Aldente Pizzaria & Ristarantee Italiano

AlDente has been a fixture in Middle Park for a number of years. In it’s hey days the then owners and staff made visiting AlDente a must do for is locals. It was like visiting family. They really did an amazing job.
Like life, things change.
New owners and new staff have changed the atmosphere of AlDente.
Positives
— The food is still good
— It is significantly less busy. In the old days this place was packed. In the last two times I have been here my party were the only customers.
Constructive
— Atmosphere. It lacks the warmth and passion that use to be here. Where is the friendly staff and ambient music?
— Ordering. Two of our guests had order malfunctions. Not really pleasant. The wait staff should repeat the order to confirm each persons meal. Yes mistakes happen but still.
My final thought — a coat of paint, staff with a positive personality and music could restore this once good restaurant.

On the corner of the newly refurbished Middle Park is this quaint italian restaurant slash café. They have a nice light selection of lunches on their specials board and a fine dining menu for pastas and pizzas and a la carte meals for more formal occassions.
The OP Ribs sounded delish but glancing at the $ 35.90 price I winced and looked back to the specials. We sat inside and watched the dough being prepared on the counter next to the cash register… hrm. When our almost $ 20 calamari entrée came out on a small rectangular dish with non crispy and only 7 – 8 pieces of small calamari I won’t lie, I felt a little bit of a rip and an off. When our garlic and herb bread came out looking like butter and herbs spread on toast which was cut into 3 pieces… no garlic in sight… I was feeling like giving them a bit of a Unilocaling hand.
The bolognese and chicken and mushroom ravioli was very good though when it finally came out. The bolognese could have done with a bit more Parmesan but other than that, the two main pastas we ordered filled our hungry tummies and left us thinking we would come back again for them.
So lesson learnt. Skip the entrees and just order mains. The verdict is still out on the desserts. Here’s hoping!