Borromini

By good fortune I was able to find a single open seat at the bar on the restaurant's second day open, so I figured I had to try it out and see if it was worth the local hype. I'm generally an enjoyer of Starr restaurants, recognizing that they don't usually push the envelope and play things pretty safe, while maybe being a touch overpriced for the quality of food. With that said: Borromini absolutely smashed by expectations and I cannot wait to return. The atmosphere and space is excellent, and I was frankly shocked at the scope and size of the staff and just how many people the place could accommodate. Despite being brand new, everything seemed meticulously operated and working at full steam in a crazy busy environment. The bartenders that took care of me were excellent, helping me with the menu and any questions I had, as well as being exceptionally personable and attentive. The "bar" itself is one of the most impressive looking collections of bottle's I've seen at a restaurant, spanning multiple different walls (even if some of it is just decorative). Otherwise, it's a warmly lit space with a blend of rustic and modern vibes but was quite comfortable, albeit a bit noisy. I am a big fan of Negronis and was pleased that there is an entire section on the drink menu of Negroni variations. I got the Negroni biano, a white Negroni that was delightful. If I were tasting it blind I wouldn't have even known it was a variation to be honest, I'm impressed they nailed the flavors and kept it fresh without red vermouth or Campari. The star of the show was undoubtedly the pasta. Although my picture may not do it justice, the amatriciana from the classics "Pasta Romana" menu was astonishingly good. Made with Bucatini, guanciale, pecorino, and tomatoes, it was so deep in flavor and perfect in every way despite being a "simple" and straightforward dish. I am very optimistic that if they can nail a classic and simpler pasta like this that all the other more elaborate pastas are also excellent. The portion was just right, it was hearty and substantial without needing to take any leftovers home. Right now for my money, I think this might be the best pasta in center city though I will have to return to try some of the other options. Folks dining near me also seemed to be enjoying their 100-layer lasagnas and other pastas, it all looked good. I don't have anything critical to say all, to be honest. Perhaps each item costs a few bucks more than is ideal but it's in a beautiful space right at Rittenhouse square, it's just hard to beat. As far as I know, dinners are booked out for the whole month but don't hesitate to try for a spot at the bar on a weeknight.

Amazing!!! I was so looking forward to the opening, and it did not disappoint. The staff were incredibly kind, and our waiter Nicola was superb. Our table ordered the steak, lobster pasta, and the oxtail mafaldine for entrees. every dish was excellent. Nicola also recommended the focaccia di recco to start, and I’m so glad he did because it was absolutely delicious. Drinks were fantastic, and the tiramisu was stunning (not too dense, just perfect). I also want to highlight how accommodating they were with dietary restrictions. My mother has celiac disease, and when she asked about options, they offered gluten-free pasta. She ultimately chose the steak, but it’s worth noting that she had no issues afterward, which means they handled cross-contamination carefully. She also had the Prosciutto e Melone to start with. The staff seemed knowledgeable and attentive about this, which gave us peace of mind. Overall, a wonderful experience from start to finish.

About Last Night.... I hit the Grand Opening of #Boromini, Stephen Starr's newest addition in Rittenhouse Square. This place did not disappoint! A bustling atmopshere paired with great cocktails and delicous bites made for the perfect evening. On this visit, I tried the Tagliatelle. Great portions and velvety noodles paired perfectly with the Bolonese Sauce. I also tried the Hugo Spritz, a refreshing cocktail with St. Germaine. I'm in love. I'll be back again soon for that 100-layer lasagna.

The entire experience was pretty incredible. The interior was breathtaking. My server Alana was fantastic from beginning to end, she encouraged me to try the chocolate olive oil cake at the end of my meal which I was overwhelmingly happy with (even though the tiramisu was more popular throughout the evening). All the food I ordered was really well executed and the portions were a good size. I started with the Crudo and I had the Osso Buco as my entree, both of which were delightful! I’ll be back!

I highly recommend this restaurant! From the moment I walked in, I was warmly welcomed. The atmosphere is both elegant and comfortable, and the food was outstanding in both presentation and taste. The service team was incredibly attentive and polite—my water glass never went empty, and every detail was taken care of. This is the kind of place that makes you feel like a truly valued guest. The quality you get for the price is excellent, and it’s clear that the staff really care about providing top-notch service. I can’t wait to come back again!

This was an amazing Italian experience. The main course, the dessert and the drinks were all very enjoyable. We came late in to find a seat at the bar and they were able to happily accommodate us with a table quickly. From our great server, Nicola, to the amazing building, this is a hands down 10/10 experience and will recommend to friends

The pasta here is so fresh and the sauces are bursting with flavor—I felt like I was dining in Italy for the night. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, perfect for a special meal or a casual dinner. Can’t wait to come back and try more dishes.

