Borromini

Great atmosphere, delicious food, excellent cocktails. We had a wonderful Sunday lunch and the vibes were perfect. Eggplant parm: no notes. Delicious artichoke salad, amazing focaccia. Potatoes were okay. Prices not too bad, and excellent and attentive service.

Great location in the square. Nice atmosphere. Prices are good. Cocktails are good

Garbo

Food portion size and toooo expensive Service good Ambiance nice Loud can't talk easily

So excited to have finally got into Borromini! Reservation highly recommended, it filled up the second it hit 5pm for weekday dinner. The space is absolutely stunning and shows every penny of the very extensive renovation- it is wild to think this is the former Barnes & Noble space! It was incredibly loud as others mentioned, but I didn't mind. I also didn't notice any pop music so not sure music was even noticeable. Service was attentive and prompt, maybe a little too attentive. We did feel a tad rushed but in the most polite way, and we understand the hype is still very real. Waters were filled frequently and they are clearly putting a lot of effort and attention into service - someone was always close by and available to make sure we were taken care of. Our food was ready very quickly however, we did not even have time to finish our salad and foccacia. Speaking of - the food was delicious. We started with the very hyped foccacia which was tasty, but not sure it was worth $30. As other reviews stated, bread service would be so great and would really round out the vibe. I really hope Starr reads this and adds bread! The salad was unique but nothing special. The lasagna was quite tasty but not sure I'd highlight it as THE Borromini signature dish, especially given the very small portion. The carbonara was also very tasty and portion was smaller. Drinks and dessert may have been my favorite part of the meal - I had the tequila cocktail which was fantastic, as was the seasonal panna cotta. My friend had the tiramisu which was tasty and a bigger portion than the pasta! I am so excited to see what this place looks like in a few months, but they still need to get their feet under them. The menu has already adjusted a few times since opening (not only seasonally) so I'm curious to see where it lands. It's not quite as "old school" Italian as I expected and I'd say it's more American-Italian but delicious nonetheless. Really hoping to see that bread service next time!

Do not serve me a half-full cocktail at $17 a pop! We scored a Monday evening reservation for 4. Apparently, this place is very difficult to get into. My love and I arrived earlier than our friends, so we stopped at the bar for a pre-dinner drink. Chianti for him, Hugo Spritz for me. I love all things lemon, so the Hugo was a no-brainer for me. The glasses they serve their spritz's in are beautiful. Very Waterford Crystal like. But please fill it up a little bit, huh? My photo is the serving size prior to being sampled. Our table was very tight, but we made it work. We ordered what I thought would be too much food for four people, but the serving sizes were quite small. We probably should have ordered more! - Squash blossoms - not overly battered, which was nice. Three to an order - Pane Focaccia - nicely salted with bursts of rosemary. Small portion - Artichokes all Giudea - fried, very good - Spaghetti al Limon - again, I love all things lemon, so this was a must. My favorite of the night - Amatriciana - this dish had an odd flavor to me. I wasn't digging the guanciale, which is pork jowl. Yup. - Chicken Milanese - good and large portion. Our friend had leftovers for which she was thrilled - Osso Buco - cooked perfectly but our friend said it was lacking flavor - 100 Layer Lasagna - I call BS on those layers! It was a small portion - Patate - crispy rosemary potatoes. Good - Olive oil cake and cannoli for dessert This sounds like a lot of food for 4 people, but we were barely full upon leaving. The bill was around $500 with tip. Our dining companions didn't drink (she's pregnant and he is dry out of solidarity). The acoustics are a bit tough, as the restaurant is mostly marble and tile. We're glad we tried it, but this may be a one-and-done for us.

The general ambiance of the restaurant is very nice! It's quite crowded feeling, but it feels lively. Upon walking in, the hostess was very nice and seemed to like her job a lot. Our waiter was also friendly, although I didn't find service to be particularly quick. My friend and I ordered and shared all the food, so we had cacio e Pepe, which was a bit below average. We got the lasagna, which was fabulous. I also love that it's meat-free because I'm pescatarian. Then we shared the clams and linguine, which was very tasty. We also shared the appetizer of figs and burrata. The figs were almost candied. Very good. Then we shared the olive oil cake with chocolate, which I really didn't like but I'm not really a dessert person. Also had the house red, it was very solid! Overall, I did have a nice experience outside of slow service. But honestly for the price there are pasta restaurants in Philly that are significantly better and cheaper. I would go here if someone asked to go, but I wouldn't personally seek it out.

