From old-school gravy joints to casual Neapolitan pizza counters, fine dining cucinas and trattorias, Italian fare is readily available throughout Philadelphia. We love how this vibrant part of the city’s culinary scene adheres to tradition while also looking for ways to innovate — the result of combining old and new almost always means fantastic new adventures, guided by familiar flavors.
Here are four Italian eateries making interesting and elevated dishes and specials to put on your radar:
Sgroppino at Capofitto
On Monday, March 26, Steph Reitano, owner and artisan of Capofitto Pizzeria + Gelateria, started pairing Bluebird Distilling‘s award-winning locally made craft spirits with her sensation seasonal sorbetto to create sgroppino cocktails, a slushy combination of sorbetto, booze and prosecco. What could possibly be more perfect for spring?
The signature pairings will change, depending on seasonal produce availability, but examples of what may await you include an old-fashioned rendition pairing Bluebird 4 Grain Bourbon with orange sorbetto and bitters and a Juniperus Gin, a cucumber and mint slushy sipper. The cost to sip these tempting adult slushies is just $5 each during happy hour, from 5–7 p.m. ($11 regular price).
While sipping your sgroppino during happy hour, take advantage of Capofitto’s Pizzata, a Monday through Friday happy-hour special, boasting two traditional Neapolitan pizzas for just $10 each from 5–7 p.m. Can’t choose between the signature Marinara Pizze and the Margherita Pizze? At this price, go ahead and order both! 233 Chestnut St., Philadelphia; (215) 897-9999
Vodka Pie at Scarpetta
Scarpetta Philadelphia and Stateside Urbancraft Vodka have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind hybrid menu item: a vodka-infused pizza.
Scarpetta’s first ever alcohol-infused pizza adds a boozy spin to its pizza offerings with this creative pie featuring Stateside-vodka infused pizza dough layered with vodka-infused ricotta cheese and sun dried tomatoes and then drizzled with a vodka blush sauce.
The pizza was created by Executive Chef Michael Laughlin who was searching for a recipe which balanced the complex flavor profiles of Stateside Vodka and the familiar flavors of Italian cuisine most commonly found on Scarpetta’s menu. The Vodka Pizza is offered on the bar menu for $10 during dinner hours and $6 during happy hour. Please note: This spirits-themed pizza pie is for the 21+ crowd only. 210 W. Rittenhouse Sq., Philadelphia; (215) 558-4199
Rotating Antipasti and Roast Pork Ravioli on Le Virtù‘s Updated Menu
The menu at Le Virtù, South Philadelphia’s authentic Abruzzese restaurant, has just undergone some seasonal sprucing up, thanks to the culinary creativity of the restaurant’s new chef, Damon Menapace.
Two of Chef Damon’s new dinner menu items include the rotating antipasti, an enticing starter dish featuring grilled rustic bread with burrata and assorted vegetables, and the roast pork ravioli, a comfort food must-try dish with oregano, peperoncino and pork brodo.
The revamped dinner menu is being served nightly, so be sure to stop in to try all of the fabulous new menu additions. 1927 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia; (215) 271-5626
Handmade Pasta Items at Osteria
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bft4QVvnHv7/?taken-by=osteriaphilly
After time spent as part of the Vetri family of restaurants that were sold to Urban Outfitters, Osteria is once again an independent restaurant, under the co-ownership Chef Jeff Michaud and Restaurateur Michael Schulson. Michaud, who joined the team at Osteria when it opened in 2007, earned a James Beard Award in 2010 in the “Best Chef Mid-Atlantic” category (he wrote a cookbook, too). Michaud has a wonderful way with fresh pasta. He and his team create a wide array of pasta offerings on a daily basis; if you’re willing to risk being moved to tears of joy, order the francobolli ravioli with royal trumpet mushroom, robiola and thyme. Take a peek at the recent video of the pasta-making in process, direct from Osteria’s kitchen. Then, reserve your table for dinner at Osteria ASAP! 640 N. Broad St., Philadelphia; (215) 763-0920
- Sgroppino photos: Capofitto
- Vodka Pizza photo: Scarpetta
- Rotating antipasti photo: Le Virtu
