Borromini - Review - Rittenhouse - Philadelphia

Borromini is the 20th Starr restaurant in Philly. And in many ways, it mirrors its siblings: the lively yet intimate atmosphere of Parc, the Butcher & Singer-like feeling that someone in the sophisticated dining room owns a boat, and the devotion to red sauce that Stella’s all about. This all combines to make the low-lit Rittenhouse Italian restaurant a win for your first or 100th date. The menu’s long, but the standouts are the garlicky clam pizzetta with a thick, focaccia-like doughy crust, char-singed rich lasagna, and a powerhouse juicy meatball that’s as large as the bowl. While some handmade pasta and starters have flavorful lows (skip the scampi), the new addition to the Starr multiverse has the goods for a satisfying catch-up with friends or a fancy night out with someone you’re still trying to impress years into a relationship.

video credit: CANDIS R. MCLEAN

How to get into Borromini

Reservations fill up quickly. Open slots become available 30 days in advance at midnight, so we suggest setting an alarm. You can also try walking in around 5pm. A good portion of the restaurant is walk-in-only.

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