Core De Roma
337 E Gay St, West Chester, PA, 19380
Core De Roma Menu
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Address :
337 E Gay St
West Chester, PA, 19380 - Phone (610) 701-8485
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Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
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.
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Pat S.
Outstanding food. I have only had fabulous meals here. Highly recommend them!
(5)Sean D.
The food was the best Italian I have ever had. I've eaten at some incredibly good places across the country, but I woke up today craving more of last night's dinner. I can't wait to go back. We ordered: Artichoke - the mint is not overdone. The flavors and textures are spot on. Do not miss out on this. Polpette - the best meatballs I have ever eaten. Ever. You know how hard it is to do something so "simple" as that, and be the best? Lasagna - smooth, creamy, a solid Bolognese made it hearty. Fresh noodles were fantastic. I could eat this weekly and have a lot less stress in my life. Come to think of it, that's a good idea... Saltimbocca - great balance of flavors, and the sage is not overdone. The meat was incredibly tender. I ordered mine over some homemade papardelle. There was an additional charge for that instead of the standard potatoes and veggies. Service - I am very picky about this. I put myself through college waiting tables (anyone recall the old Chadds Ford Inn?). Rita was the best waitress I've ever had in West Chester. It's not even close. Luigi the owner came around, and it is always wonderful to have an owner soliciting feedback and greeting guests. Ambience - appropriate for the price point. An offer of chilled Limoncello to end the evening adds to the experience.
(5)Kate D.
I haven't had Italian this good since... well, since I lived in Italy. So the service is a bit slow... RELAX people! That's the way meals are supposed to be enjoyed. 2-3 hours for a meal. So what? Welcome to Italy, and most of Europe for that matter. Food is an experience to be enjoyed with company. Slow down, relax, get to know your dining companions, and enjoy the fantastic flavors of an authentic italian culinary masterpiece. **stepping down from soap box** Bottom line: The food IS that good. Simple flavors done correctly and executed with precision and love. I dream of the day I can return for another meal at Core de Roma.
(5)Keith L.
My girlfriend and I went here for Valentine's day dinner and we were not happy with our experience at all. This was our second time going here. Our server was horrible and was only at the table to take our order and drop the check. There were dirty plates on the table for long amounts of time. The food was not hot at all when it came out. I got chicken marsala which was OK at best and my girlfriend had gnocchi with a gorgonzola cream sauce which was horrible/bland. Very dissapointed in the place and probably won't be back for a while.
(1)Lazlo K.
Ok. Very average restaurant. Service -- meh. Food - meh. I'm not sure if i'd ever go back. The food didn't give me the runs, but it didn't make my day either. ALso, no liquor which is a big "meh" in my book. Who doesn't want a glass of wine with an Italian meal?
(2)Tom R.
My wife and I stopped for lunch. Meatball appetizer. The meatballs actually melted on my mouth. AMAZING! Linguini with mussels in a spicy red. Again, excellent. The service was outstanding. The prices are great as well. They do anything to accommodate their customers. We highly recommend this BYOB.
(5)Moe T.
We chose this location for our Valentines Dinner with another couple. It was our first time here and had gotten and read mixed reviews. We were seated promptly and received immediate attention from our waiter and also the owner. we tried the Calamari and Mussels appetizers and were satisfied. White sauce for mussels was yummy. For dinner we had the lobster crab meat gnocchi and mushroom ravioli both flavorful. Atmosphere was average but did not experience the loudness discussed in other reviews. We will definitely be back.
(4)William D.
JUst outstanding - from the service to the food this place is an excellent Italian restraunt that I am happy to be located nearby. The cook was very accomodating to my spouse, who has an onion allergy. She had the salmon; I had the special - Bresaola over past! FINALLY, an Italian restaruant not afraid to put bresaola on the menu (it is also an appetizer)! This was the best I had in years. BRAVO!
(4)Andrew V.
I was happy to see this restaurant opened in West Chester after hearing about the success on South Street. Walking up to the door, a window outside peers into the kitchen allowing me to see the cooks hard at work. When you first enter there is a long bar, which is odd because it's a BYOB restaurant. We sat down and noticed that it was quite loud, but due to the acoustics as the place was only about half full. We had the fried calamari and mussels as appetizers. The calamari was nice but came with a fantastic red sauce with a small kick of spice to it. The mussels were a bit small. I had the braised oxtail for an entree which fell off the bone and tasted delicious. The waiter and owner were very pleasant and attentive throughout the night.