The hype is real! From what I understand, this place is a love letter to good ole' Italian home cooking. The place is HUGE - two floors of dining space and the night we came, it was packed. The attendant in the front was very accommodating. My wife ran in to check in for our reservation while I circled for parking. They were patient with us since parking around that area can be brutal. It's definitely fits the aesthetic it's going for - dim lighting, homey but upscale, striking but still comfortable - feels like you're home. We got their focaccia and artichoke salad for our appetizers and then had to get the famous 100 layered lasagna since it's vegetarian (!!) plus their cacio pepe for our mains. Everything came out timely and the servers were on top of having our waters filled and checking in for any questions. We really enjoyed the food and thought it was very well executed. Overall - solid experience and happy to return!

I've figured out the key to trying a new restaurant. Going as a group and trying a million things. I saw a lot of mixed reviews for Borromini and if I were to only eat my friend's entree as a solo diner (as I usually do) I would've thought this place was mid. While I could use some complimentary bread, this review is generally positive based on my fave dishes of the night. That 100 layer lasagna and the polpette (meatball) with polenta-- DIVINE. Their red sauce is just fantastic. Other delicious items (wrong names, but you'll get the gist)-- oxtail pasta, the branzino, lamp chops, and arancini. Service was excellent and the cocktails were also delish! I fear I can only group dine from now onwards.

Talked about going here forever. Service was great. Everyone who worked us addressed us. Beautiful space. Amazing decor. Food was good but didn't blow me away. Wine selection was endless. Very loud and very popular. Wasn't as high end as I envisioned when awaiting our reservation.

We had a great lunch here today and really enjoyed everything we tried. The Cacio e Pepe was creamy, perfectly seasoned, and had just the right bite. The steak was cooked beautifully -- tender and full of flavor -- and the chocolate olive oil cake was a standout finish, rich and def enough to share Service was attentive and friendly without being overbearing, and the atmosphere made for a nice midday meal. The only thing I'd love to see added is a bread service -- it's such a nice touch and would round out the experience (they could definitely take a page from Parc's playbook on that one!). Overall, a delicious lunch spot we'll definitely be back for dinner.

Borromini - Philadelphia Dining Review We dined at Borromini in Philadelphia, Stephen Starr's newest Italian venture in the former Barnes & Noble space off Rittenhouse Square. The renovation reportedly cost $20 million, and the result is visually impressive -- though not without its quirks. Parking is manageable: there's street parking across from Rittenhouse Park and a garage next door charging $23. Reservations are tough to secure -- expect to book a month in advance. The menu is compact, and while the ambiance is stylish, the noise level was overwhelming. I couldn't hear my spouse or the waitress clearly, which detracted from the experience. What We Ordered * Focaccia di Recco with Stracchino Cheese Thin, crispy, and pleasantly salty -- a great appetizer to share. * Tortelloni di Ricotta with Sage Brown Butter Rich, creamy, and well-balanced. This was my favorite dish of the night. * 100-Layer Lasagna Visually striking and unique, but surprisingly meatless. I would've preferred a heartier, meat-based version. * Eggplant Parmigiana Disappointing. The sauce was overly acidic, the cheese sparse, and the breading lacked flavor. I wouldn't recommend it. * Chocolate Olive Cake with Macchiato Light texture, but missing the depth of chocolate I expected. Service & Atmosphere Service was slow -- plan for 2-3 hours for a full meal. I had to request crumb cleanup and ask for hot pepper flakes. Surprisingly, no bread, no Parmesan, and no pepper flakes were offered by default -- unusual for an Italian restaurant. The vibe leaned more Italian bistro than fine dining. Music was mismatched; the last song I heard was by The Bee Gees, which clashed with the setting. There's also an upstairs dining area and bar. Final Thoughts Expect to spend $75-$100 per person. The food was good overall, but the restaurant still needs to fine-tune its service, pacing, and menu balance. I'd return to try other dishes -- but with adjusted expectations.

