & sal's meatballs. Both were promising. Loved the potato/tomato under the meatballs. Unfortunately our main courses were not as appetizing. My boyfriend got the pork chop, which was overwhelmingly salty & just took away from the other favors of the meat. I got paccheri & swordfish- which was good but very spicy & wasn't indicated as such on the menu. The food in no way, shape or form reflects the hype/4 stars by other reviewers or the price. We won't be back.
(2)Dennis L.
What the hell is canestri? I don't know but it's amazing with duck sausage. So, Sal's meat balls for an appetizer, much like Chef from south park's balls, they were too salty. The tomato sauce had potato or some type of starch which threw me off. The sauce wasn't bad, but the balls were too salty, may have been better if they were chocolate. My canestri with duck sausage and cabbage on the other hand, delish. I don't remember seeing anything resmembling sausage, but i'm not complaining. Don't be thrown off by the whole wheat and how it sounds healthy, it's not. It's drenched in duck fat or something that made it taste sausage-y and heavenly. My date went with the pappardelle with oxtail ragu and pears. The noodles were long flat and tender, the oxtail was a bit salty but very flavorful. It was probably one of the better oxtail ragus that i've tasted. For dessert we shared salted butter semifreddo hot fudge sundae with poached pears, maple syrup and pecans. I had no idea what semifreddo was, but apparently it's italian for home made semi soft/melty ice cream. It is definitely great if you like ice cream, salted caramel, roasted walnuts, poached pears, or all of the above. It had that nice salty sweet flavor that's all the rage now a days. The ice cream was soft flavorful and gooey.
(4)Robert P.
First time at Amis but big Vetri fan. We hosted a birthday party with 12 guests. Event staff and managers were very helpful and professional with all communication and details. Arranged a 3 course prix fix menu. Day of event. Great service even with the large group. Very attentive wait staff. No shortage of food at all for the table. Staff was more than willing to bring out more of any dish that we liked. Quality of food and presentation not at all hindered by the size of the group. Everything was perfectly done. Courses well timed. Not rushed at all. Very nice touch printing custom menus for the meal. Only two minor comments was that the pork chop with quince and polenta was not cut up for the group (it was exceptional tho). And they cleared a couple almost untouched dessert plates without asking if we would like to take home (we didn't say anything about it at the time). Overall the dinner was what I would expect from a Vetri establishment and more. Would recommend for groups and can't wait to go back!
(5)Alex X.
13th street, Philly With friends who are foodies (who don't even do yelp but always seem to know where to go), they brought me here, and we had a magical night! Loved the atmosphere in here-good for groups. Food was pretty good! They ordered; I ate! It is has been some time since I was here, but I would come back. Don't expect me to know what Im eating; all I ask them is: any allergens Im allergic to in these dishes? Friends approve the food or warn me by moving the dishes I can't eat away from my reach; I eat. Lol. Life is great when ur friends order and you never have to read the menu , but I also never know what the heck I'm eating in the menu. As I result I am terrible orderer. And I "eeny meeny miney mo" a lot on menus. But hey when friends are foodies/chefs they know exactly what tastes great! And it is yummy at this reataurant! So come for the food and stay longer for the ambience!
(4)Joanie K.
After reading all the lovely reviews, i booked a reservation here while i was visiting philly for the wknd. i was not impressed. food was standard unimaginative italian fare. service was judgmental and far too snooty for the kind of place this is billed for.
(1)Abbie R.
I would give Amis 3.5 stars if I could. The atmosphere is swanky and dark, just how I love it. And you can look right into the kitchen which is always adds to the ambiance. This would be one of the best places in Philly to take a date based on the romance-inducing decor, if it only weren't so loud. The tables are as close together as they could possibly be without touching, so it's sometimes hard to hear the person across from you when you're sandwiched between two conversations each inches away. Add in a loud bar behind you, and you might find yourself shouting at your date. But it's Philly, it's the city, I get it. It's how it's done. Forgiven. The olive oil focaccia was dynamite. I could have eaten two or three entire baskets if I was willing to abandon all social rules. I also had [four glasses of] the Amis Punch. It was a delicious balance of sweet and tangy and had so much flavor there was really no bite to it. It's made with aperol, handmade vodka, and lemon. Yum. I liked it too much. We had such a boisterous and filling time with the punch that we decided to just snack on appetizers. Ordered three swordfish meatballs -- yes, yes, and yes. I don't even know how they pulled this off. The swordfish tasted grilled but it also had the savory slow roasted flavor of a meatballs, served over creamy polenta. Magic. We also tried the fried brussels sprouts. Not bad at all. Brussels sprouts can be hard to get just right, and they pulled it off. We finished it all off with the tiramisu that they had on special that night. It had a nice cream, but they could have gone a little heavier on the coffee liqueur (not that I needed any more alcohol at that point). My dining partner got a Jamison and coffee and enjoyed it. I had a Kaluah and cream which was like drinking ice cream. Very, very tasty. Gosh, based on food and atmosphere alone, this place would be nearing five-stars but I have to take off a full star for how poor the service was. When I walked in, I told the hostess I was meeting someone. She guessed my friend's name but then offered no further instructions. "Ahh, is he here?" "Yeah, he's at the bar." "Where's the bar?" She looked at me like I was asking what color Big Bird is. Sorry girlfriend, I've never been here before and it's not in sight! She gave a gesture to a general direction and then I found it myself. I'm not even sure if we had a waiter that night. It seemed like we were being passed between a few people, and our glasses were always empty. I had to wave down our server (making my best estimate on who that was) three times. When they did bring us drinks, it was a different person than we ordered from, and we had each other's drinks. I'm pretty patient with wait staff but when you're dropping dollar bills like you have to at Amis, they should be on their game. I'm guessing based on the other reviews that we hit it on a bad night. Still go. Enough of the Amis Punch will make any waiter seem like the best you've ever had.
(3)Irma I.
Huge Marc Verti fan so with our recent Philly trip I made it a point to make reservations. We were seated promptly on a Friday night. The tables are in close proximity to each other, but that's just the way most restaurants are nowadays. Of course I had reviewed yelp before and I knew exactly what I wanted to order. We had the eggplant caponata- nicely balanced. This was an excellent way to start our meal- it was served with really good bread. Had Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato- these were flavorful and just perfect. Also had tonnarelli "cacio e pepe"- Anthony Bourdain did not steer me wrong. :) I know there is a lot of talk about how small the plates are but my husband & I shared these dishes (maybe four?), & we were perfectly satisfied. One point deduction for forgetting my 2nd wine of glass. :( However, we would definitely return.
(4)Ali W.
Everything was delicious, from the apps to the dessert. They had a great selection of vegetarian options, in addition to fresh fish and meat specials. I took my parents here for my dad's birthday - they're total foodies - and they loved it. The atmosphere is great, very casual and cool. It gets a little loud in there, but not too loud that you can't hear the people you're with when talking at normal volume. The only regret I have about going to Amis is that we didn't go there sooner. So delicious!
(5)Barbara D.
A lovely dinner by another spawn of the Vetri collection. I've eaten at Vetri before and absolutely was blown away by the food. However, I've been curious about their larger and more relaxed option, Amis, and finally had the joy of dining here tonight. Great service. Wonderful food. Impressive wine and cocktails. Nothing to shake your finger at here! Had the arancini (SO GOOD) & beet salad to share, and then the rigatoni with black pepper sausage special (perfect preparation and lots of flavor, but not too heavy), and pork shank (which was HUGE, but just as the server said...so tender that it feel right off the bone). My client has an aversion to meat on the bone, but LOVED this dish and it didn't bother them one bit! Definitely will try to return and putting it in my arsenal for client go-to places! Looking forward to coming back to try desserts!!! The belgian waffle with nutella looked INCREDIBLE.
(5)Ted Z.
A much deserved five stars! Took a couple of my clients from out of town who were adventerous enough to try some daring , different choices. Had a couple of neat drink options too, I ordered a Strega Morti and it was fantastic. The swordfish meatballs in polenta were great but so were the Brussel sprouts and every other item we had. Go you'll love it! I know I'll be back
(5)Allison D.
Let me preface this review by saying I used to live across the street from this place..dangerous for my wallet and waistline. My standbys are the Amis punch, bufala ricotta and pecorino pasta. Nice people, good food!
(5)Flavia C.
I would say 4 1/2 stars! The ambiance is bustling yet quiet enough to have a conversation. I love the open kitchen and the decor is modern and simple leaving the food to do most of the talking! The food was exceptional! With a party of four we tried many things and there was not a dud amongst them. I really enjoyed the swordfish meatballs with pine nuts, unique and savory! The diff. meats and rabbit that are served on a wood plank are outstanding--a wonderful mix of sweet and savory. There was also some sort of mouse ordered and I have no idea what it was except to say that it was silky and heavenly, The main courses. The pork shank was truly a sight and very delicious, huge portion. I had the grouper which was simple and light. I heard rave reviews of the pasta. The drinks were generous and good with a nice selection and the desserts esp. the rice pudding and chocolate bomb were fantastic! Happy to go back to try even more of the menu items. A foodie will enjoy this spot for sure.
(4)Gary M.
Amazing Italian food. The pasta is some of the best I have had in Philadelphia. A must try if you've never been
(5)Michael B.
This was my first Vetri try and I was pretty disappointed. The food, ambience and everything was just very average. In a city like philly, there's a better way to spend $150 on a meal.
(3)Joanne P.
Wow! Love this place. It really takes a lot to wow me. We shared Escarole Salad, mussel appetizer, monk fish cacti ore, and pasta with jalapeño pesto. Enjoyed my wine by the glass so much I'm looking to find it to buy. Loved it all. Neighborhood really nice. Service was great - we were a little early for reservation and table was ready. The only thing I would say is wish swordfish meatballs didn't have pork (we didn't try) and the tartufo might have been a bit too chocolate heavy. Will definitely be back on our next trip to Philly.
(5)Veronica R.
My husband and I went to Amis last night and sat at the kitchen bar. Our first time here and definitely not our last. A great choice. Put your phone down and watch the orchestrated chaos- a great/fun kitchen to watch. The food they put out was incredibly flavorful, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. What we ate: Salmon crudo with fresh julienned beets (amazing-highly recommend) Baked Pecorino with almond honey (very good, sweet, would have had as a dessert with tart apple slices) Swordfish meatballs (go for it, trust me you'll love them, maybe even more than the traditional meatball) Sams- traditional meatball ( a very good meatball- looking for a little more crispness to the outside) Casarecce with a light and spicy san marzano tomato sauce with salmon and toasted bread crumbs (a special that night and delish!) Bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto (perfect amount of heat) Spring pea Tortelli with lamb ragu and mint Overall a great dining experience. We'll be back!
(4)Aliyia P.
Had an excellent meal...the main was lamb...so we tried the lamb croquettes...they were good didn't expect them to be so creamy, also had the portobello pasta which was great...the pasta there is just so good! I had the main lamb dish with grits...it was good but I enjoyed our pasta dishes way more oh and the ricotta with pistachio pesto and pumpkin was excellent!
(4)Jason G.
Wow. This place is amazing. I came here for my birthday, and I was impressed with every dish I tasted. It's just another stand-out restaurant from (arguably) Philly's best chef. The service was also impeccable. I got Sal's Meatballs, polenta, the baked pecorino, the bufala mozzarella, the cacio è pepe, and the apple dumpling. They also give you olive oil focaccia, which is outstanding. I highly recommend all of it. I also heard the veal tongue is outstanding, but I didn't get to try it.
(5)Jennifer W.
I've been going to Amis since the day it opened. In all but the past year I would have rated it four or five stars but recently it has taken a turn for the worse. The last two times I've gone service has been horrible! The hostess slammed our server, sitting 4 tables at once. After waiting 15 minutes to get a taste of one of the wines I had to call the manager over who subsequently became our server for the entire evening. I understand I'm not at Vetri but having us wait 5 -15 minutes at the bar in order to not slam the waiter would have left us with a much better experience than being sat and unable to get a drink it all. I'm sure the other tables who also had to wait would have agreed. Last night I went, sat at the bar, which is where I normally sit and somehow had bad service there too. My drink was empty for most of the evening. I didn't eat my pork liver terrine for 30 minutes because it didn't come with any bread. When the bartender finally came over to ask if there was an issue I asked how I was supposed to eat it. She said it's not served with bread. I had to ask for it. Mind you, I've been here MANY times and have never eaten patte without bread. She brought untoasted bread, which is the same texture as the liver so I had to ask for toasted bread. I'm sure I'll be back one last time in the hopes that the last two were flukes. We shall see!
(2)Thomas V.
Our meal was truly great. My mom and I went on Sunday and it was fairly empty. Great lighting and ambiance; open kitchen. Our server Lindsay was great. All the food we had was perfect. Eggplant caponata, jalapeño almond spaghetti and baked pecorino all recommended. The house red was good and cheap. Great date spot.
(5)Taryn F.
I usually don't write reviews, but just had to in this case. We visited Amis on a recent Saturday night with an 8 pm reservation. Unfortunately, we were not able to be seated until 9 pm because the patrons at our table camped out there long after finishing their meal (I'm all for taking your time and enjoying, but it was made clear to them people were waiting and they had been there several hours- a little courtesy people!). Anyway, the staff at Amis could not have handled the situation better! They were super attentive and apologetic, brought us complementary appetizers to the bar and then several additional dishes throughout the meal and for dessert. They showed that with great service and great food, any issue can still be handled well. I've been other restaurants where errors were made- too long waits, poor service, etc. and never received the level of attention and service provided at Amis. They literally turned our frustration and hunger into an opportunity to show us what a great restaurant they are. And, we got to sample extra dishes we would not have ordered and every single thing we ordered was fabulous! Thanks for taking good care of us!
(4)Mike C.
We had a nice dinner here the other night. Promptly seated at our reservation time at 730. My wife and I shared: meatballs, swordfish meatballs, and duck fat salad (which was a special for the night), and one of the pasta dishes. I'm a bit of a meatball snob and thought they were good but not great. I think if you have a meatball dish it needs to be great. No complaints - we cleaned the plate - just not the best I have ever had. My wife chose the duck fat salad which I probably never would have picked. I'm glad she chose it as it was really good. The server joked with us saying duck fat makes everything better. The pasta dish was perfect. I can't remember the exact name but it was a square spaghetti with cheese, olive oil and black pepper. A very basic way to prepare a pasta but it was done to perfection. I felt the prices were reasonable both for the food and wine.
(4)Q K.
Very good food and reasonably priced for quality of food. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Pasta dishes were impressive and swordfish meatballs were nice treat. Not sure food lives up to acclaim of restaurant, but still a good dining experience. Only real complaint was the LOUD rock music playing in background. No idea why it's necessary.
(4)Brian M.
Hello, swordfish meatballs. I want you inside me. ^They're lovely fellas, perfectly offering something new (a fish "meatball", wut?) while still retaining their delicate, distinct swordfishiness.^ The Standouts: - Service. Excellent, comfortable, omnipresent. - Cacio e pepe. Maybe a bit too heavy, but all the comfortable flavors were there with a quality that makes you want the dish to never end. - Bufala ricotta. Is this ever bad? - Eggplant fries (in the pacchieri). I don't know why, I just really liked 'em. The Things I Wish Would Change But Never Will: - It's loud in there. - Close quarters. Tried a few other dishes that were certainly nice, but didn't blow me away as much as I'd expected them to. Nothing at all bad here and some dishes are among the city's best so overall a solid dining option that will consistently range from very good to exceptional. Basically a more comfortable, Italian, less pretentious Barbuzzo.
(4)Karen S.
"As featured on..." can sometimes frighten one away from a place, with concerns that the reality won't live up to the hype. Being a big fan of Bourdain's food, wine, and travel tastes (though not so much the booze and cigarettes), when he put together a recommended list on Philadelphia for "The Layover", I listened. As for fine dining, Amis was at the top of the list. The highlights were the appetizers--namely the salami del giorno, a porchetta in a delicate sauce, and the frascati wine cheese--and the pasta. The spinach fazoletti was superlative. The entrees were good, but unlike the starters didn't live up to the hype. Probably the biggest disappointment was the wine list, or perhaps I should say the wine that we unfortunately chose. I know that "Super Tuscan" is a bit of a grab bag in that it is basically any grape grown in Tuscany. But the producer of the wine had to work pretty hard to create something with absolutely no backbone. If a restaurant puts a wine on their list that is very atypical for the style, they should warn the consumer. Good food and a lively atmosphere, AOK in my book.
(3)Dana S.
Amis is nicely tucked away between Pine and Lombard St. It had a trendy atmosphere and was clean, a little fancy. Menu is Italian but not traditional Italian, there was a lot of things I wasn't familiar with and googled to have a better idea of what exactly I was considering to order. Overall the food was good.
(3)Tracy W.
Amis is quickly becoming my favorite Italian in the city. I need to keep coming back to try new things, as well as revisit my old favorites. The cacio e pepe is outstanding. Swordfish meatballs are as good as everyone says. Squid ink pasta? Yes! Service is always spot on.
(5)G C.
Came back for brunch and it was yummy. Definitely more on the pricy side because we only got entrees and wasn't entirely full after. The portions are Definitely not large but probably healthier. Get more app and things to share!
