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| - A special place at an unusual spot. Located at the wanna-be cool D Hotel, it's at the top of an escalator, where the entrance to the bathroom next to it is wider than the restaurant. But enter thru the brick rounded hallway, and amazing you will find.
I made a reservation for 630pm, but I didn't really need to. It was near empty at that time. Later, it filled up and was bustling. What it did assure me is seating at a booth, instead of table. And the booth, ohhhh, had very soft leather to sit on and to feel.
The menu is large format, and 2 pages. What I noticed is that the prices, particularly of the appetizers and wine, is very reasonable if not cheap. I got 2 glasses of Malbec for $11 each, and they were like butter, very good.
I couldn't help myself. Dining with a good local friend, the sky was the limit. We ordered:
1. The Gigantic Meatball ($9) - Perfectly cooked and in an amazing marinara, it was the equivalent to 6 or so meatballs. Paired with the fresh, warm bread, this was an absolute winner all-the-while topped with ricotta cheese. (4.5 stars)
2. Asparagus ($9) - Seasoned and in Olive Oil, it was an extremely large portion -- a full stock of thin spears. (5.0 stars)
3. Truffle Mashed Potatoes ($8) - Wonderful, with the flavor of truffle. How can it be bad? (4.0 stars)
4. Filet Mignon ($38) - Cooked medium, it was the real deal. Served with an amazing side of pasta with vodka sauce. (4.5 stars)
5. Agnolotti ($22) - Handmade pasta filled with ground veal, beef and pork in wild mushroom-basil crème sauce. It was like pierogi in a cream sauce. Excellent. (4.25 stars)
The service was the kind expected at a white tablecloth type of place, but Raul was a very nice and personable man who could take a joke or two, not stuffy. While he could do a better job at memorizing the menu, he was first class all the way.
Wonderful experience.
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