Menu has improved since opening. The lasagna is great but the standout pasta for us was the spaghetti al pomodoro. I prefer it to Scarpetta's which I love. Really happy they are open during lunch. Best addition to the neighborhood in a long time.

Incredible meal! Our server was extremely personable and checked in frequently. As soon our waters were emptied there was someone there to refill almost instantly. Had to start off the meal with an app and went with the arancini. They came out piping hot and were a great way to kick off dinner. I personally would have loved to have a little red sauce on the side, but enjoyed them as they came. The food was phenomenal! The perfect portions, temperature and taste. My sister and I both ordered Grapefruit Spritz's to tie out our meal. They were light and refreshing! The restaurant itself is a bit loud due to all the patrons. There's music playing in the background, which I do wish had been Italian. Lots of tables, alcohol on all the walls and servers everywhere doing an amazing job attending to their customers. Cannot wait to visit my sister again and come here!

I recently dined at Borromini for brunch on a Saturday morning. I booked my reservation a couple weekends in advance - I highly recommend making a reservation. The service was amazing. Our waiter attentive and friendly, but not overbearing. We were bummed to hear the 100-layer lasagna is NOT served at brunch (Sat-Sun), only lunch (which is during the week) and dinner. So we ended up ordering the Pane Focaccia, Egg Crostone, and Spaghetti Al Limone. It was a great mix and all was delicious. The place is really nice. White tablecloths, high ceilings, bright and airy.

I came here on a Sunday evening - the second weekend Borromini was open. We had the best server (shoutout to Alana!) who gave us amazing food recommendations. We were seated at a table overlooking Rittenhouse Square which was so nice, and I loved rustic italian decor. Personally, I thought that the portions were a decent size (for me); however, I can see people thinking these are small portions. We had the 100 layer lasagna, carbonara, chicken alla toscana, and focaccia di recco. We split the 100 layer lasagna as a third entree - it was light and refreshing, the perfect amount to split. Overall, I would definitely go back and get the carbonara again and would love to try other dishes.

Dinner for two on a Sunday. We were seated on the second floor against the west wall thankfully away from the speakers. The noise level is very high just with regular talking, the early 2000 Billboard playlist was totally unnecessary additional noise. I had the oxtail pasta which was excellent, DH had short rib pasta which was a small portion. Service was very good. I thought the ambiance could use tweaking. I was not feeling the Italian theme at all except for the food. The building did not seem to feel Borromini inspired at all.

Went to the newest Steven Starr restaurant with my girlfriends on a Friday night. This Italian restaurant opened up on Rittenhouse square where the Barnes and Nobles used to be. The restaurant is very massive with 2 floors and outside seating. There was a ton of celebrities that visited the first week it opened. These celebrities included the governor, the guy who directed the Sixth Sense, and even Joe Biden. The customer service here was incredible. They quickly seated us to our table and really made sure everything was up to standard. I had an aperol spritz which was pretty good. My friends ordered drinks as well and when they came out at the same time, they actually almost gave us the wrong table's drinks. I am going to let it slide since it might have been opening week concerns. I did like how my friend wasn't expecting one of her dishes to come out the way it did and she ended up being comped for it. We started with the focaccia bread which we thought was going to be included. It wasn't, but it was definitely worth it. It was very tasty. I liked how fresh this piece of bread was. My entree was the Sicilian Lifeguard Pasta. It was calamari with capers and breadcrumbs. It honestly tasted pretty good and I don't usually like going to American Italian restaurants. This entree, I highly recommend; however. Overall, this place is worth the visit if you are on the square.

Another I-talian spot but this one is on the square. They sat us right at the front which is bold considering all the stunners around us while we're underdressed. Upstairs, bar, side tables. Separate room with seating for the bathroom. We ordered a lot of stuff. The million layer lasagne. Brown sugar. Spaghetti al limone. Tuna tare tare. Something else. Olive oil cake. Service was decent. Personally I would recommend the hundred year lasagne and the olive oil dessert, but I'm the type of fish that complains about not getting the bait so DYOR and try it out yourself -- that's what Starr is for; restaurants perfectly designed to take your parents.