(4)Chris L.
first vetri experience, so I was really excited... I only do a handful of fancy/expensive dinners per year and because there is so much good inexpensive food in this city, I need a pricey dinner to be extra-delicious... Amis was so disappointing. the brussel sprouts, cauliflower and rigatoni with salmon (a special) were almost too salty to eat. the jalapeno pasta was decent. the bufala bruschetta was also mediocre. highlight of the meal was dessert - rice pudding and the waffles were both good... nice place - not too loud. but the food wasnt even mediocre. service was so-so. nice bartender, friendly knowledgeable server. but i had another server bring me a beer that wasnt what i ordered; when i said "I ordered the pilsner on draft," she said "no, it comes in a bottle."... so i pointed to the menu - "heres what i ordered."... "well you have the wrong menu," she said. kinda strange - as if i brought my own menu to the restaurant... finally got her to bring me a different beer. ... went with two friends and we all agreed it was a pretty big disappointment. sorry to be a negative nancy.
(2)Jenn W.
Great place! I like that it's not on one of the super busy streets in Philly. Bruschetta is really great as an appetizer, and it's served with the spread on the side and the bread apart (the bread was surprisingly thick and fluffly, not the usual bruschetta that I expected). I had the stracciatella w/ plum and almonds, and it was awesome! It tastes like a smoky mozzarella. Couldn't taste the plums much, but it was still great. I love pasta, and I couldn't resist after being told that their pasta is all made in house. I had the bucatini on the waiter's suggestions and it was really tasty! It had an almond pesto sauce with some cooked jalapenos (not spicy at all). My boyfriend had their entree special for the day, salmon filet with cucumber salad. He said that the salmon was really good, but wished it were bigger. For dessert, we had their tiramisu (off menu but always available per waiter) and the special of the day, coffee cake with blackberries. We actually both liked the coffee cake much more than the tiramisu. The tiramisu was a so-so average tiramisu. Nothing amazing. I really liked our waiter, who knew all the ingredients in the dishes and was able to answer all my questions (impressive). I also like that part of the kitchen is open to viewing, which is cool. Valet parking is $8. I didn't use it, but may be convenient for some. Reservation recommended, especially for larger groups!
(4)Kevin R.
We found ourselves at Amis for our Wednesday date night because of all of the great reviews on Yelp. We were seated immediately by the very friendly host and hostess and ordered up a couple of Martinis to go with the olive oil infused bread. We started off with a couple small plates...roasted cauliflower, baked pecorino with honey, and swordfish meatballs. The cauliflower and the cheese were good but the meatballs were mealy and very fishy tasting. I had the Jalapeno and almond pesto pasta for my main...overcooked and uninspired. For desert we shared a sundae with a blood orange sauce. The overly bitter sauce didn't pair that well with the very sweet ice cream. To be honest I didn't even like the bread. I'm actually still looking forward to trying Osteria and haven't given up totally on Mr. Vetri.
(3)Patrick H.
This Valentine's Day was my visit to Amis and I have to say I was quite pleased with it. The service was very accommodating and prompt. The servers seem to have good understanding of the menu. The place is a bit small and can feel congested, but it's easy to drown out. The food was very well prepared and cooked perfectly. I had the pork shank and my girlfriend had the steak. My pork was very tender and moist and the steak was cooked to a perfect medium. The beer selection was limited but you'll definitely find something you'll enjoy. One thing I've grown to love about Vetri's establishments is the use of mortadella, and this place is no exception. Out of the three Vetri places I have been, this may be third, but third on a Vetri list is still excellent!
(4)Julie M.
I would definitely expect more from a Vetri establishment. Alas, Amis just did not meet my expectations at all. First, it took about 15 minutes just to get a drink and bread on our table. Then we ordered appetizers and found everything to be greasy/oily and simply not that good. The best thing we tried was the swordfish meatballs. We had one pasta--the chestnut duck; you know that it's bad when you think that you would have been better off having frozen store bought pasta vs fresh VETRI pasta. Yeah, it was that bad. It was goopy and the noodles had an odd consistency. One dessert we had was the saving grace of the meal: the nutella waffle was very well done except that only half the waffle was covered in nutella. Otherwise, it was a tasty dessert. Moreover, the service was pretty atrocious. We were ignored for very long stretches of time. We had about 3 different waiters so none of them could remember what we had already ordered. It was very haphazard. I definitely would not return to Amis. I would much rather go to Osteria or Vetri.
(2)C M.
My husband and I had a delicious meal at Amis to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. The restaurant was bustling and very crowded when we arrived. We started with the baked pecorino and swordfish meatballs. The pecorino was salty and sweet. Our only complaint was that there wasn't more bread! The swordfish meatballs were strangely delicious. The seafood taste was completely unexpected when biting into a very familiar looking meatball. My favorite dish of the night was the bucatini with jalapeños and almond pesto. The dish was spicy and crunchy. I couldn't get enough! Overall the meal was fantastic but I don't think this is a great date spot. The tables are very close together and it can get very loud inside. I would definitely come back with a group.
(5)Megan K.
Oh, Amis, there is much that I will miss when I leave PA and return home. While traveling solo, I decided to treat myself to a nice meal, so after some deep searching on yelp, I came across Amis. Luckily Amis was a short walk from my hotel, and when I arrived I was promptly seated. I was seated near the kitchen and my waiter suggested that I sit at the chef's counter for a more exciting dining experience, and I was so happy that I heeded his advice. After the waiter went over the menu and the specials, I put in my drink order for one of their West Coast IPA offerings on their draught list that appears to rotate quite frequently. The IPA hit the spot and ended up pairing nicely with my food choices, which lead me to have another one throughout the course of my dinner. I decided to start off my meal with the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade. This starter came with five small sweetbreads that were lightly fried to a succulent perfection. The sweetbreads themselves were flavorful but the fennel marmalade stole the show. It was tangy and sweet and really coaxed the tender and savoriness out of the sweetbreads. I savored each bite and was surprised at how quickly I inhaled the dish. As I was waiting for my main entree to come out, the chef gave me a "sampler" taste/plate of the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. The portion was large, but I appreciated every bite of it. The duck flavor permeated the dish and nuttiness of the chestnuts really complimented the duck. I forced myself to stop after a few bites so that I wouldn't fill up before the main dish. The lamb shank arrived about ten to fifteen minutes after the fettucine, and this dish was impressively displayed. A Fred Flintstone-esque shank of lamb was perched on top of a creamy polenta and topped with a tomato based sauce. My-oh-my was this dish something! The lamb was falling off the bone as soon as I cut into it, and it was very rich and moist. The polenta added another level of creaminess to the dish and it did well to compliment the lamb as well as on its own. My favorite aspect of the dish ended up being the tomato sauce, which surprised me. It was well spiced and really enhanced the lamb, which on its own was actually a little under seasoned in my opinion. I ate about a third of this massive lamb shank, as I wanted to leave room for one of their desserts. After hemming and hawing over my dessert options, my waiter pointed me to the special which was what they called an italian donut, which was a light pastry dough filled with a maple custard and topped with a streusel, pecans, and chocolate sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. Incredible. I'm pretty sure I fell silent as I ate this dessert, and I savored every bite. I loved how it was dense and rich, but it wasn't overly sugary. A great ending to the meal, which was made even better by one of their scotch offerings, being the Balvenie 12 year. The service was friendly and spot on, and there were no hiccups whatsoever the entire night. The manager even was talking to me throughout the night, and helped me pick out the scotch to pair with the dessert. Vetri was even in the kitchen when I arrived, which was great to note. Amis, if I'm ever back in Philly, I'll gladly come running back to you or one of your sister restaurants!
(4)Nick D.
I was actually excited to write about Amis after I ate there. First off, the place itself is really cool. It's got that old-world feel to it. Lots of brick and wood. As for the food, pretty excellent. The bruschetta with bufala ricotta and black pepper was amazingly good. The cheese was fresh and creamy, and the bread charred wonderfully. I had the chicken al mattone for an entree. This is a chicken leg and thigh, deboned and cooked under a brick. The skin is wonderfully crispy and the chicken itself it crazy juicy. My wife had the skirt steak with roasted figs. Great flavor, but it probably could have been cooked for another minute or two. The highlight of the meal, however, was the pasta. We had the bruschetta, then split a pasta, then had our entrees, but the pasta was CLEARLY the best thing we ate so it gets mentioned last here. Cacio e pepe. If you've never had it, it is simplicity at it's best; pecorino, black pepper and pasta. It is a classic in Rome. I had it while on a trip there, and it was incredible. But I have to admit, that the cacio e pepe at Amis was just as good. Amazingly simple, creamy, not too heavy, not too salty, just spectacular. I will dream of that dish. Do yourself a favor and have it.
(5)Erika B.
I will become a regular to make up for lost time. I had a hunch that I would be returning as soon as I walked in to this casual, dimly lit and rustic looking place. The small dishes aren't quite as tiny as I had expected them to be so that was a pleasant surprise. The monkfish skewers in some type of nut based sauce were very good. The PASTA is what this place is all about. My hen and apple ragu was perfect. My friend's black spaghetti was perfect. The pork tagliatelle was perfect. Next time I will have to have only pasta and an entree so that I don't fill up too quickly. Another plus, they had a great beer list. Service: I have to note that that the food really had to be satisfying to make up for the offensive start to the night. The manager apologized for the 30 minute wait for our reservation because the hostess forgot about us...it was obnoxious and the resolution was unprofessional. I usually don't comment on service but this really rubbed me the wrong way.
(5)R. M.
For the sake of humanity, please put the salt down.I could not finish my meal because of it. Sent the pasta back, came back just as salty. I finally just gave up. The mussels were delicious but not special at all. Service is decent but I felt like I was eating at the Cheesecake Factory. Totally not what I expected at a place like this.
(2)Grace S.
The oft-quoted swordfish meatballs are really flavorful, but (I'm not a fan of polenta, unfortunately) the consistency was very similar to Asian fishballs which I was not expecting at all. It is also a strange gray color... The tripe stew was delicious. if you're a tripe person, definitely try it. I can't describe tripe, but it's slightly slimy, chewy, and has a very distinctive innards-type of flavor. The lamb croquettes were awesome--plenty of shredded lamb and the croquette had a very thin crust (not greasy at all). The bucatini was very fishy tasting, but that's what I get for not asking about the descriptions ahead of ordering. The pappardelle was perfection, extra thin, beautiful ragu sauce that wasn't too salty and was satisfyingly meaty. The monkfish was overly salty, unfortunately, and I wish I had known it was battered and fried. The mushrooms were just salt salt salt. The table bread was very blah too, but our server made up for it by being very attentive but totally un-intrusive. And of course the Mum Mum's rice pudding is delicious with the figs and black cherry marmalade. 4 people shared it while finishing off our 3rd or 4th carafe of red wine (500 ml for $20). I observed lots of dates going on so it's a pretty happenin' place!
(4)John B.
Well beyond expectations. Meatballs, cacio e pepe, and specials were all incredible. Great atmosphere - sat at the chefs counter which was served as great entertainment for the evening. Fantastic night - will surely be back soon.
(5)Joey P.
My last dinner in Philly and Amis was an excellent choice. My wife and i shared a few small plates. The sheeps milk ricotta with pepper was outstanding. The sweetbreads melted in your mouth and the bufala mozzarella was so fresh. I wish i could have tried everything. We each then had a pasta. The pasta was definitely made in house. All i can say was it had some chew. The texture was amazing. The pappardelle was so thin it melted but the star of the night was the Tonnarelli "Cacio E Pepe"with pecorino and black pepper. The peppercorns were slightly crushed giving off a wonderful taste. Our waiter was amazing. He explained each dish and gave great recommendations. The entire staff was so attentive. The prices for what you got cannot be beat. My wife and i ate and drank like we were going to the chair and the bill was under $100. Highly recommended to anyone who loves off the menu type items.
(5)Jack S.
Rotten Child of the Vetri Family
(1)Gerald F.
Always 5 *****'s. My linguine pasta was voted the best meal. The meatballs are always outstanding. The chocolate bonbon is probably top 3 chocolate deserts in the city....if not #1. Be sure to say hi to Chef Chris if he's on. Love the awesome lady chef. don't know her name. GREAT STAFF YO!
(5)Phil A.
Great customer service. They managed to squeeze in my last minute reservation about an hour before they closed and we were seated immediately. Even on a Sunday night they were still packed which is a pretty good sign. Very comfortable and inviting atmosphere and decor. The menu includes a large variety of small plates which I am a fan of. Kind of an Italian version of tapas but also includes diverse entrées and desserts. Overall the food was good, not exceptional, and fairly priced and accompanied by a nice drink menu with some specialty cocktails. And once again great customer service, our waiter was friendly, helpful and thorough without being overbearing.
(3)Andrea H.
Dee-licious! I love tastes of things and they way the menu is set up, they encourage you to order a couple small plates each. Italian tapas if you will. We took them at their word and ordered loads for the table. They were all delicious and the perfect size to pique your interest and leave you wanting more. We got over excited when ordering and managed to order too much pasta & secondi, delicious as they were. If I was to go again, personally I'd stick to the intro dishes. Drinks wise, they had Woodford so I was delighted but the wine was warm when it arrived. They did everything to chill it down and make sure it was at optimum serving temperature for the rest of the bottle. Service was super and the interiors are intimate and gorge.
(4)David J.
Food was outstanding. Touch of class - they gave us an extra dessert after our waitress realized my wife was pregnant and couldn't decide between two of the offerings. The only reason I do not give Amis 5 stars is because they played horrible classic rock all night. I know this is a truly subjective point, but it just doesn't fit the restaurant.
(4)More-aa P.
Quite good! Not the place to take your older relatives as its quite crowded and noisy, but a young lively enjoyable atmosphere. Fung shui around the bar leaves something to be desired as I felt like my bum was encroaching on a fellow diner's table. But I was lucky enough to be seated on the raised area to the right. The center 2 tops in front of the kitchen are practically on top of each other. Enough about the size. Food very good, service excellent. I felt the wine list could've been more ambitious compared to the innovative menu items. Quite pricy but largely worth it. Like other diners, my first Vetri experience. I'm looking forward to trying Osteria and saving up to go to Vetri eventually. Not so sure I'll be running back to Amis, but I was not disappointed.
(3)Trang N.
We're not sure if my husband and I went to the same restaurant as everyone else?! We had high hopes as we are huge fans of Osteria and frequent there often, not to mention the glowing reviews from the other Yelpers about Amis, we were really excited to try it! We came here last night for our three year anniversary celebration, since it's a Vetri restaurant with a James Beard award winning chef, it automatically had to be good right? Meh. We brought along our one month old son and had no issue getting seated at a four top to accommodate the car seat, so that was a great start to the night! The space was small and akin to an industrial warehouse. The staff was friendly but the service was very spotty, we really appreciated that everyone congratulated us numerous times on our anniversary which was really nice. We started off with the mixed salami plate- bland selections of meats, more like fancy pepperoni, flavorless pate and ham in a board! Sweetbreads - undercooked which made the protein gelatinous and was overly salted, which was disappointing since the flavored were there just prepared poorly. Pork belly- was the texture of raw bacon, I'm use to having it prepared with a crispy skin and a cooked pork, so it was very off putting, but perhaps that was just not our personal preference. Meatballs- again undercooked and underseasoned. Aren't meatballs the Italian staple? How we're they not phenomenal?! My husband said that he would preferred a Wawa meatball and I would have to agree with him! Perplexed, we decided to go very conservative with our entree, in fact we lost faith In the chef and split a basic pasta dish, which we never share entrees! We just couldn't bare to spend anymore money on mediocre food!! It the duck bolognese special was actually pretty good, so at least we had one good dish during our evening out. Our server seemed to be overwhelmed with the amount of tables he had, so perhaps that is why the service was so lacking. The bus boy started to clear our table without aaking If we were finished, we actually had to stop him a from removing one of our plates. We had to ask for refills on our cocktails too! We declined dessert, but to our surprise they came over with a complimentary rice pudding and some vanilla ice cream with a candle which was very tasty, so the night was redeemed somewhat, however we left feeling very disappointed with the dinner courses for our special occasion. It's ashamed because it's literally a block from our house, it could have been our default place to eat!. Amis was a miss!! It really fell way short of our expectations.
(2)Hector R.
Birthday dinner, delicious food. The mortadella meatballs are delicious! And wait staff !
(5)Ann V.
So the last time I was here I gave them 5 stars but this time around my dining experience was even more amazing! I guess I could say that last time it was 4.5 stars w/out adjusting it and this time would be 5 stars! OR they could create a 5 star+ button. Just saying.... So this is what we had. Appetizer: Mixed salumi plate: salami del giorno with marmalade, pork liver terrine - so good, mortadella with hazelnut honey, Grilled smoked mozzarella, Sal's old school meatballs - just as i remembered from my last meal, paccheri w/ swordfish, strozzaprete - prob my fave of the evening, braised snails with scallion crema bruschetta - was decent but not my fave. Entree: Guinea hen leg saltimboca - I thought this was pretty tasty but was pretty stuffed at this point and was just eating to eat. Mixed seafood grill - perfectly nice and simple. Charred asparagus with romesco sauce - just getting my veggies in for the day. Dessert -- Belgian style waffles with nutella - nutella doesnt need to be explained, "tartufo al bacio" - hazelnut anything reminds me of nutella - enough said. Food coma.
