Cafe Martorano?

Has anyone tried the new restaurant at Rio yet?

Cafe Martorano?

I%26#39;ll be so interested in this, as the original is just down the street from me here in Ft. Lauderdale. I have never been, because no reservations are accepted in the original location and the wait is frequently 2-3 hours standing in line on the sidewalk. The one here specializes in South Philadelphia style Italian food- big servings of hearty dishes. Major complaints about the original is that it is noisy ( loud music blaring at all times), the waitstaff recites specials but acts insulted if you ask the cost , and the final bill is usually gigantic. Apparently the recited specials are frequently very expensive , but no one will tell you how much.

I come from the ';how good can food be?'; school of thought , so I have chosen not to even think about subjecting myself to that kind of treatment here in town. It will be interesting to see if the one in Vegas is the same - or better- maybe I%26#39;ll end up dining there rather than walking two blocks from my home.

As it is the stretch limos are lined up outside this one , which is in a modest strip mall. Autographed pictures on the windows suggest that Dan Marino and many Sopranos cast members, among others , are past diners. Somehow I have a hard time believing they wait in line with the peons.

Cafe Martorano?

I am going next Thursday night, my buddy went with a client on a Tuesday, said the food was good, no line, service was ok, I am sure they will get it right. I will post after I go on the 29th of March. Looking forward to some MeatBalls, the key is ordering a side of Ricotta cheese

I%26#39;m sorry, but meatballs and a side of ricotta shouldn%26#39;t even be in the same sentence with a restaurant that has ';gigantic'; bills. I don%26#39;t mind paying a lot for expensive ingredients and complicated preparation, but I can make spaghetti and meatballs at home (with a side of ricotta) for pretty cheap. And to wait 2-3 hours for it?

Thanks soupnazi42. We%26#39;ll keep a look out for your take on it!

I understand the Gigantic Bills and the Gigantic Meatballs, just saying as an add on ';on the side'; some Ricotta goes great,

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