La Famiglia Ristorante

I've had this place bookmarked for a couple of years, since I moved back from LA, and today was the day to celebrate my new house with my realtor. My expectations were met and then some. Parking is as what parking is in Philly and I learned a valuable lesson to read the signs well. lol after getting slapped with a sizeable ticket I refused to let it hamper my experience at La Famiglia! Staff is endearing, attentive and sweet! By this time I needed a libation in terms of dirty martini and weGot seated to enjoy the fare.While they celebrate their anniversary they have the regular menu and nostalgia menus with the prices from the 70's!!! Gotta love it! I'm a 70's baby too, so win win. The esthetics are beautiful with marble, rich colors, and dim lighting. The wine cellar is beautiful!!!We ordered the octopus which was so tender. The mushrooms which were very tasty. The beef and beet carpaccio were delicious. For pasta we got the basil pesto cavatellli that was just right. As mains we did chicken and veal both amazing. Oh how can I forget the oysters! Blew my mind!! Everything was plated beautifully that I did not want to mess it up. On the house bruschetta was delicious and Gatiano and Vittorio were amazing. We ended with the tartufo and on the house limoncello shot! I'll be a regular with my little side table because it's La famiglia! It's no wonder they have been here so long! Loved it all, thank you!'n

Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia lies a beacon of Italian gastronomy, La Famiglia Ristorante, a name that resonates with unmatched culinary mastery. For over three decades, I've been captivated by their dedication to culinary excellence, a journey that began with the visionary Carlo Sena Sr. in 1976. Alongside his four sons and daughter, he planted the seeds of an establishment that would become synonymous with authentic Italian cuisine, crafting dishes with techniques steeped in tradition.Walking into La Famiglia is like stepping into a warm embrace, where every meal is a celebration of familial bonds. The staff, with their genuine smiles and gracious hospitality, have a way of making every guest feel like an honored member of their extended family. My annual pilgrimages back to Philly are incomplete without a visit to this culinary temple, where my wife and I bask in the glow of good food and great company.Beneath the bustling streets of Philadelphia, La Famiglia houses a wine cellar that rivals the vaults of Tuscany, boasting an impressive collection within its historic catacombs. Here, amidst the serenity of aged bottles, private dining becomes an enchanted affair.The Branzino, a masterpiece filleted with precision and adorned with a heavenly white wine butter sauce, holds the crown as my favorite dish. And the desserts--oh, the desserts--are a sweet finale to the symphony of flavors. If only the miles that separate us were fewer, my table at La Famiglia would see the turn of many more glasses. In a city renowned for its culinary diversity, La Famiglia stands out as a cherished gem, offering not just a meal, but an experience woven with the threads of Italian heritage and the warmth of family.

Cute Italian restaurant. We decided to come for restaurant week with their fixed menu. Parking was horrible, ended up in the paid lot up the street that was packed and I was lucky to get a spot. The place is dimly lit and service was prompt and attentive. Everything that came out tasted good, nothing stands out other than the old mayor and Mike the news guys coming in and having dinner.

This place was so cute n cozy with an olde world feel! We went for the nostalgia menu. The oysters were amazing and I don't generally like oysters. Crème brûlée was very tasty! If it wasn't for this nostalgia menu I would have never been able to try this food! Thank you

La Famiglia is a small but cozy restaurant right near my condo. I have been there a couple of times in the past, but as I was looking for a restaurant week destination I realized that I hadn't been in years and I had never posted a Yelp review. A quick walk down the block during Fall restaurant week fixes that oversight.I'm writing this review late, so unfortunately I don't remember the names of the dishes. I started off with a pasta dish. A cheese stuffed ravioli in a red sauce. It was delicious. My meal was off to a great start. My entrée was veal covered with cheese and some veggies. It was two slices of succulent veal that also had a little piece of bacon on top to add a pop of flavor. A side of veggies is a big mistake in my book. I didn't even eat them. The dessert course was a sampler, with small slices of chocolate cake, cheesecake, and tiramisu. Each one was outstanding, and I would get any of them full sized, depending on what I was in the mood for. I liked my cocktail enough to order a second one, but I don't remember the name of it.I left La Famiglia still feeling a bit hungry, which is not what is supposed to happen during restaurant week. My entrée was just not filling enough. I don't remember this being a problem years back, so it may be they cut down on the portion just for restaurant week. Not very cool. Service was impeccable. The potential is there for a five star restaurant. I'll have to give it another try when it's not restaurant week.

