Comments on: Review: Calli’s (Regent Square) http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/ A somewhat healthy slant on Pittsburgh's restaurants Tue, 13 Dec 2011 23:53:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Chef http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-1653 Chef Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:32:23 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-1653 I worked at calli's in aug 2009 for 6 months, due to the hardships of that place I have left. I am working at Calli's once more, and the service here is much better than before. I am even fixing up the menu, making it more presentable with better descriptions on the food. I take a lot of pride in being a chef and I will do my absolute best to ensure that the food is excellent. I have also noticed that the wait staff is much better and all new faces then when I was there before, and the staff now is much better. There is plans in effect to eventually get a better sign out, but since the problems just have been sorted out, it will take some time. I hope that everyone who had a bad experience would give this place just one more chance. Also, I am in the Army Reserves, so keeping the propoer food inventory while being professional is what a chef is all about. I worked at calli’s in aug 2009 for 6 months, due to the hardships of that place I have left. I am working at Calli’s once more, and the service here is much better than before. I am even fixing up the menu, making it more presentable with better descriptions on the food. I take a lot of pride in being a chef and I will do my absolute best to ensure that the food is excellent. I have also noticed that the wait staff is much better and all new faces then when I was there before, and the staff now is much better. There is plans in effect to eventually get a better sign out, but since the problems just have been sorted out, it will take some time. I hope that everyone who had a bad experience would give this place just one more chance. Also, I am in the Army Reserves, so keeping the propoer food inventory while being professional is what a chef is all about.

]]> By: mike http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-1436 mike Fri, 11 Jun 2010 01:45:26 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-1436 Argh. It's such a shame to see them fall down like that. I too went back a few times and started to run into degrading food quality and just general bad service. By the third time I went, they seemed to be able to make what I ordered but my salad was anything but fresh. The cherry tomatoes on my salad had even started to rot. Clearly, there have been some major missteps to bring them to that place. Argh. It’s such a shame to see them fall down like that.

I too went back a few times and started to run into degrading food quality and just general bad service. By the third time I went, they seemed to be able to make what I ordered but my salad was anything but fresh. The cherry tomatoes on my salad had even started to rot.

Clearly, there have been some major missteps to bring them to that place.

]]> By: Frances http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-1435 Frances Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:50:28 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-1435 I wanted to like Calli's. My husband and I went there several times last summer and fall and thought it was good food, although the service was bad. As of this spring, something has gone horribly wrong. We stopped by one evening in May around 7:30, past the dinner rush, and ordered the hummus appetizer. They were out of hummus. I ordered the turkey sandwich, but they were out of turkey. It took three tries to find something I wanted that they actually had available to serve, and it still took 30+ minutes to get the food to us. We thought it was annoying, but chalked it up as a bad night. Fast forward to last Saturday. We were there circa 4:30 for an early dinner. We ordered the hummus appetizer and turkey sandwich successfully. but when my husband ordered the italian sandwich he was told they were out. When he ordered a wrap, he was told they were out of tortillas. He settled for a burger. Then the waitress came back and said they had the hummus but were out of chips for it. At this point we gave up and left. This place had such promise, but has completely fallen apart. I wanted to like Calli’s. My husband and I went there several times last summer and fall and thought it was good food, although the service was bad. As of this spring, something has gone horribly wrong.

We stopped by one evening in May around 7:30, past the dinner rush, and ordered the hummus appetizer. They were out of hummus. I ordered the turkey sandwich, but they were out of turkey. It took three tries to find something I wanted that they actually had available to serve, and it still took 30+ minutes to get the food to us. We thought it was annoying, but chalked it up as a bad night.

Fast forward to last Saturday. We were there circa 4:30 for an early dinner. We ordered the hummus appetizer and turkey sandwich successfully. but when my husband ordered the italian sandwich he was told they were out. When he ordered a wrap, he was told they were out of tortillas. He settled for a burger. Then the waitress came back and said they had the hummus but were out of chips for it. At this point we gave up and left.

This place had such promise, but has completely fallen apart.

]]> By: kit http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-934 kit Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:23:25 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-934 We had a very nice time there this week. Went on a Monday night, so it was very quiet/empty. Service was attentive and very friendly -- "actively engaged" is how I'd describe it -- I understand this is not what everyone likes when they go out to eat, but we enjoyed it. Food was excellent. We had the meatloaf, the veggie chili, quesadilla with chicken, and the Calli's chicken (on waiter's recommendation). Had sides of the tomato bisque (YUMMMMMMM) and mashed potatoes with gravy and house salad. The vegetables are very good (and I'm not the world's biggest fan of vegetables). The carrot cake is humongous. Everything was delicious, and the service was informed and friendly. Prices are reasonable. No problem with noise from the televisions or staff or anything -- it was all very delicious, professional but friendly/neighborly service, which is really what I want in a neighborhood restaurant! I want to go back for brunch some time -- the pancakes sound incredible! We had a very nice time there this week. Went on a Monday night, so it was very quiet/empty. Service was attentive and very friendly — “actively engaged” is how I’d describe it — I understand this is not what everyone likes when they go out to eat, but we enjoyed it.

Food was excellent. We had the meatloaf, the veggie chili, quesadilla with chicken, and the Calli’s chicken (on waiter’s recommendation). Had sides of the tomato bisque (YUMMMMMMM) and mashed potatoes with gravy and house salad. The vegetables are very good (and I’m not the world’s biggest fan of vegetables). The carrot cake is humongous. Everything was delicious, and the service was informed and friendly. Prices are reasonable. No problem with noise from the televisions or staff or anything — it was all very delicious, professional but friendly/neighborly service, which is really what I want in a neighborhood restaurant!

