Il Bastardo

Like its older relative next door, Sette VII, Il Bastardo specializes in Italian cuisine in a space that includes a large bar along the length of the dining room as well as a private rear space. Despite the shared kitchen facilities with Sette VII, Il Bastardo is indeed the bastard offspring that feeds off its relative next door. Service can be quite spotty. On one particular evening, our own editors waited 25 minutes for a bottle of wine that seemed impossible to locate. (We offered to assist in the search or to choose a different wine.) After our 45 minute wait for entrees, the oblivious waiter returned to the table and asked, "Would you like to see the dessert list?" We replied we would prefer our entrees first. While the seafood dishes can be quite good, Il Bastardo is all about Tuscan meat dishes. Lamb chops are particularly good. The desserts are especially bad. Perhaps recalling its previously life as Viscaya, the former nightclub in this space, seeing and being seen takes primary focus here over service and being served. The space is charming and ambient lighting creates an interesting atmosphere.