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| - Our experience at Maggiano's wasn't bad, but it wasn't good; it was just kind of meh.
The biggest issue plaguing the evening was the incredibly loud dining room with no ambient music to help people regulate their volume. The second biggest issue was the stretched too thin service; it wasn't inattentive, but frantic and rushed.
The drinks were decent; but their happy hour is incredible! I will definitely stop in again for the half price (selected) drinks and cheap bar bites.
The food was unfortunately pretty hit or miss. For appetizers, Taylor and I tried their assortment of bruschetta; this was undoubtedly the best dish of the evening. The shrimp one was my favorite and also the most unique in my opinion. I have to say, I think the Italian Beef bite didn't have the Fontina cheese it was supposed to but it didn't phase Taylor. We also had a Caesar salad- average at best.
Taylor also really enjoyed his chicken meatball, mozzarella, sundried tomato, and pesto fettuccine. My entree wasn't as impressive. I ordered their "famous rigatoni "D""; it was served in an undersized bowl, swimming in an ocean of bland, under reduced cream sauce with no Marsala flavor, the mushrooms were whole and undercooked, and the caramelized onions were cut to a small dice- not thin sliced like generally expected when an item features caramelized onion. The roasted chicken was the only redeeming part- tender and flavorful. I tried, but couldn't attempt to enjoy more than a couple bites.
Our server was understanding and brought back a menu to pick something else. We had a show less than an hour away, so I didn't want to order another full entree worried it would take too long and we would be rushing to the show. I enjoyed the bruschetta so I figured go with a sure thing at this point and asked about the house salad's base- "is it mixed greens?" "Yes". "ok, I'll have that". It was not mixed greens. Same romaine from the Caesar (and I assume the same on the chopped salad where it makes more sense). Despite expecting a different salad, the house dressing was really great and the crispy pancetta was even better.
Overall, I don't think I'll be joining them for a nice dinner and relaxed evening, but I'll give their happy hour a try and hope they can redeem themselves a bit.
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