Tonight, I was drawn into the Villa Rosa Restaurant by a pre-set menu for 10.95 that included an appetizer, main dish and a glass of wine. It is kitty corner across from my hotel, so it looked like a good deal and a safe bet.
The decor was nice. It didn't look like a high end place, but it didn't look like a dive either. The restaurant was decorated with nice artwork, mirrors, red tablecloths and real flowers (a single yellow rose with a spring of mini yellow carnations on every second table) and it appeared spacious due to the lack of patrons at 5:30 p.m. on a Monday.
When I walked in, there was only 2 other tables with people. Two ladies were half way done their meal and one gentleman was paying to leave. I was seated right away by an older italian gentleman, but the service was slow getting a menu, and then even slower getting my order taken. The ladies that finished eating eventually asked for their bill. Later, I had to do the same.
I ordered the pre-set menu and my complete turnaround time from the time I sat down, to the time I left was two hours. I kid you not. In the two hours I sat there, I saw about four different staff members emerge, seat people, take orders, etc. as things got busy.
As you can tell, I am still charged up by half my evening sitting by myself in a restaurant. In my opinion, it appeared that the gentleman was not intending to neglect me. He likely didn't notice that I was restless, in my wooden chair with a laptop case, purse, carry-on, a blackberry and an iphone, trying to make the best use of time while I was eating my meal. I suspect that he thought I was busy, and that he didn't want to interrupt me. Okay enough of that.
The food - was not quite what I expected. It wasn't bad - it was really good value. Admittedly their house wine was one of the better ones I have had since I got to London two weeks ago.
The caprese salad was not quite what I expected, but not in a bad way. It had the standard tomato and cheese, but instead of balsamic, it has more of a creamy dressing over it. It tasted okay, but it wasn't what I expected. Mind you, it was my own fault. I ordered off the set menu - I did not read the description of the caprese salad before I ordered it.
The main dish I ordered was a baked ricotta and spinach canneloni. The pasta was homemade and the canneloni was good. However, around the canneloni, it was extremely creamy. I am not sure if it was in a white sauce, or what it was sitting in. It didn't taste bad at all, but again, not what I expected. I ate it all and forgot to ask what it was baked in.
I ordered the pistachio ice cream for dessert and it was to die for. Awesome!
I didn't mean to harp about the service, but that for me, is a big pet peeve. If you are in a rush and you are choosing this restaurant, I would suggest letting the waiter know right away. That may have helped matters for me instead of stewing about it. Mind you... I did have to lift my cash twice to get a bill delivered..... just give this place a try when you have the time.
The set menu was a very good deal, and even though the menu had a few surprises, it wasn't a bad meal. They weren't bad surprises (or good surprises), just.... surprises. Again, my fault for not finding a description of what was served. read more