I'm so baffled by the reviews for this place. I don't get it. I am a self-proclaimed "italian food snob" but maybe I am the one that has bad taste. I highly doubt it but I'm so baffled at this point that I have to explore all options.
I don't need to write too much on this restaurant. I was always taught growing up that unless you have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. So, I'll get straight to the point.
Charlotte lacks truly good Italian food which is why so many people rave about the places that are mediocre to horrible. I have to believe it is because you have yet to try really good Italian.
I usually don't eat out Italian but the times I have I always order something very basic. To me, the mark of a really good, authentic Italian restaurant is told by their spaghetti and meatball dish. If you can get the sauce right then you have my stamp of approval. Seriously. I have tested that theory with the best charlotte has to offer in terms of italian and it has held up quite well (ie Fiamma, Zio, etc).
Bottom line...they just aren't that good. I ordered my usual spaghetti and meatballs and the sauce tasted like ragu with a cup of sugar added. The meatballs weren't bad. They were almost good. The bread was not fresh, it was frozen rolls from Harris Teeter that were not even warm. The rest of my party tried a couple of the chicken dishes and chicken parm. Some said their food was pretty good but I had to consider the source. One being my brother in law....he thinks guacamole is an exotic delicacy....soo....
The decor was dated as others have stated but I don't even care about that. If the food was amazing then I could care less if it looked like a roach should be leading me to my seat.
Supposedly the owners are from Italy...I just don't get it. This place was packed on a Saturday night too....still don't get it. Scratching my head on this one....