Jen G.
Yelp
I had been here once before, after it first opened. We ate inside and it was a nice experience overall. I selected this spot for my boyfriend and my Christmas dinner with the idea that we would eat and then walk around Scottsdale Quarter and enjoy the holiday decorations/festivities.
When we arrived, we were seated on the patio. As an overall suggestion to any restaurant, stop using the small, 2 seater tables that you squish in the middle of larger tables. It creates a feeling like you can't talk and enjoy your date, because the tables around you are right next to you and it removes any and all intimacy from your experience. If you are going to use them, advise the people before you seat them, so they have the option to request something more intimate.
Our server showed up fairly quickly and noticed we were not given a cocktail menu, so he went to go grab one while we at least received some water. He did not return with a menu for 10 minutes. The two tables sat next to us got sat and received drinks before we even ended up with the cocktail menu. We put in our order immediately when he came back to avoid any more delays. It took an additional 10 minutes just to get our two drinks and that was with me asking him where they were. He claimed he was "trying to find out where they went". I'm not sure how you lose drinks, but whatever.
We ordered two appetizers that ended up going to the table next to us, because we heard them ask their waiter at the end of their meal if those were complimentary, because they hadn't ordered them. Our waiter had no clue that our appetizers had gone to the table next to us nor did the waiter of that table advise him, because we were still charged while the table next to us got them for free due to the error. Our appetizers came out 12 to 14 minutes later, so we got to sit and smell/watch the table next to us enjoy our order. The appetizers (focaccia and flaming burrata) were yummy, but unfortunately, not yummy enough to make up for the poor service up until this point.
When our meals finally arrived, it was nothing to write home about. We had the pasta pomodoro and the spicy rigatoni. Both were pretty basic. The sauce didn't have much flavor, and again, neither dish was anything spectacular for the amount of money they charge for them.
Our waiter, and no staff at the restaurant for that matter, checked on us throughout the meal to find out how any of it tasted or if we needed anything. We were also not offered fresh Parmesan, which seems a little odd if the restaurant is listed as an Italian restaurant, as it may have jazzed up the dish at least a little.
When our waiter finally brought the bill, he then decided to apologize for the slow service. Ironic, given that is the time a tip is usually added. It takes a lot for me to not tip at least 20%, but between the poor service and the unremarkable meal, we tipped 10% hoping to send the message home that we were not impressed. I left a note on the receipt to ensure that message was received.
On a pricing note, I was absolutely flabbergasted when the bill arrived, and we were charged $48 for two espresso martinis. Not only were they not even full in the glass, that was already a teeny glass, but that was around the same price as my meal. That's ridiculous!
Needless to say, we did not end up walking around Scottsdale quarter after, because we were so annoyed and disappointed with our experience at Etta.