Fellini Cafe, Paoli
19 E. Lancaster Ave.
Paoli, PA 19301
610.644.6767
Rating: 2 spoons out of 5
Overview: A micro-chain also located in Berwyn and Ardmore, Fellini is a wildly popular Italian BYOB. The buzz about Fellini in the general population is great, and the wait on a weekend night would seem to confirm this fact. Those who truly appreciate fine food, however, will quickly understand that Fellini’s success comes from offering a wide variety and huge portions (creating the semblance of value), not necessarily from putting excellent food on the table.
Food: The vast menu offers 119 different Italian dishes, 50 of which are pasta and 20 of which are pizza. Unfortunately, the best dishes on Fellini’s menu also tend to be the most unhealthy; cream sauces, cheese and butter abound. The portions are HUGE (almost every table takes home a doggy bag), meaning that not only is the food unhealthy, but most diners will eat far more than normal.
There are, of course, some lighter options, but from experience these are pretty uninteresting. At a recent visit, I tried the Penne dello Chef (Sausage, broccoli & sundried tomatoes in an olive oil garlic sauce… $11.95), but it was on of the blandest pasta dishes I’ve ever had (except for the sausage which was excellent). On the otherhand, the potato gnocchi in a creamy pesto sauce was absolutely delicious, but it left us with lead stomachs.
There are daily fish specials, a couple salmon dishes on the regular menu and plenty of salads, and while it would take years to try everything here, after one visit I feel confident saying that the fat-laden dishes are where the flavor is at, creating a difficult dilemma for any Fellini diner concerned with their health.
Ambiance: Over the top tuscan decor, but kitchy and casual.
Service: A lot of young kids serving tables here, but our waiter was well-trained and earnest, appropriate for this type of establishment.
Value: Many Americans equate value with the amount of food served — from this standpoint, Fellini is an astonishing value — two people can stuff themselves for less than $30. On the other hand, those of us who put more emphasis on the quality of food will find Fellini’s cost to be about appropriate for what it is — a cheap, casual meal.
Details:
#of times we’ve eaten there: 1
Reservations: Yes, although be prepared to wait
Bar: BYOB
Cards: Yes
Takeout: Yes
Site: http://fellini-cafe.com
August 27th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
We have eaten there four times –no reservations and no lines. In by 6:OO out by 7:15. The food has been wonderful –loved the veal parm. and all the seafood has been first rate. Service very friendly and efficient–I would give it 4.5 stars out of five. On a par with Trattoria San Nicola. Unlike San Nicola it is BYOB. saving you even more.
September 25th, 2006 at 11:25 am
Having lived in Italy for a few years, I can say Fellini’s dishes and prices favorably impressed me. Fortunately, it’s just a few doors from where I work weekdays. My favorite dish to date is probably the Linguine alla Vongole.
September 28th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
It is beyond me how this restaurant has been able to carry on successfully. The decor is completely gaudy and over-the-top, with absolutely nothing appealling, just tacky. The food is anything but traditional and good Italian food - almost always flavorless, heavy and dense, scare originality and even less charm. Every visit to this place has disappointed, the low prices still not making up for what felt like wasted time and money. Utterly disappointing and unimaginative.
October 21st, 2006 at 10:51 am
Let’s recognize the Paoli Fellini’s for what it is — a neighborhood trattoria with friendly staff and good food if you know what to order from the menu. The clientele appears to be a cross-section of young couples, groups, families, and retirees. Its appeal for us is that (a) it’s within walking distance of train and home, (b) if you’re a regular, the staff recognizes you and makes you feel at home (for many of them, Italian is their first language with English a distant second), and (c) it’s a good value. Their salads are good — they have a great arugula salad — and we always get the antipasto. Few carbs there; just good meat, cheese and veggies.
November 11th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
I ate at the Fellini in Berwyn last night and it was great. I see these two restaurants as very distinct and believe the one in Berwyn deserves a look.
November 17th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Great. Great. Great. Fun and cozy. You won’t leave hungry. I disagree with the negative comments. I’ve been to Italy many times and it is typical trattoria style. You’ve never been to a tacky, loud and gaudy place in Italy. Come on!