Went to Borromini when I was in town for a business dinner and was very pleased. The space itself is amazing. It is evident the owners spared no expense when curating the design/asthetic of the restaurant. We were sat upstairs which had a similar feeling to the downstairs. The food was incredible. My favorite items were the Cheesy focaccia (was dreaming about this dish for days) and the Tortollini (super complex and simple at the same time). The 100 layer lasagna was also quite good along with the arancini, crudo, and Meatball which comes with a tomato and polenta sauce. I was indifferent on the steak tagliatelle as well as the carbonara. The steak was cooked very well but lacked some flavor. The carbonara was solid but came out a bit colder than I would have expected. All in all, one of the better Italian restaurants I've been to this year! Service was good and food was coursed out appropriately. Will definitely go back when I'm in town next.

Enjoyed our early dinner (only time we could snag a reservation) at Borromini to end the work week. Loved seeing what Stephen Starr did with the space, which is absolutely beautiful, from the frescos to the arched ceiling with its beams to the variety of marble scattered throughout. We were seated in a window niche on the second floor, so we could see glimpses of Rittenhouse Square through the venetian blinds--it would've been great to have the window view unfettered, but it seemed fussy to inquire. Service was friendly and, perhaps because our table was slightly in a niche, the volume was less than I'd expected after reports from recent diners. Our two top ordered a number of dishes (in order of how they arrived): - Focaccia di Recco (stracchino cheese): this was upsold to us as a phyllo-like cheesy bread experience. Don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but it was less phyllo-like, and more quesadilla/tortilla-like and quite greasy. I do not think it was worth $26.00 and it made me think fondly of the bread basket served at Starr's catty-corner restaurant). - Artichokes alla Giudea (fried baby artichokes, lemon aioli): wonderful artichoke flavor, nicely fried. - Linguine alle Vongole (garlic, white wine, clams, parsley): perfect linguine with an acceptable number of clams (some in their shell), light on the white wine sauce. - Rapini (broccoli rabe, garlic, ricotta salata): delicious broccoli rabe, a bit too bitter for my dinner companion, but I thought it was great! - 100 Layer Lasagna (ricotta, besciamella, tomato): a solid vegetarian lasagna. - Polpetta (giant meatball, soft polenta): a very good meatball--worked well with the lasagna. Glad to have come for dinner and looking forward to trying the lunch menu and the desserts.

Easily able to find vegetarian friendly options here. Escarole and beans were NOT vegetarian so glad we asked. This place is a great addition to Philadelphia! Have dined three times since they opened and will definitely return. Can be moderately noisy, but able to have a conversation and music is not too loud..

I went the safe route and ordered the lasagna. it was so delicious! However the portion size was ridiculous. It should have been 2-3x at $28. Another big disappointment was the lack of bread. I kept waiting but she never showed up:( The service was excellent. our server Catherine was amazing and super knowledgeable. The ambiance is beautiful but alittle too large. They should consider adding some trees into the space to absorb some noise and make it feel More intimate. I would go back if money was not a factor.

We came right at 5pm when they opened and there was already a line, but plenty of seating at the bar upstairs and downstairs. The bartender was super friendly, and drinks were good though a bit pricey. My favorite was the Sicilian Lifeguard Pasta (calamari pasta). Food and service were great, but it took a while to come out. The only downside was the crowd, too many people standing around behind us. Overall, definitely worth a visit!

Stopped in for a nice dinner and the space is just beautiful as soon as you walk through the doors. You're greeted and sat promptly and staff are quick to help with anything to make your visit as pleasant as they can. The ambiance is quite comfy though a bit loud, but the place was busy even later at night. They have a fairly extensive wine and beverage list. I had a Last Word cocktail and it was made quite nicely in a large glass. The menu has many great classic Italian dishes, and we shared some appetizers, 4 courses, and dessert. Rosemary focaccia bread was savory, well seasoned, and had a buttery deliciousness flavor that made it great. The tortelloni di ricotta was the best course I tried, simply great flavor and melt in your mouth softness. Cacio e Pepe had a good sauce with ample pepper. Pasta Al limone was more straightforward and simple. The 100 layer lasagna was nice, though a bit of a smaller piece and a bit over cooked. The olive oil chocolate cake with olive oil gelato was a nice tasty dessert . Very soft and moist cake with a nice chocolatey ganache frosting. Olive oil flavor subtle yet apparent. The gelato was savory and unique. Overall I think it's a great spot that will fit its desired niche quite well. It's not aiming to be the best Italian food ever, but a nice upscale spot with a beautiful atmosphere to bring any group and know exactly what to expect. Thanks

