Borromini

Stopped in for lunch celebrating our anniversary. Good thing we had a reservation, was surprisingly very busy for an early Saturday. We quickly saw why. Food was great and the 100 layer lasagna lived up to expectations. Pasta layers melted in the mouth and the sauce and ricotta was balanced perfectly. It makes for a very rich meal so be ready to get full quickly! The spaghetti was fresh and simple. The focaccia was really very good but a little bummed it is so pricey. An Italian restaurant without bread at the table just felt lacking but the taste and freshness of the focaccia was at least a comfort. We finished off with a moist chocolate olive cake. Would certainly return for the great service, atmosphere and of course the food.

Borromini is the newest addition to Rittenhouse Square and truly feels like you’re stepping into Italy. The ambiance is impeccable! Finally came in for lunch after letting the hype of not being able to get a reservation died down. Started with an espresso martini which was rich, creamy and a tad sweet. It was great. We got the spaghetti al limone and chicken milanese sandwich. The spaghetti was al dente, light, tart and all around delicious. The chicken milanese was so juicy and tender, yet still crispy. The greens and aioli rounded out the sandwich. The bread was soft and scooped so it didn’t overpower. Extremely well executed. The tiramisu was a miss. I prefer mine more moist so it melts in my mouth, this was on the dryer side. I wouldn’t recommend it. I think it’s a lovely place with great ambiance. It didn’t knock my socks off, but we are blessed with so many amazing Italian restaurants in Philly. This one is unique in the way you truly feel transported to Italy.

We stopped into Borromini in Philly mid-day on a Saturday as a walk-in. It’s a newer restaurant in the city that we’ve been wanting to check out, and we were seated in about 25 minutes, which wasn’t bad for a weekend. We started with the pane focaccia, arancini, and Caesar Tonnata. The focaccia was definitely the standout—simple but full of flavor. The arancini was solid, and the salad had a more authentic style to it, which some people will really appreciate. I had an Aperol Spritz with the apps, which was made well. For entrées, we had the Chicken Milanese Panino and the carbonara. Both dishes had good flavor and were prepared well. The carbonara had a rich sauce without being too heavy, and the chicken was a quality cut and cooked nicely. We finished with the tiramisu, which was one of the better ones I’ve had—light, not overly sweet, and good texture. On the way out, we actually saw Stephen Starr sitting at a table eating with some of his staff, which was cool to see from an owner with a schedule like his—shows he’s involved and present. Overall, it was a good experience. The food was enjoyable, service was friendly, and the atmosphere was comfortable. Worth checking out if you’re looking to try a newer spot in Philly.

We had a friend recommend this new restaurant and we decided to stop in hoping for seats at the bar. The wintry mix outside must of helped lessen the crowds and we were successful. Our bar person, Seth (and his associates) were super friendly. My espresso martini was delicious! The food did not disappoint either, we had the lamb chops and the lobster spaghetti, with broccoli rabe and the roasted potatoes. Everything was delicious and the atmosphere was equally as inviting. There is an upstairs area with second bar as well that I’ll check out at our next visit. Highly recommend!

Showed up at 6pm on New Years Eve without a reservation and they had a table available! Amen. Granted, it was next to the bar and occasionally got a little noisy & crowded, but beggars can’t be choosers. We did ask one group that was bumping into us what their plans were. Fortunately they were waiting on their table & left soon afterwards. Everything was delicious. Good wine list. Most of the staff was excellent except the one guy too lazy to walk around a round table to serve the wine. Yes, it gets loud but it’s not the loudest Italian restaurant in Philly. Bathrooms are clean. We were pleasantly surprised & will return soon.

We had our first visit to Borromini and it was such a great experience. Our waitress, Elle, was very attentive, very nice, and gave us amazing service. She made us feel welcome, gave us a little bit of history about the restaurant, and explained the menu to us during our lunchtime visit. We tried the pomodoro pasta, the chicken cutlets, and the cacio e pepe. All of the food came out really good. The pomodoro was fresh and flavorful, the chicken cutlets were cooked just right, and the cacio e pepe was amazing — creamy, peppery, and full of flavor. Between the food, the service, and the atmosphere, everything was excellent. Highly recommend, and we’ll definitely be coming back!

This place is worth a visit time and time again. As someone who’s been on the hunt for true Roman style pastas in the states (including visits to several high end NYC spots) this places blows everyone out of the water. The service is also amazing, whoever gives this spot a bad review doesn’t know good Italian food. My only negative is that I wish Mozza in DC, another Starr spot, was as good as Borromini. Proud to have this spot part of the Philly food scene.

