Mom and I went there for dinner. It was a Saturday night. The Hostess greeted us with a welcome and asked if we had a reservation. She lead us to a table in the corner near the front window.
She came to the table without introduction and asked if we wanted drinks. We did not so she quickly departed allowing us time to peruse the menu. When she returned, her first words were, ""Have you decided?"" I asked about specials. She jumped into recall-mode and tried to think about what was being offered, all without pricing or recommendations.
I chose the Lasagna which comes with a soup or salad. I chose the salad. There must only be one choice as she did not ask me about my preferences. Mom chose the Italian Wedding Soup which on the menu was listed as a single item but the waitress then asked ""Large or Small?"" Wouldn't ""Cup"" or ""Bowl"" be more appropriate?
The other thing that I didn't like about this waitress was the fact that we were there well before 6pm and there are Early Bird Dinner specials offered from 3-6 which she never suggested and looked to be a great value...about 6 separate items all for $9.95 each all of them something would like, too!
A basket of bread was brought out along with some Whipped Garlic & Herb Butter. The bread was exceptionally dried out and squished as though it was cut when it was too hot and then left to air-dry into something reminiscent of old Scones.
My salad arrived along with moms Wedding Soup. Here is where he marks on this place are salvaged. The Salad was perfectly proportioned, not too much or little. The Soup was delicious as well.
Getting my plate taken away was slow but a bus person finally came by and removed it. We also requested at that time a refill of water and some fresh bread. When it arrived this time, the bread was far better than the left overs served to us 20 minutes earlier. (Maybe they heard us griping about it and this was their attempt at redeeming themselves)
My Lasagna finally arrived and this was impressive when first set down on the table. Large portion, well presented and very tasty. Lasagna is an interesting food item as its different everywhere you go. Not always great but usually OK.....This was wonderful! It was actually such a large portion I took about 1/2 of it home with me. This, I would order again!
One thing we notices was the owner and his wife (mother?) walking around and stopping at a few tables. Based on the conversations we could hear, they were all regulars. What about us newbie's?? Do we not rate a quick stop to see how things are going?? This is YOUR restaurant and you want to keep the customers coming back, that should include the new guys too, right? Never happened. I felt like the red-headed step-child of the restaurant.
Once finished, we again had a new delay in getting the plates cleared as well as the waitress to come back by. She finally did and asked if were interested in dessert but there was no room for me so we asked for the check. Another delay. It was delivered, hand written like in an old-school diner. We left a credit card and again, another delay in getting it picked up.
Finally she dropped it by the table and said her thank you's....obviously a dinner bill of under $20 was not going to net her a huge tip so there was no need for small talk from her.
As we departed the owner and his wife said thank you and good night. I stopped to ask him what the waitress's name was who served us. He mentioned it and asked ""Why, was everything all right?"" I replied that I was curious as to her name since she never introduced herself and I was just curious as to whom had served us.
The wrap up...Lousy service, never felt like I was a welcome part of the restaurant BUT great food. I liked what I had and would certainly try it again....but probably would want to order ahead and get it to go. The ambiance and setting of home is far nicer than being treated like a outsider at this place.
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