... and I'm being generous.
Since my last experience at Fontanella sucked, I decided to give this place another chance. I had to skip both breakfast and lunch so I went ridiculously early: 6:30 and the place was packed, there was one sit left at the bar which I grabbed.
I decided to keep it modest this time and ordered the signature pasta w/ soup. Totally unlike the salad option, the Sicilian sausage and lentil soup was very tasty - it probably didn't hurt that I hadn't eaten anything at all in the past 24 hrs.
The Penne Franco was a little gimmicky but overall it was pretty good, I'm a sucker for garlic. I order the $11,50 plain version, I'm not a fan of throwing chicken on top of pastas or salads. I had a cup of the house Montelpucciano, which was very average but reasonable @ $5.50
A solid three stars so far.
At this point I must have been woozy because I ordered a Tiramisu. Seven dollars and change for the worst imitation of Tiramisu I've ever had. As tasteless as day-glow colored supermarket cakes. To boot it costs 70% as much as the pasta and soup dinner itself.
Second experience at this restaurant confirms it's ok for the basics but don't be suckered into paying for a fine dining experience because you won't be getting your money's worth.