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| - Stopped in for drinks last Saturday nite before we had dinner at D'Vine next door. We live a mile away so we always like checking out new local places. We had been to the old location at Falcon Field a few times, but not in at least 3 years. I remember that location as having good food, but as being a bit old fashioned and catering to a quiet senior crowd.
So we sat on the outside portion of the indoor/outdoor bar and people-watched the inside of the place. The first thing I noticed was they had not refinished the indoor/outdoor bar top from when it was Zocalo. The bar top is made of concrete, and the clear coat and paint were in various stages of decay. Nothing inside the restaurant looks like it has been changed since it was Zocalo. Not that the decor is bad....it's just not new.
I just had a beer, so not much to say about that. But my wife likes to try red wines, so she began asking the bartenders questions about the various selections. They were either out of several items, or knew nothing about the ones they had. They just basically let my wife try samples and waited for her to decide. These guys' demeanor was mildly distant, non-engaging and completely unenthusiastic. They did not want to be there.
Inside the restaurant the employees and patrons just looked like robots going through the motions. The place has zero energy. It was about 40 pct full at prime time on a Saturday nite. With 15 employees and 25-35 people inside, you would think there'd be some noise, but the silence was deafening!
If you live in the area and want cheap Italian with good energy, great service and employees who care, head to Red, White & Brew. If you want scratch-made, super-fresh tasty Italian served by an attentive, personal staff, head to Alessia's.
Me and my wife would really like to see a great restaurant succeed in this space, just to add to the local options. It's a great location for Las Sendas/Red Mtn Ranch residents. This place ain't gonna cut it unfortunately.
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