Located on the outskirts of the bustling neighborhood of Old City, Radicchio Café is a hidden gem among dozens of Center City BYOBs. Make no mistake: plenty of people know about and love Radicchio. When you go, you’ll witness this — there are always parties waiting patiently for their tables outside the restaurant’s large, glass windows. Rather, it’s that Radicchio’s location — just slightly off the beaten path — makes it the type of restaurant that insiders love; you have to be willing to find it to reap the rewards.
Pick up your wine before leaving for the restaurant; the closest liquor store is a while away. Once seated, take in the warm ambiance of Radicchio’s corner locale. The paintings of Italy on the peach walls set the tone for a meal that will be undeniably Italian, yet skillfully updated to match the sophistication of a modern Old City bistro.
To start, try the grilled shrimp and asparagus, with cannellini beans and olive oil. The varieties of bruschetta are delicious (one orders comes with two slices; perfect for sharing). And the namesake Scamorza al Radicchio, smoked mozzarella with sautéed radicchio, features some of the best mozzarella in the city.
The entrees are similarly generous — in both portion and Tuscan flavor. Pastas like linguine with shrimps, scallops and arugula in an oil and garlic sauce and penne with prosciutto in a light vodka sauce are favorites, while the whole fish specials are one of Radicchio’s specialties and are highly recommended.