[Chazz]

We were a group of 8 last night at this Italian restaurant on US 40 in Ocala. We've been there a few times before. They were short staffed last night, due to someone calling in sick, according to our server (who we've had before). Our server was practically sprinting around the place trying to get everyone's orders in and delivered. Naturally, things ran rather slowly, as the place was packed.

The food, as always, was wonderful. Everyone in our party was happy with their meal. Price-wise, it is on the higher side for the area, though not excessive, in my opinion. However, for this caliber restaurant, a higher level of commitment to quality service is expected. We will go there again, though.

[PaPaLarry]

Whats the name of restaurant?

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry

Whats the name of restaurant?

Mesa de Notte.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by Chazz

Mesa de Notte.

We ate dinner there last night with another couple. The food was excellent. I had veal marsala with wild mushrooms and it was terrific. My husband had a fish dish over black fettucine and he said it was amazing. The entrees come with your choice of soup or salad. We bothe had excellent Caesar salad mine with anchovies. Dessert we split a protiferole. The have a very good wine list. It took 50 minutes to get there and was worth the drive. We will be returning there soon.

[collection6]

Ate there thurs night with a group. I've been there twice before and food was excellent. Had Fabian as a waiter, and have had him before and he is excellent. Service this night was extremely lacking. Was told they were short of staff. Waiter had to take and deliver orders,bus tables and make drinks. He was practically running to do this. Ordered bottle of wine,which was put in wine bucket away from table. Ended up having to get up ourselves to pour it. Manager for the most part just stood and watched instead of helping. We tipped waiter decent amount as he did his best, with too many tables to serve and no one to help him. Will go back as food is excellent and we hope that this was only an off night. Table of four behind us left waiter only two dollar tip, not fair to him as he did his best!

[kimball]

Originally Posted by Chazz

We were a group of 8 last night at this Italian restaurant on US 40 in Ocala. We've been there a few times before. They were short staffed last night, due to someone calling in sick, according to our server (who we've had before). Our server was practically sprinting around the place trying to get everyone's orders in and delivered. Naturally, things ran rather slowly, as the place was packed.

The food, as always, was wonderful. Everyone in our party was happy with their meal. Price-wise, it is on the higher side for the area, though not excessive, in my opinion. However, for this caliber restaurant, a higher level of commitment to quality service is expected. We will go there again, though.

Following is a review of this restaurant that I wrote after a visit on 8/19/2011I have not returned:


Today's luncheon adventure took us and two friends to Mesa De Notte located at 2436 E. Silver Springs Blvd in Ocala.

The restaurant is actually larger than it appears from the outside. Inside, the place is not particularly aesthetically special, but, although plain, it does appear to be clean and spacious.

The wait staff approached us as we were seated and took and delivered drink orders promptly. A basket of good,crisp outside and soft inside, Italian Bread was brought to the table along with a tasty oil and pesto dipping sauce.

Mrs. (X) ordered Portobello Mushroom soup and Mediterranean Bruschetta, a Crostini topped with fresh tomatoes, calamata olives, & crumbled feta cheese from the appetizer menu. While she thought the soup was excessively sweet, she was very complimentary about the Bruschetta. Her Husband, Mr. (X) selected Chicken Parmigianino, a breaded breast of chicken topped with marinara sauce & melted mozzarella cheese. He was not enthralled with this selection, indicating that the chicken was very thin and excessively breaded.

Vitello Parmigiano, a breaded veal cutlet topped with marinara sauce & melted mozzarella cheese was Pat's selection. She thought the veal was quite good and thought the marinara sauce was especially good. I choose Eggplant Parmigiano, a fairly sizeable cutlet of Eggplant breaded and served with Marinara sauce. While I agree that the sauce was tasty, my selection was not nearly hot enough and as was the case with Mr. (X) it was covered with an excessive amount of breading. (I've had far better at the Olive Garden).

All three full lunches were served with the pasta of the day, Rigatoni in a creamy pesto sauce. While it was reasonably tasty I thought that the cream sauce was overwhelming. Pat apparently agreed as she left virtually all of it after small taste.

Bottom line is that both of the guys were underwhelmed by the meal while both girls indicated that they would return in the future. (Undetermined was who they would find for dates to accompany them on the return trip)! It won't be me or Mr. (X).