Recent social media posts
06/01/2026
Introducing our new early week special, Enoteca Roma!!
A 'neighborhood night' of sorts... Every Monday and Tuesday this June we will be serving up one of the classic pastas of Roma featuring wines from Lazio supplied by I nostri amici ...
This week Chef Andrew is serving up:
Pasta Alla Carbonara
house-made guanciale, pecorino, egg, black pepper, basta!
$35 gets you our house salad, pasta and house-made strawberry sorbetto!
Save the airfare on flying to Rome and dine with us Al Fresco!
Wine post to follow!
05/29/2026
We were lucky to get ‘s first heirloom tomatoes so the feature prominently on our weekend additions!
Panzanella, heirloom tomatoes, croutons, aged balsamic, mozzarella di bufala
Taccozzelle pasta, fava bean ragu, ‘nduja sausage, cherry tomatoes, pecorino
Veal spezzatino, crema di peperoni, zucchini, potatoes, arugula
It’s going to be beautiful weather this weekend, come and dine alfresco.
05/25/2026
(Image: wall "graffito" celebrating Italy's liberation from fascism, in Pacentro, Abruzzo)
We hope you're well on this Memorial Day, an occasion to reflect on the ultimate measures given by members of our armed forces, men and women of every race, religion, and sexual identity. We wonder what they'd think about what we've done with the hard-earned liberty they defended, how we've treated the gift they so selflessly delivered to us. We're ruled now by corrupt forces with no respect for thess sacrifices or democratic traditions, men without decency who emulate and openly aspire to the cruelty, malice, and hatred that defined our greatest historical enemies. Are we better than this? We'll have to prove it. They're an evil to be cut out of our society, removed like cancer and disposed of like garbage. And today provides us with noble examples of what it takes to accomplish such a task.
We're open tonight with wine, drinks, genuine hospitality and the best Abruzzese cucina west of the Apennines. The weather has marginally improved, and it's always time to gather together, share what's good, and appreciate what remains. See you this evening.
05/24/2026
It's that time of year again!!
Join us for our 2nd annual Greek Aperitivo with
Local, Greek-wine geek, will be in the house with .0 pouring 8 special Greek wines by the glass.
Per usual, Chef Andrew will be cheffing up the best Aperitivo snacks on this side of the Appenines. $35 gets you all you can eat snacks (before tax and gratuity).
Screw brunch... the sun will be shining, grab a few friends and come enjoy the afternoon with us al Fresco!
Doors open at noon and close around 3!!
05/23/2026
It may not feel like summer tonight, but our new pastas are full of sunshine.
Saffron cavatelli, seared shrimp, fennel, peperoncini, roasted tomatoes
Tagliatelle, pork and porcini ragu, mushrooms, sweet peas, rosemary, pecorino
Ricotta stuffed triangoli, fresh tomato sauce, basil, parmigiano-reggiano
Cappellacci dei briganti, braised rabbit sugo, asparagus, parmigiano-reggiano, chives
05/22/2026
It’s Memorial Day weekend and our additions are here! If you’re not headed down the shore, then come on by.
Roasted asparagus, marinated olives, buffalo milk mozzarella, basil
Tagliatelle pasta, seared fresh porcini, spring garlic, parmigiano-reggiano
Whole-roasted Black Sea bass, braised fennel, potatoes, vermouth butter
05/18/2026
It's hot out there!! Why not cool down with, arguably, the greatest Rosato/rosé of all time?! Thanks to our buds , we proudly pour Rosato by the glass for just $15!! This isn't your average Rosato... Crunchy red fruit, Mediterranean herbs and salty sea spray combine for the ultimate wine for cured meats, light, veggie pastas (we have many!) or just plain ol' drinkin! Come back in the sun a drink a bottle!