We Came here on a Saturday evening & was really impressed with this hyped up restaurant, and it did not disappoint. We did not have a reservation so we sat at the bar upstairs.We were told that the full menu is available at the bar! Seth was us bartender & made our experience so enjoyable! I ordered the Sculaccione which was basically an Italian take on a Paloma but with bitters. I enjoyed my drink & would rate it an 8.5/10. My friend ordered the borro-mini tini which was basically a dirty martini. It was not too salty which I often find happens with dirty martinis so enjoyed it more than I thought I would. For our appetizer we ordered the arancini . It was the perfect combination of a crispy shell exterior with a creamy filling interior and had a unique flavor attributed by the saffron. I proceeded to order the caffe (espresso martini) and was obsessed with it. I told the bartender to keep them coming all night because they were so good. For our main course we ordered the spaghetti al limone, Sicilian lifeguard pasta and the chicken alla Toscana. All three entrees were really delicious! My favorite was the spaghetti al limone - it was light, creamy & lemony. The chicken came a close second - was 2 chicken thighs marinated in a lemony marinade and was served with capers & olives. It had a slightly crispy skin and was so juicy and flavorful. Definitely recommended it. The lifeguard pasta had pasta with calamari, capers & breadcrumbs in red sauce. This was my friend's favorite dish on the menu. The breadcrumbs added a nice crunch to the pasta. I really wanted to try the tortellini di ricotta but was too full at that point. We also did not get to try any dessert because we were so stuffed. Overall I loved Borromini! The ambiance gave classy old school Italian and I was here for it. The food & drinks were delicious and the service was excellent . Stephen Starr definitely did a great job with this restaurant & I will be back!

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.

stunning new italian restaurant on rittenhouse square! my friends and i snagged a 9p reservation last-minute to check out this new restaurant. there were a handful of bar seats open, but the restaurant was quite busy for how late it was. i do think this is opening hype, and i expect that it'll be much easier to snag a reservation once the initial excitement dies down. the restaurant is fairly large with 2-floors and multiple rooms. it was a little too loud for comfort, but we also happened to be seated right under a speaker. we could barely hear each there even while shouting. the food was solid, and i particularly enjoyed the pastas. the carbonara was rich and hearty, and the 100 layer lasagna lives up to the hype. the portions were on the smaller side though, especially considering the price. we also enjoyed the sicilian chopped salad which was crisp and refreshing. the steak tagliata was extremely underwhelming and mediocre, i would not recommend the steak -- opt for the pastas instead. we finished the night with the chocolate olive oil cake and the tiramisu. they were both rich and delicious, a perfect way to round out the night. my friends enjoyed the chocolate olive oil cake which was definitely olive oil-forward and even had olive oil gelato. i enjoyed the tiramisu which was mascarpone cream heavy, but the cream is my favorite part of tiramisu. for our drinks, we opted for wine which was delightful. i've heard mixed reviews of the cocktails and chose not to try one myself. our waitress was wonderful, and we were able to sample a few wine varieties before settling on a glass. the service was spectacular, dishes came out fast and our waters were refilled promptly. overall, i had a good experience, but i'm not in a rush to come back. philly has plenty of italian spots that are just as good if not better.

My friend and I snagged seats at the bar which was nice. It's very aesthetically pleasing and vibey. The drinks were good and the bread was fine but really salty. I wish it had some type of dip or spread too. We also got the crab gnocchilette and the clam linguine. The gnocchilette were good but the linguine was also really salty. Would go back for drinks but the food was just ok

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.

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 atmosphere and ambience is very nice! And the service was great! As for the food...the tortelloni was very good, but the portion size was ridiculous! So small, I don't think it could have fed a child! Literally stopped and got more food somewhere else on the way home because I was still starving! Great place if you want a great atmosphere and drink, but would not recommend getting food here unless you either already ate or want to drop a ton of money in order to be full.

