Pulito Osteria — Restaurant in Jackson

I was sitting at the bar and just finished my meal when a man who identified himself as the chef owner came up to me on the service side of the bar and started to interrogate me; where you from, what you do, what did you do after the Navy, Then he leans toward me over the bar and said rudely " WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE"? I was taken aback and confused... I asked what do you mean? I'm here eating!! He continued with his abrasive ignorant tone and said; "give me a break, you've been in here every night for the last week and all you get is a bloody mary?" "Who are you working for?" The bartender was standing right next to him and I asked the bartender if this guy was being serious He just shrugged his shoulders and looked dumbfounded! The chef/owner stated in an abrasive and rude manner "yeah I'm serious! Who do you work for? " I asked him what the hell he was talking about? I just moved to Mississippi in November and into Jackson in January. I live 3 blocks from there! I'm retired. He said " yeah right, tell so&so I said hello!" And then he walked away. (I didn't here the name of the person he said to say hi to) The bartender was still standing there. I asked him what the hell was that all about? He said he had no idea.. I asked the bartender if the chef was being serious or messing around? Then the chef/owner stepped out from behind the wall only a few feet away where he was hiding and listening to my response to his ignorant abusive behavior and stated "yeah I'm serious, I have eyes I'm aware of what goes on here, leave and don't come back!" I said ok got up and left the place. I will never again eat in that place. What is wrong with him that he thinks someone would be spying on him or furthermore what the hell does he do there that would make him so paranoid to believe he's worth being spied on??? And most of all to treat a patron a perfect stranger so badly!!!!!! I feel sorry for the next disabled veteran/cancer survivor just trying to enjoy a meal and a drink one to many nights in a row in...

(WARNING PRICEY BLAND FOOD) Pulito Osteria offers a warm atmosphere with an impressive bar program. Charles, the bar manager, stood out for his knowledge of the seasonal menu and the chef’s commitment to using local produce. His recommendations and the overall beverage menu were a highlight of the evening. However, after I told him the chicken was under seasoned, he insulted the south by saying food here is overly seasoned and that we don’t understand seasoning. While rambling on he offered to bring salt insinuating that’s all the seasoning we know. I rejected the offer. Charles (the bar manager) was overly bragging about the items on the menu which ultimately fell short. Learn to recommend without over selling because my palate was disappointed. For food, the menu offers variety, but execution was hit-or-miss. I started with the Pork & Ricotta Meatballs (tomato gravy, parmesan). While the meatballs themselves were very dense, the tomato gravy delivered ok flavor and balance. For my entrée, I had the Roasted Chicken (half bird with fine herbs salsa verde). Unfortunately, the lemony salsa verde overwhelmed the dish, the chicken skin was rubbery, and the seasoning fell flat, making this a miss for me. On the side, I tried three offerings: Delta Grind Polenta with Parmesan — by far the best dish of the night. Creamy, rich, and perfectly seasoned. Spicy Fried Potatoes — crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and paired wonderfully with the polenta. Purple Hull Peas with Chili Vinegar — creative, but the flavors didn’t quite come together for me. Overall, the standout here is the bar experience but seating is limited. However, with its extensive beverage list and skilled cocktails, I’d recommend grabbing a seat at the bar to sip and relax. I plan to return to try their scratch-made pastas (hyped by the bar manager), but I’d skip the roasted chicken. Lastly, I recommend reservations for...

Good atmosphere and interior design. They advertise their restaurant as high end Italian restaurant food with high end pricing but the food is similar to other casual diner restaurants and below average . They emphasize serving authentic Italian pizza in wood fire oven but it was not even close to looking or tasting like real Italian pizza - might as well go get Mississippi style casual pizza else where for cheaper. The waiter didn’t seem to understand what neopolitan pizza means and didn’t understand the word Al dente. I was very much looking forward to good pizza since Mississippi doesn’t have good quality pizza but it is so true this Southern State just can’t understand how to make a good pizza. Other dishes were quite average in taste although was served in beautiful plating. The only good food I can say about this restaurant is their pasta, which is made from scratch and has good flavor with perfect Al dente texture. Because overall food quality and taste is only average and not high end, their pricing is absurdly too high and doesn’t match average food. Desserts were too simple and same as other casual restaurants and isn’t unique nor complex enough for a fine dining. I suppose people who aren’t exposed to real fine dining in other States will find this food unique and better than other nearby local restaurants but the reality is their food is not even close to the lowest quality of fine dining in other States. Food taste and quality needs some serious improvement to justify the high price. How...