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| - I work downtown, and as a result I'm always happy when new restaurants open. I was excited to try Il Pizzaiolo, which brings a classy storefront to Market Square. Maybe this is the burgher in me talking, but it always seems like the people dining there look like they walked right off the set of Entourage. I'm intimidated by glamour!
I prefer to sit outside on their sidewalk patio, as the dining room can get very noisy. Service is variable. The hostesses always seem stressed and while I don't mind waiting, our times have always been at least 15 minutes over the estimate.
I've seen a few reviews turn sour regarding the outdoor seating and where diners are permitted to eat/wait. This is actually not their fault. Police have been cracking down on panhandlers and crime in the area. Consequently, one MUST sit in the dining area for the corresponding restaurant.
Now onto the food.
The wine list is extensive but only includes Italian selections. Most of the servers are knowledgeable and can recommend pairings.
The appetizers are decent but are not worth the ~$10-$15 cost.
I've sampled both the pastas and the pizzas. The pastas are underwhelming in terms of originality, taste, and size. Entrees come with bread and oil for dipping, but the bread is too salty for my enjoyment. I will never understand why carb-loaded restaurants serve bread with their offerings. It seems redundant.
Pizzas are the restaurant's specialty (at a place called Il Pizzaiolo? No way!). The wood-fired pies are good, and vary from the standard Margherita to the more loaded Santa Lucia. But to be honest, all of these pizzas lack imagination. I understand that Pizzaiolo is going for more "classic" recipes but for the prices why not throw in some innovation?
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