Danny P.
Yelp
EDIT: Got a message from owners within minutes of posting review below. Apparently, it was an unusual night, with two cooks not showing up for work with no heads up. I appreciate owners reaching out, and I promised we'd give them another try, next time we're nearby.
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Went there for the first time today, on a whim, after spending the day at the LA Zoo. Our 4-year-old wanted pizza, and the adults wanted good grown-up food, and this place seemed to fit the bill.
Indeed, it's a beautiful place, with great ambiance, and kid friendly. The waiter who greeted and served us was great. And the food was great! My kid had the pepperoni pizza, my wife the Carbonara, and I the Bone Marrow pasta. And we split the mussels appetizer, which was absolutely delicious!
However, and why this review has 3 stars and not 5: I don't know if it was just tonight or if it's always, but the kitchen was EXTREMELY slow. The place wasn't even crowded, especially not at 5pm when we arrived (hungry). And yet, between the time we ordered our entrees and the time they arrived, it was a good hour (!!). Including my 4-year-old's pizza. Even though we'd clearly said to send whatever was ready out first, and not wait for the entire ticket.
By the time the food arrived, we were starving and ready to go. And just swallowed our food as quickly as possible, not enjoying it as much as we should, or as the food deserved.
If this is a constant issue, then it's a big problem and something to truly consider before visiting.
If this was a one-time thing, there should've been better communication - someone to give us a heads up of the delay, or explain what was going on. Or someone to help better expedite the plates.
And a great idea would've been to maybe offer a small salad, or bread, or cheap champagne, or anything really that would be quick to assemble and not require an oven (and not expensive), while guests waited, to keep them distracted and fed. Instead, I caught myself looking at the kitchen of the waiter often, without realizing I was doing so. The waiter did notice it a few times, but did nothing - and I don't blame THEM for it, as it wouldn't have been their decision, but the manager's. And yet, despite the terrible kitchen issues, I have no idea who the manager is, as they never came to say hi.
Will I be back? I'm not totally sure. The food was fantastic, but the incredible delay in getting it out - I'm not sure I can survive it twice.