Calabria Italian Kitchen: +11

2605 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85006

11.03.10
7:30pm

-Munched-
Antipasto
Ravioli and Meatballs

+1 Locally owned by some bay staters- we're good people.
+2 Simple menu- the dyslexics of the world thank you. Also, I tend to think too complex a menu mean that the kitchen doesn't make anything well. Simple = they know what they're good at
+1 Smells like real food, like someone's kitchen, like yum, yum, yum feed meeeee
+1 Awesome unexpected art on the walls
+3 Quicker to walk from home than drive
-1 Nearly hidden location, needs more signage and more visibliy
+1 Lady and The Tramp style table cloths at the outside tables
-1 Outside table too close to the road, cuz the whole building is darn close too the road
-1 Meatballs tasted a bit to bready (Len says they were good and I am no person to judge a meatball) Next time, I think I'll skip the meatballs in favor of a bowlful of marinara.
+2 Awesome marinara
-1 Plastic salad dressing containers - the world needs less plastic
+1 Staff(owner?) sat and watched Celts game with us- Go BOSTON!
+1 Dinner for two $17!
+1 They deliver (but I'd feel damn stupid having them drive < 1/4 to m'house)
+1 Clean bathroom

Dear Bay Staters living it up in the Phonecian sun,
We all know to head to Slices to watch the BoSox- Calabria seems to be a good place to catch the Celtics.
Love,
Missing the fall foliage as much as you are

First Watch: +9

61 W. Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85013

10.31.10
10:40am

-after party cure-
veggie skillet
California Eggs Benedict (day's special)

+1 Open parking on a Sunday morning
-1 Smells like a hotel breakfast bar
+1 Overheard "The Good Egg is never gonna see our smiling faces again. We're coming back here." Nothing directly against The Good Egg, just great comment.
+1 Pitcher of ice tea left on the table, so my super thirsty wife could drink, drink, drink
-1 Speaking of "drink, drink, drink" I was completely alone in hungoverness, in a Sunday morning breakfast crowd?!?! On a major party weekend?!?
+1 Attentive Waitress
+1 Smiling Waitress
+2 Super clean
-1 all the other patrons were white, aged 35-60 except the one native girl at a table of fratheads (I don't want to know that story)
+1 all the other patrons were white, aged 35-60(I really enjoy listening to that demographics morning bickering)
+2 Shawn Colvin on the Radio
+1 Booths shaped in such a way as to require that you sit up straight
+1 Waitress not so stressed out that she couldn't make the same joke we make at home when someone clears their plate too quickly . . .
-1 It's a chain
+1 A well-made over medium egg

The Eggery: -12

50 East Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1662

10.28.10
1:30pm

-Breaky-
Omlette with holandaise
Southwestish eggs benny

-1 Not acknowledged when we walked in the door and seated quickly despite slow dining room
+1 country decor- brass and wood reminded me of "Country Charm" in Cheshire, made me nostalgic for waitresses forced to wear frilly, plaid aprons
-1 Another couple came in, was immediately seated, ordered, and served their food before our order was taken. By the time we got our food, they were finished and their settings were being cleared
-1 It was more than 20 minutes before our order was taken
-3 Overheard a little old lady at a table near ours "I tried to lift the pitcher to pour my water, but it was too heavy and I spilled it, may I have some napkins." "Yeah, sure let me get you some, so you can clean it up."
-2 None of the 4 different servers who visited our table offered to refill our drinks, for "like 45 frikken minutes" (direct quote from L.)
-1 Eggs ordered over medium, came poached
-1 lack of attentiveness from wait staff standing around wait station talking
-3 Manager repremanded staff in front of customers
-2 Manager told us that we would have 10% off for the wrong eggs (much like the wrong trousers) no discount was given -- of course the discount was only offered when she noticed I was filling out a comment card
-0 same menu as good egg?
+2 Cashier was super friendly and cheerful and told us how to find the great necklace he was wearing (he made it!)


Two minus threes!!
Dear Eggery,
You need evaluate how you treat your customers and your staff.
Love,
Eating Elsewhere Next Sunday