Craig LaBan reviews Marc Vetri’s Alla Spina, the kind-of Italian gastropub just off Broad Street.

Perhaps the best reason to visit Alla Spina, though, may be the bar itself, a testament to Steve Wildy’s ascent into elite company among Philly’s best beverage directors, from the inventive beer cocktails, Negronis, and soon-to-come local wines on draft, to the buzzing bar itself. The lively horseshoe counter rings a shining copper tube sprouting 20 taps that flow with one of the city’s most uniquely focused and best-curated beer collections, highlighted by some of the rare Italian brews that have found one of their premier American showcases at Alla Spina. There are Danish, German, Belgian ,and American craft gems, too, but it is the Italian roster, even deeper in the bottle list (with lots of cellared reserve selections) that should thrill any beer nerd with a serious budget.

Three Bells – Excellent

Craig LaBan review: Alla Spina [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Alla Spina [Official Site]