Benedetto's Italiano

My husband and I went on Friday night after hearing great things about this restaurant. Go to Olive Garden instead. The carpaccio we ordered was not fresh-the meat was brown and tasted old; the salad was premade, refrigerated and the dressing looked like pink lard. The entree was a daily special and it was bland and overpriced. It is as if they recycle all of the seafood and put some pink sauce on it. Only the dessert was good. The service was fine although a bit rushed-as soon as one course was over, the next was right there! Which was a good thing because the table was so tiny that there wasn't any extra room -- not even for bread. We too were told there would be a 20 minute wait for a table but opted to sit outside with heaters rather than wait. Very disappointed after all of the fanfare we heard. NOT RECOMMENDED! more

NOT RECOMMENDED! Arrived at 6:30pm on the 30th of December 2010 and was asked if we had reservations. We stated that we did not and we were told it would be a 15-20min wait. I looked around and saw several empty tables and then suggested to my date we go somwhere else. The host then said he would see what he could do and we were immediately seated. It took us 50min to complete our dinner and there were 3 tables for 2, and two tables for 4 open the entire time we were there. Unsure what their waiting stradegy is all about if you do not have a reservation on a week day evening!\r Our waiter was very well versed on the menu selections and very friendly. We informed him that we had movie tickets and clould not wait long for our food. He stated that he would make sure our food came out in a hurry and he fulfilled his promise! We ordered one shrimp/crab pasta dish in wine sauce. The waiter explained the split fee and I graciously told him ""no problem"" although I was thinking to myself that I would never eat here again even if the food was 5 star. Serious, a split fee on a weekday evening when the place is only half full. We paid $5 for a single empty plate. Our food arrived in record time and presentation was very nice. The shrimp were large and cooked to perfection. The pasta and wine sauce were unremarkable for an entree costing almost $30. I can not reccomend this ""joint"" that serves 1 1/2 star food and split fee on a weekday. Better to go to Rapscallions up 41 or Stonewood Grill down 54. Would not be surprised if this joint was out of buisness next year! NOT RECOMMENDED\r more