I absolutely loved my experience at Borromini! The food, the drinks, the service, the ambiance-all top notch! My favorites were the Focaccia di Recco, Sicilian Chopped Salad, Lasagna, Spaghetti Limone, Carbonara, Amatriciana and Rabbit Cacciatore. It's the best Italian food that I've had in Philadelphia. Can't wait to go back!

food unreal atmosphere so fun and cool service amazing. GET THE CHICKEN LIVER CROSTINI. coming back soon

Overall the food was good - a little bit pricey but we really enjoyed our meal. I wish they had free bread service!! The servers and hosts were very kind and seated us quickly as soon as we got there. We made a reservation ahead of time and booking was so easy online. They gave us a candle to celebrate our anniversary which was so nice. The ambiance of the restaurant was pretty and romantic! Tables are a bit tight together but it was an enjoyable evening.

Borromini in Rittenhouse, Philadelphia is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the space is stunning and instantly transports you to Italy. The ambiance is elegant, warm, and romantic without feeling pretentious, making it perfect for date night or a special dinner out. We started off with cocktails and they set the tone right away. The Hugo Spritz was crisp and refreshing, and the Sculaccione, which felt similar to a Paloma, was also very tasty and easy to sip. For appetizers, we ordered the Sicilian chopped salad, which was sooo good and full of flavor. We also tried the shaved Brussels sprouts, which personally weren't for me, but I could see others enjoying them depending on taste. Our server was incredibly kind and inviting, making us feel welcome from start to finish. They were attentive, helpful with recommendations, and added to the overall warmth of the experience. For our main dishes, I ordered the lamb chops, which were incredibly tender and packed with flavor. We also had the oxtail mafaldine, and wow--absolutely amazing. I honestly wish I had ordered two. Before leaving, we grabbed the lobster spaghetti to go, and that dish was a true standout of the restaurant. To end the night, I also ordered the tiramisu, and it was the perfect ending to dinner--light, creamy, and just sweet enough. Overall, Borromini is easily a 1000/10 for me. Incredible food, beautiful atmosphere, and genuinely lovely service made this a memorable experience. I can't wait to go back and highly recommend this spot.

Initially, I was going to go to Rouge for dinner after checking in. However, I decided to look for a new restaurant to try near where I was staying, and this looked like a promising place. Weather was rather chilly out, so hot pasta sounded most ideal. Unfortunately, the experience was less than stellar. Arriving within five minutes after opening, the bar was already semi-crowded with couples, but I was able to find a stool pretty much dead center of the bar area. Looking around, there were actually more stools available but I decided to stay put. There are purse hooks underneath, but these are the stools that don't want you to stay long; as there is no back so you can't hang your coat (I know there is most likely coat check at the front). There were three bartenders at the time tending to the patrons that were already there, however, it took a while for me to be greeted and get a menu (I should have just said what I wanted then) so the wait was even longer for anyone to return to place my order. The Spaghetti al Limone was really, really good. They bring this out with a lid similar to what some room service establishments use which keeps everything nice and warm. Cheese wasn't offered, but there was a nice amount already on. Smaller portion which initially I would think won't be enough, but it was perfect. The lemon zest was pleasant and not overwhelming as it can be at other restaurants (Mother Wolf). There is minimal pepper and what appeared to be chili flakes at the bottom so this will give a little kick when you get towards the end of your dish. I almost considered ordering the arancini but figured that would take just as long, considering it took a while for everything else. As others here have pointed out, house bread would be a nice option to this Italian restaurant in addition to the choices that come at a cost (Pane Focaccia $9, Focaccia di Recco $26). I certainly could have used it while waiting! Overall, the service was lacking yet polite when you were able to have someone tend to you, the food that I had was enjoyable, and the energy in the place was upbeat, most likely since it was the holidays even on a Sunday. Have to say the hostesses (when I walked in and when I left) were the best example of good service, pleasant and helpful. I don't want to give low ratings to places, especially in my hometown, but from this evenings overall experience, two-stars round out the time spent.

