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Upstairs at Varalli

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zabelle
zabelle
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
Review
4
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Upstairs at Varalli

  • March 22, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by zabelle from Portland, Connecticut
Upstairs at Varalli

Upstairs at Varalli is located upstairs from Sotto Varalli, a restaurant I visited last year and greatly enjoyed. I was looking forward to my visit on St. Patrick’s Day. When we arrived we were told that the restaurant would not be open on Friday evening but would be open on Saturday. They share a menu with Sotto Varalli, and since I had planned to eat at Sotto on Saturday we just switched the nights.

Friday evening I tried the lobster ravioli, which were fantastic. Al had the fish and chips, and they were also a big hit. Saturday we were ready to have a dining experience. The restaurant has windows on two sides so you have great views of Locust and of Broad Street. The Kimmel Center is located just across the street, less than a block away. We were the first ones to arrive for dinner so we were given a seat front and center overlooking broad. This proved the perfect spot to watch a bride and groom doing wedding pictures on the island in the road in front of the restaurant.

I started with a Bellini and Al ordered a Yuengling. The basket of foccacia bread served with pesto, olive oil, and butter staved off our hunger. I began with roasted shrimp served with peanut sauce. I love satay so I figured this would be similar, and it was—three jumbo seasoned shrimp and a mildly spiced sauce, very good. I next had the rocket salad, exotic greens with two huge strawberries, pine nuts, and a piece of bleu cheese all with a citrus dressing. Al ordered the calamari which is outstanding. It’s not that it is the most tender, it is the most flavorful coating and drizzle. It was even better on Sunday when we warmed up the leftovers at home.

I chose the pan seared scallops as my main course. Served with spinach and bacon garnish, they were perfect. Al had the fillet which I regret to say came too well done. It was whisked away and a new one returned cooked perfectly. It is served with a peppery coating, haricot verts, and some very fine mashed potatoes. In the mean time the restaurant had filled to capacity by 6pm, and our waiter was running every minute, he never, however neglected us even for a minute. Service alone will keep us coming back here.

We finished with coffee and gellato. I love this restaurant. Every detail is beautiful from the candles on the table to the coffee presentation. Your second cup is served in an individual glass carafe. We had been at the Forrest theater before coming here and it is only about a 2 and ½ block walk, making it a perfect pre or apres theater choice and the waiters ask everyone if they are going to a performance. We got our own performance as the young man at the next table got down on his knee and proposed. A truly wonderful evening.

From journal Philly Phood and Phun

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