With curvy booths, ornate lights dangling from the ceiling, intricately carved cabinets and old wallpaper and brick, the space feels like a Hollywood movie set, and it's hard to tell the real from the faux. Farfalle, for instance, is tossed with broccoli and chicken. Spaghetti Bolognese comes with lamb, carrots and mushrooms. Seafood linguine features shrimp, scallops and mussels in a wine broth. There are salads, soup and pizza as well as country-style pork ribs, Szechuan salmon and shrimp with pears.
Portions are generous, and prices are reasonable.
Right now, the ambience is better than the food. Fried calamari were beyond crispy. Pizza tasted like it came from a box. Fettuccine carbonara needed more kick, and the ramen noodles were nothing special. But the restaurant has just opened, and the place is jammed.