Comments on Type A Diversions: The Corner Room - Portland, Maine

After receiving a gift card and waiting to use it ...

2009-10-04T19:48:53.773-04:00

After receiving a gift card and waiting to use it on my birthday, my husband, daughter and I visited the Corner Room. I was so excited as I frequently dine at the Front Room and have tried the Grill Room. Both of which I have been very happy with. After waiting for what seemed to be more than ample time to be acknowledged, a "water boy" filled up our glasses. He said our waitress

A friend and I ate at the Corner Room last night. ...

2009-09-30T11:40:23.314-04:00

A friend and I ate at the Corner Room last night. We enjoyed ourselves and have no real complaints. We got there earlish 5:30 and were seated right away. Our waitress was knowledgeable but did try to push the bigger portions. I inquired about the Lasagnette of squash and chard, and was told it only came in a "large" size but when I wondered aloud whether I would have room for a salad

I had lunch at the Corner Room, bland and boring P...

2009-09-25T10:06:45.083-04:00

I had lunch at the Corner Room, bland and boring Panini, but gave it another chance last night with dinner...even after reading these reviews and comments by others that seemed pretty negative. I hate to say that they lived up to the negative comments. The server, although she had a great personality and was very knowledgable about the menu, she was slow to take our orders for dinner, and

Went there a few weeks ago. It was the Worst Expe...

2009-09-24T15:44:40.852-04:00

Went there a few weeks ago. It was the Worst Experince I have ever had at a restuarant in Portland! We were passed over 5 times to be sat on the list. My husband even pointed out where we were crossed out a rewritten 5 names down. I didn't even let that bother me as I was so excited to try this place. Once sat, we waited for what seemed like an eternity for our waiter. We finally ordered.

There are two separate instances that I have been ...

2009-08-26T21:52:12.372-04:00

There are two separate instances that I have been to the new Corner Room which I will share with you.

Though quite frankly, my criticism will not be of the food, but of the wait staff. One time for dinner my three friends and I had above average meals, though our waitress stressed and pressured us in to getting the larger size entrees, which was not needed. If you are starving, go for

I just visited the Corner Room for lunch and order...

2009-08-21T13:33:35.527-04:00

I just visited the Corner Room for lunch and order the lasagna with egg plant, spinach, goat cheese and was told by the server that it was huge and could be shared. No way, it was small, mushy and very little spinach and I was unpleasantly surprised. Because we have dined at the Front Room numerous times and once at the Grill Room...$15 plus $2 for a small diet soda was horrible. I tried to

I've eaten at The Corner Room 3 times now, and the...

2009-08-17T15:39:36.357-04:00

I've eaten at The Corner Room 3 times now, and the food has been above average. I think the portion sizes are just right if you approach the menu like a classic Italian menu, lots of courses of reasonably sized dishes. My only complaint is the service. I overheard a manager telling the wait staff that "Waiting on tables is only 30% of your job", and it shows. Meals seem to

Just had a fabulous meal at Corner Room. Loved t...

2009-08-05T09:18:33.995-04:00

Just had a fabulous meal at Corner Room. Loved the mix and match antipastos and felt the portions were generous. My group of three women (who like to eat and can eat ALOT) had a bottle of wine, 2 veggie and 1 seafood antipasta, 1 bruschetta, 1 salad, 1 large pasta and 1 secondi, and 3 desserts and coffees for less than $50 each. We were quite satiated and thought it was an excellent value.

Clearly I dined at a different Corner Room. One wi...

2009-07-30T11:25:24.999-04:00

Clearly I dined at a different Corner Room. One with mediocre food at best (my pasta was significantly over-cooked and bland). Not sure what constitutes "traditional" portions, but mine seemed a bit scant. Maybe I'm just a "larger man". Wine list, however, was quite nice. Affordable, tasty options. The food was not enough to get me to go back. Everything just felt fake and

I've have dinner and lunch at the Corner Room and ...

2009-07-27T20:08:16.593-04:00

I've have dinner and lunch at the Corner Room and found meals to be exceptional. I could tell the staff needed more time to find their rhythm but everyone was pleasant and working hard in a very busy atmosphere. The pasta dish I tried, Gnocchi with brown butter and sage was exquisite. As for the portions I found the small traditional size just right but can understand a large man wanting

We were there last night for dinner. Simply....A...

2009-07-26T18:30:24.651-04:00

We were there last night for dinner. Simply....AWFUL. The bar area is nice, great Bartender John is there, other than that, awful. The Bruchetta appetizer stunk, my husband's pasta dish was a tiny serving, overcooked and dry. My mushroom pizza tasted fresh out of a frozen food pizza box...but worse. Can't say we would EVER give it another try. They should be ashamed of themselves for

I think a restaurant better have its act together ...

2009-07-15T12:56:45.527-04:00

I think a restaurant better have its act together & be "on point" before opening its doors. Sure, the staff & pace of the kitchen can be adjusted, but the food had better be excellent, high-quality & reflective of the Chef's concept. It is unfortunate & stressfull, but the first few weeks of opening are the most important for critics & regular patrons -- FIRST

Seriously...you are going to criticize a restauran...

2009-07-07T14:46:10.969-04:00

Seriously...you are going to criticize a restaurant that has been open less than a week? Let the darn place get their groove in place before you condemn and be the first to post a negative comment. Jeez....

We ordered the "large" size pastas, which cost $15...

2009-07-07T06:31:03.342-04:00

We ordered the "large" size pastas, which cost $15, and were appalled by how poor a value they were.

Really. Just appalled.

We'll wait a couple months and try again, but if they don't improve the value significantly, I'm very sorry to say that that will be our last time.

The portions were really small for the price. I k...

2009-07-06T15:22:41.907-04:00

The portions were really small for the price. I know the traditional size shouldn't be like an entree but at that price it should be bigger. I always thought the value was decent at his Rooms along with speedy service. The kitchen looked professional and everybody was moving but nobody at the tables was getting food. Again, it's the first week so it's best to give them some time.

Truthfully, it needs work. None of our 4 top's dis...

2009-07-06T06:34:47.879-04:00

Truthfully, it needs work. None of our 4 top's dishes were served at the same time; made for a not-so-great experience.

Understandable, as they'll no doubt work out the kinks.

BUT, does anybody else out there think that the pasta portions are just WAY TOO SMALL? All four in our party thought so -- and we're fans of the other 'Room's. Sorry, no way I'

Ate there tonight and the service was unbelievably...

2009-07-05T22:23:01.341-04:00

Ate there tonight and the service was unbelievably slow. It wasn't just us, it was everyone around us. We all kept looking at each other. Some of it had to do with our waiter. Seemed like a nice guy but was clueless with everything.

I never ever complain about service because I work in the food industry and waiting doesn't bother me, but this was absurd.

Nice

I ate at The Corner Room Friday night and thorough...

2009-07-04T11:23:31.977-04:00

I ate at The Corner Room Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed every part of the meal. Every dish was packed with flavor and the prices are quite reasonable. It's a great addition to an already competitive line-up of Italian restaurants in Portland.