Now, I've never been one to be a hard nose food critic much less write about it, but after the less than acceptable Italian food experience from last night, well.. I'm compelled. The latest offender last night was Ristorante Bottaio located at 946 N. Milwaukee Ave. Libertyville, IL
Most everything including the short list of eateries in Libertyville is well within capable walking distance even though most people in the area see the need to fire up the 8 cylinder Escalades to drive a quarter of a block to get to the theater. We'll save that for another time. Last night we too drove because it was raining. Pulling into the parking lot for Ristorante Bottaio you're really forced at this point to valet the vehicle. I hate that and prefer to have the option. Busy this Saturday night without a reservation we were prepared to eat in the bar area like we had before, but they had a table for us, so we were seated in the upstairs loft.
The experience started well. How could it not when you kick it off a a little bubbly. We had verbally confirmed our hunger issues earlier in the night so it was time to eat and decided to share appetizers of Bruschetta, Grilled Octopus a salad and one of the nightly specials of house made pasta tossed with pancetta, mushrooms and topped with Arugula and shaved Parmesan. Sounds good doesn't it?
It got started with what I can only describe as the worst bruschetta I've ever had. It came out with slices of flavorless tomato resting on toast and finished with a store bought Romano cheese. Thrown under a salamander to heat through, any chance the tomato had to impress us was lost there. Absent of any real flavor including those you would expect (basil and garlic etc..) should have had this going back to the kitchen. We were hungry and apparently desperate.
Enter grilled Octopus. We had it here once before and remember it being quite tasty. It was as if Ristorante Bottaio had run out of salt and pepper to season and garlic to flavor. My wife had taken a piece of the squid first and her face told the story with her first bite. Grilled to perfection, but had absolutely zero flavor. Our waiter had pulled up right about the same time and ask how everything was. My hesitation made cause for concern from our waiter, but my wife quickly moved in to say everything was fine. Good thing too as this was definitely on its way back to the kitchen for a correction. Interesting timing of course. The wife being a waitress for some years has a Pet Peeve with empty glasses..especially wine glasses and hers was empty. That really tells the rest of the story for the night. The service was average and the wait staff was now preoccupied with larger tables and more expensive wines (Ruffino ChiantiClassico Riserva Ducale $48).
It didn't get much better with the salad or main course. Again, lacking in what I will call staple Italian flavours. We finished our meal and drank our wine skipping desert to avoid any more potential disappointment. Obligatory tip for the valet was coughed up and we drove home. Lesson here for the good folks over at Ristorante Bottaio ..taste your food before serving your guests, invest in a little garlic and last but surely not least always keep a full glass. Especially wine.
Eat Ristorante Bottaio at your own risk of being equally disappointed or try something that is more authentic and guaranteed to please IMHO.
Trattoria Pomigliano has been doing it right and I'll vouch for the food especially when it come to the garlic. 602 N Milwaukee Ave and a slightly shorter walk for those inclined.
