1 /5 Talia: Before writing this review, I want to note that I rarely leave Google reviews. Unfortunately, my experience at Johnny D’s was disappointing enough that I felt compelled to share.
This was my first visit after hearing many positive reviews, so I chose to dine here on New Year’s Eve expecting an elevated and elegant experience with two close friends. Upon arrival, we waited approximately 5–7 minutes before being escorted to our table. While we were seated promptly, we were not offered a choice of seating. I would have preferred one of the booths along the wall; instead, we were placed directly in the center of the dining room beneath the chandelier, which felt less intimate than expected for a fine-dining setting.
Menus, silverware, and water were brought quickly. However, I was surprised by the limited entrée selection approximately 7–8 options, the majority of which featured seafood. For guests who do not eat seafood, this left very few choices. When our waiter approached, his demeanor was subdued and impersonal, and I do not recall him introducing himself. He asked if we would like beverages beyond water and whether we were ready to order, with little engagement otherwise.
I ordered the burrata as an appetizer and the pesto pasta, adding steak, as it was one of the few non-seafood options available. My companions ordered the chicken parmigiana. After about a 20-minute wait, our meals arrived and were attractively plated.
Unfortunately, the execution did not match the presentation. While the steak and pasta were cooked properly, the dish lacked seasoning entirely and had very little flavor. The peas in the pasta were noticeably undercooked and unpleasantly crunchy. I shared the dish with my dining companions to confirm, and they agreed. They also described their own entrées as underwhelming.
Additionally, the bread served with my burrata was excessively hard far beyond what would be considered properly toasted. I chose not to mention this during the meal, as I did not want to seem confrontational or disruptive, particularly in what is marketed as an upscale dining environment.
Service was minimal. Our waiter checked on us only once. At that point, I was ready to receive the check. One of my friends requested a lemonade, which never arrived. When the waiter returned, he asked whether we wanted to-go boxes. I declined politely, yet he returned with boxes and proceeded to package our meals without further confirmation.
The final bill was particularly surprising. I was charged $55 for a pasta dish that lacked seasoning and included undercooked vegetables. Our total came to $144 for three entrées and one appetizer. Given the quality of both the food and service, this price point felt unjustified.
Overall, this experience fell far short of expectations. Based on the restaurant’s reputation, I anticipated a far more refined level of cuisine and hospitality. I hope these concerns are addressed, as I would like to see this establishment live up to the standards it presents.
