Scalini Fedeli — Restaurant in Chatham

We've always wanted to try a highend Italian restaurant. And since we were gifted a $$$ for an occasion, we decided to try Scalini Fedeli since it was only around a 30 minutes drive.

The restaurant is on a main residential street. And if you are not familiar with the location, or do not use a GPS, you may miss it. It's valet parking only with only 1 valet; and on the night we went, was a bit large and on the heavy side.

Before taking the key to our vehicle, the valet politely pointed us to the entrance. The door to the restaurant resembles a side door on an average suburban house. It is on the side of the building with no awning or porch.

Upon entering the dimly lit foyer, we were greeted by a lady who asked for our reservation. We were then accompanied to our table. A waiter handed us our menus and picked up the spare table settings. A maître d' then came to our table and asked if this is our first time and if there is an occasion. We answered yes to both questions. He went over the menu saying it's a 5 course meal (although the menu says 4) and enumerated the specials. He also mentioned that we should order our dessert with our meal to cut down on prep time. When I asked about the discrepancy, he simply said, "we give you 5 for the same price anyway" without really explaining if it's a seasonal thing or not. He asked if we want to have any wine and we said to give us a bit if time to peruse through the menus.

While going over the menu, we noticed a nicely dressed couple midway through their meal. I saw the 3-inch thick 16 oz pork chop the man was having and decided that's what I want as well.

After a few moment, the maître d' returned and took our meal selection; we decided not to get any wine this time around.

The first of 5 dishes came. It was called Ecuadorian shrimp. It was 1 large shrimp prepared as described in the menu. Followed by our choice of small entrée. I happened to have picked the Ecuadorian shrimp and to my surprise, it was prepared differently. It was lightly battered in Panko and then glazed with a couple cherry tomatoes over a slice of shiitake mushroom. After our empty plates were removed, we received our main dishes. The 16 oz pork chops was nicely seared and the aroma from the herbs and spices made my mouth water with anticipation. I cut in and took the first bite. I noticed it was a bit salty. So I thought maybe it's just the outer layer. So I cut in a little deeper and picked out the center portion. Sadly it was also salty. I happened to look over the other table with the nicely dressed couple and saw that his pork chops was hardly touched and was being taken away by a waiter. I tried to get the maître d's attention but it was getting very busy and was missed a few times. I decided to pair my salty chops with the sauteed broccoli I side and it made it a bit more palatable. I asked my companions how their main course is and they both said the same, "salty".

The next course, we were all given a lime sorbet. It quickly cleansed our palates of the saltiness in preparation for our dessert selection. I had the mascarpone ricotta cheesecake. It was rich and nice with a couple of tangy strawberry in balsamic reduction. A nice ending to an almost good, first-time, high-end $$$$ Italian meal.

On our way out, we spoke to the lady who greeted us saying that all the food were well except for the main dishes which were all salty. With a hint of sarcasm, she said "I'll have to have a word with the cook".

We handed the ticket to the valet who went to fetch our vehicle. I tipped him as he handed back the key. The seat was pushed back all the way so it took me a few minutes to readjust the seat and mirrors back to my own preference.

Will I come back here? Maybe. Probably in a few years and when I get a nice bonus and just to see if...

The first dining experience. Once seated you are served with a delicious single large shrimp in a tasty sauce and crostini covered in onions - yes covered with onions that are a treat - both served gratis before you get your appetizer. The pasta carbonara is very good while I found the portion rather small - but the ravioli special (an extra $8) stuffed with porcini mushrooms are heavenly pillows in a light and flavorful sauce that melt in your mouth. Sorry to say the veal scallopini entrees that were served to my guest and myself were overcooked and dry - actually brittle when trying to cut through it. The accompanying broccoli were singed. I ate most of mine and she politely asked our waiter to bag it for her to take home. Later it went into the trash. During dinner we were asked if we were enjoying our meal and we replied that all is great. It was a nice night out together and neither one of us wanted to taint it with a complaint. The entree was followed by an outstanding lime sorbet that refreshed the palate. My guest loved the mascarpone and ricotta torte and I had the bittersweet chocolate truffle cake. Both deserts were a master piece. My truffle cake was not what I expected but one of if not the best chocolate deserts I have ever enjoyed. My guest had a lemon flavored cocktail and proclaimed that it was exceptional and had a second. I enjoyed a bottle of wine that I had brought along. Corkage fee $30. Service outstanding.

Over the course of the past year I have been there at least five times receiving both great and disappointing food. Yes, some great food and unfortunately over cooked veal, salmon, pork, burnt cookies and raw donuts were served. Not to mention potatoes, vegetables and pasta dishes that could only be left on the plate. Dinner for two for our first dinner with tax and tip $275.00. Later dinners - the average price per person about $160. No one in my family wants to go back again and now after several food failures - I am sorry to say that I am done with Scalini. I really tried to like this place and while I do not expect perfection, I do expect everything served...

So here is the scoop on this place, the food is on point as is half the staff. Corking fee on Saturday night is a little heavy ($30) but I could live with it) I go here quite often, or should I say I did until the straw broke the camels back. I had 8 people there for my wife's birthday, and go at least once a month, thousands a year. When you walk in to the dining room if you sit on the right side you get an older guy who is gruff, not attentive, and rude. Every time I have beens seated on that side I have had a bad experience. The other two waiters one in the middle and one on the left are on point, no complaints, great experiences. They have 3 small tables that are terrible, you are on top of people and get bumped into, spending this kind of money you don't want those tables. Last time i got stuck at one and after someone left they moved me. The maitre d said he had to sit the open table customer behind me in a good seat first because he didn't want a bad review, whatever finally got moved. So last night i had a reservation (I booked through open table figured maybe id then be a priority) and requested left side corner. I get there and he escorts me to the bad table in the center. I get if you cannot accommadate but call me and tell me. I ask to be moved, to any table not in the middle, literally 5 available, he says ill check and he leaves me awkwardly standing in the dining room fro 5 minutes, comes back and tells me he cannot in a condescending manner, sort of this or nothing. I left and this restaurant lost a regular, I will not go back at least not while the manager and the waiter on the right are still there. They could of called me before I got there and told me they could not accommodate my request, and they could of treated me with respect with how they talked to me, especially considering the amount I spend there, and the amount of people I send there. No customer should be spoke to like that! Very disappointing, but I went to il Capriccio instead and date...