MOZZ Mozzarlla Bar & Enotca

I'm excited to try this soon, but concerned about a note Robin had mentioned in his review. The noise. It was like this at Primo. Is there a way to dampen the sound or is it just poor building construction?

[Robin Garr]

The noise. It was like this at Primo. Is there a way to dampen the sound or is it just poor building construction?

There's a certain genre of local restaurants that seem to embrace a happy noise as a sign that the place is with-it and having a good time. Acoustics may be part of the issue, but I've come to believe that in some cases the management wants it that way. There are a few restaurants that I love but don't put on the list when I'm going out to dinner with conversation in mind. I'd say Primo - and now Mozz - fall into that category.

I guess we were never at Primo on a night where the noise was a real factor (and we were there once during prom season, yipe!) Maybe I'm just more accustomed to noisy restaurants.

We enjoyed our evening at Mozz last week. ( My apologies for not posting the bar menu- its large format was not condusive to scale down to a size that was readable in an upload- believe me, I tried).

They've done a fastastic job with the space- very inviting. With enough people, this could definitely be a place with "a vibe". We ate in the fine dining side, but upon asking we were told we could order off that menu ( italian courses and entrees) and/or the bar menu ( mozzarellas, bruschettas, pizzas, etc.). We had a buratta to start. The cheese was very nice and housemade, but unfortunately this delicate cheese was overwhelmed by the pesto it was served with. Hot House flatbread ( from their pizzza dough) was served with our entrees-very yummy. Pastas are house-made and very good. We had the hay and straw pasta, pasta with meatballs and Michael's tortellini. ( the last two were the favorites). We were very pleasantly surprised with the pasta serving sizes; at these prices ( $12-14) I expected small portions but the servings were large. We also ordered the gorgonzola polenta side and it was outstanding. Service was very friendly and personal, but uneven ( water glasses sat without refills, asked if we wanted more bread, but it didn't arrive until we were done with our entreees. ) Given how enthusiastic they are, I think the service issues will get worked out quickly.

Overall, we think this place has a great deal of potential. We will definitely be back- I'm looking forward to trying their Bruscettas of the day and the yummy looking desserts.

Deb

Has anyone had the Bisteca yet? 52 ounces? Yes, sign me up!

Jeremy,

It sounds fantastic, no? And very well- priced if you split it four ways since it comes with servings of several sides. I was a little puzzled by the description from our waiter though- menu says it serves 2 or 4, and we were told that it comes with larger sides is you order it for 4. But a flat price is listed. Maybe Ryder can explain more- I want to get 4 people together to go try it soon.

Deb

[Robin Garr]

Service was very friendly and personal

Did you find service at the captain level overbearing, though?

We had a great table server, but the captain and a couple of other ranking FOH people hovered to the extent that I felt both uncomfortable and irritated. As I wrote in the review, it made me wonder if I had been "discovered" - that's not so unusual after all these years - but it seemed they were giving everybody the same over-the-top attentiveness. I frankly got really tired of being interrupted in conversation or chewing to acknowledge that everything was good. One guy was almost a parody, literally making little half-bows and rubbing his hands together.

I guess it's a Casa Grisanti heritage thing. I didn't like it there, and I don't like it at Vincenzo's, and I don't like it at upscale Italian-American eateries in NYC's outer boroughs and New Jersey, and I'm not going to like it at Mozz.

Rant off. Is it just me?

Robin,
It's just you.

deb

Went last night with friends and it was just slammed. With the addition of a jazz quintet (bless Mozz for employing a few jazzers in this environment), the noise level was nearly overbearing, but I think that goes along with all the large parties in the room. Very high quality food, and we didn't experience the hovering service that Robin mentioned - if anything, it was the other way around (although not dissatisfying). Definitely a place to return to, but perhaps on a week night when it will be a bit quieter.

It will be quieter on weeknights. They've already cut out the jazz Monday through Wednesday.

Tim,
Maybe it's due to the holidays, but I was there tonight (Wed), and there was definitely jazz.
Deb

I was pretty into the jazz on Sunday, but then again, I'm a young ruffian type

Tim,
Maybe it's due to the holidays, but I was there tonight (Wed), and there was definitely jazz.
Deb

I have been playing there Tuesdays and this is the last week of the trios on Monday-Wednesday.

All,
Went for the second time last night, and as expected, the service was much improved! ( First visit was the week they opened). Our waitress was fantastic- spot-on with service and all her recommendations. We were very impressed.

We were also very impressed with the way the manager handled a sticky situation. We were 3 girlfriends talking and eating- not paying attention to the fact that the tables had filled around us. At 9:00, we'd finished. but still chatting. He approached our table with "a proposition". Tells us he has someone with a reservation waiting for our table and if we would be kind enough to move to the bar, he'sd like to buy us drinks and dessert. Very graciously done. We happily moved to the bar for another drink, feeling very positive about the whole thing ( which could have been ackward). Kudos for diplomacy- very classy!

Deb

Had an absolutely amazing experience at Mozz last night. We went with old friends and we were all blown away. We got the VIP treatment with a full sampling from the cheesemonger as well as the amazing fresh mozzarella bar. I ordered the Seared Tuna (rare) and it was exceptional! Served on a spectacularly dressed bed of spinach with chorizo, and a delicious Romesco sauce, the dish was perfectly balanced and the flavors harmonized with one another very well. Absolutely perfect. Friends and I shared the Gorgonzola Polenta and it was also quite good.

We shared desserts and the Creme Brullee was outstanding as was the Nocciolato.

Our server was Derek and he was absolutely spectacular. Very attentive without being pushy, and very patient considering it took us about 45 mins. to order our mains. His service was the right mix of professional and friendly, very much at the top of his game last night

The whole experience was wonderful and the little extra touches like the cheesemonger sampler really put it over the top.

It won't be something we can afford every week, but Mozz will definitely get our "special" business in the future! Well done!