(5)Kelly F.
Maybe 3 1/2 stars. I love the menu and chefs who aren't afraid of creative food and unique ingredients. The food itself was pretty good but maybe a tad overpriced. The swordfish meatballs were good. The baked pecorino was a little too sweet for my taste. The bucatini was good but maybe needed a little more almonds or something else the portion was decent. The seafood stew? Wasn't a stew at all and very very small. The waiters were great and the ambience very nice but yes it was kind of hard to hear my dining partners and it wasn't full.
(4)Emily W.
I can't wait to visit again! One of my favorite Italian restaurants of all-time. Homemade pasta is excellent and I absolutely love the cucumber dill salad! Lemon blueberry mascarpone torte mmm mmm mmm
(5)Kevin W.
Outstanding all the way around.
(5)Alie A.
I simply cannot understand why it took me two years of passing by this place every day to actually come for dinner. I could kick myself for what I have been missing out on. The interior is gorgeous and intimate. It's far smaller inside than I had imagined it to be. It reminded me a lot of Barbuzzo as far as the menu options go. Forever a tapas fan, this family style dining allows for a lot of variety and you get to have a little bit of everything. The bartender was excellent in helping to pair wines with what we both typically like. Great selection and on point recommendations. We sat at the Chef's table which was fun to watch the kitchen bustle on a busy Sunday night. Our server staggered our selections so that we were constantly eating from start to finish. (FYI gained ten points in one sitting..easy. Thank you, Marc Vetri.) The first dish was the whipped ricotta and toasted and light oiled bread. Delicious and the perfect starter dish. Next came the swordfish meatballs with polenta and pine nuts. I had heard this was a house favorite, and I can certainly see why. Very unique flavor. If you are an adventurous eater, the sweetbreads with fennel marmalade were mind blowing. Just pretend you don't know what your eating and it tastes like chicken.. The Chicken Al Matone infused with garlic and olive oil and served over a bead of spinach was the juiciest, most flavorful thing I may have ever had. I tried to explain it to a friend following the meal and couldn't even do it justice. I literally stuttered to explain its awesomeness. We also have the spicy bucatini stuffed with jalapeño and almond pesto was rich and savory..also a know house favorite and certainly one for a reason. Although I thought my pants might split by this point in the evening, we simply couldn't go without trying the tiramisu which was absolutely something to write home about. Ladies and Gents..this mean was one for the books. I am going to throw a really big statement out there..I think this may be the best restaurant in Philadelphia. There. I said it. Can you handle that? Yum.
(5)Rebecca H.
Another Marc Vetri gem. The pasta here is one of the best I've ever had; beats some of the pastas I've had in New York. The restaurant itself is fairly spacious, but it feels cozy with the rustic decor and dim lighting. The tables seemed to accommodate parties of all sizes, ranging from round tables for socializing to intimate seats at the bar near the chefs. Service is great, friendly, genuinely helpful in giving recommendations. Onto the deliciousness. The classic cacio e pepe was absolutely flawless. Cheesy, but not greasy, with just the right amount of chewiness from being perfectly al dente. The fresh black pepper gave it a little kick to balance out the savory pecorino cheese. And though I'm aware that a lot of butter is used to bring out a hint of sweetness to this plate of amazingness, it tasted too good for me to care. The other pasta standout was the bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. A mix of unexpected but seamlessly complimentary flavors, the jalapeno and almond combo made the dish slightly spicy and sweetly nutty, all at the same time. Like the cacio e pepe, this was PERFECTLY al dente, and the unique flavors make it one of a kind. Got too excited and talked about the pastas first, but we also ate the baked pecorino with almond honey, accompanied by a few pieces of bread, played up the sweet but salty flavors - paired well, a little on the sweeter side, which I won't complain about. I forgot the specific name of the dessert we got, but it was a classic vanilla sundae with chocolate sauce. While I can't remember the other components, I couldn't think of a better way to round out an amazing meal. Will definitely be back for dinner again. And for brunch.
(5)Beth R.
Best to go with others who want to order and share. I split 2 pastas and 3 small plates with a friend. My favorite dish was the fettuccini with corn and scallions. Sounds odd but was creamy and good. I would have happily eaten an entree size portion of that. We also had the salami del giorno in marmalade (ok, and not very much on the plate for the price tag), baked pecorino with almond honey (really good), and the buccatini with tomato and pancetta sauce (good, but again, seemed a little expensive for what it was). Service is very attentive and helpful in making decisions about what to order.
(4)Kevin T.
Tried this place by recommendation and it was great. Very friendly staff across the board. Food was great too. Would definitely dine here again.
(5)Brian K.
Amis' unique spin on traditional Italian will have me coming back. I live only a few blocks away so I pass by all the time, but this was my first time stopping in for dinner. Happily they were open on a Monday night, and getting a reservation was easy, although it probably wouldn't have been 100% necessary. The staff were all extremely nice, which should be a given, yet I'm always pleased when they are. The menu may seem a bit daunting at first, even though all the combinations of food I tasted were perfectly matched. The swordfish meatballs are a must-try with their homemade meatball taste and just enough of a 'fishy' kick to remind you that you are indeed eating swordfish. It may take a little bit of adventurousness to get past some of the food pairings on their dishes, but you should have faith in them. A very solid list of beers and wines with a varied enough selection on tap to keep pretty much any beer palate happy. I would recommend it.
(4)Ryan B.
The pasta dish literally defined "al dente" and the veal tongue is not to be missed. Thank you fellow Yelpers for the tip on the Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey which is a real winner.
(5)Todd B.
I loved the beautiful, charming and romantic space at Amis, as well as the innovative small plates here that were completely new to me and a delight to my tastebuds. We were warmly greeted and immediately seated, and our waiter was helpful without being a constant interruption. I enjoyed an Old Fashioned type cocktail that was wonderful and reasonably priced at $10. My friend and I then ordered a number of small plate combinations to experience the diverse menu. We began with the swordfish meatballs and the toast with almond honey butter (which also includes cheese I think), then ventured on to the Arancini and fried cauliflower with pecorino and salsa rossa. By far, our favorite was he cauliflower with the meatballs a close second. I'm disappointed that I didn't get to try the bufalo ricotta bruschetta, as it is a favorite of my friend and raved about a lot here on Yelp. We avoided dessert, but the tiramisu looked extraordinary. This is a great Vetri choice in downtown. At the same time, and I look forward to more experiments with Amis in the future.
(4)Matt K.
I have heard so many times that Vetri's restaurants are A. expensive for what you get, B. crowded. Neither was the case at Amis. We came for brunch and it was surprisingly inexpensive and very good. The trick I think is to order things that aren't so breakfasty. In fact, you can mostly avoid anything to do with breakfast if you want to. Amis is supposed to be very casual and the food is simple but extremely well done. We did the charcuterie plate, the escarole salad, and some pasta dishes. Mine was the carbonara. A great rendition, everything about it was well done. The escarole salad is not easy to find first of all, and this one had some parmesan on it, and it was just bitterly delightful because of course escarole is so bitter. The charcuterie was three different meats with three different sauces/mustards, all very good. One was a chicken liver. I love it when a restaurant has the guts to do chicken liver, it has such great flavor. We had a verdicchio and a valpolicella, two great inexpensive wines that just work so well with simple Italian cuisine. Service was very professional, and staff knowledgeable. All in all a great experience and inexpensive to boot, even though three people split two bottles of wine. And one of us was my mother in law. Now that says something, I think....
(4)Brian H.
My girlfriend and I returned to Amis for a second time after a late summer dinner that we enjoyed heartily. Our server, knowing that I was vegetarian, and my girlfriend was vegetarian-leaning, suggested we return for a Meatless Monday tasting menu. After securing a reservation on OpenTable (100 points, y'all!) we returned this past Monday evening. Soon after being seated, we found out that they have stopped their Meatless Monday promotion. We were saddened to hear this, but our waiter kindly offered to check with the Chef to see if he could accommodate; luckily, Chef was more than happy to help. We received imaginative, off-menu items that were delicious. We received 3 courses -- an appetizer, a pasta dish and a dessert. This was the best meal we have eaten in a while and would return again. Amis took care of us (Chef/Server[s]/etc.). We'll be more than happy when it is time to return for another wonderful meal.
(5)Laurel W.
My husband and I have been coming to Amis for over a year now. We love the food and the staff so much that we eat here at least once a week! They have specials every night, switch up the menu between seasons, and all the food is fantastic! The manager, Brian, is a great guy who always makes us feel special and appreciated. The cocktails, food, and all the staff Brian, Lindsay, Mark, Tracy, and the rest of the gang are all topnotch. We think Amis is the best of Vetri's restaurants and not to be missed.
(5)Daniel A.
Had a really nice experience. Sat outside an enjoy a nice dinner. Service great and food came up fast and delicious. Defenitely would go again.
(5)Nancy L.
Excellent food, quick service. I'm usually not impressed by Italian food because pasta just doesn't do it for me. But since we're talking about a Vetri establishment, I thought I'd give it a shot. We shared the baked honey almond pecorino, swordfish meatballs, octopus, veal tongue, cacio e pepe pasta, monkfish with San marzano tomatoes, tiramisu for dessert. I'd have to say each dish was masterfully executed. The meatballs were surprisingly moist, the veal tongue and octopus were very tender. The pasta was unlike any I'd had before because it was so dense, but it was cooked perfectly and I enjoyed it. It was a very rich meal. Come hungry.
(5)Katie N.
My girlfriend and I had a wondeful experience from the second we walked in the door. The ambiance of the restaurant was romantic and intimate yet fun and funky. The food came quickly and everything was cooked to perfection. You could tell everything, down to the bread, was homeade with their own flare. Having lived in Italy, my girlfriend is pretty particular about her espresso. For the first time, she was blown away at how similar the espresso was to her experiences in Italy. Awesome customer service; WILL BE GOING BACK!
(5)Michael U.
Full Review in Blog: Having already scheduled the Degustazione at Vetri and a lunch at Osteria for later in the week it seemed only logical that I sample the whole lineup during my visit and as such my first lunch of the trip would occur at the newest of the spaces - Amis, on South 13th Street. Collecting on my 1:15 reservation I was offered outdoors or indoors and wanting to watch the action I selected a seat at the bar so that I could watch the kitchen at work. Greeted by my pleasant (and exceedingly helpful) server as well as General Manager Ben Fileccia I inquired about portion sizes and how best to experience as many tastes as possible without filling up too quick. Differing from the contemporary feeling of Osteria and the rustic formality of Vetri there were a few commonalities between the three - specifically the flowered and the service which was all at once pleasant, whimsical, professional, and knowledgeable. Starting things off, my first selection would be the daily House Cured Salumi Platter. Beginning first with the hard salami I found the flavor to be appropriately porky but nicely balanced by the aromatics while the onions added a pungency that helped to meld the flavors together. Moving next to the coppa and honey - a delectable balance of sweet and savory with the crunchy walnuts adding texture. Finally, and most anticipated, was the terrine - not fully whipped I have to admit I truly loved the chunky texture and the overall flavor was more foie gras than chicken. Paired with sour black cherries the pate spread nicely on the bread and most definitely served as the highlight of the platter. Dish 2, Almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade didn't wow. While the thymus itself was appropriately crunchy on the outside and creamy within, I personally did not taste much almond or sweetbread as the marmalade overwhelmed some of the subtleties of the dish. Having had a number of sweetbread preparations over the years I will note the quality of the product was excellent, but the flavor pairing just was not to my liking. Dish 3 - Fried lamb's tongue with salsa rossa was minimally gamey but intensely textural and compelling as the lightly fried tongue was exquisitely tender and balanced nicely with the sweetened red pepper reduction. Adding lightly cooked red onions served to add a vegetal texture and the entirety of the course was truly enjoyable - a definite must order. My final small plate would be the charred prosciutto wrapped figs with ricotta. Another exploration of sweet and savory these small bundles featured creamy figs wrapped with razor thin prosciutto slices that were seared black before my eyes before being plated atop a bed of whipped ricotta. Drizzling the entirety of the dish with a thick acidic balsamic reduction and served piping hot I will admit that the $12 price tag seemed a bit steep for only four servings, but the complexity and intensity of the flavors more than justified the expense. Asking the chef closest to me what pasta he'd recommend I was guided to the fettuccine with pork ragu and stone fruit. With pecorinio shaved over the dish before me I plunged a fork into the thick ragu and was met with a subtle mélange of salty shredded pork and the sweet fructose of the fruits. Melding perfectly with the al dente pasta I will say that this dish was the second best pasta I had during my trip to Philadelphia, falling just short of Vetri's signature spinach gnocchi in "wow" factor. Sated but not stuffed my next order was coffee - my first of 5 experiences with the La Colombe lineup during my trip to Philadelphia. Cocoa accented with high notes of caramel the coffee was stunning and a perfect pairing for chocolate based desserts (future tastes at Osteria and Vetri only served to confirm this) - I bought three pounds before returning to Ohio. Accompanying the coffee, this time ignoring my server's suggested dessert, was the daily dessert special of Tiramisu. With lady fingers made in house and the evening's batch being prepared before me a large slice was presented on a plate and although not avant-garde in any way, the classical preparation was flawless in execution with cocoa, mascarpone, coffee, and rum each presenting prominently. Looking back in retrospect at the Vetri family of restaurants I can now say that Amis is certainly the least refined and yet not the least pricey. Tapas in its presentation I feel the ideal way to experience it would be with a group, as is their intent, in order to taste as many different presentations as possible - and if I lived locally I'd be looking for a group right now in order to head back for more.
(4)Joe C.
Let's start off with the most important things first....the have a liquor license with wine and a full bar so no BYOB here. Yes it is a big deal especially for us tourist who are not used to BYOB and don't know where the liquor stores are. Now the food....every pasta we tried was exceptional with my fav being the "Cacio e Pepe" tonnarelli pasta with back pepper and pecorino cheese and the Spinach Lasagna. Both of these are worth the flight back to Philly from LA.
(4)Anthony Y.
chef spence crushes it. the talked about hits mortadella mousse, meatballs and affordable wines top my list of favorites. i went for a business meal but will definitely be back frequently with my wife.
(5)De V.
Amis was highly recommended and now I can see why! The ambiance is loud/fun environment. We sat at the Chef's table where we observed apps & desserts being made. The staff was so nice and answered questions on the variety of plates we watched them prep. The food is phenom, definitely a must to try this place out.
(4)Haltone H.
I've been here 3 times in 4 years. This is a really wow place, as far as the food and service. You will try dishes here that you would never, ever think could be some of the tastiest things you've ever eaten - but they will be. The most unappetizing-sounding offal is turned into the best food experiences here. Almost more impressive is the service, though. My husband asked for the recipe for Sal's meatballs, expecting the server to disappear into the kitchen and come back with it at some point. Instead, our server quoted the recipe on the spot. He could tell us what was in every dish we were eating (I'm thinking of the 2nd time I went, with a party of 6), and anything we could possibily like to know about our beer, wine, and cocktail choices. I work in fine dining, but it made me think that I could never be a server at a place like this - I could never remember that many details! You would think this waiter was the chef, himself. And yet he had a very down-to-earth, local-guy demeanor. I work with some great, career servers, but was truly impressed. Also: each time I've dined there, we've been sent complimentary dishes. This last time, 3 of us sat at the bar, and ordered small plates. We were comped just as many plates as we ordered. I can't yet figure out if these are plates that were made by mistake, or what. The bottom line is, if you're going to splurge, this is a place to do it. Lots of places charge commensurate prices and don't deliver - this one does.
(5)Bill M.
Review 1000!!! And a birthday dinner review at that! When I realized that the time frame of hitting my 1000th review was going to fall around the time of my birthday dinner I knew that I was going to have to pick a Philly restaurant that was worthy of both occasions. At first the task proved daunting when my first choice (A tasting menu at a restaurant beginning with a Z that I have recommended on countless occasions based on YOUR reviews) didn't have a reservation on the needed day. But then it hit me that there was still a very worthy Philly chef out there who's food I've had yet to sample. While I've enjoyed offerings from Garces and Starr restaurants, food from the likes of Solomonov and McAndrews, and have shared plenty of off kilter moments with the likes of Chiang and Jacobson, the fine Italian cuisine of Marc Vetri is something that has up until this point alluded me. Of late I've found myself salivating over the thought of his pizza, pasta and homemade salumi; and had become especially fond and appreciative of the charitable efforts he does with the Vetri Foundation. So while the dilemma of choosing between Osteria and Amis was a challenge, the baked pecorino was enough of a wild card to delight the cheese monger in me and the reservation was set. Many reviews on here go into the extra attentiveness of the staff, and our table did experience that in some ways such as having 2 different servers check on our table, and asking how everything was during our meal a few times too many. It also created a couple of "Whos on First?" style moments when one would complete the dessert order or check taking that the other started. But if anything it was done in a way that was extra accommodating and informative as opposed to being extra aggressive and overbearing. And it showed in the little details like them adding a birthday candle to my dessert when they overheard our table having a birthday discussion. Every so very often there comes a menu that sounds so enticing that I want to order and savor one of everything on it. And with its various bruschettas, homemade salumi, classic and elevated pasta dishes, incredible sounding fish dish and meat dishes, and overall old world Italian meets new world Italian feel, it was VERY much the case at Amis. Which is especially amicable given the tripe, tongue, and liver dishes that they had. the salami del giorno was enticing with its fennel inside and rich marmalade accompaniment. the eggplant caponata was fresh and robust in all of the right places. But the star of the appetizer show was definitely the baked pecorino with almond honey. In all my years of being a cheese monger I never thought I'd be able to see a typically hard and grate-able cheese like pecorino presented in a way that was so soft and gooey. But seeing and especially tasting is believing. And seeing experiencing it with that decadent honey made me a believer! It is important to remember not to hit up an Indonesian noodle market for a quick lunch before going to a place that's known for its pasta for dinner. And since I was one to sadly make such an error (D'oh!), I wasn't up for getting the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu that I otherwise would have gotten (double D'oh!). But in the experience of trying something that I wasn't at least somewhat familiar with I ordered the grilled cobia tagliata for main. And what I gotwas an incredible swordfish style whitefish that was meaty and not overwhelmingly fishy thanks to its fennel and citrus accompaniment. One could get hooked on the potent and fruity vodka and lemon infused Amis Punch if they're not to careful. But fortunately the small yet impressionable draught list was enough to have me intrigued. And the Trubbel De Yards delivered a malty yet fruity complexion that I wasn't expecting from a dark beer. Normally dessert is another tricky thing to choose. but the prospect of a homemade salted butter ice cream sundae with blood orange and crushed chocolate biscotti was pretty damn hard to pass up. And it was the perfect final bite to a flawless meal that already has me craving more!!!