For the nerds:
Bonavita is a small family-run winery that sits on the steep hills overlooking the strait of Messina and the coast of Calabria in the distance. Owned and operated by Giovanni Scarfone (quite possibly the sweetest man alive) the vineyards, surrounded by chestnut and oak trees, have belonged to the Scarfone family for almost a century. The DOC Faro, one of Sicily’s oldest, takes its name from the village of Faro Superiore which was founded in ancient times by a Greek population called “Pharii” who colonized the hills of Messina and introduced agricultural practices, especially the cultivation of vines.
The 2 hectares of vineyards are planted only with indigenous grapes, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio and Nocera and are cultivated at an organic regime, without using any fertilizers or chemical pesticides.
The yields are kept extremely low and the entire production amounts to 3500 bottles.
05/17/2026
Some images from Villetta Barrea, in the heart of the oldest of Abruzzo’s 3 national parks, where deer inhabit parts of the town nearly as much as people; they’re treated with respect. The weather during our stay was sunny and warm, cloudy with torrential rain, and blustery with heavy snow (sometimes on the same day). This is - without doubt for the presence of the deer - Magda the dog’s favorite place on earth.
A special shoutout to Massimo and Valentino at , who made two delicious meals with honest, frank, and stimulating conversation - amazing hosts, with brilliant senses of humor, which we all need right now. Their remarkable grigliata mista (included here) was a highlight of our visit.
None of this obscures the violence being done to our democracy, in our names, to innocents abroad - war crimes for which we’ll long have to answer. This is a reminder that beauty persists, and that there may be a future worth fighting for.
More to follow from Venosa (in Basilicata), and Scanno.
05/16/2026
Can't fly to Rome this June?? We've got you covered!!
Introducing our new early week special:
Enoteca Roma!!
A 'neighborhood night' of sorts... Every Monday and Tuesday this June we will be serving up one of the classic pastas of Roma featuring wines from Lazio supplied by I nostri amici ...
$35 gets you your favorite salad, pasta and sorbetto!!
Save a couple bucks on airfare (it's brutal out there) 😘
Stay tuned!
05/15/2026
It’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend to dine alfresco and our additions are here!
Whipped n’duja crostini, ricotta, roasted asparagus, arugula
Bucatini with clams, roasted tomatoes, basil, lemon, garlic
Porchetta, heirloom polenta, roasted spring onions, wild ramp jus
See you soon!
05/08/2026
Mother’s Day weekend additons!
Insalata caprese, roasted tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, arugula, aged balsamic
Potato gnocchi, seared fresh porcini, spring garlic, parmigiano-reggiano
Vitello alla marsala, grilled veal loin, mushrooms, potatoes, spinach marsala sauce
Raspberry tart, shortbread crust, pastry cream
See you soon!
05/08/2026
Open Early for Mother's Day!
Sunday May 10th we open at 1pm
It's supposed to be beautiful! Come sit on the patio, try our spring frittata, mortadella and caciocavallo panino, a blood orange mimosa or any of our handmade pastas... Because Mom deserves it!
Call or book on
05/05/2026
Tomorrow (May 6), we'll be donating part of the night's proceeds to for their mission in Gaza to provide meals - as they've done so since 2023 - for Palestinians displaced by the war.
Access to food is a basic human right, not a partisan issue - and especially not in a humanitarian crisis. We hope to see you - if you can't join us tomorrow, please consider donating directly to .
05/04/2026
With us taking a little break from our Neighborhood Night we want to remind you that we're always here cooking for the neighborhood... And for anyone else that enjoys a soulful bowl of pasta, salumi, cured in house, or anything that is inspired by the region of Abruzzo and Southern Italy along with great wine and service!
7 nights a week our staff provides memorable and comfortable dining experiences for everyone that comes through our doors. Whether you are at the bar or a table you'll always get our best and we promise the food will be on point!
SO... If this is why you chose to join us every Monday or Tuesday, come back. The vibe, staff and food will be just like you remember... Only thing that we hope to be better is the weather!
Oh, and if you came in for the deal ($35)... a salad, ANY small pasta and a Tiramisu puts you right at $39 and always has 🤷🏻♂️
This weekday special is Gnocchi alla Sorrentina. Our Pastaio of nearly 15 years, Chef Domingo, makes the best potato gnocchi around... You already knew that, but this week we're serving it up Alla Sorrentina style... With the freshest tomato sauce, basil and buffalo mozzarella.
