rev:text
| - Been here before for large receptions and lunch - dinner... Restaurant week this week - 3 course meal for $15. I was very excited to eat here again because I have had some great meals in the past. Party of 5 - two arrived early and waited at the bar for us to arrive. We were seated at a very small table within ten minutes. The tables themselves are works of art - cherry tops - individually crafted by Aaron Laux Design https://www.aaronlauxdesign.com
Three of us had the craft cocktails - good but not great.
The server brought all five salads in two hands - and had to ask for help to serve them. The tray is an extension of your hand...
For my first course I tried the INSALATA DI RISI - the rice was lackluster - the consistency was that of minute rice - with black olives and tomatoes - and a sprinkle of fresh herbs. I just checked the menu to see what ingredients were listed and was surprised to see that listed was Sicilian tuna. I noticed this when I ordered but promptly forgot - there was no note of tuna in my salad. Others tried the INSULATA PAPAVERO - which looked beautifully dressed and had a lovely portion of Wisconsin mozzarella.
When we had finished the salad, a server stopped by, holding in her left had a stack of dirty plates from another table, and proceeded to clear and stack our plates on to the pile.
Two of us ordered one of the pasta choices, spaghetti with clams. Again lackluster seasoning - too salty - a sprinkle of fresh herbs. The server seemed quite put out when we asked for forks, which had been cleared with our salads, and a small plate for the clam shells. One order of the pasta with cauliflower - which looked wonderful, and one order of the calzone with spicy pork - both of which looked very delicious.
We selected two of the desserts. I and one other had the BUDINO DI PANE E CIOCCOLATO - bittersweet chocolate and brioche pudding, whipped cream, caramel sauce, and toasted pecans. I have to say that I am not a chocolate fan and only order chocolate occasionally. The chocolate brioche pudding as similar to a 3"x 3" brownie, approximately 1/2 inch thick. I think it was almost devoid of flavor. I could taste the caramel, whipped cream and toasted pecans... Three had the TORSION DI RICOTTA CON MIRTILLI - Ricotta cake, blueberry compote and lemon curd. Both diners mentioned that the dessert was "good" but the lemon curd seemed to overpower all the other flavors.
I like this place and generally like their food. I will return to Osteria Papavero and hope for a better meal. If the service had not irritated me I would have given the review three stars.
|