How's Po lately?

[il Trifulau]

It used to be great, but I haven't been there in many years.
Is it still good?

Thanks in advance.

[silencespeak]

I frequently went to the Po in Carroll Gardens in November and October and it was lovely, particularly their pasta specials. Went to the one in the Village too once, and it was solid.

[babaganoushface]

Its ok. I wouldn't write home about it.

[il Trifulau]

Thanks, all.
Po it is.

[MMRuth]

I look forward to hearing what you think of it. It's been a while since I've been, though post-Batali. I still remember, though, when Batali would stop into Cornelia St. Cafe to borrow ingredients.

[financialdistrictresident]

il Trifulau - enjoy . . .I could eat my way up and down Cornelia Street - Le Gigot, we just went to Cornelia Street Cafe for brunch a few weeks ago . . .even the Italian place across the street from Po is nice on a summer night in their garden . . . lots of good food, not destination places . . .

[il Trifulau]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it.
Truth be told, my wife and I had our first date there 15 years ago April 1st.
Loved it, broke my bank at the time, Mario Batali greeted and sat us, but we haven't been back since.
I think his partner back then was Steve Crane, a nice guy from the neighborhood if I remember correctly. Is he still involved?
Again, I'm looking forward to it.

[dietndesire]

Another vote for it though I, too, have not been in quite some time.

[vvvindaloo]

I believe he is still the owner, with a new partner. They opened up a Po in Bklyn not too long ago.

[il Trifulau]

So, we went.
We both had the tasting menu: a cheap but fine roasted beets app, two tasty tiny pasta courses, an entrée of pork tenderloin with cabbage that was very small and not an Italian dish, a ridiculously small cheese course and a bland dessert.
Mid priced bottle of wine, check was just over $200 plus 20% tip.

Glad we went but it might be another 15 years before we return.

For that money, there are better options.

[financialdistrictresident]

il Trifulau, thanks for the report. Here's the report from the first time we went in late 2007:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/4654...

We went last month and had pretty much the same experience.

[Bob Martinez]

You should have listened to me.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6081...

On my visit one of my tablemates proposed the tasting menu. I looked at the prices and decided they couldn't possibly be worth it. We went with their regular starters and mains and the meal was a solid OK. The prices weren't out of line so I didn't feel ripped off. At the same time I'd never single the place out as a "must try" venue.

I swear to God - some people must believe that the ghost of Mario Batali haunts the kitchen, whispering in the chef's ears so his legacy is preserved. Well, he doesn't. Mario is long gone and so is his touch in the kitchen. There are plenty of better Italian choices around the city.

[financialdistrictresident]

We've never ordered from the tasting menu either. Actually there are very few places where I find the tasting menu a viable option, especially now with the requirement that the entire table get it (so much for those of us who like to share our food).

Why is it always so crowded? Must be the Batali ghost factor . . .

[Bob Martinez]

The same people believe that Bourdain still watches over Les Halles. It's like going to Brooklyn and expecting to find the Dodgers playing at Ebbets Field.

[billyeats]

I had one of the best meals in recent memory there a couple of weeks ago. I would call it far from ordinary, bland, or overrated. With that said we did not have the tasting menu, instead ordering a la carte. Perhaps that's a better bet. The Pappardelle w Duck Ragu and the Veal Scallopini, which both sounded ordinary, were truly sumptuous. I'll be back very soon.

[_emilie_]

Bummer, sorry you guys didn't enjoy it as much as we did. I do think that having the server know your preferences with a tasting menu makes a difference -- I am usually disappointed with them too, but this one was spot on for us (we basically told him what we would have liked from the menu and had them make a tasting for us -- they were happy to tailor the tasting). And actually, Batali or no Batali, it was pretty empty when we went on a Saturday (!), so I don't think they're exactly packing 'em in on his coattails at this point. No, its definitely not Babbo, but I thought it was better than Esca if that's any indication, and a good bit cheaper.

[financialdistrictresident]

We went a few weeks ago and last year (I posted a report). It's a small place and good value. Service is very good. It gets lively. There are only a few tables I enjoy eating at - the one in the back corner near the kitchen hallway entrance and up front in the window.

The food was fresh, simple, very good. Liked the apps and entrees better then the desserts. Would go back but don't consider it a destination.

[_emilie_]

Agree about the desserts -- my bf had a wonderful fruit pie/tart, but my chocolate cake thing was boring (why do they always give the chocolate thing to the girl?). I'm rarely wowed by desserts anywhere though. All in all, I think we had 6 courses, and only one half of one of them was less than stellar, so pretty good.

[Bob Martinez]

I went 2 years ago and it was very, very ordinary. Not bad, but nothing special.

[pellegrino31]

I went about a month ago and it was delicious - we had orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe and the skirt steak.

[_emilie_]

I went in December and it was amazing. We did the tasting, and asked them to bring us the more "out there" creative/challenging selections. Every single plate was delicious -- a really fresh, light anchovy salad, kale ravoili, sweetbreads, rabbit gnocci (if I'm remembering right). Great wine too (it was either a Sagrantino di Montefalco or a Sangiovese). I would definitely recommend it.

[mch]

i went in the fall and it was amazing. still yummy.