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| - I'm not in love with Giada's.. but my review truly reflects a 2.5 as the food was very good..
There were so many things that just took me out of enjoying the experience fully. We arrived at 715 on a Wednesday night so it wasn't terribly busy but it wasn't empty by any means. We are locals and ae familiar with convention schedules and whatnot, so we chose to go on a quieter night.
My date and I had a nice array of items. We started with the 'Spicy Italian Sausage Arancini' served with parmesan fonduta & pomodoro sauce. As well, we enjoyed the 'Fregolotto' (fre-go-LO-toh) with roasted rainbow cauliflower, garlic purée, parmigiano, kale pesto, crispy prosciutto. We shared them both as appetizers and they were both great. Rich, delicious flavors and good portions, everything very shareable. The pasta was split for us in the kitchen as well, which was greatky appreciated. Bread offering was also good but i saved room for dinner so I didn't really have much of it.. though it was delicious.
For the mains we shared the 'Surf & Turf' 7oz filet with two large prawns, port wine sauce, creamy gorgonzola gnocchi & baby carrots, and the 'Barolo Braised Australian Wagyu Beef Short Rib' served with soft polenta, & garden vegetables.
I ordered my filet medium rare and it was perfectly cooked, and one of the better steaks I have had recently. The Creamy Gorgonzola Gnocchi were also delicious. Again, nicely portioned and really perfect texture on the cooking of the filet. Just so good. The Short Rib wasn't my favorite. Although I do really like short rib and I do really like polenta. The flavor profile fell short for me personally,. The wine component was great in my mind, but maybe it just didn't translate well to my palate after having things like the rich gnocchi or the port wine sauce ont he steak. The polenta also came across a little unseasoned.. but again maybe it was me. My date didn't care for it, so it was pretty much uneaten.
We had a couple of cocktails and some California red blend wine.. and everything was good. No question when the food was being cleared as to why we didn't eat the short rib, but we wern't looking for any other food so it wasn't a huge deal. I would have appreciated it if they had asked though.
Now, a couple of thigs that I want to mention are in the interest of constructive criticism.
Mainly, our server was so blatently intent on upselling us on everything.. which is part of his job I realize, but it was a bit rushed and short of quality service. Not staying with us at the table in terms of presence, constatnly looking elsewhere while we were asking questions and looking for suggestions, (based on how we wanted to manuever the menu nicely without over-doing it but still getting a few items to try.)
Every request for guidence was met with short, curt responses. Pointing at the menu seemingly going for the priciest options was the answer to everything. The money wasn't the problem, we knew what we were geting into.. but, I would have liked a bit more personalized service based on our cocktails and wine.. and just not so hurried. It may be asking too much. I was fully aware of the other tables and how he was being sat so I wasn't intending to take up time, but it felt rushed and I just didn't care for that.
Another thing - the backwaiter or server assistant, was really a big distraction.. and I honestly don't mean to be rude.. but when you are trying to have a nice quality meal - the sound of silver being loudly set onto tables, and clanging together while being polished and then tossed into a drawer or sideboard of some sort - is not cool. Also,frequently we were asked if we would like water botlle refills, and forgotten.. and then asked again and forgotten. Not the biggest deal but it made me feel like it was a turn and burn situation. I didn't like that at all.
On top of that, the 'back of the house' conversations and opinions of other guests from the backwaiter and the servers - were just inappropriate. Finger pointing and crude remarks that were clearly meant to be offensive. The guests being spoken about may not hear you, but we heard every word. It's something I may not have even noticed, were I able to stay int the moment and just enjoy myself.. but that silver clanging had me hearing and noticing everything else that was going on.
So overall, food 5 stars.. but service was like 2.5 stars. I'd go again, maybe sit at the bar.. I do like quality food and they have it.
Well.. Happy Eating To You!
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