Bistro Romano

This has to be one of the best Italian places to eat. The service is top notch and so is the food and drinks. We first went to this place many years ago when a place we normally eat at went out of business and we wanted to find another place. From the first time we are there and every time after, the food, service and drinks are awesome! Our last visit was for our anniversary back in august. I mentioned on Open table why we were going and when we arrived, the table had rose petals arranged about the table top. Food and wine was some of the best I have had at a restaurant along it great service. If you are looking for an AUTHENTIC Italian restaurant restaurant with great food, service and atmosphere, this is the place. Not to mention the bar upstairs (the level you enter the restaurant) also has great drinks!

Bistro Romano is a MUST if you love Italian food. It has that wonderful vibe of a family-​owned Philadelphia Italian restaurant. I feel like this is the food I grew up eating and now I can enjoy it in the dark, brick covered basement dining room at Bistro Romano. This restaurant just has a charm you won’t find anywhere else. The servers are trained exquisitely and I always feel like this is what dining out should feel like. Reservations are easily made on
and signing up for their email list will let you be the first to know about the many specials, prixe fix dinner, and special events (such as murder mystery or wine tasting dinners) held at the restaurant.
My favorite times dining here have been when I was seated downstairs and once at their private wine cellar table for 2. The restaurant really has an old-​school romantic feel to it with candlelight. We got a seat at the private cellar table by request when calling for a reservation and I’m sure glad we did. The privacy and being surrounded by the brick and wine bottles made for a very memorable meal. Atmosphere aside the food at Bistro Romano is truly good Italian.
The menu features homemade pastas like ravioli, gnocchi, and linguine as well as weekly specials such as Veal Osso Bucco. Everyone is also a big fan of the homemade Caesar Salad here that is made and tossed table-​side. Personally I love to start with the Bruschetta, Breaded Artichokes, or Mozzarella Fritti stack with fried mozzarella, eggplant, and tomato. For your main course I’d suggest the Bistro Duck, Vitello Rinaldi (veal with jumbo lump crab), Pollo Ripieno (ricotta and spinach stuffed chicken), or Veal Saltimbocca. If you want pasta I’d suggest the Gnocchi Ella with braised duck, Shrimp Scallop Venezia, or Pescatore Pisa (jumbo shrimp, mussels & clams, calamari, and fresh seasonal fish served in a spicy red sauce).
If you save room for dessert get the S’mores Brownie or Hazelnut Semifreddo! Now go, eat, mangia!

The building was nice and historic, it small and crowded. We had an 8:30 reservation and waited until 9 t be seated. The service was horrible, waited for drinks too long she never brought out my salad and I asked twice. The glasses on the table were full of towel lint and needed to be clean but most importantly I based the recommendation on their web site and photos of the food from the web site and it is NOTHING like the photos. The smores Browne is a JOKE, on the site it looks amazing but when you get the $ 9 dish it’s horrible. We sat in the basement and every time the staff upstairs moved a table or chair or someone got up, dirt and dust would fall on to out table and food from above.

Great Experience! I planned my sisters 24^th birthday for last night for 12 people and it was such a great time. There was a slight issue with the reservation but it was simply handled and I was happy. The dinner theater was a great idea because it was very entertaining, interactive and fun. The food was great and the price of the package was extremely affordable and appropriate. Thanks for the happy birthday for my sister!

Issac our waiter was attentive, knowledgable and very personable. We had a party of 7 and he didn’t miss a beat, remembered everyone’s drinks for refills. Overall the consensus was that most everyone’s food was fab. Started with the fried artichokes, calamari and salads. Great portions and quality, food was tasty, seasoned perfectly and hot. I ordered the vegetarian bolognese, husband the duck. My entrée was delicious and plentiful. The duck was overlooked and dry (hence the 4 star rating/​he was a bit bummed). We will be back. A great Italian place with excellent service.

Intimate and accommodating.
Came here on a Saturday evening and had a great time. There is a fantastic wine list and service is excellent.
I would recommend the Caesar salad that is made in front of you and was delicious. I also had the duck legs with gravy and mash which hit the spot.