Come see us this week. The patio is open, wine will be flowing and everything you love about Neighborhood Night will be just like you remember... Cooked from the soul and delivered to you by our amazing staff
05/02/2026
Since yesterday was May 1st and time for Le Virtù minestrone, we drove to Bisenti in Teramo province (just up the road from Nonno Cretarola's village). We once knew a barber in South Philly from Bisenti (never sat in his chair). Bisenti is a tiny village, but makes an extraordinary impression: a well-kept medieval street plan decorated with a series of bold murals. It also lays claim - among other possible locales in Abruzzo - as the birthplace of Pontius Pilate (there are prominent signs to that effect throughout town).
Bisenti is also home to Sotto Il Campanile, as pure an expression of cucina teramana as there is anywhere: the real deal as made in the kitchens of mothers and grandmothers all over the province. After a beautiful antipasto, we dug into bowls of le virtù: multiple pastas, legumes, vegetables, salumi, etc., whatever's left from winter combined with what just arrived for spring - perfection. And then (because why not?), "maccheroni alla molinara." Does it look like mugnaia? Yes, because it is. But here, up the Fino river from Castiglione Messer Raimondo, the name changes to "molinara." They both mean the same thing - "the miller's wife."
time.becomes.a.loop made his own le virtù yesterday: per tradition, we only make it on May 1st, but there's still some left! Don't be a fool: run, don't walk to LV for your bowl of spring.
8647. Go Flyers.
05/01/2026
It’s May 1st so that means it’s time for our namesake soup Le Virtu! A celebration of the changing seasons with all the wonderful legumes from the pantry and the first green fresh vegetables of the year. There’s a narrow window of the year when we can blend all these flavors.
Also on our weekend additions:
Potato gnocchi alla sorrentina, tomato sugo, basil, buffalo mozzarella, parmigiano-reggiano
Beef spezzatino, red wine braised beef shoulder, rosemary, creamy heirloom polenta
04/30/2026
After days of the "News from America" (a litany of crimes and stupidity like a mashup of "The Man in the High Castle," "The Twilight Zone," and "Idiocracy"), we needed some shelter.
It's a 25-minute drive to Castiglione Messer Raimondo (Francis's nonno's ancestral village) for lunch at La Lanterna, an unpretentious bar/taverna that nails la cucina teramana, and restores our will to live in the process (slight exaggeration). Maccheroni alla mugnaia (specific to this part of Abruzzo) with sugo di pomodoro, and chitarra alla teramana with tiny meatballs. It's the sugo that brings us back: an alchemic combination of the usual suspects (tomato/onion/celery/carrots) passed through a food mill multiple times post-cooking. Rich and creamy, it's the best pomodoro we've had in nearly 30 years of traveling here (and dressed with fresh peperoncino-infused olive oil, it's heaven). La Lanterna figures in many memorable meals for us, restorative in every way - here are some photos from prior visits.
C.M.R stirs up memories and thoughts about the sacrifices a 17-year-old Alfonso Cretarola made by leaving, the courage necessary to do so, and what the hell he'd think of his adopted USA now. Our president remains a grifting, sociopathic, pedophilic idiot, committing war crimes in our names; this government an elaborate grift staffed by toadies and would-be N***s; six members of SCOTUS have prostituted themselves out to corporate interests; and a collection of Bond villains openly moves to replace humans with AI.
But there's still hope (not gaslighting you here). We can still fight back, and remember the things that bring us joy - enjoying what's good isn't surrendering.
8647. Go Flyers.
04/27/2026
Join us this Saturday for our first Aperitivo al Fresco of the season!
Saturday May 2nd
12pm-3pm
$30/person for all you can eat snacks
$12 wines by the glass
Our elderly Wine Guy, .0 will be teaming up with Elena, from and pouring 7 different wines from their magical cantina in the Cilento!
Stuzzichini by Chef Andrew!
