Ristorante Aroma Reviews

We had a party of eight in town for the marathon. Food was good but this place seemed thrown by a group of eight. Orders did not come out at the same time; my entree was incorrect; separate checks were not an option.

Absolutely delightful meal. My fettuccine Napolitana was delicious and beautifully presented. Service was attentive but unobtrusive, and the ambiance is charming and friendly. The desserts looked beautiful, but I was, regrettably, too full to be able to partake. The restaurant is fairly small and, because it was early, relatively empty and pleasantly quiet. It filled up by the time I finished, and the noise level rose, but not to an unpleasant level. An overall splendid experience.

An old location redone. What a great restaurant! From the moment you enter; you'll be thrilled. The service is outstanding, always near and helpful but not annoying. Food is excellent. Portions are just right. Its BYOB, that helps the budget. Only issues might be that it is not wheelchair accessible and offers no designated parking. Can't wait to go back.

Aroma replaces or tries to replace Farm and Fisherman. Don't get me wrong. The food is fine, tasty and nicely plated and fine fare at the price. But this is Philadelphia. There are lots of fine Italian BYOs. The only thing that sets this one apart right now is how many tables have been crammed into a small space. And the obvious inexperience of the waitstaff. When we answered the inquiry: did we want the menu explained to us, that we did not need the menu explained, the server elected not to inform us of the special that were not on the menu. On a Saturday night, there were a number of larger parties, and only a few deuces, which brought up the noise level, making the place seem even smaller. Be prepared for lots of cheese. This is not for the lactose intolerant. The stuffed veal chop was excellent. The sautéed spinach in garlic was perfect. Why no olive oil with the bread? And, with an 8:00 pm reservation, why the rush?

Recent weekend in Philadelphia, found Aroma on line. Italian BYOB, what a restaurant, from the minute in the front door, the pleasant staff welcomes you. We started with our wine as the waiter spoke of the evenings features. We shared a few appetizers to start, and all 5 of us ordered different pastas and entrees. Every item from appetizers to dinners were served timely, impressively and hot. The restaurant seats about 40, but very comfortable. A definite return trip for me, hopefully soon.

The bread they served before the meal was good. Had the lobster gnocchi and truffle tortelloni - fantastic. Only a few blocks away from Thomas Jefferson and the PATCO train.

Had an amazingly wonderful experience there. The food was phenomenal. The service was incredible. Loved everything about this restaurant. I highly recommend

My wife and I wanted to get out of the burbs and find a romantic cozy BYOB Italian restaurant in the city and we found exactly what we had in mind. Service was outstanding, owner and staff very friendly and inviting. It is small (about 10 tables) so a reservation is essentialFood was superb with interesting and different offerings than the standard Italian fare.

Bad atmosphere, tiny space, and horrible music. The food is okay but not that great. For what they're charging, I would at least expect good food. What a waste of a meal, time, and money. Go elsewhere. Really.

My wife and I dined here with another couple on Friday evening at it was excellent. The wait staff was very attentive and did a great job. Yeah, the space is tight and a little loud, but it is Philly, everyone packs tables into these places so they can keep the prices down. We shared 2 apps and each had our own pasta and I could not even finish mine. Everything was fresh and delicious. For the cost of about 35pp it was well worth it.

Four of us went here for a birthday celebration. All I can say is WOW! Every one of us loved our dinner - one had the branzino special, two the veal special, and one the pappardelle entrée. Every dish was beautifully presented, was fresh, and absolutely delicious! The service was impeccable, with Devon providing excellent service. His warmth and personality made the evening even more enjoyable. We have visited many of the BYOBs in Philadelphia, and this one ranks right up at the top. The space is small and it was not too crowded when we were there, so I cannot comment on the noise level if it was full. However, we found the restaurant charming, the food delicious, and the service outstanding. I would highly recommend dining here.

With an interesting menu & seriously good food, including daily specials, such as fresh whole branzino, presented at the table, then boned expertly by the kitchen & served with a side of pasta & braised eggplant, Aroma is a great compliment to the quiet neighborhood.. Yet call me a cranky old woman because the overly familiar young waiter, who touched my shoulder & shook our hands at the end of the meal, was cloying & intrusive & being called "you guys" & "young lady" in a seriously good restaurant makes me crazy. .

