Best Italian in Philadelphia, Il Portico

I gave the fresh faced concierge a tough task last night in the concierge lounge. I wanted an Italian restaurant near the Ritz Carlton, which was different than the hundreds of other Italian places that Philadelphia is known for. He scored big time when we told us about Il Portico on 1519 Walnut St. a scant two blocks away.

Il Portico was stunning in looks bursting with flavor and priced at suburb value. The influences in food is Jewish/ Italian with many recipes coming from chef Alberto Delbello’s family and growing up in the Jewish section of Rome called Il Portico or the ghetto. Il Portico has taken me out of my chicken parm rut and left other Italian restaurants in the future a tough job.

http://il-portico.com/about_us.htm

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Philadelphia/Default.htm