Osteria La Civetta - Falmouth

Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $100+ Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Carbonara, Gelato, Lasagna

I had high expectations for this highly-rated restaurant, but my experience was disappointing. I've enjoyed a lot of Italian cuisine, including in Italy, so I was eager to try this place. While the menu looked promising, the reality fell short; the pasta was overly salty and far too firm, making it difficult to enjoy. The service was adequate, though it felt a bit bland and lacking the warm hospitality typically found in more upscale establishments. On a positive note, they offered a lovely bread basket with olive oil for dipping. The cozy ambiance and unique table settings earned it four stars, but the loud bass from the nightclub background music really took away from the overall experience—why not play some jazz or even Sinatra instead?

First of all my husband and I went on a rainy day at 430. Instead of being pleased our greeting was do you have a reservation we explained that we didn 't and asked for a window seat, which by the way was still vacant when we left. We had a nice cozy table in the back, which was fine. Dee our waitress was informative and kind. We ordered a bottle of wine and meat and cheese tray, which was wonderful. However, when our meals arrived they were doused in salt. I had the lasagna Bolognese which was fine without the added salt, however oversalted. The cabanoro was heavily salted. I understand pancetta is salty but they overdid the pasta with salt to the point it was inedible. Didn 't appreciate the way we 're received considering my family 's origin is from northern Italy and we were treated as if we had no knowledge of Italian food. Needless to say I left an unhappy customer.

The only downside was the bread and olive oil, which felt a bit lackluster compared to everything else. Unfortunately, it fell short of the high standards set by the meal. On a brighter note, the Rosso di Toscana wine was simply delightful—definitely order a glass! Dining outside was lovely, although it was a bit warm. I do wish they had some oscillating fans to keep the air circulating during the summer months. Our server was also wonderful—so friendly and attentive. I can’t wait to return next summer! For vegetarians, there are a few options like pesto, plain marinara, and of course, salads.

Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5