If you know anything about South Philadelphia you know it was home to Italians for many many years. The Italian Market is still open and if you search around that area you will find some of the best pizza, sandwiches, italian meats, italian breads, etc. Nothing bad can be said of Italian cooking because, let's face it, it's DELICIOUS!
So through mine and my sister's years away at college in Philadelphia, we ocassionally ventured into South Philly, although we weren't too close to have some of the best italian food out there. First we made our way to Dante & Luigi's. Before you go make sure you have cash, they do not like using credit cards. My first choice at this quaint little restaurant with tacky gold and pink walls that is somehow subtely romantic, was the Broiled Flounder stuffed with lump crab meat in some sort of amazing brandy wine sauce, yum! I must implore you to try the Ceasar Salad, one of the best homemade ceasar dressings I've ever tasted. You may even want to ask for more dressing it's that good!! But my all time favorite dish to get from D & L's is the gnocchis - to die for, in fact, when it's my sister, my mom and I, we each get our own plate of gnocchi...the sauce is delightful and smooth and the gnocchi aren't too heavy and they aren't too light, it's a perfect combination!
Dante & Liugi's
762 S 10th St
Philadelphia, PA
19147-2742
Phone: (215) 922-9501
Not too far from 10th Street sits Mezza Luna right off the corner of Catherine & 8th Streets. Upon walking in the owner and also host will greet and seat you. We used to bring my grandfather all the time, from Napoli, and he'd speak with the owner in Italian, joke around and have a good time. The interior is much less bold, blue moon vases on each table and large windows looking out onto the south Philadelphia streets. There is a bar but I believe you can also bring your own wines, might have to check on that.
On to the best part, the food! My first vist I must have done something good because I chose a veal breaded and cooked to perfection, the veal was practically falling apart. Not only did I get the most tender veal ever but it was in a sauce that was like heaven in my mouth, I'm positive that the base of the sauce was champagne, must have had some butter along with garlic and other such delicious cooking ingredients! The best veal I've had and even compared to the veal at Davio's, an upscale, center city restaurant where the veal is tough, meaning it's cooked too long. I'm a huge fan of Calamari but for even those who aren't, I know there is an appetizer dish of calamari but if you hear of some kind of special of Calamari Fritti, do not hesitate, say "I'll have one of those, please!" I was talking about heaven in my mouth before, but these are so fresh, that they basically melt in your mouth. There is none of that tough chewing or spitting pieces out because it's just too unmanagable to break down. The breading is very very light so we thought at first that they might not be cooked enough, don't be fooled! The breading is just as scrumptuous as the squid itself, with a delectable flavor that will soothe your craving taste buds.
Ristorante Mezza Luna
763 S 8th St
Philadelphia, PA
19147
Phone: (215) 627-4705
Mangia!!
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