Reviews for Sam Vera Restaurant

02/29/2024 - MenuPix User

06/03/2011 - Rob
This is a very recent review from June 2011. I went there this evening with my husband to celebrate our very special (2Oth Anniversary) and had one of the WORST meals in recent memory. First, we had a hot antipasto appetizer that sounded good, but came cold and the eggplant had such a weird off-tasting spice, I became instantly nauseous (that NEVER happens to me). The bread/breadsticks set out seemed attractive at first, but the bread was barely warmed and slightly stale tasting, and the flatbread was rock hard (they are lucky if no one breaks a tooth - seriously!!) Then the main meals: One entree of linguini and clams -- how do you mess this up?? Oh, yeah, I know how - serve lukewarm RUBBERY clams!! And my dish was even worse - Veal Piccata which had barely any sauce, about 50 capers (not exaggerating) but the veal itself was the worst part of the meal. Cold and COMPLETELY INEDIBLE. I am not an overly picky eater, but when I cut several small pieces, it was like chewing gum. Fatty, or gamey, I don't know why it was not edible. I couldn't quite place if it was undercooked or overcooked or if the veal itself was of poor quality. I did return it once complaining of its not being hot, and got it returned several minutes later, just as cold. The only positive thing I can remark is that they replaced the (also chewy) pea-pods on my plate that I had eaten. I am not Italian, but trust me, I would have been MUCH better off paying top dollar for a piece of veal in my supermarket, and cooking myself, and it would have been MUCH tastier, cheaper, and of higher quality. I URGE YOU TO IGNORE ANY POSITIVE CRITIQUES (ESPECIALLY IF LESS RECENT THAN MINE) - AND AVOID THIS PLACE LIKE THE PLAGUE. Save your money (our 2 dinners with no drinks, salads, or desserts cost us over $60.00), and go to the A&P next door for dinner. Last but not least, and if Sam Vera is reading this - TRY TREATING YOUR CUSTOMERS EQUALLY. There was a table of 5 very loud ladies next to us (all on diets, they made quite clear about 40 times) and celebrating a birthday. I had to wait 5 minutes for the waiter to reheat my dinner while he brought them a specially prepared (obviously complimentary, as they hadn't ordered it, and actually seemed surprised when it arrived) cake which he carefully cut into slices, explaining the cake's special recipe/preparation and wishing them a happy birthday. Even though my husband told about 3 waiters of our 20th Anniversary, we got absolutely nothing. (Not even the birthday gal's leftover slice!!) said sarcastically. (Obviously I wouldn't want anyone's leftovers, though the food we were served tasted as if it was -- leftover, that is.) Maybe they changed chef's since the good reviews, but we dined on a Friday evening.