On January 11, 2025, we arrived for a late lunch at around 2:30 pm. I felt a bit anxious about…read moredining here since there were only two other patrons present when we walked in.
The restaurant's decor is charming, reminiscent of a classic Italian eatery. However, as soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a musty, moldy odor. Despite this unpleasant smell, we decided to take a seat.
The first bread basket they served us was cold, with hard bread that seemed to have been sitting out for quite some time. It was nothing special, tasting like the inexpensive garlic bread you find in grocery stores, packaged for the oven.
Fortunately, our server was attentive and friendly, bringing us a second basket of hot bread. I attempted to appreciate the mediocre bread but ultimately gave up.
Throughout our meal, the server consistently checked on us and ensured our drinks were filled.
We ordered a variety of dishes: lunch lasagna, lunch Alfredo, a kid's spaghetti with two meatballs, a large Caesar salad, and a 16" Audrey pizza topped with white garlic sauce, dried red peppers, artichoke hearts, chicken, and bacon.
The first dish to arrive was the Caesar salad, which was disappointing. The dressing lacked complexity, missing the necessary lemon juice and anchovies.
The red sauce on the lasagna tasted like it came straight from a jar, and the lasagna itself was quite unremarkable.
The fettuccine Alfredo was lacking in flair as well. The portion was small, and I would recommend adding a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce and garnishing the dish with fresh Italian parsley for a better flavor.
Surprisingly, the kid's plate of spaghetti and meatballs was priced at $19. I couldn't understand how that was justified. The spaghetti was overcooked, lacking the desired al dente texture, and the marinara sauce was bland. The meatballs were dense and needed more seasoning.
The wood-fired pizza was the highlight of the meal for me. However, I believe they left it in the oven for a minute or two too long. I conducted a slice challenge: when I lifted a slice, it wouldn't fold at all and was overly crispy, indicating it was overbaked.
For dessert, we chose cannoli and tiramisu. Unfortunately, both desserts felt average, and I was not particularly excited about either.
I understand that the economy is challenging and making a profit in the restaurant industry is difficult. However, given the numerous positive reviews, I anticipated a higher standard from this establishment.
Basic elements like quality bread and homemade marinara sauce could significantly enhance the dining experience.
In general, my family was not particularly impressed with the food quality. On a positive note, the server and the busgirl/front end greeter were very friendly.
Regrettably, I will not be ordering from here again, nor will I recommend this restaurant to others.