Excellent food and service. The staff is friendly and helpful. My husband and I ordered the 3 course meal for $19.95 and it was delicious and a great price! I definitely recommend a trip to town for this delicious Italian restaurant!!
(4)
Erin C.
Went after seeing a show at racc. I got the arugula salad and the eggplant parm as that was the only entree that was vegetarian, which they really should have some more options. However I love eggplant parm so I was excited. The bread was bland and just eh, they did however have a tasty hummus but wasn't enough to save the bread. The arugula salad was good and well dressed but way too much of an attempted Parmesan bowl, it was awkwardly just under the lettuce, not really a bowl at all. Way too much cheese to lettuce ratio. The eggplant parm was more of a casserole/ bake, was very disappointed! The atmosphere was good and the service was good, nothing special. For the price not worth it, won't be returning.
(2)
J M.
What a find. Got lucky enough to find Panevino while passing through Reading. I can't say enough about the presentation of the food, and service of the waiters there. The food was awesome, homeade and properly prepared. The waiters work as a team and are friendly and attentitive. The fixed price dinner was amazing and a steal at $20 for an appetizer, entree and dessert ! The portions were great and just can't wait to eat there again. It's a nice place yet you can be comfortably dressed there and the pricing is great. Free parking... right across from the movie theater.. real Italian food made from a culinary arts trained chef.. even the desserts are amazing from his pastry chef wife. A day later and we're all still talking about it.
Service at this place is absolutely HORRIBLE! We sat down and the staff walked by our table over and over like we didn't exist, finally after waiting for about 13 minutes someone poured us a glass of water. He didn't say a word not even good evening or your waiter will be with you shortly. After waiting for over 20 minutes we decided to leave but not before telling the manager how poorly we were treated. She apologized and then personally called us on our cell phone. However she told us that the waiter said we were undecided so he was giving us time. What a LIAR! Not only were we upset that she basically believed her employee but her efforts to make things right fell short. The so called "gift card" NEVER came in the mail. WE WILL NEVER GO BACK! Poor service and Poor management skills
(1)
Ken S.
If you're and old fart you will love this place! I went in, ordered a few beers and asked if they had some pizza. They said they don't make full pizzas Just personal Ellio's style pizza. Everything is expensive on the menu and not worth it. Unless you like burning money for no reason. It is clean though...
(2)
Chad M.
Terribly slow service on a Wednesday night when they weren't even busy. Overpriced, mediocre food. We didn't get our salads for nearly 45 mins. Our server offered no updates. Best part was dessert. I wouldn't go there again.
(1)
Skip D.
When I made this reservation, weeks in advance, I explained I would be bringing 2 people in their late seventies and one person in their eighties. Our reservation was for 5:45pm, the last seating of the day. I requested and was assured a table in the quietest possible location, a corner would have been sufficient. The hostess who seated us in the middle of the main dining room had no record of this request. We then waited a full 20 minutes for a server. Nothing, including water, was placed on the table for 25 minutes. We were then served 3 pieces of cold bread for a table of 4. Yes, the restaurant was busy but the staff was completely overwhelmed and unprepared. The covers were acceptable but most certainly did not make up for the horrid pace of the meal. Needless to say, it was a very disappointing evening.
(2)
Barbara L.
I was very excited to go to this restaurant for Valentines. I called before I made a reservation to see if they had a special menu for the holiday since I have dietary restrictions. I was told that they were going to serve the regular menu. I checked again 3 days prior just to be sure and was told again that they would be serving the regular menu. When I arrived, I was quickly checked in and seated. I wasn't thrilled that they put us right next to the door so everyone who came in and out drew a freezing wind that blew through the table. My date and I ordered drinks which were ok. The martini wasn't made with the right proportions but it isn't the worst drink I've had. When I asked about ordering from the regular menu I was told that they only had the special menu on for tonight. The waiter was very nice and polite about it but did say that there were others that were given the same misinformation about the menu. I was still really annoyed since I checked with the restaurant twice before dining. Unfortunately, they did not have anything on the menu that I would be able to eat so we had our drinks and left. It may have been for the best since other couples were talking about the wait for bread and were told that they didn't have enough bread baskets to accommodate so they were having people wait instead of just putting it on plate. When leaving we had to wait for our coats while the staff ignored us at the counter and actually handed menus to staff by handing them in front of our face. Very rude. Continued to not acknowledge us like they were just to busy with ONLY the two of us standing there waiting for them. I thought about getting my coat myself. After this disappointment I will not go back. Let me say however that the waiter in the short time we were there was wonderful. He was very professional in the situation and very friendly. I give him an A+. Too bad the rest of their staff doesn't perform as well.
(1)
jane d.
We waited over 10 minutes before anyone acknowledged our presence, and only because we called the server over. Food was good. Ambiance was good. Service was very slow especially since restaurant was maybe half full, on a Sunday night.
(3)
Suzanne H.
Date Night and a 48th birthday celebration at Panevino. We took advantage of the $50 date night (and a movie) special. Our 3-course meal was amazing. The service was wonderful and the ambiance was perfect. Thank you.
(5)
Sheldon G.
We went on Easter Sunday, sat for ten minutes before we got our drink order. We ordered apps, the calamari was undercooked and greasy, we had to send it back, second order was better but not seasoned. The carpaccio was okay, also under seasoned. Our salads were over dressed except for Caesar which was all iceberg lettuce. Our entrees were under seasoned and my filet was over cooked. The best part was my dessert. It was over priced and in the restroom I walked in on a conversation about the low quality of food. Will not make the trip back.
(2)
Allison G.
Yum! Panevino is delicious. Located across from the R/C Reading movie theater and the GoggleWorks, this restaurant offers fine entrees to choose from. Every section of the menu offers a special element that is true to the word 'rustic'. The plating is excellent and showcases the talent of the chef. The fish is prepared delightfully and they will ask you how you want it prepared. The wait staff is professional. There is faint, dim lighting and the place as a whole is chic. There is painting on the wall and it also has a bar. They have a special wine room that you can reserve. It looks awesome for entertaining groups or special occasions. Panevino offers several themed dinners throughout the year. The place seems like it is really into community building through food and wine. This is a good place to catch a happy hour or take someone out on a nice date. You can park in Boscov's Plaza parking lot. There is direct access to the parking garage through the restaurant so you don't have to go out on the street, if that's something you need.
(5)
Robert R.
My wife and I chose Panevino for our anniversary dinner and it definitely did not disappoint. From the moment we walked through the doors, the service was outstanding. With simple things like free coat check that allows you to have a bit more freedom at your table, to free focaccia bread and white bean hummus with parmesan toast points, the experience is unrivaled. We had reservations and were seated promptly and someone took care of our drink order immediately. Our server was very polite and efficient. I ordered the eggplant parmesan and my wife ordered the chicken marsala. Both dishes were excellent. The portion size was more than enough and we ended up taking some of both dishes home with us. The amount of cheese on the eggplant parmesan was more than enough and the chicken marsala had an incredible flavor. The prices won't break the bank either. We chose the 3-course meal for $19.95 which suited our needs, but the menu is very diverse and includes great steaks, pasta, and seafood. Panevino is a jewel in downtown Reading and is a perfect spot for both couples, a family, or a business dinner.
(5)
Heidi D.
I had a event party here for about 60 people with children. We were told we could bring any favor decorations, paints, play do, stickers ect for the kids no problem we'll clean it up. We brought indoor party poppers for the kids to do as we sang happy birthday they made more of a mess then I thought they would I felt terrible we apologized and asked for a vacuum or brooms to clean it up (which they provided and we did clean it up ourselves) the owner acted horrible slamming things around very obvious to my guest he was mad over a confetti. Very unprofessional !!! Disappointing especially since we spent about $1500. For an afternoon party when the restraunt was closed to the public.
(1)
Joan D.
Very happy to report that after sending an email I received an apology and a gift card for a return visit! It was nice that they appreciated my comments and realized the service was not up to par that night!
(2)
M S.
Painfully slow and unprofessional service. Incorrect orders and we never received two of our tables meals. 2 of us enjoyed our meal. 2 were not happy with the food. 2 never got their food. So many better places in Reading. I have zero interest in returning. What a shame; could be a great place. I'm sure on a less busy night the service is better, but a well run business should function efficiently any night of the week.
(1)
Dan K.
Wow how the mighty have fallen! I would have to say that this restaurant was once a good meal but the last few times it has not been worth the money!
(1)
Eric V.
Went for Valentines Day. Service was slow, food was undercooked, 4 parties around us walked out and I wish I was one of them. Complained to the manager who didn't seem too concerned about experience.
(1)
Al M.
Food was ok but service was terrible. Couldn't get a drink or water refill. Went with a group for a Christmas party and was quoted $25 per person with limited menu but restaurant offered $19.95 meals with more options. A total ripoff! Made us pay $5 more for the same meals. Tip wasn't included. Couldn't get a drink! Only one server for twenty people! Never again. And no wifi btw!
