Steven L.
Yelp
This is probably the most difficult restaurant experience I've ever evaluated. There were so many wonderful things, and so many unusual happenings. I will cover them all. My evaluation of the fantastic food will come at the end.
Their policy of "No split checks" caused me social embarrassment. I was not free to order what I wanted knowing that I would cover my bill. At a table of nine persons, I had to guess who was going to grab this big check. I had to evaluate every person's order to keep in line with the norms established. Our host was stressed due the fact that we were there for his wife's funeral the next day, so I just laid low and dealt with the finances later.
My niece and nephew were not there when I arrived. They "out running an errand", but no one said what that was. When they had returned, they had bottles of wine. Oh. The restaurant is dry, but you can bring your own. I did check the website but either missed that point or it was not clear. Well, there it is, clear as day on the search engine, but not on the home page. More social embarrassment as I sat and had to wait for the generosity of a family member to offer me some of theirs.
Entering place is a challenge. I thought you needed a secret password. On arrival, I tried the door at the main entrance on the street side. Locked, but I could see customers inside. I jiggled the handle to get some attention but that was ineffective. I texted my host. Oh! you have to come around the BACK entrance. Again, if there was a sign on the front door, it was hidden or I missed it.
Our host may have had something to do with the next experience, but it took over an hour to get our food order. While I fully appreciated the family reunion aspect, I was hungry. Then again, this casual table time is typical of some Italian restaurants and the heritage of our host. But I was hungry. But there were no awkward periods in the discussion while we waited.
Our table was right in the draft caused by the secret entrance door in the back being left open.
Now!, on to the food, and it was excellent - quite possibly a five star rating unto itself. The salad was good as most are.
We were handed menus with many more options than were on the website. That was nice, but now I had to renegotiate with myself as to exactly what to order based on the new options and remain in the ordering patterns of my group.
I finally settled on the oversized mushroom ravioli with truffle cream sauce. Pasta was cooked perfectly and really seemed to be made on premises. Truffle aroma filled the air as my plate was placed in front of me, and I was hoping it was not offensive and a prediction of a sauce that was unbalanced. I was wrong. The sauce was perfectly balanced unto itself and a great compliment to the filling. Another great point is that there was the perfect amount of sauce. I did not have be stingy to make it last, nor was there a huge puddle to figure out what to do with, either.
Our server was very knowledgeable and offered accurate information about the desserts. She guided me to a light lemon pastry that was wonderful.
Great food, unusual customs and you have to know about the secret entrance. You don't need the password!
