Failla’s Pizzeria & Ristorante
2669 Charlestown Road
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
(610) 255-2828
Situated on the corner of Charlestown & Coldstream Roads, the former home of Stables Bar was recently reincarnated as Failla’s Pizzeria & Ristorante, a family-owned restaurant rooted in the rich culinary heritage of Sicily. And it certainly hasn’t taken long for word to get around. Judging by the enthusiastic crowds observed during my two recent visits, good news obviously travels fast.
The interior – as you will note from the photograph – is strictly utilitarian. There’s a small dining area as you enter, beyond that, the takeout counter and kitchen. The tables are bare, the lighting exceedingly bright, and there’s a constant stream of human flora & fauna picking up orders to go. Anticipating a romantic little tête-à-tête…? Forget it, you’ve come to the wrong address…
… There are, however, several significant compensations: Since the restaurant does not accept reservations, this is a great spot for one of those last-minute dine-out (or take-out) decisions; the food – not a minor consideration – is very good, indeed; and the prices are incredibly easy on the wallet (especially since you may BYOB).
Pizza, of course, is the name of the game, and the choices are legion. Both Traditional and Gourmet Pizzas may be ordered as personal 10”, large 16”, Sicilian 16” square, or by the slice, all with a slew of assorted toppings.
Even if you’re not a pizza fan, however, don’t be shy about checking out some of the entrées, as the kitchen does an excellent job with these as well. Yes, all the usual suspects are present and accounted for – Veal & Chicken Parmigiana, Saltimbocca, and Marsala; Shrimp Scampi, Salmon, and Seafood Linguini; Lasagna, Manicotti, and Baked Ziti, etc. – but all are well-prepared, generously proportioned, and served up with garlic bread and choice of spaghetti or a tossed salad.
If I had to choose a favorite, though, I’d go straight for the Eggplant Parmigiana (pictured), a good test for any 
Italian kitchen. Something of a no-brainer, you’re thinking. True. On the other hand, it is a dish that is so straightforward it is easily – and frequently – mucked up. No worries here, however. The breading is light & irresistibly crisp; the eggplant thinly sliced and just the proper texture (neither too hard nor too mushy); the pasta spot-on al dente; and the sauce a delightful blend of sweetness and acidity. Simple… yet sublime.
But in addition to the pizzas and regular entrées noted above, the restaurant also offers numerous other options to assuage your hunger pangs. There are Salads, Sandwiches, Wraps, Hot & Cold 12” Hoagies, Burgers, Quesadillas, and assorted Cheese Steaks… All worthy of consideration.
But if you’re a die-hard pizza fan, allow me to suggest a variation on the theme: Stromboli (pictured). A stromboli is essentially a cylindrical, rolled up pizza filled with layers of cheese, meats, and/or vegetables that is baked to a crispy, golden-brown finish, then sliced and garnished with marinara sauce. Interestingly enough, stromboli was invented by Italian-Americans living in the Philadelphia area.
While there were numerous choices with regard to suitable fillings, my dining partner and I settled upon the Supreme, a luscious combo of pepperoni, sausage, black olives, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, bacon, and extra cheese. It was, in a word, outstanding. And, as you will note from the photograph, massive. Doggie bag…? Something of a must.
Whatever your gastronomic predilections on a given afternoon/evening, you’ll want to start things off on a positive note. And, once again, appetizer choices are abundant: Bruschetta, Garlic Knots, Mussels (red or white sauce), Fried Calamari, Mozzarella Sticks, Onion Petals, Mac & Cheese Bites, Jalapeño Poppers, and Fries (cheese, pizza, loaded, nacho) are all present and accounted for.
However, if you happen to be dining à deux, and wish to appease your palate (and your partner) with something a tad more sophisticated, be sure to give the Tour of Italy (pictured) a try. This colorful combo of roasted red peppers, kalamata olives, burrata, Italian meats & cheeses, and eggplant caponata, all set on a pillow of arugula and drizzled with balsamic fig glaze, succeeds in dazzling the eye as well as tantalizing the taste buds.
As you have undoubtedly noticed, portion sizes here are quite ample… but do save room for dessert, as they are 
definitely worth the additional calories. There are, of course, the ubiquitous Tiramisu & Cannoli, as well as other Italian specialties, including Gelato. I have personally tasted the restaurant’s Strawberry & Pistachio Gelato, and both are excellent. And even though they are not made in-house, they are still made off campus by a member of the Failla family… The real show-stopper, however, and my absolute favorite, is the utterly delicious Limoncello Cake (pictured). Fluffy, smooth as silk, and downright addictive, it is simply not to be missed.
Bon Appétit & Cheers!
TAD
{ 0 comments… add one now }