(2)
Clark S.
A very nice restaurant in a part of Reading that is being rebuilt. I went there with my parents and we each enjoyed our food very much. There is an IMAX theater right across the street, making it a perfect location for your standard dinner + movie date. Prices are a bit high, though.
(4)
Janine B.
We went to Panevino about a week ago for a birthday dinner with a group of 6. We were seated in a pleasant semi-private area without a special request. The server was great and quick to answer any questions we had. This was great as our guest of honor had never dined there before. We all decided on various choices from their 3 courses for $19 menu. Everyone in our group thought the food was excellent from the first course to dessert. Plenty of food. Most of us took half home for a delicious lunch the following day. The only reason for the 4 stars is that it took a long time for the server to come back near the end of the meal to order dessert and then pay our bill. The restaurant had become full though by that time. All in all a great meal. We will all be back.
(4)
Jenny I.
As a previous employee of this company I'd like to warn anyone pursuing a potential job position with his company TO STAY AWAY! David Brennan is an awful human being. He is rude and nasty. I inquired about when I would be getting paid (having heard from others that he hasn't paid former employees for hours worked) He jumped down my throat and screamed at me telling me "How's this, you get paid when I tell you you get paid!" Later in the evening I received an e-mail (at 11:30 in the evening) telling me all the information I had requested, but ending it with "oh yeah and I've decided to end your employment with us HAVE A GREAT DAY" Seriously? It is incredibly rude and unprofessional for a business owner to fire someone without any reason for doing so without a verbal or written warning and based on seeking information an employee is REQUIRED AND ENTITLED to know. My job performance was exceptional and will always be exceptional! He is a shady character. For those who would be thinking about dining here. DON'T they do not clean glass or silverware. I worked a catering event for Panevino ( a wedding ) and within a period of 5 minutes 8 different guests complained that their glassware was dirty one guest even found a lip stick stain on their glass. GROSS. When I mentioned to Dave that all the glassware was dirty instead of accepting responsibility for the fact that he did not clean his property he tried blaming it on me when I wasn't even the individual who set the tables. The kitchen is dirty, the employees are miserable, and David is a horrible person to work for. Please do not eat or work here. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT.
(1)
John Z.
I heard this restaurant was supposed to be part of Reading's downtown renaissance. But judging from the scary parking garage next to this place, not enough has changed in this part of town. When is someone going to lift Reading out of its downtrodden state? There have been improvements in Bethlehem, Lancaster and Phoenixville. So those towns are rejuvenated. But too much of Reading still looks like District 12 in the "Hunger Games." The restaurant is across from a new movie theater. And it's actually a high-quality movie theater. Too bad it's in such a location. I guess it 's convenient to go to Panevino if you want a drink or a snack before or after a movie. But after a visit to Panevino, I wish I had gone to Judy's on Cherry instead. If you want a drink or Italian food, the food, drinks, atmosphere and prices are much better at Judy's than here. It's easy to compare the two because they're so close together in distance and in what they offer. But they're worlds apart in quality. At Panevino, the pizza was pricey and really ho hum. The salad was very boring. A little imagination please! And I missed the cozy bar area at Judy's compared to the TV-riddled generic bar area here. I think it's a case of trying to be upscale and falling way short. And I'm not sure that it was the best idea for this location. I think something more affordable and accessible -- maybe a brew pub -- would have worked better to bring people in.
(1)
Craig S.
Excellent service, nice atmosphere and very good value with the three course meal for $19.95. Quality and quantity per serving is very good too. Only constructive criticism would be their sauces could use alittle more spices.
(4)
Julie A.
A nice date night location. We went to celebrate our wedding anniversary and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We both had seafood (jumbo lump crab and crab cakes). Hostess and waiter were both very friendly. The table next to us were two couples. One was an awesome older couple who said they had been coming for many years to Panevino and it had always been good. They had been married for 65 years!!
(5)
Ben F.
Had lots of fun there on a Sunday Night hanging and drinking with a few Friends. Christiana the bartender really made us feel welcome. The drinks were on point and so was the good converstion. The GM and owner are very nice as well. Check it out if you are near the IMAX.
(4)
Sean B.
Great Addition to Reading! wow what a great menu and prices? I had the steamed cockles and my wife had the beef Carpaccio both seasoned to perfection! We followed it up with the arugula salad it was great but could have used more pears and my wife had the wedge, best blue cheese dressing she ever had!! and topped with crisp pancetta and gorgonzola she could of had that as an entree. I had the osso bucco, It was as good as I remember from Chat-a-While and my wife had the sausage pizza, reminded us of the pizza in Tuscany, crispy with great flavor but it may take Reading some time to get away from the thick and chewey pizza that you find all over. We shared the peach and blueberry cobbler and wished we would have ordered two! Panevino has the nicest wine list that I have ever seen in Berks county, We cant wait to make our next visit! Heather our server was outstanding! Sean B
(5)
Lori B.
Great new Happy Hour menu in the bar area. The place was kicking. My friends and I really enjoyed the food. Wish I could say that about the service as well. The female bartender is snotty and our waiter delivered our burgers without asking if we wanted any condiments and then disappeared. We had to flag down another waiter for ketchup. I will definitely go back but will hope for better service.
(3)
Jeff W.
My wife and I had a great meal. My wife's a vegetarian and they totally had plenty for her. I had the beef carpacio and the crab cakes, both were fantastic. This place is in a great location for dinner and a movie.
(4)
Nick B.
Fantastic food in generous portions, what's not to like? The lobster ravioli was cooked to perfection, with a sauce that accented the lobster's flavor without being too heavy on the palate.
(5)
Lauren B.
Most of the junk reviews are from 2 years ago- this place has improved! The menu is great and the service is top notch. Coming from someone that dines in center city- I felt like I was downtown and not in a suburb of Philadelphia. The food is great and I really enjoy all of their salad options. Nuts, cheese and amazing house made dressings, I'm sold!! Come in for a light bite and a glass of wine and enjoy the stunning atmosphere and quaint Reading.
(5)
Leo K.
Our third time eating here and the food has always been very good. Service is friendly although on the slow side....but go for a relaxed dinner out and you won't be disappointed. Food quality great...a favorite is the Arugala salad served in a parmigiano cheese bowl. For this area, they offer a great wine list. And a very reasonable 3 couse dinner for $22.95 offered almost every night. Overall a very good value and a delicious meal. We'll be back next time we're in town.
(4)
Steven P.
Parking garage next door makes you feel a bit more comfortable going to this part of town at night. Dining room is airy and pleasant. Fried calamari appetizer was both "feet" and "rings", but was quite hot (spicy). Hot peppers were extremely hot! Several three course dinner deals for 19.99 were a great value. Caesar salad was a great start. I followed with the lobster ravioli covered in a lobster cream sauce. The sauce was fabulous and the ravioli was soft and filled with a creamy ricotta laced with small pieces of lobster. The ravioli were covered in "lobster like" pieces" that looked and tasted more like langastinos than lobster. I may be wrong but these "pieces" were very uniform and resembled no part of a lobster that I am familiar with. Having grown up in Boston I feel I am qualified to doubt it. Affordable wine list.
(3)
Amy H.
The only hope for this city is love, mercy and education for its inhabitants. Any new restaurant in this cuisine-lacking town is cause for excited anticipation, and I'm always impressed when I see risk-taking entrepreneurs with the gumption and spirit to bring their business to downtown Reading. Our group of four had dinner before seeing a show at the Miller Center for the Arts which is located right across the street. I don't know that we would have dined here otherwise. I'm on the fence with Panevino. The decor of the restaurant is nice with cut stone walls, dark wood and clean color combinations. On the other hand, they break three of my "rules" for dining rooms. There are a couple of big-screen TVs on the walls in the bar area but visible to all guests, regardless of where you're seated. As someone who cannot bring myself to own a television, I get (and sometimes appreciate) having access to the news or ball game when I'm out relaxing at a lounge, but it really interrupts the flow of energy here. The second is the menu combination. Aside from a limited selection of dishes for vegetarians, the food was a mix of pub fare and high ticket specials; I felt confused about the sort of restaurant I was in. We dressed (and paid) for a froufrou dinner but felt like we were in a far more casual place. The third is my price to tablecloth rule. If I am visiting a rustic Italian restaurant and they charge upwards of $20.00 for an entree, I'd like table coverings on the table. If you're expected to pay $60 a person (appetizer, entree, wine, etc.) or more at a restaurant, you deserve a tablecloth. Am I wrong? I'll give them the thumbs up on their wine list which was both expansive and well thought out. The private party room with its tin roof is also a nice touch and reminds me of Fornelletto in Atlantic City. The food isn't bad. On the other hand, I didn't walk out saying "Wow! That was really something." Sure, it's better than some of the restaurants around here but it's also more expensive than most of the restaurants around here. I want more than the ubiquitous iceberg lettuce wedge with bottle dressing, mushroom pizza or Ravioli. Since we rarely dine out, I like to leave a place feeling as though I got my money's worth but there's nothing here that I couldn't easily prepare at home. Not A-OK but rather, just OK. Come on Panevino, make me want to come back... please.
