What the hell is it with a host that isn't open to you picking a table of your liking, especially when the joint is near empty? This jerk was clearly put out that we would have the temerity to choose our table, which was required given that the spot lighting was so bright on certain table we could have effectively performed surgery. Would have sat on the nice patio with a fire going, but the lighting out there was again overblown.
Our ebullient waitress kept us there with her friendliness and steered us toward good appetizers and a light Chardonnay. Reluctantly, given my recent run of back luck with calamari, I ordered the app and bravely dove in. Hot and crispy but the sauce suffered. The marinara sauce we asked for was far better. Our Caprese salad was good, fresh.
If not for the gargoyle at the front I would have considered this a good experience.