Restaurant Review: Piatto Grille

Restaurant:
Address: 410 W Ridge Pike, Conshohocken PA, 19428 (610-825-1300)

Rating: ★★★★★ (5) out of 5 stars
Style:  Italian Restaurant
Food: Traditional Italian & American Cuisine
Atmosphere:  Seemingly outdated décor, yet extremely clean

Parking: Yes, lot parking
Service: Extraordinary
Price Range: $$
Unique Feature:  Large menu, Take out, Delivery

I had to double-check Google Maps twice to make sure that I knew where we were going. Even still, I drove by the restaurant without realizing it, not knowing that where we were dining was tucked away within a forgettable strip mall. Fortunately, after we eventually found Piatto Grille, the meal (and entire dining experience) was simply unforgettable.

We arrived on a Saturday afternoon around 1:30pm to witness an almost-empty restaurant. Though it appeared as though the restaurant might have been closed, a perky, well-dressed host immediately sat us at a window booth. Within minutes, two menus and glasses of water were brought to us. As we perused the menu, I couldn’t help but notice the outdated Italian-style mural on the wall, the Sinatra crooning in the background, the brown vinyl booths, and the 80s-style light fixtures that surrounded us. My first thought was that the restaurant could definitely use a face-lift.

It didn’t take much time for us to decide on the Roasted Sweet Potato Gnocchi for an appetizer. Served within 15 minutes, the gnocchi were smothered in a delicious Buerr Blanc sauce, topped with a sprig of sage and fried prosciutto. After a few bites, we both agreed that a little salt was needed, but other than that, the appetizer was very flavorful. As we sat and enjoyed the starter, the chef came out from the kitchen and took the time to check on us to make sure the food was to our liking.

As we decided on entrées, one thing we really appreciated was the variety of options. For lunch, Piatto Grille offers their standard lunch menu (which include more high-end meals like Pork Osso Buco and Eggplant Parmigiana) as well as a ‘casual lunch’ menu (which is aimed towards meals that would lean closer to comfort food, like a Piatto Cheesesteak or Chicken Steak Hoagie).

Within another 15 minutes, our entrées were brought out and served by the chef. I decided on a personal size Buffalo Chicken Stromboli, which ended up being enough for at least two people. Oozing with spicy hot sauce, the meal was exceptionally filling, with mozzarella and bleu cheese fused together over hearty chunks of chicken and a freshly baked crust. I was barely able to finish half of it before I had to tap out and look forward to leftovers. My girlfriend ordered a more vegetarian-based meal, the Mediterranean Sandwich. Served on a remarkably fresh roll with melted provolone, her sandwich was chock full of hot veggies including artichoke, squash, zucchini, spinach, tomato, eggplant, and more. After finishing half of it, she was committed to saving the rest for leftovers but couldn’t help herself and finished most of the second half before the chef came back with a desert tray offerings that included beautifully presented homemade cakes and pastries.

After we declined dessert and before our check came, the chef personally brought out our wrapped leftovers. On the box of remaining gnocchi, he wrote a detailed note indicating how it should be prepared: “Do not microwave; reheat and mix with milk or cream in a saucepan.” We appreciated that the chef would go out of his way to make sure that his food was reheated properly. We had never dealt with a restaurant that cared so much about the presentation & preparation of food as well as the satisfaction of his customers, and it certainly didn’t go unnoticed. When he brought us the check, he made sure to remind us of the Satisfaction Survey and Rewards Club card that joined it.

As we got in the car, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Piatto Grille. Such a fine dining establishment, overshadowed by fast food joints across the street and an Australian-themed chain restaurant just a stones-throw away. Luckily for them, I’ll be sure to pass the good news around that there is a restaurant in Conshohocken that whole-heartedly cares about its customers.

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