Austin B.
Yelp
tl;dr despite bearing the Vetri name, this Rittenhouse pizzeria is disappointingly forgettable
Marc Vetri is nearly a household name in Philly. For over 2 decades, the chef-owner of the eponymous Vetri Cucina has racked up accolades and ramped up his Italian cuisine empire. Pizzeria Vetri is his casual, pizza-forward offshoot, sporting multiple Greater Philadelphia locations. This venture prides itself on long-fermented pizza crusts and wood-fired ovens.
The space is slick and modern. Just outdoors, a few stainless steel tables are arranged under a canopy of twinkle lights. The inside is warmly illuminated by accent lighting that hangs from the dark ceilings. Expansive Italy-themed photographs are plastered to the subway-tiled wall to the right. Bright red, IKEA-style chairs are pressed up against sturdy wooden communal tables, while barstools are lined up along the small bar to the left and the marble, C-shaped chef's counter in the back. Contemporary pop echoes throughout the space.
I've been to Pizzeria Vetri a handful of times, most recently for takeout. This past visit, I ordered two 12" Neapolitan pizzas for pick-up: the Pepperoni and the Fennel Sausage. I was quoted 45 minutes, but, after arriving at my scheduled time, I waited for about 10 more. Immediately, I sunk my teeth into a slice to enjoy the 'zza in its full glory, and I'm glad that I did -- the pizzas ended stone-cold after just a few-block walk. Nothing about the crust, red sauce, or cheese particularly stood out -- all were standard and nothing more. The toppings didn't wow either; the pepperoni cups were plentiful and good-not-great, while the sausage was flavorful but haphazardly strewn and the fennel was crunchy and undercooked.
The pies each ran $18, and each could reasonably serve as a personal portion for a hungry appetite. Overall, our experience was wholly forgettable. If I hadn't jotted my thoughts down quickly after eating, there is no way that I would be able to recall enough material to craft a meaningful review. Unsurprisingly, Pizzeria Vetri pales in comparison to Vetri's higher-end establishments; disappointingly, it doesn't even measure up to other Rittenhouse pizza joints.