New Italian restaurant on the block? Italian....but can't order rustic Italian bread to scarpetta the red sauce or polenta. Almost a sin, given the meatball on polenta is a religious experience. Borromini @StephenStarr should rethink this missed menu item to order, since the focaccia doesn't stand up to do justice, especially compared to a rustic Italian poule. Went 3 times so far and bar struggles each time to make a Sazerac - can't find the absinthe. One bottle that always seems to be upstairs - order one for each bar! Lemon pasta is over the top reminds of Amalfi coast. Short rib ravioli less than appetizing since meat inside was pureed to consistency of baby food. Sicilian lifeguard pasta well constructed. Squash blossoms on point. Eggplant parm fair - but not memorable to have dreams about. Lasagna beautifully prepared but serving size is less than healthy appetizer so think twice if hungry. Good experience overall - working out their kinks - improving each time - bartenders hustle (but perhaps understaffed) - received courtesy limoncello since they didn't have the Amaro we ordered and first cocktails took almost 20 mins - will see if 4th time is the charm. Will keep trying until can say - we dream about our visit to Borromini!

Food was tasty, but the portions were relatively small. Service was very good. The big issue was the noise. The acoustics are horrible. It was nearly impossible to hear our dining partners without having to lean in.

A Missed Opportunity in Style Over Substance. Borommini is the latest addition to the Stephen Starr empire, but unfortunately, it leans more into theatrics than taste. Despite a promising atmosphere -- which earns the bulk of this two-star review ... the dining experience fails to deliver where it counts: food and comfort. The confusion starts at the door: labeled both "Ristorante" and "Trattoria", a contradiction that already raised red flags for diners familiar with authentic Italian dining distinctions. Inside, the ambiance is elegant, but the seating (especially in the lower-level wooden booths) proves uncomfortable, especially for older guests. Service was polite but lacked confidence and depth of knowledge. A notable example was the Aperol Spritz, oddly served with olives -- a pairing the waiter claimed was "Venetian style," though it seemed more like an unfortunate misinterpretation of tradition. Food was underwhelming: The Clam Pizzette was dry and overly salty, barely edible. The Rigatoni con Salsiccia and Chitarra al Frutti di Mare suffered from the same heavy-handed salting, making both dishes difficult to enjoy. Overall, Borommini might appeal to those chasing ambiance and trendiness, but seasoned diners, especially those with experience in Italy, may leave disappointed by its lack of culinary authenticity and comfort. As an architect, I find it curious and even ironic that they would name it Borromini, considering he spent much of his career in the shadow of Bernini. Despite his undeniable talent and innovation, Borromini repeatedly lost major commissions to Bernini, who enjoyed greater fame and favor in both artistic and political circles. Using Borromini's name almost seems like invoking a legacy defined more by struggle than recognition. But I guess that's Philly style--going for the underdog name instead of celebrating and teaching Philadelphians about the great Bernini. Very odd naming choice indeed, but no one besides architects and historians will notice that.

This place looks, feels, sounds, and tastes like a restaurant in Disney World. And not one of the better ones. Food was mediocre. Not terrible, but not great. Dishes came out excruciatingly slow, especially considering it was a 5pm reservation. Fried squash blossoms and artichokes were both greasy and not crisp. Crudo was bland and warm. The pasta dishes made me sad. And the store bought ice cream on top of a plum crostata was offensive. They (seemingly) make gelato and sorbetto in house. But apparently not the vanilla for the crostata. Yawn

So happy to experience the new Starr restaurant this past Tuesday with our family. From the service to the atmosphere to the food, this may indeed become one of my favorites for years to come! Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious & our server Marvin truly provided us with excellent service and recommendations off the menu!

So warning, I only went once to this restaurant. Second of all how much could I try? But food is only part of a restaurant experience (even if a very important part). Obviously I was comparing this place to Parc like everyone else. This restaurant cannot reasonably be less than five stars. It is relatively informal, the Italians don't have a category of resto equivalent to the French "brasserie" (I don't think) but that is what this place is, all things to all people. It is beautiful. The service was, as usual with Starr places, exceptionally warm but informal. Their attitude is sort of, this place is a public resource and we have to preserve it, instead of "this place is here to make money". It is expensive, but not outrageous, and not that much more than full restaurants generally (am I the only one who notices this?). Everything I had, a total of four dishes, were delcious, as were the two cocktails I had. What more can one ask? I am assuming that not every dish is going to be to everyone's taste, in other words, that the food isn't "perfect". But I don't think that is a useful "five star" standard.

