EddieL
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Arrivederci
THE GOOD THINGS: Perhaps one of the very few awesome and authentic italian restuarants in San Diego. The very attentive staff even speaks italian! I highly recommend the pork ossobuco and the duck salad. Their freshly made lobster ravioli is perfectly al dente. Parking is ample during midweek dinner service in the back lot where validation for one free hour is available after meal. Patio dining is great for people watching. Great wines are offered in the list, and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help recommend a good pairing. the music is very approproate and enjoyable. The portions are perfect. THE BAD THINGS: Definitely a place to avoid if you are not one to enjoy dining in an elbow to elbow enviroment. The dining area is neat and clean, but the front counter is a bit cluttered and disorganized. The hostess tends to be overwhelmed most of the time and can come off slightly short tempered to diners and fellow staff.— December 4, 2008 4:49 p.m.
The Butcher Shop Steakhouse
THE GOOD THINGS: A very well decorated and clean dining area. Awesome cuts of steaks and great appitizers. The garlic bread is perfect, and I highly suggest the blue crab bisque when it is available. It comes in a portion fit to share between two adults. For a good deal, I recommend getting there by 6pm to take advantage of the special sunset dinner. The service was superb, waiting staff and bussers were extremely attentive with a pleasant sense of humor and fine attitude. The wine list is quite accomadating. THE BAD THINGS: It's a shame the lighting was a bit too dim for patrons to enjoy the elegant interior. A couple of other tables around me had trouble reading the menu. I did not like the fact that the only choices for parking is to either valet for a small but unnecessary charge, or park around the block on the very limited curbside spaces.— December 4, 2008 4:28 p.m.
Cowboy Star Restaurant and Butcher Shop
THE GOOD THINGS: This place is finely decorated with every aspect true to the name and theme of the restuarant from the staff's western style uniforms, to the oldies country ballads. It was a fun experience because it felt like I was taking a trip to another place and time. The menu boast a list of free range, grass fed steaks. I highly recommend the bison sirloin and the aged bone in ribeye. Service was extraordinary and the staff was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The wine list is well assembled. THE BAD THINGS: The location made finding decent parking a difficult challenge. If you happen to be in a smaller party, then chances are you will be seated in the arrangement where you'll have to share a booth-bench with another table. This could seem a bit intrusive if you are trying to go for that "intimately quiet and private" dining experience. The portions of the steaks and appitizers could be a bit larger considering the prices.— December 4, 2008 4:09 p.m.
None
The GOOD THINGS: A clean casual setting with a tiny touch of class and elegance. The front dining area is well lit and provides an ideal place to see and be seen by foot traffic along the busy University Ave. The menu was simple and easy to understand along with an adequate wine list for those looking for a decent sip of wine. Quite a few entrees were creative and unique. I really enjoyed and recommend the bourbon brined pork chop. THE BAD THINGS. Service was a little on the slow side, considering that it was a mid-week dinner service. I dined in the patio which not only was too dimly lit, but also seemed a bit lazily decorated for the prices patrons were expected to pay for the entrees. The staff's energy and personalities came off a little flat. So along overall, including the slightly "lullaby-ish" boring music in the background, the ambience became dull and the experience was mildly sedating.— December 4, 2008 3:43 p.m.