I've not been to Penne for quite a long time (we used to go a LOT in the past). I decided to return with a friend for dinner. The renovation is brighter (I like the table cloths), but it looks a bit sterile (get some color on those walls). As in the past, the bread quality is still downright pathetic. It was back then and still is now. It's complimentary, but so is bread in France and Italy, and they present superb bread at their restaurants. Penne has no excuse to use cheap, white bread that's tasteless with no texture! It's just inexcusable. I don't think this will change as it's been this way for a long time. Secondly, we ordered the Caprese Salad appetizer. It, too, was a sad representation of what the real thing should be. I'm native Italian, and I would be ashamed to serve what I got. The tomatoes were those cheap, hard, pale ones (I know my tomatoes and there is better out there). What happened to red, ripe tomatoes? Also they sat on a bed of arugula topped with tasteless mozzarella (bufala type would be nice). Worst of all there was NO balsamic drizzle (a must) and no detectable dressing of sorts - just pale and tastless. Come on! It's obvious that Penne is cutting corners, and I'm sorry to say that I was thoroughly disappointed. For the prices charged (especially when dishes are even LESS expensive in Europe and higher quality), there is no excuse for the poor quality here. Sorry, but I wish it could've been a better experience.The other dish that I had (cappellini arrabiata) was pretty good. There is no finesse to the sauce, though - just a quick, thrown-together sauce. Too bad.
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