I have been trying to come here since they opened just for their chocolate olive oil cake. Stopped by a few times before but each time they were packed! Today I was in the neighborhood quite early, around 6 in the evening, and wandered inside to take a chance yet again - lo and behold their bar had 2 seats available!! I immediately ordered the chocolate olive olive cake and a couple of drinks. Trust me the hype is real! Even if you are skeptical about the food, just come for the cake and pair it with a nice glass of red! Not only is it one of the best chocolate cakes I have had but my husband and I also loved the olive oil gelato that came with it. The cake itself was not too sweet, the sponge was moist and soft and the chocolate ganache was so decadent. The addition of sea salt and candied orange on top was chef's kiss. In short, it was phenomenal! The bartenders were very friendly and chatty! This place looks exactly like Parc - same layout, same vibe.

Overall, it was OK. The food was good, no real issues but also not mind blowing. I will say that the tiramisu was the standout for me; felt authentic in a way that few places manage to pull off. The shape of the ladyfingers was preserved, which I've never seen done before. We were seated upstairs and there was real character to this venue. There was a lively buzz yet we didn't feel packed in like sardines as we so often do in our hometown of NYC. I don't know how long Borromini has been operational but it felt like they were aiming for fine dining yet missing small things around execution (drinks showing up after appetizers, no napkins that we had to request separately, also repeatedly having to request our water to be topped up). Super friendly staff that seemed eager to please, so no big deal but when you're paying these prices you don't expect small details like this to be missed.

I'll be honest, was a little nervous to try Borromini after seeing some mixed reviews, but I'm so glad we went because it was actually so good. We went on a Monday night and the place was packed, which immediately felt like a good sign. We sat at the upstairs bar, and the vibes were great--lively but still cozy and service was great. The food really impressed us. The lobster pasta was the standout. We also loved the chicken, which was done really well, and the fried cheese balls were such a pleasant surprise. They're different than any I've had before, crispy on the outside, creamy inside, and filled with peas and rice, which gave them a unique texture and flavor. Overall, Borromini completely exceeded our expectations. Great atmosphere, great service, and genuinely delicious food. We'll definitely be back.

I was anxious to try Borromini, as I've enjoyed all of Starr's restaurants, and my favorite dishes are Italian. I had a preset idea of what I was going to order, meatballs and pasta. The two basics. I saw there was Tortelloni with ricotta in a sage brown butter sauce. That struck a nerve, as one of my favorite dishes was the Tortelloni in butter sauce at Babbo in NYC (before it was recently reopened by Stephen Starr). I had to order the dish, even knowing there was a high bar to meet after Babbo. Now for the meatballs; I didn't have my reading glasses with me, so I wasn't focused on the 'sections', one of which was Panini. Under this section, I was quickly scanning the dishes, and the only one which had meatballs, was the Meatball Parmigiana. I imagined this dish had several meatballs in a cast iron skillet, baked in sauce and cheese. Imagine my surprise when they delivered a meatball sub!! . I can't remember the last time I had a meatball sub. It's not that I have anything against meatball subs, but it's not something I would typically order at a restaurant like Borromini's. I took a bite and was pleasantly surprised, the flavor of the meatballs, sauce and cheese kind of exploded in my mouth, and it was so nicely complimented with a delicious tasting soft sesame roll, very crunchy texture outside and soft inside. This was a good sub - a little difficult to keep the meatballs in the sandwich, but I held on tight! I found out they make the rolls there-you can really taste the difference! The Tortelloni was not to be upstaged. The pasta had a delicate texture and melted in my mouth, just as I like it. There was a robust amount of delicious ricotta stuffed inside and with the butter sauce, it was excellent. I couldn't finish the sub, and took 1/2 of it home. I still can't believe I ordered a sub sandwich, but the meal was satisfying and delicious. I need to return to try a few more 'regular' dishes!

