Zeppoli

"South Philly native Joey Baldino worked his way up to chef de cuisine at Vetri before opening Zeppoli in 2011. He focuses on Sicilian cooking at this 35-seat BYOB, a short ride across the river in Collingswood, New Jersey. Don’t skip the overflowing antipasto to start or the zeppoli Siciliano for dessert. This is the only spot on the list that isn’t in Philadelphia proper, but it’s too good not to include — and still easier to access than Palizzi Social Club, the wonderful but members-only restaurant that Baldino runs in South Philly." - Ernest Owens

"There are probably a few specific reasons why you’d leave Philadelphia to go to South Jersey. Maybe your in-laws live in Haddonfield, or you have a house down the Shore in Margate. Or maybe you love beating your friend who insists they have a handicap of 2 at Top Golf. Whatever your reasons, going out to dinner probably isn’t one of them. That is unless you’re going to Zeppoli - a Sicilian BYOB in Collingswood that’s worth leaving the city for. Your first thought might be to ask why - why would you leave Philly for pasta when there’s more great Italian food here than there are real estate ads from former Eagles player Brent Celek? And that’s certainly a valid question. We have everything from old-school, red-sauce places with plates of chicken parm bigger than a small toddler to fancy, tasting menu-only spots where a single piece of gnocchi constitutes an entire course. photo credit: Kerry McIntyre But Zeppoli isn’t like every other Italian spot in the city. It lives in its own world over in Collingswood, and while it looks like your typical small, family-owned Italian restaurant with dim lighting and friendly service, it’s not. It feels special - like the kind of place that you’d take someone who you want to spend serious time with and bond over really f*cking good food. You’ll start to realize what makes this place different the moment the lemony, light, seafood-centric dishes begin to arrive. For the tagliatelli al limone topped with bottarga, even though the sole ingredient in the sauce is lemon, and it looks like something you could have made on a single burner in your college dorm room, it’s complex - with more distinct flavors than a master somm could find in an expensive bottle of wine. There are other surprises on the menu, too - like big balls of spinach and ricotta gnocchi that start melting as soon as your fork touches them and an antipasto board that makes any other charcuterie plate look like a grocery store spread. But possibly our favorite thing here comes after all the excellent mains. It’s the zeppole - big, fluffy donuts covered in a fried, cinnamon-sugar shell sitting on a pile of molten dark chocolate. Regardless of whether or not you’re a dessert person, these should be on your table. If you want a good plate of pasta, it might not be your first thought to drive over the Ben Franklin Bridge. And on an average Tuesday night, that makes sense. However, if you’re looking for a plate of pasta that might convince you to move across state lines, then you’re going to want to plug Zeppoli’s address into your GPS. Food Rundown Gamberetti e Fagioli These shrimp come whole as if they’ve just been plucked from the sea and dropped directly onto your plate. But not to worry - they’ve been sauteed first, with some garlic, parsley, lemon, and chili, and then set on top of cannellini beans dressed with more lemon and olive oil. They’re slightly messy, but this is a great way to start a meal here. Gnocchi alla’ Argentiera The spinach and ricotta gnocchi are roughly the size of a golf ball, the texture of a down pillow, and topped with shaved Sicilian caciocavallo cheese. If you still write lists to Santa Claus, you should ask him for more stomachs just so you can eat more of this. Rigatoni alla Disgraziata The homemade rigatoni is perfectly al dente and served in a super light tomato and olive oil sauce that will ruin all other red sauces for you. On top, you’ll find charred eggplant, shaved ricotta cheese, and basil-breadcrumbs that give this dish a little bit of a crunch. Sicilian Fisherman Stew The word “stew” probably conjures up images of a thick, heavy soup that will fill you up by the third bite. This version, however, is light while still being seriously flavorful. The broth is seasoned with saffron, there are some pearls of Tunisian couscous, and in the middle of the bowl there’s a pile of fresh seafood - like clams, mussels, octopus, and different kinds of fish. Zeppoli Siciliano The place is called Zeppoli, so it’s kind of a given that zeppole - Italian doughnuts - are on the menu. They’re big balls of sweet dough with a thin layer of fried crust covered in cinnamon-sugar on the outside. When you cut into them, the light, fluffy insides almost melt." - Sydney McElwee

"When he’s not at the members-only Palizzi Social Club in South Philly, Joey Baldino honors the Sicilian side of his family tree at this Collingswood restaurant. In the small, casual yet chic space, it’s tough to stray from the Sicilian fisherman stew — pops of fennel and saffron evoke the island’s status as a culinary crossroads. Tagliatelli al limone is next-level good when topped with bottarga. For dessert, the zeppoli Siciliano are perfect. Reservations are recommended." - Ernest Owens, Kae Lani Palmisano

"Sure, it’s nationally known for the pasta, antipasto, and other Italian specialties, but the place is called Zeppoli. Save room for the namesake sugary doughnut balls after a meal at chef Joey Baldino’s first restaurant (it’s BYOB)." - Sarah Maiellano

"This intimate, 35-seat restaurant is ideal for memorable moments as you dine on Sicilian fisherman stew, Tagliatelli al limone, and scrumptious zeppoli Siciliano at a hotspot where reservations are highly recommended." - Kristen Kwiatkowski