(3)
Jeff G.
Had the seared tuna, which is a dish I get fairly frequently, and it was one of the best I ever had. Was a little down on the slow service but it was worth the wait. Dined with 4 others and not a complaint in the bunch. Salads were very good and not one of our 4 entrees was less than excellent. I have to give 4 stars due to the service time but in terms of food this a first class establishment.
(4)
Geri M.
I really wanted to adore this place and its symbolism of Reading's renaissance. Comparing this to Judy's the night before, its only advantage is location. The highlight of the meal was the clams appetizer and the gracious, just attentive enough service. From there, it went downhill. What was called bread or foccacia was some unpalatable concoction that I fear was some mistake of the kitchen. So much for sopping up the exquisite clam broth... The carpaccio appetizer held a lot of promise, but rather than graced with a drizzle of olive oil, it was drowned in a balsamic reduction that masked any flavor underneath. My friend's gnocchi was OK, but IMO gnocchi should either get an Alfredo or blush sauce. Her comment was that the red sauce was "out of a can with some doctoring"....not something one wants to hear in an Italian restaurant. The iceberg wedge was a hit with my husband, who loved the huge chunks of bleu and the pancetta. Why, oh why, would anyone serve hothouse tomatoes in the middle of tomato season in the heart of Berks county?? The pizza crust was very good and the caramelized onions and sweet sausage were a just OK combo. Meh. Nice dessert selection, but we passed. I'll give this place one more try because we sorely need options in our humble town but feel Panevino has definitely got some work to do.
(2)
Nikki G.
Since my original review (8/5/2011), we have eaten at Panevino several more times. We have never been disappointed. We have been here with my in-laws multiple times - they are world travelers and true gourmet eaters - they have loved it every time as well. The food is always amazing, the staff friendly, helpful, and accommodating. My very picky vegetarian daughter chose to come here for her birthday for the vodka penne. Another favorite is the seafood risotto (which is also available at BRUNCH). The wine menu is extensive and we haven't been let down in the choices there either! Above, I mentioned brunch - this was a wonderful addition to their repertoire last May. Since then, we have been there 4 or 5 times and have tried most of the "breakfast" items as well as a couple of the "lunch" items. Portions are generous - all meals include coffee or tea, a fresh fruit plate, some mini muffins and scones, the main course, and a (huge) dessert! Bloody Marys, cordial coffees, and Mimosas add a wonderful touch for a very reasonable price. Can not say enough about this favorite! Always a good meal and a good time! I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nice dinner out!
(5)
Kimba Z.
Stopped in again and found the place mostly full fairly late on a weeknight. Those huge wonderful glasses are only available if you get a bottle of wine, pout. Were offered some free tapas at the bar, nice, though it was chicken (how about thin bread with herbed olive oil?). Flatbread pizzas ($14 each) are pretty good and can be a dinner for one or a snack for two. We got the rosemary one, extra mushrooms in place of the cheese, which they did without issues. Loads of oyster mushrooms = wonderful! Cost for 2 drinks and 1 pizza: $34. === My colleagues and I excitedly watched the construction (and regularly snooped in to see the progress) as Panevino readied to open, which it did yesterday. A group of us ran right over after work, since it is quite close by. These are my first impressions. There is nothing like this in Reading, with its front wall of windows, across from the flashing marquis of the Imax theater and the traffic racing by. You can pretend you are in a metropolitan area. Rather than one big open room, Panevino is cut into smaller intimate spaces -- good design -- and the rock walls are beautiful. There is an absolutely gorgeous wine-cellar-type room for meetings. We sat at the bar, and the nice bartender saw me looking for a bag hook (sisters, you know of the importance of this) and assured me they would be coming. We were not there to eat but to sample the wine and take a look around. Finishing touches are still being made, such as installing glass dividers in the dining room and art for the walls. The music was mostly jazz, Dean Martin, Sinatra stuff, very appropriate. The wine glasses are huge and beautiful, and happy hour house pours are only $5 and of decent quality. (Happy hour, 4:30-6, is a dollar off any drink.) Never one for the cheap stuff, my bf had the Malbec, which came in a different style large glass and was very tasty, $9 a glass. If you read my reviews, you are tired of hearing me say I hate tvs in restaurants, and the bar area has three. I guess I must be in the minority here. If not, please speak out. :-) There is only one thing on the menu I can eat, an appetizer salad of baby lettuce with maple mustard vinaigrette, so I would like to find out whether the flatbread pizzas can be made without cheese and if these modifications can be listed somewhere. Vegan food is the fastest growing segment of the food industry. Even though I know that catering to vegans is not the point of an Italian restaurant, offering options is good for business -- friends of vegans often try to pick a place that is accommodating and diverse. I'd love to see a whole wheat artichoke pasta, a garlic and greens dish, a pumpkin gnocchi, etc. and know the talented chef here can do it with his eyes closed probably. Few of my female friends are vegan, but they all love the food for the lack of cholesterol and lower fat. I too sought out vegan meals long before I finally took a stand I'd wanted to take for decades and ditched animal products. I always feel sad seeing foie gras, a waving flag of foodie excess and cruelty, on a menu. I hope it goes away. Poor geese. An inclusive menu indicates vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc., helps inform staff, and makes those with alternative diets feel welcome. We don't want to be a pain to the staff and cooks. We will usually just go where we can have several choices and order straight off the menu, but we would love to be able to give our money to other places and support more independent local restaurants. I would love to be able to eat here or get a snack after a movie -- and it is steps from large-format, mainstream, and indie movies offered by the Imax Theater and the GoggleWorks (and all the art and events at the GW). Ginny from Judy's is here, a stamp of quality, and the bar staff was uniformly funny and friendly. I look forward to seeing this restaurant grow. Al Boscov says this will eventually be Reading's *Restaurant Row,* with five restaurants. The others will open in increments to allow each one to get established. Can't wait to see what they are. Another convenience is free parking in the garage above. Look on Google Maps first to see where the entrance is, if you are from out of town. The street layout is confusing in this area known as Entertainment Square.
(1)
Krystle B.
Pretty good, I had the seafood risotto and foie gras. I didn't care for the decor, however.
(4)
Ken D.
Best italian food I've had in a long time. This restaurant is amazing. If your looking to have a romantic dinner date, this place is it. Great location in downtown Reading, with a parking garage right next door. Every time I'm in the place it always busy but I've never once had a problem with the service. It's really sad that this place isn't ranked higher. 3 1/2 stars is a slap in the face. I come from an italian background so I've sampled a lot of italian dishes. I'm not lying when I say that this place is the Best. The menu is amazing and so are the prices. The cooks it that kitchen are doing it right. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Michael G.
Came here for a special occasion dinner with friends, and it did not disappoint! Had a wonderful scallop with risotto and asparagus special on that night, and it was perfect. The roasted beets as an appetizer was divine with no complaints. The Caesar salad had the right amount of tasty dressing. The only food complaint I had was that the bread was too salty. Tasty, but quite salty. With a drink and appetizer, I ended up paying about $60 for myself. This was worth it and I would come back again!
(4)
Natalie P.
I have eaten here several times and it seems to get better and better. From the focaccia bread, to the chef's complimentary appetizer, to the salad (I had the blue cheese wedge) to entree of branzino served over escarole, the entire meal was delicious. So nice that Reading has such a great Italian restaurant. I would have given it a 5 star except the waitress was not exceptional. I recognized here as a waitress from another local restaurant, where I thought she was outstanding; maybe she was just having an off night. Five star for the food; three star for the service. I'll be back soon though!
(4)
Val M.
Service was very slow and the food was unremarkable. I was disappointed that there were not many Italian dishes on the menu. All in all, I wasn't provided one reason to look forward to a return visit.
(2)
Katie R.
I had heard mixed things about Panevino and was somewhat reluctant to try it. I have been there twice so far and am adding it to my list of favorites for the area. Not only was the food excellent but the service was top rate as well. I would give it an overall rating of five because it has all the qualities I look for in a wonderful dining experience. I have always been partial to Judy's on Cherry but have found on multiple occasions the service to be lacking. Panevino definitely gives it a run for its money. The calamari is some of the best I've ever had. It's really enhanced by the hot peppers they top it with. Entrees come with choice of salad and there is a really nice selection, not just your standard house or Caesar. I had the tricolori and my husband the arugula. The veal ravioli and pappardelle were also top rate and they have super creamy, smooth cheesecake. The sorbetto is also a nice choice as well as the tiramisu which isn't the best I've ever had but you can tell is homemade which is a plus. I would also recommend giving the house cab a try. It's perfect if you are looking for a simple yet quality red. Overall a great choice if you are looking for restaurants in that price range.
