L’Angolo Ristorante, located off of Broad Street in South Philadelphia, is practically a closet with tables and a kitchen, but then again eating in a closet has never been so delicious.
The first thing you see walking through the door is the open kitchen, which takes up the whole left side of the restaurant. The entrance, constructed as a hallway, empties into a small, homey dining area cut in half by a brick wall with high arches. The walls are sponge-painted a burnt orange color and decorated sporadically with paintings.
The menu has one common theme, garlic and olive oil. Found in almost all the dishes, these two ingredients are sometimes the only flavors added to the food, lending a fresh taste to every bite. Such is the case with the calamari ($9), arguably the best in the city and a must try when venturing to L’Angolo’s. It’s lightly brushed with, you guessed it, garlic and olive oil then grilled and served with a butter sauce for dipping.
The entrees are simply prepared as well with some homemade options. The gnocchis, made in house, are accompanied by a cream thyme sauce. They’re out of this world but very, very rich. The ravioli ($16), also homemade, is stuffed with a blend of ricotta and broccoli rabe, and finished off with a dusting of cheese, parsley and garlic cloves. The chicken padella ($16) is a standout with chicken served atop a bed of spinach and topped with pancetta crumbles, rosemary, and garlic.
For desert, the homemade ricotta cheesecake ($7) is the only way to go. The pastry is fresh and creamy, served with a fruit garnish. If you are full, then it’ll serve just as well to relax and enjoy some wine at this high quality, intimate BYO.
