I first visited L’Isola d’Oro over two years ago at the suggestion of a local. I don’t recall much for that visit other than I left with a negative impression. At the suggestion this week of a local business associate, I gave the restaurant another try I remember now why I’ve stayed away these last few years despite many visits to neighborhood. Other reviewers have commented that this place isn’t welcoming to tourists. I think that puts it too mildly. I was made to feel quite unwanted, even in imposition on their normal routine. The restaurant was empty when I arrived. But they offered me the worst table in the house, one right by the entry where traffic was heaviest. I had to request better seating. And then I sat. And sat. Other parties arrived after I did, locals, and were enjoying their beverages, their antipasta dishes and their bread baskets. At the same time they had not even asked me if I wanted a beverage, much less take my order. The ultimate order-taking was curt and abrupt, The waiter was not helpful or even sympathetic to my attempts to navigate the Italian-only menu. And it took three requests at the end to get my bill. I was so eager to get out of there, I didn’t want to wait through a credit card ceremony, so I paid in cash and bolted. In fairness, the food was pretty good. I started with a ‘fish tartare” which was quite good, although I found it could use a little more of an olive driizzle to ehance the richness. The spaghetti with clams dish was also decent, with nice earthy flavors. On the other hand, the bread basket was stale, especially the flatbread which were embarassingly un-crisp, bordering on soggy, But no matter how good the food, when you are made to feel uncomfortable, enjoyment of a meal is quite impossible. There are so many excellent Italian seafood restaruants in the immediate area with as good or better food, and all with a more congenial and welcoming attitude to foreigners. I will dine elsewhere with no sense of loss.