(5)
Sara B.
Their 3 course meal option for only $20 was great! Lots of choices and great food. The service was very attentive and timely. The restaurant itself was cute. I would definitely recommend Panevino!
(5)
Brian M.
I held a party here for my wife and then we went back for dinner two weeks later. Food is great and the tables are close but not too close together. The only problem we had was service. We had a 5:45 pm reservation before an 8:00 pm concert, and we had to ask if we would have time for dessert. The three course prefix menu is a great value.
(4)
Kaitlyn A.
My family and I went to panevino based off of what my parents had heard from friends. We made reservations for a Saturday night and upon arrival we were greeted with an extremely loud lounge music band and techno lights. This was only on one side of the restaurant but of course they sat us directly in front of the "band". Our server tried to speak to us but we couldn't hear him or each other. My mother complained and we were fortunately moved to a different table. The food was over all ok. But when we asked our waitress which menu items she preferred, she hadn't had any of them. It is my belief that all servers should be able to try all of the dishes on the menu. My only other complaint is that my brother ordered lobster ravioli and while there was a hefty portion of lobster on top of the cheese ravioli we were all expecting lobster filled ravioli. All in all, it was an ok place that maybe just needs some more time to figure out what kind of a place they want to be. Loose the techno lights and turn down the volume. I am also pretty sure our palates were most likely tainted from the restaurant we went to the previous night in lebanon, trattoria fratelli, fricken delicious!
(3)
Greg P.
Panevino is a nice Italian restaurant located directly across the street from the Reading IMAX theater. It's the perfect place for dinner before the show or after. First let me say that they may have the best wine list in Berks County. If you know of a better one, let me know. It's well rounded and ranges from about $30 to $350 so there's something for everyone. At the top of the list they have a Joseph Phelps Insignia and an Opus One. Now I bet they won't sell a lot of Opus One, but it's nice to know they have it for that special occasion. The menu offers a nice selection of "rustic" Italian cuisine. I had the osso buco which was superb. My date had the lobster ravioli which she also loved. I also had the wedge salad which was just what I wanted that evening - lots of blue cheese and the perfect addition of crispy bacon. We didn't have dessert but we did finish with a nice cappuccino that was, well, the perfect finish. I noticed that some of the other reviewers gave negative reviews for Panevino. I might go out on a limb and suggest that they may be related to problems that do sometimes occur in a newly opened establishment. I experienced none of those problems and I wouldn't let those reviews stop you from going. Check it out yourself and draw your own conclusions. I might give 4 stars, but any restaurant owner with the fortitude to open up in Reading deserves an extra star. 5 stars for Panevino!
(5)
Dave W.
My family has Xmas Eve dinner here for the last 4 years. I don't get to pick it. It has a nice ambiance and tastefully decorated. A cute downtown place with a nice bar area. Im not sure it knows what it wants to be. An Italian based restaurant or a steakhouse or an everything to everybody type of place. I can honestly say, I haven't had a good meal there in 4 years. My family has. They did like some of there dishes including the crab and pasta. The Salads are good. But I try and try again to keep it simple so they cant screw it up and I must be jinxed. The NY Strip was 40% grizzle fat and then once I got to the meat it was buried in their peppercorn sauce. It just didn't begin to impress. Last year the best part of dinner was a homemade carrot cake with homemade icing...the icing was to die for and made the dessert which probably saved it form being written up then...but I can no longer be silent. Roll the dice, get the specials but know that it is what it is and that may disappoint
(2)
Andrea F.
Love this place, the ambiance alone makes you want to be here. Parking in the attached garage could not be more convenient. I park here for the movies and Goggle Works as well and have never had an issue or safety concern. Wonderful red pepper hummus and delicious homemade, semi-soft, garlicy pita chips arrived at our table first, just wish we had been offered more because we ate the four chips in no time. Fresh bread before the meal was great, but no butter was offered. We ended up dipping it in the leftover hummus. If you order a pasta dish, you will most likely have extra sauce to dip your bread in. However, our uneaten bread was whisked away without notice. The wedge salad with homemade blue cheese is so delicious-best blue cheese dressing I've tasted. The Baby greens salad was also yummy with a delicate honey mustard vinaigrette. The fresh lobster ravioli are scrumptious! Fresh lobster claw meat tops this dish. Best lobster ravioli I have eaten in this area....Beats Carrabba's easily. The filet was served with potatoes and a veggie...also very good. House Cabernet was perfect. No beer taps here, only bottles. Service was attentive yet did not hover. Dishes were cleared promptly throughout the meal by bus staff. Did not have room for dessert but diners around our table had something with strawberries and I watched four people devour it. Very pleasant, relaxed dining experience. I would not come here if you are in a hurry. This would be a great place for a date or family celebration. Sit in the bar area if you wish to watch a game-not a bad seat in the house.
This place is a gem. We were a little pressed for time when we went on a busy Saturday night, and they did their best to make sure we were all taken care of. I had the seafood risotto, which was to die for. The appletini I ordered came with the shaker which refilled my glass more than once. The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed. I highly recommend checking out this place.
(5)
Phillip C.
A bit out of the way, yet thought it would be worth it. Plus, I had been entertaining friends in town and they were intrigued by the Pagoda lights. While on the way, we spotted this little shanty-like building on the right side of the road, so we decided to park in the Pagoda parking lot and just walk down to check it out. As we walked in, we noticed immediately that there were numerous signs indicating that the proprietors were committed to not only a green lifestyle, but also an organic italian fare. Despite the fact I found this odd, because traditional Italian cooking is anything but organic, I decided to give it a try. As we took our seats in very uncomfortable bamboo chairs, our server, who was very pleasant, brought us our menus. I ordered a caesar salad and a flatbread whole wheat brick oven pizza with artichokes and caramelized onions. Frankly, the whole meal tasted like dirt and/or grass, yet I expected this from an "all organic" italian establishment. On a better note, they had an extensive organic wine selection. I had a fantastic merlot that reminded me of my favorite Tua Rita. The service was okay and the whole place was very clean. My sister said she could eat off the bathroom floor. On the way out, while waiting for my friends, I tested my skills at the animal crane machine, to see if I could win a stuffed animal. I missed terribly and ended up scoring a $25.00 gift certificate that was on the back of an italian flag. Unfortunately the experience on a whole left much to be desired. Thus, I think I may use the gift card as my secret santa gift next year.
(2)
S. M.
In a nutshell...this place is a rip off. My girlfriend and I stopped in for our first time Saturday night. We wanted to get a drink before heading to the movies across the street. I had a Glenlivet 12 y/o scotch and an espresso and my girlfriend had a cappuccino. When I received the bill I quickly paid it via my CC, as we were eagerly headed to the movie. My fault there, as when I looked at the bill when we got across the street it was for $41.00...for 2 coffees and a scotch. They gave me the wrong bill. I quickly went back to have it corrected and it took forever. I then received the correct bill and double checked the receipt. This one was for $23.38....again, for two coffees and a scotch! The Glenlivet 12 y/o scotch was $15.00...for one drink, and $3.95 for each coffee. I am a scotch drinker, and a bottle of Glenlivet 12 y/o scotch at the state store cost anywhere from $37.00 - $40.00. If I had ordered 2 drinks (4 oz) I could have bought a whole bottle (25 oz) at the local state store. Ridiculous! I constantly travel for work and that, dear friends, is worse than airport prices. It's about a 480% markup which is literally robbery. Other establishments within the area charge between $7.00 - $10.00 for the same drink. I have never ordered the food there however, from this recent experience I never will. Very disappointing.
(1)
Matt D.
Great food, great service. Awesome food, true Italian food! This restaurant is great!
(5)
Ben P.
I stumbled onto this place because of an event groupon was having which gave me a 40$ voucher for only 10 dollars. Even considering that I was getting a fantastic deal food wise for my money, this place blew any italian food I had previously had out of the water. The appetizer's we enjoyed were fantastic and just the right portions to appetize you for the actual meal. I had the roast pork tenderloin in a cranberry balsamic glace which was fantastic, the pork was done perfectly and the baby asparagus and lightly salted red skinned potatoes were an excellent accompaniment to the meal. For dessert I enjoyed the chocolate torte which was filled with molten chocolate with a selection of berries and kiwi on the side. I look forward to each time I come here with friends or family.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Garage Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual, Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Patty B.
Excellent food and service. The staff is friendly and helpful. My husband and I ordered the 3 course meal for $19.95 and it was delicious and a great price! I definitely recommend a trip to town for this delicious Italian restaurant!!
(4)Erin C.
