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  • Restaurant Alba

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Restaurant Alba
Restaurant Alba

Restaurant Alba Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.restaurantalba.com
  • Phone: (610) 644-4009
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Tuesday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:00pm



    Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:00pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 9:45pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
  • Executive Chef: Sean Weinberg
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Private Party Facilities: Private parties up to 60 guests can be accomodated. Customized tasting menus are available for wine dinners or special events. Please contact the restaurant for details.
  • Private Party Contact: Kelly Weinberg (610) 644-4009
  • Special Events & Promotions: Please go to our website to sign up on our mailing list to receive newsletters about upcoming events. We do a variety of events such as winemaker dinners, farmer dinners, wine tastings,as well as off-site farm dinners.

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Warren Avenue
  • Public Transit: The SEPTA R5 line stops at the Malvern train station directly behind the restaurant. Please check schedule as not all trains stop in Malvern.
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Parking is available on the street, directly behind the restaurant in the Malvern train station SEPTA lot & within a block in the municipal lot on S. Warren Avenue.
A word from Restaurant Alba
A casually elegant restaurant featuring hand crafted locally grown artisan foods simply prepared & cooked over a wood-burning grill. The seasonal menu is comprised of foods sourced from over a dozen local farms. Recent accolades include top honors in food & service from Zagat Guide 2008, 2009, 2010… & 2011 & "3 Bells - Excellent" from food critic Craig LaBan of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Private parties can be accommodated. In addition, customized tasting menus are available for your wine dinner or special event. Leave time to enjoy a cocktail or craft beer at our bar or perhaps something from our extensive wine list. An additional lighter fare menu is available in our bar area as well. Reservations are only accepted in the dining room, the bar seating is walk-in only.Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
Diner Reviews
  • "Unique and remarkable flavors of food! Friendly, professional and knowledgable service."
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "A lovely restaurant, superb service, quiet was very welcome for conversation."
    Dined on 7/10/2014
  • "I highly recommend the Pennsylvania trout; it was incredible! Excellent service, staff was very accommodating and friendly."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "--because we had heard of the fine 'rep'--but we all were so disappointed. The menu was very fancy food and very pricey. I had one poor tasting pork dish--so bad that I could not eat it...took it home for the dog... and water for $30 --Another had the trout - was good enough. A third had Gnocchi--a small bowl --not great. I was so hungry after being there, I stopped at a local pizza place in Glen Mills and got two slices. So, no! we shall never go back! We asked chicken to be grilled and put onto greens--they said they simply could NOT accommodate . Way too 'chic' and pricey--and the taste isn't worth it. No extra side veggies were served with the main course. Disappointing overall."
    Dined on 7/7/2014
  • "We haven't been to Alba in months; our visit on Thursday evening reminded me why. We arrived on time for our 7:30 reservation. The couple we were meeting, were 15 mns late and the pompous host would not seat us until they arrived. (He seated other tables in front us of before their full party had arrived). Once seated it took 10 mns for a waiter to come and ask for our drink order, and another 10 mns to get the drinks, only to have one of them made incorrectly. And the restaurant was only half full. When we asked questions about the menu, our waiter got annoyed. The wine list is unique, but the pour is ridiculous (small) for the price. The food was good, but we will not return due to the rude host and lackluster waitstaff."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "Has become my "go to" spot for clients and for friends. Appreciate the BYOB combined with a strong inhouse wine list and beer selection. Corkage fee is more than fair, given the quality of the wine service, glasses, decanting, etc. Especially love the local sourcing of the food and the seasonal menu. None of the menu selections are "ordinary." Seems like a casual place, but the dining definitely is higher end. The staff are professionals, not people between jobs, and it shows in the service."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "My wife and I dined at Alba Saturday evening after being away for too many months. Loved the new patio area. Service was excellent, even with the adjustment for the new space. Dinner was tasty, especially the broccoli and escarole salad and the Spaghetti Carbonara. Hostess took care of our wishes with a warm smile. We will be back again soon and plan to bring friends."
