Who We Are
Our Story
The Craftsman
A kitchen built on love and longing
What began in 2015 with a single, well-worn generational recipe book and an unshakeable belief that truly great food is an act of love has since evolved into a cherished culinary destination. Over the years, we nurtured our craft, scaled our pasta programs, and built close personal relationships with independent Italian importers and local farmers.
Then, in 2026, that journey brought us to our permanent home at 114 Chestnut Street in the heart of Old City Philadelphia. Every single plate that leaves our modern kitchen carries the weight of that history. Because patience matters, we source with devotion and cook without shortcuts. Above all, we welcome you to an unhurried table built on genuine Italian hospitality.
The Roots
Chef Tony Kupa
Executive Chef Tony Kupa grew up balancing two distinct culinary worlds: his family’s Roman kitchen traditions and the rigorous discipline of classical European training. After five years refining his vision across Michelin-starred kitchens in Italy, he eventually brought his deeply rooted craft to our Philadelphia kitchen.
His approach to our daily menus is deceptively simple: start with ingredients so exceptional they need almost nothing done to them, and then execute that standard with complete dedication. As he puts it
"The texture of handcrafted pasta tells an emotional story before you even taste the sauce. My job is simply to help it along."
The Evolution
Milestones Along the Way
The Well-Worn Recipe Book
Il Gusto Tavola was founded on the memories of Italian coastal kitchens. Armed with a single generational recipe book and an unshakeable commitment to authenticity, we laid down our initial roots.
Sourcing Devotion
We solidified direct partnerships with independent Italian importers and local farmers. Our culinary standard became absolute: nothing frozen, nothing compromised.
Handcraft as a Standard
Expanding our kitchen capabilities under Chef Tony Florent, we dedicated an entire station exclusively to morning pasta craft. Human hands rolling dough fresh every dawn became our signature.
The Philadelphia Chapter
Opening our dream doors at 114 Chestnut St in Philadelphia, PA. We welcome the neighborhood to an unhurried table where historic tradition meets exceptional local hospitality.
Join us at the table
Your place is waiting
Whether it is a sunlit afternoon lunch or an unhurried evening of discovery, we’d be honored to welcome you.