The Overview: 2.25/5
The food here is mostly bland -- lack of seasoning/'herbs' is the common theme found throughout each dish. Though the staff was friendly, the restaurant does not prepare them with knowledge of the dishes, leaving them unable to guide us through the menu and give personal recommendations. The atmosphere has the potential to be better, but current casual 'family-friendly' neighborhood restaurant paired with hard, anxiety-inducing music just does not make sense. Though you may find me having a casual drink at their FourFiveSix bar around the corner, the chances of my eating at Ringolevio again are slim-to-none. The Breakdown below...
The Food: 2/5
Appetizers - Crostini, 3 for $9.
1. Mixed Mushrooms, Herbs, Parmesan Cheese - Lacking in herbs, but saved by the natural, earthy flavor of the mushrooms. Would recommend.
2. Bufala Mozzarella, Tomato, Fresh Herbs - Lacking in herbs and mozzarella. The small chunks of tomato were the only saving grace to this otherwise sad display of a simple and classic dish. Would not recommend.
3. Artichoke Hearts, Shaved Parmesan Cheese, Parsley - Did not notice the parsley, but did not miss it either. The artichoke hearts were shaved and mixed well with Parmesan and a light squeeze of lemon. Very delicious, would recommend.
Entrees - Spinach Ravioli, $14. Mixed Mushroom Tagliatelle, $14.
1. Spinach Ravioli with Pomodoro - The ravioli pasta was comically large and the filling was severely lacking, if there was any filling to be found at all. Most of my raviolis were broken, so the little filling that would have been present did not make it on to my plate. The filling that I did get to try was bland and left little to be desired. The pomodoro sauce seemed to have consisted solely of crushed tomato. Would not recommend.
2. Mixed Mushroom Tagliatelle with Shiitake Mushrooms, Crimini Mushrooms, Fresh Herbs, Garlic & Olive Oil - Though there was a reasonable helping of mushrooms on this dish, it was greasy with a sub-par olive oil and no fresh herbs or garlic could be detected. The dish was bland, essentially naked. Would not recommend.
The Service: 2/5
Since we arrived just as Ringolevio opened for dinner, we were seated right away and our dishes were served in a reasonable amount of time. Our server was very nice, but wasn't too knowledgeable when it came to the dishes. Originally considering the Handmade Tagliolini Ai Frutti Di Mare over the Mixed Mushroom Taglitelle, we asked for her opinion. She said she couldn't give an honest opinion because she has never seen the Tagliolini ordered or served, which left me wondering why it was on the menu if that's the case and why the servers don't get occasional menu taste tests so they have a better knowledge of the flavors that make up the dishes the restaurant serves.
The Atmosphere: 3/5
The restaurant has a casual, neighborhood vibe. The space is small but tables are reasonably spaced out, so it has just the right amount of coziness. The decor is a bit 'slapped together', but I did not mind it so much. The music in the restaurant was BOOMING. The night I happened to be there, they were blasting music featuring repetitive gun shots -- a bizarre choice for an establishment serving families with small children. Would not recommend for families or large parties.
On the other hand, their connected bar just around the corner (called FourFiveSix) is quintessential Brooklyn. It boasts a large indoor/outdoor warehouse space with a similar 'slapped together' look that's a little more curated and welcoming (features a mixture of plants, candles and an eclectic mixture of art, lamps, chairs, sofas, etc.). Would recommend for a casual happy hour or late night with friends when the weather is nice.
The Price: 2/5
Though the pricing appears to be reasonable, you're paying for blandness. read more