I recently visited Sette, a wood fire bistro, for a Friday night dinner. We made a reservation in advance, just in case it was crowded. While the restaurant wasn't packed, there were a good number of tables already occupied.
The holiday decorations created a cozy, romantic atmosphere perfect for a date night, and the live music was a lovely touch. The performers played Christmas songs and smooth jazz, adding to the festive vibe. However, the restaurant's small space makes it clear they're trying to optimize seating. This led to the tables being quite close together, which made navigating to our seats and the exit challenging--especially with bulky winter coats. This might not be as much of an issue in the warmer months, but it's worth noting for winter diners.
In addition, the table arrangement left something to be desired. Most tables were angled toward the performers to give guests a great view of the live music. Unfortunately, our table (along with two others) wasn't angled, leaving my back to the performers the entire time. With a reservation, I would have hoped for a table with a better view.
For appetizers, we ordered the fritto di mare and grilled octopus. The fritto di mare was excellent--the calamari was fresh and perfectly breaded, and I appreciated the extra care in deveining the shrimp. The marinara sauce was a standout, with a subtle hint of creamy cheese flavor that elevated the dish.
The grilled octopus, however, was a bit of a letdown. While it was tender and had a nice charcoal flavor, it was slightly overcooked, leaving the outer skin with a slimy texture from the collagen. It was served on a bed of heirloom pumpkin purée with grilled blood oranges. While the purée was creamy and buttery, it didn't taste like pumpkin, and the flavors of the dish didn't blend harmoniously. It felt like each component was competing rather than complementing.
For our entrée, we really wanted to try the pizza, as that is what Sette advertises itself for. We chose the arugula pizza, expecting the thin, crispy, yet chewy crust that wood-fired pizzas are known for. Unfortunately, the pizza was a major letdown. The crust was soggy and sopping with liquid and moisture. I'm not sure if it was the toppings or the preparation, but it didn't live up to the expectations of a wood-fired pizza.
I'm unsure if these missteps are due to Sette recently opening and still finding its groove or if this is just how it is. I do plan to return in the summer once they've been running for a few months. Hopefully, with more time under their belt, the experience will improve, and I'll give another pizza a try to see if the outcome is different.
Overall, Sette offers a cozy ambiance with thoughtful touches like live music and festive decor. While some dishes stood out, there were several areas that left room for improvement. read more