I am shocked that this restaurant is only 3−½ stars on Unilocal.The food was delicious and the service was outstanding. Our drinks were continuously
topped off and filled to the brim and we were asked how our dinner was on several occasions by each of the staff and not just our waiter. We started our dinner upstairs at the bar with appetizers and drinks. The bar is beautiful and our bartender was polite and helped make our experience calm and enjoyable. The happy hour here is the best I’ve been to in the city.

Accommodating, curated flavors, and fantastic service from our waitress, Vienna. The best dining experience I’ve had in a long while. I mentioned in a note on open table that it was for my girlfriend and my two year anniversary and, upon arriving, I found that everyone from the host to the busboy had been informed of the occasion. The table was intimately located and THERE WERE ROSE PEDALS SCATTERED ABOUT IT. I’ve never been subjected to such fantastic service. Speaking of service, our waitress Vienna was world class. She was sparing enough to not impede conversation, but I had the distinct feeling that, should I have lost my grip on my fork and dropped it off the table, she would have caught it. The food was otherworldly. The balance of flavors, as opposed to their bravado, was their greatest appeal. My chicken had the texture of a tender steak and the conservative seasoning to match. I felt as though I was tasting the ingredients rather than the spices. An experience I realize I rarely have at Italian restaurants.
I am fairly certain they thought I was going to propose, though. And I feel the need to apologize for the disappointment. Maybe a few anniversaries from now they’ll catch it because I’ll certainly be back.

This place was amazing! I went here with my husband to celebrate our anniversary and it has the right kind of romantic atmosphere I wanted. I had the seafood pasta and my hubby had the veggie pasta and both were delicious but the highlight for me was the s’more brownie mmmmmm. It went great with the recommended apple flavored pairing. The service was also excellent. Would definitely recommend Bistro Romano.

I had a very unpleasant experience on 12÷10÷15. I was there with a group for a party. There were several in the group with special dietary needs. Several of the dishes were pasta with hard-​to-​identify ingredients. I asked «which of these are vegetarian» and was told the gnocci and ravioli were vegetarian. I bit into a ravioli to discover that it was filled with lobster. Someone who works in a restaurant should realize that a majority of American vegetarians don’t eat fish– and should have either clarified that the ravioli included shellfish or should have asked a follow up question before assuring the patron that a dish was vegetarian when it was not. Even worse, a fellow diner with celiac’s disease was given food covered with a sauce containing flour because the waitstaff did not understand that flour was not «gluten free.» I was very unhappy and won’t be back for this reason.
I will also add that the food was disappointing even setting aside the miscommunications. Most of the dishes I tried were bland/​unexciting (no salt/​pepper provided on the table). The tiramisu was quite bitter– almost as if the chef had accidentally omitted sugar when making the dish.

3.5??? Whaaaaaat? I ate there last night and it was bangin. Ambiance a 10. Darnell, the waiter was great! Really a flawless meal! Can’t believe I waited so long to try the DIAMOND in the rough!!!

I love the décor here. This restaurant is the perfect example of a home conversion turned restaurant. The ambiance is romantic in nature in the lower level, while the upstairs seating provides a dinner show exoerience. Although I have only dined diwnstairs, I have seen many patrons enjoying the dinner theater.
The staff is always friendly, attentive & accommodating. Every time I dine here, the chef provides a complimentary sample of one of his wonderful new creations. If you are a bread lover, you will be pleased, for several different breads are provided at the onset of your meal.
The calamari is always perfectly prepared, crisp & well seasoned. I have never had a meal I did not like here. i have had a dish with scallops, pasta with seafood, and veal. The food is served in ample portions that leaves you full well beyond your meal time.
Unfortunately, I have never had the chance to try dessert, for the bread, appetizer, and entrée leaves me stuffed!

Pretty disappointed in my dinner here. Service was excellent: waiter was friendly, attentive, and comfortable chatting with my group of 4. He wasn’t thrown off by some of us ordering from the restaurant week menu and others from their regular menu, had good knowledge of the food and was very helpful in ensuring that my wheat-​allergic friend was taken care of. I don’t go out to dinner just to chat with the wait staff though.
The food was sub-​par. Even with «four» courses for restaurant week (one course consisted of 3 crackers with different toppings), I felt that the $ 35 price tag wasn’t worth it. If I’d been paying full price for the food, I would have been VERY displeased. None of the food tasted any better than something I could have whipped up (I cook, but I’m nothing special), and it left my stomach feeling rather upset and bloated. I had the watermelon gaspacho (tasted more like salsa than anything — too many chunks), a un-​memorable pasta dish, and a hazelnut gelato-​esque dessert (that was quite good). They have a great wine list, and some interesting wine flights, but for sub-​par food, I won’t be returning.

