CAMPANILE- REVIEW
Well this was our first time at Campanile as we don't get to go out much with 2 young one at home. None the less we ventured out on Saturday night for a post Valentines Day dinner.
We arrived at our reserved time and were seated in the front near the fountain. As we get settled in we see Mark Peel leave the resturaunt. 7:45 on a Saturday night I want the chef in kitchen making the food, no leaving out the front door?. To be fair the food was just OK, it's the service that left something to be desired.
We started out by ordering some apps: Me- Shrimp wrapped in Prosciutto. Da wife- the Oysters.
The shrimp were great with a slightly salty flavor imparted by the prosciutto and sweetness of the shrimp. The oysters were fresh with that fresh ocean flavor.
Main: Me- Big Eye Tuna-Rare. I was very underwhelmed by this dish. Tuna was cooked rare but the flavors were off. Not my fav. The smoke falvor from the grilling left an unpleasent after-taste that I did not like.
The Wife- Wild King Salmon. Not spectacular but OK. The fish was served with some nicely cooked greens.
The service was terrible. We had to ask for things over and over, some things we are still waiting for....butter for the bread anyone? I really like to got out and have a nice meal and it's sad when it's the service that falls short. The server was not attentive to our needs and rarly coam by to check on us. We received better service from the bus boys who were the ones doing all the work. We learned to just flag one of them down if we needed anything. Unfortunatly this was late into the meal. Also, I ordered a jack and coke. I have never in my life had a more watered down drink, ever. I thought they forgot to put the jack in it? In anycase we will not be back anytime soon. Osteria Mozza here we come.
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i was just here for lunch today. the food was OK. i ordered the seafood soup which i've had at canele and angeli within the past 2 months and the one here was not nearly as great as the other two places. not impressed by the let me talk loud so you hear my story about how i'm a famous director/producer' scene either.
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notmartha
Feb 20, 2008 09:26 AM
Campanile _used_ to be my favorite place for fine dining, but no more. I didn't have that dismal of a service experience, but my last visit (July 4th) was so dismal/disorganized that I won't be back. The kitchen can't seem to know how to cook the food per menu description (e.g. well cooked yellowtail instead of seared/rare), substituting ingredients as they please.
I would suggest Craft for your next splurge if you want good service and good food (not innovative blow your mind but great ingredients simply prepared).
Went to breakfast twice in past years, I think the food is OK, but it's pretty pricey for what you get.
›6 Replies-
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re: Dave and Stuff
notmartha
Feb 20, 2008 07:31 PM
I don't think I know which one is the Benz; reliability wise Jetta and Benz are pretty equally bad (unfortunately I know).
Craft is a bit more expensive, especially if you order the luxury stuff like wagu. But Campanile & O. Mozza isn't cheap. I mean any of these places you can't walk out for less than $150 for two w/3 courses and drinks...
I should mention though Mozza service is OK, it's too loud a place for any kind of conversation (not stated in original post, but I assume a nice dinner sans kids means you want to talk to your spouse).
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re: notmartha
Some time back I invited many friends to meet with my wife and myself at Campanile and we weren't as happy as I used to be. About eight months ago my wife and I had a meal there and thought it over-priced and just not as good as I remembered it from the beginning when I used to love their Tuscan chicken made with a brick and all of their other touches. So evidently they raised their prices and it went downhill, maybe with the departure of Nancy Silverton and their divorce or whatever. Mozza, for pizza, on the other hand, was pricy but very good. So we just gave up on Campanile which is a pity because it used to be one of my favorite restaurants.
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re: notmartha
Campanile use to be my favorite too. But that was probably 10 years ago. Have I just become more sophisticated or has it fallen off? Maybe a little of both. But the last time I ate there - a few months ago - it was disappointing. Sadly so. I will only go back if someone insists.
I've eaten at Craft twice. Both times were terrific. Yeah, and expensive.
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re: foodiemahoodie
notmartha
Feb 22, 2008 10:06 AM
I think it's more that the head chef's not paying attention - my taste preference for simpler things not tortured into awkard presentation or flavor combination hasn't changed.
I remembered my first meal at Campanile about 10 years ago - grilled fish with tomato water, rustic apple pie for dessert. It was simple, yet flavorful. First time that I can actually found fish prepared well in American restaurant (I am a minimalist who loves Cantonese steam fish).
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re: markn
Totally agree, both Campanile and Jar are totally overrated. Weekend brunch at Campanile used to be great, but once the bakery was sold off things went down hill. The coffee is medicore and the service uneven. The weekday lunch menu is also very weak. Not enough choices and totally overpriced. Better off going to Grace, BLD or Cube.
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Servorg
Feb 20, 2008 06:32 AM
Very comprehensive and fair review. I get the impression that Campanile is coasting on their laurels from the past. I think the weekend brunch is a much better proposition than dinner at this point for both the quality of the food and the price point. Good to hear that you at least thought the food was ok, if not spectacular, even if the service was pretty much abysmal.
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re: Servorg
susancinsf
Feb 20, 2008 07:49 AM
I had brunch there about two months ago. My only visit, so I have nothing to compare it with, but the service was very good, and the food was delicious, especially the beef 'hash', which I still think about. I thought the room was well-suited to daytime dining, not sure it would appeal to me as much at night. In any event, it was well worth the money for that brunch, IMO.
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