Went after seeing a show at racc. I got the arugula salad and the eggplant parm as that was the only entree that was vegetarian, which they really should have some more options. However I love eggplant parm so I was excited. The bread was bland and just eh, they did however have a tasty hummus but wasn't enough to save the bread. The arugula salad was good and well dressed but way too much of an attempted Parmesan bowl, it was awkwardly just under the lettuce, not really a bowl at all. Way too much cheese to lettuce ratio. The eggplant parm was more of a casserole/ bake, was very disappointed! The atmosphere was good and the service was good, nothing special. For the price not worth it, won't be returning.
(2)J M.
What a find. Got lucky enough to find Panevino while passing through Reading. I can't say enough about the presentation of the food, and service of the waiters there. The food was awesome, homeade and properly prepared. The waiters work as a team and are friendly and attentitive. The fixed price dinner was amazing and a steal at $20 for an appetizer, entree and dessert ! The portions were great and just can't wait to eat there again. It's a nice place yet you can be comfortably dressed there and the pricing is great. Free parking... right across from the movie theater.. real Italian food made from a culinary arts trained chef.. even the desserts are amazing from his pastry chef wife. A day later and we're all still talking about it.
(5)Kimberly S.
We went out as a surprise birthday dinner for my husband and this was our first time here. My spicy crab chowder had great flavor. I can't remember the name of my dinner but it was chicken and sweet sausage with fingerling potatoes in tomato sauce and it was great too! If you get the side of baked Ziti be ready to share because it's a huge portion with an amazing fresh tomato sauce. And the vanilla bean cream brûlée was one of the best I've had. Our server was pleasant and attentive. We will be back!
(5)Kelly K.
Service at this place is absolutely HORRIBLE! We sat down and the staff walked by our table over and over like we didn't exist, finally after waiting for about 13 minutes someone poured us a glass of water. He didn't say a word not even good evening or your waiter will be with you shortly. After waiting for over 20 minutes we decided to leave but not before telling the manager how poorly we were treated. She apologized and then personally called us on our cell phone. However she told us that the waiter said we were undecided so he was giving us time. What a LIAR! Not only were we upset that she basically believed her employee but her efforts to make things right fell short. The so called "gift card" NEVER came in the mail. WE WILL NEVER GO BACK! Poor service and Poor management skills
(1)Ken S.
If you're and old fart you will love this place! I went in, ordered a few beers and asked if they had some pizza. They said they don't make full pizzas Just personal Ellio's style pizza. Everything is expensive on the menu and not worth it. Unless you like burning money for no reason. It is clean though...
(2)Chad M.
Terribly slow service on a Wednesday night when they weren't even busy. Overpriced, mediocre food. We didn't get our salads for nearly 45 mins. Our server offered no updates. Best part was dessert. I wouldn't go there again.
(1)Skip D.
When I made this reservation, weeks in advance, I explained I would be bringing 2 people in their late seventies and one person in their eighties. Our reservation was for 5:45pm, the last seating of the day. I requested and was assured a table in the quietest possible location, a corner would have been sufficient. The hostess who seated us in the middle of the main dining room had no record of this request. We then waited a full 20 minutes for a server. Nothing, including water, was placed on the table for 25 minutes. We were then served 3 pieces of cold bread for a table of 4. Yes, the restaurant was busy but the staff was completely overwhelmed and unprepared. The covers were acceptable but most certainly did not make up for the horrid pace of the meal. Needless to say, it was a very disappointing evening.
(2)Barbara L.
I was very excited to go to this restaurant for Valentines. I called before I made a reservation to see if they had a special menu for the holiday since I have dietary restrictions. I was told that they were going to serve the regular menu. I checked again 3 days prior just to be sure and was told again that they would be serving the regular menu. When I arrived, I was quickly checked in and seated. I wasn't thrilled that they put us right next to the door so everyone who came in and out drew a freezing wind that blew through the table. My date and I ordered drinks which were ok. The martini wasn't made with the right proportions but it isn't the worst drink I've had. When I asked about ordering from the regular menu I was told that they only had the special menu on for tonight. The waiter was very nice and polite about it but did say that there were others that were given the same misinformation about the menu. I was still really annoyed since I checked with the restaurant twice before dining. Unfortunately, they did not have anything on the menu that I would be able to eat so we had our drinks and left. It may have been for the best since other couples were talking about the wait for bread and were told that they didn't have enough bread baskets to accommodate so they were having people wait instead of just putting it on plate. When leaving we had to wait for our coats while the staff ignored us at the counter and actually handed menus to staff by handing them in front of our face. Very rude. Continued to not acknowledge us like they were just to busy with ONLY the two of us standing there waiting for them. I thought about getting my coat myself. After this disappointment I will not go back. Let me say however that the waiter in the short time we were there was wonderful. He was very professional in the situation and very friendly. I give him an A+. Too bad the rest of their staff doesn't perform as well.
(1)jane d.
We waited over 10 minutes before anyone acknowledged our presence, and only because we called the server over. Food was good. Ambiance was good. Service was very slow especially since restaurant was maybe half full, on a Sunday night.
(3)Suzanne H.
Date Night and a 48th birthday celebration at Panevino. We took advantage of the $50 date night (and a movie) special. Our 3-course meal was amazing. The service was wonderful and the ambiance was perfect. Thank you.
(5)Sheldon G.
We went on Easter Sunday, sat for ten minutes before we got our drink order. We ordered apps, the calamari was undercooked and greasy, we had to send it back, second order was better but not seasoned. The carpaccio was okay, also under seasoned. Our salads were over dressed except for Caesar which was all iceberg lettuce. Our entrees were under seasoned and my filet was over cooked. The best part was my dessert. It was over priced and in the restroom I walked in on a conversation about the low quality of food. Will not make the trip back.
(2)Allison G.
Yum! Panevino is delicious. Located across from the R/C Reading movie theater and the GoggleWorks, this restaurant offers fine entrees to choose from. Every section of the menu offers a special element that is true to the word 'rustic'. The plating is excellent and showcases the talent of the chef. The fish is prepared delightfully and they will ask you how you want it prepared. The wait staff is professional. There is faint, dim lighting and the place as a whole is chic. There is painting on the wall and it also has a bar. They have a special wine room that you can reserve. It looks awesome for entertaining groups or special occasions. Panevino offers several themed dinners throughout the year. The place seems like it is really into community building through food and wine. This is a good place to catch a happy hour or take someone out on a nice date. You can park in Boscov's Plaza parking lot. There is direct access to the parking garage through the restaurant so you don't have to go out on the street, if that's something you need.
(5)Robert R.
My wife and I chose Panevino for our anniversary dinner and it definitely did not disappoint. From the moment we walked through the doors, the service was outstanding. With simple things like free coat check that allows you to have a bit more freedom at your table, to free focaccia bread and white bean hummus with parmesan toast points, the experience is unrivaled. We had reservations and were seated promptly and someone took care of our drink order immediately. Our server was very polite and efficient. I ordered the eggplant parmesan and my wife ordered the chicken marsala. Both dishes were excellent. The portion size was more than enough and we ended up taking some of both dishes home with us. The amount of cheese on the eggplant parmesan was more than enough and the chicken marsala had an incredible flavor. The prices won't break the bank either. We chose the 3-course meal for $19.95 which suited our needs, but the menu is very diverse and includes great steaks, pasta, and seafood. Panevino is a jewel in downtown Reading and is a perfect spot for both couples, a family, or a business dinner.
(5)Heidi D.
I had a event party here for about 60 people with children. We were told we could bring any favor decorations, paints, play do, stickers ect for the kids no problem we'll clean it up. We brought indoor party poppers for the kids to do as we sang happy birthday they made more of a mess then I thought they would I felt terrible we apologized and asked for a vacuum or brooms to clean it up (which they provided and we did clean it up ourselves) the owner acted horrible slamming things around very obvious to my guest he was mad over a confetti. Very unprofessional !!! Disappointing especially since we spent about $1500. For an afternoon party when the restraunt was closed to the public.
(1)Joan D.
Very happy to report that after sending an email I received an apology and a gift card for a return visit! It was nice that they appreciated my comments and realized the service was not up to par that night!
(2)M S.
Painfully slow and unprofessional service. Incorrect orders and we never received two of our tables meals. 2 of us enjoyed our meal. 2 were not happy with the food. 2 never got their food. So many better places in Reading. I have zero interest in returning. What a shame; could be a great place. I'm sure on a less busy night the service is better, but a well run business should function efficiently any night of the week.
(1)Dan K.
Wow how the mighty have fallen! I would have to say that this restaurant was once a good meal but the last few times it has not been worth the money!
(1)Eric V.
Went for Valentines Day. Service was slow, food was undercooked, 4 parties around us walked out and I wish I was one of them. Complained to the manager who didn't seem too concerned about experience.
(1)Al M.
