Le Castagne - Permanently Closed

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1. L

   melissaL

   Philadelphia

   17 reviews

   3.0

   17 reviews

   Dined on January 30, 2016

   overall3food5service2ambience4

   Food and wine are great just difficult to have wait staff pay attention to you. Short staffed we were told.

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2. DV

   DavidV

   New England

   10 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   10 reviews

   Dined on January 29, 2016

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   The staff is friendly and they have a very nice assortment of wines. The food is fresh and very tasty. It is a must for the Philly resident and great place to experience if from out of town. I will be back and highly recommend to my friends.

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3. MS

   MaryS

   Philadelphia

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 29, 2016

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We had a lovely "restaurant week" meal choosing the salmon and veal cutlet as our main courses. The service was friendly and their suggestions were helpful. The drinks were as delicious as the food- Manhattan on the rocks (my husband is very picky and he was very pleased) and Cosmo. We look forward to going back for Happy Hour at the bar which appears to be a fun time.

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4. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Philadelphia

   22 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   22 reviews

   Dined on January 29, 2016

   overall4food4service5ambience4

   Went for restaurant week dinner. Pasta and my chicken entree were both outstanding; the desert was average. The portions were on the smaller side. Service was professional and attentive. Its a small space, but well done. Overall, really enjoyed our meal.

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5. MP

   MaryP

   Philadelphia

   82 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   82 reviews

   Dined on January 28, 2016

   overall4food4service4ambience3

   Visited during restaurant week. Food was tasty and service was very good. I would go again.

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6. j

   jake

   Philadelphia

   9 reviews

   4.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on January 27, 2016

   overall4food4service5ambience5

   Both variants if the gnocchi were good and very good portion sizes when ordered as appetizers.

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7. SK

   SKM047

   Philadelphia

   34 reviews

   4.0

   34 reviews

   Dined on January 19, 2016

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   Le Castagne is an excellent choice for a business or casual lunch in its neighborhood. While the menu is small, the food is always prepared well, and the kitchen is flexible with special needs (such as adding a fish dish from the dinner menu to lunch time)

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8. JD

   JakesDad

   Philadelphia

   3 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on January 14, 2016

   overall3food2service3ambience3

   I know many people that really enjoy Le Castagne, but I wasn't impressed. Our server was very professional but cool, and hesitated to make any recommendations from the menu, saying that "everything is excellent." I guess from her perspective, better to be diplomatic than helpful. But contrary to her declaration, everything wasn't excellent. I had the crudo, which was tasty but not in any way inventive, and then the Dover sole, which was slightly overcooked. The sole came with *cold* mashed potatoes and a side of flavorless string beans. I can't imagine ever going back to Le Castagne when there are so many terrific restaurants in town.

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9. M

   Mickey

   Philadelphia

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 31, 2015

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   A great and attentive preserver of regional Italian cuisine. Stick to meat and fish, sometimes exquisite in preparation. Beautiful presentation and fine deserts.

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10. JJ

    JJJB

    Philadelphia

    10 reviews

    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2015

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    The food was delicious and the atmosphere was very nice.

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11. MC

    MaggieC

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 11, 2015

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Staff was very friendly, great atmosphere and food was outstanding! Dover sole special was delicious & presentation was entertaining. Gnocchi melts in your mouth--superb!

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12. l

    linnie

    New York Area

    47 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    47 reviews

    Dined on December 10, 2015

    overall4food5service4ambience5

    This was our first time to this lovely restaurant. It was a Xmas party for old friends and it was the perfect place to enjy food, take our time and have some good wine and food.

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 30, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Consistently excellent italian cuisine. Service was professional and welcoming, as always. One of my favorite restaurants in the city.

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14. KS

    KS26

    Washington DC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2015

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    We come to Le Castagne every year in November for dinner the night before I run the Philadelphia Marathon. It has become a tradition/superstition. The food is very good, the service is very attentive, and the cost is quite reasonable.

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15. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 21, 2015

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    They were very accommodating to our children. Menu was slightly limited. The ambiance was nice however it was very drafty near the front door. Would visit again.

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16. CP

    CPRN

    Philadelphia

    31 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on November 18, 2015

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    Nothing about Le Castagne stands out, leaves an impression, nor sets it apart from any other Italian restaurant in Center City. It's not bad by any means, but nothing special either.

