Mi Piace, Pasadena - Get it Together!

[Clare K]

So for a while now, I've avoided Mi Piace because of their terrible service. My sister and I had numerous bad experiences there, but recently, after she complained to the management, things seemed to have improved. Needless to say, I'm sure she wasn't the only one who complained - we'd been there on one occasion where three tables walked out due to lack of service.

Since my sister has had no problems the last few times she's been there, I decided to try it again. My friend and I sat down, and were taken care of immediately. We ordered the beef carpaccio to split and I ordered a glass of wine while she got a Coke. The carpaccio was good, but it was so thin that it stuck terribly to the plate. We had to scrape it off, leaving bits of meat here and there...it was like scraping off frosting or something. However, it tasted very good and the peppery arugula and shaved parm that accompanied it were fresh and tasty.

For lunch, I ordered their chopped Southwestern salad - the Insalata di taos - while my friend had a pasta dish. Around this time, we noticed the table next to us complaining that the lasagna they ordered was cold. The waitress apologized and took it back. The poor man sat there for at least 15 minutes waiting for his lasagna to be reheated while his wife ate her meal. 15 minutes!!

In the meantime, our food arrived. The salad was excellent - they really do an amazing chopped salad there (and it's Southwestern, no less, at an Italian place!). My friend liked her pasta. But we could not get a waitress to refill our waters or bring us salt/pepper. We were literally sitting right next to the kitchen, and tried in vain to flag people down, but they just flat-out ignored us. Our waitress finally came over, and asked my friend if she wanted more Coke. Before I could ask for more wine (my glass was clearly empty), she broke away and we never found her again until the check came.

Meanwhile, the lasagna couple next to us had eaten and left, and another couple had taken their place. The couple sat there for a good 10-15 minutes and no one would even bring them menus, waters, etc. They finally walked out after unsuccessfully trying to grab a waiter.

Mi Piace's food is pretty good, especially for lunch, but they need to GET IT TOGETHER ALREADY!! The service is so half-ass, it's appalling. And they have like 5000 waiters and busboys, so I really don't understand how that many people can be that useless at the same time.

Still, I love that salad. Next time, I will get it to go.

CK

[caitybirdie]

the only thing, you have to try the pumpkin ravioli's. ohhh man, those are good. otherwise, just chill in the bar. its ok. nothing great. and bar food, try the panini, smoked ham and apple. its yummie. otherwise, yes service is HORRIBLE.

[Clare K]

I hate to say it, but that damn salad is the only reason why I'd go back again...it really is great. And it's a SALAD! Hard to make a memorable salad, you know?

[Maxmillion]

If you want a rockin' salad, try HealthyCA at 4724 Lankershim. You *could* eat there (it's sort of an industrial space with a few tables in the sunny window) but I get their stuff to go. They also deliver.

Their salads and dressings are Out. Of. This. World.

http://la.foodblogging.com/2006/03/01...

[slacker]

Yeah, so last century. I think people go there if they're not from the area simply because they can remember the name of the restaurant.

[calabasas_trafalgar]

they are so 10 years ago!

[WandererLA]

I find the food at MP to be really good but I agree with you the service is lacking. I have only been to the Pasadena location a few times but the one in Burbank has similar issues.

[chez cherie]

the one in burbank is closed. (unless they moved to another location in burbank). i had bad service and forgettable food at both locations.

[amandine]

i think MP makes a good place to stop in after dinner elsewhere for a coffee and dessert. service doesn't get too complicated when that's all you order, and you're there just long enough to check out the crowd before the bustle starts really getting to you (they put the tables too close together there) and the desserts are good, albeit pretty rich. all of the ones i've tried have been great (except for the eggless custard, avoid that one)

[PeterL]

That's so disappointing. I remember when it first opened it was the rage of Old Town. One radio host was particularly enamored about this place. We also liked it a lot. This was many years ago. When we walk by we still see lots of people there. Too bad.

[Terahertz]

I remember when it first opened it was "the place to be", so my wife and I tried it a couple of times. Both times we found the food to be mediocre, and the space so loud that it was uncomfortable to carry on a conversation. I cannot imagine things have improved dramatically in the intervening years, but they still seem to be packed most nights. Go figure...

THz

[The Oracle]

Back in the day, it was the place to be, because there really weren't very many dining options in Old Town. Now, 15+ years later, not only has the area greatly developed, they haven't set themselves apart by focusing on the food. IMO, they've sat back and enjoyed the benefit of having great real estate and so-so food. The last time I was there (a couple years ago) I noticed that they still have great desserts -- not sure if they get it from the same place, but back in the day, Pasadena Baking Co. used to be next door (after it moved from down the street), and it seems like they have maintained the same dessert quality.