Ristorante Albertino - Chef Agron Hajdari's Italian BYOB at 634 York Road in Willow Grove

[dinwiddie]

I visit the area fairly regularly because my wife grew up in Willow Grove and her parents live there.  We normally look for a place for the two of us to eat out by ourselves once during a visit.  Several visits ago we happened on Bistro Albertino because it is on OpenTable.com. and is close to the hotel we normally stay at.

This bistro does not have an alcohol license so they encourage you to bring your own wine or beer.  No corkage fee (something you folks in PA might be used to but in DC something that is rarer than hen's teeth) so I normally take a bottle of wine with me.

I have taken my in-laws, who can be picky eaters here, and all of us have enjoyed the food very much.  The grilled squid appetizer was fantastic and my father in law loved the mussels.  Pastas are house made and very good.  We have never tried a pizza (in fact I don't know if they even serve such) but have enjoyed the food we did order.The Bistecca Albetino, beef and spiral pasta in a creamy mushroom sauce, was excellent and my only problem was that there was just too much of it.  The salmon my wife ordered the last time we were there was superb and the warm Mediterranean salad it was served on was delightful.  The linguini alla Pescatore was excellent (I ordered it with white wine and garlic, but you can get it with fresh tomato sauce) and my mother in law really enjoyed the Grilled Romaine salad she had as her meal.

There are not a lot of places to eat well in Willow Grove so Bistro Altertino is a very welcome addition.