Mind Over Stomach

This place received great reviews and we felt we needed to check it out. It was so not Newport-esque and I truly felt like I was in Miami when we arrived. It was a huge restaurant on the water with tons of outside seating, neon lights and all the staff in long sleeve/long pant white outfits. I was astonished that the kitchen was up about 40 stairs and they had to carry trays up and down the stairs.

We were immediately seated and it took a while for our waitress to come over and ask if we wanted drinks. We ordered drinks. My dads martini was so bad that he sent it back and asked for a beer. Our waters were room temperature. It’s mainly a fishy restaurant so there were very few veggie options for me. The waitress recommended getting side dishes and a salad, so I did. We ordered our appetizers. My caprese salad was good – nothing out of this world. They brought out my dads salad and dropped the tomato on the back of my shirt. The waiter laughed, barely apologized and asked my dad if he wanted another tomato. Yes, I want one – please. A while later he brought out a “new” tomato. As another waitress came by to clear our plates, she asked if we wanted dessert. We hadn’t had our entrees yet. I had asparagus and tater tots. Both were fine – room temperature and nothing special. My moms fish was room temperature and my dads was just eh. It took the waitress so long to bring anything, do anything, help with anything. The bill was extremely overpriced and we were not happy.

Overall, I would never go back to this place. Nothing was that good. The ambiance was too scene-y and trying to hard to be something other than Newport. I love Newport and it’s charm. We asked the guy at the hostess stand if he was the manager, and he said no but he would be happy to help us. We told him our complaints and he said he was sorry to hear that. The end. Never again.

The Grill at 41 North
351 Thames Street

I had no idea where we were going but was starving and looking forward to a good meal. I was surprised when I walked in that there was a side dining room as well as a back patio. We were seated at the corner back table – there were two heaters in the room but of course I was in the coldest corner (I usually can tolerate cold, but not that night…) They didn’t have diet coke – only diet pepsi. They had 6 chairs but not 6 sets of utensils/dishes/menus on the table.

Our waiter seemed nice but that didn’t last long. I shared a side of broccoli with garlic and oil which was really tasty but a bit too greasy. Then I shared the eggplant parm that came with a side of spaghetti (I substituted with angel hair) and a salad (I substituted for a caeser salad). The salad was overloaded with croutons but otherwise good. The angel hair was doused in marina sauce – honestly more sauce than pasta. The eggplant parm was just not good. Too thick, too saucy, too cheesy and overcooked and mushy. I was completely unsatisfied considering I barely ate all day and was really looking forward to this meal.

The waiter forgot to put in one of the orders of food and stumbled on his words when we asked what happened. He really didn’t know what to say and refused to fess up. The food came out and was THE largest portion of pasta I’ve ever seen. The whole meal was like family style subpar food plopped on plates that was overpriced, well, because we’re in the Hamptons so of course they can jack up their prices. NEVER again.

La Parmigiana Italian Restaurant
Southampton, not worth knowing the address.

I went here many years ago prior to a show and remember having good food and a good experience. This time, not so much. Made a reservation and waited at the bar and had a drink. A $12 vodka soda, seriously? Atleast make me tipsy if you’re going to charge me that much and not be a high-end scene-y place. My friend showed up and we were taken to our table. Were hoping to sit outside but it was a 20-30 minute wait and we didn’t have that time prior to our show at Terminal 5. As he ordered a drink that the bartender said was “the special of the day” we also ordered edamame. When he brought the drink, he asked if we wanted edamame. Um, we already ordered it with you. Then I ordered the stir fry and he had the asian chicken salad. We picked on the edamame and the rice noodle things that they give complimentary and I could snack on all day – are they healthy, I wonder?!?!

Salad and stirfry came out. It was a bit too dry for me, and his was too sauce-y. I ordered a side of the dressing from his salad, and by the time it came, he was done eating. I continued to pick at my stir fry but was not impressed. Our waiter came to our table minimum three times to ask if we wanted another drink and we didn’t and he wouldn’t leave us alone. It was VERY annoying.

I don’t know. It was overpriced and just didn’t do anything for me. I felt like everyone was trying so hard – the waiters, the manager, the hostess and even the other people dining there. Just overall poor experience.

Eatery
798 9th Ave

Pass by all the time, read reviews and heard people talk about this place – it was time to check it out for myself.

Made a reservation a week in advance for the exact time I wanted which was great. There’s nothing I hate more than asking for 8pm and they say 6pm or 11pm, um no thanks.

Okay so we waited a few minutes at the bar, waited to order a drink and by the time the bartender was ready for us, our table was ready. Lots of people standing around at the bar and upfront waiting to be seated, a bit chaotic. Our waiter was extremely nice, helpful and friendly. I told him I was a veg and questioned him on what he recommended. We ended up ordering a few things to share and my friend got something on his own (non veg). We had a carrot salad – yum. A ricotta thing with bread – it was good, but honestly nothing to write home about. Another salad thing that I can’t even remember. And the asparagus which was just nothing special. My friend got the meatballs and really enjoyed them. The girls next to us had pizza (which I was told by many not to order so we didn’t) but my friend insisted on trying theirs and said it was good. He was definitely happier with the meal than I was. We ordered a souffle like cake that was definitely the best part.

Overall food for a veg – negative. Service – excellent. Price – beyond overpriced Ambiance – sorta Schillers-ish with people trying a lot harder to be cool/celebish

Will I go back? Nope.

Pulino’s Bar and Pizzeria
282 Bowery