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We met up early for cocktails with Lila and Vince and then strolled over to La Fontana Della Citta on the corner of 17th and Spruce.

It was such a weather wonderful evening we were able to sit outside. Of course I thought we should have gone inside but I was wrong.

Inside there were at least three pre-wedding dining parties going on and it was warm and joyfully noisy.

Outside we were comfortable, able to have a conversation, and because we were by the door we made friends with people coming and going.

America is a great country and there were many pleasant and interesting people to see coming and going.

We met folks from Shamokin, in for a wedding, folks whose daughter was trying out for the Olympics, and the proud father of a beautiful bride to be, Mr. Mancini.

No wonder they were all happy both coming and going. La Fontana Della Citta is a BYOB that offers some excellent Italian food as well as great atmosphere inside and out.

Of course being with Lila and Vince never interferes and actually adds to the ambience of a restaurant. Our give and take is easy and fun.

Here is what we enjoyed and some slight criticism.

The wait staff was excellent. We started with House salad, which had fresh baby greens in a simple House Dressing, Grilled Portobello and Roasted Red Pepper salad with Balsamic Vinigerette.

I thought the salads were too heavily dressed, especially the grilled Portabella with roasted peppers. The dressing overwhelmed the marvelous taste of the grilled earthy mushroom and sweet taste of the red roasted peppers. My dining companions liked all of the salads and antipasto just fine.

We also had Mussels in white wine which were excellent. Some great bread dunking juices in this dish.

For our main courses we had Spaghetti Al Pomodoro, which was a fresh tomato and basil sauce over pasta. Penne All’Arrabiata, which was a hot pepper and garlic sauce over Penne, Vitello Fontana, very tender veal with thin sliced Prosciutto, Mozzarella cheese and Porcini mushroom sauce, and Linguine Pescatora, which was a white sauce with clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp and crab meat over linguine

Usually I taste a little something from each plate but I so loved the linguine and seafood I did not want to risk changing the taste with the other bolder dishes. I think I did my friends a favor because they cleaned their plates and savored each morsel.

This was our second time here. I am ready to go back again. It is very good food at a very good price. My friends Christine ( Italian heritage ) and Mike ( originally from S. Philly) say they like this better than Branzino, across the street. I am not ready to make that decision.

My advice is to try them both a few times. They are different kinds of Italian.

La Fontana Della Citta, dinner for four, as described, $100.10 with one Cappuccino.
Phew! definitely returning here soon.

How Lucky are We.