Jessica S.
Yelp
I had high hopes for Avanzare because of its great reviews and social media buzz, so my friend and I decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed by their eggplant parmesan ($18.95).
The eggplant was undercooked, too firm, and had a lingering bitterness. It seemed like they tried to mask the bitterness with a heavy layer of melted cheese, but it didn't work--the dish still didn't taste good. On the bright side, the pasta served on the side was delicious, and I finished all of that. However, I only managed to eat one piece of the eggplant before giving up and leaving the rest untouched. I didn't take it home, and while I didn't mention the issue to the waiter, I also didn't want to wait for a replacement while the rest of my party was finishing their meals.
On the other hand, my husband enjoyed his Costoletta di Maiale ($27.95), a pork chop in white wine sauce. He liked both the flavor and texture of the pork. As for the rest of our group, I'm not sure exactly how everyone felt about their meals, but they all seemed to enjoy them.
One highlight of the evening was the excellent service. Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and especially accommodating with the two babies at our table. He made the experience more enjoyable despite my disappointment with the food.
Overall, I expected much better, and while the service was great, my dish missed the mark. I would love to come back one day and experience what most people experience. Therefore, I would love to try the gnocchi or other pasta dish.