The Classiest Happy Hour in Philly
Call the press, the best happy hour in town is waaaay undercover and needs to be revealed!
Scarpetta in Rittenhouse Square may be known for its signature spaghetti, creamy polenta, and branzino, but within its walls on the first floor is an unreal happy hour deal.
GET THIS PEOPLE: Scarpetta offers a happy hour every single day (besides Saturday’s) where all the drinks are HALF OFF + all the happy hour bites are only $6!!!
This means right off the park in center city Philly you can find yourself walking into an esteemed Italian restaurant filled with stylish people, gorgeous décor, a sophisticated spring cocktail list, and some bomb arancini for half price!
Arancini are stuffed rice balls which are coated with bread crumbs and then deep fried. They are usually filled with ragù, mozzarella, and peas, but Scarpetta changed it up a bit. Instead of peas they are stuffed with wild mushrooms and instead of mozzarella the cheese of choice is taleggio. Which, if you’ve never had taleggio cheese, do yourself a favor and try it! Taleggio is a semisoft, washed-rind, smear-ripened Italian cattle cheese.
I had such a ball reviewing their happy hour menu with my boyfriend, Daniel. Neither of us eat (non-kosher) meat so we chose all the veggie/cheese/fish friendly options. It was all sooo good, I can't imagine how tasty the meat dishes are!! Friendly PSA: when you go and if you order some prosciutto or beef tartare please report back :)
What we had to driiiink…
San Remo -- Woodford Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Campari, St. Germain, Citrus
Margarita Italiana -- Avion Silver, Aperol, Grapefruit (but I asked for pineapple), Lime
Fresh Blueberry Margarita -- Avion Silver, Blueberry Puree, Orange (this didn't actually exist on the menu, I just asked the bartender to whip me something up with tequila! It was delish!!)
Negroni Invecchiato -- Plymouth, Campari, Carpano Antica, Orange
Margarita Italiana (left) +
San Remo (right)
What we had to #eeeeeat
Arancini (as explained above) is delish, but it's also good to know it’s served over the mushroom puree so the goodness doesn’t stop once the fried balls are gone!
Pizzetta -- Goat Cheese, Caramelized Shallots, Mushrooms, Balsamic Reduction (So good. Probs favorite thing we had!!)
Gorgonzola Crostini -- Red Wine Poached Figs, Gorgonzola, Walnuts (this comes in second for me and tied in first place for Daniel!)
Scarpetta x Stateside Urbancraft Vodka Pizza Collaboration -- Vodka Sauce, Aged Tomatoes, Ricotta Cheese (very rich in flavor and creammmmyyyy)
Formaggi -- (chef’s selection of 3 cheeses) We had asiago, taleggio, gorgonzola dolce served alongside the most delicious crostinis, aromatic rosemary, underrated honey truffle (!!!!) and Stromboli bread (served complimentary to the table). The chef's cheese (and meat) selection changes weekly or even daily!
The food was amazing, but it's also really important to let you guys know the service was impeccable. We both couldn't remember a time we had a more attentive, patient, and kind waitress. The hostesses were helpful, the manager was present, the bartender was creative, and again the waitress was really wonderful. Bravo!
Whether you’re going on a first date, catching up with old friends, or looking to take relatives who are visiting town out Scarpetta’s redefined happy hour is your best bet.
