Mr Martino's Trattoria - Philadelphia

This is the best BYOB Italian restaurant on Passyunk, run by a talented woman in a cozy kitchen. They've been serving the community for over 30 years. The atmosphere is intimate, and the food is absolutely delicious—perfect for a date night. Bring along good company and a couple of bottles of wine, as you'll likely spend 2 to 2.5 hours enjoying your meal. They also host occasional pop-up events on weekends, typically once a month, though they take a break in the summer, so make sure to check their Instagram page for updates! Reservations fill up quickly. Service is dine-in only.

Mrs. Martino handles all the cooking herself, and it shows. The menu is straightforward, but every dish is absolutely delicious. The food has that comforting, home-cooked Italian quality that feels like a warm hug from your grandma. We started with the mushroom and polenta, broccoli rabe, and baked ricotta with sausage as appetizers. For our main courses, we tried the cheese tortellini with sausage, spinach lasagna, and pasta with zucchini and basil. We couldn't decide on a favorite since everything was so tasty. For dessert, we had chocolate pudding, lemon tart, genoise cake, and tiramisu. The lemon tart was the highlight—fresh and bursting with flavor—while the chocolate pudding was a close second for me. The tiramisu was the only dish we weren’t too keen on; the ladyfingers felt a bit dry and lacked strong flavor. It's important to note that because Mrs. Martino is cooking for the entire restaurant by herself, dining here is a slow experience. We were seated at 8 PM and left around 11 PM, meaning our meal took about three hours. Some may not appreciate the leisurely pace, but we had a wonderful time. It allowed us to savor the food, wine, and great company, making it reminiscent of dining experiences in Europe. I would love to return if I can manage to snag another reservation!

Dining at 4 PM was fantastic for me, a woman who insists she's 38—I'm actually 56, so the age reverse doesn’t really matter in the end. Still, I acknowledge that time is more precious than diamonds. Plus, since it was their first seating, we didn't have to worry about the kitchen being backed up. Here’s my advice: if you have a 4 PM reservation, don’t panic if you see the restaurant's security gates still down at 3:50 PM—they raise them promptly at 4. The ambiance felt almost cinematic, with beautiful tables, low lighting, and a warm palette of brown and beige, along with photographs that could easily fit into a scene from *The Godfather*. It transported me to another time, making me feel completely detached from the present, in the best way possible. The background music was traditional Italian instrumentals, adding to the charming atmosphere. The lighting was quite dim, and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust; my aunt even had to use her cellphone flashlight to read the menu! The menu was undoubtedly old school Italian—this place was serving broccoli rabe long before it became trendy. We started with two arugula salads and a white bean soup. I opted for the soup, which was rich in fennel and included small beans and tiny pasta shells. Its taste was pleasantly unexpected and refreshing. For dinner, I chose cheese tortelloni with tomato sauce and roasted Italian sausage. Others had spinach lasagna (my cousin), roasted balsamic chicken leg with veggies (one aunt), and a special spinach ravioli with bell pepper sauce. Everything was delightful! The pastas featured thin, delicate shells—nothing chewy or sticky. The bell pepper sauce was intriguing—bright, sweet, and very fresh without being overwhelming. The spinach lasagna was light, with a nice balance of flavors; the sauce complemented it rather than overshadowed it. The balsamic chicken fell off the bone, tender and savory. The cheese tortelloni was complemented by a perfect sauce that was not chewy at all. The sausage had a savory flavor with a generous hint of fennel—just the kind I remember from childhood. All four of us finished our plates completely, a testament to how satisfying the food was. For dessert, one person had chocolate pudding, another had tart, and two of us enjoyed a genoise sponge with strawberry compote and cream—think of it as a fancy strawberry shortcake, featuring smooth cream instead of whipped cream. The genoise was slightly heavier than I expected, but still delightful. The chocolate pudding was rich and smooth, while the tart was soft but held its form, clearly homemade. Portion sizes here are modest yet filling—this is the beauty of good, homemade pasta: a little goes a long way, leaving you fuller than you'd expect. The service was perfectly paced, unobtrusive yet attentive. Expect to spend around 1.5 to 2 hours at your 4 PM seating; this is a leisurely meal, allowing you to savor each moment. You do order your appetizers and entrees at the same time, but they're served at perfect intervals. The staff was friendly, patient, and professional without being in the way. A couple of practical notes: it’s cash only and BYOB, and your drinks are served in small water glasses, reminiscent of how my family served wine when I was a child. Our total for four people, including tip, was $210. I found the choice of glasses amusing, as we always used similar types for wine, beer, or whatever else wasn’t fancy. Lastly, a pro tip: free parking is available on East Passyunk Avenue on Sundays. If you're not an expert at parallel parking, consider taking public transit, calling an Uber, or hoping for a lucky spot in the city-owned lot next to the restaurant. Parking in this part of South Philly isn't for the faint-hearted. I absolutely loved this experience and would return in a heartbeat!

We ordered a soup, broccoli rabe, and polenta as appetizers. One of us also ordered an espresso. We waited about 20 minutes just for the espresso and over an hour for the appetizers to arrive. When they finally did, we were underwhelmed. The broccoli rabe lacked flavor, and while the polenta was delicious, the portion was so tiny that we barely got a forkful each. It took nearly two hours for our main courses to come out, and the portion sizes were very small. I had the veal tortellini with Gorgonzola, and I think there were only four (rather large) tortellini on my plate. The dish was decent, but I didn't taste any Gorgonzola and barely noticed any veal. One of my friends ordered spaghetti with sausage sauce, but they mistakenly served him penne. When he inquired about it, the server mentioned the kitchen was backed up and that spaghetti wasn't available, which was odd to hear, especially since it was just a basic side dish of pasta. We decided to order dessert since we were still hungry. The lemon tart and chocolate pudding were both good, but we left soon after. By the time I got home, I felt the need for a snack. I’m not a fan of enormous plates of pasta like you’d find at many cheaper Italian restaurants, but I also don’t want to spend around $50 per person, wait nearly two hours for our meal, and still leave feeling hungry. I don’t think we’ll be returning, as there are plenty of other restaurants in the city to try.

**Dining Experience Review** **Meal Type:** Dinner **Price Range per Person:** $30–50 **Features:** - Dine In: Yes - Outdoor Seating: No - Takeout: No - Delivery: No - Curbside Pickup: No Enjoyable dining experience with a menu suitable for dinner. The price per person falls within the $30–50 range, making it an accessible option for a nice meal out. While the restaurant does not offer outdoor seating, takeout, delivery, or curbside pickup, the dine-in option is available.