(5)Tough Crowd T.
I'm starting to think that I am inspired to write only by poor experiences. Take this review for what it's worth to you. Had a meal at the bar last night. A pre-theater quickie. The bar was full and the atmosphere lovely but everything else was poor. After my last two visits to the restaurant (it's on my way home) my expectations were low. But all of the food was disappointed. Even my pineapple soda was terrible; pure sugar no flavor. We had octopus, escarole salad, tongue, Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. The last two dishes were scorched in the fryer. (I missed zahav's delicious lightly fried veggies). The salad drowned in dressing and cheese. The octopus was tough to chew. The tongue unbearably sweet and swimming in oil. Everything was over-salted. And I love my salt. Service was slow (the bartender was overwhelmed by a full bar) and surly. And there was some guy hanging out behind the bar under foot. Not going back.
(1)Celeste A.
Fantastic! Service is great. We were there with 4 adults, 4 PRE teens, and an infant. They were able to accommodate all of us! Plan to experiment. We ordered multiple apps to share so all could get a taste. Entrees are perfect size. I like to finish my meal not take home 3/4 of a pound of left over pasta! Desserts were good too! Plan a leasurely dinner. Take your time to enjoy the food and the great staff they have!
(5)Ryan B.
My wife and I stopped in just before 9 PM on Saturday the 9th to celebrate our anniversary. Having never been to any of Marc Vetri's restaurants, we didn't know what to expect. In my opinion it lived up to the hype. The ambience was nice, a little loud, but we liked the feel of it. The food was very good. I definitely recommend trying the swordfish meatballs. It was packed when we arrived but there was minimal wait time before we could sit down. We had a table closer to the door but it turned out to be nice as we were a little more secluded. While our server Eric was checking in on his other tables, we had management stop by to check in on us and ultimately take our order. I was impressed. I could see the restaurant was very busy and had no problem waiting for the server to make his rounds but it was appreciated nonetheless. Our server Eric was attentive but not overzealous. He took the time to check in on us but gave us plenty of space to celebrate our evening. He was knowledgeable and gave us a few good recommendations but he was also able to loosen up and joke with us which made the evening more enjoyable. It was our first anniversary and Amis made it quite memorable. We won't hesitate to go back for seconds.
(4)Jennie C.
Came here for dinner before a concert at the Kimmel center with a friend. The place was buzzing on the Thursday evening,so I took it as a sign that food must be good. Well, things started off on a great note: enthusiastic waitress, lovely decor, yummy bread. We started with the baked pecorino with almond honey, which came with crispy toast and was TO-DIE-FOR. Then the pasta came: friend had the tonarelli cacio e pepe, I had the bucatini with cauliflower. The pasta was al dente, but I'm not of a fan of the rich and rather congealed cream sauce. For $14, the portion size was quite good, but I couldn't finish it because of the rich sauce. The chocolate hazelnut dessert we shared was waaaayyy too rich, needless to say we weren't able to finish it, although both of us were rabid chocolate addicts. I'd stick with the appetizers. Also, while I appreciate the open kitchen, rustic table settings, I wish the tables weren't placed so close. We were lucky the two old ladies next to us were pleasant companions. People on dates may want to go somewhere more private.
(3)Steph G.
Very good food. Very nice service. There is one big "HOWEVER," though, that prevents me from giving this place five stars: they gave me caffeinated coffee at 10:30 pm when I had asked for a decaf. Obviously, I didn't realize this until after I had drunk it, and was awake all night. At 4:30 in the morning, as I was cursing their names, this sort of ruined my experience of the restaurant. I don't want to dock Amis more than one star for this, though, because it might have just been an honest eff-up. And the food and wine were quite good.... But dammit, Amis, keep your decaf clearly labeled, please. Some people are sensitive to caffeine, yo!
(4)Jose S.
We had a little bit of a wait & then our appetizers were given to the table next to us. The dinner portions were kind of small but very good.
(3)Huntington B.
What a great restaurant. Loved the burrata with tomatoes, pasta pecorino (not sure if that's the correct title), fried cauliflower, and tiramisu. Not a huge fan of the swordfish meatballs but between the service and the food, it was a wonderful evening!
(5)Jessica H.
We came here for NYE, excited to try the spot that Anthony Bourdain raved about on his recent show, The Layover. As a New Yorker, I'm pretty well versed in good food and service and looked forward to Amis given what I had read & heard. When your New Years plans revolve around a meal, you're clearly serious about good food and looking for an experience vs just a dinner. We had a 10pm reservation for 4 that had been made weeks in advance; we had called ahead to confirm and were told there'd be a champagne toast at midnight. We were planning to spend the time enjoying a nice & leisurely spaced out meal and drinking until the clock struck 12. We specifically asked our waiter to space the meal out, that we weren't in a rush and wanted to take time between courses. We even had requested to put the appetizer order in first and the pasta and entrees later in order to take our time. Instead, he pushed us to put it all in at once, claiming that the pastas would take a lot of time and that we wouldn't be rushed at all. Our appetizers were delish, but came all at once. When we'd finished the plates were quickly cleared...and not 5 minutes later we found BOTH our secondi pasta dishes AND our main course entrees laid out in front of us. On top of this, the 2 side dishes we'd ordered with the main courses never showed up! I wasn't happy, it was only 10:30 at this point, a half hour from when we'd started. Again our plates were quickly cleared when we'd finished and we ordered dessert which was popped down in front of us quickly. Our meal had been completely rushed-we were done at 11pm, in just one hour! Despite this, our group agreed that we would take our time with dessert & order more cocktails in effort to ring in the new year at 12am. That's when without being asked if we wanted another round and WITHOUT ASKING FOR IT, our check arrived on the table. Mind you, no one was waiting for our table-so what was their rush? At this point I'd had enough. It was NYE and I felt like they were trying to push us out the door before midnight, while the restaurant still had plenty of seated tables. I went to the manager and explained everything to him-that we had specifically asked the server to space our dinner out, and that not only had we been rushed but our check had come without request when we'd planned to stay. He brusquely told me that he encourages the waitstaff to put in orders at one time and barely acknowledged my points. He told me he'd be happy to bring us another round of drinks, which I accepted. We rang in the new year, but without a champagne toast-the restaurant had offered NONE. And if that wasn't enough, they didn't even comp us that last round of cocktails-we paid for them! What a gross way to treat customers who paid a fortune for dinner, especially on New Years!! And to add insult to injury, the manager sarcastically stopped us on the way out to wish us a happy new year and to add that he hoped we'd enjoyed the rest of our experience. It's a shame that this place is managed by such a terrible staff, because the food was delicious. But if I lived in Philly this would be the LAST freaking place I'd give my money to ever again! Go to a Steven Starr restaurant instead, he knows how to run things!
(2)Brad P.
The black linguine with squid and chorizo and tartufo al bacio dessert are stellar. If you eat at Amis and don't partake in these items, then you have permanently sullied the quality of your life. I don't really recommend the imported bufala ricotta and black pepper bruschetta. The salami del giorno with marmalade is good. The salami is thicker than you'd expect and the marmalade adds a delightful sweetness. The grouper is OK.
(4)Lindsay H.
I am a fan of all the Marc Vetri Restaurants and can not wait for him to keep opening up more. I was at Amis on friday night and once again, it did not disappoint. This place is always packed so reservations are necessary. Even with reservations, you may need to wait a few minutes but, for my group, it was friday and we were happy with having some cocktails at the bar. I was thrilled with the table they seated us at. One of my complaints has always been how close they seat you to other tables but our table was sort of off in the corner with plenty of room. There are a few highlights at Amis that I must mention. First, they have my favorite preparation of sweetbreads that I've ever had. They're almond dusted, fried and served with an orange fenel marmalade. They are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside and the marmalade adds an awesome sweet flavor to a salty dish. YUM! That aside, the pastas are always a highlight as well. My favorite pasta this time was a rigatoni with a wild mushroom ragu. The pasta was aldente and the ragu was creamy, salty and delicious...especially if you love mushrooms like me. From here, there were two seafood dishes that blew my mind. The skate wing and the swordfish meatballs. HOLY skate wing. They dust it in this super fine flour and pan fry it just to give a little texture, serving it with a lemon butter sauce with fried brussel sprouts...very approachable. The flavors and textures in this dish were heaven. I could eat this dish all the time and be happy. After that, the swordfish meatballs. YUM! The meatballs just fell apart when you touched them and were perfectly tender and juicy, served over some creamy polenta. The only thing I wasn't crazy about for this meal were the desserts. They were good but not great. Honestly, I can't even remember what we had but everything else was so delicious, it doesn't even matter!
(4)Joe C.
Sal's Meatballs. As good as my grandmother's, maybe even better. ( I can't believe I just wrote that, sorry Grandmom) Amis has great atmosphere, great food, and great service. This is my 3rd time there, I've tried most of the menu, and never had a bad choice. In addition to the meatballs, try the homemade salumi, and any of the bruchetta's. Split the pastas (I love the Al'amatracani and the cacao e pepe) and then try any of the Beast of the week specials. And whatever you do, save room for dessert.
(4)Leya r.
This is one of the best restaurants of all time. The food is beyond worlds. It's absolutely exquisite. Everything I have ever had is exquisite. The service is also second to none. This is the best restaurant in Philly. And one of the top in the east coast. You will not regret this!!!
(5)Max E.
Came in here on a Tuesday night with reservations for two. We had to wait a LONG time (30+ minutes) because we didn't want to sit at the chef's counter. They were very nice and apologetic, and even gave us glasses of wine and some appetizers. The food was delicious - I'm a fan of simple dishes and loved the cacio e pepe and the mozarella with pears. The bread pudding was the star of the meal. I'll definitely come back - but hopefully on a night when it's a little less busy.
(4)Carlo M.
Nice location on a quiet street just outside of the drab high-rises of Center City, and a nice ambiance. They were poor on meeting their reservations however. We got there on time, and were told to wait at the bar for our table. Little did we know there were still three couples ahead of us. Luckily, they opened up the chef's table right next to the kitchen, so we were able to sit there, which I actually really liked. With that aside, I thought the food was actually very good. The bread was quite tasty, and it went really well w/ the mussels we had for appetizers. It was a great surprise to find little pieces of pork in the broth! I liken the feeling to finding an onion ring in your fries when you go to Burger King. Anyway, great mussels. For my main dish, I ordered the black spaghetti w/ squid & chorizo. It was really good. I don't know what else to say. Beer & wine were reasonably priced, as was the rest of the menu. We were going out afterward, so we skipped dessert. But we sat right in front of the dessert station, and all of them looked really good. I'll have to come back here to try them.
(4)Stephanie L.
so I tell my story of our two years through the food of Amis - a Vetri family establishment in the heart of Philadelphia. The red table wine of Amis, the pork cheek, the strange duck sauce of Mr. V's pasta dish - and what was great about this place was that every choice I made, aside from the desert, I got...slightly wrong, and Mr. V got them right. Flowing red wine and iced tea is essentially what we are - what we drink when we are given a choice, though he'll tell you gin and tonic when operating machinery is not in his near future. I loved the atmosphere of Amis - it's exactly the sort of place I've been looking for for over a year - a hipster ish sort of feeling, sunken and hidden from unknowing eyes, wood everywhere and darkened by lamps and candlelight. somber and definite, it's the place you go to talk about the opera or a dark show, something that just doesn't feel right and you need inspiration for the words to come out right. Starters were bread and olive oil. His picks came first - salami with pickled onions and pecorino with almond honey. Both were good - the salami was especially soft and most and i liked it best. the honey on the pecorino was too sweet for my buds, but Mr. V loved both. My goal is to taste everything once or twice and move on, his goal is to devour life itself and leave nothing on the plate. Which he did. Next were my starters - pork's head croquettes and sweetbreads. The sweetbreads, while perfectly cooked, were fried a little on the heavy side, though good nonetheless. The croquettes were too big - they should've been smaller, bite sized, because the inside was so rich that two or three bites per croquette was just too much and overwhelming. I would've paid the same price for a smaller bite in order to enjoy it more. Entrees were a duck sausage pasta for Mr. V and wild boar sausage for myself. Mr. V loved his pasta dish, which is surprising, considering he doesn't like pasta much. He felt my wild boar was gamey and too salty, but liked the side of potatoes. I agreed, but didn't dislike it - it was hearty and gamey and seasoned a bit overmuch, but enjoyable and delish with the red table wine. I really liked his duck sausage pasta - al dente and warm, not smothered in sauce, hints of spice and flavor, light like a cloud. He got all of his right, I got only some, even with the dessert - I had the waffle with nutella and vanilla semi freddo, he had the carrot cake. He liked his, I loved mine, but mine had nutella - it's hard not to like it. the parking was odd - Mr. V didn't like paying $18 for valet, but I didn't want to walk in the cold for too many blocks. The wait staff was pleasant and not obtrusive, much more polite than I expected. Mr. V isn't used to sitting so close to people, so that was a small adjustment for him. I'd go back for an after show outing for a drink and some salami and cheese.
(3)Anannya T.
Amis was my first Marc Vetri experience, and a fabulous one indeed. As one could probably glean from my reviews of Jose Garces restaurants, I respect innovative chefs/restauranteurs who can make seemingly incompatible flavors blend impeccably. The gregarious waitstaff and laid-back, unpretentious ambience made for a great evening. On the day we'd had dinner, their catch of the week was shark, and we ordered their night's special of shark pasta (which was clearly fresh and very good). We also ordered their signature Tonnarelli "Cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper (*beyond words*), a side of polenta (too buttery and greasy for my personal taste), and the Belgian style waffle with nutella, vanilla semifreddo, and toasted hazelnuts (OUT of this world). Overall, we remember our experience very fondly and would recommend this place to anyone with an appreciation for Italian/innovative cuisine.
(4)Paul B.
Amis is the stripped down, more casual incarnation of Osteria. If you are looking for a 5 star experience, go to Osteria or Vetri. If 4 stars will do, Amis is a solid choice. The service is 3 stars. The food is very solid. If I could, I would have given. 3.5 stars. Very good, but not great.
(4)Katarina M.
OMG I COULD EAT HERE ALL THE TIME if it weren't for my wallet and my belt line. And I only docked one star because some of the items are too small for the price, and there are one or two misses in terms of dishes. But I still think of this place as 5 stars because it's 5 stars whenever I go because I will only order one thing!!! And it is the only place besides Honey's that I'll take out-of-towner brunchers to. I've only been here for brunch, have been twice, and couldn't help but order the same entree both times. But tried a bunch of things. -Rotini with sausage and egg yolk: HEAVEN. Literally this is the most delicious pasta I think I've ever had. And it's a brunch pasta! YUM! It's basically loaded with flavor, the sausage is delicious, the egg yolk is cooked perfectly to just pop with a touch of your fork, and you mix it in, and it combines with the bit of parmesan in there and it is just incredible. GET THIS. I ordered it both times I came and this dish is the star. -Baked pecorino with almond honey appetizer: Just amazing. So delicious. They get that pecorino nice and melty and the honey and the crumbles of almond...yum. Served with a little bread. Enough for 4 to taste. But you could totally eat it all yourself and be so happy. -Tonnarelli carbonara: my dad ordered this it was underwhelming. Lacking in flavor. -Jersey cannonball: Had a bite of my friend's. It was pretty good. Not to die for, but I'd order it if they were out of the rotini. It's a breakfast sandwich with I forget all what, but definitely egg, cheese, and some fun Italian things. Maybe meat? I forget. Ask the waiter. (Sidenote: it's mildly annoying they don't have descriptions of the meals, but then the waiters are just so good at describing them, that it's almost more fun to just ask for a description) -Belgian waffle (with salted butter semifreddo, hazelnuts, and maple syrup): Delicious. Small portion though (and for $12!)! Two little waffles. My mom wanted to order a second one. This one should be made bigger or less pricy. But it's delicious. -Pancakes (forget the name...seems they're no longer on the menu): Delicious. I'm not a pancake or waffle person, but both were awesome. -something all uovo. Looks like this is gone off the menu too, which is both a shame and an improvement. That thing was so tiny for how expensive it was! Both of my waiters recommended getting it for the table to share, and it was delicious, but it was listed under entrees, which would've been a ridiculously small entree. Was a pasta with an egg cooked inside of it, with some brown butter on top, it was so delicious. -Soft scrambled eggs: Don't bother ordering these! They're nothing special whatsoever! -Dessert: have only ever gotten the Mom Mom's rice pudding. It's yumm! Always get it to split for the table because it's pretty big and I don't need much sweet after brunch. But it's definitely worth trying. Rice pudding with some sort of fruit in it, built like a parfait. -drinks: I won't bother anymore. Way overpriced. $10 for a little flute of mimosa. And the $11 limoncello wasn't anything special either. Adorable little place, sad they only have brunch on Sundays. But definitely check it out! If you order the right things, this place is 5 stars!