(4)Alex C.
This place relocated from Philly to West Chester. The quality of the food tells the story. The apps were very mediocre. We ordered the meatballs, antipasto, and calamari. The meatballs and calamari had no taste/seasoning. Very bland. The antipasto was good, but nothing outstanding. Our entrees were all under seasoned or over oiled. The flavor lacked in each dish. Not worth mentioning. I do not recommend
(3)Steve B.
Over-priced, mediocre food. Very disappointed. Spinach salad drowned in vinegar dressing, white bread (not italian bread), my fettucini was bland, my wife's veal leathery, my espresso tasted like instant coffee, and even the biscotti that came with the espresso was stale. Worse, the bill came to $80 (no drinks except one espresso). I ordered the fettucini special thinking the price would be close to the $16 for the fettuccini on the menu. It was $24. The teeny bit of tasteless espresso was $4. This was our first time at Core De Roma. We picked it out based on all the good reviews here on Yelp. Was definitely our last time. Makes us lose faith in Yelp reviews.
(1)james j.
Luigi and his son are like the family you wish you had in Italy. The fresh baked bread! The pasta! Calamari fritta! The beans! The good times! And the tirimisu is heavenly. Go. Now. Tell them Jiacimo Jordano sent you.
(5)LeAnna H.
1) Whatever you do, DONT forget to bring your bottle of wine, or two. It is your right as a Citizen stepping into Italy for the evening! 2) Order the gnocchi for an appetizer, you wont be sorry. 3) The service is on the "put on your pajamas and stay the whole night!" variety. 4) Don't actually wear pajamas. In fact, people get DRESSED UP for dinner here. 5) it's so yummy. go get your Saturday dinner reservation on the books.
(4)Glen M.
Tasty Italian goodies. Try the artichoke appetizer.
(4)Richard n L.
Mediocre. I wanted to like this relatively new restaurant, but, I won't be returning. The meal would have been average for a diner. In fact, I've had better prepared Italian food at a Greek owned diner. We used Yelp to select this establishment...in my opinion, the owner's friends, relative and creditors must have posted raving reviews - strictly my opinion. Not returning...a waste of time. A waste of money.
(1)Don D.
Not impressed. The food was quite bland. The service was not attentive at all. I felt like the poor waiter was rushed, and had way too many tables. The Tiramisu was mushy. It was incredibly loud, with quite a few groups. Will not be going back.
(2)Frank S.
Dinner was great. Matriciana and the Lasagna for dinner. Grilled Calamari for appetizer. Our desert was home made, I have no idea what it was called, but it was good. Our service was great. One caveat, groups like to go here, and if in the back room it gets extremely loud, especially when the group couldn't care less about the others in the room. The staff didn't do anything to shut them up and we didn't feel like making a scene. I can tell you, if you want a quiet evening, call ahead to see if there are any large groups, maybe avoid that time slot or make sure to get a table in the front room. There was another large group there, who were respectful of the room. All in all, we do like this joint, but after a third time having to eat through having to hear some loud mouth drunks, I'm going to have to give them a call ahead of time.
(4)Frank M.
The closest thing to Italy and really, Rome. Luigi is the best.
(5)Sarah M.
I visited Core de Roma last night with my parents to celebrate my new job. It is very nicely decorated inside, with a wonderful ambiance and candles on each table. Romantic! However, I felt it was a little cramped. Our server was attentive but we felt rushed, to be honest. It seemed like they wanted us to get out of there so someone else could have the table when we left. We did have reservations, though! Food was good. I had linguine alla pescatora which had lots of yummy seafood including tender calamari. The pasta was al dente which is A+ but they used spaghetti instead of linguine which was weird. My mom had linguine and clams and enjoyed it thoroughly! Dad had the same as me and the only complaint he had was that he wish his dish had more broth (he likes to dip his bread into the broth!). Overall, a nice meal and a nice setting.
(3)Tracy M.
favorite BYOB in the general area! This is restaurant that delivers a great meal in an unrushed atmosphere.
(5)Ginnie S.
Luigi and Joe are the best hosts! Our Christmas dinner was spectacular (party of 18). Food, service and ambiance was above and beyond! Great Place! Expect only the best!