Nice Italian restaurant with plenty of menu options, very friendly staff, and a nice ambiance. Very loud inside

It began as a Charles dickens novel "it was the worst of times and the best of times" recommended by my friend Richard s. The wait for the first human to serve or fast for a drink order took 30 minutes with legions of men ambulating with drone like attitudes with microphones like secret service agents. Finally drink orders were taken. Absolutely incorrigible that they don't have cocktail onions for a Gibson cocktail totally absurd. The seats by the way are harder than Amish made tables. No cushion and if you're not a fat ass buttocks you're in for discomfort Thankfully the food is the star of this rest of Starr restaurants opened in August 25 my birthday The meatball is amazing dense firm and is a real meatball serve with marinara and creamy polenta. The focaccia is absurdly delicious roasted and warm and the artichokes were savory and perfect. The 100 layer lasagna truly had 100 layers The featured boasted Fiorentina was likely then greatest steak with melting tenderloin and seasoned steak The osso bucco was perfectly braised with risotto Milanese Eggplant was divine The limoncello was beyond delicious but the chocolate olive oil callers moist and stupendously constricted From a dickens novel portending horror this was a 5 Starr winner

Love Starr places - Parc is one of my favorites. We'd been looking forward to this opening. The space is beautiful inside! But service is confused (had to go find a waiter after 10 minutes) and food came out room temp (congealed carbonara). Even the better items (Negroni, focaccia) were at best ok. I really hope they figure things out bc it would be amazing to have another go-to spot on the square. Maybe they were having an off day and/or are working out the kinks?

The food, service and atmosphere were all too notch! From a food standpoint, I need to make a special shoutout to the Ossobuco which was the best Ossobuco I've ever had! The apps and pastas were fantastic as well! Service wise, the place is run really well! We were seated promptly and everyone was so hospital (which usually comes from the top down). As far as atmosphere, you can't beat its location on Rittenhouse (with parking next door); not to mention how beautiful everything is inside! We definitely have a new favorite!

They were absolutely amazing! I was a solo diner and they were so attentive and said they appreciate their solo diners that they brought me Prosecco. Will def be returning!

Tim our waiter was amazing. The team was fast at keeping the table clean I would say music needs work. It was mostly pop music. Don't think that's good for fine dining Italian Food portions kinda small Not sure how often they change food items on the menu. Perhaps will go back once in a while

SERVICE ONLY -- Trying to gain a reservation to celebrate a work event for a Customer flying in from Hawaii. Sent in an email a week prior to our event and never heard back. on the morning of the event, today, I called the restaurant and was told that "oh I just sent you and email this morning". No answer of a yes or no. I had to pry - the answer, it was no we can only take parties of 6 not 8. When I asked about the long wait for a response "well it went into a file that I just saw today". Well I did not get the email and the answer was "oh well it bounced back, i think i put in the wrong address". WOW. Well that was then end of our "conversation". You cant take 8 but an event inquire of 12 or more is ok.

"Eh" is how I left feeling after dining here. The service was good, the food was ok. We got the 100 layer lasagna, pasta limone (?), calamari, and meatball. The pasta came out cold. The meatball was overcooked. The lasagna was good and at right temperature but I didn't understand the hype around this dish. Calamari was whatever. There is way better Italian food out there and not as expensive. Via locusta around the block is definitely better. At borromini you're paying for the room you're in and its location. Thats fine if the food is memorable but it just wasn't here.