Food was ok but service was terrible. Couldn't get a drink or water refill. Went with a group for a Christmas party and was quoted $25 per person with limited menu but restaurant offered $19.95 meals with more options. A total ripoff! Made us pay $5 more for the same meals. Tip wasn't included. Couldn't get a drink! Only one server for twenty people! Never again. And no wifi btw!
(2)Clark S.
A very nice restaurant in a part of Reading that is being rebuilt. I went there with my parents and we each enjoyed our food very much. There is an IMAX theater right across the street, making it a perfect location for your standard dinner + movie date. Prices are a bit high, though.
(4)Janine B.
We went to Panevino about a week ago for a birthday dinner with a group of 6. We were seated in a pleasant semi-private area without a special request. The server was great and quick to answer any questions we had. This was great as our guest of honor had never dined there before. We all decided on various choices from their 3 courses for $19 menu. Everyone in our group thought the food was excellent from the first course to dessert. Plenty of food. Most of us took half home for a delicious lunch the following day. The only reason for the 4 stars is that it took a long time for the server to come back near the end of the meal to order dessert and then pay our bill. The restaurant had become full though by that time. All in all a great meal. We will all be back.
(4)Jenny I.
As a previous employee of this company I'd like to warn anyone pursuing a potential job position with his company TO STAY AWAY! David Brennan is an awful human being. He is rude and nasty. I inquired about when I would be getting paid (having heard from others that he hasn't paid former employees for hours worked) He jumped down my throat and screamed at me telling me "How's this, you get paid when I tell you you get paid!" Later in the evening I received an e-mail (at 11:30 in the evening) telling me all the information I had requested, but ending it with "oh yeah and I've decided to end your employment with us HAVE A GREAT DAY" Seriously? It is incredibly rude and unprofessional for a business owner to fire someone without any reason for doing so without a verbal or written warning and based on seeking information an employee is REQUIRED AND ENTITLED to know. My job performance was exceptional and will always be exceptional! He is a shady character. For those who would be thinking about dining here. DON'T they do not clean glass or silverware. I worked a catering event for Panevino ( a wedding ) and within a period of 5 minutes 8 different guests complained that their glassware was dirty one guest even found a lip stick stain on their glass. GROSS. When I mentioned to Dave that all the glassware was dirty instead of accepting responsibility for the fact that he did not clean his property he tried blaming it on me when I wasn't even the individual who set the tables. The kitchen is dirty, the employees are miserable, and David is a horrible person to work for. Please do not eat or work here. AVOID THIS RESTAURANT.
(1)John Z.
I heard this restaurant was supposed to be part of Reading's downtown renaissance. But judging from the scary parking garage next to this place, not enough has changed in this part of town. When is someone going to lift Reading out of its downtrodden state? There have been improvements in Bethlehem, Lancaster and Phoenixville. So those towns are rejuvenated. But too much of Reading still looks like District 12 in the "Hunger Games." The restaurant is across from a new movie theater. And it's actually a high-quality movie theater. Too bad it's in such a location. I guess it 's convenient to go to Panevino if you want a drink or a snack before or after a movie. But after a visit to Panevino, I wish I had gone to Judy's on Cherry instead. If you want a drink or Italian food, the food, drinks, atmosphere and prices are much better at Judy's than here. It's easy to compare the two because they're so close together in distance and in what they offer. But they're worlds apart in quality. At Panevino, the pizza was pricey and really ho hum. The salad was very boring. A little imagination please! And I missed the cozy bar area at Judy's compared to the TV-riddled generic bar area here. I think it's a case of trying to be upscale and falling way short. And I'm not sure that it was the best idea for this location. I think something more affordable and accessible -- maybe a brew pub -- would have worked better to bring people in.
(1)Craig S.
Excellent service, nice atmosphere and very good value with the three course meal for $19.95. Quality and quantity per serving is very good too. Only constructive criticism would be their sauces could use alittle more spices.
(4)Julie A.
A nice date night location. We went to celebrate our wedding anniversary and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We both had seafood (jumbo lump crab and crab cakes). Hostess and waiter were both very friendly. The table next to us were two couples. One was an awesome older couple who said they had been coming for many years to Panevino and it had always been good. They had been married for 65 years!!
(5)Ben F.
Had lots of fun there on a Sunday Night hanging and drinking with a few Friends. Christiana the bartender really made us feel welcome. The drinks were on point and so was the good converstion. The GM and owner are very nice as well. Check it out if you are near the IMAX.
(4)Sean B.
Great Addition to Reading! wow what a great menu and prices? I had the steamed cockles and my wife had the beef Carpaccio both seasoned to perfection! We followed it up with the arugula salad it was great but could have used more pears and my wife had the wedge, best blue cheese dressing she ever had!! and topped with crisp pancetta and gorgonzola she could of had that as an entree. I had the osso bucco, It was as good as I remember from Chat-a-While and my wife had the sausage pizza, reminded us of the pizza in Tuscany, crispy with great flavor but it may take Reading some time to get away from the thick and chewey pizza that you find all over. We shared the peach and blueberry cobbler and wished we would have ordered two! Panevino has the nicest wine list that I have ever seen in Berks county, We cant wait to make our next visit! Heather our server was outstanding! Sean B
(5)Lori B.
Great new Happy Hour menu in the bar area. The place was kicking. My friends and I really enjoyed the food. Wish I could say that about the service as well. The female bartender is snotty and our waiter delivered our burgers without asking if we wanted any condiments and then disappeared. We had to flag down another waiter for ketchup. I will definitely go back but will hope for better service.
(3)Jeff W.
My wife and I had a great meal. My wife's a vegetarian and they totally had plenty for her. I had the beef carpacio and the crab cakes, both were fantastic. This place is in a great location for dinner and a movie.
(4)Nick B.
Fantastic food in generous portions, what's not to like? The lobster ravioli was cooked to perfection, with a sauce that accented the lobster's flavor without being too heavy on the palate.
(5)Lauren B.
Most of the junk reviews are from 2 years ago- this place has improved! The menu is great and the service is top notch. Coming from someone that dines in center city- I felt like I was downtown and not in a suburb of Philadelphia. The food is great and I really enjoy all of their salad options. Nuts, cheese and amazing house made dressings, I'm sold!! Come in for a light bite and a glass of wine and enjoy the stunning atmosphere and quaint Reading.
(5)Leo K.
Our third time eating here and the food has always been very good. Service is friendly although on the slow side....but go for a relaxed dinner out and you won't be disappointed. Food quality great...a favorite is the Arugala salad served in a parmigiano cheese bowl. For this area, they offer a great wine list. And a very reasonable 3 couse dinner for $22.95 offered almost every night. Overall a very good value and a delicious meal. We'll be back next time we're in town.
(4)Steven P.
Parking garage next door makes you feel a bit more comfortable going to this part of town at night. Dining room is airy and pleasant. Fried calamari appetizer was both "feet" and "rings", but was quite hot (spicy). Hot peppers were extremely hot! Several three course dinner deals for 19.99 were a great value. Caesar salad was a great start. I followed with the lobster ravioli covered in a lobster cream sauce. The sauce was fabulous and the ravioli was soft and filled with a creamy ricotta laced with small pieces of lobster. The ravioli were covered in "lobster like" pieces" that looked and tasted more like langastinos than lobster. I may be wrong but these "pieces" were very uniform and resembled no part of a lobster that I am familiar with. Having grown up in Boston I feel I am qualified to doubt it. Affordable wine list.
(3)Amy H.
The only hope for this city is love, mercy and education for its inhabitants. Any new restaurant in this cuisine-lacking town is cause for excited anticipation, and I'm always impressed when I see risk-taking entrepreneurs with the gumption and spirit to bring their business to downtown Reading. Our group of four had dinner before seeing a show at the Miller Center for the Arts which is located right across the street. I don't know that we would have dined here otherwise. I'm on the fence with Panevino. The decor of the restaurant is nice with cut stone walls, dark wood and clean color combinations. On the other hand, they break three of my "rules" for dining rooms. There are a couple of big-screen TVs on the walls in the bar area but visible to all guests, regardless of where you're seated. As someone who cannot bring myself to own a television, I get (and sometimes appreciate) having access to the news or ball game when I'm out relaxing at a lounge, but it really interrupts the flow of energy here. The second is the menu combination. Aside from a limited selection of dishes for vegetarians, the food was a mix of pub fare and high ticket specials; I felt confused about the sort of restaurant I was in. We dressed (and paid) for a froufrou dinner but felt like we were in a far more casual place. The third is my price to tablecloth rule. If I am visiting a rustic Italian restaurant and they charge upwards of $20.00 for an entree, I'd like table coverings on the table. If you're expected to pay $60 a person (appetizer, entree, wine, etc.) or more at a restaurant, you deserve a tablecloth. Am I wrong? I'll give them the thumbs up on their wine list which was both expansive and well thought out. The private party room with its tin roof is also a nice touch and reminds me of Fornelletto in Atlantic City. The food isn't bad. On the other hand, I didn't walk out saying "Wow! That was really something." Sure, it's better than some of the restaurants around here but it's also more expensive than most of the restaurants around here. I want more than the ubiquitous iceberg lettuce wedge with bottle dressing, mushroom pizza or Ravioli. Since we rarely dine out, I like to leave a place feeling as though I got my money's worth but there's nothing here that I couldn't easily prepare at home. Not A-OK but rather, just OK. Come on Panevino, make me want to come back... please.