We went for multiple birthdays and dinner was fantastic... best items - eggplant rollatini (the sauce was divine), gnocchi with lobster, tortellini, and pork Ossobucco. Since we were celebrating two birthdays, they gave us two desserts to share. I only had the lemon cake, and it was also excellent. We will be back!

Another trip to Aroma, and this time it was better than the last. The outdoor seating sent the evening and dinner over the top. The gnocchi is fabulous as well as the lamb chops, seafood, fettuccine, grilled octopus and calamari. The homemade desserts are off the charts. Plus...BYOB

We are delighted with the new Aroma that has taken the place of Cafe Valentino in South Philadelphia. The food and service have been a delight.

We ventured to this restaurant on New Year's Eve by chance. I must say that I was quite impressed. I ordered a tortellini and my spouse ordered risotto. Both dishes were delicious. Quant and pleasurable atmosphere. Perfect for a date or just a normal night for dinner out.

This place is not meant for big parties, unless those parties are under 40 people and thats probably pushing it. It's TIGHT!! Food was delish!!! Staff also accommodated my tween son, by switching up some of the dishes. Pasta, mussels & red sauce, vs. alfredo. A simple switch, but it meant alot. I can see this place as a great choice for dates, or anniversary. BC there were 4 large parties (8-10 people each) it can get a little loud.

We had a terrific experience at Ristorante Aroma this past weekend. Our server, Devin, was excellent and did a great job of walking us thru the menu and specials as this was our first visit. Four different entrees were all perfectly prepared and the grilled octopus app and special burratta salad also super yummy. We shall return!!

This restaurant is the real thing not just Italian by name but with the quality and . We had fried calamari ,grilled octopus , branzino a mediterranea fish under salt and an amazing dessert . The service was great . We will be back . Thanks Aroma on 3D for the great experience .

Philadelphia has a lot of great Italian restaurants. This is not one of them. Terrible service, over priced, rude waiters. If that is what you like, have at it.

The fish was very fresh and excellent. The lamb chops superbly presented. The Risotto Milanese was hot, fresh and creamy. And it is still BYOB making it a very affordaable alternative for a date night.

You will definitely eat well at Ristorante Aroma on Pine St. in Philadelphia, PA. It serves lunch daily from 12-3PM. The prices are most reasonable. The fresh pasta (casareccia-homemade) you will savor every bite. The position of tables is most advantageous. A real plus is that it is NOT a noisy place as other restaurants on Pine St. The service is excellent. Give it a try...gnocchi...scrumptious....salads are diversified, but above all it is still a BYOB! Divertitevi! (Enjoy yourselves!)

When entering the restaurant, the first thing we could smell was truffle oil - so delicious! The atmosphere was cozy and very nicely decorated. We sat by the window and it was such a pretty view of Pine Street. Our waiter was excellent - he answered our many questions thoroughly and without hesitation. And the food.... oh, it was amazing! All the pastas are homemade which is always a win in my book. One of us ordered the gnocchi - although larger in size than we're used to, they still melted in our mouths. I ordered the fettucine pugliese and every bite was divine. Our favorite choice from the menu was the caramelle ai fiori di zucca - the flavors were so nicely balanced - I know I need to order that when I return. Without a doubt, this has been one of the best restaurants I have visited in the last few years.

We found this place on TripAdvisor and seeing it was a BYOB we thought we'd give it a try. The dining area is small. Our waiter, Devin was very friendly and went over the menu with us and told us about the specials also. We started with an appetizer of stuffed calamari which was like none we have had before. It was delicious. We both ordered off the menu. I can't tell you what the name of them were but they were outstanding both of them. The one I had was a puff pastry filled with sausage, peas and braised beef rib meat and covered with red sauce on one half and white sauce on the other half. Wow outstanding. We finished the meal gelato. It was a great meal and we will go back if in the area again.