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17. C

    Castagne

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 14, 2015

    overall1food4service1ambience2

    Very poor service during this visit. When we asked for non alcoholic drinks no options were offered. Very limited vegetarian options and none were proactively offered either. We were never once visited by the server after the initial order - no check ins during our meal to see if we needed anything. Also we were waiting for 20 min after we finished main course before we saw her to order dessert - so we skipped it. No apologies from the waitress after we pointed this delay out. The response was - "I am sorry you feel that way" as if it was our fault to feel dissatisfied. All in all pathetic service.

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18. SP

    StephPalCal

    Baltimore

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We were seated promptly, a little ahead of our reservation time. We were served bread with a delicious tomato pesto. Our food came out delicious and well presented. We had a variety of choices of wine and beer as well. Our server was attentive without being overbearing. He seemed knowledgeable about the good when my husband had questions from the menu.

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19. F

    Fahan

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on November 7, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Downtown restaurants that have an open table on a Saturday night when you've waited till Friday morning to make the reservation can make you nervous. But any night you're dining out you'lll be happy to have done so at La Castagne. Our Saturday night dinner there was delightful and in every way. Service is warm as well as gracious and the food is finely done offering both classic dishes and some adventurous choices. There's even parking right next door. There's no good reason this fine restaurant was not fully booked on a Saturday night but there's every good reason to dine there any day or night - you won't be disappointed.

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20. E

    Experience

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2015

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    Well, how to summarize the experience. It took five minutes of waiting just for somebody to get interested in us waiting at front desk. It took some time to clean the table. I had to find waiter after waiting for 10 minutes. This is Italian place but we had to ask for bread. Some of the staff were more interested in dating than customers. Food was mediocore.

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21. J

    John

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 23, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I go to Le Castagne frequently for lunch and love everything about the place. The staff is very attentive, the food is excellent, and the atmosphere is very elegant. Lisa is fantastic and she is constantly aware of the needs of her customers. I can't say enough good things about this restaurant and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for a very nice place to get a delicious lunch.

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22. c

    caryl

    Philadelphia

    30 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    30 reviews

    Dined on October 17, 2015

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    this restaurant has an interesting menu, good service and best of all it is QUIET. you can talk to your dining partner with out screaming.

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23. SH

    SH215

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 10, 2015

    overall3food3service5ambience3

    Wasn't thrilled with organic chicken entrée. have had more enjoyable dishes elsewhere. Husband liked scallops.

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24. Z

    Zetty

    Philadelphia

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We are from NYC and wanted to find a new romantic spot to celebrate a birthday. This was a gem of a find. We will definitely return and I've already recommended that my friends dine here. Everyone was gracious and helped make the evening extra special. The food was everything!! New returning client here!

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25. H

    Happydiner

    Philadelphia

    43 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2015

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    An easy choice for a business meal. Nice and quiet. Neither the menu not the decor have changed in about ten years. It's good, always, but never interesting or exciting food-wise.

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26. PF

    PFisher

    Richmond

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on October 3, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It is rare that I give 5 stars to a restaurant. However, this place deserves it. The food is outstanding. The service is top notch. It is definitely one of my favorite places in the city. The pasta is probably the best in the city - correction IS the best in the city. The gnocchi is like nothing you have had before. The entrees are creative and delicious. The chef clearly knows what he is doing. His food is creative and cooked to perfection. Many of the Philly food critics are enamored with one other particular owner of several places. I find Le Castagne far superior to those other places. When I eat at Le Castange, I feel like I had a meal and am full. Honestly, I am tired of tasting menus and small plates, which seems as every other place in the city is doing these days. When I entertain people from out of town for business I like to take them here. I know they will get an outstanding meal and without exception they do. Try it - you will not be disappointed.

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27. M

    Mike

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 3, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Met with a business partner from out of town. Perfect place for dinner meeting. Great food & quiet enough for discussion.

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28. V

    Vince

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 22, 2015

    overall5food5service4ambience4

    Food was exceptional Italian fare. Perfect place for a quiet and private business lunch.

