la Padella is cooking up a storm these days in Upper Providence. The new restaurant at 100 State Road (formerly Dominic’s) has been transformed into a fine Italian eatery serving Old World cuisine.
Nick and Kayla Amoroso own and operate the new eatery. They recently ran Campbell’s Boathouse in Media, which has since been sold. The Amorosos, as well as their acclaimed chefs, are lifelong Delaware County residents.
“Our team is thrilled to have the opportunity of crafting inspired recipes using locally sourced ingredients in this wonderful building, which has housed so many fantastic restaurants for years,” says Nick. “We’ve set out on our journey to continue that tradition of great food, friendly service and a warm atmosphere.”
And that’s exactly what we discovered when we dined there. From the cocktails to the dessert and everything in between, the dinner experience was first class.
The Welcome
The moment we stepped through the door, Nick greeted us and led us to the window table of our choice. He explained that most of the pasta is made in house, and the vegetables and other ingredients are grown and produced in the area. The server was welcoming and friendly, and aware that it was our first time there, explained the different pasta dishes in detail and offered her recommendations.
The Cocktails
In addition to the carefully selected, extensive wine list, la Padella has a full bar and specialty cocktail list. The limoncello martini, crafted with ice-cold lemon liqueur, was the perfect way to kick off a warm summer night. la Padella also carries traditional Italian liqueurs, such as amaretto, sambuca and Prosecco, as well as Italian beers.
The Starters
While all the starters sounded delicious, we were intrigued by the Caprese salad. Burrata, a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream, sat on a bed of perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes topped with fresh baby basil and a three-vinegar reduction.
The mussels were scrumptious. The tender shellfish was served in a large bowl with crostini for dipping, and the white sauce had just the right amount of garlic.
Go for the meat and cheese board, which includes three Italian meats and specialty cheeses, fruit chutney, olive tapenade and caper berries.
The Pasta
La Padella offers traditional, authentic pasta selections, including ravioli with rosa sauce and spicy sausage, spaghetti with meatballs and potato gnocchi with pesto cream and cherry tomatoes. Even better? All of the pasta dishes can be made with gluten-free pasta upon request.
The Entrees
The frutti di mare is a la Padella favorite. The perfectly cooked, homemade linguini is topped with a variety of fresh-from-the-sea favorites, including scallops, clams, mussels, shrimp and calamari in tomato broth.
There are vegetarian options available, too, including the eggplant parm, with three large, thick-cut slices of tender eggplant topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato sauce and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Other temptations include shrimp and mushroom risotto, bronzino, veal chops and filet mignon. There are many gluten-free options, too—just ask.
The Desserts
There’s no shortage of decadent desserts here. Choose from chocolate cake with a molten center and cappuccino cream or a limoncello cheesecake with steeped blueberries. If you prefer a lighter sweet treat, the housemade sorbet is a wonderful choice. la Padella’s chefs create new flavors daily, and the blood orange was refreshing and the perfect ending to our meal.
Find out what’s new at la Padella by following its Facebook and Instagram accounts.
La Padella is located at 100 State Rd. in Media; phone: (484) 445-4445.
- Photos: Lauren Avellino Turton