(4)Jeremy F.
The restaurant is BYOB with excellent service and a fabulous menu. The owner Luigi is very attentive to quality, service, and overall satisfaction of the customers. We brought a group of 10 after all day customer meetings, the conversation quickly changed from shop talk to fine Italian food, and everyone agreed this was one of the best. I would recommend the artichoke, so good!
(5)L. G.
So, so good! My husband is very critical of food/restaurants and is a really tough sell since he hates to part with his hard-earned money on anything less than excellent but even he loved the food and is still talking about it. Absolutely delicious! Looking forward to going back. (And no, I'm not an employee, friend or relative of the owner as suggested by another reviewer. It's possible that not everyone agrees with you or had the same experience.) We didn't have a reservation but they found a spot for us even though it was a Saturday night and they were busy. (Definitely make a reservation.) We were disappointed to learn it was a BYOB (my favorite kind of restaurant, btw) but the owner very graciously poured us each a glass of red wine. We felt like we had been welcomed into an Italian home. Restaurants make their money on the liquor so I think BYOB's need to charge a little more for the food or they couldn't be in business. Fork over the extra 4 bucks and enjoy!! If you're the impatient, cheap-food type, Olive Garden would love to have you.
(5)Anita R.
What we had hoped would be a fun night with our daughters turned out sour! Service was friendly and attentive initially. Appetizers were expensive but tasty, especially the artichokes. One meal arrived with mushrooms despite a request for them to be eliminated. Server noticed immediately and returned the order to the kitchen. While the new plate, which arrived after the rest of us were almost done, had no mushrooms, it was undercooked. Despite the server alerting the owner he did not come to our table and when approached as we exited he was rude and blamed the server. Unfortunately we will not return! Lots of other excellent restaurants in WC where customers and staff are treated appropriately!
(2)Emme F.
Wow - excellent Italian food. It was authentic and tasty! Came here for our delayed family Christmas dinner and seated our party of 10 with ease. We were so pleasantly surprised at how delicious the meal was as we had a TERRIBLE Christmas dinner at the Ship Inn. Next year when we are around for the holidays, we will definitely come back and eat here.
(4)Alaina D.
The Veal Francese was amazing! Service was great & everyone was friendly. Great location, can't wait to go back again!
(5)M P.
This is truly an authentic Italian experience. Service was a little slow, although it was a Friday evening. They are famous for their artichoke appetizer, which was truly amazing. The entree specials were traditional takes on stuffed veal with prosciutto and mozzarella, and braised ox tails, both of which were unbelievable. For dessert, the molten lava cake is certainly a great choice.
(5)Kelsey S.
I will start by saying I would return again even though I'm only giving 3 stars. #1 it's BYOB, drinks are expensive and I can down a bottle of wine in one sitting just myself. Also, the biggest factor in my rating; Italian food! It is probably what I am the most critical of as I grew up with a South Philly Italian grandmother slaving in the kitchen for countless amazing dishes and famed cannot be replicated gravy (yes, it is gravy). The ambiance is nice, as mentioned, albeit a little too dark. The candle on the table was more like a sun because of how bright it was in comparison to the dining area. Waiter was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu and specials. Went on a Sunday around 7PM did not seem too busy but well enough for a Sunday evening. Waiter could have visited the table more often but it was not overly concerning, patience is a virtue. Ordered grilled calamari, one of the better flavors I've had. The calamari was a bit chewy perhaps a tad overcooked but the grilled flavor was on point. For an entrée I ordered the Core De Roma chicken breast with spinach and mozzarella in a blush sauce. I mistakenly forgot to ask for pasta but they were nice enough to get me a side after the fact and did not charge additional for it. The meal was OK, again I am really big on Italian food so it better be a show stopper! Because of this and simply what it was I do feel it was a bit overpriced. $18 would have even been a little more acceptable than $23 for chicken, cheese, spinach, and pasta! Edible, enjoyable flavor, but personally capable of mirroring in my own kitchen. They ended the meal with complementary Limóncello dessert shot which was a nice surprise. The service, atmosphere, and high attention to alcohol ; ) are contributing reasons for return.
(3)Ilene C.
