My husband and I recently dined at Via Locusta with another couple. The Italian restaurant comes from Philadelphia restauranteur Michael Schulson, who owns some of my husband’s and my favorite restaurants in the city.
When booking the reservation for our Saturday night dinner, the most convenient time slots only had patio seating available. I was slightly nervous it would be too cold, but decided to take a chance. We arrived a few minutes late and our friends were already seated. My concerns were eased as I took my seat in the perfectly warm and cozy enclosed patio. Shortly after, our waiter arrived to go over the menu, offer suggestions of how to split courses and take our drink order. I opted for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
© Katie Skrzek
As a table, we decided to split their house-made focaccia, then order separately by couple for the rest of the meal. My husband and I decided to share two small plates, two pastas and one entrée.
The focaccia was soft, with a crisp, salty crust. It came with whipped honey butter, sweet and rich. My husband suggested adding the whipped lardo, but the busser brought farmer’s cheese instead. The lardo ended up arriving much later in the meal and mostly went to waste. Up next, our small plates arrived: snapper crudo with horseradish, Meyer lemon and dill; and zucchini with pine nuts, white anchovy and herbs. Both were light and flavorful, though I would give a slight edge to the perfectly herby zucchini. For the pasta course, we split bucatini with leeks; and garganelli with guanciale, pecorino and tomato. I preferred the creamy bucatini with peppery leeks. Our entrée was the roast suckling pig. The pork was tender, with a crispy finish and was paired with dandelion greens and figs. For dessert, we split pistachio gelato.
Our waiter was friendly, though a bit flaky, forgetting drinks and taking long breaks in checking on us. Overall, we all really enjoyed the meal. I would love to dine at Via Locusta again to sample more of the dinner dishes or to enjoy the brunch menu.
Via Locusta
1723 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
tel 215 642 0020
Read This Next
#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
Apr 16, 2024Spring and Summer Offerings from Tivoli Hotels & Resorts
Portuguese-based Tivoli Hotels & Resorts offers travelers exciting opportunities this spring and summer.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Slideshow
Apr 16, 20245 Must-See Sites in Montpelier, Vermont
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here are five must-see sites in Montpelier, Vermont.
Food & Drink
Apr 16, 2024Don’t Miss All-New Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail in Jacksonville, Florida
Did you know Jacksonville, Florida, is home to the last remaining Maxwell House plant in the country? Or how about the fact the city is home to a thriving coffee and donuts scene? The all-new Jax Coffee & Donuts Trail highlights the many local coffee and donut shops in Jacksonville, showcasing more than 30 across the city.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Destinations / North America
Apr 15, 2024How to Make Your Visit to the Grand Canyon Greener
If you’re aiming to make your overall travel a little greener in the future, and you’re also traveling to the Grand Canyon soon, you’ll want to pick your transportation and lodging options carefully. Two offerings from Xanterra can help.
ShareThis