Osteria Laguna

Has anyone tried the new Osteria Laguna on 42nd
between 2nd and 3rd?

The name is familiar; is it run by the same people who
are Sbarro? If I'm remembering right, Ruth Reichl
trashed them in the Times as Italianoid dreck passed
off as serious cooking.

I live a couple of blocks away from it, but have not
tried it yet. Quite a lot of business clientele from
the area inhabit it.

It is NOT owned by the Sbarro/Bice partnership --
that's Salute (on Madison Ave. & 37th) that got
trashed by Ruth. Osteria Laguna is the sister
restaurant of Osteria al Doge (in the Theatre
District).

Thanks for the correction, Gary.

It's indeed the sister of Osteria al Doge (which has good cheap food for the theater district and is unique in being an Italian restaurant owned by a Frenchman who saw which way the food trends were going.)
I've eaten lunch at Laguna and had very good pasta with broccoli rabe. It's a good choice for the nabe, which is not exactly full of places where you really want to eat. (Compare it with the vastly overrated Mezze at 43 and Madison.)

Irene,

You are right about Mezze being overrated. I have not
gone back there in more than a year. We experienced
inept service, and to top it off the server acted like
it was our fault he messed up the orders. And the
food is nothing special. Our young man Matthew has
his hands in too many places.

I shall have to try Osteria Laguna soon (there
shouln't be any excuse since I live only 2 blocks
away).

Thanks for all the talking about Osteria Laguna.
I happen to be one of the owners and would appreciate
any and all followup comments you might hav