(4)H. I.
Had an awesome NYE / belated birthday dinner for my boyfriend here. This is how you do Italian food! We ordered swordfish meatballs on a bed of polenta and the almond dusted sweetbreads with fennel marmalade to start. All were delicious, highly recommend both. For our entree we split the fettuccine with duck bolognese and the roasted lamb shoulder. I have been dreaming about the fettuccine since! The pasta is super fresh, hand made, and so delicate. The lamb was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. For dessert, we had the tartufo as a birthday dessert. Rich and decadent chocolate with hazelnut. The space feels like a trattoria, energetic with delicious smells coming from the kitchen. The lighting is soft and perfect for a date. Can't wait to come back again!
(5)Christina B.
It was our first time in Philadelphia & we had a fabulous dinner at Amis! One of the best Italian dinners we've had in a long while. Better than New York & similar to being in Italy. Highly recommend!! The seared scallops & the swordfish meatballs were perfectly done. We had the chicken fettuccine special which was magnificent. Their pastas are perfectly made. Thank you for a spectacular meal & the wonderful, friendly service that comes. With it!
(5)Hector M.
Giving 3 stars to a Vetri restaurant seems like sacrilege, but I had an equal amount of hits and amÃsses. The olive oil bread basket is absolutely ridiculous (if you typically skip the bread, try this and try to each just one - good luck). After analyzing the menu and pointing out all of the recommendations, we went with the following: - chicken liver toscani: ever since I had and loved the chicken liver at The Spotted Pig (NYC), I haven't been able to find it as good anywhere else. The streak continues.... - baked pecorino with almond honey: absolutely amazing. I took more than more portion, ordered it again, and took more than my portion again (it was so good, I didn't care about the social repercussions). - Sal's old school meatballs with tomato potato: all parts of this appetizer were delicious - the meatballs, the sauce, and the 'tomato potato'. - grilled veal tongue with pepper mostarda: I had high hopes and it was just ok (nothing memorable). - tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" with pecorino and black pepper: I was distracted by the overcooked pasta (I didn't finish my plate which is rare) - polenta with brown butter: it was bland. I was expecting sweetness from the brown butter, but all it seemed to do was make a brown ring around the polenta. - spagetti squash with pork jowl and pecorino: I was strategically taking spoonfuls of the pork jowl (and you'll do the same) - wow.
(3)Sunita L.
This is a great Italian restaurant. This is probably the classiest Italian restaurant we have been in. The menu is a little overwhelming only because the food is so unique. Not your average spaghetti and meatballs place. The service was great at being patient with us. She explained everything. When we finally ordered we were not disappointed. Everything was so well prepared and delicious. Highly recommend. Just be prepared to pay a little more then typical Italian cuisine. But well worth it.
(5)Star T.
Amis never disappoints. We had a wonderful dinner: I had the pork chop alla Milanese and my friend had the scallops. Both meals were quite good but I preferred the scallops in the end. Dinner for two with wine can be a bit pricey in the end but I find Amis to be worth it, much more so than some other restaurants in its price range.
(4)Courtney C.
We had a Valentine's weekend dinner and it was a great experience. What truly sold me, they service. (The food is excellent) they had run out of braised lamb shank, so the send over the chef's favorite pasta dish (complimentary) & they also gave us the salty semifreddo for free. On many reviews, people complained about ambience, specifically how loud it. It didn't bother me at all. We will definitely go again!
(5)Andrew C.
If you've eaten at Vetri and been transported by the ethereal pastas and beautifully restrained and subtle elegance there, you will begin to get an idea of what Amis does. Imagine plates prepared with that same care, quality and simple creativity inspired by the freshest ingredients wearing a plain white t shirt and comfy jeans. I've eaten here at least 2 dozen times and tried about 50 plates. I love to eat at the bar and begin with a cocktail. The list has some great seasonal suggestions. They make a great Negroni. WBG selections are unusual and very high quality. Late summer fave = the Australian Sangiovese "Blood of Jupiter". Don't miss if that's on the list. Most plates are smaller, so you can taste a few. I love the Olives which are served warm with some herbs and orange peel. The Mortadella Mousse is always delish. The Bruschetta selections are always changing and usually great. Some memorable ones: Snail and Garlic, Tuna and White Bean, Preserved Lemon and Fava Bean. The Veal Tongue is outstanding with a little honey on the plate, charred green onions and weirdly sweet, fruity mostarda fruit garnish. Hard for me not to order this every time I go. DON'T MISS! Pastas are sublime. The Cacio Pepe is outstanding, the Spaghetti and Chile peppers is notable. The Fettucine and Corn Ragu is off the chain. They often butcher a poor, small, local animal (like a duck, lamb or calf) and offer it up in a variety of ways and portions as a special. It's usually awesome. Desserts are very good. The salted butter ice cream is ridiculous. The stracciatelle and figs (or whatever seasonal fruit) is killer. The Zabaglione is reliable. Get a glass of Malavasia to wash it down or maybe the best affogato in Center City. Brunch is solid. Don't miss the Jersey Cannonball. The service is uniformly comfortable, efficient and warm. Management is present, vigilant and makes sure everything is smooth and hospitable. Highly recommend.
(4)Ryan N.
One of the best italian restaurants in the Philly area. Ordered the special known as the beast of the day or something like that. They had a pig imported from a local farm that morning and created meals featured around that meat. Started out with Wine Cheese and crackers along with this pork salmi that was very sweet. Since me and my girlfriend are still underage we decided to try their featured italian sodas. I got pineapple and she got cherry, needless to say they were delicious. Our entree's were amazing as well. We both got pasta dishes, the names have left my memory already. They both were perfect sized portion and satisfied our taste buds and left just enough room for dessert and coffee. The dessert was my favorite. A giant solid chocolate ball filled with cake, nutella and cherries. SO GOOD and the cappuccinos were equally as good. Overall the service, atmosphere, time and quality all tie together so well and make amis one of the best resteraunts I've ever ate at!
(5)Ernie N.
Was in town and had the opportunity to meet Chef Marc Vetri. He was extremely cordial, fraternizing with the patrons in the dining room, signing autographs and whatnot. I love it when Chefs personally check on the diners. It provides I nice touch that makes me feel they actually care that we are enjoying our meal. The pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu was well prepared. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the mushrooms packed plenty of flavor. I felt like there was a little too much oil for my taste however. The veel tongue was a nice savory dish with just a pinch of sodium that dissolves on your palate, ironically slapping you in the face with a sudden calm bliss. Definitely worth trying. Would like to try is flagship restaurants Osteria and/or Vetri one day.
(4)Amanda L.
Don't expect to be seated on time. Best to make your reservation 30 minutes before you actually want to sit down. I made a reservation a month in advance for my mom's birthday and we waited in the drafty entryway for 45 minutes. This is completely unacceptable. I think if the manager had informed the previous party that someone was waiting that they would gladly have gotten up. It's very poor restaurant management. This is Philly. This isn't manhattan. You should be able to seat people remotely in the vicinity of their reservation.
(3)Chris P.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. The atmosphere is fantastic and the food has always been great. However, I don't plan on returning any time soon after today's abysmal service. A few of my friends and I had a reservation for 8:45. Some tables were running a little late (which is understandable) so we waited at the bar. After about a half hour wait we watched what was supposed to be our table be given away to another group (I overheard the maître d' ask the waitress why she had given the table to the other group rather than the people waiting on their 8:45 reservation...). At 9:45, a full hour after our reservation, we still hadn't been seated. Not only that, but we didn't receive any explanation or apology for the delay. After waiting for over an hour, we gave up and were forced to eat at a pizza joint. The food was inferior, but at least they didn't ignore us for an hour...
(1)Alyssa P.
Had my first Amis experience last night & I'm positive it won't be my last. One of the most solid meals that I can remember. I went with two friends for Dining Out For Life last night & although the restaurant was completely full, the service was attentive & the food came out quickly & accurately. I would have thought we were the only people in the place! For three people, we split some apps: Baked Pecorino w/ Almond Honey - to die for, gooey & delicious served with grilled bread Pecorino Arancini w/ Ragu & Peas - delicious little risotto balls w/ a nugget of cheese hidden inside Sweetbreads w/ Fennel Marmalade - very light.. usually sweetbreads are super fried in order to mask what they really are, these were the opposite - dusted w/ almond flour & pan fried Fried Brussel Sprouts - great veggie option ..and then all ordered our own pastas. I had the Spaghetti w/ Pork Jowls & Spring Onion - it was so light & the pasta was cooked perfectly. I had to refrain from inhaling the whole plate since we were trying to save room for dessert. My friends got the Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto and the Spinach Fazzoletti - both delicious as well. For dessert we split the Nutella Waffle (amazing) as well as the Tiramisu which was a special for the day. Highly recommended - go check it out for yourself! :)
(5)Khan K.
Went out for dinner Friday night. Parking is hard to find and valet is your only option. Knowing that Anthony Bourdain had been to Amis, I really wanted to go and check this place out. We had made prior reservations and were seated right away. The seating is tight and the noise level is very loud. The server was great, knowledgeable and helpful. The service was very good. We even saw Marc Vetri floating around. We ordered: baked pecorino-good, very flavorful, great textures marinated shrimp-refreshing and delicate grilled veal tongue-best dish of the night cacio e pepe-too al dente, very salty, not impressed, this is the dish I wanted to be impressed by wild boar sausage-ehhh Overall I was disappointed by the food but the service was superb. I wanted to like this place, I really did but it was not as good as I had hoped.
(3)Audrey D.
My husband took me on a date to Amis last Monday night and it was perfect! The food and service was beyond good! The place was pretty packed for a Monday so I was glad we made a reservation. Our server suggested ordering brussel sprouts and *damn*! These were some fantastic brussel sprouts! We can't wait to have dinner here again!
(5)Andrew H.
The more I think about this place the less I like it. I really wanted to like it given the rapturous applause of anything Vetri on this site. Giorgio's on Pine is better and cheaper. Also, why would you give an Italian restaurant a French name?
(3)Ariana B.
House made pasta and reasonably priced carafes of house wine in addition to a cozy yet hip atmosphere make this a great date night place. Friendly service and an open kitchen add to the overall experience as well. Definitely the best tiramisu I've ever had.
(5)Dana S.
Based on the taste of the food alone, Amis is 5 stars. The pasta is clearly homemade and delicious, the skirt steak was perfectly cooked, and the desserts... oh the desserts. Yum. I've been to Amis 3 or 4 times and each time I've gotten the same thing (I am a creature of habit). My usual dish is the spaghetti with the pecorino romano pepper sauce "cacio e pepe" and a scoop of the salted butter semifreddo for dessert. I dream of that ice cream. My boyfriend and I have tried to recreate it with no success since we first tried it. This time I went with my parents and got the same thing as before. As always, delicious. The olive oil infused foccacia bread is magical too. My parents loved their meals... another pasta dish with some kind of corn sauce, skirt steak, scallops, etc. But I have to say, the best part was the lemon pepper ricotta cake with peach jam and vanilla semifreddo. Oh gosh. That even beats the semifreddo. So with such great food - why the star deduction? Well for one, it was $240ish dollars for the three of us. Thats a lot, especially since my dad and I had meatless pasta for our main course. Also, my mom has celiac disease and many places known for their pasta have started making gluten free pasta dishes. Maybe they could consider that but that's just a nitpick. Finally, I found a drink I like at Amis... something with peach puree... but I've also found many I don't, which is uncommon for me -- I usually like every fruity cocktail I taste.
(4)Dawna M.
Our waiter was friendly and attentive, but not overly so. Seating was squished. We were in the booth area with full tables on either side of us, so the water had to pull our table in/out for us or the couple along the wall to be able to get out/in. Apps ------- Bufala ricotta - awesome! Sal's Meatballs - good, but I preferred the ricotta Pasta -------- Bucatini w jalapeno pesto - very good and reheated well 2 days later Pork Shoulder rigatoni - very good!! no leftovers there Dessert ----------- Tiramisu - ok Waffle with nutella - awesome!! But still couldn't plow through it all Drinks --------- Can't recall which ones we got, but the first round was very good. The second round, not-so-much. It was a **very** heavy hand with the gin.
(4)Daniel H.
I'm glad I waited for my second dinner visit to review, because it was pretty awesome. I'll start with the part that wasn't awesome - the outdoor seating. Great idea, poor execution. Not sure if the bars were put in place because the four-tops went beyond zoning for sidewalk cafes, but this new arrangement makes it impossible to sit outside in groups, and it also kills the outdoor vibe the place had going for it. Nobody sits outside anymore, so being the lone pair felt a bit awkward (Tuesday night, July 3rd). Easily forgivable when considering the AWESOMENESS that was the food. When you think meatball, you probably think beef (if you don't think beef, indulge me for a moment) - well, you'll find Sal's meatballs on the menu, but you'll also find... wait for it... SWORDFISH MEATBALLS. What? Swordfish meatballs? Who would eat those? I DID, AND THEY'RE AWESOME (there's a whole lot of awesome). Weird part is that they taste just like regular meatballs. So, so good. The Mixed Salumi plate - not as awesome, but good. Salami, liver, and mortadella. The salami was my favorite of the three, and the liver in second. That was to start. The oil-infused bread was also very nice. For mains we split the quail and the gnocchi sardi (not potato gnocchi, more like shell pasta)... the quail was so good... it was my first time eating it and I think it's my favorite fowl after that experience. Thighs and legs (and maybe breast) are served over polenta (just okay), crispy and salty on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. More AWESOME. The gnocchi sardi was served with lamb bacon, broccoli, and some sort of cheese sauce. Very delicious. Finished it off with the salted butter semifreddo sundae. OH MY GOODNESS. I didn't want this dessert, but we got it, and it was SO AWESOME. Savory and sweet; creamy and crunchy. You need to have it. In summary - swordfish meatballs + quail + salted butter semifreddo sundae = a must visit in Philly.
(4)Manoj P.
Food was alright. Came here on recommendations from a friend and Yelp. Maybe we just ordered too much cheesy dishes but found the meal way too heavy. The best part was the fried cauliflower; next best was the baked pecorino but the cheese, once it cooled down a little, got rubbery. Same thing happened with tonnarelli "cacio e pepe" and bucatini with jalapeno and almond pesto. Both had good flavor (I *really* liked the bucatini at first) but after a bit, it cooled down and just got really heavy and hard to eat. Service was good, though.
(3)Shane L.
Food was good. Great ambience, good staff and busy on a tuesday night (usually a good sign). Had high expectations for this place and I think it fulfilled most of them. Pasta was al dente and meats tasted fresh (Wild Boar special - brought in that morning). Cocktails were ok, but could be a bit more exciting. The food itself reminded me of my visit to Italy which made the meal a little more enjoyable. I would give 4.5 stars if possible because price was great for the amount of food and service. 3 apps, 1 pasta, 1 entree and 3 cocktails = $115. Thats a bargain for a great dining experience in the city. Left feeling happy and complete. That is all!
(4)Jon D.
Seriously, Marc Vetri is like a bald Jesus. I came here for brunch and left just as full and amazed as I did after trying Amis for dinner. The constant creativity, depth of flavor, and flawless execution make Vetri's James Beard award well, well deserved. -Baked pecorino with almond honey: Awesome! Salty, sweet, and nutty, with crunchy toasted bread that everyone at the table will fight over. How did they come up with such a simplistic masterpiece like this? -Polenta pancakes: Light and fluffy but nowhere near your typical pancake. Embrace the polenta...it works in this dish. -Soft scrambled eggs: Eggs were cooked to perfection and served as a perfect palette for the deliciously marinated mushrooms, which packed awesome flavor but did not overwhelm the dish. -Jersey cannonball: Instinctually, I try to avoid anything from Jersey like the plague...but thank god my Mom is much more open-minded because I ended up eating half of hers. Nutmeg and garlic scented handmade pork, pepper relish, homemade biale...another work of art. Oh, and our waitress was attentive, friendly, and really into food, which was good. Great experience.
(5)Naz O.
Amis is absolutely wonderful! Everything from the decor/atmosphere/mood, to the staff, to the food is perfect. We went there with a group of 6 friends, and all of our dishes were extremely delicious. One thing that they could improve would be to add a little more variety to their menu, because I felt that it was very pasta/carbohydrate focused, and there weren't as many options if you wanted to avoid that and have some red/white meat.
