Judi D.
Yelp
Sorry to say, but this was a disappointing experience.
What saved it was the staff: Angelita at the counter took my order, and she was delightful, fun, courteous, engaging, very pleasant and helpful.
Not wanting anything too heavy so late in the evening, I opted for the potato gnocchi with the pesto cream sauce.
Perhaps I shd hv gone along with the recommended dishes but again, didn't want anything too heavy or too spicy and acidic.
I luv potato gnocchi with pesto (I didn't think the cream should make that much difference, and it didn't, one way or another, just bland); it's one of my fave dishes in Italy. This is not the iteration you want. I don't know if the pasta at Saggio's is homemade, but my gnocchi was vastly undercooked. It was mushy dough-y.
I brought the plate back to the counter where the friendly staff who'd handed me the dish initially were still congregated and informed them. One of the young ladies said, "it's supposed to be dough-y; that's what they are: dumplings". Um, I let her know I've had gnocchi before - and there is a vast difference between what was served and gnocchi cooked properly.
They asked if I'd like it re-done; I said no, as I'd lost my appetite. Did I want a refund; I declined: I just wanted them to know so they could address it. My stomach got queasy later in the evening, but no nausea or vomiting, so, ok.
I hv a foodie friend who thinks one cannot mess up Italian food so she sees it as less sophisticated; she is clearly wrong, case in point.
I think my anticipated experience was colored by meals at the original Saggio's at UNM where I am enamored with one particular entree, so I thought we'd be at that level. It's not.
What this space at the Coronado Mall does have going for it, in addition to the aforementioned terrific Angelita, is a spacious dining area and huge TV screens where a terrific battle was going on between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills.
It will likely be awhile before I return but I'd like to think that one bad meal shouldn't ruin a place forever in my eyes and will give this place another try, but I'll think hard, maybe see if there's a kid size piattino of gnocchi available.