Even though they're practically within walking distance, we got another reminder last night as to why coming here once a year is about the limit for us. Not wanting to drive far, given the bad weather, we gave them another chance. This will likely be the last time for a long time.
They're rarely busy when we come, and yet, service is always ridiculously slow and inattentive. We showed up right around 5:00. There were a few people at the bar, one table of two finishing up, and one large table of around eight just starting to fill in. That's it. Not greeted when we walk in, we walk to a table in the middle and basically seat ourselves at the same time someone comes over and gives us menus.
10-15 minutes later, we've figured out what we want and are past antsy since nobody has come by to even take our drink order. Getting somewhat miffed, I walk up to the counter and ask a question I already know the answer to..."I can't remember. Are we supposed to order here at the window or will somebody be coming by to take our order?". While not apologizing, the woman says someone will indeed come to our table.
Soon after, a woman comes to take our entire order. Then we get our waters and drinks. My wife and I split the large Caesar salad, which is indeed huge, and we immediately remember we usually split the small one. This thing is gigantic. Even though it's not a typical Caesar, and it's a pain you have to mix in your own dressing, which is really thick and hard to mix, it may have been the highlight of the meal.
The complimentary sliced bread is still cold, doesn't seem fresh, and is not particularly good. Note also I got the salad because there actually wasn't a 'soup of the day' by 5:00. "We haven't actually gotten around to making soup yet today.", I was told when trying to ask about the soup. For the record, I guess they made it soon after, as we saw someone later getting a takeout order that appeared to include soup. But I digress.
Following the bread and salad, we wait and wait. I guess we should've expected to wait 30-45 mins for our food to come when we ordered and were asked if we had a showtime we were trying to get to at the theater next door. Thinking back on it, we probably should've lied and said we were. Or maybe they would've confided they couldn't actually get us food in much less than an hour. In all the time we were waiting, we only saw two pizzas come out of the kitchen. No idea what was going on back there, but it didn't seem like any food was being made.
Our food eventually comes out, and to their credit, portions are big and it looks good. My wife always gets the four cheese lasagna, and it's big enough for two meals. I got the large Mediterranean pizza, also with the plan to take half home. My daughter builds her own pasta and adds meatballs to it.
While the pizza has never been one of my favorites, this version seems more off than others I've had here in the past. It's not very Mediterranean...more just veggie with a lot of black olives and green peppers. The thin crust is more cracker consistency than usual. It's hard to hold without crumbling. My wife noted her lasagna was bland, having less flavor than usual, and my daughter said the same about her pasta.
Once we got our food, service was somewhat better during the meal, but then slow again after while waiting for our check. Since nobody ever apologizes for the painfully slow service, I don't know if they try to have slow service on purpose, pitching this as a relaxing Italian dinner, but that's never how it comes across to us when we're there. 1:45 after walking in, we were quite happy to finally get the bill and leave. Leaving a restaurant with a frustrated, irritated feeling is never a good thing.
Note to self...read this review before being in a big hurry to come back again anytime soon. If it helps others as well, even better. While not as close to our house, there are other Italian and pizza options in Castle Rock that are better. read more