|
|
||||
![]() |
![]() |
|||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
||
![]() |
||||
![]() |
||||
|
|
December 25-31, 2002 food foodpickVincenzo's You never know where your next meal might come from, but these days, hanging out in a bar increases your chances of getting fed. A friend and I ate well at South Philly's Vincenzo's, which specializes in Rat Pack memorabilia and Italian homestyle cooking. Unlike the recent spate of self-identifying bars that serve upscale cuisine, Vincenzo's might more aptly be described as a restaurant blossoming out of its watering-hole origins. As it stands, the small, casual dining room with its booths and mounted televisions is a neighborhood hangout. An extensive menu (clearly governed by the same philosophy that has stocked the bar with 42 different vodkas) allows the bar crowd to subsist on a diet of fried appetizers (ravioli, zucchini and calamari) and the dining crowd to enjoy the more refined charms of clams casino. The recipes come courtesy of owner Vincent DiDonato's 70-year-old mother, and there are some surprises like tortalacci: oversized pink tortellini stuffed with minced shrimp, crabmeat and lobster, and blessed by a buttery wine sauce. Another specialty is chopped steak Italiano, a hamburger glorified by melted provolone cheese and marinara sauce and encircled with a ring of sauteed spinach. Specials might include mussels in red sauce and a fresh fish of the day. Around this time of year, Mrs. DiDonato prepares some seasonal treats like fried smelts and rice pudding. Vincenzo's is definitely a work in progress. DiDonato plans to expand his friendly enterprise into the building next door with a larger dining room, converting his current set of booths into a lounge area -- a project he expects will be completed by spring. There are some kinks to work out before true restaurant status sets in: iffy timing from the kitchen, over-dressed salads and awkward presentation. (The respective plates around our delicious homemade tiramisu and cannoli were inexplicably swirled with green apple and raspberry syrups.) Rather than appeal to some pseudo-gourmet standard, Vincenzo's might do better as it evolves to let its own homey appeal shine through. A cannoli like that can speak for itself.
-- Respond to this article in our Forums -- click to jump there
Recent Comments
4,671 `great story` » Night of the Animals: Part Three `i feel the same way the lady feels, we have many cat feeders in my area and now that we are over run by raccoons they refuse to stop feeding the stray ` » SURPRISE!: Urban artists love Obama `MY JIHAD IS FOR HUMANITY, ITS A JIHAD ON THE FAKE JIHADIS WHO HAVE NO RELIGION, HUMANITY IS THE FIRST RELIGION BECAUSE ADAM WAS EQUAL TO ANY PROPHET SO ` » The Fall Guy `From Anika,
"Jay, you're a racist"
People like Anika are why this sort of event has been going on for 40 years in the public schools. Rather than ` » SURPRISE!: Urban artists love Obama `THE ATTACKS ON INDIANS BY THE PEOPLE OF 'OZ' IS NOT TRUE, ITS AN ATTACK ON CIA BY THE IRAN, THE IRANS DIRTY MAFIA PAYS GANGSTERS IN OZ, TO HIT INDIANS, ` » Metropolitan Bakery adds hand-crafted pizza `Wow. That pizza really looks delicious! I will definitely take my wife here in our Philadelphia dating getaway. Actually, she's kinda a pizza addict. ` » The Art of The Art of the Steal `Dante,
You are a maniac. I have read your rants on a bunch of other posts, it's like you're obsessed. Maybe you should go down to the new site and ` » The Fall Guy `Wow - what a bunch of racist district administrators. Can someone forward this to the White House, this needs national attention or else it’ll be swept ` » Update: School District clears S. Philly High student Hao Luu `Wow - what a bunch of racist district administrators. Can someone forward this to the White House, this needs national attention or else it'll be swept ` » MUSIC MADNESS: Win The Runaways soundtrack
`1. Jodie Foster and Scott Baio in Bugsy Malone (1976)
2. Writer/Director Floria Sigismondi directed two of David Bowie's music videos: "Little Wonder" ` »
Web Exclusives
The Week in Eats Get Out! Daedelus Mon., Feb. 22, 8 p.m., $10, with Nosaj Thing and Jogger, Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St., 215-291-4919, kungfunecktie.com. Fever Pitch
One Philly dance troupe lets imagination carry it to the farthest corners of reality.
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:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||