Hot Tomatoe Neighborhood Bistro

I absolutely love the food at this restaurant. It's always fresh, served at the right temperature, and thoughtfully prepared. However, the space is quite small, and they don’t inform you when they’re overbooked at the time of your reservation. During my last three visits, we waited over 30 minutes past our reservation time. This wouldn't be as big of an issue if they had a bar, but it’s a cozy spot without one. On my most recent visit, they filled half the restaurant with a large group of 13 who simply wouldn’t leave. As a result, nearly everyone had to wait over an hour beyond their reservation. This was particularly embarrassing for me, as I was with my parents, who usually have dinner quite early, around 3 PM, so they were really unhappy waiting until 9:30 for just salad and bread. My partner has said they’ll never return, which frustrates me because I genuinely enjoy the food. Despite the long waits, the servers are usually very kind and competent, and as I mentioned, the food is delicious. The lively Italian crowd, with their distinct voices, sometimes makes me feel like I’m on the set of "Joey," but at least it’s nice to see that the local Italian community enjoys the place so much.