Goccia D'Oro — Restaurant in Town of Babylon

My wife and daughter went here two nights ago for a family gathering. They both came home disappointed in the food. One dish was Linguine and Clam Sauce, the other Penne ala Vodka.

Service was outstanding. But how do you make linguine and clam sauce and it doesn't even smell like clams? Seriously, they brought home the leftovers because they didn't even want to finish it, and I checked it out personally. The clam sauce does not even smell like clams. Or garlic, for that matter.

The "ala Vodka" was missing. The pasta was red, because SOMETHING had come in contact with it, but whatever it was is obviously completely missing. Just tried it myself, and I can hardly taste any "ala Vodka'. Every other ala Vodka I ever saw was creamy, and stuck to the pasta. Maybe it's a regional thing. But no hint of pieces of tomato, or any other cheese or sauce except for the grated cheese the wait staff added.

But how do you make a clam dish of any kind and not have it smell like clams or garlic? The clams are there, but seriously, there is no clam taste or smell whatsoever, and it was pretty dry to begin with.

For a $10.95 pasta night, maybe you should expect bland food and leafy salad. On the other hand, don't you want people to come back?

Try it yourself, and come back and review it here. I'm wondering if it was the pasta night, or generally bland food.

If you want a good linguine and clam sauce go to Al-Italia. You'll pay more for it, but at least it's going to taste like...

It's a shame. This restaurant used to be wonderful. We went there for years before covid - always with 8 or more people. The head waiter, Carlos, is fantastic. The other waiters and busboys were always great too. And the owner used to be good. And the food and entertainment - was always good. But it obviously is no longer a place to go to. I have been calling to make reservations for a party of 15. I've left messages for a couple of days. I called AGAIN tonight - and I got a lovely young lady who tried to help but couldn't. Then I wanted to speak to the owner. And I did - and he basically suggested that I was lying and never called and left the messages when, in fact, I did twice before tonight's call. Note that, almost always, every time we were there we would grossly over-tip everyone - the waiter, the bartenders, and even the busboys. The tip would be over 35% each time. We USE TO love that place. It's an an abomination to suggest that a long-time customer would be lying about leaving messages. So now - we cannot go for the birthday party that we had planned. And now, 15 people who were to have the party know about this - and will never go there again. Especially, in these times, you would think a business would be on their game when it comes to customer service. But, no, not here. Certainly not anymore. So - thanks for the past - but the past is the past. And our group will never darken the doors of that...

We ate at this restaurant with a group of more than 5 people and it hasn't been the first time we ate here. This review is to help the owner and not hurt. Let's start with the service: The wait staff appeared to be inexperienced servers, handing food in front of the customer, being sloppy and dropping food on regular occasions. Not understanding when to buss the table and just a lack of etiquette at the table. Aside to not being able to communicate. The food was not good either. Tip for the Chef/Cook or Owner...if you see the food returning to the kitchen mostly uneaten and not taken in a doggy bag, ask why....you don't see that as abnormal??? The table had different seafood dishes and the fish was not fresh, it was smelly not fragrant. The atmosphere was nice, there was live music and the music kept everyone in great mood. Another positive was that they left you alone to dine and chat with your party so we were never feeling rushed. I know this place very well and frequented it even back when Ivano was running it. I don't think that you need to avoid it...The owner needs to step up and bring the Italian dining experience back...I know that there is a shortage of good help these days...but the owner needs a heavier hand....sorry!!! I am looking forward to returning and increasing my rating to 5 stars where...