Correcting some gross Misconceptions on Yelp regarding Michelina's.... PART 2
(Please read part 1 before this review... fyi I have been enjoying this restaurant (and many others) for 27 years... I have been to this restaurant at least 10 times in the last year...) (I am not related in anyway, profit from, or affiliated in any way with Michelina, her staff, or the restaurant other than friendship.)
"He handed us our menus and asked if he could get us something to drink. There is no drink menu on the menu. No beer list, no soda list, no liquid period. We asked to see the wine list, which had only bottle prices and doesn't even hint that they sell wine by the glass. Once I asked if they had beer and sold wine by the glass it was like we made a breakthrough."
-He asked you, you COULD have asked for WHATEVER you wanted... Michelina's is a FAMILY-esque Ristorante... Does one go to a friend's house and ask for a menu of the drinks? Ask for what you want...
"The menu seems a bit outdated so I went with the Lasagna, the basics. While we sat waiting for our meal, the salads came. Weird...the menu didn't mention anything about a salad nor did the waiter. More lack of information from the menu.....We won't be back. To be honest Oregano's lasagna is better by far."
-First off, do you say, "Wierd, John my friend, you didn't mention we were also going to have salad tonight when invited over for dinner?" Secondly, ordering Lasagna from Michelina's is akin to travelling to Paris, walking down the Champs-Élysées, approaching the Mcdonalds (yes there is one), ordering a pomme frites (french fries) and saying they are TOO crunchy... Everyone has their own rendition of Lasagna and their own tastes... Perhaps ordering something that is a popular Campagnia dish OR SIMPLY ASK YOUR SERVER (BRAD).... (fyi Oregano's serves RANCID olive oil)...
"First off this place stinks. I think they have a P-trap or a restroom problem. As soon as I walked in I felt as if I was living with a grandmother and a stinky boy. The decor is overly old."
-it does not stink and I am not old and have a very acute sense of smell... See Ambiance on part 1 regarding decor...
"We went with a bottle of Merlot for the table (I don't remember the name of it) and it was good - nothing special, but good."
-go with the Amarone or Barberra... Watch the movie Sideways, you insult wino's when you order Merlot... :)
"Group party dinner the night before the 2011 Rock and Roll Arizona Marathon. The restaurant was busy that night, but isn't it always before a marathon? The entrees were pricey, but I guess that's normal for authentic Italian dishes. Good times, great company.
I had the veal lasanga, side salad, with 2 bottles of Heinekin. Wasn't the best, since the portions were smaller, service could've been better, and the prices were just a bit too much."
-Please order pommes frites from Mcdonalds and review it (see above)... Regarding service and quality, your experience with Italian cuisine/experience is lacking...
"Meh. There's so much better food and service out there in Phoenix/Scottsdale. We tried this place again, only to be disappointed by the small portions and very poor service. Our third time here was not a charm!"
-see Dining Experience in part 1... I significantly doubt you tried anything except the Lasagna, right? Olive Garden and Oregano's does not give one a baseline...
Although I have added some of my cynicism and personal wit to this review, please be assured PART1 and Part2 are VERY ACCURATE... I do not take the time to review restaurants as I am accustomed to many that are fantastic... This IS the best ITALIAN in AZ.
Runner up: Tavolino Ristorante Italiano in Tucson (if they have they squash ravioli (not squash sauce) get it, its amazing)...
To ALL THE FOODIES: "EAT WELL, DRINK NOT MERLOT" read more