Wait: We arrived a few minutes before 6 p.m. and were seated in a corner table by the bar.

Service: Things started out OK, but after we placed our drink order — a pair of iced teas in lieu of wine — it was apparent our server lost interest in us. Sure, he’d ask us how our meal was, but he was halfway across the room before we could respond, making it blatantly clear that he could care less. Furthermore, smiles and friendly banter were nonexistent (except for the busboy, who chatted us up several times — perhaps out of pity — and who, by the way, did most of the work anyway). Worst of all, we had to wait a good 25 minutes for our check; our server could clearly see us sitting there, he chose to ignore us. I finally had to ask the owner, who was working the bar, for our check.

What we liked: The complimentary hummus and warm pita bread was a nontraditional and tasty start to our meal; we also enjoyed our salads, topped with a delicious honey balsamic vinaigrette. Of our two entreés, we preferred the Moroccan couscous served with tender beef tips and topped with crisp chunks of zucchini and carrots. Scene: Dimly lit and cozy, Bravo! has an intimate and sophisticated feel to it. A small bar offers an impressive selection of wine and cocktails, while each table boasts heavy, white linens and a votive candle. The color scheme — deep red, terra cotta and greens — is what you’d expect of an Italian and Mediterranean bistro.

Bathroom break: Spotless and well-stocked.

Tab for two: $67 with tax and tip for bruschetta ($7), two house salads ($5 each), stuffed eggplant ($15), Moroccan couscous ($16) and two iced teas ($3 each).

If work weren’t buying: The food here is fine, and the ambience, too; but the poor service is unforgivable. No matter how swanky the eatery, customers should always feel like their patronage is appreciated; attitude — especially a cold, pompous attitude — has no place in a restaurant. Clearly, my business was not appreciated at Bravo!, which is fine, because I can think of dozens of other restaurants I’d rather give my hard-earned dining dollars to, anyway.

By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

Wait: We walked in at 9 p.m. on a Wednesday and stood around for a few minutes waiting for one of the staff members mingling by the bar directly in front of us to acknowledge our existence.

Service: Although the small restaurant only had three of its dozen or so tables occupied, we were seated close to the loud kitchen/restroom hall area. We weren't given menus and sat waiting, once again, for someone to notice us. After about five minutes, a server flew by saying he'd be with us in a minute but the man who seated us ended up as our waiter. After a bumpy beginning, things were fairly smooth although far from stellar.

What we liked: The tasty phyllo-wrapped shrimp appetizer — three plump shrimp cocooned in thin strings of crispy dough — was paired with a thin sweet chili soy sauce. We were left wanting more, both because the shrimp were delicious and because it was a $12 appetizer. Our main dishes — a thinly pounded chicken breast wrapped around fontina, mozzarella, parmesan and romano cheese and served in a mushroom marsala sauce and the halibut and baby clam linguini special — were both plentiful and enjoyable. The tiramisu was cold, light and perfect.

Scene: It's a cozy restaurant with a small outdoor dining area. The front of the restaurant offers romantic lighting but it gets brighter as you head back toward the kitchen.

Bathroom break: The women's private unit was nicely decorated and clean.

Tab for two: $95 with tax and tip for phyllo-wrapped shrimp ($12), house salad ($5), chicken rollatini ($17), halibut and clam linguini special ($25), tiramisu ($7), large mineral water ($5) and iced tea ($3).

If work weren’t buying: Three years ago, I celebrated a special occasion at this Mediterranean-meets-Italian restaurant and had an amazing meal with fabulous service. Sadly, my second visit left me longing for Bravo! Bistro circa 2001.