Tag-team of servers and ‘loud talker’ spoil chance of relaxing dinner at Ahwatukee eatery
By CRYSTAL PETROCELLI
Get Out

Wait: We walked into the boisterous wine store and cafe at the tail end of a complimentary wine tasting around 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday.

Service: The place was a whirlwind of disorganization (Bad voodoo from the over-the-top Lucille Ball memorabilia perhaps?). There was no discernible hostess/entry area so figuring out how to get a table in the swamped space was tough. Once seated, it took about five minutes before anyone noticed us.

We ordered drinks but before they arrived a second staffer, we’ll call her Loud Talker, stopped by unaware that we’d already been helped. Loud Talker, who semi-screamed the night’s specials at us, took our appetizer order anyway. Eventually, the first waitress stopped back by with one of the two drinks we’d asked for. We told her someone took our appetizer order to which she replied, sarcastically, “Oh, I looove that waitress.” Long story short, our service went on and on like this. Having two half-servers is not the same as having one.

What we liked: The soup of the day was a yummy blend of white rice, chicken chunks, artichoke and asparagus. The basic pizza and appetizer menu is bolstered by a handful of nightly specials. We sampled the Southwestern pork chops with rice and asparagus as well as the chicken alfredo basil with artichoke. Both were good — especially the creamy-but-not-too-rich noodle dish — but both were a little overpriced.

Scene: On this particular night, about 80 percent of the small, L-shaped wine bar’s patrons were women and nearly everyone (there were a few children) had a wine glass in front of them. Shiny wood floors and a wall- length, stacked wine rack gave the restaurant a fun cellar feel.

Bathroom break: The women’s private restroom needed a mopping.

Tab for two: $80 with tax and tip for cheese/meat platter ($12.95), bruschetta ($8.95), small bowl of soup ($3), chicken alfredo special ($14.95), pork chop special ($16.95), can of soda ($1.50) and two bottles of root beer ($3 each).

If work weren’t buying: Dinner is out, but I bet Wednesday’s free wine tastings (5 to 7 p.m.) would go great with one of Lucy’s thin-crust pies.

By CHRIS PAGE
Get Out

Wait: We arrived at 7 p.m. on a Thursday and were greeted by a packed room but no host in sight. After 10 minutes of wandering, a server told us she'd seat us, then walked off. Another 10 minutes went by before another server took us to the table.

Service: Perhaps because we were a few years younger than the bar's average thirtysomething suburban professionals (suppies?) and dressed more casually, our server skipped our table frequently to help other tables. Ouch. Other times, she just wasn't around. We couldn't help wondering, since this is an "I Love Lucy"-themed joint, whether our server wasn't back in the kitchen, frantically stuffing bonbons down her shirt and therefore unable to bring us our check, requested 15 minutes prior.

What we liked: Our mozzarella and tomatoes appetizer came with fresh — not toasted — bread, which we liked though it wasn't as the menu specified. We could be wrong, but our mousse truffle tasted from-the-can, though still pretty delish. But we raved about the spinach pizza, a simple whip-up of spinach, mozzarella, feta, minced garlic and tomato on a tasty thin crust brushed with olive oil. It was even better as cold leftovers the next day. Overall, we weren't wowed. This is standard wine bar food.

Scene: Ikea wavy-track lighting overhead dimly illuminates the walls covered in wine bottles and Lucille Ball mementos. We dug our silverware, hanging from a tabletop post-rack. And the back patio looks like a dandy choice for when the temperature cools down a bit. Nothing exotic here, just a typical wine bar with a little flair.

Bathroom break: The bathroom is clean and stocked.

Tab for two: $40 with tax and tip for mozzarella and tomatoes ($8.95), mousse truffle ($11.95) and spinach pie ($9.95).

If work weren’t buying: During dinner we browsed a pretty slick by-the-glass wine list, and we might return for an aperitif and another spinach pie. But will we have to croon a little Ricky Ricardo-style "Babaloo" to get our server's attention?

My Wine Cellar & Lucy’s Place
5030 E. Warner Road, Ahwatukee Foothills
Major cross streets: Warner Road and 51st Street
Hours: 3 to 10 p.m. Mon., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tue.-Thu. and Sat., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri.
Reservations accepted: Yes
Health report: No violations on June 2
Kid friendly? Yes
Web site: www.my-wine-cellar.com