Otto - No Class

Let me preface this posting, by saying upfront that I really like Otto. I've dined there several times and although I'm not incredibly fond of the pizzas, I am completely in love with the fabulous wine list, the cheese selections accompanied by truffled honey and rum-soaked cherries, as well as the magnificent selection of homemade gelatos.

So, it was for this reason that I decided to fork over $35 to attend one of the restaurant's new "Vino Classes." What a disappointment.

First off, instead of holding the class sitting down in the back room, all 25 attendees were asked to stand in the front barroom. Yes, yes, it was mentioned on the Otto site, I know. But, frankly, the location wouldn't have been a terrible slight, had the noise level from patrons not been deafening. I kept trying to get closer to the mild mannered wine director to try to catch what he was saying. Frustrating to say the least.

And, then there was the matter of false advertising. This is what the Otto Web site had to say about the class:

Intro to Italian Wine Classes include the basics of wine-making, an introduction to Italian regions and producers, tasting of six wines and paired with our antipasti. $35/person

A tasting of six wines paired with our antipasti? Suffice to say for the three whites, we each recieved two itty bitty slices of homemade sausage and a miniscule portion of smoked pork shoulder. I would be embarrased to serve such a stingy plate as an appetizer at my table. With the reds equally tiny portions of three cheeses were presented.

Now, I really didn't expect to be treated to a full meal, but I did expect that they would be a tad more generous than that. And, had they just not mentioned the antipasti on the site at all, I probably wouldn't have been disappointed - and would've eaten a full meal ahead of time.

Live and learn. Anyway, wouldn't recommend signing up for one of these classes. Save your money, belly up to Otto's bar and order one of their antipasti/wine tastings - a much better value.

Comments

[Laren]

This makes me very sad, partially b/c I'm going to the class this weekend. Did you give them any of your feedback -- they're really friendly there, and I'd imagine that Morgan (the mild-mannered wine director) would appreciate hearing ways to improve the classes.