ILLATA - (Near Philadelphia, PA)

5 /5 Portia Melita: I moved to the neighborhood from Brooklyn recently. One day while walking around, I passed this unassuming place. The only indication that it was open was a chair outside with a bouquet of flowers to pin down a paper menu to the chair. The menu looked divine. A few days later I walked past, showing my partner that the place almost seemed closed from the outside but was very cute inside. Someone who worked there came out as we were looking and was very kind, asking us if we had reservations yet. We said no but booked immediately. The first time I visited, I had the sourdough, Marinated Mussels (hakurei turnips, miso, chili oil), Carrot (crab, brown butter), Shrimp (peaches, coppa, toasted marcona almonds), and Gnudi (corn& basil). It was an entirely no-skips meal. The mussels came cold, out of their shell, and the sauce was incredible. The “carrot” was more like a crab cake with coconut, brown butter, and an unidentifiable but delightful citrus. A perfect balance of rich & light. The gnudi seemed simple, but the lightly spicy sauce really pulled all the ingredients together. Finally, the shrimp with peaches really knocked my socks off. Lots of places will make “seasonal” menus but not put the effort into making sure that produce is top notch. The peaches would’ve been delicious on their own, but with the rest of the dish, they really shined. The second time I went (just a few weeks later) I got the Chicory Salad (anchovy, buttermilk, comte), the Steelhead Trout (sungold tomato, perilla), and a tuna crudo special. I also re-ordered the bread, the carrot with crab, and the gnudi. Everything was just as good as last time, and the new additions were truly worth trying. Something as simple as a chicory salad can be so hit or miss - but WOW! For dessert we had the cherry brown butter tart with crème fraiche. No complaints at all here. Now I’ve rambled on plenty about the delicious food, which I will be back for very soon, but I truly haven’t ever been to a place with better service. The workers are extremely attentive and kind. I felt like I’ve known everyone there for a long time. Thank you, Illata, for being such a wonderful neighborhood spot.

5 /5 The Anonymous Gourmand: Illatas hype is well matched by the experience. Im thrilled to have gotten a reservation (not so easy to snag) but have been informed that if youre proactive, you can find a seat at the bar right when they open. Due to the small plates, ordering many and sharing is the best way to enjoy their selection. The "Carrot" is a great example of perfect palate balance in one dish. The savory and salty crab is cut by the sweet and acidic strips of carrot. The "Bread and Butter" were pleasant, though better utilized to mop the sauce of other dishes than on its own. The "Marinated Mussels" served as perfect morsels of the salty ocean mixed with the heat of chili, and balanced with the bitter turnip. The "Cavatelli" achieves a satisfying al dente in its toothsome bite. The "Chicory Salad" is unarguably the best salad Ive had to date even though its core component is simply lettuce (still blowing my mind). Each dish felt like an unique flavor experience that is well balance and leaves the mouth, the mind, and the stomach (after several dishes) satisfied. The staff is incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The BYO atmosphere is perfectly curated for this intimate meal and is best enjoyed with 1-3 other guests and a nice bottle of white wine.

5 /5 Erin Maloney: Perfect BYO spot for a special dinner date, for no particular reason. The flavors were casually impeccable, service attentive but unfussy, vibes relaxed and upbeat. Its small so best for 2-4 and sharing alllllll the plates. You must get the bread & butter and save room for dessert!

5 /5 Lisa Bruce: We celebrated our anniversary weekend at Illata. We felt so welcomed from the time we entered the door. We sat in an intimate area to dine. Starting with the oysters was an excellent choice with their fresh bread. The tortellini was so amazing! The NY strip steak melted in our mouths. We ended with the dessert that left us speechless! I highly recommend this fantastic restaurant!

5 /5 Jeremy Alfano: An amazing Philly dining experience. We ordered everything on the menu and couldnt a single dish we didnt like. Everything was creatively planned out and was super fresh. The steak was phenomenally cooked and the mussels were another one of our favorites. The chocolate cake at the end may have stolen the show; one of the best desserts Ive ever had. Book your reservation now!