(4)Jess K.
I was in town visiting a friend who is moving back to NYC next week and this was on her list of restaurants to try before leaving Philly. When we first got there we were told we would have to wait for a short while so we ordered drinks at the bar. But by the time we placed our drink order, our table was ready and the hostess was not too pleased to have to wait for us to get our drinks. She was the one who told us to wait at the bar so come on! Also, first the hostess asked us if we wouldn't mind being seated at the area where the chefs are cooking. We considered it but the restaurant was really loud and we thought conversation would be difficult so we declined and said we would wait for a table. A table opened up for us pretty immediately so that was good. Or perhaps they knew they would have free tables but wanted them for other reservations. Who knows. Our waitress was super nice although she never told us her name so I can't pass that info on to you. She told us most tables order a few appetizers to share and then a pasta and a main dish depending on the hunger level. I was with two friends so we decided to order 4 appetizers and to split 1 pasta and 1 main dish and to save room for dessert (always my main focus). For us that was the perfect amount of food. None of us are super tiny/non-eater types so I think you can trust our opinion when going yourself. We also ordered a carafe of the house red wine which was quite tasty. My favorite appetizer we ordered was the eggplant caponata that goes on the slightly too hard bread. We also ordered a pasta that was really simple and a bit creamy with black pepper as the main flavoring. It was amazing. Delicious. We ordered the duck and in reality duck isn't my favorite so I didn't eat that much of it. I thought I would like it but then I remembered how fatty duck is and how much I dislike chewing it! For dessert we got THREE things because I was so excited for dessert. We wanted the tiramisu but the QUITE rowdy table next to us ordered about 15 pieces and so they were out. Instead we got the waffle with nutella and ice cream, the blueberry tart and the polenta shortcake which was hands down my favorite dessert of those three. Each of us ended up spending about $50 which really isn't too bad. I thought the prices were reasonable, I liked the ambiance and the food itself was fresh and delicious. I would definitely go back here if I am in Philly again.
(4)Rick K.
Amis was my first experience with Marc Vetri and his restaurants. If Yelp allowed half stars, this would be a 3.5 rating. Overall, the food was okay to moderately good. Nothing stood out to me as having been good enough to entice me to return to Amis and try it again. In order from what I liked the most to the least: 1) Swordfish Meatballs - Recommended by the waiter, who eased my concerns of the potential of swordfish being overcooked and coming out dry. To my delight, the meatballs were not dry and paired very well with the creamy polenta. 2) Bucatini w/ Jalapeno & Almond Pesto - Pasta was well prepared and the sauce was good. However, the pasta didn't jump out to me the same way that Il Pittore's pasta did. 3) Roasted Zucchini - Good side dish to pair with the entrees. Nothing fancy but I love zucchini. 4) Fried Cauliflower - Pretty simple dish but it was too salty (which says something because I eat a lot of salt). 5) Pork Chop alla Milanese - Decent piece of pork chop but the dish overall felt very underwhelming (the average person could have made this with some directions online). The breading wasn't very good and it barely stuck on to the meat. It was served with an arugula salad and was not worth $24. I'll probably try Osteria or Vetri before I think about giving Amis a try again. It just felt very underwhelming and I would rather go for some place new next time.
(3)Aimee T.
I really wanted to like AMIS. I've heard amazing things about Vetri's places and have eaten at Osteria and loved it. Since my normal dinner budget isn't large enough to afford Vetri, my friends and I decided to check out AMIS on a random Friday night. We had reservations for 4 at 9:30PM. The meal started out well enough. I met up with two of my friends at the bar as we waited for our table. The space is modern and the energy from the open kitchen invades the dining area in a good way. Once seated after about a 5 minute wait..the appetizers came quickly and our server was friendly and competent. We ordered the sweetbreads, arancini, meat balls and the salami. All tasted great initially but everything other than the arancini was over seasoned. My first taste of the sweet breads were delicious but my second piece was way over salted. We tried our best to power through the appetizers and we moved on to the pasta. We only ordered two pastas to save room for dessert. I chose the fettucine with lamb ragu and the other pasta was the tonnerelli. The fettucine was completely oversalted. I had 3 bites and had to stop eating. I wanted to eat more because the texture of the pasta was spot-on but it was just completely overseasoned. The tonnerelli was better and not quite as salty as the fettucini ...but it was still salty. I had to keep gulping my water to conteract all the sodium. If it weren't for the great company, the tiramisu and waffle dessert that we ordered, I think this dinner would have been a complete fail. I walked out of AMIS with 80% of the fettucine left untouched. Maybe it was an off night for the chef...or maybe they just like really really seasoned food at AMIS but it was not for me. If looking for good italian food in the city I would hesitate to recommend AMIS. Sorry Marc...I loved Osteria 2 years ago.
(2)L H.
Bottom line: we like this place more than the coveted Vetri. Very much enjoyed the mortadella with honey and hazelnuts, fresh pastas, and grilled steak with green onion. Also ordered a cauliflower side dish that had too much parmesan and was drowning in some sort of romesco-like sauce. Wouldn't order that again. Overall, better prices than Vetri, and better food than Vetri.
(4)pracheta t.
Upon walking in, we both instantly feel in love with warm, romantic lighting and perfect volume of the music. The tables were rather close to one another like all small space restaurants but we didn't mind so much. (On a side note, the guy sitting next to us turned out to be Jamie Moyer from the Phillies...too bad neither of us recognized him until the waiter said how cool that was). My carne-loving foodie friend decided to be vegetarian with me for the night and even though our choices were limited, I think we made some awesome selections. The roasted squash was decent and the baked pecorino with almond honey was AMAZZZZZZZING. Honey does wonders. That dish makes me want to put honey on everything. My friend wanted some variety and ordered the arancini di riso with meat ragu but turned out to be way too dry for her. Though I didn't try it, the presentation was nice. For our pasta, we chose the persimmon and fennel lasagna and mmm mmm mmm it was soo super duper yummy. Our favorite part - desert! The belgium waffle with nutella was SO good and i wish we had ordered two. We also had the apple walnut cake with some semifriddo but it was nothing compared to the waffle. We will def be back!
(4)Michelle T.
Loved this place! Will have to go back and try the other dishes. I took my boyfriend for his birthday. We split two aps, each had a main dish, but sadly passed on dessert. We both ate half of our main dish and took the rest home. Maybe next time we will add an ap and take away a main dish in order to have dessert. Dessert list looked great. Swordfish meatballs, braised pork bellies, black pasta, and a duck special...I'm still drooling over you.
(5)John A.
We were originally suppose to go to a Russet BYOB; however, we forget the beverage laws on Sunday so we had to cancel our reservation at Russet Called up and got a table ASAP. Price: not expensive Decor: Okay... We were both bored when we were there..... Food: Good ... It isn't anything to go nuts about... I am annoyed I didn't come prepared and bring wine to Russet. We walked in the night before at that place and the vibe is great.....
(3)Matthew I.
My wife and I just went to Amis over the weekend. I knew the food was going to be delicious, just because it is a Vetri restaurant. I had been to Vetri and Osteria and loved them. Amis had a different feel to it. I felt Amis was as close to a Roman meal as you can get in Philly. We order the tripe, veal tongue, sweetbreads, pork belly, and obviously the cacia e pepe. We ordered one other pasta that had swordfish and eggplant in it. It was very good, but the other dishes were amazing. The cacia e pepe was the star. It is such a basic meal, with only about three or four ingredients, but it was done to perfection. I would say the tripe and the pork belly were our next favorite dishes of the night. The broccoli and shaved sharp prov that came with the pork belly complimented the dish perfectly. We will def go back asap. Top three restaurant I have been to in a long time.
(5)John C.
The first impression that I had, along with one other in my party of four, was that this place was suffering from a bit of an identity crisis. The food is Italian, reasonably priced, and delicious. The servers are wearing some sort of strange mechanic shirt, the bar has drinks that give more of a nod to the French cocktail tradition than that of Italy (although the drinks are interesting, balanced, and tasty). There does not appear to be too many private, comfortable tables in the space. The ceiling and kitchen are open, which adds to the noise, and the buzz and energy of the place. The server was informed, friendly, and attentive. The wine list is steep, short, and not entirely impressive. I found it to be one of the two glaring weaknesses of the place (yes, I did ask for the reserve list). The other problem was that they did not seem to have a sidework area to do polishing. Having the buspersons tossing silverware into a bin and holding coversation next to the table does not enhance the dining experience, especially when the place is already noisy. Bottom line the food and cocktails are good. If you aren't nitpicky, you will be satisfied. Otherwise it's a one and done visit, as it is for me.
(3)Carla F.
I live not too far from Amis and I go here all the time. I can't think of an occasion when this restaurant would not work for you. I have taken family and friends, gone there on dates and dined at the bar myself. Great wine list and the bartenders are very knowledgable about them. Highly highly recommend the swordfish meatballs.
(5)Regina F.
Amis is delicious. No really, the whole restaurant is delicious. Get the squid ink pasta with chorizo- it's creamy and perfect. It's black and will probably make your smile a little silly looking, but as long as you share it, that's fine. Both you and your dining mate can have black smiles for a little bit. The bits of chorizo add just enough meat flavor to offset the otherwise too luscious nature of squid ink. The bruschetta bread is great: it's thick and grilled with just enough olive oil to add a nice juicy crunch. The imported buffalo ricotta is creamy, but that's about it. It's fluffy, but there's not much flavor.The salami, similarly, is fine. It's cured meat, and the beet jam is pretty good. If you put the salami on the buffalo ricotta, then you've created a great appetizer. The mild saltiness of the meat combines nicely with the otherwise undetected sweetness of the black pepper ricotta. As for dessert, you'd be a complete idiot not to indulge in the tartufo al bacio" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo - even if you're allergic to nuts. Basically, you've got some sort of semifreddo mousse/ice cream blend speckled with hazelnut halves covered in a dark chocolate fondant ganache. It's a hill of succulent indulgence with the perfect sweetness offset by the perfect bitterness of the dark chocolate.
(4)Michelle C.
Not updating this review sooner has been a complete oversight. I've actually been back four or five times since my first visit, and Amis has become one of my favorite destinations for dining and/or drinks. There are several things on the menu that I have come to absolutely adore, starting with the strozzaprete alla vongole, its buttery flavors I have talked up to just about anyone who will listen. Another favorite is the bufala ricotta; rich and creamy and drizzled with olive oil, it is the perfect spread for the accompanying toasted bread. I was once offered a bite of the turkey cutlet by a distinguished gentleman sitting next to me at the bar. Normally, I'd pass without thinking twice, but this man insisted that the preparation changed his previous contempt for turkey to pure lust, at least, for this particular dish. Who could pass that up? I have to hand it to the guy, he was right on. It sounds crazy to order something so plain-sounding, but trust Vetri and his crew to turn a plain old turkey into a Cinderella story. A turkerella, if you will. Make your reservations far in advance, dolls. The tables don't come easy!
(5)Connie S.
Marc Vetri's third restaurant, serving up updated "Roman comfort food" in a warm, more casual atmosphere. The chef won the James Beard award last year for the best chef in the Mid-Atlantic, and it's clear that Amis is not just resting on its laurels. I find that you can generally judge the quality of a restaurant by how delicious and plentiful the bread is, even before any of the menu items arrive at the table. So naturally I got really excited when our server brought us a cornucopia of freshly baked, warm and chewy foccacia and sesame-studded bread. So good. And, indeed, every single dish we ordered was phenomenal. We had a bit from several different sections of the menu: Bruschetta - Stracciatella: not to be confused with the gelato, the stracciatella here was a stretchy mozzarella-like cheese, complemented with marinated fava beans and basil, which you spread yourself on thick crostin for a beautiful DIY bruschetta Seafood Antipasti - Black Bass Crudo: on the smaller side in terms of quantity, but every bite packed a punch, especially because the fish was topped with radishes and almonds that added a nice crunch Pasta - Tonnarelli "Cacio e Pepe": almost like a square-ish spaghetti, served with with pecorino sauce and black pepper; super simple but exceptionally done Secondi - Roasted Duck Breast: slices of tender duck, with preserved scallions and this pickled mustard seed sauce that was tangy and sticky and textural all at once Dessert - Tartufo: an ultra-rich chocolate hazelnut semifreddo bombe containing a few candied amarena cherries, covered in a fresh chocolate coating -- you definitely need to be able to handle your chocolate to try this, but if you appreciate desserts, you will not be disappointed Seriously, everything was so wonderful-tasting. Our server was really friendly and attentive, and with no noticeable wait for the food to come out. I don't know if there's such a thing as a 'perfect' experience in a restaurant, but Amis came pretty close.
(5)David A.
Went back with the family Saturday night. Got a last minute reservation at one of the outdoor tables on the street. It's fairly quiet and not bad outdoor dining (except a brief shower). Food was inconsistent, like my last visit. Good for sure, but not really worth the price. For five and a few cocktails the meal with tip was $220. The cocktails were really good, showing nice creativity. Appetizers are the star here and the entrees just didn't knock you over with so many great Italian restaurants in the area. Maybe it is the Vetri name. You just set the bar higher for his establishments. For appetizers I loved the regular meatballs served over a light layer of creamed polenta. The swordfish meatballs were way too fishy. For entrees the papperdele with a lamb argue was excellent but it was a wimpy portion size. The tuna with fennel had nice flavor but was cut too thin for my liking and unexceptional. The broiled mixed seafood had some hits and misses with this fish as well. My wife had the ribs which were a special. They were prepared with some Tuscan spices and they were excellent. The highlight was the rice pudding. Very creamy, perfect texture and served with a fruit compote on the top. I cleaned out this bowl. Delicious. I will go back. Just doesn't make you want to run back.
(3)Kristian L.
I have eaten here twice and it has knocked my socks off both times. Reminds me a lot of the spirit of the food I have eaten when in the South of Italy, but done with local ingredients - they do a killer Caponata. Excellent convivial service- the servers know their menu. I plan on coming back many times. Thanks Amis for taking great care of me!!
(5)Will Z.
Arrived for a 5pm dinner date reservation a couple minutes early. The restaurant was still setting up and we had to wait until they were finished. No problem. We were seated soon after and the waiter got to us right away. We ordered the swordfish meatballs, bufala ricotta bruschetta, two pastas (cacio e pepe and the jalapeño almond pesto one), and two drinks. Food arrived promptly afterward. We were first served olive oil infused focaccia, which was pretty good but I wish it was heated up a bit. Our drinks and appetizers came after. The drinks were tasty and not too strong, but come at steep prices. Swordfish meatballs were alright, but a bit too salty. The bed of pine nuts and polenta they were served on complemented them nicely though. The Bruschetta = more carbs (4 fat pieces of toasted bread). The ricotta spread was pretty good. Next came our pastas. The pastas were the biggest disappointment. They were essentially the same, creamy thick noodles just tossed with some different ingredients (cheese, black pepper for the cacio e pepe and jalapeno, almond crumbs, pesto for the other). Both pastas were REALLY salty and pretty greasy. We had the leftovers boxed, and after heating them up the next day, there was just a pool of oil on the bottom. Not very appetizing. For dessert, we ordered the chocolate hazelnut semifreddo . This was probably the best thing we ordered. If you enjoy (dark) chocolate, you'll love this. For $100+, the meal was a bit of a letdown. I will say however that the service was fantastic. Our waiter was definitely on top of his game and proactively made sure we always had what we needed. Maybe we just ordered all the wrong things, but it'll definitely take something extra for me to come back again.
(3)David. E.
Great food!! Loved the space
(4)Christina F.
Just got back from dinner with my parents at Amis and it was wonderful. We got there a couple of minutes early for our reservation and right away the super friendly hosts led us to our table, which had a great view of the kitchen. The open kitchen was actually one of my favorite parts of the night, but I'm a huge food nerd and get off on professional cooking. The chefs were easy on the eyes, too, if I must say. The sound level was lively, so I didn't catch our sever's name, but he was amiable and knowledgeable. The whole experience was comfy and welcoming, and most importantly, extremely tasty. I started with the monkfish speidini with pumpkin romesco. Being an upstate New York girl at heart, and a huge fan of speidis, I just couldn't resist. Plus, monkfish is awesome. The fish was cooked perfectly and the rich, autumnal sauce really complemented it--I wiped the plate clean. Big portion for an antipasti, too. For the main course I had the capon sausage with braised escarole and apples, which was perfect for the chilly, rainy night. The acidity of the greens and apples was an excellent foil to the fatty richness of the capon. Mmmm fatty richness. My parents had the special pork rotini pasta and the tagliatelle with bacon and root veg respectively and they were both really pleased. I can't wait to go back and try more! Maybe at the counter next time...
(5)Vicki Z.
Great Roman Cuisine! Large portion and very delicious! Highly recommend!!!
(5)Laura B.
The food, atmosphere and service were all great at Amis but even at a late dinner (9:30 on a Friday) the restaurant was just too loud. I could barely hear the person I was with or the waiter. If they figured out a way to better the acoustics, this place would definitely get a 5 as the swordfish meatballs, duck and peach special, flank steak and tiramisu were all delicious.
(4)D.C. P.
