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Ernesto's 1521 Cafe
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Rittenhouse Square
1521 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 546-1521
1521 Spruce St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 546-1521
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
9 reviews for Ernesto's 1521 Cafe
Totally hidden gem right in Rittenhouse. Super spacious with way more room than the standard byob. Service was attentive- probably helped that the place was half empty. The food was standard Italian fare but super tasty- The Olive Garden this ain't!
I had Pasta Vongole (basically pasta with a white wine clam sauce) and it was delic! Nothing different or unusual, but totally yummy. Judging by the practically licked empty plates of my fellow diners, I think they were fans as well. For dessert I had the tiramisu which to me even bad tiramisu is good tiramisu. Ernesto's however did not disappoint, and I scarfed down the tiramisu alarmingly fast. Would totally recommend this place!
Typical Italian fare, but very well done. I'd especially recommend Ernesto's for a date - unlike other Italian spots in the area, it's fairly quiet and romantic.
It looks like the offerings have changed somewhat since I was last here based on the menu on their website, but all of the dishes that my guest and I have had during our two trips here have been very tasty. I especially recommend the pepper fillet if it makes a reappearance on the menu.
And as other reviewers have noted, Ernesto's is a BYO (for a $5 corking fee) but has a full bar. Can't go wrong with that system!
Amazing. I remember when Ernie started out 1521 as a coffee shop and slowly added paninis, lentil soup and other items to a lunch menu before making the break to be a dinner only restaurant. My salad and my fiancee's ravoli appetizer were superb. He had the clams with white sauce (his only complaint being that there was not quite enough pasta) and I had the cioppiano which I did not realize came without pasta. After sharing a tira misu (smaller but just as good as I remember it from years ago) which was also great we departed a bit overfull despite trying not to overorder and overeat. The service was right on point about everything. The waitress was very helpful with selections and we were brought out a complimentary after-dinner drink - a nice surprise. We were there for a 6:30p reservation on a Saturday and the theater crowd cleared out just when we were finishing our meal. The waitress thought that later reservations were off due to the Phillies game. Definitely do make a reservation as every table was full. We will definitely be going back.
I really like Ernesto's!.I came for dinner on my birthday and was really delighted. I had the vegetable lasagna, which was a nightly special, and the calamari.
I love calamari. This is the best calamari I've had. Maybe it's the calamari, or maybe it's the sauce: pomegranate molasses and mango chutney. It sounds a little iffy to pair this with seafood but I am telling you, it is a match made in heaven.
Ernesto's has a very extensive regular menu. I don't think you can go wrong with this place. They are also BYO and have a full bar.
I believe in the summer they have a few tables outside. Prices are reasonable for the overall dining experience and the size of the portions.
The wait staff is very professional and friendly. Excellence!
While Ernesto's is a very romantic spot, it's also very congested. You kind of feel guilty leaving because you know that you'll most likely bump into another diner and have to excuse yourself before and after you make the move and this usually happens close to the weekend.
HOWEVER....
The food is a divine experience. Having never tried procuitto before I have to say that the procuitto and melon appetizer was very good.
The crab cake entree was cooked to perfection and finally, a restaurant that knows how to make couscous moist so that I don't choke trying to eat it.
Maybe it was a combination of the atmosphere with the music and wine, and my husband's cologne, but I really fell in love with this place since my first visit.
They do charge a corking fee if you bring your own wine. So remember, if you don't feel like tacking on another $30 to your bill for their wines and have an awesome $10 bottle at home, pay the $5 and bring your own.
My friends and I took my mother here for her birthday about 2 years ago and had a fabulous experience. The staff was very accomodating and gave our larger party the entire outside back patio, covered in a goregeous pergola, to enjoy our meal. The food was quite good, I still remember the truffle rissotto...and we were just in love with the setting. Does it get better than eating with your closest friends and your mom on the back patio of a lovely italian restaurant? I argue no...plus, its BYO so we were able to try several different wines we had brought over the course of dinner. Mom was happy, dad was off the hook for being out of town, we walked away fat happy and so glad to have stumbled upon this gem.
bravo!
Went here for a quick lunch. I had to make it under an hour, and we made it out just in time.
So, it was a workday, there weren't that many people there. Better for us...we got a great table.
Despite the fact that the bread came out quick, and the water was always filled up right away, our dishes came out about 45 minutes after we ordered them. So I hurriedly ate what I could and had the rest wrapped. Not a big deal? It kinda can be when there are only two other tables of patrons and it's lunch...and everyone needs to get out in an hour or less. We only had eggplant parm and a pasta dish. The food was good nothing to remember. Fresh and not at all greasy. My companion, a college student, felt totally pampered. It's a great space and the "feel" of the place is pretty nice.
It deserves a return trip for sure. I really liked the coffee...not watered down...very strong and tasty.
A woman at my work decided to have her going away lunch here so we all trooped over last week. The space is cute, small and bright and airy. I believe it used to be a house because the kitchen (which I could see from my seat) was ACTUALLY a kitchen, with glassware stocked cupboards and dish towels. The only odd thing about the decor was the windows that are lined with broadway style light bulbs... random. The food was all delicious!! I got the caesar salad with chicken which was great, but I totally regretted not getting the crab cake once I smelled it. YUM! I'll have to go back to try it. When we arrived the restaurant was pretty dead, but by the time we left it was almost full, so it definitely is a popular lunch destination.
I came late one night with 6 people and they served us even though they were closing...the staff is wonderful and the space is cute.
The food is average and a bit pricey but the place is great if you dont have reservations and you need a last second nice place to eat.
