Galileo - Calumet-Norvelt

We arrived 20 minutes before our reservation time and were seated 25 minutes after our reservation time. The bar area looked like a bad country club bar that desperately needed to be remodeled and the lights dimmed. I went for restaurant week with friends who could not otherwise afford the meal. I can afford the regular meals, but I would never go back. Although the service was quick, it was abrupt, condescending and they even removed my main course before I was finished. They couldn't get us out of there fast enough. They simply shouldn't offer the restaurant week deal if they are going to make the experience so unpleasant. I'd rather pay full price somewhere else, and it's likely that my friends would too. Don't waste your money here.

Had our reservations for weeks, and arrived to find a very hot/humid restaurant as the A/C was out. There were a few portable A/C units running, but all they managed to do was add to the overall din, and maybe just barely offset the heat they were generating. Service was slow, and we had to pour our own wine refills more often than not. All in all, for what Galileo's claims to be, and for what they charge...our experience was mediocre, at best. Everyone has a bad day, and I can't imagine having to work in that heat humidity, BUT...nobody volunteered an apology for the lack of A/C, and ignored it as if it were the proverbial elephant in the room. We won't be back.

The service was appalling. We arrived at 12:45 and were not able to leave until 3:30. And we were one of three tables in the entire restaurant. The wait staff didn 't seem to care. We were worried from the beginning when the waiter asked, would anyone like to order drinks soda, ice tea? Uhh.... yeah. They were out of several of the dessert options on the menu. My ravioli was solid, but not everyone was happy. The waiter blamed the delay on our entrees on the member of our party who ordered his steak medium well. But when his steak arrives, it 's rare. If you want above average food at astronomical prices with a rude wait staff and a near three hour wait, this is your place.

We arrived at Galileo on a very hot, muggy evening only to discover that their AC is out of order because the building is being renovated. According to our servers, the restaurant will be moving to a new Crystal City location if you are heat sensitive, wait for the new location. I recommend wearing the coolest, lightest weight clothing in your wardrobe. The atmosphere is greatly impacted by no AC. Waiters were sweating and uncomfortable in their heavy suits, as were all of the suited up customers around us. For the most part, we found the food to be very average. The special was a blackened sea bass not a lot of flavor although the lima beans and asparagus was quite good. Lobster ravioli was gummy and again not much flavor we mostly tasted the peas. From the antipasti menu, the sea scallops w/pancetta had great flavor and were excellent. The arrugala salad was boring and bitter. The filet medallions w/truffles were good, even though they were overcooked one was M the other was almost MR we ordered MR. All was forgiven with the dessert though. A decadent triple layer cake w/chocolate cake soaked in espresso, white chocolate and milk chocolate mousse and a rich creamy fudgy sauce. Fabulous!! We were charged for the dessert even though it was included in our 3 course tasting menu, but that was easily corrected. Overall, this is highly touted and expensive restaurant we expected much more from their kitchen. Also, they should be doing whatever it takes to cool the place down rent some actual portable AC units! My recommendation would be to wait for the new location and for the chefs to read some not so favorable reviews they need to get cracking in their kitchen!

My husband and I dined at Galileo to celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary, and we agreed that this was among the very best dinners we had ever had. The service was courteous and attentive, and the food was outstanding, particularly the bronzino with saffron sauce and the squid ink pasta with calamari. And though the wine list overall is stunningly expensive, the wine by the glass options make it easy to pair different wines with different dishes. It was an extra thrill to actually meet Chef Donna himself. All in all, an evening well spent!