A business trip allowed me to enjoy a few restaurants in Philly and this was one of them. With planes not serving food anymore unless you fork over some money in addition to a three hour time difference, I was ready to eat an early dinner once we checked into our hotel. A co-worker found this place via Zagat. The overall experience was good. The servers were very friendly, attentive, and answered all our questions. The entree I ordered was the roasted scallops with summer giambotta which was 24 bucks. The scallops were cooked to perfection. They were a good size, slightly seared, and had a fresh taste to them. Giambotta is basically a vegetable stew and paired well with the scallops. To end the meal, my co-workers ordered the Belgian style waffles with Nutella. After about 5 minutes, the waiter informed us that they were having issues with the waffle maker and gave us some complimentary desserts which was very nice of them. When the waffles finally made their way out, all of my co-workers immediately took a bite and were extremely pleased. One even devoured it in less than 2 minutes. Must've been good. Nothing to complain about here. A solid 4 stars.
(4)Kristin W.
We started with two appetizers: the Baked Pecorino with Almond Honey has a great mixture of salty and sweet although the accompanying bread was a little too crunchy for my liking. Sal's Old School Meatballs had a nice rich flavor and the most tomato-y potatoes I had ever had - or was it potato-y tomatoes? It was like being in a Gershwin song. I ordered the Strozzaprete with Tuna Bolognese - surprisingly to me, the sauce was white (evidently authentic Bolognese sauce typically has little tomato concentrate). I actually preferred the Paccheri Swordfish with Eggplant Fries which had a stronger flavor and where the fish was more substantial. The open kitchen provides an interesting perspective if you're strategically positioned and when you sit at the bar, you can enjoy a view out of the big windows.
(3)Esther Y.
I think I pretty much had the entire dinner menu here at a family dinner with 7 people. I was not impressed with the buttery and creamy flavors of anything except for the dish with the roasted skate with lemon puree and fried brussels sprouts. Probably won't be back again but that roasted skate WAS delicious...so if I had to come back, I would be happy getting that alone. This place is probably highly rated because there was a lot of cheese and cream involved. That's your fair warning...most people love cheese, butter, and cream, if so, please direct your attention to the other reviews.
(2)Jenny P.
A group of 5 ladies had a dinner there recently, and we'll remember it for a long time. First, we've tried to go here previously, but the restaurant was rented for a private party. My reservation was in the system with an invalid number, but that didn't deter Martin from finding me to tell me. He knew that the ladies group would be stuck without a place to dine, so he found me and secured a great table at Alla Spina. We were showered with great service and a round of drinks for our "trouble". I highly recommend the fried chicken at Alla Spina. Secondly, when we finally did have an opportunity to dine at Amis, we were treated like absolute royalty. Many of the Amis professionals - including Marc Vetri himself - introduced themselves and apologized for the trouble with getting a table. The service was excellent as was the food (papardelle with duck ragu, the swordfish meatballs and the buccatini with jalapenos were all stand outs). The cocktails and wine selection were also a bonus, and dessert (Tiramisu) was heavenly. Above all, we'll remember the feeling of being welcomed into Amis like we were family meeting for the first time. It really was a special night. With gratitude and appreciation, I highly recommend Amis!
(5)Jessica W.
For almost $150 for two and the Vetri name, Amis should have been great. Too bad all we got was disappointment. Vetri is known for his exquisite attention to detail, but apparently this was forgotten in the latest expansion of his mini empire. The guinea hen lacked a crisp skin and was covered in fat. It tasted like an amateur cook roasted it at too low of a temp. The oxtail gnocchi sounded amazing until I chomped on an accidental oxtail bone that was the same size, shape, and color as the gnocchi. This was the first dish I sent back to a restaurant in years, and the waitress comes back not with "I'm sorry about that can we make you another," but "that's not a bone- its cartilage so its ok." Tell my near missing tooth that. Other dishes were ok but everything was rich and greasy. The menu lacked balance due to a scarcity of vegetables and greens. The concept, location, and space are terrific. But Amis needs some serious refinement before we go back.
(2)Christopher D.
Upon hearing that ramps were in town I made a mad dash for an early Sunday dinner to Amis. Again ensconced at the end of the bar, I had a very nice simple meal, beginning with the root vegetables served on a bed of yogurt flavored with curry. More middle eastern than Italian, but very good. The swordfish meatballs were outstanding. You got delicious fish, with punches of flavor from pignoli and raisins, served on a bed of polenta. Outstanding. The highlight of the meal was the linguini with ramps and pecorino. Simple and flavorful, the ramps shined amid the al dente pasta and cheese. Dessert was a home made italian pumpkin ice cream. Delicious. Amis does things simply and lets flavors come through. Get there while the ramps are still rampant.
(4)Derek M.
Something was definitely amiss when my wife and I went here. I thought this restaurant was going to hit the mark, but alas it was a miss. Ok, enough of the Tom Foolery. I did not like this restaurant. I thought I'd order the salami sampler plate because it was a big night out, and heck what's $16 in the grand scheme of things? It turns out to be a lot when all the salami plate consists of is a few thin cuts of bologna, liverwurst, and salami. I'm talking about like an 1/10 of a lb. total on the plate. It was OK, but not anything to speak highly about. The oil infused bread was pretty good, but it came in tiny portions. Ask for three refills throughout dinner, tiny. No deal breaker here. Then came the entree, Pasta with Wild Boar Ragu. Sounds exotic! Well it, in the words of my wife, "tastes like hamburger helper". She asked for salt (not at the table and is offered in a small bowl and spoon) which helped add a bit of taste. Unimpressed with the appetizer and entree, we saw where this meal was going and decided to head over to Max Brenner for dessert (which was delicious). P.S. Not that this affects my quantitative rating at all, since I like to rate based on food and not on the experience, we had 7pm reservations and were told that we needed to wait. We finally sat down 25 minutes later. It wasn't the end of the world. However, it added a sense of urgency to dinner, since we had a finite amount of time left on the parking meter. Then, at the end of dinner, the hostess asked for our coat tag, when they hadn't given us one in the first place. I offered to help find the coats, but she said "actually, I'd rather you didn't" in a curt tone. For the next few minutes we were treated very poorly & given attitudes by both her and her coworker. I don't care to go into trying to describe their demeanor, as I am no Hemingway, but let it suffice to say that it was a very un-customer-friendly experience.
(1)Percy N.
I was looking forward to my brunch meal at Amis and based on the reviews and menu I saw online had high hopes. The meal started out fine - we were seated, offered still (bottled) water, etc. But then our waitress disappeared for about 15 minutes only to come back to inform us of some changes to the menu, including some items which we planned to order. So on to plan B - which can be difficult when your dining partner has a few food allergies. We asked if they could make slight alterations to some items on the menu and they said NO. This left the only item on the menu which my wife would eat - a ribeye steak. She wanted to try a few other items but was disappointed at the lack of flexibility in the kitchen. The steak was flavorful and well cooked. Wish it came with a sunny side up egg. I ordered the pasta with roasted squash and walnuts, which was filling but not as flavorful. Also had a cornetti stuffed with apricots which was good, but not sure I would pay $5/piece if it were served at a bakery. Fresh squeezed blood orange juice was a nice touch. Overall, the good was food, but I deducted 1 star for the lack of flexibility in the kitchen, slow service and very high noise level, We left a little less than impressed or full, so stopped at a Garces place on the way home.
(3)Tyler R.
Amis is a wonderful place for quality small-plate dishes and entrees. Your server will most likely suggest 2-3 small plates for a couple, as well as one entree each. Do yourself a big favor and get the bufala ricotta with olive oil, black pepper and grilled bread. It's simplicity is what makes it so delectable. Also, the sweetbreads, if you don't mind organ meat, was the best I've ever had. For small-plates, we also had the swordfish meatball with polenta and pignoli. Of the entrees, the lamb shank with creamy polenta was amazing, though my girlfriend's pasta dish (oxtail cannelloni with roasted mushrooms) was a bit dense. Lastly, since it was our anniversary, they gave up a highball of vanilla bean semifreddo. Very nice overall.
(4)Andrea T.
Amis will you be my Amis? First you must go here with friends or people who you like and know how often they wash their hands. I say this because we all have sketchy office-mates. Order lots of small dishes like the amazing fried baby artichokes. If you came to me and sad I could only have eat these and nothing else for the rest of my life...I wouldn't even balk or raise or an eyebrow. The salami with honey and hazelnuts! A must! The salami is perfect. Thinly shaved, smoky yet almost sweet. The honey ( yes I am a honey fiend) perfectly complements this ever so perfectly without being cloying. The hazelnuts round out this plate giving it a bit of crunch. Vetri you are a genius!!!! The onion focaccia that comes out in a tin.......sublime. Oniony without being overbearing. The saffron honey that comes with the cheese plate? Could he start a vetri-trading company like Jose and sell it? Hmm what else did we nosh on? The olives. Don't get them. You are expecting Amada-y olives. These are olives drowing in a bowl of oil without any vinegar. It's the only thing I would pass up. The ricotta is also not worthy of getting the next time I go. It's not as sweet and lovely as the ricotta at Village Whiskey that comes with the pickles. The eggplant spread is nice, but I'm not such a fan. The girls enjoyed it. The gnocchi with oxtail ragu is heavenly a cloud of potato cheese love drapped in a tender ragu of oxtail. Sara was not so in love, but I have dreams of this dish every now and then. The girls had the pasta in the cheese/blackpepper sauce that was also earthshattering simplicity done ever so well. We had the olive torta, tiramisu and waffle with marscapone semifreddo. The girls dug the olive torta, I'm just not into this whole olive oil cake movement. I loved the deconstructed tiramisu and the waffle.....heaven. It was a dreary dismal rainy night, but Kyle( our delightful waiter) and Amis made it the most wonderful dining experience I have had in Philly in a very long time. Did I mention I met Marc Vetri outside the loo?
(5)Ken E.
Amis is a real gem. Tucked away off 13th street between Pine and South, this Vetri cousin does it right in spades. My sense is Amis is supposed to be a casual version of M. Vetri's more elaborate offerings and they hit the mark across the board. The location is ideal, the neighborhood is accessible and charming and the decor is rustic modern and very fresh. The wines are all Italian, which aren't my favorite, but you can find something you like on their reasonably priced menu. The food is a hit: more northern italian and very well done. I especially enjoyed the grilled octopus small plate and Nutella waffle for dessert (do not miss this). Amis is a worthy meal destination and M. Vetri deserves high praise for maintaining the culinary standards he set with Vetri and Osteria. Thumbs up.
(4)Danan R.
Okay, I confess: I come here just to get the delicious, decadent, and indulgent belgian waffles with nutella, vanilla, and hazelnuts. The waffles are a perfect golden brown with a crispy exterior, soft and warm eggy-cakey interior, and topped with a smooth nutella-chocolate-hazelnut sauce. It is a perfect blend of my favorite dessert flavors in one pretty fantastic concoction. It's actually a dessert but I consider it to be the much anticipated highlight. The pomegranate roasted quail was pretty solid with a nice seasoning that was both savory and refreshing and tender quail, and the black spaghetti with squid and spinach was flavorful with fresh squid and perfectly cooked pasta that had just the right balance of elasticity and tenderness. I also tried the roasted bass with beets and eggplant, and wasn't a huge fan of the combination of eggplant, beets, and fish in a single dish, but that's just a personal taste preference. The sea bass was very fresh and tender (not at all dry!) with a good, firm texture. The pork pate was decent although it didn't really stand out. Service was very attentive and it didn't take very long for our food to arrive, which was much appreciated because we were hungry. Portions are on the small side and prices are a bit steep but the ambiance is great, the service friendly, and the food very tasty. Great for a special meal...or just for the waffles, if you have a sweet tooth.
(4)Chris W.
Amis earns all 5 of these stars as this was one of the best all around meals I've had in Philly. I was wary going into a 7:45 reservation on a Saturday night after reading all the other reviews about getting pushed back but we were seated promptly. We had a very friendly waitress who throughout the meal was there when needed and out of sight when not. The menu selections were based on a combination of yelp reviews and waitress recommendations and every dish was a home run. We started with the baked pecorino which came out bubbling hot. The honey took this dish to another level with the delicious toasted bread. Oh yea, the olive oil bread to start lived up to the hype also (not burnt at all). We even requested more of the dipping bread which was not a problem. We also tried the sweetbreads which were perfectly fried and just an overall delicious bite. There were 5 solid hunks in our order with just the right amount of marmalade to accompany. For an entree I had the skate. Although not as good as the skate at Fish, this was still a memorable dish. The lemon puree was creamy and the skate was perfectly cooked. It was a nice size piece of fish for $18. The brussel sprouts were also nice and smoky to complete a perfect bite. Since about every other table I took a peak at had the black linguine with squid and chorizo, we split that also. This dish is a salt lovers dream but in a good balanced way. Great presentation and an even better taste. We split a carafe of red also as it would be a crime to not drink wine with Italian food of this caliber. To close the deal we dabbled in the waffles which could have used more ice cream and nutella but still were a nice finishing touch. Overall, $140 with a generous tip for this luxurious a meal is a steal in my opinion, thanks Vetri!
(5)Alexandra C.
It was really nice of my bf to surprise me with a reservation here on NYE. Unfortunately though it seemed as if we found the Philadelphia Olive Garden. Holy disappointment this turned out to be. The star is for the excellent service from our very nice waiter. Eggplant caponata app -- Nice price of $6. This is usually a fave of mine but found it to be much too oily and lacked the true flavor it should have. Served with super thick slices of not good tasting bread which were all terribly charred. Okay..so the 3 pasta dishes should be better..After all we were told to only order the pasta here and from the looks of our dining neighbors next to us they left almost all of their food on both their plates and sort of shook their heads (looked as if they had some sort of fried filet with a salad?) So of course we were lucky enough to know to order the right things! Wrong. I have never had heavier sauced pasta dishes in my life. Normally I am a salt-aholic and put salt on everything. This was the first time I didn't want to. Everything was so completely OVER salted it was barely edible. The pastas all so overcooked you couldn't tell if you were eating fresh pasta - In fact it could have very well been a store brand. Squash lasagna- an oily mess with what tasted like cheap cheddar cheese melted over the entire thing. Overcooked mushy lasagne with a tiny amount of squash, which gave it really no squash flavor - just salt and cheese. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe - thought I was going to choke to death on a peppercorn. The tonnarelli was wayyy too overcooked. The most overly creamy/buttery/salty dish I have ever had in my life. Olive Garden could do it much better than this - and that's not saying much - at half the price. Pappardelle with oyster mushroom ragu - the dish I was dying to get after seeing it on the online menu. This was the best one of the night. Again- too much oil and salt but the mushrooms gave it some actual flavor. Noodles were again too overcooked, but not as badly as the other 2 dishes. Once again my theory proves right! If I don't like the bread at a restaurant I end up not liking the meal. The bread looked like focaccia but tasted like some stale sourdough. This isn't good cooking. If it were the pasta would have been cooked al dente to perfection, the sauces would be light to compliment the pasta, half a salt shaker wouldn't be poured into the food. I'm a tough critic, I know.. But this food left me with Italian food nightmares and perhaps a few pounds. Not sure if I will ever try Italian outside of my family's home again!
(1)Sarah F.
Oh me, oh my, Amis! I really want to go with a 4.5 here because a 4 doesn't do it justice...but I also can't just give it a full 5 stars since it was my first time there. #yelperproblems This was an absolutely great dining experience. I went with a group of 5 for a Sunday night Birthday Dinner. I actually would recommend going with a group of 4+ so you can try everything you want to on the menu...and trust me there are going to be a lot of dishes that grab your attention. MUST HAVES: I can't go into detail about every dish we got...but I will highlight my favorites Bufala ricotta and black pepper paired with the Veal Terrine (as recommended by our server): Super creamy and savory. The two dishes were made for each other Marinated Octopus over chickpeas: Yes, yes, yes. This is the way octopus should be cooked. Lightly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside as opposed to overly chewy. The chickpeas were also delicious. All around great dish Fried Lamb Ribs: If you like lamb then this is a must. I loved nomming tender lamb morsels off the bone. The yogurt was a nice touch Cacio e pepe: one of my favorite dishes in general...but Amis does it great. This is my ultimate comfort food. Simple but great. Spinach fazzoletti with lamb ragu: YUM. The fazzoletti was made perfectly. The lamb ragu was tender and meaty which went great with the spinach pasta. OVERALL everything was amazing from ambiance to drinks to food. However, I have 1 complaint. The rice pudding was off putting. They top what is on it's own an absolutely delicious rice pudding (perfect taste & texture) with a berry puree (not terrible) and SALTED pistachios. I capped salted because this is what I think ruined the dish. The salt was too overpowering for the light, milky pudding and was the only thing I could taste. I ended up scoping the top layer off and eating the pudding on its own. I would suggest non-salted pistachios if they are going for the texture....but salted is just too much.
(4)Samantha B.
After Osteria, I didn't know what to expect with Amis. I was pleasantly surprised. The vibe is completely different. Much younger, hipper, cool bar, and more intimate than Osteria. We were seated at a table in the corner, would have been a bit better if there wasn't a couple very close to us on the right, but what can ya do. Service was great, our waiter was attentive and informative. To start we got the Baked Pecorino with almond honey, which was gooey, sweet, and cheesy. Can't go wrong there. We also got a scallop appetizer special that was equally tasty. And to be honest, we probably got the brussel sprouts, but I can't really remember. For our two entrees we got the Tagliatelle with bacon and root vegetables and the Porchetta with roasted potatoes. Both entrees were good, but not amazing. The pork was a little dry, but extremely flavorful. I would definitely come back again. Good experience, but a bit pricey.
