Cafe Martorano

I came to Cafe Martorano for a networking event on a Thursday night. The decor was really chic and they had several big screen TVs playing mobster movies which I thought was classic! The drink specials were pretty good and the happy hour food they served was delicious...chicken Parmigiana and penne. I liked that the bar was large with plenty of space to sit around. It made it really easy to make conversation.

The only reason I am giving Martorano 4 stars instead of 5 is because we had to wait nearly an hour for our table even though we had a reservation. However, we got a space at the bar and enjoyed delicious cocktails.  It was a perfect night out for a friend's 40th birthday celebration.  The food was amazing and the wait staff was charming and attentive. I am sure the waiters were faking their accents, but it was fun nonetheless.  I will be going back next time we go to the Hard Rock.

Do I start with the fact that they encourage you to watch tv while you eat?

Do I start with the $12 meatball?    Yes, that was singular ball of meat.

Do i start with the fact you must put your whole order in together (cant' order appetizers while you look over menu for entree)?

Do i start with the fact that they can't bring the table's entrees out at one time ?   In fact  out of  a group of o 6 I got my hot plate first.....ummmm....What's the etiquette again, especially knowing they other plates could come in 5 or 10 MINUTES?

Do I start with the fact I'm wrapping up my 2nd job to pay for this?   Ok, not really...but this place is cha ching!

Here's the breakdown:
Two bottles of wine:   A $42 each 'reasonable' pinot noir.

Appetizers:
* Mozzarella #1:  Special for the night.   Served hot.   This was darn good, the highlight.
* Mozzarella #2:  Their take on caprese.   8 oz cold mozz served with cherry tomatoes.  Fine, but nothing to write about.   Well....hah.
* The ubiquitous $12 meatball.  I don't eat red meat, but folks at the table did.  I didn't hear any OMGs.
* Thai Shrimp:   An Asian dish at a Italian place...funny enough, this was great.

I ordered eggplant parm as I typically do.  Came with gnocchi.   Since I'm not a huge fan of little balls of dough, I asked for spaghetti.   Hold on to your hats...$5 to substitute!!!    I found the dish salty, and oily.    

My wife ordered some downtown chicken.  Tasty.

4 other meals with the other couples.        We walked out for $140 a couple, or $420.  Yikes.

When we were done, i stopped by the bathroom where I got to meet the bathroom attendant.   More dinero.

We hung out for a bit, danced a bit, then hit a few places around hard rock.   Overall great night, but not running back here.