Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting Scarpetta, a restaurant in the Rittenhouse Hotel. When I walked in, my eyes were overtaken by the high beams and detailed architecture. Walking to my table involved walking upstairs to see an appealing and charming setting. It was very open and had a romantic feel to it due to the dim lighting and candle-lit tables. We passed tables with people feasting on meals that almost looked too beautiful to eat, and the laughter echoing throughout the restaurant made it obvious this was a space where memories were made.
When sitting down, I looked to my left and got to observe the people of Philadelphia in Rittenhouse Square. The big windows make you feel like you are one with the individuals and connect with what is around you. I was so fixated on the people below that when I looked forward again, I noticed a warm basket of bread that smelled delectable sitting in front of me. While enjoying the bread with the three delicious sauces that came on the side, it made me feel excited to order our main dishes. The bread was just the beginning of the pleasing food that was yet to come. The menu was only about a page long, but once I tasted the food, I quickly understood what the term “quality over quantity” truly meant.
When the overwhelmingly kind staff came over to refill our waters, we told them we were ready to order. I ordered the basil gnocchi, and while thinking about it, I could not wait for the food to come out. Looking around at the couples with their food, I felt envious. They were all laughing and seemed to be enjoying their food, which thrilled me to eat my future meal. When the food arrived, it arrived under a white glass cloche, and when the waiter lifted it, I was delighted to see a beautiful plate of warm pasta in front of me. The smell was alluring, and I could not wait to try it. When I did, it took me back to a sacred memory: Italy. Over the summer, I traveled to Italy with the school, and the pasta there was authentic and amazing. Scarpetta’s utterly delicious pasta tasted like some of the dishes I tried in Italy. You could taste each individual flavor, such as the sauces, basil, and every spice. Before I knew it, the plate was gone. When I returned home after the meal, I told my family eagerly with excitement that it was a great experience, and that we should all go sometime. I would want my family to experience not only authentic pasta but also the feel of Rittenhouse Square and the people of Philadelphia.