    Dined on 6/28/2014
  • "There were four of us celebrating a special occasionfor dinner. We all tried something different and each selection was incredibly delicious. The service was incredible. We enjoyed the ambience. The glow of the shared evening and wonderful food lasted for days afterward."
    Dined on 6/26/2014
  • "Unless you want a big surprise when you get the bill, ask about prices on specials before you order. We made the mistake of not asking, and prices were more than double the standard entree price. Yikes! No meal is THAT special! The food is yummy and nicely presented, and we like the ambiance. Brand new waitress did a fine job on what might have been her first weekend night. Also noted was the automatic 20% gratuity added for a party of five (isn't is usually 6 or more?) and one of our party was a small child. Hmmm. Not loving that surprise either. We'll most certainly go back, but will make sure to order off the regular menu!"
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Excellent food perfectly prepared. Great cocktails."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "Were out of Chardonnay wine by the glass and would not replace mash potatoes for vegetable. This was the first time we did not have a stellar meal at this establishment."
    Dined on 6/19/2014
  • "Alba has the best version of real Italian food around here. Not your usual red sauce Italian. Homemade desserts and espresso round out a memorable meal."
    Dined on 6/19/2014
  • "We started with the Bruschetta, it was fabulous, followed by our mains and then desert. The food was excellent and we will definitly go there again!"
    Dined on 6/17/2014
  • "One of the few really good restaurants in the suburbs that does everything well - food, service, wine list."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Good food, alot of the word "No" was heard - No Sauginon Blanc, No Sky vodka, refusal to sing happy birthday to my father with us."
    Dined on 5/29/2014
  • "We had a happy experience at Alba restaurant. The food is outstanding."
    Dined on 5/28/2014
  • "Restaurant Alba seems to take every dish and prepare it like it was their specialty. My friend had the gnocchi and raved about it being the best she had ever had. I had the Veal Saltimbocca it was incredibly tender and delicious. Frank the waiter was very patient and helpful about the wine and all the entries. It opened my eyes to what else is really Italian food. "
    Dined on 5/23/2014
  • "My good friend and I meet for lunch here 4-5 times a year - to catch up with each other's lives. We always order the Warm Salad of Sicilian Tuna, a real favorite! We are never rushed and have a quiet leisurely lunch. "
    Dined on 5/23/2014
  • "I had been to Alba a few times before for drinks and dinner in the bar area and had wonderful experiences. This was my first time having dinner in the dining room and the experience didn't live up to my expectations. The food was wonderful and the people were very friendly. However, the dining room was extremely loud due to a large party. Also, the night we went it was raining and they didn't offer to check our coats and things (which they have done for me in the bar area before), so I sat on a bench seat with all our stuff piled up next to me. Again, the food was wonderful, but for our wedding anniversary dinner I guess I just had a different experience in mind for a special occasion."
    Dined on 5/21/2014
  • "Had the Berkshire pork and my girlfriend had the hangar steak, along with a few apps and dessert. Everything was absolutely delicious. A little small and a little pricey, but worth it for a nice dinner. Highly recommend."
    Dined on 5/19/2014
  • "Entrees were awesome, thank you for a nice evening. Wine pours by the glass could be a little heavier considering the prices."
    Dined on 5/16/2014
  • "I thought, it was very expensive for the amount of food you got. The wine glasses are filled with a small amount of wine, looks like your getting a tasting. Had dinner with a friend on the weekday and we came out with a $50.00 check each with tip included."
    Dined on 5/14/2014
  • "Any restaurant can have a good or bad night. The thing about Alba is that they are remarkably consistent. The food is always great. Well conceived a and executed. Highly recommend for a great dining experience."
    Dined on 5/13/2014
  • "My wife and I have dined at Alba many times. It is a restaurant where you would be pleased with anything you ordered. Exquisite preparation and unexpectedly elegant flavors. For example, when you see "carrot soup", one might hesitate. I've learned that even the seemingly ordinary arrives at the table as something special. What I particularly note is that we have never had an "off" lunch or dinner. The consistency of the kitchen is terrific. Friendly staff and excellent wines."
