Chef
Chris D'Ambro
- Discipline
- Chef
- Based in
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Venue
- Ambra · Restaurant
i. Biography
The Route
The cooking at Southwark and Ambra is built around close handling: pasta, broth, game, mushrooms, and the point at which richness still keeps a clear line. Chris D'Ambro works this register as chef-owner of Southwark and co-owner and chef of Ambra (since 2022), two closely held Philadelphia projects where the craft depends on attention more than scale. The plate language favors proximity: ingredients handled directly, guests kept near the making, and flavors built in layers rather than stacked for effect. In D’Ambro’s hands, saffron, pheasant, chestnut, foie gras, hen of the woods, morel, and consommé function as working materials with specific jobs: color, depth, fat, earth, aroma, and structure.
Now
At Ambra, The Kitchen Table makes the kitchen’s sequence visible. D’Ambro and his team craft the menu from start to finish while also preparing dishes for other diners, so the format shows the work in real time: shaping, saucing, finishing, and the coordination required to move from ingredients to a composed service. Saffron Tagliatelle and Tortelloni with pheasant ragù and brodo, a featured Ambra dish adapted by StarChefs, shows that structure clearly. The pasta carries the center of the dish, the pheasant ragù gives warmth and depth, and the brodo ties the preparation together without pulling focus from the handmade forms. Another version brings together Saffron Tagliatelle with pheasant ragù, roasted chestnut, foie gras, and hen of the woods, paired with brodo en tortellini with pheasant consommé and fermented morel. The work moves through pasta, game, mushroom, fat, and broth; each element has a practical role in texture, aroma, or depth.
Signature
Signature dishes include Saffron Tagliatelle with pheasant ragù.
Distinctions
Saffron Tagliatelle and Tortelloni with pheasant ragù and brodo is a featured Ambra dish adapted by StarChefs. The recognition centers on a dish that reflects D’Ambro’s approach at Ambra: technical attention, layered flavor, and a narrow focus on pasta, broth, and game.
Profile updated July 2026
FAQ
Asked of Chris
Who is Chris D'Ambro?
Chris D'Ambro is co-owner and chef.
What is Chris D'Ambro known for?
Multi-course modern Italian dining experience and seasonal tasting menus at Ambra.
