La Viola Bistro

I’ve Changed Since College, But Thank Goodness La Viola in Philadelphia Hasn’t | Bon Appétit

"A small BYOB Italian in Center City, Philadelphia, that feels delightfully unchanged over the years: the menu still lists vitello carciofi, pollo rollatini, and green spinach-and-ricotta gnocchi, and the staff remain jovial and ceremonious in reciting daily specials. Because Philadelphia’s strict liquor-license rules make BYOB common, the room often hosts a mix of older well-to-do couples, middle-aged women, and large groups of UPenn students who arrange boxed wine and vodka across their table—sometimes accompanied by spilled Diet Coke—while the unflappable waitstaff patiently absorb the rowdier antics. Candlelit and fancy-feeling enough for a special night out, the place also welcomes rambunctious student crowds, offering a charming, slightly indulgent taste of adulthood where you can dress up, drink cheaply, and make a mess without consequence." - ByBrette Warshaw