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When deciding to dine at Ristorante Pesto, 1915 S. Broad St., patrons must come prepared to have their mouths handle plentiful portions and to engage in copious conversations with their host, the Varallo family. Enough readers have already learned that lesson, selecting the East Passyunk Crossing eatery as their favorite Italian restaurant.
“We fully invest in seeing our customers as an extended family,” hostess and co-owner Concetta Varallo, whose husband, John, and daughter, Maria, serve as the 10-year-old establishment’s chefs, said. “I find myself blown away they would vote for us and thank them.”
Guests also have found themselves moved through what Concetta calls a combination of quantity and quality. Packed pasta, meat and seafood dishes delight their appetites, and a cozy ambiance, with help from seven Italian tapestries, encourages them to be as gregarious as the Varallos. Ever the artisan and perfectionist, John sates sweet teeth, too, with an array of goodies that includes cheesecake, gelato and a Nutella soufflé, helping as many as 140 visitors to ponder another pursuit of perfection.
“We put the menu through some changes during the Christmas and Easter season, but we rarely change what we have because we know what people enjoy,” John said. “They love freshness and taste, so we’re grateful to them because they make us.”
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant invited everyone to “mangia” in second place, while Marra’s cuisine cooked in third.
Contact Staff Writer Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2013 Readers’ Choice Awards
Cuisine
Scannicchio’s Italian Restaurant: Gravy/sauce
Geno’s Steaks: French fries / cheesesteak
PrimoHoagies: Hoagie
Johnny Chang’s: Sushi
Nick’s Old Original Roast Beef: Roast beef sandwich
City Pizza: Pizza toppings
Green Eggs Café: Sunday brunch
Penrose Diner: Waffles
Popi’s Italian Restaurant: Business luncheon/banquet
FrancoLuigi’s Pizzeria: Romantic outing
Ristorante Pesto: Italian restaurant
Cantina Los Cabalitos: Ethnic restaurant (non-Italian)
Noir: New restaurant
Sweet Tooth
Termini Bros.: Cannoli (tie)
Potito’s Bakery: Cannoli (tie) / cupcakes
Italiano’s Water Ice: Water ice
Lerro’s Candy Co.: Candy store
Staying Active
DanceAdelphia: Dance studio
Girard Academic Music Program: Music program
Marconi Plaza: Place to walk your dog
Stickball: Schoolyard/street game
Guerin Recreation Center: Recreation Center
Wake Up Yoga: Place to take a yoga class
Places
East Passyunk Avenue: Neighborhood
Pennsylvania Burial Co.: Funeral home
Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter School: School
St. Monica: Church
Ten Pennies: Florist
Chickie’s and Pete’s: Place to enjoy a game
Sports
Frank Natale: High school coach
Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School Saints: High school team
Citizens Bank Park: Pro sports venue
Chase Utley: Current Philly pro athlete
Ed Snider: Philly pro sports owner
And the Rest
Mummers Parade: South Philadelphia tradition
Councilman Mark Squilla: Politician
Social Scene: South Philly Review section
Disc jockey: Category not on this list
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