7. Mama Carolla's Old Italian Restaurant

This restaurant typically gets excellent reviews, but my wife and I are living proof that not every dining experience in popular restaurants is good. They don't take reservations, so we dutifully waited at the bar for our table, having drinks and appetizers. We noticed that people who arrived after us were being seated before us, so we settled the bar bill and questioned the "hostess", who became remarkably belligerent, and kept us standing whil she seated others who had again arrived after us. She eventually seated us with ill-humor, and the waitress (apparently briefed on our appalling behavior) was pompous and unhelpful. We have been tempted to go back in order to see what is so great about this place, but the experience was so awful that we cannot bring ourselves to do it. In short, I would say go here at your own risk. Chances are it will be great, but when it's bad it is REALLY bad.

The restaurant is one of the most attractive in the city and the patio is wonderful. We live in the neighborhood and we walk there all the time. The food is great and you can't beat the price