December 26th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Fellini’s offers quality food, large portions, so-so ambience, crowded tables, helpful waiters and malodorous hosts!!!
January 13th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
While the food at the Berwyn resturant might be a tad better than Paoli it is smaller and more crowded, if that’s possible. The menu is almost the same.
March 12th, 2007 at 4:49 am
Don’t be fooled, Fellini’s is no San Nicola. It’s good food and a decent price but if you like that lunch room atmosphere you will like Fellini’s. If you want better food and a little more atmosphere go to San Nicola.
October 25th, 2007 at 7:32 am
Just saw online that Fellini’s in Paoli is for sale. Asking price is $375K.
October 27th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
The Fellini’s in Berwyn is completly different they don’t have the same owners or the same food for that matter as Paoli and Ardmore it’s no wonder that the business is up for sale the owner are horrible and should have thought of another proffesion…..
November 2nd, 2007 at 5:32 am
I am not sure if you know what you are talking about madame, the food at fellini’s is excellent!!! such a quaint little restaurant as well!!!
November 29th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Amazing food! The caesar salad was out of this world! I am Italian and I felt at home, and the servers don’t just serve yoiu the food, they get to know you, which sometimes is nice! If your a regular, they go out the way to recognize that…anyone who says something bad about that place is stuck up and should stick to morton’s….when you go to Felini’s you shouldn’t expect an atmosphere of Sullivans….it’s defnitely a greta placed to check out…and it is a greatttt experience!
December 19th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I loved Fellini’s. The food was great and the waiters made us feel like family. The decor reminded me of how my family decorated at Christmas time. It’s not a snooty place. It is very down to earth, good Italian food, and excellent service. I especially enjoyed the espresso & cannoli for desert. I would highly recommend Fellini’s. Don’t listen to the negative comments. Go and see for yourself. You’ll love it!
January 4th, 2008 at 7:19 am
fellini berwyn should not be confused with fellini ardmore - fellini berwyn bought his soul back from the theif of ardmore.
fellini ARDMORE should be closed down - it is a loud BYOB where they play games with sharing plates, varied interpretation of what you get vs.what you order, lack of control over the BYOB drunks who feel free to curse in the dining rooms. the place is dirty, they make you stand outside like it’s a chic nightclub, only when you get inside you wonder why all those tables are empty? the owner is slippery and well, not pleasant
January 4th, 2008 at 7:20 am
fellini berwyn should not be confused with fellini ardmore - fellini berwyn bought his soul back from the theif of ardmore.
fellini ARDMORE should be closed down - it is a loud BYOB where they play games with sharing plates, varied interpretation of what you get vs.what you order, lack of control over the BYOB drunks who feel free to curse in the dining rooms. the place is dirty, they make you stand outside like it’s a chic nightclub, only when you get inside you wonder why all those tables are empty? the owner is slippery and well, not pleasant - they deserve every negative comment
January 4th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Does anyone out there know for sure who ownes which Fellini’s? How are they connected, if at all? There seem to be at least four. I think the one in town closed. It’s like Ray’s Pizza in NY; maybe worse.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Finally ate at Paoli last Friday and if that food compares to San Nicola and places in Italy than I’m glad I’ve never eaten there. The food was god awful, we had the calamari (my husband can make it much better), the vodka w/ penne and the canneloni’s.
Just awful and will not return.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Dee Says: Has Fellini’s in Paoli gone down hill in the past year or so or was it never that good? Has anyone who has eaten there say a few times in 06 and also in 07 seen any change? I have not eaten there in over a year but did eat there three time in 2006 and found the food fine. In fact, back then I found it similar to the food at Fellini’s in Berwyn.
From your comments about Paoli I am not sure I want to “Take One For The Team” and try it again.
I recently had a very good meal at Frankie’s Fellini Cafe in Berwyn. The printed menu did seem identical to the one in Paoli. However, were some noteworthy differences that were not part of the menu. The bread was better in Berwyn but no free Bruschetta as was true in Paoli. I thought it was an OK tradeoff. Really great bread from Brooklyn.
