JadedJC wrote:
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Sommerman wrote:
Mine turned pasty almost immediately. It was inedible.

I thought it was just me! I've bought pasta there a couple of times and even though I plunged it in boiling water for barely 90 seconds, I couldn't get it al dente. It was too mushy.

Anyway, I've been there about 8-10 times since they've opened and really wanted to like this place. The meat selection, while limited, is very good quality. However, the service is just indifferent overall. While there may be a half dozen people behind the counters, only one or two seem to be eagerly serving customers.

The final straw for me was today when I went in to buy a hunk of parmigiano reggiano - and they charged me sales tax on it. I asked the cashier why she charged sales tax on a grocery item that's not supposed to be taxed. She just shrugged and said they charge tax on all their items. I said they weren't supposed to charge sales tax on items, such as the fish, meat and cheeses, because it's not prepared food. I buy the same cheese at Whole Foods, Fairway or Trader Joe's and have NEVER been charged sales tax. I asked to speak to a manager about it, but he wasn't around. She said she would pass along my observation about the sales tax, but judging by her indifference, I doubt it.

JadedJC wrote:
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Sommerman wrote:
Mine turned pasty almost immediately. It was inedible.

The final straw for me was today when I went in to buy a hunk of parmigiano reggiano - and they charged me sales tax on it. I asked the cashier why she charged sales tax on a grocery item that's not supposed to be taxed. She just shrugged and said they charge tax on all their items. I said they weren't supposed to charge sales tax on items, such as the fish, meat and cheeses, because it's not prepared food. I buy the same cheese at Whole Foods, Fairway or Trader Joe's and have NEVER been charged sales tax. I asked to speak to a manager about it, but he wasn't around. She said she would pass along my observation about the sales tax, but judging by her indifference, I doubt it.

Sommerman wrote:
Mine turned pasty almost immediately. It was inedible.

NJNJ wrote:
Whoever made the remark about the "veneer of quality and competence" is so on point.

I complained about the greasy overcooked whole chicken I bought for $18 (the next time I came in, I didn't bring it back) I just got a shrug. Mentioned it again the next time to someone else. Same response. I also find they just don't weigh correctly. If I ask for a pound I want a pound not .85. And I'm not correcting someone more than once. I asked about one of the vegetables antipasta dishes and the guy had no clue. I asked the price of a loaf of bread and got a bewildered look, as if it was a dumb question to ask (it was $8). It just seems like there is a whole lot of not caring going on.

Which is too bad because other than the chicken the items are decent (did not try the pasta but pasta at the del cure place excellent so no need to).
I also wish they would regularly have leaner ground beef available (the standard grind is super fatty). You can request a leaner grind but you have to call a day in advance. I'm sure if they just had it out and labelled it lean it would outsell the fatty version (which is tasty, but unnecessary when I'm making tacos).

On a completely unrelated note, can't anyone open up a salad place here? it would make a killing.

CaptainOats wrote:
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Sommerman wrote:
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CapnJon wrote:
Do you folks who have issues say anything to the managers? Or just complain here? If they don't know it's happening, they can't fix it...

I had a rather long chat with a young stout fellow who I think was the manager, that's how I was comped (compted?) the second batch of pasta.

What was wrong with the pasta? I was going to pick up some pappardelle on my way home today.

Sommerman wrote:
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CapnJon wrote:
Do you folks who have issues say anything to the managers? Or just complain here? If they don't know it's happening, they can't fix it...

I had a rather long chat with a young stout fellow who I think was the manager, that's how I was comped (compted?) the second batch of pasta.

CapnJon wrote:
Do you folks who have issues say anything to the managers? Or just complain here? If they don't know it's happening, they can't fix it...

Sommerman wrote:
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K-Lo wrote:
Third dinner at Osteria last weekend -- with a large party. All of our first course plates, which we shared, were delicious. My son and I shared a pork chop special, which we saw the waitstaff tasting as we came in as they opened. Judging by the looks on their faces, we knew whatever they were eating was making them very happy. My sin and I agreed. Everyone else loved their pasta dishes.

They could use some accoustical work, but the kitchen is consistently fine.

Good to know about the Osteria - thanks for your review. The grocery is really 2nd tier, IMEO. Twice the pappardelle ruined a meal (it was free the second time because I told the guy how awful it was the first time). Perhaps they are trying to discourage consumption of bad carbs. The person cutting the cheese, in the literal sense, cut the rind off a rind-washed cheese) and then cut it parallel to the edge (there is a reason cheese is cut in wedges), the bacon was twisted so tightly that when I wanted to use it it had fallen apart into strips of fat and lean. Most if not all of the cold cuts (affettati) are American and can be found in any decent supermarket. So much of what is happening in JC has just the veneer of quality and competence, like this place. Just one man's opinion, I encourage you to try it for yourself. Personally, I've no reason to return since I pass by Citerella and WF a few times a week.

Sommerman wrote:

The grocery is really 2nd tier, IMEO. Twice the pappardelle ruined a meal (it was free the second time because I told the guy how awful it was the first time). Perhaps they are trying to discourage consumption of bad carbs.

K-Lo wrote:
Third dinner at Osteria last weekend -- with a large party. All of our first course plates, which we shared, were delicious. My son and I shared a pork chop special, which we saw the waitstaff tasting as we came in as they opened. Judging by the looks on their faces, we knew whatever they were eating was making them very happy. My sin and I agreed. Everyone else loved their pasta dishes.

They could use some accoustical work, but the kitchen is consistently fine.

Brooklyn Vibe

SRhia wrote:
You call it "rich people problems", I call it shopping smart.

Yes, I tend to only buy meat from Whole Foods because I don't like the cheap non-organic turkey-sized "chicken breasts" from places like KeyFoods, but also don't like paying $8-$11 a pound for "organic" at those places. I have found out that every 2 or 3 weeks, Whole Foods have their chicken breast on sale for $4.49 per lb. Much more economical than Keyfoods!

I have two young kids at home, and I don't want to feed them hormone-fed meat everyday. Sure, I think it's expensive at Whole Foods, but that's something I'm willing to splurge on (and that doesn't mean I'm not on a constant lookout for good quality meat for a cheaper price).


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JCman24 wrote:
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SRhia wrote:
Also, how does the prices compare to WHole Foods? TIA.

Talk about rich people problems.