Best Authentic Restaurants in University City

La Scala is a pizza place with lots of other choices on the menu. Our table took a non-pizza route and had a really nice meal. The fish dishes (salmon and tuna) were both lovely; the gnocchi were super, and the one person who ordered a noodle dish reported that it was very good. However, I don't think we were playing to the restaurant's strong suit, which is pizza, as evidenced by the large pizza oven visible from our table and what was ordered at the tables near us. I would have preferred not to have the large TV screens visible throughout the place, but that's a me thing. Our server was very attentive. We were very pleased with our meal, happy that we would sit at the table long after having finished eating, to continue our conversation.

Our server Brandon made our experience exceptional. He provided us with food and drink recommendations and did not steer us wrong. Two of us at our table immensely enjoyed the Romarin specialty cocktail. Four of us shared three hors d’ouevres - the charcuterie, the mushroom tart and the crispy artichokes along with the beet salad. The serving sizes of each were perfect for the 4 of us to share. Our water glasses were continually refilled and the service was excellent. Two at our table had the Saturday special - poultry feuillete - an elevated chicken pot pie with mushrooms and black truffle oil. I sampled the special and the sauce was superb! I ordered the Moules Frites and another had the veal escalope. We all thoroughly enjoyed our food, the atmosphere and didn’t feel rushed. The interior of the restaurant was decorated for the holidays and it was a warm, welcoming environment. We completed our meal by sharing the moelleux au chocolat - a warm chocolate cake with hazelnuts and praline sorbet…delicious! I would highly recommend this restaurant for the quality of the food and the inviting atmosphere.

Great experience. Food was excellent. Wine list was very nice. We picked a Sagrantino. Very nice. Kitchen accommodated a couple of special requests. Very pleased.

Charming re-creation of an English Pub. English Pub food has gotten much better than it once was, and The Dandelion's food was excellent. From the Dandelion salad to the Root vegetable soup to the Rabbit Pie, all excellent. Our server (I regret I've forgotten her name) was perfect - friendly, efficient, professional. Only negative (for us) was the noise level - we ate upstairs during the lunch rush, and it was busy and noisy with energetic conversations with several tables of 6 or so surrounding us, which of course has pros and cons. But still highly recommended. We did not inquire if a quieter table was available - I think it may have been.

Absolutely AMAZING! As someone who bought their sausage from Fiorella’s I am blown away by how much of the original charm they kept. This was our 2nd visit and it did not disappoint. First visit was outside, tonight we were indoors. So happy I requested indoors. While enjoying dinner I really got a chance to look around and reminisce about old Fiorella Sausage and my visits as a young girl and a married woman. Oh and those monkfish arancini… delish. The rigatoni with Fiorella sausage and the ricotta gnocchi to die for. Everything was wonderful. Can not wait to go back.