Needing sage advice - Is Fiola too expensive for what you get?

[Anonymous]

I'm planning a birthday dinner for the very near future. I have reservations at Blacksalt and Fiola. Fiola looks incredible, but it is tremendously expensive. I don't have money to burn, but I am willing to spend for an experience that is special. For those that have been there, is it truly worth it? Or is Blacksalt just as nice an experience for a special occasion.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Way too expensive. We went there for my birthday. Food was good but the experience was just not worth the money!!!! Appetizers were better than the main courses too.

I don't eat seafood so I can't comment on Blacksalt, but I wouldn't go back to Fiola. Wines are ridiculously overpriced too (they are in all restaurants, but Fiola's wine list seemed especially overpriced).

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for your response and your honesty... though I was hoping to hear something different
I want to avoid that gut-rot feeling when you get a huge bill after a mediocre dining experience, but we also want to try something new and the ambience looks neat at Fiola.
There are certainly bigger problems on this planet, but finding the perfect spot seems so difficult!

[Anonymous]

Why don't you do a dry run at Fiola for lunch? I have been for lunch for their "power lunch" special. I think there's a lighter lunch for $20 something and the heavier lunch for $30 something. It's 3 courses.

I did the $30 something lunch and it was wonderful. But I don't know how I'd feel if it cost 3-4x that at dinner.

[Anonymous]

PP here-- As for the ambience, it was your typical downtown "power lunch" scene. Not sure how different it would be at dinner.

[Anonymous]

I had lunch at Fiola, and my appetizer was great (but how can you go wrong with heirloom tomatoes and good olive oil?), but the pasta was mediocre.

The food at BlackSalt, in my experience, is reliably excellent.

[Anonymous]

I don't know about Fiola but was just at Blacksalt, and the chef's choice option where you select a fish and allow the chef to prepare it however he/she likes is excellent! They even hear your dietary restrictions/preferences.

[Anonymous]

I am lucky enough to have a large expense account. Would definitely recommend Blacksalt over Fiola.

[Anonymous]

If you like Italian, then Dino is to me a great restaurant at reasonable prices, or if you do the "pre-theater" menu at Tosca that is another great meal at a reasonable price.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks, guys! So helpful. Perhaps I'm strangely building up Fiola in my head, like it's some magical and gorgeous restaurant with phenomenal food. Also, I've been to Blacksalt before (and love it!) but wanted to try something new. At the same time, those 20+ appetizers and 40+ entree prices are no joke and give me pause. Again, totally willing to spend the cash (already paying a babysitter- I might as well go for it!) I just want it to be worth it.
Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Go to Tosca instead.

[Anonymous]

i went to fiola for lunch just once and thought it was good but not GREAT.
plus the location is weird, and it seems geared toward executive meals... so it's not like it's a great ambiance...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Go to Tosca instead.

Funny, I was just going to suggest that. I really like Tosca, have only been for lunch but the food is exceptionally good. Fiola is just good.

[Anonymous]

Tosca is delicious, but it's dark and feels like you're on a lower level. The decor is pretty plain too.

[Anonymous]

Also, the vibe at Tosca is even more "power center/corporate/executive" than any place I have been. Very formal.