Zip Over to Zavino: New Location Opens in U.City

From 13th Street to 32nd, Zavino never fails to impress.  Last Thursday night, Penn Appetit stopped by Zavino’s newly opened location in University City.  Three times the size of their Midtown Village location, the new Zavino has used this extra space to offer an expanded menu.

The mood at Zavino is strongly influenced by the decor – wine and liquor bottles line the walls on wooden shelves. The only major source of light is the kitchen, part of which is completely visible to customers. A gaping pizza oven flickers continuously with an open flame. Pizza is a specialty at Zavino, but on this night we sampled a wide selection of their other Italian fare: cheese, pastas, chicken, sides, and of course, dessert.

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Warm rosemary flatbread served with a light and airy ricotta cheese

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The Savannah–Hendricks gin, Peach Schnapps, lemon, and simple syrup

The meal commenced with rosemary flatbread and the locally sourced cheese of the day – a smooth, light and subtly sweet ricotta made in small batches in Italy. The flatbread was admirably both crisp and chewy, with satisfying savory rosemary flavor. Alongside the appetizer, we sipped two drinks off the cocktail menu: the “Savannah”, with Hendricks gin, Peach Schnapps, lemon, and simple syrup, as well as the “Bourbon Hound”, with Buillet bourbon, grapefruit, and basil.

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Eggplant Parmesan

The eggplant parmesan we tried next is one of the restaurant’s most praised dishes. Crispy, tender eggplant cradles soft burrata cheese. The masterpiece is topped with tomato vodka sauce and a generous toss of fresh parmesan. Hot, gooey, comfort.

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Ravioli of the Day

The ravioli of the day was filled with pulled pork, and topped with dijon cream sauce, crispy arugula, and parmesan.

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Gnocchi with cherry tomatoes and parmesan

The gnocchi, a staple of Italian restaurants, hit the mark. Each potato pillow was beautifully crafted. Light but filling, melt-in-your-mouth, but not mushy. The cherry tomatoes were roasted whole and burst (literally) with flavor.

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Amish chicken with Brussels sprouts, pancetta, and sage

Just as we were getting full to the brim, out came 1/2 an Amish chicken with Brussels sprouts, pancetta, and sage. The Brussels sprouts and chicken were co-stars on this plate. The chicken, tender with a crispy skin, had comforting spices, while the sprouts boasted a tang of vinegar and no bitterness.

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Left: Chocolate Mousse; Right: Tiramisu

No dinner is complete without dessert and Zavino didn’t let us down.  Served in adorable glass jars, both desserts consisted of layers of treats. The tiramisu was commendable, but the chocolate mousse truly shone. Simple, superbly chocolate mousse, stuffed with bite-sized chunks of decadent brownie and topped with thick, soft, salted caramel. Could you ask for more?

Once again, we had a wonderful time at Zavino.  With its expanded, always innovative, menu, proximity to campus, and happening atmosphere, Zavino will surely be a hit among University City residents!  Located at 3200 Chestnut Street, Zavino does not take reservations, but they do have a “no wait” policy–they’ll send you a text when your table is ready, so that you’re free to browse local shops or grab a drink. Large groups of friends (more than 8) can also contact Jason Brooke at Jason@zavino.com or 215-823-6897.  The restaurant serves dinner Sunday-Thursday from 4:30pm to 10:00pm and on Friday-Saturday until 12:00am.  Lunch is coming in April 2014, so get excited!  We know we are!

–Byrne Fahey and Katie Behrman

One thought on “Zip Over to Zavino: New Location Opens in U.City

  1. This all looks fantastic but I want to know about the wine! Wine bar and no wine?? You guys gotta go back!

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