Last Thursday my husband and I, joined by his parents, embarked on a little journey as we experienced the "soft opening" of a new restaurant. Everything about it was fabulous - free wine, free food, great company. Did I mention everything was FREE?!
It was such a perfect set up - the handsome Italian gentlemen standing at the doors, welcoming everyone in. And later, walking around to gather everyone's thoughts on the concept, taste, etc. Magnifico!
My husband and I were just thrilled to have a new Italian place opening its doors where a shuttered restaurant once stood. We love our neighborhood and its ever growing establishments - so this was a total win! Everything seemed to be perfect, but we were surprised to learn they had not modified any of the interior decor. We found that a bit bizarre, since restaurants usually have a very specific ambiance in place to establish the concept. Oh well, we thought as we chalked it up to having a somewhat blank canvas in the very minimalist decor that was already present.
We indulged in what seemed like a sea of endless small plates prior to selecting our main entrees. We all opted for varying dishes as to ensure we were able to sample a little of everything - Chicken Saltimbocca, Chicken Marsala, Fettuccine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken and Baked Ziti with Chicken Sausage. Wow - that's a whole lot of chicken. Where are the other Italian staples, like veal?!, I remember thinking to myself as we ordered. That being said, the overall consensus was that we were impressed. Pasta plates that somehow felt light and fresh? DONE.
As we were wrapping things up and they brought us our dolci to go, we saw the owner and chef both making their way towards our table. We were engaging in a brief conversation about the meal when the owner finally spoke up, "Well...Now is the time where I tell you that this is not actually an opening for a new restaurant, but actually a small tasting of a new, lighter fare menu for an already established restaurant. Any guesses on what it is?" We all first look at each other in shock and then notice the chef's jacket reads, MAGGIANO'S - we were mortified!
Not only was this all a sham, but they were recording the reactions of various customers. I guess the film crew was pre-occupied when the chef and owner were at our table, but picked up the soundbites of something they liked from my mother-in- law - so much so, we had to "stage" our interaction and re-do it altogether!
After we signed away any rights we have to potentially profit off of the use of our likeness in advertising, we were on. My mother-in-law re-lived her feelings for the camera as I sat there silently, hoping I would not be prompted to make a peep! We did a couple of "takes" and then we were sent on our way.
As I walked out, I had the immediate urge to ask this "owner" if he was even Italian. He was speaking in an accent and totally looked the part, but I wanted to know just how big of a fool we had been made of. Turns out, he is Italian; however, he was a hired actor to help them really sell in the whole opening of a new restaurant type of vibe. We. Got. Punked!
Much to our surprise, when we got home and started sorting through our goodie bags, we found that they had provided two $25 gift cards for each of us. A free meal, lighter fare, a taped segment AND $200 between the 6 of us? We totally crushed that dinner...
Regardless of the outcome, it was such a fun experience and we walked away with a greater respect for Maggiano's in the process - if not for the food, in the very least for their marketing efforts! While it is a bummer that a new restaurant will not be opening its doors, it is exciting to learn that chain restaurants are really stepping up their game when it comes to healthier, all-natural ingredients that won't compromise our waistlines. Small victory, right?
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