Dining Perfection in Windsor Terrace?

Last week the Park Slope Courier reviewed a restaurant, Da Vincenzo, that we've never been to (nor heard of for that matter--but that doesn't mean much given our current social life). It sounded good and all, maybe a little too good--it read like a paid-for advertisement. The kitchen, Marshall Slater writes, is a "bastion of sparkling creativity where favorite ingredients are supremely enhanced, old charmers given a new gastronomic verve and a litany of specialties keep you coming back for more and more." Not a single negative comment in the 30-paragraph piece. Is this place really that good? Da Vincenzo is at 256 Prospect Park West at Prospect Pl, 718-369-3590.
Savor All of Da Vincenzo's Charms [Park Slope Courier]

Comments

I live right around the corner from Da Vincenzo and have given it a try three times... And, no, it's unfortunately not that good. The food is usually overly oily. BUT, overall the taste is very good. Given that this is the most upscale restaurant - context is everything – in the neighborhood it makes it a pretty satisfactory eat. They also deliver now, which makes for a great alternative.

What is really great about this restaurant though, is that during warm weather they have outside seating and the place comes alive. (During this winter, it has been painfully empty). With Elora's in the next block, this stretch of Prospect Park West could potentially become a lovely row of restaurants.

Posted by: Armin Vit at March 31, 2006 11:04 AM

It is a paid advertisement. I had a friend who wrote for the Courier Life papers and they would always make him write these advertorials on stores or restaurants that spend money on ads in the paper. Spend enough with them on ads and they'll give you a story or review as well. Needless to say, this is a very biased review and means nothing.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 31, 2006 1:45 PM

this is at the corner of prospect avenue, not prospect pl. which doesn't cross ppw.

Posted by: a at March 31, 2006 2:43 PM

I went there with a group of friends 2 - 3 months ago. None of us enjoyed the food. Too oily is just the beginning...drowning in oil is more like it. And yet, still strangely bland. The service could have used help too.

Posted by: d at March 31, 2006 4:16 PM

Context is everything--if you live in WT and get your restaurant reviews from Courier Life, then this'll be fine for that rare night when you feel like eating out. If you moved to Brooklyn and surf the web for hot dining tips, you'll probably need to go pretty far off 9th Avenue to satisfy your appetite.

Posted by: Anonymous at March 31, 2006 6:09 PM

hows johnny macs on 11th and 8th ave

Posted by: Anonymous at April 1, 2006 9:29 AM

hows johnny macs on 11th and 8th ave

Posted by: Anonymous at April 1, 2006 9:30 AM

C'mon, surely you jest--a restaurant review in the local paper (the local, totally-dependent-on-local-advertisers paper) being *objective*? Most of these "reviews" remind me of my days in the travel-magazine biz, when 2 freeloading freelancers would stagger off a junket and start their article, "As we stepped lightly off our sparkling Avianca jumbo jet, full of gourmet food and right on time..."
(and no, we won't be trying Da Vincenzo, because life is too short for $16 spaghetti...)

Posted by: Brenda from Flatbush at April 1, 2006 9:39 AM

Never been to this place, but if you want fantastic Italian food try Vinnie's in Carrol Gardens. Smith St, off of Union. It is resonable and authentic.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 1, 2006 11:16 AM

I live right near the restaurant and hoped it might be a good neighborhood standby. It's really really not. Very mediocre food. If I want Italian, I order from Laura's Gourmet Kitchen -- good pasta and truly fabulous pizza.

Posted by: Anonymous at April 2, 2006 2:22 PM

Hear, hear, Anon 2:22... I used to live around the corner from Laura's on Vanderbilt Street and urged EVERYONE I knew to go and try their pizza. It's fantastic, and it's miles above and beyond the over-hyped (but still good) Grimaldi's in my new neighborhood of Bklyn Heights. I'll have to travel back to Windsor Terrace to experience Laura's once again.. I haven't been back there in three years.

Posted by: amanda at April 3, 2006 12:58 PM

i miss the original regina's bakery. anyone remember regina's as the backdrop of the ending of "as good as it gets"?

Posted by: kenny at April 3, 2006 8:09 PM

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March 31, 2006

Dining Perfection in Windsor Terrace?

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