Just go! This delightful BYOB is a true gem. From the moment we were greeted at the door we knew we were in the right place. Our server was helpful with suggestions and explanations and made sure we were well cared for all evening. The restaurant is cozy without being cramped making dinner conversation easy. And the food! Wow! The complimentary panzenella was bursting with flavor. The appetizer of roasted eggplant was fresh and rich, the grilled romaine was perfectly seared and dressed and the caprese salad with fresh Jersey tomatoes was the ultimate summer dish. Shrimp fra Diablo was perfectly spiced, linguine with clams and fresh vegetables was light and crisp and gnocchi with lobster was decadent but not heavy. Get away from the more heavily touristed/convention center area and enjoy this gem!

Excellent service, good food, good atmosphere. The presentations are excellent. We savored everything from start to finish (and that incl appetizers, entrees, dessert and cappucino/tea). It's also a BYOB. Would love to try their upcoming new brunch.

What could be better? We discovered this small restaurant last year and return often. The food is incredible. The service is polished and personal. My husband had the Insalada Milanese, an interesting grilled romaine salad. He ordered the Pesce Fresco, a Mediterranean fish baked in rock salt. The white flaky fish melted in your mouth. I had Vitello Esmeralda, tender veal with vegetables in a beautiful sauce. Our shared dessert was a warm chocolate offering topped with vanilla gelati. Just wonderful. We recommend reservations and don't forget to BYOB.

I don't typically go to restaurants that are suggested by front desk staff of hotels, but AROMA was so highly and enthusiastically referred, I had to check it out. The place is small (Intimate), but not loud, you can hear your dining partner. We shared the artichoke app, which was out of this world....I wanted to lick the dish. Our pasta entrees were plentiful. I like the fact that it is BYOB. Coming from the DC area, I think the prices were quite reasonable. Would recommend this for a night out after walking and sightseeing the city. Very good and relaxing atmosphere, didn't feel rushed at all.

I was excited to try this place and tried twice to get in, but it was full – opened just a few months ago. Tonight I got in and it was only half full the whole evening. I think I know why. First of all the service was excellent. Wonderful server. Also the presentations were also wonderful. It is BYOB just so you are aware. Now to the food. We had the gnocchi trio $23 -3-4 pieces of the three types they make. The gnocchi with tomato sauce were pretty good and relatively light: the other two were stuffed, so that already seems odd - to stuff gnocchi. Too large. The green (spinach) gnocchi (as large as a tablespoon or even more) tasted undercooked and green (not in a good way); the other was also large with a lobster sauce, but it tasted fishy – not in a good way. Next we had another favorite of ours – the octopus ($21). It was pretty good but a bit overcooked. I have had so much better in Greek and Mexican restaurants. There was way too much sauce. I am starting to realize they seem to use sauces to cover other tastes. The pork (not veal) osso bucco was like a German Schweinshaxe but without the crispy skin. It was pretty good, but nothing like a real veal osso bucco. Finally the special of veal with asparagus and smoked mozzarella wasn’t at all what I expected. I didn’t pick the 5 other veal dishes, since they sounded too busy. I hoped for separate things. I love veal. Veal in lemon or white wine. This turned out to be veal with crab and asparagus covered with melted smoked mozzarella. Already too busy for my taste. So I broke it down to eat it. The ends of the asparagus were tough. The veal didn’t melt in my mouth – what I am used to; I had to chew it more than usual. I don’t like food covered in melted cheese (to hide other things, I think). I suppose I didn’t understand that dish description. The smoky cheese flavor almost overtook all the other flavors. I say almost, since the crab had an unpleasant ammonia flavor that even the cheese couldn't hide. It ruined the dish. I know from cooking that canned crab can be “fixed” by soaking it in milk. Fresh crab doesn’t have that anyway. I don’t like to give feed back to restaurants, since I have learned they really don’t want to hear it. But my dining partner insisted on telling them about the crab. They could have ignored it or said they are sorry I didn't like it. Instead the wife came to the table to tell me she tasted it and that I was wrong; “there is nothing wrong with it.” So now I had bad food with attitude. That ruins a return visit for me. Philadelphia has so many excellent restaurants, who needs that!?!?! Anyway, dinner for two - 1 dessert. $120 (no alcohol).

We arrived 6:00 pm on a Saturday evening with another couple who's reservation had been misplaced. Nevertheless we were seated and proceeded to enjoy very good food with service to match. It is a BYO establishment which we like because it keeps the final bill down. It's not a large place so the noise level is energetic. At least they don't play music to further impede conversation.