I want to go back for brunch some time — the pancakes sound incredible!

]]> By: Maggie May http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-698 Maggie May Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:23:33 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-698 Have been there three times now...lunch twice, dinner once. Food is excellent and may sustain them, but the wait staff was...um...tacky? I was distracted by clothes that were too tight and conversations that were too loud (and none of my business.) The establishment was noisy...from the TV combined with the piped in music to the "fingernails on the blackboard" sound when the chairs were scooted in and out. I really hope they work out the kinks...it could be a nice place. Have been there three times now…lunch twice, dinner once. Food is excellent and may sustain them, but the wait staff was…um…tacky? I was distracted by clothes that were too tight and conversations that were too loud (and none of my business.) The establishment was noisy…from the TV combined with the piped in music to the “fingernails on the blackboard” sound when the chairs were scooted in and out. I really hope they work out the kinks…it could be a nice place.

]]> By: Cathy http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-533 Cathy Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:24:53 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-533 I was at Calli's with friends this afternoon - by mistake, they're a bit hidden - and thoroughly enjoyed their courteous, prompt service and even have a special order for my upcoming birthday. We didn't order a full fare, just one round of drinks but the chef, the owners and the waiter were rather obliging. Perhaps they need to hear of future constructive criticism? *Luv'd* the chocolate martini! I was at Calli’s with friends this afternoon – by mistake, they’re a bit hidden – and thoroughly enjoyed their courteous, prompt service and even have a special order for my upcoming birthday. We didn’t order a full fare, just one round of drinks but the chef, the owners and the waiter were rather obliging. Perhaps they need to hear of future constructive criticism?

*Luv’d* the chocolate martini!

]]> By: mike http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-473 mike Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:03:52 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-473 I agree Linda. Having a waitress follow you out is completely unacceptable. I would much rather a restaurant assume it was a mistake and give patrons a chance to realize their mistake and correct as they deem appropriate. <em><font color="gray">2009-10-24 -- added the rest of my thought. Apparently I left it out at first</font></em> I have actually started to hear quite a bit of Calli's criticism. Even on my first visit, there were a few rough edges...but I gave the fledgling establishment the benefit of the doubt. Now it seems that many of my visits positive aspects were a result of luck and the fact that Kate noticed I was doing a review and offered up a friendly face and some background details. I've since heard that Kate is no longer working at Calli's. It sounds like I'll have to go back and see how how much luck I have with a return visit. I agree Linda. Having a waitress follow you out is completely unacceptable. I would much rather a restaurant assume it was a mistake and give patrons a chance to realize their mistake and correct as they deem appropriate.

2009-10-24 — added the rest of my thought. Apparently I left it out at first

I have actually started to hear quite a bit of Calli’s criticism. Even on my first visit, there were a few rough edges…but I gave the fledgling establishment the benefit of the doubt. Now it seems that many of my visits positive aspects were a result of luck and the fact that Kate noticed I was doing a review and offered up a friendly face and some background details. I’ve since heard that Kate is no longer working at Calli’s.

It sounds like I’ll have to go back and see how how much luck I have with a return visit.

]]> By: Linda Bolgert http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-472 Linda Bolgert Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:23:51 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-472 Was followed out to curb by waitress because I did not leave a tip. I inadvertently left the wrong slip on the table. Also the hostess and waitress were having a very loud conversation about someone's pregnancy. Not something I want to hear during dinner. Was followed out to curb by waitress because I did not leave a tip. I inadvertently left the wrong slip on the table. Also the hostess and waitress were having a very loud conversation about someone’s pregnancy. Not something I want to hear during dinner.

]]> By: Aretha http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-465 Aretha Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:18:09 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-465 I am here sitting in Barbados and my mouth is springing water because of the delicacies from Cali's customer are describing. Soon I hope there would be some type of expansion. This young businessman is living his deceased mother's legacy in honor of her father. Typically, he has Caribbean roots and indeed we do not hesitate to to work hard. We know how to party also how to become business-like. Dancing would be unprofessional and you are in a restauarant not a club. Arthurm, have you been to a Five Star hotel and observed any staff serving customers dancing? Next time be responsible for your action and do not blame management...BLESS UP!!! I am here sitting in Barbados and my mouth is springing water because of the delicacies from Cali’s customer are describing. Soon I hope there would be some type of expansion. This young businessman is living his deceased mother’s legacy in honor of her father. Typically, he has Caribbean roots and indeed we do not hesitate to to work hard. We know how to party also how to become business-like. Dancing would be unprofessional and you are in a restauarant not a club. Arthurm, have you been to a Five Star hotel and observed any staff serving customers dancing? Next time be responsible for your action and do not blame management…BLESS UP!!!

]]> By: arthur http://www.foodburgh.com/2009/08/callis-regent-square/comment-page-1/#comment-431 arthur Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:20:19 +0000 http://www.foodburgh.com/?p=594#comment-431 i hate callis i worked for them and there management sucks big time i cant wait for this establishment to go under and i predict it happening very soon.The management needs work and there menus are so tucky that it gives the whole restaurant a bad name.oh by the way i got fired for dancing on the job while still working apparently you are meant to be miserable.Fuck u Damian(owner). i hate callis i worked for them and there management sucks big time i cant wait for this establishment to go under and i predict it happening very soon.The management needs work and there menus are so tucky that it gives the whole restaurant a bad name.oh by the way i got fired for dancing on the job while still working apparently you are meant to be miserable.Fuck u Damian(owner).

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