Q: I stopped by the Mandalay Bay Border Grill yesterday about 4:30 pm at a pretty busy time and ate in the lounge. Service was prompt and efficient. He swung by with a "how you doing, hun" every once in a while that only needed a nod in response not some round of applause you think they expect at other places. I was looking for something light and ordered a ceasars with no meat and a side of black beans. With tip left at $17. Servings are huge. Chips and salsa the best; fresh, not too thick, not too salty, and whoever made the salsa deserves a medal. How can I make (all three) at home? I totally recommend this place for excellent and affordable food. In a hotel!

A: positive

Q: I live in Brookline and have wanted to visit for months, finally I got the chance. Let me start by saying that I am a discerning foodie. I like good food and good service, but I also want to see new places move forward. Piatto is located on the Blvd next to a bar/pub in a heavy foot and car traffic area. Parking is easy to find. The dining room is very pleasant, linen table cloths and a nice renovation of an old house. A nice place to have a meal. I arrived at 7:30 on a Friday night. There were maybe 8 tables and 7 were full. By the time I left at 9 p.m. the dining room was empty. From 7:30 to 9 only one additional customer came in. Service was friendly but ungodly long. One server for the whole dining room. She took the orders, served he food, cleared the tables, ran the bar and collected the money. It took 75 minutes for two dinners and no dessert. The meal: I had linguine with shrimp and scallops. It was prepared in a red sauce. The pasta was soft, far from al dente. I really had to search for the shrimp, first because there were so few and second because they were frozen and petite. The scallops, well Im not even going to go there. The sauce was overwhelmed by oil! Yes, oil! In fact I sent it back to drain the oil off the plate, it looked like broth. See pic. When it was returned, oil was still sitting on the plate but it was spiced up with sprinkled cayenne pepper now. Ugh, what up? My diner companion had chicken saltimbocca - layered prosciutto sauteed with marsala wine and mushroom sauce. Sounds good, right? My dinner mate noted that it was low on flavor and disappointing. The spice of the evening was cayenne. It is put in salad, garnished on plates and added to sauce. Ive never seen such all across the board use of cayenne anywhere. The table guests next to us kept coughing and fanning themselves as they tried eating their dinner salad laced with cayenne pepper. Defining difference? I think its a deadly mistake. Two meals, one glass of wine, plus tip, $58.00 The chef came out to greet the tables. Affable young entrepreneur for sure. I would suggest asking the guests how to improve the flavors of the food he is making would be a good next step. He is cooking to his tastes and in my opinion he is missing what I come for. He apologized multiple times for what was wrong from stock, to stove to plate. That is not a confidence inspiring action. I wish him luck, there is alot more to do here. I won't be returning.

A: negative

Q: I have been here several times, and overall the food was good... I would have given this restaurant 4 stars if it weren't for the fact that my last time there (we brought a fairly large group), everyone got sick! the Mac & Cheese, Foie Gras, Beef tartar, and Shepherds pie were all standout dishes. unfortunately, the whole food poisoning thing keeps me from recommending this place...

A: negative

Q: 7:30am-5:30pm and I only got an oil change. HORRIBLE! I'll never come back. I had a list of things to accomplish and nothing was done.

A:
negative