    Dined on 5/13/2014
  • "Great food, service, ambiance, wines. Can never go wrong with anything on the menu! Thanks for another great evening. "
    Dined on 5/10/2014
  • "Loved the menu, food was superb, our waitress Fiorina (sp) was stellar!"
    Dined on 5/9/2014
  • "Spent last Friday evening at Alba for a birthday dinner celebration for my wife. What a terrific experience. We have been a couple times in the past and the food was always good but this time it exceeded expectations. Two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts, and a bottle of wine and we were completely sated and happy for the meal and experience. Two thumbs up to our waiter (who also happened to be the pastry Chef) and his Hazelnut Cake with Marscapone cheese and Apricot filling. We will return. "
    Dined on 5/9/2014
  • "My wife and I had been looking forward to dining here for a while and we finally went for her birthday and we were not disappointed. The food was fantastic! My wife had the lamb and loved it. I had the veal, i always order chicken when i go out to eat and there was none on the menu so I went outside of my comfort zone and was happy that I did. I think i could eat anything on the menu and be pleased. The service was amazing as well. We will absolutely be returning."
    Dined on 5/9/2014
  • "The menu offers choices that are delicious and not commonly seen. The service was competent. Unfortunately the noise level was almost unbearable. Such a shame."
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "This is my second recent visit to Alba. I love it, and my husband and I travel about 45 minutes to get there. The staff is outstanding! always pleasant, courteous, and professional no matter how crowed it could get (fun bar). The food is outstanding and we love to eat good food! I call it a gem!"
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "We have eaten here before and enjoyed everything about it. Food, service and ambiance. This time the service was terriable. Food was great but services is very important."
    Dined on 5/3/2014
  • "We had a great meal, start to finish! We were seated immediately and our drink order was taken. My friend and I had the beet salad and the trout entree. Everything was wonderful! Had a couple tasty desserts! Service was very good! An expensive meal so we don't go very often!"
    Dined on 5/2/2014
  • "Again I had a wonderful evening and a terrific meal at Restaurant Alba."
    Dined on 5/2/2014
  • "It was a real treat to return to Restaurant Alba; it's better than ever! All of our dishes exceeded our expectations. The fern fronds were a special treat and the lamb that had been marinated in ginger and juniper was among the best lamb dishes that I've enjoyed around the world. The budino dessert should not be allowed; it was sinfully delicious! To add to all of this enjoyment, our waitress was both extremely knowledgeable and wonderfully friendly, without being intrusive. I'll be back - soon!"
    Dined on 5/2/2014
  • "We had a delicious meal - smoked PA trout for me & veal saltimboca for my husband. Both were fabulous. I look forward to returning!"
    Dined on 4/26/2014
  • "Easily one of the best restaurants on the main line. Authentic Italian cuisine, elegant dishes with sustainable ingredients. I also like that the seasonal menu changes often. Wines are always lovely. The owners are great people, too!"
    Dined on 4/24/2014
  • "I have eaten a number of times at Alba and always have had a very good experience. Took some colleagues to dinner this evening, and I have to say that Alba outdid itself. Every single course was outstanding--beautifully prepared, well-constructed, delicious, and flavorful. Service was excellent as well. Certainly one of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Greater Philadelphia. Can't wait to go back."
    Dined on 4/22/2014
  • "The bruschetta is a must! We adore the goat cheese and honey with sea salt! The suckling pig is my husband's favorite dish. I had the lamb and it was outstanding! The management and servers are very polite and accommodating. We love this restaurant!"
    Dined on 4/19/2014
  • "This is our new favorite Italian restaurant. Any place that can grill octopus is outstanding! "
    Dined on 4/18/2014
  • "Been here several times and found it outstanding and consistant every time. The food, service and ambience are all oustanding. Had the suckling pig this time which was mouth watering and very tasty. Will contnue going back on a regular basis. Great restaurant."
    Dined on 4/15/2014
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