Zabaglione Cafe

08/01/08

Excellent Food at Good Prices

by Lovetoeatandski at Citysearch

We recently have been to Zabaglione Cafe on several occassions. On our third visit to the cafe the waitresses remembered us as "recent regulars" and even remembered our seating and drink preferences. The staff is warm and welcoming. The food is incredible! Make sure to try the calimari - All I can say about it is WOW!!

While it is by no means a "fancy" restaurant, the prices for excellent food more than make up for the lack of fanciness - and it's better to be comfortable while indulging!!

The biggest distraction during dinner will be the pastry display - You'll be thinking of dessert before you've even ordered your meal (or maybe that's just me)!

Our friends say that my husband and I know all of the great Italian places to eat in New England and I would definitely put the cafe near the top of my list of casual Italian.

12/22/07

Bring low expectations or a thick skin...

by dinershore at Citysearch

Being a local, I tried both the finer dining option as well as the small cafe around the corner. In each case I'd say the food is servicable for the area. Good soups, italian comfort food, excellent pastries ( brought in, not cooked on premises). The smaller fine-dining option has an attractive menu, but sadly, the results don't match the promise. But for the area, it's ok. The biggest problem with both establishments is in the attittude of the chef/owner. I had heard rumblings around town about some nasty run ins, but it wasn't until I was on the receiving end of one of his tirades that I understood just how sick this guy is. My chicken marsala was over cooked (and I suspect not cooked to order), so I politely sent it back. Minutes later chef is sticking the plate in my face and pawing at the food to show me how wrong I was. Did I mention he was screaming? I politely explained that I felt the chicken was over cooked. Chef then started lecturing me and my dining companion in an incoherent diatribe at the top of his lungs. He then grabs my companion's plate and drink and demands that we leave and never come back. No problem, chef. So, not only is he a violent-tempered lout; but he's an idiot business man. We had a free beer, wine, ceasar salad and eggplant parm (which we gladly would have paid for) and were contemplating coffee drinks--all of which would have covered the plate cost (and then some) of the returned chicken. The poor staff, having to be tortured by that awful man. Needless to say I was bewildered and pretty shook up. Whole experience made me wish Gordon Ramsay had been with us... I've been around my share of whacko chefs, but i have never- NEVER seen one attack a customer. Hideous, unprofessional behavior that should not be rewarded by any decent person's dollar,

• Pros: Sometimes hits the spot for lunch
• Cons: Chef is around knives