Nicoletta's Table and Marketplace — Restaurant in Lake Oswego

Took my boyfriend her for our first valentines day date and i deeply regret not going to the Bugatti’s down the street. That places is much nicer that this with better food and the service is immensely superior. But. I live next door and Thought it would be nice spot for a romantic date. Sadly the hostess ruined the evening. We had a reservation. When we showed up there was maybe one table sat. Tons of open seats all over. Yet she sits us at the horrible spot next to the bathroom and the kitchen. Do not even know why they have a table there it was that god awful. I politely asked if we had to sit there as i absolutely did not want to sit practically in the kitchen under bright white lights. Hostest said they were too booked with reservations. I almost turned around and walked out but didnt want to make a scene and ruin the night completely. But the entire night it ate away at the experience and ill now always have this horrible feeling of embarrassment frustration as part our first valentines day together. Like it just completely ruined the romantic vibe and made me just want to get the hell out of there. All i wanted to do was go home. I was so irritated looking at a the couples being sat after us in nicer areas having such a great time. Will never trust this place with a holiday dinner again let a lone a take out order. The table was literally along a glass wall with the kitchen right there. Gave me anxiety the entire time having the entire kitchen staff practically a part of our date. I specifically chose a place that had dim lighting as i cant stand bright lights yet we were completely blinded by these horrible kitchen lights. Not only that but the entire hour we were there there were tons of two tops in our section that were in dimly lit nice areas that would have been lovely to sit at. There was also an entire other room that had plenty of seats that stayed empty until we left. Did not understand why we got treated so poorly. We had a reservation like everyone else and showed up before 90% of the other two tops that got sat that got sat in much nicer areas. Like who decides where we sit? Is this one of those places you have to know the owner or be part of some elitist racist lake oswego club to be sat somewhere nice.

It was so rude i am still bothered by it the next day. We still paid the same ridiculous over priced cost for some basic pasta and wine as everyone else but with none of the ambiance. I hope those hostesses are happy for ruining a moment by being control freaks incapable of accommodating the tiniest change to their...

I'm pretty disappointed even writing this. I'll start with the positive, the only reason I'm leaving 2 stars instead of 1. The Carbonara (with chicken) was very good. Walking in the host/hostess staff at the front were very friendly and seated me immediately. Other people than my main server helped me as far as topping off my water, bringing out the bread, etc. That wasn't my issue. I will note that I did see other guests having a MUCH more positive experience than I did. The other waitstaff for the GROUPS of people seated around me were very friendly making good suggestions, and advancing things in a normal timely manner, like a good server should.

However, I was a solitary diner which may have something to do with my negative experience. The waitstaff selected for me took longer than I thought necessary for a not busy evening to attend to me. I'm really not picky when it comes to servers, but I also was not oblivious to the fact I was being treated differently than the groups of people around me. It honestly felt like I was just brushed off onto one of the kitchen staff. The server wasn't rude or anything just didn't seem like a server.

This last part is partially my fault as I didn't want to make a fuss. After the way I had been treated before I didn't want to waste anymore of my time dealing with that mess, but I really should have. Trying to rectify that by leaving this review, so maybe they won't do this to someone else. I ordered a dessert that was recommended and it was absolutely awful. I was super skeptical even looking at when they brought it out because it wasn't the right color or visible texture. So I tried it and I think I had to take two bites to make sure that it was really that bad. It was so ridiculously dry and hardened, when it should have been moist and soft. The outside of it had a film on it, like it was stored all day in a case by itself on a plate and open to the air. The server noticed I did not eat much of it and mentioned it, but I just asked for the check. Which is when I found out that it was $11 (the dessert wasn't listed on the main menu). Pretty bummed out by the whole thing. That was the smallest percentage tip I have ever left. I feel bad doing that because I know they aren't paid very much but the service I was provided was worth even less than that.

The main food was good, but not good enough for me to put up with any of that again. Especially not for the price. Sorry, but I will not...

Guys. Stop what you’re doing. Right now. Drop it and go here. This very second. This place was AMAZING. Seriously. Amazing. I am Italian and from a LONG line of Italians. This is the only Italian restaurant my family will eat at. The exterior is unassuming but once you walk in, bam. It’s a quaint and homey feel. The front has their little market and I had to stop myself from buying multiple things. They have little Italian cookies, treats, sauces, ingredients and more. I had a reservation and was sat immediately. I had to be that obnoxious customer with a couple specific requests for my table. (My friend did NOT want her birthday mentioned by anyone and additionally I needed to ensure she didn’t get her hands on the check.) Our server handed my obnoxious-ness with grace and charm. We got a free glass of Prosecco adorned with a flower for her birthday and it was tasty! We ordered arancini for an appetizer. Creamy, cheesy and delicious. The sauce. Ugh, drooling as I think of their amazing red sauce. I want jars and jars and jars of it. The bread was sooooo yummy and we never went without. I ordered the carbonara, friend 1 got the linguini al asparagus and birthday girl got the primavera. Everything was AMAZING. They have an open kitchen and it was fun to glance over and see our food being made. It was so fresh and authentic. I could go on and on about that creamy, delicious pasta. We also got the sorbet and tiramisu for dessert. The watermelon sorbet is TO DIE FOR. All and all, thank you to the kitchen and staff for an amazing dinner. I will be singing their praises for years and years. Worth the drive (from Salem) or even from Italy....