Vetri - Philadelphia, PA

Originally opened and operated with a more traditional a la carte menu, Vetri moved to a tasting menu-only format in March 2011 to fully showcase the constantly evolving, dynamic creativity of Chef Vetri and his kitchen staff, and their desire to offer an unparalleled dining experience. Upon arriving at their table, guests are treated as they would be in Italy and are eased into dinner with a selection of stuzzichini (hors d’oeuvres). With palates and stomachs primed, menus arrive—Di Pesce (fish), Di Verdure (vegetable), Di Terra (from the earth) and Dolce (dessert)—allowing for both the perusal of the best of the season’s offerings, and also a conversation between guests and the restaurant’s staff to shape the meal. From there, the kitchen goes to work crafting a personalized six-course tasting. Though the menus frequently change, reflecting the finest of what’s available at the market, guests can still find longtime Vetri signature dishes such as Spinach Gnocchi with Brown Butter; Sweet Onion Crepe with White Truffle; and Baby Goat with Freshly Stone-Milled Polenta.

As Vetri’s dinner menu has evolved over the years, so too has its complementary beverage program. When the restaurant first opened, Benjamin had curated a 70-bottle Italian wine list. Today the wine cellar, which has been carefully expanded over time, boasts 2,500 bottles. Still Italian focused—including wines from almost every region in Italy, a rare offering in the U.S.—the wine list now features 500 varietals encompassing both Old and New World, along with a profound vertical selection of many vintages that can span a decade or more. (from http://www.vetriristorante.com)