L’Oca means “the goose,” and the signature pasta at this modern, new Fairmount BYOB in the shadow of Eastern State Penitentiary is fresh pappardelle with goose ragu. It’s succulent and slightly sweet, but even better is the rich gnoccheti appetizer, served a hearty eight per order: baked two-inch semolina and parmesan spheres finished with a brown-butter sage sauce.

L'OCA Italian Bistro | 2025 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA | 215-769-0316