(4)Paul L.
Amis has become my destination whenever I want to impress a guest or for celebration. The food here is always good and consistent, I've never been disappointed during my many visits. Last night for Dining Out For Life, my companion and I came here for a meal and the place was virtually packed at 7:00. I sat at the bar and had an amazing prosecco cocktail called Alto. It's amazing because it's mixed right and also the orange peel they put in there make the whole drink fizzes up like a fountain and perfumed the whole drink with its fragrance. One of the best drinks I have for a long while. Amis is the place that introduced me to the combination of cheese and honey. Other Italian food and wine place have similar appetizers now but I will always come back here for their baked pecorino. It's like french toast but so much better. I just wish they offer more seeded toast for me to spread it on. I love their veal tongue, well, I wish it was a chewier cow tongue but the pepper mostarda was awesome, even the bed of spring onion that it was served in were great. The "explore the menu" function is not as updated as often and when I fully intended to order the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu or the oxtail canneloni, they have already switched those items out. the spaghetti with pork jowl is quite awesome. The pork jowl was really tender. The pasta perfectly al dente. I have never had pasta this perfectly cooked before. NEVER. Every restaurant has their own brussel sprout dish now and Amis' fried brussel sprouts is really a good addition. They are crispy like potato chips, well seasoned and really, really addictive. I don't know if they are good for you but I'm telling myself that they are. We had to thank the very friendly waitress that recommended it to us. We also ordered a monkfish dish that was ok. All the food and drinks were quite good and I imagine I'll be back for more again sometime soon.
(5)Rachelle R.
My husband and I recently visited Philly from NYC and checked out Amis on our first night there. We loved sitting at the chef's table and watching the busy kitchen. I loved that they serve non alcoholic drinks on their menu, like the pineapple soda (light on the pineapple, kind of like an Italian soda). The food was pretty spectacular. I went with the marinated shrimp with fennel and persimmon and LOVED it - the flavors are really complex but go very well together. My husband went with the sweetbreads which were just perfect. A lot of places fry sweetbreads and pair it with a bunch of crap that take away from the flavor - these were dusted with almond, and served with a simple fennel marmalade which was incredible. For mains, I went with the monkfish with lemon and escarole and was in heaven. My husband got the chestnut fettucine with duck ragu. I had never even heard of chestnut fettucine and it did not disappoint - yum! The only complaint I can think of is the fact that it was super busy and our waitress forgot to bring us bread, and at one point my husband asked to see the wine menu, she brought it, but forgot to come back for his order. It was a little annoying, but we ended up getting a comped side of braised kale and comped assorted cookies for dessert which more than made up for it. The hostess was so sweet and asked us how we liked dinner as she handed us our coats, and we had an awesome chat with the owner/manager (I forget his title) and were pretty happy with the bill as well - very reasonable for the experience. Overall, fantastic food and drinks, awesome quiet/quaint street, warm and welcoming, not at ALL pretentious - definitely a big fan and will return next time I'm in town!
(5)Patrizia C.
So glad I finally tried this. The menu looked incredible, the food was excellent and the service superb! I got the pappardelle with oxtail, it was delicious but I did find a couple of bones. I casually mentioned it to the waitress who was so sweet, she brought our table free dessert because of it! I will most definitely be back!
(4)Shannon P.
Nothing says I love you more than sharing a plate of fried baby cow thyroids. Just kidding, although I did feel the love when I was brought to Amis to celebrate Valentine's Day. The boo planned way in advance and got our reservation a couple of months prior. Since there are already hundreds of reviews telling you how wonderful Amis is, I'll simply tell you what I ordered and how I felt about it. First off - house red. So deliciously palatable from somebody who primarily drinks white wine. I had the waiter write it down for me. Starters: Swordfish Meatballs, Baked Pecorino, and Sweet Breads. On a hot tip from my coworker I ordered the sweetbreads, the remainder was from yelp reviews. The meatballs didn't really taste like swordfish per say, but they were tasty. The sweet breads on the other hand, were exotic, tender, and a bit citrusy. Granted, I did not ask what "breads" of the body these were before I ate them, and I felt a little guilty afterwards when I found out it was from baby cow (veal) since I'm not a veal eater. Still, it was a good decision. They weren't organy...and not what I expected, which was pulsating food with veins throughout. It was as tender as slow roasted pork, and accompanied by a marmalade that added a sweetness to the savory. Baked Pecorino was good, but it didn't stand out as much as the sweet breads in terms of memorability. Pasta: Chestnut Fettucine with Duck Ragu...again ordered on the hot tip, and well worth it. The portion size is just right to ensure you're not taking it home, but you're full enough. Little flakes and some chunks of duck meat hid in the fettucine hollows. It's not served with a red sauce, it's a sauce from the duck...so a little brown in color but hearty in taste. Main: Lamb Shank. I know it's hypocritical to say I'm not a veal eater and then I go to town on a lamb. But I'm a hypocrite. The lamb was so so good. We had gawkers from both sides of the table ooohing over it. You receive a pretty sizable shank, which looks like a big drumstick. It's tender, falls off the bone, and has a flavor I can only describe as "homey". Again, it's served in a brown-ish sauce, which typically I despise - it's my one hate, ghoulashy things - but the meat was so good I got over the sauce. We didn't get dessert since we were a little drunk and a lot full. But they highly recommended the waffle to us. I'll miss you Amis - til next time!
(5)Thor T.
Even on a Tuesday evening, Amis is completely booked and running smoothly thanks to the watchful eyes of the general managers and professionalized staff. Our table of three indulged in smaller anti-pasti and the so-called "quinto quarto" dishes (Italians give this name - the fifth quarter - to parts of the animal that are euphemistically called "variety meats" in the US). At Amis, these include sweet breads, veal tongue and Roman tripe stew. All appetizers - the escarole salad with apple, the fried cauliflower (generously offered by the suave assistant general manager), the veal tongue and veal terrine, the scallop crudo and tripa, and the eggplant caponata - were very good, full flavored and well prepared - the sweet scallop crudo being a stand out. I have two minor quibbles: the mostarda, served as a rhubarb/strawberry version with the terrine, and a red pepper version with the tongue, did not have the mustardy snap I love so much and was too sweet for my taste (I have noticed this at other Philly restaurants). The amount of cheese on the Roman tripe was excessive, similar to a French onion cover rather than the light dusting this dish should have. We tried two pastas - the bucatini with almond pesto and the special, fettucini with ramps and guanciale - both very good with a nod to the bucatini for lightness. The bone in lamb shoulder chop was sizable, nicely seared but as one would expect from such a cut, tough in places. I also liked the freshly baked, soft bread save for the burned areas that gave it a bit of an acrid taste. A friendly and effective wait staff, a good beer selection and small but adequate wine list (steeply priced as almost all Philadelphia wine lists) round out an all-around pleasurable dining experience. No wonder Amis is so popular. With its assertively flavored plates, bustling atmosphere, and fine service, it ranks among the elite of Philly's restaurants.
(4)Tito B.
Bucatini with jalapeño and almond pesto. Bucatini with Jalapeño and almond pesto. BUCATINI WITH JALAPENO AND ALMOND PESTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You go now! Put into face! Repeat! YOU'RE WELCOME! Also deliciously notable: Baked pecorino and honey- very good Swordfish meatballs: THE BEST MEATBALLS I'VE EVER HAD. INCLUDING ACTUAL MEAT BALLS. Tonnarelli cacio e pepe: fresh pasta, cheese and black pepper. Incredibly delicious. Rice pudding: as good as it gets. Rice to Riches in NYC needs to take a lesson from the folks at Amis.
(5)Abby B.
Cute little space with a nice-sized bar. Went here just for drinks, but will hopefully be back for some food in the future! Easily grabbed a seat at the bar on a Saturday night. I ordered the Limoncello Collins, which was fabulous - very refreshing on a hot, humid summer evening! My husband really wanted a sazerac, but the bartender didn't know how to make it, so he went with the Mezcal, which he stated was good (I'm not a whiskey drinker, so I think it all tastes awful!) The bartenders were attentive, and friendly, but not overly so. They make tasty drinks quickly and efficiently, end of story. Hope to return to try the food at some point!
(4)Kemi A.
I didn't have the greatest experience here. I started with a cocktail which was okay. No complaints. The bread we were brought was BURNT! Who serves burnt bread? It's not like 1 one was burnt was all was burnt...we had to dig/peel the inner core and eat that. Was it suppose to be served with olive oil? Because we didn't get any of that. Just BURNT BREAD! The small plates we ordered was the fish meatball which frankly is more filler than fish. Weak! I wanted to try the Pecorino but my friend was on a "diet" so we didn't get. Based on yelp reviews- we both ordered the Skate with the lemon sauce. BIGGEST DINING MISTAKE OF THE YEAR THUS FAR! It was ridiculously salty. We didn't know it was fried fish also. But it was RIDICULOUSLY salty. For $18? I sent that trash back! I think the waiter knew I didn't like it because he took his sweet time coming back to inquire how the meal was. I mean he took like 20mins! FINALLY, night was getting late and I figure he had to closeout so he came to ask how things were. I voiced my opinion, and he offered me another choice on the menu. I went with the pasta with oxtail Ragu. ..which was better but not $16 better. Either way, a disappointing night at a place that I was eager to experience. Maybe I'll try it again...or maybe I'll just head to Olive Garden where at least I'm getting what I'm paying for.
(2)Michael M.
My family and I were just walking around looking for a place to have lunch before leaving for the airport, and we are glad we walked into this place. Starting off with the waitress coming over to introduce the menu, everything sounded very interesting. We ordered A few different appetizers and all were very good, and the bread basket was amazing with scones, raisin bread, and chocolate muffins. My mom and sister ordered the gnocchi and they were very good. I ordered the fettuccine with duck that was also amazing.
(5)Chris B.
The food was ok not great, in particular there was a recurrent theme of pairing anything that was savory, including pastas, with something sweet. And in the case of the meat platter it was overwhelming sweet that drowned out the savory. In any case I also have to say the drinks were mediocre at best and mainly not enjoyable. (Eg. Whiskey sour with sour mix from a liquor store and NO egg white available) I do recommend the ox tail ragu pasta which was al dente and despite the added sweet was very good. Overall If this restaurant was in SF, NYC, Seattle, Portland there is little chance it would survive and it definitely wouldn't be a foodie destination.
(3)Bailey S.
First time to a Vetri restaurant. Wonderful meal with that special someone. Warm pecorino with honey (tasty enough without the toasted bread), focaccia, brussel sprouts all wonderful sides to the main dishes. Delicate scallops, interesting fettuccine with corn, but glad the fettuccine sauce lighter than an alfredo. Waiter was attentive and helpful on menu items. A lot of food but did not feel overstuffed, done just right.
(5)David K.
We went here last Wednesday evening when we couldn't get a reservation anywhere else close to our hotel. We sat at the "chef's table," which was similar to a table you would find at a sushi bar, where we watched the incredible kitchen crew rapidly prepare and plate complex dishes for the entire restaurant. The restaurant was incredibly loud, and entertainment from the kitchen staff was key to allowing us to enjoy dinner without feeling the need to scream at each other to be heard. Do -not- go here if you're looking for a nice place to eat and have a quiet conversation! The music in the restaurant is booming, and so all the diners have to take it up a notch to talk. Our food was good, but not outstanding, but what really made our evening was the amazing waiter who was, by far, the best waiter I've ever encountered. I wish I could remember his name, but what made him so great is that he was extremely attentive, very friendly, casual when the situation warranted, and knew the menu inside and out. I noted that he should quit his job and develop a school for waiters because this guy was top notch. Summary: Good food, LOUD atmosphere, outstanding service.
(4)Mark M.
Pretty spectacular. I have only had the pleasure of eating here twice. And that sounds even more ridiculous for the fact that I live above the damn place. I have to say that it's a distant love affair. I walk past Amis on my way home or on my way out and wish that I could eat there daily or even weekly. Sadly, I am a man on a budget. Amis menu is small but powerful. Ordering multiple small plates to share is a must. In my best Italian Mama voice, "Have a meatball. You aren't hungry? Eat a meatball. Mark, eat a meatball." It's a must order. I don't know if I have been lucky in my two visits to Amis, but the waitstaff is stellar. The perfect amount of playful flirting, gastric knowledge, and efficiency. The one bone of contention I would have is about seating. For my second visit, I made reservations well in advance and upon arrival it seemed as though the hostess had the reservation, but did not have a table. My party was sat directly by the front door. A very akward table that I would imagine would only be used for walk-ins. Definitely felt like a fish in a fishbowl. Other than that, big Amis fan.
(4)Caleb N.
The food was OK, but pedestrian food is disappointing at restaurant with Amis's reputation. (For instance, the brussel sprouts here stack up unfavorably with those at Vedge and are probably also inferior to those at, say, Local 44 in West Philly.) However, the service was what killed my experience. When we sat down, bread was promised four times before it arrived--after our starters had already come. Requests for refills had to be repeated. We were alternately ignored and barraged by multiple servers for clarifications. A restaurant like Amis should operate seamlessly. Instead, it turned out to be an amateur effort.
(2)Jessica S.
In short: eat everything and anything here and leave happy. It's all good. The quality of the food, to the presentation, to that AMAZING olive oil bread basket. The service is spot on, and the atmosphere is classic and not at all stuffy or pretentious. This has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, but my last visit this past weekend really sealed the deal for me. Each and every small dish is to die for: We've had the swordfish meatballs a few times, the scallops were perfectly cooked, and the pumpkin and fresh mozzarella salad was perfectly dressed with a peppery sauce complete with pistachios. The fresh pasta... you cannot pass this up. It is the sole purpose of this restaurant. Get one or more pasta dishes. If you are eating a small plate or two, a pasta dish is the perfect portion to finish up your meal. Our waitress was sweet and knowledgeable, and easily able to point out some menu standouts. She was kind enough to remove a drink from our bill that was perfectly made but simply not to the liking of my dining partner. She really didn't have to do that. The ONLY downside happened during this past visit. The "special" truffle fettuccine dish with "special truffles imported from Italy" was an $85 dish. While it was delicious, it came as a surprise at the end of the night when we got our bill, and maybe should have been mentioned during the special offerings. "We have a very special truffle fettuccine tonight for $85" We probably still would've ordered it, but it was necessary to bring it up beforehand in my opinion.
(5)Emily F.
Probably one of my favorite Vetri restaurant in Philly. Everything I had here was delicious. Reasonably priced as well. I prefer this restaurant over Osteria.
(5)Majlinda K.
I had high expectations for this place but my experience was not great. The place was packed on a Saturday night but the service was pretty quick. If you are here with a large group they wont sit you unless your entire party is there (even though you are ordering drinks at the bar). The menu is tapas type dishes and they have a really good wine list. If you order the same wine as another person at your table they give you an extra little jug of wine as a refill and you're suppose to split it evenly by yourselves (which i thought it was a little weird to have to split the wine on your own, make sure your friend doesn't finish your share! lol). The brussels sprouts i ordered were delicious as well as the swordfish meatballs. The main entree i got was swordfish pasta with eggplant fries. The dish was a little tasteless. The fish and eggplant were ok but the pasta was really dry and tasted a bit like cardboard.
(2)Kathleen D.
Yes to both meatball appetizers: the light and juicy swordfish meatballs with pine nuts and golden raisins over creamy polenta, and Sal's with tomato potato. Yes. The variety of bruschetta are very good too. See we're not tryin to go all gavone here, but that mortadella mousse? It's so good. So are the house-made salumi. Right, so I find myself most taken with the small plates and salumi, as usual. And the pasta is pretty perfect. I'm thinking that the ideal deally here is to split some small plates,and maybe a veg contorni, and then have you some cacio e pepe. Or ANY of the pasta. It's excellent, from all'amatriciana to black squid ink, or whatever special. I had one with snails. It ruled. The pasta here rules. The plan is: wine, small plates, pasta... and dessert. I love it when a plan comes together. I'm not saying to skip the secondi, but really, my personal move would include saving crucial stomach space for the "tartufo al bacio;" chocolate and hazelnut semifreddo with amarena cherries. Or, maybe you'll want to share Belgian waffles with nutella, toasted hazelnuts, and vanilla semifreddo. If we're goin comfort food baby, why not go all the way? Spaghetti and waffles in one meal. You did it. You finally did it!
(4)Kate G.
Best restaurant in Philadelphia! I moved to Philly from Italy around 4 years ago and it's hard to find a great italian restaurant that is authentic and innovative at the same time! The server was attentive, remembered us from previous dinners and the kitchen was able to perfectly accomodate my mom's dietary restrictions. Our appetizers were the squid, the pork terrine and the fried cauliflower. The paccheri with eggplant fries and swordfish is just perfect and tastes just like something I would get in Sicily. My mom's scallops were cooked to perfection, very juicy. The cacio e pepe is creamy and perfectly al dente! The kitchen staff was really nice and sent us a corn and heirloom tomato salad to try and a rice pudding. I hate rice pudding but I just devoured this one! It had cherries and pistachios on it! The staff went above and beyond to accomodate us and just made my birthday dinner really lovely!
(5)