Sportello

11/11/09

Disappointing (very expensive) food

by atlanticart at Citysearch

I don't mind paying for great food and great service but when I pay high prices for bad food, it really ticks me off. I first visited Sportello for lunch and apparently made the lucky choice of ordering a panzanella salad and pasta bolognese. Their panzanella was a great modern twist on the classic bread salad with perfectly sliced fresh summer vegetables, perfectly toasted croutons, and some delicious kind of pesto off to side to dip into. The bolognese was simply wonderful! On the way out I decided to make a few choices from the bakery but apparently the handsome idiot behind the counter didn't know the difference between a german chocolate cupcake and a coconut cupcake, nor a macaroon from a meringue because almost everything I ordered in the bag was wrong. When I was in the neighborhood again last evening, a friend and I decided to stop in for dinner...and what a disappointment. The complimentary scali bread with whipped ricotta, olive oil and fig jam needs to be rethought. On both visits the fig jam was nothing more than a small fig --no jam-- that you really can't share. The spicy tomato soup was watery and bland. The accompanying caraway grilled cheese was tasty although paper thin and not at all what I was expecting. My friend order calmari with beans and eggplant which was equally as flavorless. To their credit, both apps were taken off the bill when we sent them back. My entree, the pantacce with pork cheeks, parsnip and quince was filled with wonderful flavors but was a small portion. The three very tiny pieces of pork were very tender and delicious, and the parsnip shavings and finely diced quince added a nice texture and sweetness to counterbalance the saltiness of the parmesan shards and braising liquid. The pasta was perfectly al dente with the exception of one large lump of several pantacce that were stuck together in a lump and, as a result, completely raw in the middle. They should have seen that. And I left kind of hungry. Overall, Sportello just doesn't offer a good value and, these days, people just don't to feel they're wasting their money. I think I've experienced enough of Sportello.

• Pros: Bolognese
• Cons: Location, high prices, poor food quality

04/07/09

trendy spot

by sf99 at Citysearch

I went here for lunch and had a very nice meal. I had the panini and tried the baked stuffed maccheroni. The panini was pretty good, but the maccheroni was amazing!! I wish that I could get the recipe!!! The atmosphere was nice and clean, but not super comfortable. Our waitress was very nice and the open kitchen was pleasant to watch although I did notice one of the chef's eating as he was making a meal. The meals were a little on the pricey side.

03/31/09

Don't bother - not worth sitting down

by Offshore at Citysearch

Went to Sportello last Saturday night with friends to check out the place and have dinner...what a mistake. Bottom line - VERY VERY uncomfortable place to sit and eat a meal (all stools are fixed to the floor do not rotate for conversation with your group). We only made it thru apps before my leg fell asleep...portions were very small and were not that good considering the price . Menu was limited and they claim there is an "extensive wine list" - I believe there are a total of 9 red wines on their list...we spent 190 bucks on 3 (small) apps and 2 bottles of their least expensive wines, what a waste - ended up at Prezza and had an awesome meal - don't bother with Sportello for dinner.

• Pros: ??
• Cons: Seating, Food, Waitstaff