Petterino's

11/05/09

Eat, see show. Can't go wrong.

by MealSchpeal com at Citysearch

A place that bills itself as THE place to eat before the theater and does not provide parking is committing a gross misrepresentation. Had the meal not otherwise been splendid, this would have been a complaint letter.

So perhaps our 4PM dinner time was a little early. But we were a party of 6 and our show started at 7 so we believe it common courtesey to plan ahead and not rush the staff at every turn. Imagine our surprise when we pulled up and – nothing. No valet eager to drive away our vehicle. Judging by the number of people queued up for the same I don’t think we were alone in our expectations or incredulity. When taking a dinner reservation for 4PM the staff ought to let the party know that there would not be a valet and to make alternate plans. Normally driving is cheaper than round-trip cab fare but not in the theater district. Thanks for wasting $30.

But on to the meal itself.

How many ways are there to ruin Calamari? Pretty much none. Like sex and pizza, even when calamari is bad it’s still pretty good. So how did it come to pass that Petterino’s made their calamari appetizer so good that all others tasted ruined in comparison? Also good was the fried asparagus, the garlic potatoes, soups and of course, the entrées of salmon and steak. Indeed, it has been a long while since I ordered a steak rare and actually got it that way. Yes, I know the risks, no I don’t care. Not to mention, most meat is irradiated anyway so all the stuff your parents taught you is more nostalgia than reality. When I order rare, I mean it. And here, rare was delivered. It was excellent.

It’s a shame that the most memorable part of the meal has to compete with the most memorable irritation of the evening. They really should get a valet.

• Pros: Excellent steak. Not afraid to do RARE!
• Cons: Other than the valet keeping odd hours, none.

01/12/09

Mediocre food at high prices

by Colonel79 at Citysearch

This place is popular before shows since it's so close, but avoid it. It's a tourist trap. I feel like I paid for Applebee's quality food at 4 times the price! I expected much considering their prices, but will never ever return. The food is mediocre at best. Next time I'll take a cab or go to Catch 35 or Bin 36. It's worth the extra money or walk to avoid this place.

Me: I got the Prime Rib with twice baked potato. Someone needs to teach the chef how to cook a prime rib. The outside of my prime rib was overcooked while the inside was almost raw. The waiter's solution was to toss it back on the grill. It also had a HUGE fat chunk in it. Medium grade meat completely mis-cooked. Also, my twice baked potato was dry and bland. Sour cream, cheese and bacon couldn't even save it.

Girlfriend: Skirt steak with french fries. The skirt steak was overdone and lacking flavor. She always gets skirt steak and this one ranks dead last. The fries came out cold.

We also split the coconut shrimp and iceberg wedge: Nothing special.

• Pros: Proximity to theatre district
• Cons: Food quality, food prices

09/19/08

Someone tell them raw chicken makes you sick

by seriouslysincere at Citysearch

While we were there, the service was good. However, they undercooked my dinner which was chicken armando and I paid for it for about a week. I started eating it and I thought it might be a little pink, but I couldn't imagine that they really messed it up that badly. It wasn't until the last two bites that I discovered it was RAW in places. I didn't eat that part, but by then it was too late. Unfortunately, I was there in a social situation that precluded me from confronting them at the time, and they never responded to my email informing them that they made me sick. But stomach cramps and intestinal distress (this website won't let me use the medical term for it) aren't fond memories.

Obviously, I won't be back there, and I would recommend that you avoid it as well.

• Pros: Service was good for us
• Cons: Food safety issues