[Gatto Nero]

Went the TNE last night. There were 4 in our party. I would go back again but my first experience was a mixed bag. I had no problem with the OJ glasses or the paper menus. They are not trying to be a fancy place so they shouldn't be judged as if they are. The prices were good and overall the food was OK. I wasn't crazy about the Garlic knots. I thought they were a little greasy, but that is just a preference thing because my kids loved them. The calamari was great. I think we had the North End version. Of the 4 meals we had at our table 3 were marinara based (veal parm, Egg plant parm and fruit de mare) and all were very good. I had the veal piccata, however, and was not impressed. I'm not sure if they intended to make it the way it came but it was a real thick cream sauce. Nothing like any piccata I have had in the past. I usually love piccata but wouldn't order it again there. I told the waiter but he didn't seem to care, so I didn't pursue it. Scott was roaming around but I didn't bother him with it either. Again, maybe it's just a preference thing. I'm not a big dessert lover but what we ordered (1 cannoli and 1 Tiramisu) were fine. The cappuccino was a bummer though. They don't make it the traditional way. Instead, it was made from a machine and it showed.