. "4"^^ . "2"^^ . . "0"^^ . "0"^^ . "2011-08-28T00:00:00"^^ . "I really like this place. \n\nIt's airy and warm and unpretentious, in it's rustic-contemporary design and eclectic tchochkes (whimsical without trying too hard). Service was equally sans attitude -- friendly and attentive. Every item tried was very good, great value overall.\n\nAs for the specific eats......\n\n - House-made bread: fabulous, as was the very tasty and fresh pesto-bruschetta-type topping that arrived in a mortar with pestle for manual crushing - fun! (and seconds, please!)\n\n- Beet and spinach salad ($9): nothing novel here but was done right - a large portion and they did not cheap out re: quality and quantity of cheese and nuts (as is too-often the case, methinks) \n\nAnd the 2 mains I tried (FYI: I was with a veg, and in a pleasing mood):\n\n- tilapia ($20) - again, a very generous portion , seared perfectly and so delish in the white wine/olive oil/lemon with capers and olives sauce, accompanied by perfectly-blanched asparagus beneath a fresh tomato ratatouille-style compote\n\n- the 'nonna' pasta, with eggplant ($10): a simple rigatoni in a red sauce, with medallions of eggplant - the sauce tasted garden-tomato fresh, and so light, with just the right ratio of garlic to basil to oil - very satisfying\n\nNo room for dessert - will try next time when I go back for the veal and lamb (mmm...meat)."^^ . .