419536 Mon Jul 09 18:34:32 -0700 2007 3 18 Manhattan 0 2734134 I had dinner at Perbacco today. My meal consisted of the Zucchini Flowers, the Insalata di Gamberi e Spaghetti (an appetizer which I asked to be served as a primo piatto, but which was put on the table at the same time as the zucchini flowers), and the Gamberi Capesante Calamari (shrimp, calamari, and scallops over a sort of thick vegetable soup). I wasn't that impressed. Everything was oversalted, especially the main dish and the zucchini flowers, in that order. If only a judicious amount of salt had been used, the main dish (Gamberi Capesante) would have been delicious. Too bad. For $51 for one person without wine, though I had two glasses of iced tea (including a tip that was almost exactly twice the tax), I can do much better in this neighborhood. Based on this trip, I can't understand why this place gets so much praise here. Col Legno is better and clearly cheaper, and Frank is also notably better. I could name more places. L'il Frankies, probably Lavagna (I always liked the place but haven't been back for quite some time), Bianca. Even Gnocco, which I don't find that impressive, at least doesn't oversalt, as I recall. Just what is the great appeal of this food? Mon Jul 09 18:34:32 -0700 2007 17058 Pan 1 2735442 As sometimes happens, I think you had bad luck, Pan. I eat there, I guess, two or three times a year, and haven't had that problem. I rate it as one of the safer options in the neighborhood, although I still haven't taken your advice from circa 2002 to go to Col Legno. Tue Jul 10 08:16:23 -0700 2007 2734134 10475 Wilfrid 2 2738465 I guess it's possible some subs were in the kitchen or something. Can you comment specifically on the salt level, as compared to other Italian places in the neighborhood? And what other Italian restaurants do you recommend in the East Village/Lower East Side? Wed Jul 11 00:33:20 -0700 2007 2735442 17058 Pan 1 2747623 Hmm, I had a blast with my friend though we drank wine & had small plates. Maybe the thing to do is to imbibe from their diverse list of wines & go with small plates instead of dinners. Our bill, I have to admit, came to $110. It was worth it though; we each had 2-3 glasses of excellent wines from different regions of Italy. Fri Jul 13 13:48:30 -0700 2007 2734134 34193 pinkylechat