ULIVO A New Restaurant

[Eames]

We will soon have a new restaurant in the hood it seems. A week or two ago I saw that they had painted Il Costeria at the corner of Catharine and Passyunk a much mor pleasing color than bright yellow and olive green. I didn't realize then that it was a new restaurant until the other day when I saw a new sign ULIVO over the door. Any info on what we are getting? I like the little I see so far.

[QVM]

From Michael Klein:


Three years ago, Joe Scarpone reluctantly closed Sovalo, arguably the swankiest restaurant in Northern Liberties. Sovalo may have been a three-beller, but the neighborhood just wasn't filling the seats.

Scarpone next headed to Manayunk to set up Agiato; he left shortly after its opening after a falling out with the developers.

Now Scarpone is back downtown. He signed a lease for the triangle-shape spot at Passyunk Avenue and Catharine Street, across from Cochon, that last housed Trattoria Alla Costiera.

Ulivo, a form of the Italian word for olive, will be neighborhood-friendly, a collection of mainly pasta, pizza, salads and panini with top entree prices in the low $20s. "It will be Sovaloesque. I'm not shooting to be a destination restaurant," he told me, "but I hope it happens."

Target is Nov. 1.



Read more: Joe Scarpone to Queen Village | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/15/2011
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[BarryG]

Saw this in the window today:

[Eames]

I saw that sign too. I also saw what I imagine is the future staff inside planning and being trained. I ate at the former place once, and from what I saw the newly renovated interior (not to mention the exterior) blows it away. I am assuming it will be Italian from the name and Chef's past endeavors. A lucky addition for us.

[qweezyq]

the name sounds like that fake butter spread stuff. hope the food isnt a reflection of that.

[loveisnoise]

the name sounds like that fake butter spread stuff. hope the food isnt a reflection of that.

Really?! I thought it sounded like part of a woman's reproductive system, or possibly that little thing in the back of our throats.

[Hospitalitygirl]

the name sounds like that fake butter spread stuff. hope the food isnt a reflection of that.

Really?! I thought it sounded like part of a woman's reproductive system, or possibly that little thing in the back of our throats.

[loveisnoise]

Is it once of those authentic italian things that Rachel Ray says, like "E-V-OHHHHH-OHHHH"? Please guide me. The voices are leading me astray.

[Hospitalitygirl]

Is it once of those authentic italian things that Rachel Ray says, like "E-V-OHHHHH-OHHHH"? Please guide me. The voices are leading me astray.

Ulivo is either a bastardization of or slang for olivo. Rachel Ray...there is no excuse for her! How hard is it to say extra virgin olive oil? EVOO indeed!

[loveisnoise]

Ulivo is either a bastardization of or slang for olivo. Rachel Ray...there is no excuse for her! How hard is it to say extra virgin olive oil? EVOO indeed!

Maybe some one mistyped the name and it is actually UNIQLO moving in?! All of your nagging to them has paid off!!!

[gren]

Ulivo is either a bastardization of or slang for olivo. Rachel Ray...there is no excuse for her! How hard is it to say extra virgin olive oil? EVOO indeed!

According to my trusty online dictionary it's just the word for olive tree.

Is there a menu online yet?

[Hospitalitygirl]

Maybe some one mistyped the name and it is actually UNIQLO moving in?! All of your nagging to them has paid off!!!

I have a plan for UNIQLO but it sure isn't going to go in this little location!

[Hospitalitygirl]

Ulivo

Looks like LaBan gave this a solid 2 Bells.

[3rd&Brown]

Joe is an incredible chef. Sovalo was far and away the best restaurant in Northern Liberties when it was open here. Sadly, it was probably a bit too far ahead of the neighborhood in it's evolution...not to mention that the vast majority of Northern Liberties' denizens have an aversion to anything that isn't a gastropub.

That being said, if you live in that area and you haven't been (to Ulivo), you're doing yourself a disservice.

Joe's gnocchi is the best gnocchi I've had in my life. Hand's down.

And he's a really nice guy. Support him.

[OldMama]

Gnocchi are my absolute favorite pasta and it's hard to find good ones. I'll check them out once we're settled (just moved to Bella Vista last week).

[Queen Villager]

I'm not someone who even seeks out gnocci but ordered it at Ulivo and it melted in my mouth. (In case there's any doubt, I mean this in a very good way.) I am a salmonista and had a bite of theirs; it may have been the most delicious salmon I have tasted.

[BluegrassCat]

Joe is an incredible chef. Sovalo was far and away the best restaurant in Northern Liberties when it was open here. Sadly, it was probably a bit too far ahead of the neighborhood in it's evolution...not to mention that the vast majority of Northern Liberties' denizens have an aversion to anything that isn't a gastropub.

That being said, if you live in that area and you haven't been (to Ulivo), you're doing yourself a disservice.

Joe's gnocchi is the best gnocchi I've had in my life. Hand's down.

And he's a really nice guy. Support him.

Sovalo was grossly overated. Joe is a total @ss and treats his employees like sh*t.

[iheartphilly]

Sovalo was grossly overated. Joe is a total @ss and treats his employees like sh*t.

Do you have a link or other facts to back up your claim?

[loveisnoise]

Do you have a link or other facts to back up your claim?

Yes. I googled Joe's Ass and came up with a wealth of info. I'd stay away from this guy if I were you...

[3rd&Brown]

I was gonna keep my mouth shut, but I happen to be friends with a number of his former employees, for what it's worth, and I ate there numerous times per week, at times.

They seemed perfectly content and happy to work there. A number of their employees worked there from essentially the opening to the close (at least in the front of the house), and they never seemed to have a problem with Joe and/or Karey. In fact, I believe all of them still keep in touch with Joe and Karey.

That really isn't the mark of a disgruntled employee who was treated like ass.

Maybe the employees in question were indeed asses and needed to be treated as such. After all, not every hire is a good hire.