We went for dinner last week. We were seated promptly and the service was very good. The artichoke appetizer was recommended, and while very good, in my opinion, wasn't worth $12 for three artichokes. I had gnocchi-just okay. Not terrible, but not great, either. I had the smaller portion, which was more than enough. My husband had the chicken Parmesan-again-it was just okay. We will not be rushing back.
(3)J L.
Try the artichoke appetizer and any of the homemade pastas with the boscaiola sauce (get appetizer size, its heavy). Both are amazing. I've never had anything here I didn't like! Gnocci is very good, and veal is always very tasty.
(5)Mark E.
We enjoyed authentic Italian cuisine presented by natives from Rome Italy who know how to prepare it well. The ambiance was a pleasant white table cloth experience and our entrees of lobster ravioli and chicken marsala were great. The service could have been a little more attentive, but it was not a major problem. As infrequent visitors to West Chester we will probably choose other restaurants closer to town next time, but overall it was a good value and positive experience.
(4)Michael W.
Pros - The food was VERY good. Our waitress was very attentive. The owner and hostess were both really nice. Owner stopped by during the meal. Con - Kitchen was very slow. Big delay between ordering and getting our appetizer and another huge delay getting our entrees. We were a party of 4 and sat down at 7pm on a Thursday night and didn't get out of there until past 9:45. The place was only 2/3 full. We had reservations. Unfortunately, this is the second time I've been there this year and experienced long waits. It seems to be due to the kitchen and not due to lack of wait staff. Not sure if I'll go again. Pity because everything else about the experience is great. I would have rated it a 5 otherwise.
(3)Ralph D.
Loved our experience at lunch today! Food was great but the service was way better. Our waiter had so much fun with my 2 young girls and made it such a memorable experience for them and us. Loved the special attention to my wife since it was her birthday. Bread was fresh baked in the restaurant and was delicious... We will certainly be back.
(5)B S.
A really great restaurant. We went for my moms birthday with a large party. They were every accommodating. Food was great and the service was top notch. I would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Angela G.
Went in on a Monday evening with another couple. Yes, they are open on Mondays too! The food is very authentic Italian and very good! I ordered the Artichoke appetizer which was excellent! Lemony and cheesy and just wonderful - I would go back just for this appetizer alone. I then ordered spaghetti cacio and pepe (not too often found on this side of the Atlantic). It was delicious as well. We then tried the salmon special made with white wine, capers, and lemon; excellent! All of the other dishes brought to the table to my friends were just as appetizing. It's a BYOB and they have an extensive menu of all things deliciously Italian - pasta, lasagna, meats, cheeses, fish, salads. Their portion size is abundant as I couldn't finish my entree. Definitely will go back and bring some more friends to this one.
(5)Miriam W.
We changed our reservation from 10 people to 23 last minute. While we had to wait an extra 20 minutes or so for them to set up a table for our large group, the service was gracious, attentive, and timely. Food was delicious! I love that they offer half portions for pasta dishes. We never had to flag someone down for another beer or to open the next bottle of wine- and we brought a lot! Not everyone ordered appetizers, but entrees came out promptly after the apps were finished. This is the second time I have ever been here, and the first time was with a large group for a birthday as well. I have to say I'm impressed with their ability to accommodate so well.
(4)Thor T.
The simpler appetizers at this "Trattoria" were our best bet - cannellini beans in olive oil, large and surprisingly light meat balls in tomato sauce, artichokes with salad greens - all good. The limp calamari were less successful and the unripe tomato slices on other plates should never have left the kitchen. The spaghetti we tried, aglio olio and cacio e pepe, suffered from the same strange consistency that quickly reboiled spaghetti have. The worst dish: a veal chop whose texture betrayed a much prior date with the pan and was not helped by the heating up process. A real waste of money. A stale cannelloni with grainy ricotta did nothing to improve our overall impression. The service is friendly, the noise level very high when the restaurant is full. Judging by the eager eaters all around us, it seems that the food served by the "heart of Rome" is very popular in West Chester.
(2)Fritz N.
This is a GREAT place, authentic Roman/Northern Italian food. If you are looking for red sauce American/Italian, this place won't be for you. Artichoke appetizer and osso bucco were superb, like home cooking. Carbonara pasta was authentic Roman style, no cream, just egg, pancetta, cracked pepper, and cheese. Owner greets every guest that walks in the door. BYOB. This place is definitely worth the trip. I shall return.
