Italian Soda House — Restaurant in Bristol Township

Look, I know this is a new restaurant here in yorkville. We went tonight to the soft opening. I get it, here are some observations made tonight. Beautiful interior, we walked in and were immediately seated. Our server was Dorothy who was very friendly and accommodating. Nate the busser was fantastic and on top of his game tonight. In fact, he was so good, I pulled him aside and gave him a cash tip to let him know how impressed I was with him. Nate was very kind and seemed grateful. It was nice to see the owner going table to table asking how everything was. We ordered the fried calamari and it came to our table soaking in grease and was very rubbery. If you can not do fried calamari right it should not be on the menu. How is it going to be when they are very busy? Our house salad was huge with fresh greens but the dressing was bland and flavorless. I ordered the bucatini and meatballs with the Sunday gravy and there was no meat remnants in it at all. Maybe they mistakingly served it with marinara? Regardless, while it had some nice heat to it, it was still bland. The meatballs were OK but nothing special and lastly the bucatini was mushy and overcooked. The homemade bread was very good as it was fresh. The wifes chicken picatta and vesuvio potatoes was ok but was very salty. I am only giving this opinion in hopes that they succed like the original owner Reno did with Blackstone. I would just remind them that before opening, someone should walk the line and taste everything to make sure everything is tight and right. The owner did not make it to our table otherwise I would have mentioned it for what...

We tempered our expectations our first time going to this restaurant. Folks looking for a more traditional Italian restaurant experience won't find it here, but that doesn't mean your meals won't be tasty. The bucatini with the Sunday sauce had a lot of depth and not too much acidity, and could hold up on its own. The meatball had great flavor, was well seasoned, and larger sized more typical of Italian American restaurants. My only critique is that they are a little dense. The rigatoni and sausage with vodka sauce was also very good. This sauce also sometimes can be too acidic, but not in this case. Portion sizes were good, but not sharable amongst two people.

The most disappointing part of both of these dishes was the pasta. Both were very overcooked. It's the cardinal sin of pasta cooking. The dishes made up for it in flavor, but nonna would have some thoughts about the pasta! The Italian bread was interesting. I was expecting a neutral flavor, but it had a sweetness I was not expecting. The garlic butter is sneaky good. I'd like to see a more traditional sourdough with a crunchy exterior because their olive oil is SO well seasoned, I'd like to dip my bread in it.

The beef tallow french fries are fantastic. Our daughter loves the lasagna, which is praise because she can be quite picky. The restaurant serves coke products, and have specialty drinks that are great! The bomb pop tastes just like the Popsicle we all know and love!!

All in all, we'll...

What an incredible experience at the Italian Soda House! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a beautifully decorated, cozy space that felt both elegant and inviting. The atmosphere is warm and relaxing — the perfect backdrop for a delicious meal.

The service was absolutely exceptional — prompt, considerate, and genuinely friendly. For the perfect dining experience, ask for Samantha! She was attentive, knowledgeable, and made sure every detail was just right.

The food was phenomenal from start to finish. We started with the Caesar salad and fried calamari, both fresh and full of flavor. The warm, soft bread served with olive oil, parmesan, and seasoning was divine — flavorful and comforting in every bite. The chicken parm cutlets were tender, perfectly seasoned, and beautifully plated. And dessert? The blueberry cheesecake was heavenly — creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor.

The creative and flavorful drinks were a highlight all on their own — beautifully presented and absolutely delicious!

From the decor and food to the service and atmosphere, the Italian Soda House is a five-star gem. We can’t...