Piero's Corner: Work in Progress in Fairfax

 We usually don't do SNO in August because of the family vacation, but this year Sheri needed it because she is now an empty nester.  Kari's daughter had a soccer game scheduled so we picked a restaurant in Fairfax to make it easier for Kari to get there.  Hurricane Irene came to town and the game was cancelled but we kept our plans.
The decor is very warm and inviting.  Golden walls, stone bars and wood oven, dark furniture, tiled floors, black masculine chandeliers.    Piero's Corner  considers itself, "an authentic, yet casual dining experience."  Our experience was too rushed by an inexperienced yet attentive wait staff.  Food was tasty or bland.   

   

The warm, crusty bread arrived with olive oil infused with basil, garlic and parmesan cheese on the side.  That was delicious.  Kari ordered Mary's Lobster Bisque which was creamy with a hint of lobster flavoring but lacked seasoning, lobster meat and any hint of Cognac or Sherry.  When Kari asked if she would get some Sherry, the waiter checked and replied that she could buy a shot from the bar.  Serious????  Sheri's mesclun salad with balsamic vinaigrette was fine.  However, when ordered as a side salad it comes without roasted pears, dried cranberries and gorgonzola cheese which was a disappointment.  When Sheri was told her pizza (her main entree) would come out quickly, she had to ask the waiter to make sure they held the pizza back and serve it with the other entrees. Really???

Lori's Trittico di Pasta looked delicious when it arrived.  It is a pasta sampler if you will.  Lobster ravioli with a cream vodka sauce, capellini with a hearty tomato sauce with goat cheese, and lasagne croccante with arugula.  There was enough for two.   Kari's Calamari Grigliati had a generous portion of tasty grilled calamari on   top of fresh spinach nicely dressed with a light lemon vinaigrette and feta cheese.  Sheri's crisp cheese and tomato pizza with anchovies arrived on

wood platter.  It was very bland and needed seasoning and more stuff.

A lively band playing in the wine tasting room made you feel you were in the Mediterran.  That very enjoyable.

So mixed reviews all in all.  Piero's Corner definitely has potential but there is work to be done in the kitchen and training needed for the wait staff.  This is a very nice restaurant which needs to live up to its atmosphere and prices.