La Strada Ristorante Italiano -- 3/5

So we were wandering around downtown PA. Like always. Because let's be honest, unless you have a very distinct reason for going there, the only thing to do downtown is wander.

And of course eat, which is where this blog comes in.

There are plenty of Italian restaurants to choose from -- sometimes the Italian food mood just strikes, you know? -- and we landed someone randomly on La Strada. Basically, we were already standing in front of it at the moment of mood-striking. It was... well, you'll see.

1. Food -- 3/5 My food standards for University avenue are pretty high, and this straight up just didn't live up to them. I ordered the grilled chicken salad with Gorgonzola, almonds, and a Cabernet vinaigrette dressing on spinach, and my companion got the 'Casonsei Alla Bergamasca' house-made sausage ravioli with amaretto, brown butter, and pork guanciale. The salad was decent -- nicely dressed and almonds/cheese were paired well. Chicken was a little crispy though. The ravioli, according to my mom (because it was about to drown in butter-and-amaretto soup that looked like it could give me pimples from sheer proximity) went overboard. There's a way to utilize multiple types of meat in one dish without giving your customer a heart attack, and this is so not it. We (well, she) couldn't even look at the dessert menu.
2. Service -- 5/5 The host let us pick our own table (out on the curb, because we had the dog and going inside would've been a little illegal) and came by plenty to refill our water and ask what was up.
3. Price -- 3/5 This, unfortunately, is a risk you run at sit-down restaurants in Palo Alto. The salad was $10, the ravioli was $13, and desserts ran $7-9. Not gonna break you, but maybe not worth it for the end product.
4. Location and Setting -- 4/5 I think we've pretty firmly established that University Ave is a win in my book blog. Too bad it lost points for cramming the tables wayyyyy too close together.
5. Good for... Exploring (read: Narrowing Down) Your Italian Food Options

Good, but not quite good enough to warrant the (reasonable but not lovable) prices. It all tasted pretty good, but given the volume of Italian restaurants in this area I'm definitely going to explore before I ever go back. Also, sorry that was so short. So. Much. Anthropology reading.