We've been wanting to try out this restaurant for quite some time and finally got the chance to have lunch there. We arrived at 11:30am, were greeted pleasantly by the maitre'd at the check-in podium and immediately shown to our table next to the front window. After a quick scan of the drinks menu I ordered an Aperol spritz, which was amply sized and was incredibly refreshing. I'm a big fan of Starr restaurant's signature cocktails. We started off with the Arugula, Artichoke and Parmesan salad and the Prosciutto di Parma appetizer, both of which were impeccably prepared and presented. The prosciutto was incredible, a stark reminder that much of what we're normally served elsewhere is inferior. Incidentally, the prosciutto and pecorino Toscana appetizer is now served with bread sticks instead of melon. Eggplant Parmesan and Cacio e Pepe were our main courses and both were excellent. I'd normally never order a veal or eggplant parmesan dish because they're rarely excellent but this one is exquisite in its complexity of flavors; like an extraordinarily fine wine. The eggplant is sliced very thinly, with each slice lightly breaded and fried. I'd ordered the Cacio e Pepe but my 100% Italian wife was so enthralled with its very al-dente bucatini that we switched plates. We finished off our repast with two vastly different desserts: Apple Crostata, and Chocolate Olive Oil cake. The crostata's light and delicate pastry crust enveloping thinly-sliced al-dente apples was a sublime delight. On the other hand, the Olive Oil cake and gelato was a chocoholic's paradise. Both the cake and generous ganache topping contained a considerable amount of top-shelf cacao and were thankfully not sweet at all, letting all the wonderful flavors come through. It was truly amazing. Notes: 1.The portion sizes of everything were perfect for us but are definitely not the mega-portioned (three meal) versions common at quotidian Italian restaurants. And we're totally OK with that; the quality more than makes up for it many times over. 2. The staff was incredibly professional, courteous and personable, and seem well versed in taking pictures of guests. 3. When we arrived the restaurant was quite quiet but it progressively got louder as it filled up, however the volume was very reasonable in front where we were sitting. It was considerably louder in the back room area.

Came here for dinner with no real expectations, except for seeing the 3.8 star rating on Google. After eating here, I'd say the rating is pretty accurate. The interior was lovely. There were two floors of seating and bar seating as well. My party ordered the house focaccia, arancini, oxtail malfadine, veal parmigiana, gnochetti sardi. For dessert we got the tiramisu and ice cream. House focaccia - This was probably our least favorite dish. It was like a thin pizza, was cold and was lacking the depth we thought it would have. For $26 it was pretty steep for bread. Arancini - The exterior was nice and crispy and the interior had great flavor and cheese. Oxtail - This was a good pasta dish with a lot of flavor.The pasta had thr perfect consistency. Veal - This is one of our favorites. At $72, we were expecting a bit more pizazz, but at least the veal was tender and well seasoned. It was enough for two people. Gnochetti - This dish sounded very interesting and we're so glad we tried this. Love the texture of the gnochetti and the richness of the sauce. Tiramisu - I thought the tiramisu was OK. I prefer the traditional layered tiramisu. Service is really good throughout, our waters were constantly refilled, and they had good recommendations

I had an excellent brunch at Borromini. We were sat promptly for our reservation. The space is so beautiful and grand. Our server was attentive and personable. We tried a spritz (a very generously sized cocktail)! The carbonara was very authentic which was a massive win. Not many places use guanciale, but they do here. It could have been crispier but not complaining. I tried the lasagna which was so delicate and tasty. I loved the bechamel. Finished the meal with cannolis which were the perfect ending! Don't let the negative reviews sway you!

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 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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

My friend loves to try all the Stephen Starr restaurants & she had been waiting to try to get a reservation for here for several months. She finally got a reservation during our girlfriend trip weekend and so the four of us had a 5:15 Saturday night reservation. This restaurant opened in Spring of this year inside what I was told was a Barnes & Noble bookstore previously. It is located on Rittenhouse Square. It's a beautiful restaurant inside, I love the bar area and the bottles on the walls. We were seated at a table for the four of us along the window, however, oddly the bottom part of the window that looks out onto Rittenhouse Square is blurred with clouded glass, so we couldn't actually see out onto the square while we were dining! We thought that was odd. Our server was very nice, but he seemed new, considering he did not seem to know what being a vegan was. Our one girlfriend was vegan and mentioned that at the start of the meal and he asked her if it was allergies and she had to explain that she couldn't eat anything that came from animals. We ordered three appetizers, the focaccia bread, the squash blossoms, and arincini ($11). We also ordered an assortment of wine, Prosecco and cocktails. The bread ($9) was quite delicious and hot from the oven, the squash blossoms ($15) were good, & we enjoyed them, but there were only three on the plate, and you basically consume them in just two bites. He forgot to bring the third appetizer and he apologized because it was his fault. He forgot to put it in. But since that happened, we had to wait a little bit so we ordered a second focaccia bread and we had not received either of the second appetizers that we ordered when they promptly delivered our main courses which made us feel quite rushed. In fact, that was our main complaint throughout the meal was that we continually really felt the servers who were clearing tables, while maybe they were trying to be extra efficient, made us feel rushed. Someone was continually coming and saying can we take that for you? Are you finished with this? Can we get a box for the rest of this? We must've said three times can you leave it on the table? We're gonna pick at it. and as I said, our entrées were brought way too soon with not enough time to enjoy our 2 other appetizers. The mixed cocktail my friend got the Hugo Spritzer, it was mixed well and she ordered a second. The wine, my friends enjoyed, and I also had a nice glass of Prosecco. We all liked the arincini (except our vegan friend who could not have it because it was not vegan dish), but we didn't get to finish much of the second focaccia because our entrées had arrived. I was also surprised that there was no olive oil or any dip presented with the focaccia bread. Our entrees were fine, but not outstanding. We had Spaghetti Al Pomodoro $19, Tortelloni Di Ricotta $23, "Sicilian Lifeguard" $26, Pappardelle alla Bolognese $27. My girlfriend did not care for the Tortelloni, the rest of us thought our dishes were fine, but again for how this restaurant was talented and the prices we didn't feel it was any better than any regular Italian restaurant that we had been to. My vegan friend has a side of Piselli $11 braised peas, spring onions, mint and really enjoyed it. I would give the place 3.5 if it were a choice-but the food 3.5 stars, service 3 stars due to the mis-steps & being rushed ( we were done in 1.5 hours with 4 people, so we didn't overstay our welcome) & given the other Italian choices in Philly I'd probably choose another restaurant over this one.