Hidden away on Pine St, just a few blocks from the Philadelphia Convention center. Excellent service, good food. It is BYOB.

We found this wonderful small restaurant quite by accident and had the best dinner and service. The dining room is romantic, quiet and comfortable. The service and food were outstanding. We shared a Caprese salad. It was fresh and delicious. My husband had risotto fruit de mar. The risotto was creamy and covered with shrimp, calamari, scallops and clams. I had the homemade tortellini. The pasta was so tender and the sauce was perfectly seasoned. Dessert was a chocolate bar served with a scoop of gelato. The chocolate bar was very rich and the cold gelato was a perfect compliment. We did not have a reservation and were fortunate to have a lovely table. Don't forget to BYOB and enjoy the wonderful food, service and ambiance.

The food and service were excellent. We all ordered different pasta dishes and all were enjoyed. The gnocchi with mascarpone cheese were light and delicious. This is a go back to restaurant.

We came across this wonderful, intimate neighborhood restaurant last year when we happened into it for lunch. Julio, our wonderful host and server, was so sincere in welcoming us as though we were family, that we wanted to go back this trip for dinner. Once again, Julio greeted us with that same warmth and sincerity. And, once again, our meal was exquisite. How can Limoncello Salad be so wonderful? With the most delicious heirloom tomatoes, frosted with a touch of limoncello dressing and parmesan! The lamb chops and roasted potatoes were equally wonderful. My husband's Ribeye steak was generous, covered with a most delicious brandy sauce. We'd forgotten this is a BYOB restaurant, so don't forget to bring your own wine to complement your meal. The ambiance is classy but intimate. The service is attentive but not intrusive. In short, it's a true neighborhood Philadelphia foodie treasure!

Six of us dined at this cozy restaurant. Guido was our waiter. Service was exceptional as was the food. The menu had a great variety plus the specials added to it. All of our meals (ranging from pasta to chicken to seafood) were cooked to perfection & delicious. The appetizers were equally good & unique. One of the appetizers was made with bread & some type of vegetables - it had a refreshing taste to it….really good. The food was so good that most of us ate everything on our plates, & the portions were a nice size. A real gem of a place. BYOB. We will definitely be back.

This is one of Philly's newest wonderful foodie places, and if your looking for the very best Italian, now you get a double, no make that a triple bonus!!! Chef Owner Antonio and Owner Susan have created a fantastic, cozy, place to hang out and love your night of dining!!! The Gnocchi's are easily the best in the City, and easily better than NYC or Washington DC for comparisons. I could name every dish on the menu as amazing whether Pasta, Fish or all of the above....,, as I have been there 5 times already, and none have dissapointed......Make your reservations now, as the more peiple who dine with Tony and Susan, will drive this place to the top of hot spots in Philly!!!

Actually, this is a 4.5 star review. My wife Karin and I have enjoyed our meals here, one lunch and two dinners. Aroma is a wonderful byob restaurant. The two chefs, Tony (also one of the owners) and Antonio (from Puglia) know how to cook. They make their pasta, bake the bread (which is delicious) and create some wonderful dishes. The other owner is Susan, a charming hostess. Ambiance/decor: small place, maybe 36 seats; cozy; not very loud but we were not here on the w/end nights. Service: Susan interacts well with diners and is hospitable and welcoming. The servers on two occasions were efficient and pleasant. At one dinner, our server was difficult to understand as he rattled off the specials. Glad Susan asked if we wanted to hear the specials again. That night, which was a bit busy, I had to ask a few times to remove the flutes and the empty Prosecco bottle. Minor point but the entire staff should pick up the unwanted plates/glasses at any time. Food: The most important part of any restaurant is the food and it shines here. Ingredients are fresh, pastas made in house. On two occasions, we tasted many of the pasta dishes, and at the last meal we had a seafood dinner. Can't go wrong either way. The pasta dishes are large enough for a hearty eater or for sharing. The chefs apparently like to fold some pasta dishes into a ball and when you uncover the layers you will find some very tasty nibbles. Two standouts were: coffaneto di pasta alla Pugliese and fettuccine napoletana. Plenty of wonderful flavors. The tortelloni al tartufo was a dish with loosely folded pasta sheets stuffed with ricott and, truffles in a mushroom cream sauce with truffle oil. Wonderful. I would have preferred a thinner pasta sheet and more salt in the pasta water. One app, the paccherialla napoletana had a tasty filling but when you cut it in half the stuffing bursts out of the pasta, defeating the purpose. The marscapone gnocchi in gorgonzola or lobster, tomato cream sauce are absolutely delicious. The potato gnocchi in the bolognese sauce is just okay. Our friend had the vitello milanese and raved about it. Our seafood dinner was simply prepared but very tasty. We had the cockles special in a cherry tomato and garlic butter sauce. The lobster app was fresh, simple, tasty with red onions and cherry tomatoes served chilled. The entree special was the Dover sole in a lemon, olive oil and garlic sauce. We enjoyed the fregola pasta and spinach with the entree. Simple yet very satisfying. This is a wonderful neighborhood place but is also a destination dining spot.

