07/06/08

Overpriced and Average

by stinav

Highway robbery! I went with friends after reading good reviews, and was disappointed. The carpacio was bland and the portions small. The chestnut pasta and chickpeas was a tasty, but the portion way too small for an entree (but entree priced!). My friend's meal was not memorable. In addition, the staff was not very welcoming. Unfortunate, because I live nearby. But I will not be going back.

• Pros: a few good entrees
• Cons: too expensive

06/24/08

not worth the train ride

by sixftcutie

I LOVE Italian food so I make it a point to try and visit new places to add to my arsenal of good eats. This place was totally not worth the train fare out there. The service was horrible and the manager was a bit of a snob. Honestly, her being there made everything worse. My friend said she felt a little nauseous after her seafood ravioli and I have to admit, I've had better chicken fettucine. If you want Italian in Brooklyn, go somplace else that has way better food and the staff is really sweet.

• Pros: decor
• Cons: service, food, manager rude

05/24/08

utterly unmemorable. overpriced for both portion and quality

by dassmarschett

After hearing some friends raving about this restaurant, my friend and I decided to give it a try. It was a definite disappoinment. First, on first impression, the decor and the ambience of the place is nice, in spite of the inappropriately bright lighting which suits a dental clinic better. Since neither of us has eaten for the whole day we ordered a lot of food, or so we thought. First, we had a 20-dollar sampling appetizer platter with prosecco. As soon as we finished them we understood the caliber of the chef and regretted that we listened to our friends. All the food on the plate were so mediocre; at best you can see them as the experimental work of untalented culinary school students. The portion is so ridiculously stingy - low quality, tiny portion, and they have the dasity to overcharge as if the food deserves it. This appetizer is a prelude to the trainwreck that ensued. 10-dollar Crostini, four little bite of bread with some lousy paste on them. We ordered a parsley fazzolettini to share, which was boasted by the waitress to be one ambrosia created by the chef- turned out to taste the same as chef-boy-R-dee microwave pasta. Each of us ordered a main course. I had a run-of-the-mill grilled beef course with arugala and salt randomly spread on the plate. 27 dollars, I cannot get over it. I could have a fabulous seafood paella for 2 in Boqueria or with 27, though comparing them is an unforgivable insult to boqueria. My friend had a lousy grilled chicken with roasted potato crusted within a layer of goo. We were still femished after all was served. All in all, this place has nothing special to offer. Splurge your money somewhere else. Nothing about this place is worth it. To look back, it's ironic how the host and bartender acted so proud and stuck-up as if they are entitled to it. Oh, and check out other reviews from the reviewers that gave this place a good review- there's none. Give you an idea how scammed those good reviews are.

• Pros: the menu design
• Cons: overpriced. Tiny teeny portion. microwave quality food.

04/09/08

Warm, Welcoming and Authentic

by ftgreenegal

I love this place. I have been a regular customer for years and Catherine and Francois are some of the most lovely, authentic people I have ever met. They both are highly skilled at what they do and it comes through in both the food and service. Great, true to its roots Northern Italian in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I have celebrated many a milestone here and look forward to many more. Highly recommended.

• Pros: Ambience, Attentive Service, Excellent Food

02/16/08

Expensive food, poor service

by meemsy

Even though we had reservations, and there were few others in there at that hour, it took lots of prodding to even get a basket of bread with our wine. Then my friend asked if she could switch pastas with sauces - my friend is Italian, and a foodie herself - and was told (loudly) by a 20-something with an attitude the standard "our chef selects the sauces to go with the pastas and won't substitute" speech. Then when the food FINALLY arrived it was in tiny portions. This is one of those places where the food on the menu looks relatively inexpensive but they expect you to order one of each course to feel full, and then you can fall over from sticker shock when you get the bill. I've eaten there in the past and have to say that when it first opened the food was more abundant and tastier, and the service was better. The owner really tries, but it seems he's getting ahead of himself here and should remember he's in Brooklyn.

• Pros: Lovely, historic ambience
• Cons: Manhattan attitude, not appreciated in Brooklyn

12/01/07

bland food in a pretty space.

by hooptycritter

Bland, below average food in a very nice atmosphere.

When we told the owner that a wine glass was dirty he picked it up and stared at it for over a minute instead of replacing the glass immediately. 3 people ordered a variety of appetizers and entrees - everything was forgettable. There is a big difference between subtle and bland - this food was bland. Nice wait staff but they fish for compliments on food that again is below average.

The experience was much ado about nothing special.

Fairly good wine selection.

Word to owner and chef - using fresh, local ingredients does not guarantee tasty food unless you know how to prepare the ingredients.

Much better places in the neighborhood - Olea and Chez Lola - both have great food, low key atmosphere and excellent service.

07/14/07

Saturday night "not so" special

by lbutcari

From the moment I arrived I knew this was not going to be a good experience. Instead of a "hello" or "good evening" I was brusquely greeted by the owner with "Do you have a reservation". I replied "no" and was ignored for 5 minutes. Finally I was told, "outdoor seating only". The owner then simply nodded his head in the direction of the outdoor table and went back to ignoring me.

Although our waitress was friendly enough, the entire experience was lackluster. From the overpriced tiny chicken thigh (6 bites, maybe) with greasy french fries (not the roasted potatoes listed on the menu) to the $25 seafood "stew" that wouldn't have filled up a 5 year old, and was fairly bland, the entire culinary experience was subpar. The $75 bill (we had no appetizer or salad!) was shocking. We had some okay wine, but it was served in small orange juice glasses...seriously.

There are so few decent places to go out to eat in Clinton Hill, this was really disappointing. The decor is nice, but that's about it.

• Pros: Ambience; outdoor seating
• Cons: Overpriced; bland food; wine served in juice glasses; rude owner

07/14/07

Best Italian

by nicoletb2004

We went recently and had the tasting menu, it was amazing. The food is fresh and the menu changes daily. My parents truly had a blast. It is as good as the food in Tuscany, we will be back!! The service was very good too and we enjoyed the space as well...it is nicely done.

• Pros: The food, wine and staff are all wonderful
• Cons: not much

12/22/06

Tuscan home cooking

by mlbonner

This is a restaurant that has become too popular on Saturday night. Also the menu is not the typical red sauce variety and will not please everyone. But if you are looking for a tasty dining experience paired with a well planned wine list - come with a group to share the courses. The food is fresh and the menu changes daily.

05/09/06

Shooting fish in a barrel

by jolin

This restaurant has a couple of things going for it: beautiful interior and a captive audience. I was invited to a friend's birthday dinner and, despite having made reservations, we had to wait while the hostess and the manager argued about where to seat us. It seemed like the manager won out and the six of us were crammed onto a small table, while a larger table in the back remained empty. When we asked if we could move, we were told that the other table was also reserved. It turns out it was... by 3 of the manager's friends. Dinner was uncomfortable. Not only were we elbowing each other when we lifted our forks, but the food was nearly inedible because it was so salty. Instead of staying for dessert, we got the check and went to a bakery on 7th Ave.

• Pros: Romantic Setting
• Cons: Inedible Food, Lack of Service