Restaurant Alba
Restaurant Alba
By: Donna D’Angelo
Since opening in 2005, Restaurant Alba has been a destination for rustic yet refined Italian cuisine, right in the heart of Malvern, PA. Named after the agricultural town of Alba in Italy’s Piedmont region, the restaurant delivers a soulful experience, balancing the warmth of a countryside trattoria with the polish of a modern kitchen.
Husband-and-wife duo Sean and Kelly Weinberg launched Alba after years of culinary exploration. Sean, the son of Rose Tattoo Café founders Michael and Helene Weinberg, grew up in the family restaurant business, moving from busboy to cook at just 15. He later graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and honed his craft with apprenticeships at acclaimed restaurants across Northern Italy, including Il Cibreo in Florence and Al Covo in Venice.
These formative years abroad shaped his approach to cooking: ingredient-driven, deeply seasonal, and grounded in the Slow Food philosophy. Cooking over fire is central to Alba’s menu. Think: swordfish grilled on a wood fire with corbarino tomatoes and greyzini zucchini, or East Coast halibut with sweet corn risotto, basil, and Sungold tomatoes.
Some staples never leave the menu, like the beloved grilled octopus, served with seasonal accompaniments such as dried pepper sauce, hazelnuts, chickpeas, and fava beans. Seafood shines across the board — from lobster and shrimp-stuffed ravioli (often featuring a Mediterranean catch from Samuels Seafood) to a classic spaghetti alle vongole with chopped clams, white wine, and garlic. And don’t miss the housemade agnolotti, a nod to Alba’s namesake, filled with seasonal ingredients and hand-pinched to perfection.
Weinberg’s relationships with local farmers run deep, especially since residing in Chester County allows for more frequent, fresher deliveries. His menus showcase the region’s bounty, especially during Alba’s signature six-course themed dinners held every 6–8 weeks. These events — like a coastal Italian wine night or Parisian supper — feature a communal table, rotating menus, and guest appearances by farm partners. The upcoming Fall Harvest Dinner, scheduled for early October, will highlight three local farms and offer guests a unique, educational dining experience.
Whether you’re in search of a celebratory meal or a comforting midweek escape, Restaurant Alba delivers authenticity, fire-kissed flavor, and a true taste of Italy — just 30 minutes from Philadelphia’s downtown.
