(Nov 2023): Well, I gave them a year and tried it again. I really want to like this place because it's got a great vibe and the decor is cozy and pleasant, as are the people working there. But the food is just...LACKING. Not the portions of pasta, mind you. Those are still as ridiculous as ever. You could LITERALLY feed a family of 4 on their side dish of pasta. But flavor...where is it?? I still can't find it. Their homemade pasta in and of itself is delicious, even their gnocchi which I usually find generally mushy and unpleasant is really good, but somehow there's just nothing that pops about their food...it is just bland. And marinara should be fresh and fully of fresh tomato and garlic chunks, but this is overcooked with mushy stewed tomatoes, very little visible garlic and mostly just juice. The red sauce is better, which says a lot because I'm always a marinara person.
They revamped the menu layout since last year and it is an improvement, however the fact that you can't get anything for under $25 and then have to choose either a salad OR pasta with it, is mind-blowing. Most people require some sort of veg with a meal (and we're talking about a crappy bagged-lettuce salad with some chick peas, a single pepperoncini, one single cherry tomato and one slice of cucumber the side of a quarter) so, throw that salad in with the meal like literally every other restaurant does! I'm trying to be healthy so I chose the salad, but I left hungry and everyone else left satisfied with enough pasta to take home to feed the rest of the family. If there's a next time (and I only think that's even a possibility because others I'm with choose it), I'll eat my salad at home before we go.
So, for $57 for one person, I got 4 slices of eggplant with tasteless, dry breading, a side-salad, one glass of wine and a [still fabulous] cannoli. Does that sound like it's worth it? Well, when I'm eating eggplant parm and thinking, "man, I make this so much better," and paying $7/slice when I know a whole eggplant costs $3 retail, it's an issue for me when I'm not even enjoying the taste to the point that even though I hadn't eaten all day, I didn't even finish it.
PS: new this year, there is an upcharge for every item if you don't pay with cash. So bring your cash unless you want to pay their credit card usage fees.
(Nov 2022): Used to be our go to for an upgraded meal close by, especially through COVID shutdowns, but no more. It will be more of a maybe-once-a-year thing. Their meal prices and upcharges are ridiculous. $15 for a side of spaghetti?? $5 for a tiny cup of extra sauce?? $26 for mediocre eggplant parmesan and if you want a salad or soup with it that's $3 extra?? Who has ever heard of paying $30 for a meal of eggplant parm anywhere?
I realize that all restaurants prices have increased, but of all of the numerous places I've been, this one is the most shocking--and with the least return for your buck.
I think the most disappointing part is that the food quality seems to be slipping while the prices are increasing. Don't get me wrong, their food is still good...it's just not GOOOD. I have had better Italian food for better prices within the last month. Not to mention I am a food photographer--not by trade, but I take photos of my food everywhere and it never once occurred to me to snap any pictures of this food. None of our meals were photo-worthy. I am a big believer that you eat with your eyes first and that set it off in the wrong direction right off the bat.
All that said, the people running the place are wait staff are terrific and they still have the best cannoli anywhere. read more