3 /5 Dr. Raoul Quintero: I can’t help but wonder what has happened to this once-classic restaurant, long regarded as a place that consistently outshone expectations and delivered memorable dining experiences.
We made reservations several weeks in advance to celebrate Christmas Eve with family, expecting the level of care and attention that the restaurant’s reputation promises. Unfortunately, the evening began with an early indication that this would not be the experience we had hoped for. We were seated at what was arguably the least desirable table in the restaurant, directly next to the servers’ prep station, where constant foot traffic and conversation became an unavoidable distraction throughout the night.
After being seated, it took nearly ten minutes before we were greeted by our server, who promptly recited the evening’s drink selections. We asked for a moment to decide on additional drinks for the table after ordering a gin martini, but this request seemed to be forgotten. We ultimately had to flag the server down to place the remainder of the drink order. To be fair, once ordered, the Prosecco arrived within five minutes.
The highlight of the evening—without question—was the food. The Chicken Marsala, Chicken Quattro Formaggio, and Sea Bass were all excellent and reflected the culinary quality the restaurant is known for. One surprise was the $23 charge for a side of rigatoni. While understandable given the restaurant’s reputation and location, it still felt unexpectedly steep for a side dish.
After finishing dinner, service deteriorated further. We waited an astonishing twenty-three minutes without a single visit to our table. Aside from two brief check-ins from the late Mr. Christini’s daughter, no one approached us. Eventually, we had to summon a server ourselves to request the check and to box the remainder of one dish.
When the check finally arrived, there was no acknowledgment of the delay—no apology, no explanation—just a lukewarm “Merry Christmas.”
Very upset, disappointed, and frustrated.
