Asteroid Ristorante e Bar Italiani

06/29/2008 Posted by ucbstory

I will start with the positives. The food was okay...moving on. When the food arrived I was told that the cook had gotten our order wrong and had cooked us the steak that was on the weekly or daily special menu. I couldn’t remember how that steak was prepared, but it came with a different potato side and it was more expensive. The waitress said that this one was only a little more expensive and asked if I liked this instead, telling me that it would take much longer if I wanted the meal I had ordered. I would assume that it would be common courtesy for a restaurant that cooked a meal different than the one ordered, would, at the very least, comp the difference between the meal ordered and the meal actually prepared in a situation like this. Apparently this wasn’t a big deal to them. I politely asked for them to take the other steak back. The waitress looked at me like I was an idiot. I was annoyed, but decided not to make a big deal about it. The same could not be said for the staff at the restaurant. When the waitress went to one of the cooks to explain situation, I was able to hear the cook's ten minute temper tantrum loud and clear. He whined that the steaks were essentially the same and that I was an idiot for sending it back. This tirade went on for a pretty long time. Now, if they were essentially the same meal, it was news to me. When the waitress finally returned fifteen minutes later, she said that the chef sends his apologies. I guess I must have missed his apology somewhere between his tantrum, and his tirade of excuses to his superior about how I was being unreasonable (I wouldn’t have been so mad at the restaurant as a whole if it wasn’t for the fact that the supervisor and the waitress seemed to be agreeing with him). The waitress didn’t return to our table until we asked for the check. I dont think we will ever be returning, and I think the same can be said for the customers sitting around me. They were uncomfortable with the situation as well.

Pros: Great place to pay high prices for mediocre food

Cons: Horrible rude staff, food was mediocre at best

04/25/2008 Posted by jcey

Asteroid has been a favorite for years. The transition from Wallingford to Fremont took a bit of getting used to, but the new(er) venue is warm and welcoming (sit by the fireplace or the front windows). Live music and art (some for sale) are just a few examples of Marlin's commitment to community and the elements of graceful living. He has created an straightforward yet interesting Italian menu with the pasta standards and some fun fresh sheet items. Being vegetarians has never been a problem for us to find a tasty appetizer or meal (ravioli and gnocchi are great) and there have been occasions when the kitchen prepared something that was not exactly on the menu upon request. Marlin's wine choices, heavy on the Italians, have never left us wanting. They have affordable wine tastings on Thursday evenings with appetizers. And Asteroid is one of the few places in Seattle that you can actually get a limoncello or a choice of grappa. The service is gracious, prompt, and informative (we've never had problems with service noted by other reviewers). Asteroid is a special place that may not be absolutely perfect every time out, but it is always a place where you feel like your entertainment dollar was exceedingly well spent supporting a local, family owned, neighborhood place, with a big heart and huge commitment to people, arts, politics, and good eating.

Pros: service, food, Italian wines, fireplace

Cons: parking (but check out the lot behind the building)

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