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Cafe Giardino
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
1732 W Passyunk AvePhiladelphia, PA 19145
(215) 468-3453
- Hours:
Mon-Tue, Sat 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
Wed-Fri 8 am - 7 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
9 reviews for Cafe Giardino
9 reviews in English
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Review from tina z.
Philadelphia, PA
3/12/2010
this review is going to be hard to write. i'm going to have adjective problems. you can skip to the bottom right now for the summary.
this is because the dishes (a panino, a green salad, a cup of escarole soup, tilapia) look ho-hum in writing. on paper, and for these prices, they appear to be readily available at many lunch cafes slash bakeries in philadelphia. and the food was in fact really simple. one salad was just tomatoes. (well, and also olive oil, basil, balsamic reduction and salt.) the thing is, this place is only pretending to be a regular lunch cafe. everything was so well executed -- perfectly simple, perfectly balanced, perfect service. those tomatoes were just tomatoes. but they tasted kind of like butter and kind of like peaches. don't laugh at me. they tasted like tomatoes you eat when you just went to the beach and you're really hungry and happy. i don't even know where they got tomatoes like that. and the waitress/proprietress is really cute.
in the same vein, i had what for 8 bucks should have been a completely ordinary soup-sandwich-salad lunch special. but the escarole soup was the. best. i have ever had, a soft tangle of buttery vegetables hanging together in a velvety, deeply vegetal broth. i had no idea there was even a point to escarole before this. the prosciutto panino was also freaking fantastic. you know how roasted red peppers are usually slightly bitter and slimy? these were little slicks of warm tender sweetness, with the sharp provolone and the nutty pork. so good. my g had the tilapia -- again, sounds boring, right? but it was so soft and perfect on the inside and blackened in spots on the outside and the risotto it was sitting on tasted so purely of the broth it was cooked in. and that tomato salad...
sorry this review is boring: you should go here. it's surprisingly well-constructed, well-cared-for food for confusingly cheap. i want to go back and eat the rest of the menu and all the pastries. -
Review from Iris M.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 2/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
According to CG's Facebook page, they are now closed. :(
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/15/2011
I'm always looking for new eateries to try and the readers of The Palate Princess have not been shy… Read more »
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Review from Steve H.
Philadelphia, PA
11/2/2011
Sadly -- it has closed. :(
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Review from Dannie T.
8/20/2009 2 Check-ins Here
This is the best kept secret in South Philadelphia. Omg .... Erica makes a grilled chicken breast topped with spinach and provolone served with a simple green salad tossed with oil and vinegar with a side of roasted peppers. Whoa ho ....... It's Heavenly ...... I'm smiling thinking about it. Darn, she's getting ready to close . I'll see you tomorrow Erica.
She has two desserts I love, one is a pie. It's berries and currants on top of marscapone cheese. Omg it's fabulous , but I think it evaporates when it's exposed to air or maybe I ate it. Lol. The other is tiaramisu, it is literally fingerlicking good.
ps. she doesn't accept credit cards
average entree is about $9 -
Review from Geoff M.
Philadelphia, PA
1/16/2008 1 photo
Cafe Giardino is a great Italian Cafe tucked away in the heart of South Philly. I've never been to Italy, but walking into Cafe Giardino allows me to visit Italy one meal at a time . My wife and I love the Giardino Classico II. It is a delicious, served while still hot, panini with grilled chicken, traditional pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella and marinated roasted peppers.
I highly recommend it.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from J A.
Philadelphia, PA
6/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this place. Ive been eating here regularly since I started working in the neighborhood a few months ago.
Great personal service, food is excellent and fresh every time, and I'm really picky!
Zero complaints. -
Review from Rich D.
Philadelphia, PA
9/29/2009
Café Giardino is a classic Italian Café, I love their Steak & Eggs!
I do my best to make it over there at least 3-4 times a week.
The café decor is outstanding and is maintained in a spotless manner.
Erica & Fred who are at the helm, run a tight ship! However, they are very cordial and welcoming.
Rich-D
http://www.Pets-R-Grea...
~SORRY TO REPORT THE ESTABLISHMENT IS CLOSED~
The establishment is currently for rent as a Turn Key and operate venue, hopefully someone will reopen the restaurant by spring. -
Review from Laura W.
Philadelphia, PA
7/31/2011
Great spot, hidden in S. Philly. Too bad they will be closed for the month of August.
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Review from Davide C.
Philadelphia, PA
2/6/2010
Café Giardino was originally a brother/sister venture with great food and fantastic espresso drinks. Erika kept up with the frontend, serving tables and takeout customers alike and Dan did the cookery, which was good, standard Italian dishes. Nowadays, Dan has gone on to other things and the cook has changed, but the spirit of the original venture has stayed with Freddy replacing Dan in the kitchen.
Freddy makes signature frittatas at a fraction of the cost of other Philadelphia eateries, even in this same area.
In addition to the Italian-American fair that's frankly leaps and bounds above what you're likely to find for the price, Freddy prepares some decent Italian foods, as well.
The crowning glory of Café Giardino, though, is the cappuccino. It is simply the very best cappuccino you can get this side of the Mediterranean, and take it from me, I should know: my hometown originated the drink.
Giardino offers a number of sweets, both Italian and otherwise, that are perfect for a sit down cup. There are some prepackaged Italian snack cakes that tear Tastykakes a new one if you'd rather get a coffee to go.
To try: cappuccino, milk-brewed tea, grilled chicken paniniComment from Erika T. of Cafe Giardino 10/11/2010
Thanks Dave! We are open 7:30 am-3:30 pm Mon-Sat Sharp ;) More »