(5)E K.
The food is superb! We have eaten at the restaurant three times since it opened earlier this year. The food is outstanding and the service keeps getting better ( slow the first time, spot on by the third visit). The lasagna is the BEST we have ever had; it's a special not on the regular menu. We have had everything from traditional spaghetti and gigantic meatballs for the kids, seafood soup that would make any shellfish lover tear up, a fresh artichoke appetizer that melts in your mouth, lasagna which is divine and has caused fights about who gets the leftovers for lunch, a stuffed pork loin special that even the "I don't eat/like pork" person couldn't resist. And I failed to mention each meal starts off with a complimentary basket of homemade, warm bread with a side of a topanade. The food is so good and the atmosphere amenable to all generations. We have seen a wide range of people enjoying time in the restaurant. Overall, we love the restaurant.
(5)Madelyn C.
We just tried this place tonight and overall really like it! Pros: 1. The gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce is HEAVEN! The tiramisu and bread are also wonderful. 2. The waitress, Rita, was very nice, and so was the owner. 3. I loved the paintings, fancy plates, etc. in the building. Cons: 1. There were no drinks other than water and bring your own bottles, although this may be because they want us to enjoy the food, rather than drinks. 2. I wish that all the pasta was homemade, not just the gnocchis, lasagna, and fettuccine. Overall, great place for a date night, family get together, Mothers Day, and other special occasions. We are definitely coming back to try more items on the menu!
(4)Patty T.
This was our second visit to Core di Roma. We really enjoyed it the first time so of course we returned. We had a reservation for 6 and we only had to wait a few minutes for our reservation. Our server was good I felt she could have been a little more smiley but she was polite. The food was quite good, we had a polenta appetizer ( special) , mussels, and bruschetta, everything was delicious and beautifully presented. I wished the bread basket was warm but really enjoyed the white bean tapenade that was served with it. Our meals came on time and were very nicely done. We had lasagna, gnocchi with Gorgonzola sauce, veal chop ( special), pasta pomodoro and two of us had the fish special, Mahi Mahi with crab. The Mahi was cooked nicely but my friend thought his was dry. I felt a little brothy sauce would have been nice with some sautéed garlic spinach would have been great with it but it was just Mahi Mahi with crab on top. They served it along with some roasted potato wedges and vegetable s that were done very nicely. We ordered three desserts, a limoncello cake, chocolate fudge cake, and another chocolate tiramisu cake. They were all delicious! The restaurant is bYOB and I feel that is a big positive as our bill came to a little over $200 which for 6 people and all the food we ordered. I felt was quite good. I have one complaint, at 10 pm they raised the lights, I felt signaling us to leave. For a Saturday night I felt that was too early. We had a reservation for 7:15 and weren't seated until at least 7:30 which was fine but then don't start turning on the lights on me, the restaurant was packed when we got there and then everyone was gone by 9:45. I feel a Saturday night is a night people want to linger over dessert and there was no way that was happening. In my opinion 11 pm is a suitable time to start moving people out . Will return but will have that in mind when I make my reservation.
(4)Carlene L.
It was awesome! Gotta try the artichike app.
(5)Jeff C.
We went with the family on a Sunday evening. Now, we would normally be making Sunday dinner ourselves on Sunday, but we just had not go around it to- so it was off to find am alternative and we thought we would try something new. The decor was simple with a couple of dinning rooms. It was BYOB. The owner came out to greet us which was nice. The service was okay. The server was very friendly, but not overly knowledgeable. The food was good, but nothing to write home about. We had the artichoke app and the calamari. Both were good, not great. The home made fettuccine Bolognese was good and I would get it again. The puttanesca was average to below. The cheese rav was above average. Bottom line: I more then likely will not go back as there are better options in the area, but it was not a bad meal. I wish them the best of luck.
(2)Eileen K.
The Food was delicious! The owner was fantastic, getting us seating in less then a half hour. We were given water immediately upon being seated, then owe sat for at least 30 minutes before our waitress came over, she never introduced herself , never gave us a menu yet asked us what we would like for dinner.? Then we all shared 1 menu, 6 of us, she took our appetizer and entree orders and 1 hour later our appetizers came out, followed by our entrees. We were in the restaurant for 3 hours. We will return but not on a weekend...we will see what kind of service we get on a weeknight?
(4)