We showed up tonight at 830ish and asked if they had a table for two (half the restaurant was empty). They said they couldn’t seat us without a reservation even though inside was 40% vacant and outside was 100% vacant. Sort of an odd spot. We were looking forward to it since we’re a big fan of the group’s other restaurants (Parc / Pastis / etc.) May give it a try again perhaps they’re still working out kinks as they open. But felt like one of those restaurants that seems high-end but ends up having large vacancy and inattentive service.

Beautiful space covers two floors with large bar seating. Food was excellent and service on point as well.

Great atmosphere, fantastic music, and friendly service. We were promptly seated on arrival. After the servers explained to us the menu, we decided to order several items to share and sample: Pane Focaccia - Husband enjoyed, but it was just meh for me. Though made in-house it was essentially baked naan bread with rosemary and cheese. Nothing special. Won't get again. Artichoke & Arugula salad - We enjoyed it. Not sure where the artichokes were but the arugula was fresh and the dressing was light. This was a bit salty though. Spagetti al Limone - Delicious. Nice flavors. A bit salty. Would order again but ask for less salt. Amatriciana - I had high hopes for this dish, because it's a classic Italian dish that I order often at other Italian restaurants. This one was extremely heavy, fatty, and salty. Crispy Dorade - 5-stars for this one! It's delightfully flavorful, fresh, and light. The fresh herb salsa verde is out of this world and pairs most excellently with the fish. Would order this dish again. Chocolate Olive Oil Cake - The most unusual dessert on the menu (wish there were more interesting options). It was delicioso! Would definitely order again. We're fans of Stephen Starr and love dining at his other restaurants. We generally enjoyed this experience. The one less star is for the saltiness in the food that took away our overall enjoyment a bit. But we understand that given they just opened, they're likely still ironing out some kinks. We will come back to try again.

I was looking forward to Borromini's opening for the longest time because the exterior excites me every time I walk past it. I walked in on their second day of opening. They were fully booked out in terms of reservations but they take walk ins if you're willing to sit at the bar. When I went, they said the bar was first come first serve, meaning that you would have to find your own seating or wait for one to open up. I found it a bit odd that they said they were fully booked when clearly there were several tables that were empty throughout the whole 3 hours that I spent there. I do have to say though, I am quite impressed by the ambiance on the inside did not disappoint. I loved the attention to detail that they put into decor. I would say the ambiance of Borromini is definitely suitable for date nights and special occasions. Overall, the food was all a bit on the saltier side that made it slightly less enjoyable for my palate. The calm pizetta was well executed. Though it sounds like a simple dish, the flavors were bright and refreshing (from the lemon and the parsley). I also got the osso buco di vitello. This was hands down the star of the show. The osso buco is a braised veal shank. The veal was perfectly braised. It was tender and not dry. The middle of the bone even comes with some bone marrow! The osso buco is perfect for anyone looking for a hearty meat dish. I am impressed by the amount of meat I got. However, I do wish there was more risotto. The risotto was only enough to cover one thin layer on the plate. The tiramisu is one of the best that I ever had. If you love coffee/expresso, their expresso that they use in the tiramisu is super strong. The mascarpone cream layer was on the thicker side, but wasn't a dealbreaker for me. Might be bothersome for others though. I arrived around 7 and left around 10:30. The waiting time between each dish was around an hour and service was slow at the bar. There was some confusion where the wrong food was brought to us and some miscommunication about the order of when the food should have came out. Multiple people came up to apologize about the long wait, which I appreciated since they owned up to their mistake and did their best to resolve the issue. I can understand that they're still sorting out the logistics given that it was only their second day of opening. I would definitely be back another time to try the other items on their menu when they're less busy.

The clam linguine was incredibly salty, the osso buco was delicious but the risotto in the osso buco was also over salted (although it was saved by the lack of salt in the meat itself), the squash blossoms were good, and the lemon sorbetto was the star of the show. I really was about to give this place a lower rating, but I must say the service at Borromini saved the day. Matt came over to us at the end of our meal to ask how the food was and candidly, I told him it was too salty. He immediately removed the linguine off the check and comped our sorbetto, promising to make it right next time. I look forward to trying Borromini again in the future once the restaurant matures, but in my experience today the food didn't shine, the service did.

Borromini isn't a restaurant but an experience! The energy is nonstop, from the flawless welcome to the knowledgeable front of house team, it is an evening to remember. The squash blossoms are a must order.

Ladies get your Chanel suits and bags out and open up your jewelry box!!! You will have a magical night!! From the food to the decor it's a five star experience . The bartenders the waiters the managers were exceptional. I was queen for the evening. I had the lasagna which was delicious!! The tomato sauce was perfection. You felt very comfortable the moment you walked in. I can't say enough about Borromini!! So leave the jeans home put on a pretty dress or a suit. All the who's who of Philadelphia was there and it was fun. lol!! It was an experience!! La dolce vita!!! Bravo!!!