Where To Eat Great Pasta In Philly - Philadelphia - The Infatuation

"If you love the pasta part of Vetri but want to throw away the formality (and the price tag), Fiorella, its sister spot in Bella Vista, is your best bet. The intimate pasta bar is full of buzzy energy, whether that’s from the sauces bubbling behind the counter or bowls of balsamic-soaked mezzelune whizzing by. It offers an evolving menu of antipasti and pastas, so you’ll have different options every time you go. But the always al dente rigatoni with peppery sausage ragu and fluffy ricotta gnocchi are both mainstays (we hope forever). It all comes in two-to three-person portions, but one bite in you may insist it’s for one. Don’t let the vintage fixtures fool you—it’s not the old days when slipping a 20 to a server translates to a seat. Here, they open up reservations 30 days in advance while bar seats are held for walk-ins when available. Securing a walk-in spot might be as rare as winning Wonka’s golden ticket, but it’s worth the attempt (otherwise take a 4pm reservation, which is the only time they occasionally have open)." - alison kessler, candis mclean