How is Le Castagne - Permanently Closed restaurant rated?

Name: Le Castagne - Permanently Closed
Address: 1920 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 19103
Telephone: (215) 751-9913
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4

Le Castagne - Permanently Closed

4.0

785 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Top Tags:

For elevated, authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Philadelphia, head to Le Castagne and enjoy the beautiful food and equally pleasing atmosphere. Le Castagne has a wonderful selection of inventive appetizers, but one of the top choices must be the salumi e assagi vari, an artisanal meat platter with pickles, artichokes, crostini and pate. Delectable entrée specialties include the pollo contadino, Amish chicken with pumpkin, mushrooms and Brussel sprouts, the slow-braised lamb timballo d’agnello brasato on garlic crostini topped with a poached egg and the short rib costole corto, with pistachios and root veggies. Choices also include the gnocchi al tartufo bianco in a truffle cream sauce, the veal ravioli ripieni di vitello and the pappardelle alla Bolognese with beef, veal and pork. Add to the charm of your meal at Le Castagne with a fine glass of wine.

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Dining style
Casual Elegant
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:00pm;
Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Phone number
(215) 751-9913
Website
http://www.lecastagne.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Michael Delone

Location
1920 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19103
Neighborhood
Center City
Cross street
20th & 19th
Parking details
Street Parking is available. Public lot also available (adjacent to building).
Public transit
Route 17 Septa
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 785 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.0

4 based on all time ratings

4.1Food
3.9Service
4Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SK
SKM047
Philadelphia
35 reviews
4.0
35 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)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SH
SH215
Philadelphia
3 reviews
3.0
3 reviews
Dined on October 10, 2015
overall3food3service5ambience3
Wasn't thrilled with organic chicken entrée. have had more enjoyable dishes elsewhere. Husband liked scallops.
Z
Zetty
Philadelphia
11 reviews
vip
5.0
11 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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CM
CMTS
Philadelphia
11 reviews
5.0
11 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!!
J
Jeff
Philadelphia
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 12, 2015
overall5food5service5ambience3
Good food and a great staff. Wonderful experience.
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.
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.
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.

FAQs

Le Castagne - Permanently Closed is rated 4 stars by 785 OpenTable diners

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Cross street
20th & 19th
Neighborhood
Center City
Hours of operation
Lunch: Monday - Friday: 12:00pm - 2:00pm;
Dinner: Monday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 9:30pm, Friday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking is available. Public lot also available (adjacent to building).
Public transit
Route 17 Septa
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Executive chef
Michael Delone
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.lecastagne.com/
Phone number
(215) 751-9913