I went to the new Inoteca in Gramercy--word to the wise: bring your patience as well as your appetite. My friend and I arrived on time for a 9pm Tuesday reservation and were not seated until 9:45. I could have spent my time complaining to the hostess but there was also a wait for that. Instead I passed the time alternatively talking to my friend and protecting my body from stray elbows and misplaced feet of waiters and diners alike. Indeed, the restaurant was in such chaos that at one point, I looked into the dining room only to see the manager lunging toward an office chair (the ugly swiveling/adjustable type) that a waiter had hastily fetched in order to seat a party of four at a table meant for three.
All of that said, the food was delicious. The octopus was tender and served in their tentacle entirety, the arugula salad with bresaola tasted fresh and had a lemon flavor to it that was not overpowering, and the meatballs were a nice hearty size and consistency. The menu itself was filled with appealing items--paninis, pastas, cured meats, cheeses--and I will most likely go back once the hype has settled down. For now, however, I will stick to the original LES location where I can wait without fear of bodily harm and traveling furniture.
No comments:
Post a Comment