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29. N

    Napoletano

    New York Area

    63 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    63 reviews

    Dined on September 19, 2015

    overall4food5service5ambience4

    Le Castagne is one of my favorite restaurants. I especially like to take out of town guests here. I did so on Saturday evening and the food was excellent and the service was as well. However, the manner in which many of the patrons was dressed was really awful and definitely detracted from the atmosphere. Just during our time there, there was: a young fellow in a tshirt who walked back and forth to the mens room through the restaurant several times. My friend pointed out that he was constantly scratching his stomach from under the tshirt as he walked through; there were other tshirts as well; one "gentleman" wore a baseball cap at the table throughout his entire meal; flip flops were in abundance among men and women. I understand that dressing up is not what it once was, but this was really over the top!!

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30. M

    Marian

    Philadelphia

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on September 16, 2015

    overall4food4service2ambience5

    Food was delicious, but it took too long to come out. 4 of my guests had to leave before desert arrived. A nice Italian restaurant should have nice Italian bread, as opposed to mushy white hamburger rolls and the Coffee was really week and was served with milk instead of cream. These little touches make a big difference for a great dining experience.

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31. G

    Gina

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 28, 2015

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    Great restaurant, delicious food and reasonably priced. Service was wonderful. We were celebrating my daughter's Birthday and this restaurant helped make it a really nice celebration.

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32. D

    Dallas

    Philadelphia

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on August 28, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Surpassed all expectations - a real gem. Booked this based on open table info and reviews and it did not disappoint. Both had the sole - a house specialty. It was outstanding. The beet goat cheese appetizer was top 10. I eat out for business all the time - in many countries- and highly recommend this restaurant.

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33. F

    Foodie

    New York Area

    15 reviews

    2.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2015

    overall2food2service1ambience3

    fish, hanger steak, and chicken mains were very simple, almost dull. The waiter was so annoying that we had to ask him to leave.

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34. BP

    BillyinPhilly

    Philadelphia

    28 reviews

    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2015

    overall4food4service3ambience3

    I live in Philly but had not heard of this place, saw it on the Restaurant Week listing and decided to give it a go. At 1920 Chesnut, it sits in the general vicinity of Rittenhouse. So if you don't live nearby and want to make an evening affair of the outing, you will have plenty of options. We showed up and with our reservation were promptly seated. The same person who seated us ended up being our server, who gave us ample time to peruse both the food menu and the drink menu. The restaurant describes itself as known for its wine, so when in Rome...we were not displeased! Our server gave some advice on the wine choices, the advice focusing on our likes and dislikes rather than trying to talk us up to a higher priced wine--I really appreciated the patron focused approach. Shortly thereafter came warm homemade bread served with a homemade olive oil onion tomato dipping sauce, delicious! Then came our appetizers, also delectable. But this is where things went from five stars to four: the wait between appetizers and dinner took quite a while. I don't know if the kitchen just got inundated all at once, or if our server forgot to put in our order (which I doubt, as why would she hold off on putting in our dinner order, but put in our appetizer order promptly?), or what happened, but we waited. When dinner finally arrived, it too was delicious! The servings weren't particularly generous, but with a three course Restaurant Week meal the size of the individual platters need not be overly generous. For dessert there was only one option, and again quite a wait with this as well, but this time it was clearly due to having to wait for it to finish cooking. I imagine that during a regular week (ie- not Restaurant Week) it has much less of a crowd, so I'd probably go back. It has very good acoustics, so if you want a quiet more intimate dining experience, this place has what you want.

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35. PT

    PhillyTimmy

    Philadelphia

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This place was very good. My appetizer was probably the best thing I've ate in a long time. The service was great as well. Will be coming back.

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36. CM

    CMTS

    Philadelphia

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2015

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    A Philly must go to love the lunch for restaurant week. One of my all time best restaurant would go more often but can be expensive. Having said do not let that stop you especially in restaurant week. Great food, nice bar and great everything!!

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37. J

    Jeff

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 12, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Good food and a great staff. Wonderful experience.

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 11, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I went to this restaurant for restaurant week and loved everything I ate! I had the gnocci, rack of lamb, and the zeppolini cannoli dessert. All very good. The restaurant was very quiet, good for adult crowd looking for a nice relaxing night out. Wine selection was robust.

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 7, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was excellent. Grilled octopus was exceptional. And so was the squid ink pasta ( I cannot recall the name). Kind people and great service. Do try the pannacotta.

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40. K

    Kimmrjd

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 6, 2015

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The service was great, but it would be a little difficult to get in, out and back to work in an hour.

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