Osteria 177

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

So my wife decided to take me to OSTERIA 177 to celebrate me turning the big 4-0 on 2-21-09 (with family and friends) because I love Mediterranean and Italian cuisine; least to say, our party of 6 was quite disappointed. Our bill ended up being a little under $500.00, however, that was not the point. The atmosphere is indeed really nice, however the waiter was very obnoxious and tried to sell us the menu all evening long … I know it’s there job to do this to an extent, but he was down right pushy. How they were out of half the menu at 7:30 on a Saturday night confuses me as well, but I suppose the Chef didn’t feel like cooking certain things that evening. It was almost embarrassing to have him explain the menu and say “ we don’t have that, that, that, that, that, and that” of course I don’t remember each thing, however, it was a lot. We were ordering drinks and engaged is great conversation and asked to order some appetizers (while we were waiting for two more guests to arrive) and the waiter told us that we couldn’t order them because we need to order the appetizers when we order our food … how crazy is that????? I feel the real reason he did not want us ordering the appetizers before we ordered our food was he wanted to try and sell us something called a “tri plate” appetizer that costs more per plate than it would have been if we were to order the appetizers separately. He sold it to us and we fell for it; appetizers ended up costing $77.00 instead of the normal price per app. We each had three appetizers on each plate (6 plates), so please if you go … order your appetizers separately and not a little sample on each plate … total rip off. Before I go further into the food, let’s talk about the $5 dollars for each glass (frizzy or still as stated on the receipt) of water… so, when you sit and they ask you if you would like water … I would pass on that … it was quite a surprise to have a $50.00 table bill just for water … come on??????? One of our guests asked to send back her gnocchi because it tasted like mashed potatoes with red sauce … I agreed (and of note, I have lived in Italy for 9 years), however, the waiter stated that he has been making gnocchi since he was twelve, and that’s how its supposed to taste. It was getting quite confrontational the bickering back and fourth, so I simply stood up for her and said, well she doesn’t like it so please bring her something else. What ever happened to the customer is always right … or better yet, trying to please the customer. When we didn’t order desert, he got quite perturbed and tried to sell us desserts that aren’t on the menu and kept telling us “they are to die for, you have to try this, you have to try that” … not to mention, are you absolutely sure you don’t want at least some cappuccino or café … geez, we said NO! I felt the entire dining experience felt like I had a used car salesman for a waiter than that of a waiter trying to please his customers at a supposedly upscale restaurant which is what OSTERIA 177 tries to portray. I also felt he waited to bring our food out so we would order more drinks; in fact, the entire table thought that. I highly recommend you try some place else to dine unless they change there way of dealing with customers or hire chef Gordon Ramsay from Hells Kitchen to revamp there menu and cooking style. Please OSTERIA 177, provide training to your staff and stop this open robbery … $50 dollars for water and $10 dollars a drink with a sub par food is not the way to stay in business … I hope everyone reads this before going there; please stay away!!! Regards, Ken (Annapolis Maryland resident).

A

A Private User

What a disaster! After 2 and a half hours, we never did get our dinner! My husband and I thought we would have a nice meal out without kids for the first time in a long time. But the bread arrived with oil but no pepper or spices - and we were never offered refills on the (tap) water or bread. After more than 45 minutes, our salads arrived - but the appetizers we ordered had not. The waiter came to "check on use" after about an hour and fifteen minutes, and when we told him we never got our appetizers, he said "of course you did, no?" When we said no we had not, but asked him to just bring out our entrees, he instead brought out the appetizers about 15 minutes later. We also finally got more water and bread from the busboy. After another half hour and no entrees, we told him we had to leave to pick up our daughter, and to please bring the bill. Not getting the bill, we left enough cash to cover what we did get, and left - without even being served dinner. We were halfway down the block when the waiter came running out with a take-out bag - possibly our entrees were finally ready? We did not go back to get it. While the food we did have was fairly good, the service was absolutely terrible. I would never go to this restaurant if I wanted to actually have an enjoyable meal.

A

A Private User

Last night was the last night I will eat at Osteria. The Lobster Bisque was disgusting and tasted like mud. I tried to convince myself to eat it (at $12.00 a bowl) but by the third spoonful I had to stop. When the hostess saw the full bowl and I told her it was not good, she tried to convince me it was great. She was not the one paying for it or eating it! It was simply not palatable. I have never had anything taste so bad at any other restaurant, private home or even a fast food chain. No one asked if I would prefer something different or offered a replacement. If a guest in my home found something was bad, hospitality would offer an alternative - even if it was a few pieces of lettuce with a dollop of dressing on top. Osteria might be trying to offer a trendy atmosphere, but if hospitality isnt offered to guests, they can never really be considered an upscale venue. On top of all of that, they ran out of the entree I ordered. That was the last time I will go to Osteria. I plan to start the New Year at a restaurant that understands what fine dining really means.

PH

Phil Pochron

On a trip from my small town, I walked in wearing what I thought was the total wrong attire. The crowd there were wearing suits and dresses. Meanwhile I walked in wearing cheap cowboy boots, wrangler jeans, a plaid shirt, and my camo ball cap. I felt under-dressed and out of my element. The staff made me feel right at home. I felt as if they didnt care and they didnt treat me any different than a man two tables over that seemed to be wearing a $1,200 pair of shoes. The attention to detail in this restaurant was well above and beyond anything Ive experienced before. From the glass of water they pour you as you first sit to handing you the bill, everything was perfect. They also have good strong drinks like I enjoy. The food was phenomenal but the prices were steep for what Im used to. Bottom line: Great Food. Great Drinks. Great Service. Great Atmosphere. Higher prices than what this small town guy has been accustomed to. But dont let that stop you. It is worth the experience.