Grab a light jacket and some friends and come enjoy our patio and some world class wines!!
04/24/2026
Weekend additions are here, and we’ve got dishes to meet the wide range of seasons we’re going to experience over the next couple of days.
Roasted asparagus, stinging nettle pesto, buffalo mozzarella, lonza
Timballo alla teramana, scrippelle, meatballs, ricotta, tomatoes, pecorino
Steak alla pizzaiolo, roasted eggplant, peppers, piennolo tomatoes, mozzarella
04/22/2026
Join us tomorrow for "Dining Out For Life": we're proud to partner again with in support of their $90,000 fundraising goal in service of those living with HIV/AIDS in the Delaware valley. And if you can't come out tomorrow, please learn how to donate directly to - may we break the stigma.
04/19/2026
Neighborhood night is back tomorrow and Tuesday with manicotti! Three courses for $35 salad, manicotti, tiramisu. See you then.
04/18/2026
Join us, Thursday April 30th from 5pm til who knows when, to celebrate the official opening of our patio.....
.. aaaaaand .0 is turning 40!
Let's celebrate with a slew of different Rosati poured by the glass ($10/gl), cans of Tutto Pilsners ($5) and grilled delicacies (vegetarian and non) by Chef .time.becomes.a.loop who will be manning the grill for the evening.
Let's cross our fingers for good weather and celebrate the start of patio season and this old timer's big 4-0!
Bring a friend, come as you are and stay as long as you like!!
*Full menu and normal dinner service are available inside as well as on our upper patio*
04/17/2026
It’s a beautiful weekend to dine with us alfresco, and we have just the additions for you.
Arancini, fried risotto stuffed with caciocavallo, tomato, peas, parmigiano-reggiano
Whole wheat zingiarelle, bagna cauda, fiddlehead ferns, garlic, lemon
Grilled tagliata, grilled arugula, roasted asparagus, parmigiano-reggiano
04/12/2026
Don’t forget! Monday and Tuesday are Neighborhood Nights here. This week fettucine Alfredo with crispy chicken. $35 gets you that, a salad, and tiramisu. See you tomorrow (or Tuesday).
04/10/2026
Weekend additions are here!
cardoon crostini, buffalo mozzarella, arugula
Bucatini with crab, tomatoes, peperoncini, basil
La pignata, lamb leg and zolfini bean stew, tomatoes, cruschi peppers, baked under a pastry crust
Address
1927 E Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19148
To reach this Italian restaurant on E Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia, you can take the Broad Street Line or Market-Frankford Line to the Snyder Station and then walk towards East Passyunk Avenue. Alternatively, if you prefer to drive, you can park your car in one of the nearby paid lots or find street parking if available.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Tuesday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Wednesday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Thursday |
5pm - 10pm |
| Friday |
5pm - 10:30pm |
| Saturday |
5pm - 10:30pm |
| Sunday |
5pm - 9pm |
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What people say
Italian restaurants are known for their rustic and unapologetic charm, and Le Virtù on E Passyunk Avenue in Philadelphia is no exception. This Italian restaurant offers a unique culinary experience with its Cucina Abruzzese cuisine, which is sure to delight your taste buds. The restaurant's general manager, Frederick Cratil Jr., ensures that the culinary team led by Chef Damon Menapace delivers an exceptional dining experience.
Le Virtù offers outdoor dining, take-out, and delivery services, making it convenient for customers who prefer to dine at home. The restaurant also provides catering services for groups of all sizes. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends, Le Virtù has got you covered.
One of the restaurant's specialties is its dinner menu, which features a variety of Italian dishes made from fresh ingredients. The drinks menu is equally impressive, with an extensive selection of wines and cocktails to choose from.
Le Virtù also hosts monthly events such as "Aperitivo," where customers can enjoy snacks and tastes of some of the most interesting bottles from David Nowacki's wine collection while discussing and learning about wine.
If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience in Philadelphia, Le Virtù should be at the top of your list. With its delicious food, excellent service, and charming ambiance, this restaurant is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
