| rev:text
| - It wasn't hard to persuade my boyfriend that we should select Giada for my recent birthday dinner. In fact, he was ecstatic. So ecstatic to the point where if he hadn't planned me the best birthday weekend ever, it'd bother me...just a little...
This 4-star review is one that could easily be a 5-star my next visit. Are first impressions everything? No, but boy do you remember them!
We made reservations via OpenTable for 5:45pm. We checked in at the hostess stand and waited by the entry. A few minutes went by and we watched a handful of hostesses trying to appear organized, while we watched a few more parties check in and wait along with us. No parties were seated. Then, one of the hostesses came and asked again what name our reservations were booked with. She returned to the hostess stand, and we waited. A few minutes later, a different hostess approached us and suggested we order some drinks at the lounge while we wait. Feeling a bit skeptical, but we did just that. We ordered drinks at the lounge, the only available table had empty beer bottles from the previous customers. A manager approached and welcomed us to the restaurant and thanked us for joining them for dinner. Then, he walked away. My thoughts? Anyone? How about seeing to getting tables bussed... or helping the hostesses seat some parties? Before our drinks arrived, a DIFFERENT hostess (yes, there were about 5 of them, at least) informed us that our table was ready and that our drinks can be delivered to our dinner table. She asked, "Who was your cocktail server?" My boyfriend and I looked at her blankly, the server didn't introduce herself and we didn't notice if she wore a nametag. The hostess gave us this look like "What, you don't remember the server you had a 20-second interaction with?!?!" She walked off without another word, asked around to find out who was our server, then returned to seat us. We finally got to our table at 6:15pm. I understand, maybe 1/2 hour isn't the most horrible wait time, but that whole scenario made it seem forever.
Okay enough, on with the food!
Citrus Marinated Calamari
Lobster Arancini
Spah-geh-tee
Veal Chop Saltimbocca
Homemade Gelato
Her spaghetti lives up to the hype, it was amazing! The shrimps underneath the pasta were unbelievable, I think I cut one shrimp into five pieces. The lobster arancini were delicious, but I could've lived without the calamari. I'd probably have gone with the fried version next time. My boyfriend said the veal chop was good, but the portion was too big and a little too much breading for his taste. The gelato? We got two scoops, roasted banana and white coffee w/ chocolate shavings. Yum!
The service at the table? Phenomenal! I can't say one bad word about it. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and timely without the feeling of being rushed.
I have to say I LOVED the ambiance and decor. Everything from the glass straw for your iced tea, elegant feminine silverware, the fresh pasta noodle display, even her restrooms with hand paper towels with "Giada" printed on them just screamed the chef and her classy style. It's a place I'd love to return to have lunch with just the gals.
FYI:
- Make your reservations at OpenTable online. I attempted to change our dinner time via the Cromwell. OpenTable had seatings available that the Cromwell did not offer.
- They offer a dinner tasting menu for $125/person that includes many of the popular items for every course. Full table participation only.
- They charged for our dessert, even though we were celebrating a special occasion. Were we spoiled in expecting that? The gentlemen with the elegant dessert cart did write Happy Birthday on my plate and make me feel special, plus the gelato was incredible!
- Giada herself did not make an appearance that night. Good thing my boyfriend fell into a deep content food coma over the delicious dinner or he'd have been utterly disappointed. Hopefully next time!
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