skip this place
I took my friend here for a special Mother's Day celebration. It was a little beyond my budget, but I’ll always splurge on good food and good service for a special occasion. My friend is a young, single mother who works very hard and sacrifices everything for her son, so she never splurges on a nice meal. We arrived in plenty of time for our Noon reservation, were greeted by the owner and her daughter. We were shown to our table and I pointed out the unique atmosphere that we had far too much time to admire while waiting for our waitress. It was an understandably busy day, but it would have made for an easier wait if we’d just been offered coffee. When we did get coffee it seemed like no one ever wanted to refill our cups, while other tables around us were helped right away. We notice that many of these tables were “friends” of the owners’ because Mrs. Rossi and Daughter spent a lot of time talking to them, while ignoring us. When we finally did order, I couldn’t wait for my friend to try the Zucchini I’d been bragging about. Our mouths were still watering for them when our waitress came by, 15 minutes later to inform us that they had run out. Run out? They hadn’t prepared enough of their signature dish for a noon reservation? And they waited 15 minutes after we’d ordered them to let us know? Still no coffee refills, and when our breakfasts did come, mine arrived lukewarm, my friend was disappointed because she hadn’t realized hers would be served cold, (admittedly her own misunderstanding, but she felt like she hadn’t much of a choice being a non-egg-eating-vegetarian), her son was miserable because the food was “too fancy,” no kid choices. We still had no coffee, but I tried to salvage the meal by hyping everyone up for dessert. I pointed to a nearby Crème Brule, talked about a Brownie Sundae, went on about Bread Pudding, and when our waitress brought over the dessert menu, it seemed as though this was one promise I’d deliver on. The menu was amazing with what seemed like 10 homemade desserts! Everyone was excited again when the owner’s daughter came by, snatched the menus out of our hands and told us that they’d “run out” of all the desserts! “Every single one?” We asked. She snapped “Yes,” and walked away. It was obvious she needed the table, she should’ve just been honest, and we would’ve taken our desserts to go. I paid our bill and left a 20% tip because I felt bad for our waitress and bus person who should’ve received some help from the owners, but they were too busy schmoozing rather than giving good service. We left feeling like we’d been mistreated because we were young, and didn’t reek of “old money”.    [14 May 2004 14:09:33]

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     ­Anonymous, oakland   

Oversmug waitstaff and terrible food
Having passed this place by for a few years a friend and I finally decided to splurge on a "good" meal. When we were seated there were a good amount of flies buzzing about which became even more annoying as they started dive bombing our wine glasses. Our expensive shrimp appetizer came out cold and overdone believe it or not. As we were waiting on food and watching as others around us, who came in after us, got their food first we started to feel as if we were seated in a dungeon: very dark and dusty. When the meal came the tri-tips and sauce were salted all to hell. My halibut special that was supposed to come with asparagus and polenta came out with one asparagus spear and sitting on greens. It was definitely not worth the wait. When I finally fished a 4th fruitfly out of my second glass of wine I told the waitress I was finished. She took the full glass of wine away - didn't bring a replacement and didn't offer to take it off of the bill. We had to endure another wait while the manager took her time ammending and even after complaining about the meal offered no sympathy or retribution. Skip this place and go a few blocks down to one of the bistro's: for the same money you can get a good meal and service.    [15 Sep 2005 18:07:07]

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Recommended Dishes: none

     ­Looking for a good meal in Oakland