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| - I visited Cafe Milano tonight solo for a quick dinner before seeing Phantom of the Opera at the Benedum. I approached the counter and first asked if they had any dinner specials, which they didn't. In light of that, I attempted to order a mini (6") pie, which the woman behind the counter told me that I didn't want, since it was "retardedly small." I told her I usually order two slices of pizza, and asked her which size I should get, and she said the small, and maybe even the medium. "Really? It's just for me." I said, and proceeded to order a plain small ($8.12 w/ tax). I'm glad I used my common sense, since I wasn't looking for leftovers since I was going to the show afterward. Indeed, when the small showed up, it ended up being about twice as much as I usually order.
The pizza took about 10 minutes to prepare, and was served piping hot to me at my table by the woman I'd ordered from. Another odd exchange with her ensued when I asked her for parmesan and oregano, to which she responded they didn't have the latter (what pizza place doesn't have oregano or Italian seasoning?!?), but she could bring me parsley. In terms of quality, I found the pie resoundingly average, with a sweet, non-crispy crust, a bland sauce, and nondescript cheese. This pie was on the level of a Mineo's--and that's not a compliment. However, it was at least filling--which it better have been, given that it contained twice as many slices as I usually eat--so it sustained me through the show without a problem.
Overall, I was underwhelmed by my experience at Cafe Milano, despite that I don't exactly have high expectations of pizza parlors. I was particularly put off by the high-pressure upselling tactics of the woman I dealt with--perhaps the sales techniques of Christos next door are rubbing off on Milano's employees? In any case, next time I'm looking for a casual, inexpensive pizza slice or pie in the Cultural District, I'll look elsewhere.
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