Been here and twice and both times had really great servers. The inside is beautiful and well designed. The food is good, but in a city like Philly, you can find great authentic Italian food on almost every block. Nothing was a "wow" but nothing was terrible either. The oxtail malfadine was my favorite dish!

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.

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.

Portions could be bigger, but if you are not starving from not having lunch and just want a light and not heavy dinner, this is the place to go. Downfall is they do not offer bread nor Caesar salad, but the food is delicious and service is great. Ambience was beautiful as well. Finally had authentic carbonara compared to other places that I have tried. First time having guanciale in carbonara and not bacon like others have used. Will definitely come back to try everything else on the menu.

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.

Beautiful restaurant with a great location in ritzy Rittenhouse Square. Food is good not great with portion size average. Very loud and in some need of some soundproofing to dull the noise from tables yelling over each other to conduct conversations. A little pricey with wines by the glass around $20 each. Felt rushed with servers hovering and trying to take plates too soon. No specials but menu expansive with good pasta options. It's ok, but better Italian in Philly.

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.

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.

Excellent Customer Service . Everyone was in sync with serving diners. Very attentive without being annoying. My the chicken liver appetizer was delicious! I would return just to have that as an appetizer with a drink! Pomodoro Martini great balance and flavor!! The 100 layer lasagna I was not impressed would choose something else. Is this the best restaurant that I would return to? Absolutely!!

Borromini was good. But at the price point it's clocking in at, it should be great. Ambiance, as expected, is on point. A newer, refreshed version of its sister Parc. Service was attentive. Food was decent. Squash blossoms were quite good but at $5 per blossom (only 3 small ones in a $15 order), I'd say that's certainly overpriced. Eggplant was good, though burnt on one end. Chicken Milanese was big but the accompanying salad was mid. Can only comment on wine and it was okay though they ran out of rose mid meal. Price point, as mentioned, was insanely high...over $200 for two for lunch (bread, app, two entrees, two glasses of wine) I'm happy to have another RHSQ lunch option but if I can get into Parc, I'm def going there.

The newest eats in our area, did not let down. This transformed bones of was once the Barnes and Noble, truly was awe inspiring! A bit loud in the beginning, having a seemingly full house on a Monday night, it quieted down as the night came to a close. A definite one time experience, given its premium, but glad to have that one behind us! Fair size portions of cherry tomatoes on the vine adorning the caprese salad dish to start and then the eggplant Parmesan capped off with the sorbet, complete with a candle for this birthday celebration!

We were disappointed. The "mid" and "high-mid" reviews are accurate, and we won't be returning and neither should you. The space is beautiful and thoughtfully decorated, as most Starr restaurants are, and the hostess and podium staff were friendly and welcoming. The positives end there. Our waitress seemed kind but forgetful maybe overwhelmed or just over-vaped. She missed several basics: no red wine glass for a $35/glass of barolo, no steak knife for my entrée, no clearing/reset of the table after the apps, and no spoon to twirl for my wife's pasta dish. I asked for an after drink menu but she never came back to take the order. Overall, the service felt awkward and uncoordinated. My wife's main pasta dish was served in a well-used restaurant depot pan - if you know you know. This presentation was dramatic at first, then felt odd and kind of gross - see pic. Carbonara arrived lukewarm, with overly crisp pancetta. The lobster fra diavolo was bland. Chicken liver was served on soggy toast. The tomato burrata tasted good, but the tomatoes were still on the vine, which was awkward to eat. The lamb chops were overcooked, and the side of broccoli rabe was steamed into green mush. The apple dessert lacked flavor, and even the decaf coffee was cold. The only standout was the sorbet, which we enjoyed. For the first time at a Starr restaurant, no manager checked in on us. Sam dropped the check as we took our first bite of dessert. We'll happily return to Barclay Prime, Buddakan, The Love, Talula's, and several of his other excellent restaurants -- just not this one.