We have all been looking for neighborhood restaurants that surprise us in a good way. Well, Aroma at 1120 Pines Street in Philadelphia, is one of them. About 1 year ago this pair of new owners bought Aroma and proceeded to both improve and grow the experience. The Staff was more than willing to be helpful. The Food, beyond expectations. Two dishes I highly recommend. The Gnocchi appetizer either with spinach alone and misto sauce on the side, or in a plated trio. Above all, the baked Bronzino in a salted crust( fish flavorful but not salty). Thereafter, Cracked open and served filleted. As they say in the commercials, “ try it, you’ll like it”.

First timer at this restaurant and it was a quaint little spot with great italian options. Our waiter was super nice and welcoming. We ordered the Carciofi alla Romana which was stuffed artichoke - different than I thought but it was tasty. For entrees we ordered Fettuccine Napoletana (fettuccine with shrimp, clams, crabmeat, zucchini and artichokes) and Fettuccine Pugliese (squid ink fettuccine with shrimp and crab in cheese bowl). Both were amazing and would highly recommend. For dessert was a lemon cake which was a great topper. Lovely environment and suggest all to visit.

Found this Italian dining gem after asking for directions for another more known place. We followed the directions from the man on the street and opened the door to a truly lovely restaurant. We were greeted so warmly and seated promptly. Our appetites were aroused with the warm bread and tomato dipping sauce, so delicious. Then our dishes of homemade pasta's and sauce were terrific. Could not stop eating and the servings were very good. We has mussels and sausage on our pastas. This was a well planned menu and all homemade pasta dishes. Our dessert was homemade, Lemonciello. Perfect ending for our Italian dinner. What a fabulous treat for these travelers from Texas and Washington, DC. We were treated so well. Service was generous, not overbearing. A must dining location in Philadelphis.

This is a great little BYOB. The interior is updated and comfortable seats about 40 but the food is outstanding feature. I had the Dover Sole, not over done as most places serve it. Perfect, light and subtle. Desserts are prepared there, with fresh ingredients. Again, outstanding. Service is warm and friendly. Have a question about the food, just ask. No parking. Right now there is also limited outside seating. Visit Aroma once, you'll definitely want to go back again, and again. I know I will.

Excellent tortelloni al tartufo and an amazing espresso chocolate brownie like dessert with sea salt caramel gelato on top. All meals of our group were excellent.

Ristorante Aroma is an outstanding dining spot in Washington Square West. The attractive restaurant is on the small side and so it is noisy, but this does not detract from the outstanding food and excellent service. We both had chicken dishes, each of which was well prepared. The burrata special and the salad, which was crisp and plentiful, were excellent first choices. The gelato completed a memorable meal. The owner is friendly and accommodating.

From the moment you walk in, you are welcomed. The owners are there, like it is a family affair. It is warm and comfortable and the food is comfort too! The Italian selections are many with both familiar fare like squid ink homemade fettucini and bronzino to an interesting lobster appetizer and burrata/fig appetizer. It is a byob and will serves lunch on Thursday and Fridays and soon will be offering brunch on SaturdayA\and Sunday .This is a lovely historic neighborhood for a weekend brunch! Reservations accepted.