February 2009
4 posts
Botticelli's Report Card: B+, B+, F →
Botticelli’s, a relatively new participant in the crowded mediocre-Italian category, won high marks with us in decor (pleasant beer garden in the back) and food, but failed miserably in service. The seared chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto, mozzarella and sage and served with garlic mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts came piping hot and full of flavor, though somewhat overpowered by...
East Side Cafe(s) →
While we are on the topic of brunch, two other spots we recently tried are: Blue Dahlia Bistro on East 11th and another formidable east-sider, the aptly named East Side Cafe. They each showcase local ingredients in bistro settings, however, the main difference is the menus. East Side offers traditional egg, pancake, waffle, salad and pasta dishes while Blue Dahlia specializes in tartines, salads...
Back to Bess
Having each been to Bess for less than stellar meals, we decided to give it a second chance on Valentine’s Eve. The risk paid off as we tried some new dishes (semolina crusted artichoke hearts to start and the pork belly) and customized our orders ever so slightly. Sitting al fresco in the upstairs patio was very pleasant, especially given that it was 70 degrees in February. They also have...