I am 70 years old, 2 years older than Stephen. I grew up with every Stephen restaurant. From Buddakhan Philly to POD to Morimoto to LMNO to Love to Parc to Buddakahn New York. You name it, I have been there. I mean when Buddakhan Philly opened it was the most radical restaurant ever seen in Philly. With the 30 foot hi Buddha to the seats with faces on them. Wow oh Wow. It was outrageous. And then POD came along with the eclectic pods that changed color. WOW. And then Buddakahn NYC like an Uber cool gothic warehouse, a real mind blow. I live in Fishtown and eat at LMNO like every week. And I watch all my eagles games at Frankford Hall. Wow what a Uber cool open air brew pub. In 1977 while at Tufts University, Boston, I heard IF Stone, the great radical Investigative Journalist speak at age 70. Here is what he said: "You know when you get older in life, you become more conservative in your views." Really Mr. Stone, I was floored. That's ridiculous. At age 22 I said I hope I never ever feel that way when I get to your age. So here we have Borromini. Was the old Barnes and Noble. Must have spent like $4million for the renovation. Italian. Really, Stephen. With your eclectic past restaurants, you are going to open yet another Italian restaurant in Philly that already has over 400 Italian restaurants. Geez Stephen, can we show any new innovation. Ok Ok calm down , Ross, Lets give this a shot. Let's start with the food first. Went with my wife and ate at the bar upstairs. We are vegetarian so our choices are limited. So we had a few vegetarian options and I had a pasta dish. Really, really good and the service was excellent and the staff were totally friendly and attentive. Was It pricey, yes, but look we are in Rittenhouse Square, people , it's expensive. Ok, get over it. Ambiance. Over the top. 2 very active bars that are hopping. Beautiful people abound. Great place to meet people and get acquainted. Very social scene. Setup is perfect for social interaction. Ok now the decor. When can I vomit. I mean talk about conservative. I was floored. Possibly the most boring Stephen restaurant to date. Muted wood tones, conservative tables, conservative chairs. This place bleeds conservative in every way, shape and form. Does it look nice. Sure it looks very nice but its so friggin boring, I wet my pants, So my wife says, "Look Ross, it's Rittenhouse Square, that's what these older Philly people want." These people want! Total BS. I see young people all over this restaurant. Cmon Stephen, are you really getting that conservative in your post 60 age group. I just gotta tell you how Stephen's mind works. "Look it's Rittenhouse Square and I got to keep it conservative, don't want to rock the boat here. I mean LMNO is in Fishtown and I can go extreme and cool. But not here." Really, Stephen, is that what you are thinking when you design Borromini. Hey you're a Michelin star. You have created an empire all over the US, you're the greatest restauranteur in the US. And you deliver Borromini to us. Oh man I am shaking all over. Whatever happened to an Uber cool modern Italian restaurant design. That would have been so over the top. And Rocked Rittenhouse Square to the core. Just what Rittenhouse Square needs today. I am so glad I moved to Fishtown at age 70. With places like LMNO and Frankford Hall. You couldn't pay me enuf to live in Rittenhouse Square, so Uber boring. Bottom line. You want great food and great service and 2 packed bars on 2 floors and ultra conservative Decor. Then Borromini is your goto spot. But if you want Uber cool, stay far ,, far away.

The place is very nice. The crudo, focaccia, salad and chicken Milanese was phenomenal. Now, let's get into the not so good. The portion sizes are very small. The steak was a small strip that was a bit salty. Both fish on the menu had very little flavor. The lobster pasta was sub par and it took a long time for us to get our drinks which was also sub par. The waiter also followed us as we got up to go to the bathroom. He thought we were dining and dashing. Never mind that my other friend was still at table. Desserts were just ok. I think they have a few kinks to work out. I'll try again next year.

There was a line, but plenty of bar seating upstairs and downstairs. The bartender was friendly, and the drinks were good, though a bit pricey. The Sicilian Lifeguard Pasta was my favorite. Food and service were great, but the wait was a bit long. Only downside was the crowd behind us. Definitely worth a visit!

I had the most I incredibly delicious dinner at this gorgeous new authentic Italian restaurant in Philly last evening. I was impresssed with the beauty of the decor. But the food is the real star. Everything we ordered from appetizers to pastas to entrees to desserts was perfectly prepared and presented. Our server, Albert, was friendly and very attentive and enhanced the memorable dining experience. I am from Ohio, but I hope to return and enjoy another unforgettable meal here.

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.

The standouts are the cutlet and the dorade. The tiramisu and the olive oil cake desserts were outstanding. The service is great and lots of friendly staff. The appetizers were meh as well as the other entrees that we ordered. It's a beautiful restaurant and lovely, lively atmosphere. For those prices, however, we wanted to be blown away by the food, but it was just okay. Not awful, but my friends and I would not be rushing back.