We had our first visit to Borromini and it was such a great experience. Our waitress, Elle, was very attentive, very nice, and gave us amazing service. She made us feel welcome, gave us a little bit of history about the restaurant, and explained the menu to us during our lunchtime visit. We tried the pomodoro pasta, the chicken cutlets, and the cacio e pepe. All of the food came out really good. The pomodoro was fresh and flavorful, the chicken cutlets were cooked just right, and the cacio e pepe was amazing -- creamy, peppery, and full of flavor. Between the food, the service, and the atmosphere, everything was excellent. Highly recommend, and we'll definitely be coming back!

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.

Their lemon ricotta pancakes are totally an A plus! The Chicken Milanese is DELICIOUS! It's so tasty, generous portion and is served with a lovely salad!

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.

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.

We were pleased to be able to secure a 515 dinner reservation for the four of us. The restaurant is beautiful. We were seated promptly. We ordered drinks and several appetizers and each of us ordered an entrée. The appetizers came quickly and the entrées came very soon afterwards, while we were still waiting for a couple of appetizers to be served. We definitely felt rushed; several staff people came by anxious to clear our plates before we were ready. It felt like the establishment would've liked us to be out of there within an hour. We were out in an hour and a half and felt disappointed and rushed. The food was good, but it wasn't any better than any other decent Italian restaurant. I would not return.

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.

Our 1st visit here was excellent all around. Great friendly service, excellent ambiance and food the was excellent. The arrancini rice ball appetizer were the best we've ever had as was the flaky cheesey flat bread app. Veal parm was as tender as butter and enough for 2 to share. Rigitoni carbonera was fabulous. Feenal sausage platter, tortilini, were also superb. Sadly we didn't have room for desert. I could go for a bowl of that carbonera right now in fact.

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!

We went for brunch yesterday and had a nice time. Our server was from Rome- sweet and attentive. My 2 friends had breakfast options (egg dishes) and loved them. Hubs and I had arancini, then panini- chicken cutlet and mortadella. Delicious. Then we went hard and tried every dessert. Also delicious. It's a bit noisy but mostly one star off as it's pricey. The arancini were gone in 4 bites and $24 for panini feels excessive.

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.

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.

Nice Space . Very cold. (Clinate and staff) Took forever to be seated in antartical. Service was unfriendly and not very helpful. Unlike other SRO places. Was surprised how gummy pastas were. Lamb was raw and flavorless. Featured Lasagne was tasteless as well. Lobster pasta was tasteless.... I never believed in ghosts until I ate at this place as every server disappeared, and there was never a manager to be seen !!! Unusual for Starr restaurants. Drinks were ok. No "wow" factor like other Starr restaurants. Expected high $$$ but this was insanely expensive. Would never go back. Too many great Italian restaurants in Philadelphia. I give this place six months to a year before it closes.

Super disappointing. To start, we had an 8:15 reservation and didn't get seated until almost 8:45. Then, it was at least another 10-15 minutes before a server actually arrived to take an order. A lot of empty apologies but nothing really done. We spent $300 between the 4 of us and they couldn't even comp a drink or desert? The food just had no "wow" factor. Nothing was seasoned well and the flavors were lacking. The squash blossoms were fine but didn't have much flavor. Also, the dish came with 3 and there were 4 of us -- not mentioned when we ordered and of course no offer to add a 4th so we could each have one. Focaccia was good but overly salty. The arancini was again average and lacking flavor. The best dish by far was the blue crab pasta which had a generous serving of crab in it and lots of flavor. The "Sicilian Lifeguard" was horrendous though and had absolutely no flavor. The lemon sorbet desert looked cool but was way too tart even for a lemon desert. Overall, this place is probably like a 2.5 but I'm rounding down to the poor service and the fact that it is way too loud in there. Philly is full of great Italian restaurants and I'm not sure this one would even crack the top 50.

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.