Decca: Oh! Oh! Yes!!!

Ned - My serving of the sea urchin pasta was so small the table gasped when it was placed in front of me. The lamb pasta wasn't much bigger.

We got the same "the pasta is really small " warning from our server, and it almost scared me away. Ironically, I found the lamb pasta serving once delivered to be perfectly-sized; not "Come Back Inn sized" and no leftovers, but that wasn't my expectation. It was wonderful. Don't know if their portion control is off or if it's about expectations.

Deb

[Robin Garr]

Ned - My serving of the sea urchin pasta was so small the table gasped when it was placed in front of me. The lamb pasta wasn't much bigger.

We got the same "the pasta is really small " warning from our server, and it almost scared me away. Ironically, I found the lamb pasta serving once delivered to be perfectly-sized; not "Come Back Inn sized" and no leftovers, but that wasn't my expectation. It was wonderful. Don't know if their portion control is off or if it's about expectations.

For what it's worth, we had a great experience (party of four) and I'm pretty certain I wasn't recognized. I can usually tell. Portions weren't huge but were absolutely appropriate, and our service was above reproach throughout.

Maybe they're moody and vary from day to day, but I was extremely impressed. Until I have a worse experience, I'll continue to think of it as one of the best of a very good current batch of eateries along East Market east of I-65.

We didn't get a warning (but they hadn't been open long and might not have yet had complaints), but my sea urchin pasta was barely 4 bites. I don't need a go box, but I shouldn't have to beg for a second piece of bread (yes, with annoyance from our server) to feel like I've had a meal.

We loved the asparagus app and I loved the olive oil cake for dessert. One of us (there were 4) got the beef cheeks, and he was very happy.

[Robin Garr]

We didn't get a warning (but they hadn't been open long and might not have yet had complaints), but my sea urchin pasta was barely 4 bites. I don't need a go box, but I shouldn't have to beg for a second piece of bread (yes, with annoyance from our server) to feel like I've had a meal.

We loved the asparagus app and I loved the olive oil cake for dessert. One of us (there were 4) got the beef cheeks, and he was very happy.

Well, I don't mean to defend them other than to point out that we had really good experiences, and portion sizes that I considered appropriate for fine dining. Not Henry VIII orgy-style to be sure, but none of us went away hungry, and we weren't offended by the apparent size of portions on the plate.

Actually, when we were at La Coop, one of our party thought her scallop dish (coquilles St.-Jacques) looked small, but after she got into it, she realized that it was so rich that more would have been wretched excess.

* Footnote: I dined there, and wrote the original post in this discussion, before the CJ report came out, but the lines crossed, and my HotBytes/LEO report ran the Wednesday after, which would have hit them with a one-two punch. I don't think the CJ drives a lot of traffic any more, but even so, the impact of two reviews in one week had to put them to the test. Maybe they staggered a bit afterward?

regarding the pasta portion sizes and whether "appropriate" for fine dining, I'm in the camp that says it is very disappointing. Its not the quality of the dish. I mean the flavors (I had the lamb) were fantastic and the pasta perfectly cooked, but it was indeed tiny and for $17 there is no other word than to say dissappointing at least on my visit. Had it been listed as appetizer or "primi" it may not have been as much a shocker. But to have been ordered as the entree I have no question that for myself, its not worth a return for the same thing and I warn my friends accordingly. It's not about wanting a feed bag or a food orgy, but it is about being satisfied with what you get for the money. Understanding other's experiences may be different than mine, it seems to be that there are equally others who may agree and voiced concern to the point that they are now warning folks. Had I been warned, I would have opted for something else and very likely been much more happy. My personal jury is still out overall on this place but for the $160 range for two with wine/drinks, I'm fortunate to have other great options in town in the meantime.

$160? entree's were in the 17-24 dollar range when i was there.

$160? entree's were in the 17-24 dollar range when i was there.

With wine and drinks, salads, entrees, and a couple of side dishes or desserts it's not that difficult to spend that amount of money there for a party of two. Of course, by the time we've had all of the previously listed we've been pretty well sated.

That said, the patio is one of our favorite places to dine outdoors in the city and we've not seen the service issues out there yet. Noise, which we have found to be an issue at a lot of NuLu establishments including Decca (Yes, I know we're old), is not an issue when we've been out on the patio.

Portion sizes are closer to single portion\appetizer servings than many restaurants we frequent. We have to-go-boxes at most of those places and we've never had one from Decca, but we find value in the total package. The food is innovative, if light on portion size, and we're happy to have another great dining choice on the way home from work.