A great unassuming restaurant with excellent fresh pasta (made in house) and plucked from the sea seafood! Really a very warm, cozy space in Olde City Philly that’s worth many repeat visits for their very fine sauces and abundance of high quality food! A top choice for a nice eve out or a casual meal!!!

This might be one of my longest reviews I have ever written, but the exceptional service of this restaurant deserves recognition. I had one-​of-​a-​kind experience, and I want to spread the good word of Bistro Romano, far and wide. This past weekend, I found, undoubtedly, the BEST most romantic restaurant in Philadelphia. Just find me a date (or not!)
I had a rough work week, I was still on call, And I needed to go on a dinner date with myself. I had made a reservation for 8:30pm on Friday night, and arrived right on time. The host said there will be some waiting time for a table, and offered me a seat at the bar instead, as the full menu was also available there. I didn’t mind, and went and sat on the bar, at the piano lounge.
While I was admiring the rustic, 20^th century décor and listening to the pianist, I was still waiting for the menu, it took longer than it should. Andrew, the bartender, finally handed me the menu. I asked him if I can see the special menu, which I knew about from an email offer I received earlier. I put in my dinner order for Mozzarella e Insalata e Pomodoro, and Chicken Milanese.
No bread or butter was offered to me, while there were bread baskets on other tables. When I asked why I didn’t get some bread, «Bread served only upon request at the bar, would you like some bread?» Andrew said. I declined, with a frown on my face. Not that I cared much for the bread, but it was the principle.
I really don’t like miscommunications, especially when I got the short end of the stick. Anyhow, those who know me know that I’m always smiling, and also know that I’m an open book for everyone to see. I think Andrew realized how unsatisfied I was; he called Dan, one of the managers. Dan sincerely apologized for the miscommunication, and the situation it had caused. He took care of me and fixed the situation!!! I was seated immediately in the brick-​walled, main dining room, in the Wine Cellar located in basement, in a very romantic secluded booth. Now we’re talking!!!
A very attentive and courteous waitress, Elena, came and lit a candle on my table to «set the mood.» A moment later, she brought out a bread basket, with olive oil infused with the house secret spices, and a touch of balsamic reduction, infused with the house secret spices. Then, I totally enjoyed the fresh and simple Insalata. It was so beautifully presented and delicious. A large portion of delightful Chicken Milanese, was also so appetizing. It was lightly breaded, and pan-​fried, moist and tender chicken. Oh my!
I was feeling indecisive for dessert. So Elena, set a plate with cannoli and tiramisu in front of me, and Limoncello on the house. «Enjoy» She said. Up to last week, I thought I didn’t like tiramisu, till I had the killer homemade tiramisu, Elena was bragging about. I told her I never liked tiramisu before, and she said I will change my mind once I try theirs. She was absolutely right. Not to mention, the ricotta cheese cannoli was to-​die-​for!
With all that said, the special I mentioned earlier, was called «WOW Weekend at Bistro Romano.»
That includes a three Course dinner, a complimentary glass of wine, champagne or beer, and $ 20 Grazie certificate, to be used on the next visit. And there will be another visit.
I truly enjoyed the meal, because I’d forgotten the flaws that’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible and outstanding customer service. I was so impressed with the way the situation was handled, and how much they strive for customer satisfaction. «When deeds speak, words are nothing.»
I will be loyal, dates or without dates!
Four and half Unilocal

Make a reservation or go early as this place gets crowded. Dined in the basement dining room, you do forget you are in a basement because of the seating, lighting and amount of people that can fit here. It is a romantic scene with candles and soft lighting and private booths. Parking available on Front Street lots, for a charge.
The service was just fine and a good pace for us they didn’t rush us nor did we wait too long for each course. I found the food to be very tasty and I liked the balsamic glaze used in most dishes, but the Caesar salad was a bit too oily.
For entrees we had the Mezza Luna which was very saucy but tasty and the Chicken Millanese which I thought was delish! Dessert was also good but very saucy, lots of chocolate sauce.
I would go back but would skip the Caesar and to try another entrée.
Nice place over all.