(3)Jeff G.
Had the seared tuna, which is a dish I get fairly frequently, and it was one of the best I ever had. Was a little down on the slow service but it was worth the wait. Dined with 4 others and not a complaint in the bunch. Salads were very good and not one of our 4 entrees was less than excellent. I have to give 4 stars due to the service time but in terms of food this a first class establishment.
(4)Geri M.
I really wanted to adore this place and its symbolism of Reading's renaissance. Comparing this to Judy's the night before, its only advantage is location. The highlight of the meal was the clams appetizer and the gracious, just attentive enough service. From there, it went downhill. What was called bread or foccacia was some unpalatable concoction that I fear was some mistake of the kitchen. So much for sopping up the exquisite clam broth... The carpaccio appetizer held a lot of promise, but rather than graced with a drizzle of olive oil, it was drowned in a balsamic reduction that masked any flavor underneath. My friend's gnocchi was OK, but IMO gnocchi should either get an Alfredo or blush sauce. Her comment was that the red sauce was "out of a can with some doctoring"....not something one wants to hear in an Italian restaurant. The iceberg wedge was a hit with my husband, who loved the huge chunks of bleu and the pancetta. Why, oh why, would anyone serve hothouse tomatoes in the middle of tomato season in the heart of Berks county?? The pizza crust was very good and the caramelized onions and sweet sausage were a just OK combo. Meh. Nice dessert selection, but we passed. I'll give this place one more try because we sorely need options in our humble town but feel Panevino has definitely got some work to do.
(2)Nikki G.
Since my original review (8/5/2011), we have eaten at Panevino several more times. We have never been disappointed. We have been here with my in-laws multiple times - they are world travelers and true gourmet eaters - they have loved it every time as well. The food is always amazing, the staff friendly, helpful, and accommodating. My very picky vegetarian daughter chose to come here for her birthday for the vodka penne. Another favorite is the seafood risotto (which is also available at BRUNCH). The wine menu is extensive and we haven't been let down in the choices there either! Above, I mentioned brunch - this was a wonderful addition to their repertoire last May. Since then, we have been there 4 or 5 times and have tried most of the "breakfast" items as well as a couple of the "lunch" items. Portions are generous - all meals include coffee or tea, a fresh fruit plate, some mini muffins and scones, the main course, and a (huge) dessert! Bloody Marys, cordial coffees, and Mimosas add a wonderful touch for a very reasonable price. Can not say enough about this favorite! Always a good meal and a good time! I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a nice dinner out!
(5)Kimba Z.
Stopped in again and found the place mostly full fairly late on a weeknight. Those huge wonderful glasses are only available if you get a bottle of wine, pout. Were offered some free tapas at the bar, nice, though it was chicken (how about thin bread with herbed olive oil?). Flatbread pizzas ($14 each) are pretty good and can be a dinner for one or a snack for two. We got the rosemary one, extra mushrooms in place of the cheese, which they did without issues. Loads of oyster mushrooms = wonderful! Cost for 2 drinks and 1 pizza: $34. === My colleagues and I excitedly watched the construction (and regularly snooped in to see the progress) as Panevino readied to open, which it did yesterday. A group of us ran right over after work, since it is quite close by. These are my first impressions. There is nothing like this in Reading, with its front wall of windows, across from the flashing marquis of the Imax theater and the traffic racing by. You can pretend you are in a metropolitan area. Rather than one big open room, Panevino is cut into smaller intimate spaces -- good design -- and the rock walls are beautiful. There is an absolutely gorgeous wine-cellar-type room for meetings. We sat at the bar, and the nice bartender saw me looking for a bag hook (sisters, you know of the importance of this) and assured me they would be coming. We were not there to eat but to sample the wine and take a look around. Finishing touches are still being made, such as installing glass dividers in the dining room and art for the walls. The music was mostly jazz, Dean Martin, Sinatra stuff, very appropriate. The wine glasses are huge and beautiful, and happy hour house pours are only $5 and of decent quality. (Happy hour, 4:30-6, is a dollar off any drink.) Never one for the cheap stuff, my bf had the Malbec, which came in a different style large glass and was very tasty, $9 a glass. If you read my reviews, you are tired of hearing me say I hate tvs in restaurants, and the bar area has three. I guess I must be in the minority here. If not, please speak out. :-) There is only one thing on the menu I can eat, an appetizer salad of baby lettuce with maple mustard vinaigrette, so I would like to find out whether the flatbread pizzas can be made without cheese and if these modifications can be listed somewhere. Vegan food is the fastest growing segment of the food industry. Even though I know that catering to vegans is not the point of an Italian restaurant, offering options is good for business -- friends of vegans often try to pick a place that is accommodating and diverse. I'd love to see a whole wheat artichoke pasta, a garlic and greens dish, a pumpkin gnocchi, etc. and know the talented chef here can do it with his eyes closed probably. Few of my female friends are vegan, but they all love the food for the lack of cholesterol and lower fat. I too sought out vegan meals long before I finally took a stand I'd wanted to take for decades and ditched animal products. I always feel sad seeing foie gras, a waving flag of foodie excess and cruelty, on a menu. I hope it goes away. Poor geese. An inclusive menu indicates vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc., helps inform staff, and makes those with alternative diets feel welcome. We don't want to be a pain to the staff and cooks. We will usually just go where we can have several choices and order straight off the menu, but we would love to be able to give our money to other places and support more independent local restaurants. I would love to be able to eat here or get a snack after a movie -- and it is steps from large-format, mainstream, and indie movies offered by the Imax Theater and the GoggleWorks (and all the art and events at the GW). Ginny from Judy's is here, a stamp of quality, and the bar staff was uniformly funny and friendly. I look forward to seeing this restaurant grow. Al Boscov says this will eventually be Reading's *Restaurant Row,* with five restaurants. The others will open in increments to allow each one to get established. Can't wait to see what they are. Another convenience is free parking in the garage above. Look on Google Maps first to see where the entrance is, if you are from out of town. The street layout is confusing in this area known as Entertainment Square.
(1)Krystle B.
Pretty good, I had the seafood risotto and foie gras. I didn't care for the decor, however.
(4)Ken D.
Best italian food I've had in a long time. This restaurant is amazing. If your looking to have a romantic dinner date, this place is it. Great location in downtown Reading, with a parking garage right next door. Every time I'm in the place it always busy but I've never once had a problem with the service. It's really sad that this place isn't ranked higher. 3 1/2 stars is a slap in the face. I come from an italian background so I've sampled a lot of italian dishes. I'm not lying when I say that this place is the Best. The menu is amazing and so are the prices. The cooks it that kitchen are doing it right. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Michael G.
Came here for a special occasion dinner with friends, and it did not disappoint! Had a wonderful scallop with risotto and asparagus special on that night, and it was perfect. The roasted beets as an appetizer was divine with no complaints. The Caesar salad had the right amount of tasty dressing. The only food complaint I had was that the bread was too salty. Tasty, but quite salty. With a drink and appetizer, I ended up paying about $60 for myself. This was worth it and I would come back again!
(4)Natalie P.
I have eaten here several times and it seems to get better and better. From the focaccia bread, to the chef's complimentary appetizer, to the salad (I had the blue cheese wedge) to entree of branzino served over escarole, the entire meal was delicious. So nice that Reading has such a great Italian restaurant. I would have given it a 5 star except the waitress was not exceptional. I recognized here as a waitress from another local restaurant, where I thought she was outstanding; maybe she was just having an off night. Five star for the food; three star for the service. I'll be back soon though!
(4)Val M.
Service was very slow and the food was unremarkable. I was disappointed that there were not many Italian dishes on the menu. All in all, I wasn't provided one reason to look forward to a return visit.
(2)Katie R.
I had heard mixed things about Panevino and was somewhat reluctant to try it. I have been there twice so far and am adding it to my list of favorites for the area. Not only was the food excellent but the service was top rate as well. I would give it an overall rating of five because it has all the qualities I look for in a wonderful dining experience. I have always been partial to Judy's on Cherry but have found on multiple occasions the service to be lacking. Panevino definitely gives it a run for its money. The calamari is some of the best I've ever had. It's really enhanced by the hot peppers they top it with. Entrees come with choice of salad and there is a really nice selection, not just your standard house or Caesar. I had the tricolori and my husband the arugula. The veal ravioli and pappardelle were also top rate and they have super creamy, smooth cheesecake. The sorbetto is also a nice choice as well as the tiramisu which isn't the best I've ever had but you can tell is homemade which is a plus. I would also recommend giving the house cab a try. It's perfect if you are looking for a simple yet quality red. Overall a great choice if you are looking for restaurants in that price range.