The style of service was quite different. Berwyn reminded me of a very well run, modern bistro (great service), whereas Paoli is sort of like South Phila. circa 1965.(not such a bad thing) The last time I ate in Berwyn (weekday Jan. 2008) there were lots of 2 to 10 year olds which the staff handled very well. Can’t remember meny kids in Paoli. If you have kids head for Berwyn — beats Happy Meals everyday.
One gripe I have against both locations is that their “Specials” are priced about $8 to $10 above their average menu item which they don’t tell you unless you ask. Last time I ate in Berwyn the cost for a meal for two which included one soup, two seafood specials, two desserts and two coffees –tip- and tax was $97.00. There are some wonderful items on the printed menu between $10 and $17 and you don’t have to get dessert. You should have no problem bringing in a tab of $60 for two.
So unless I hear otherwise, I guess I will stick with Fellini’s in Berwyn.
By the way, the reason I stopped eating at Fellini’s in Paoli after 2006 is that I prefer Dolce Vita in Bridgeport. BYOB, lot’s of space between tables, outdoor dining and usually able to get in without reservations.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:57 am
I have never been disappointed with Fellini’s in my 4 visits. While the place is a little crowded, the wait staff seems to make it work. A complimentary Sambuca after the meal was a nice touch.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Berwyn! Berwyn! Berwyn! Berwyn!Berwyn! Berwyn! Berwyn!
Frank and his partner own the Berwyn Fellini’s, which is no longer affiliated with the others. Their food is really fantastic!
It can get very crowded, so be in the mood to sit real close to the other tables, but that can be fun with the right crowd!
March 28th, 2008 at 5:39 am
went for dinner last night w/another couple who had been here before and really liked it (Berwyn location). it’s not a fancy place AT ALL but is a little cuter inside than the strip mall exterior would have you think. well, first thing, my chair is rocking when I sit down & feels like it’s going to fall to pieces underneath me. the waitress sees me switching it & came over and grabbed the chair and touched it and basically said there was nothing wrong w/it, implying that it’s all me. Then I go to order & ask her about the size of the salads. She said they were pretty small, so I decide to order a salad PLUS an appetizer portion of the calamari. She acts like this is the first time she has ever encountered anyone ordering like this &says Oh we can’t serve that as an entree. I thought she was going to refuse to serve me! Well, the beet salad was yummy and the calamari was tender, and the sauce tasty and well-seasoned (fra diavalo). But, as she is bringing the salad, a dinner companion says to me That salad isnt so small… And I agree that it looks good. The waitress says something cranky and rude about how she thinks it’s small and then adds Well, I guess you’re just not Italian. (I am Italian actually.) So the food was pretty good for a little casual place like this, but I don’t think I’d suffer this rude waitress again.
April 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Fellini’s Cafe in Berwyn is a ripoff! I went with my wife and 3 daughters ages 11, 9 and 6. Two servings of pasta with meat sauce, 2 servings of ravioli and a caesar salad (no drinks, not really offered any) and it was $75!!!! The pasta dishes were $12.95, portion was okay, there was bread for the table but no dinner salad or anything. Then the server (if you could call her that) put the gratuity on the bill herself for more than 20%! They got my money once but never again! Anthony’s in Malvern is 10 times better (food, service, everything) and the prices are much more reasonable!
May 30th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Interestingly the one in downingtown, which wasn’t open very long, has closed down and that place was slammed the two times I was there.
Curious as to the ownership of these places. I’m not personally a huge fan of Itallian when I go out to eat, so I am probably not the best to comment, but I can say I have not been very impressed the handful of times I have been to Paoli and the now defunct D-Town location.
June 25th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I have frequented Fellini in Paoli for upwards of four years now and I can honestly say I have never been anything but happy with my food there. Sometimes the wait is annoying and it can be loud and cramped, but if the place was terrible, then it wouldn’t be crowded, now would it? I love the fact that it’s a BYO and we can bring a nice complimenting bottle with us and still get out with a bill under $40. Their homemade pasta is excellent, as are their pizzas. I have lived in Italy and the food here is not a far cry off. Compared to the nearly double-the-price Verona a bit down the street, there is no contest - Fellini wins. On a side note, add me to the people in constand wonder as to the ownership of the several Fellini’s. They seem connected yet so separate.