The Simpson Disclaimer: Yes, I am a food snob, and yes, I have my favorite Italian restaurants in Tampa and St. Petersburg, and yes, Pssghetti's only opened a week or two ago, so I need to cut them some slack. But...
Last Saturday, Carol F., Sandy, Frank and I went to Pssghetti's in Clearwater. Fortunately I had made reservations, as the wait at 6:30 was 1 1/2 hours. The restaurant has been under construction for many months, and is apparently a sister restaurant to one in Blowing Rock, NC. The decor is faux Italian cute, with an open kitchen and pizza oven. Now comes the issues (again realizing it is a newly opened restaurant, and I can forgive some of the mis-steps). First, when we were seated and handed the menus, the hostess did not provide the separate pizza menu. If we had not been sitting in view of the pizza oven, we would not have known they served pizza. Next up, Frank ordered a bottle of wine. When our young server returned with the bottle, she commented that she isn't very good at opening wine. Frank offered to open it for her, but apparently that is not permitted. She managed to pull the cork, then proceeded to fill all the glasses without offering a taste to the person who ordered the wine. The bottle was placed on the table with a thump. We ordered calamari for a shared appetizer, only to be served a small portion and not very crispy calamari. Average at best, I would say. The salads were fine, but the entrees arrived before we finished the salads, so we were moving plates around the table, and handing them to the server to help clear the table. Frank and Sandy had the lasagna, which was the best entree on the table. Carol had the cannelloni which had to be sent back to the kitchen to be re-heated. I had the Pesca Panna, seafood in a creamy garlic sauce. The scallops and shrimp were overcooked, and the "creamy" sauce was watery, and lacking in flavor. As soon as our dishes were cleared we were given the check, without any mention of coffee or dessert, which seemed very strange.
All in all, it was not a good first impression. While I will not rush back I will give them another chance to work out their service and food issues. But it is hard to go to Pssghetti's when we have Vino e Pasta in Tampa, and Primi Urban Cafe in St. Petersburg, and Vincenzo's in Clearwater.
That's all I'm Saying
5 comments:
Give them another chance. There is quite a few new faces and some very good talent in the kitchen now. That's all I'm saying.
Thank you for your comment, and I will be happy to give them another chance. However, a coworker was there over the past weekend, and left unhappy and unimpressed.
You should definitely reconsider some of your harsh opinions. The restaurant is only a few weeks old and is still in its infancy. The new chef and sous chef are very talented and have made quite a few changes in the kitchen. Please do not judge this restaurant on its first few weeks being open.
It's been open more than a few weeks now and they have not worked the so-called bugs out yet. I give it less than 6 months. The best thing about the experience (besides the great company at my table) was the amazing potato salad with crispy bits of bacon. They have a coloring book for kids, but no crayons. My friend told her daughter in front of the waiter "I guess they don't have pizza, honey" but apparently they do according to their online menu. The one we were given for lunch seemed lacking in choices. Our waiter would attempt to describe the specials saying "if it's the same as what they did yesterday," it will probably be cooked this way, etc. I ordered the Italian Wedding Soup, indicated on their menu as a staple (it is the only soup besides the soup of the day). About ten minutes later, I was told they didn't make any today. Way overpriced. My portobello sandwich was a bland disappointment. No sauce and nothing on it had flavor. I agree with the recommendation to try something else.
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