|
|
||||
![]() |
![]() |
|||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
![]() |
||||
![]() |
||||
|
|
November 21-27, 2002 food firstlook
Vesuvio A complete story of the eruption of Vesuvio, Bella Vista’s newest Italian restaurant, would involve a lot of dirt. Two million pounds of it, in fact. That’s how much earth Michael D’Addesi, who runs the family-owned business, and friend Ryan Slepian shoveled from the basement of the former Café Lido in order to make it deep enough to accommodate restrooms. (“We’re like a legend in the dirt [hauling] community,” he says.) You’d never know it today -- the basement level is nicely tiled and well-lit -- but there was a time when D’Addesi thought the digging might never end. But there isn't space here for a complete story, so you'll have to go to Vesuvio and get the tale from 29-year-old D'Addesi himself (he tells it better anyway). And that won't be hard, as he intends to be visible and approachable in the restaurant he opened on Nov. 19, with father Michael Sr., mom Maria, brother Jerry, sister-in-law Amy and executive chef Robert Leget -- technically not a relative but already part of the family, D'Addesi says. The journey from agreement of sale with the previous owner to opening night has been a long one; the extensive renovations took more than two years, mostly because D'Addesi and his father did much of the work themselves. But it was time well spent. They discovered features apparently long hidden, such as a tile floor in the bar area, complete with "pee trough" (now covered with Plexiglas, so don't get any ideas), and a cool tin ceiling, also above the bar. In the dining areas -- the other half of the first floor and all of the second -- they kept some of the existing lighting and exposed some brick for a rustic touch. D'Addesi and Leget, a Pittsburgh guy who did a brief tour at ¡Pasion!, plan to offer "casual fine dining." They speak as passionately about offering reasonable prices and comfortable atmosphere as they do about serving great dishes. "We want people to feel like it's their home," says Leget, who's also 29. Here his goal is to offer Walnut Street-worthy food at considerably less than Walnut Street prices; antipasti dishes range from $5-$12, entrees $16-$18, and the ever-changing, three-pasta tasting dish is $16. "We're catering to the neighborhood," says D'Addesi, who lives a block away. "We want people to feel like family." Vesuvio, 736 S. Eighth St., 215-922-8380.
-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
Recent Comments
Irish for a day: St. Patty's Day events `remanufactured engines, automatic transmissions, used parts, or new body part , engine repair parts,
Thanks
auto car parts` » REVIEW: Miro Dance Theatre, 1/30, Painted Bride `It seem a combination of India and English!` » Eternal Teenager: RIP John Hughes, 1950-2009 `It was something for everyone. Even in Ferris Bueller` » NOW SEE THIS: Al Bundy shakes it to Major Lazer `Molly, will you help me make a shot-by-shot remake of this scene?` » SXSW Day 2: The Labelmakers `Kill Rock Stars, Merge, and Sub Pop showcases all on the same day. That is just awesome!` » SURPRISE!: Urban artists love Obama `GODMAN ENZO WANTS TO THE THANK PHILADELPHIA'S CITY PAPER FOR GIVING US A CHANCE TO WRITE WHAT WE FELT, SOME VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE NORMAL COMMENTS RATHER ` » Blahg Humbug `Maybe we should just offer critiques of the artblahg loser's work instead of pretending we don't know who he is.
You can call me VINCENT and I'm just ` » BIG UPS: Local designers lovin' on their hometown `And when you head west to Lancaster, be sure to check out BUiLDiNG CHARACTER, Downtown Lancaster's Creative Outlet with 30+ vendors selling architectural ` » The Fall Guy
`KB, the reason that high school students are using interpreters is that many of them have lived in the US for only a few months.
One thing that news ` »
Popular Articles
The Fall Guy The student the School District blamed for the violence at South Philadelphia High School shares his story. It's not the same one District officials have been telling. Reinventing Arlen One year after he fled the GOP, Pa.'s senior senator is scratching and clawing to do what he does best: survive. Seuss Chef Environmental lip service takes a back seat to tasty a.m. fare at Green Eggs Café. The Climb Behind Ladder 15's Ansill-fied revamp. The Next Movement
Oh! Pears' Corey Duncan is assembling an ambitious rock orchestra. ![]() Hot Hands Studio: $50 for $25 Massage, Skin Care & Body Treatments | Curves | Cafe Nola | Paddy Whacks Irish Sports Pub: Plastic Debit Cards | Philadelphia Orchestra: Four Tickets for April 8, 2010 | Philadelphia Orchestra: Four Tickets for June 3, 2010 | Skirmish Paintball | Swanky Bubbles | Gillian's ticket | Mango Moon HALF OFF DEPOT Why live life at full price? Search Real Estate
Today's Big Deal:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||