To start, the atmosphere of the restaurant is 4 stars. It has this romantic, brick wall, candle-​lit feel which is great for private dates.
I came here for restaurant week to do the three courses. By far the best course was the meza luna appetizer which was basically a small pasta calzone with cheese and a plain tomato sauce. Unfortunately that is where the fun stopped. The breaded tilapia with seafood risotto was a bust. The tilapia was dry and tasted like a sad farmed tilapia with no quality. The seafood risotto also gave off a low quality seafood taste. The dessert was pathetic and the cheesecake was actually the driest and saddest cheesecake I’ve ever had.
The two stars is for potential for atmosphere and the fact that I came here once before three years ago and had a delicious seafood pasta. Not sure what happened to the food!

This place is huge and kind of makes you think you’ve stepped back in time. We dined downstairs and were able to enjoy the colonial décor and exposed brick.
I started off with the wedge salad, which was very tasty; my husband had the soup of the day, which was a crab chowder and he inhaled it, which means it was super good. For entrees, I got the broccoli rabe ravioli and my husband, the gnocchi. The gnocchi came topped with duck meat and was out of this world. We had to take some home in a doggy bag because the portions were more than you usually get at an Italian restaurant in the city. My ravioli was just okay — the broccoli rabe kind of overpowered the dish and the other flavors were lacking, so next time, I’d try something else. The tiramisu was heavy on the mascarpone and thoroughly enjoyed by us both.
Glasses of wine will run you anywhere from about $ 7 – 12 which isn’t bad for fine dining. Overall, we had an enjoyable experience.

On 11/​11, I visited Bistro Romano in celebration of my birthday. I knew I would be having multiple mini-​celebrations up until Thanksgiving, and I wanted to start off the festivities with a lobster meal at Bistro Romano. They have a special Lobster Fest on Tuesday evenings, where you receive a whole lobster with a side of fresh salad, linguine, and bread for $ 15.95/pp.
My lobster was cooked well and very visually appealing. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, as well as the wonderful ambiance of Bistro Romano. It it a highly suggested restaurant for an intimate meal. The service is always wonderful. Next time, I would love to visit the wine cellar room. I’m really curious as to what that experience would be like.

To be clear, my rating is based on my experience with the Murder Mystery Dinner. I cannot speak to the restaurant itself, though I can say that I wished several times during the night that I was simply a dinner guest and not a show guest.
Have you ever had small children put on a «play» for you? One that they made up say…10 minutes ago? They don’t know their lines and they aren’t exactly great actors and the plot is loose at best, but they’re kids and they are adorable so you enjoy yourself nonetheless. That’s what this is, only take out the part about them being kids and adorable, and therefore the part about enjoying yourself.
Plot…practically nonexistant.
Actors…I wouldn’t even call them that (except the one guy, who happened to also write the play. He can act. He can’t write.)
The actors didn’t know their lines. It was painfully obvious and super uncomfortable, especially when other actors tried to fill in the blanks for them and they would all just stumble to a point where they could agree and then move on to the next botched line. It often felt like they were making it up as they went along. Towards the end it was like they weren’t even trying any more.
The murder came out of nowhere. And allow me to also say that I use «murder» lightly. The character who was killed managed to stay on its feet and talk for what felt like hours after being killed.
They had us guess who we thought the murderer was but that was just it — a guess. There was nothing to figure out. No hints had been dropped. Like, none. None at all. There was no suspense. You really had no reason to believe that any of the characters had — or had not — been the murderer. When it was revealed at the end, I got the sense that the role of the murderer changes with each performance — something that could be easily done when the reason for the murder is so loose.
Also, prior to the reveal one of the characters came out under the guise of helping us «figure out» how to solve the murder, but it ended up being a huge play for tips. It was pushed so much, in fact (they went as far as to suggest $ 10 per person would be a reasonable amount), that it ended up being offensive… especially since we were told when making reservations that our price of entry included gratuity.
The only thing saving this from being a 1-​star is the food. It tasted good, but I did get violently ill within an hour of eating, and for several hours after I got home. Maybe its because they keep their caesar salad station positioned right outside of the bathroom. That has GOT to be a violation of the health code.