Positano

Negative reviews always need to be taken with a grain of salt...and the chef could stand to use a few grains of salt in his or her cooking! I've only been here once, and my experience on Sunday was quite disappointing. I don't know if an employee or two was ill, causing stress for everyone, but the restaurant appeared to be vastly under-staffed. I walked in the front door and didn't see a waiter in a crowded dining room for nearly five minutes. Finally, I was seated, although I had to beg someone to take my order. Then I had to walk to the bar and rifle through menus to find a wine list. On top of all of this, my duck was burned. Perhaps the service is normally much better than this, but the mediocre food definitely did not justify the price of this meal.

When I first read about this place and the amazing feedback it had gotten, I was very excited to see for myself how great it was. Upon actually sitting down and trying the food, I was disappointed. None of the food is authentic Italian which is not surprising considering 98% of the employees in the restaurant are South American and Mexican immigrants. Nothing at all wrong with immigrants (having come from Italian immigrant lineage myself), but you can hardly call a restaurant authentic Italian when no real Italian influence goes into the food and there isn't even one cultured Italian chef in the kitchen. Despite claiming many things to be hand-made, the quality of everything was very average and unremarkable, quite comparable to the Italian to-go joint in the mall except triple the price. Flavors were bland, seasoning was minimal, and it almost seemed the food was tailored specifically for an ultra-basic, boring white pallette. For the amount of money they charge, the quality far under-delivers. If I could, I'd have taken back my money, rewinded, and just have cooked at home.

We visited Positano with colleagues and out of 10 people only one hadn't been disappointed. I rather liked the dish they served, but the others didn't like: 1) the taste of their food ('bland'), 2) the service quality (a waiter actually having poured olive oil on my colleague's clothes), 3) the restroom (filthy and fetid); many afterwards complained about heartburn.

What an amazing experience! My husband & I went here for the first time last week. The food was so delicate it was obvious it was made with quality ingredients & care! I knew by the time I wrote this my German brain would forget how to spell the waiters name . Regardless he deserves credit.. Ginjohn was so attentive & likeable. He took the time & patience to talk wine regions with us and how to travel Europe advice. Our dinner was a birthday dinner long overdue bc of some family issues. Thank you for making it special!

Unfortunately, this was my first and last visit. I felt uncomfortable the moment I entered the establishment. The hostess did not acknowledge my entry; however, after I had ordered a drink, I found that she had left her post and was watching me from the otherside of the bar. I'm not sure what she expected me to do. Meanwhile, the bartender shorted my change. Since I was under surveillance, I made sure the bartenders "error" didn't go unnoticed. The hostess did not leave the bar until I decided to sit at a table that had become available. She continued to watch me from her post. First and last.

If you're old enough to have remembered this space in the '70's when it was the site of Westport's own rock and roll club, The Players Tavern, coming here will spark memories! Fast forward, Positano's space offers a warm open environment and friendly mellow dining experience. You will actually be able to hold a conversation rather than being drowned out by loud house music. Welcoming owners, the staff very attentive, wonderful people, fun music, a vibe so very pleasant, this is EASILY one of my favorite places to go to spend an evening out. This is the sort of place where you leave feeling like you've just visited family. Oh..and the food is just out of this world!!!