Garozzo's - Lee's Summit

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Garozzo's Ristaurante.  I am not the target demographic for this place, I admit that freely.  I don't have fond memories of Little Italy, the Rat Pack, or Las Vegas.  I'm a Nebraskan by birth, make less than forty-thousand a year after taxes, have a huge load of debt, and drive a friggin' minivan. 

Because money is tight, when I do spend it I expect to get a lot of value for my money.  I don't buy something because it's a famous brand: a name doesn't give a product value for me.  Garozzos is riding high on name and reputation.

I know you're not supposed to judge a restaurant solely on a single visit, but goddamn...an over-priced and under-serviced disappointment that you would have to pay me to experience again.  Granted, I'm not a big fan of Italian food to begin with, but I know what tastes good.  I suppose if your idea of "tastes good" involves chewing a whole clove of garlic like chewing gum, you'd be okay.

For an average entreé price of $ 25, I expect certain things, especially when I can go to a restaurant that's half that price and get them.  Like fresh bread before the meal.  Having my water glass refilled at least once during the meal.  Having a server that knows the menu - more than just the special of the day.  

What we got was store bought bread (probably Roma Bakeries, but still not fresh baked) served cold, one glass of water each never refilled, and a server who couldn't describe the sauces.  Sinatra, Martin and Bennet played at a level that made conversation next to impossible.  Lighting so dim I had to move the candle to read the menu.

Our entreé, some variation on chicken speidini - the "pollo" section of the menu contained nothing else - was so heavily garlicked I actually thought they'd added cilantro; I had the same kind of palette reaction, a sort of self-defensive numbing of the taste sense.  The sauce was mostly water, as if the tomatos were only mildly injured during prep and cooking.

I have never walked out of a restaurant, and have only ever sent a plate back once.  I came close to doing both.  

If I have to find one thing good to say, make it that the fried ravioli were good, and largely the reason I didn't go home hungry.  Yea for fried ravioli.

So, here's my advice: put a couple of white tapers in holders on your own dining room table.  Use a white, dark green or red table cloth.  Buy a bag of fried ravioli from Sam's Club, and a jar of Classico pasta sauce.  Marinade a couple of chicken breasts in Italian dressing and grill.  Buy a bagged salad and bake up some  Rhodes rolls.  Leave the Sinatra LPs at your grandmother's house.

Hey, hon'?  What're we doing for supper tonight..?  I have this great idea...

Comments

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

That's a difficulty Michelle and I have. We're both good cooks, so it sets the bar kinda high when we go out.