"On my latest visit, I went with friends and family on a pleasant spring Saturday evening. The small dining area was bustling, and we had no reservation. Optimistically, we put our names down with the hostess, who told us we could expect a table in about 25 minutes. Knowing that this was as likely as a solid Republican healthcare plan, we weren't surprised when over an hour passed before we got seated. Fortunately, the lovely weather made waiting in the small seating area overlooking the street somewhat enjoyable. Servers frequently checked on us outside and were kind enough to bring us drinks from the bar.
Inside, the ambiance could generously be described as lively, but "chaotic" might be a more accurate term. It was so loud that we had to shout to hold a conversation, which only contributed to the cacophony. Adding to the clamor were the frequent sounds of plates and glassware crashing from the visibly busy kitchen in the back.
Now, regarding the food: it was decent but not as good as I remembered from my first visit. The restaurant prides itself on its wood-fired pizzas, so I ordered a classic rendition with red sauce, mozzarella, sausage, and mushrooms. The pizzas are just large enough for two to share, but if you're particularly hungry, one whole pie wouldn’t be excessive. The sauce and cheese were generously applied, and the toppings were quality, but the crust was thin and dry—more cracker-like than I prefer. I usually enjoy a thicker, chewier crust akin to New York-style pizza. Plus, mine was served lukewarm, causing the cheese to lose its gooey texture and begin to congeal, which was disappointing.
I also ordered a Caesar salad, which turned out to be simply torn romaine leaves tossed in a creamy ranch-like dressing with crouton cubes that tasted like they came from a bag at Stop and Shop. It wasn't bad, but it lacked anchovies, meaning it wasn't truly a Caesar salad.
Other dishes ordered at our table included linguini and meatballs, ricotta mac and cheese, steak and shrimp, and a dish called fazzioletti crepe. The meatballs were large and underseasoned, with a texture reminiscent of an overcooked hamburger. The mac and cheese had the same lukewarm problem as my pizza; it definitely should have been served hotter. The steak and shrimp dish was acceptable, much like something you might have experienced at a Connecticut country club in the 1950s. I didn't try the crepe, but it was served with a side of Swiss chard, which several people at our table said was tough. It perplexes me how a cooked leafy vegetable can be served tough, but there you go.
The service was generally fine, with one exception: all our orders arrived more or less at the same time except for the crepe. When we asked about it, we were told it had been "dropped" on the way from the kitchen. As a result, one of us had to sit there watching everyone else eat while waiting for her meal to be refired. I shared a slice of my pizza with her to help her out.
Overall, I'd rate the food a 3, the service a 3, and the atmosphere a 2."