(5)Sara B.
Their 3 course meal option for only $20 was great! Lots of choices and great food. The service was very attentive and timely. The restaurant itself was cute. I would definitely recommend Panevino!
(5)Brian M.
I held a party here for my wife and then we went back for dinner two weeks later. Food is great and the tables are close but not too close together. The only problem we had was service. We had a 5:45 pm reservation before an 8:00 pm concert, and we had to ask if we would have time for dessert. The three course prefix menu is a great value.
(4)Kaitlyn A.
My family and I went to panevino based off of what my parents had heard from friends. We made reservations for a Saturday night and upon arrival we were greeted with an extremely loud lounge music band and techno lights. This was only on one side of the restaurant but of course they sat us directly in front of the "band". Our server tried to speak to us but we couldn't hear him or each other. My mother complained and we were fortunately moved to a different table. The food was over all ok. But when we asked our waitress which menu items she preferred, she hadn't had any of them. It is my belief that all servers should be able to try all of the dishes on the menu. My only other complaint is that my brother ordered lobster ravioli and while there was a hefty portion of lobster on top of the cheese ravioli we were all expecting lobster filled ravioli. All in all, it was an ok place that maybe just needs some more time to figure out what kind of a place they want to be. Loose the techno lights and turn down the volume. I am also pretty sure our palates were most likely tainted from the restaurant we went to the previous night in lebanon, trattoria fratelli, fricken delicious!
(3)Greg P.
Panevino is a nice Italian restaurant located directly across the street from the Reading IMAX theater. It's the perfect place for dinner before the show or after. First let me say that they may have the best wine list in Berks County. If you know of a better one, let me know. It's well rounded and ranges from about $30 to $350 so there's something for everyone. At the top of the list they have a Joseph Phelps Insignia and an Opus One. Now I bet they won't sell a lot of Opus One, but it's nice to know they have it for that special occasion. The menu offers a nice selection of "rustic" Italian cuisine. I had the osso buco which was superb. My date had the lobster ravioli which she also loved. I also had the wedge salad which was just what I wanted that evening - lots of blue cheese and the perfect addition of crispy bacon. We didn't have dessert but we did finish with a nice cappuccino that was, well, the perfect finish. I noticed that some of the other reviewers gave negative reviews for Panevino. I might go out on a limb and suggest that they may be related to problems that do sometimes occur in a newly opened establishment. I experienced none of those problems and I wouldn't let those reviews stop you from going. Check it out yourself and draw your own conclusions. I might give 4 stars, but any restaurant owner with the fortitude to open up in Reading deserves an extra star. 5 stars for Panevino!
(5)Dave W.
My family has Xmas Eve dinner here for the last 4 years. I don't get to pick it. It has a nice ambiance and tastefully decorated. A cute downtown place with a nice bar area. Im not sure it knows what it wants to be. An Italian based restaurant or a steakhouse or an everything to everybody type of place. I can honestly say, I haven't had a good meal there in 4 years. My family has. They did like some of there dishes including the crab and pasta. The Salads are good. But I try and try again to keep it simple so they cant screw it up and I must be jinxed. The NY Strip was 40% grizzle fat and then once I got to the meat it was buried in their peppercorn sauce. It just didn't begin to impress. Last year the best part of dinner was a homemade carrot cake with homemade icing...the icing was to die for and made the dessert which probably saved it form being written up then...but I can no longer be silent. Roll the dice, get the specials but know that it is what it is and that may disappoint
(2)Andrea F.
Love this place, the ambiance alone makes you want to be here. Parking in the attached garage could not be more convenient. I park here for the movies and Goggle Works as well and have never had an issue or safety concern. Wonderful red pepper hummus and delicious homemade, semi-soft, garlicy pita chips arrived at our table first, just wish we had been offered more because we ate the four chips in no time. Fresh bread before the meal was great, but no butter was offered. We ended up dipping it in the leftover hummus. If you order a pasta dish, you will most likely have extra sauce to dip your bread in. However, our uneaten bread was whisked away without notice. The wedge salad with homemade blue cheese is so delicious-best blue cheese dressing I've tasted. The Baby greens salad was also yummy with a delicate honey mustard vinaigrette. The fresh lobster ravioli are scrumptious! Fresh lobster claw meat tops this dish. Best lobster ravioli I have eaten in this area....Beats Carrabba's easily. The filet was served with potatoes and a veggie...also very good. House Cabernet was perfect. No beer taps here, only bottles. Service was attentive yet did not hover. Dishes were cleared promptly throughout the meal by bus staff. Did not have room for dessert but diners around our table had something with strawberries and I watched four people devour it. Very pleasant, relaxed dining experience. I would not come here if you are in a hurry. This would be a great place for a date or family celebration. Sit in the bar area if you wish to watch a game-not a bad seat in the house.
(4)Hussein A.
As many have mentioned their salads are very good. I also enjoyed the desert. However, the entrée tasted mostly like the sauce that it was covered in and the tuna was tough. The ambiance and decor are good. The prices are also very reasonable.
(3)Kimmy S.
This place is a gem. We were a little pressed for time when we went on a busy Saturday night, and they did their best to make sure we were all taken care of. I had the seafood risotto, which was to die for. The appletini I ordered came with the shaker which refilled my glass more than once. The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed. I highly recommend checking out this place.
(5)Phillip C.
A bit out of the way, yet thought it would be worth it. Plus, I had been entertaining friends in town and they were intrigued by the Pagoda lights. While on the way, we spotted this little shanty-like building on the right side of the road, so we decided to park in the Pagoda parking lot and just walk down to check it out. As we walked in, we noticed immediately that there were numerous signs indicating that the proprietors were committed to not only a green lifestyle, but also an organic italian fare. Despite the fact I found this odd, because traditional Italian cooking is anything but organic, I decided to give it a try. As we took our seats in very uncomfortable bamboo chairs, our server, who was very pleasant, brought us our menus. I ordered a caesar salad and a flatbread whole wheat brick oven pizza with artichokes and caramelized onions. Frankly, the whole meal tasted like dirt and/or grass, yet I expected this from an "all organic" italian establishment. On a better note, they had an extensive organic wine selection. I had a fantastic merlot that reminded me of my favorite Tua Rita. The service was okay and the whole place was very clean. My sister said she could eat off the bathroom floor. On the way out, while waiting for my friends, I tested my skills at the animal crane machine, to see if I could win a stuffed animal. I missed terribly and ended up scoring a $25.00 gift certificate that was on the back of an italian flag. Unfortunately the experience on a whole left much to be desired. Thus, I think I may use the gift card as my secret santa gift next year.
(2)S. M.
In a nutshell...this place is a rip off. My girlfriend and I stopped in for our first time Saturday night. We wanted to get a drink before heading to the movies across the street. I had a Glenlivet 12 y/o scotch and an espresso and my girlfriend had a cappuccino. When I received the bill I quickly paid it via my CC, as we were eagerly headed to the movie. My fault there, as when I looked at the bill when we got across the street it was for $41.00...for 2 coffees and a scotch. They gave me the wrong bill. I quickly went back to have it corrected and it took forever. I then received the correct bill and double checked the receipt. This one was for $23.38....again, for two coffees and a scotch! The Glenlivet 12 y/o scotch was $15.00...for one drink, and $3.95 for each coffee. I am a scotch drinker, and a bottle of Glenlivet 12 y/o scotch at the state store cost anywhere from $37.00 - $40.00. If I had ordered 2 drinks (4 oz) I could have bought a whole bottle (25 oz) at the local state store. Ridiculous! I constantly travel for work and that, dear friends, is worse than airport prices. It's about a 480% markup which is literally robbery. Other establishments within the area charge between $7.00 - $10.00 for the same drink. I have never ordered the food there however, from this recent experience I never will. Very disappointing.
(1)Matt D.
Great food, great service. Awesome food, true Italian food! This restaurant is great!
(5)Ben P.
I stumbled onto this place because of an event groupon was having which gave me a 40$ voucher for only 10 dollars. Even considering that I was getting a fantastic deal food wise for my money, this place blew any italian food I had previously had out of the water. The appetizer's we enjoyed were fantastic and just the right portions to appetize you for the actual meal. I had the roast pork tenderloin in a cranberry balsamic glace which was fantastic, the pork was done perfectly and the baby asparagus and lightly salted red skinned potatoes were an excellent accompaniment to the meal. For dessert I enjoyed the chocolate torte which was filled with molten chocolate with a selection of berries and kiwi on the side. I look forward to each time I come here with friends or family.
(5)