Food: we were there for the nostalgia menu, which was fantastic. We got two types of gnocchi and as someone who doesn't love gnocchi, I've been completely converted. Both sauces were rich and flavorful and the gnocchi had a perfect pillowy texture. The brisket was also delicious and tender. The only thing I didn't love was the bread to start off - it tasted a bit stale Service: excellent, every time they saw our wine glass empty, someone promptly refilled itAmbiance: lots of celebratory gatherings, especially for dinner. Two floors both of which had an elevated feel to them with traditional touches Would I go back? Yes, for the gnocchi!

La Famiglia Ristorante in Philly's Old City is a true gem that takes you on a delicious journey back to the 60s. From the moment you step inside, you can feel the nostalgia and warmth that this place has carried through the decades.What sets La Famiglia apart is their commitment to crafting everything fresh in-house, just like they did when they first opened their doors. It's a dedication to quality and tradition that's hard to find these days. The flavors are rich, authentic, and a testament to their timeless recipes.But what makes this place truly special is Giuseppe, the owner. He's not just a restaurateur; he's the heart and soul of La Famiglia. If you're lucky enough to strike up a conversation with him, you'll quickly realize that he's the nicest, salt-of-the-earth individual you could ever meet. He radiates passion for his craft, and his love for what he does is palpable.The service here is impeccable, and the staff, like Giuseppe, go above and beyond to make you feel like part of the family. Whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor, you're treated with the same warmth and genuine hospitality that's been their trademark for decades.As for the food, it's nothing short of spectacular. From the homemade pasta to the mouthwatering sauces, every bite is a testament to their commitment to quality. The menu offers a wide range of options to suit every palate, and you can taste the love and care that goes into each dish.La Famiglia Ristorante is a testament to the enduring magic of Old World Italian cuisine. It's a place where tradition meets excellence, where the past is celebrated, and where you can savor the flavors of a bygone era. If you're looking for an authentic, heartfelt dining experience in Philly, look no further. La Famiglia is a true treasure that's worth every visit.Thank you, Giuseppe, and the entire La Famiglia team, for keeping the spirit of the 60s alive and sharing it with all of us. Here's to many more years of delicious memories at your wonderful restaurant!

A late review on the nostalgia menu. The portion for that menu was on the smaller size. The taste was ok for the most part. Short rib and mushroom was probably the best for the savory menu. The worst was the chicken. The chicken tasted like it was frozen chicken that was used and the polenta was super salty. The pasta was cooked well but it was nothing special. Desserts and drinks were probably my friends and I favorite part with the service. We made our reservation for when they literally just open and there was only another table beside us -- so they were very attentive.

Im honestly shocked by the experience we had at La Famiglia Restaurant, given that it had such great reviews. We wanted a special restaurant to celebrate my parents 30th wedding anniversary. Upon arrival, we were sat at a table, and the manager seemed very grumpy with the host and he kept pointing at us and just seemed to have an attitude. The actual servers are nice but everything seemed rushed and we had to put our entire order in at once, both appetizers and entrees. The food was okay, not the best. I ordered the pesto gnocchi and it was undercooked. The chicken dish was very salty and the veal parm was dry. The manager came to check in on us and appeared friendlier. I went to ask him if they could do a surprise for my parents for their anniversary and he said of course. After my parents declined dessert, he still brought out a cheesecake and added it to the bill (instead of doing a kind gesture). Upon inquiring about it he pointed at me and said she ordered it - which I did not. (I didn't specify any dessert..) Honestly the manager could be more welcoming and do a better job at hospitality.

Food was good, ambience ok, service not good. Visited for the first time and ordered pasta as appetizers, very good. Entrees were salmon (very good) and veal (just ok, not enough flavor). Desserts were fine, not special. Unfortunately, service ruined the evening. For some unknown reason (although reason we highly suspect being two men dining together), the server favored adjoining tables and then disappeared after taking our orders. Other staff noticed our lack of attention and attempted to fill in. However, the timing of it all and amount of effort required to see a wine menu, review a dessert menu, obtain the check was too much to ignore. We were not welcome and will not be returning.