Taylor C.
Yelp
Carlino's is everything Di Bruno Bros. strives to be. At heart, it's a specialty foods market with house prepared dishes and imported treats. Somehow, they manage to delight me on every visit.
Starting outside, they have a sizable parking lot which earns them major points for a Main Line spot. There is also an insulated and heated porch style dining area which is perfect for enjoying their delectable delights on the spot.
The place is laid out in a sensible way with salads, cold/hot sandwiches, deli, bakery, cheese, bakery, antipasto, prepared meals and frozen goods sections. While the place is small, they utilize space efficiently and manage to avoid the "overcluttered" feel.
No matter which department I wander into, there's always a charismatic employee ready to assist when I'm ready. They go above and beyond so you feel welcome. I've only had one negative interaction in the dozen times I've been here, and it certainly didn't discourage further visits.
The chefs here can cook. The pizza balances the delicate line between crunchy and chewy, and they have both standard and adventurous flavors but there's no bad options. Their margherita is to die for, I can't resist a slice when I want to treat myself. The guys behind the counter are always willing to add crushed hot peppers and fresh parmesan when I ask which sends their already fantastic pizza over the top.
In the deli, my husband swears they make the best Italian in all of Philadelphia. I'm not sure what the magic is, but I brought him one and he repeatedly proclaimed his love while eating it. They also have a hot porchetta and chicken cutlet on seeded rolls that will whisper sweet nothings while you devour it.
My favorite area is the antipasto section where house marinated cold veggies demand your attention. I'm an avid consumer of artichokes and they have at least 3-4 varieties whenever I visit. Even better, they don't serve the canned garbage that's preserved in vinegar. This is the roasted variety, leaves, stems and all floating in a blanket of infused extra virgin olive oil. Pricey, yes, but worth every cent.
The rest of the store is a foodie's wonderland. I can wander for hours at risk to my bank account. While some items are reasonably priced (pizza, breads, sandwiches, soups, individual portioned desserts) the rest are largely artisanal and are priced accordingly. To give some examples: pumpkin spice caramel, Weckerly's ice cream sandwiches, homemade pastas and sauces, gingerbread maple syrup, cocktail bitters, uncured bacon jam, 5 types of switchel, 1 lb of crackled top brownies, more varieties of chocolate than you ever imagined, an array fancy cheeses and the list goes on!
It is possible to leave with a $20 dinner for two, but temptation is everywhere...think of Carlino's as a dirty pleasure. Come here to delight all your senses and leave happy. Life is too short to waste on drive throughs, chain restaurants and grease pits when there's a one stop paradise in Ardmore. Live the dream today!