08/05/08

ABSOLUTELY EXCEPTIONAL

by spoiledbygoodfood

EVERYTHING IS EXCEPTIONAL AT SAVONA, THE FOOD, THE STAFF, EVERYTHING.... UNLIKE MANY OTHER HIGH END MAINLINE RESTAURANTS SAVONA PAYS ATTENTION TO DETAIL. THE RESTAURANT IS IMMACULATE, THE STAFF EXCEPTIONAL, AND THE FOOD OUT OF THIS WORLD. YOU NEVER HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANYTHING, ITS LIKE THEY KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BEFORE YOU DO.

GREAT PLACE FOR BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY OR EVEN JUST AN ADULT NIGHT OUT.

THE BRUNCH IS JUST AS GOOD

• Pros: FOOD STAFF EVERYTHING

06/02/08

Have to be kidding with wine mark-up

by tipmorris

I took my wife for our anniversary. The food was fantastic and the ambience is terrific but the experience was stained by the wine list prices. It is offensive to see a bottle of Jordan Chardonnay priced at $120 when it is $35 retail. I understand that 100% mark up is to be expected but this is ridiculous. The same pricing metrics held for Chalk Hill, Dutton Ranch, etc.

• Pros: food, service, ambience
• Cons: offensive wine list pricing

05/16/08

over-priced so-so food

by highstand

My boyfriend and I went for dinner one evening expecting a great meal. The service was excellent and the wine list extensive. However, the food was mostly a dissapointment, particularly so due to the high price which goes with the expecation of great food. Between the two of us, we ordered the foie gras and escargot as appetizer, and the signature dish of filet of sole as well as the lamb as main. The foie gras was excellent, the escargot bland, the sole was acceptable but not taste bursting, and the lamb okay (one piece was decent, but another was tough and chewy) but again not mind blowing. The combination of so-so food and a non-enticing desert menu prompted us to end the meal without desert (and I'm 99.999% of the time never one to skip on this crucial finish to a complete meal). We are foodies - we eat at all the highest rated restaurants and hole-in-the-walls for the best tasting food regardless of price or decor, period. The pricing at Savona ($300 for the meal) came with great expectations, yet they delivered a equally great dissapointment. We will not be going back.

• Pros: great service, nice decor
• Cons: over priced food, low on taste

11/10/07

Lost its touch

by fidelio25

Unfortunately I decided to revisit this mainline staple with my wife for our anniversay. On a Friday night the restaurant was not even half full so the service was impeccable with a ratio of wait staff to diners in favor of the diners. However, while the service was excellent, the food was anything but. The dover sole, prepared table side was weak in flavor and portion...considering the $45 price. Our appetizers lacked creativity and were both overcooked. Dinner came to $400 for the two of us. Unfortunately the meal did not warrant the price. The cheese plate was excellent and was a nice way to end the meal but even the wine was overpriced by $60 or so when comparing the exact same bottle to surrounding restaurants. It is ashame to waste such great staff on a meal not worth serving. Not sure how Savona will survive with the innovative menus sprouting up all over the mainline. For someone who dines out 6-8 times per month, this restaurant will no longer be on our list of places to eat. We will not go back.

04/20/07

Fantastic!

by violet_8791

I heard great things about Savona and went with high expectations, which were far exceeded. I enjoyed every aspect of my visit. The service was excellent; the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The food, oh my, a delectable crimini mushroom soup, a tuna tartar perfectly executed with a hint of crunch, a foie gras that melted over my tongue, I had the halibut which was delicious, the presentation simply lovely. I tried my companion's duck which was also excellent. For dessert, chocolate four ways, fantastic ....and I also tried the orange pomegranate sorbet which was to die for, and considering I'm a die hard chocolate lover, this is a bold statement. I found Savona to be an exceptional place and cannot wait to dine there again.

Upscale bistro features European-inspired cuisine in an elegant atmosphere.

by Contributor

In Short
The dining room, with banquettes covered in rich fabrics against terra cotta-colored walls, attracts business travelers, families and couples who enjoy a quiet night on the enclosed terrace. The menu features French- and Italian Riviera-inspired dishes, including shrimp and scallop purses with lobster emulsion. Seasonal soups, such as pumpkin and lobster, and fish, including tuna or red snapper should not be missed. Add a side of truffle mashed potatoes. End with a Valrhona chocolate souffle.

• Pros: great wine list

11/04/05

User review by sarah010

by sarah010

Although the restaurant itself is quite lovely, they charge exorbitant amounts of money for average tasting food. Such a shame since one always expects more when paying more. Especially on the mainline.

08/29/05

A DINING DISASTER!

by hatesavona

I have been to Savona, Italy several times. I think this place is an insult to the people of Savona! (I also don't think the owners even know Savona is an industrial town, not anything like the ambience they are trying deserately to create). I spent tons of money and was totally disappointed. I could have made the food at home. The service was horrible and stuffy-I felt embarassed for the servers, being pushed around by the screaming chef and managers! (FYI, to anyone who may do there for dinner, the tip you leave goes mostly to the management-not to the servers you are leaving it for.)

• Cons: expensive parking, overpriced, bad atmosphe

05/07/04

Wonderful!!

by ggo

This is by far my favorite restaurant in the Philadelphia area. The service is spectacular, I can't think of a time anything has gone wrong. I highly recommend the Dover sole served tableside. The wine tasting on Friday evenings is also a fun time at a very good price. Call ahead as the sommelier travels occasionally.

It is a bit pricey but well worth the money!

• Pros: Great Food, Beautiful, Great Service

01/29/03

NOT what it's cracked up to be!!!

by laravago

What a dissapointment!! Food was just OK, mostly, and I mean MOSTLY seafood. Ambiance was nice, small though, and pretty tight. Our waiter spilled a full glass of water all over our entree, and myself. Things happen I understand that, but this snooty place did not offer a drink for the inconvenience or even to pay for the DRYCLEANING!! Never again!!

• Pros: No Waiting, Good Parking, Fast service
• Cons: A little tight, VERY poor cust. svc, Poor selection