A view from Giuseppe’s Italian Ritrovo in Bexley, Ohio
A view from Giuseppe’s Italian Ritrovo in Bexley, Ohio

I visited Giuseppe’s Ritrovo off of Main Street in Bexley for the second time last night. I was pumped to go back to Giuseppe’s because my first visit there resulted in a very reasonably priced experience. Of course, they comped us the wine that time since it took them so long to actually come over and visit us at our table. I must be developing a reputation.

Last night, we had nothing of the sort as due to the teeny tiny little winter storm most Columbusites remained violently shaking in the relative safety of their homes.I started off the meal with Giuseppe’s Zuppa del giorno which was Tomato Zuppa or would you say Zuppa di Pomodoro? This is not your Campbell’s canned Zuppa. In fact, nothing in a Campbell’s can can be called Zuppa. I should’ve got a bowl. Damn! That was tasty. It reminded me a little of sauce you would serve with pasta. Not too salty either. Soup can be very salty and I’m sensitive to that. Don’t want to be parboilin’ no cooks, neithers! Giuseppe’s Zuppa was perfecto. Do they say “perfecto” in Italian? I know they do, I’ve watched Italian movies. With languages you just gotta go with your gut and say it like you mean it. PERFECTO! I know cause I already blew Centine and Barbera – our wine selections.

Moving on then. We were informed of the specials for the evening – Veal Osso Buco served with spaghetti and Red Snapper served with vegetables. The Veal Osso Buco was Osso Goodo. It pains me that I had to look up Osso Buco. I know Osso means bone. And I should’ve known that Buco meant hole as in Buca di Beppo – apparently, Joe’s Hole in the Wall which is exactly what Buca di Beppo is. So this is veal with a hollowed bone. Did I say it was Osso Goodo? Meat falling off the osso. Tender – no knife required.

I hate to admit that I made the greenhorn mistake of not asking how much the specials were. I mean almost everything is well under $20 at Giuseppe’s. Well imagine my surprise when the bill came and the veal was $35 and the red snapper was $24. Their veal “special” was almost twice the average price of their entrees at Joe’s Restaurant.

Reminds me of the time, my buddy agreed to guacamole on the side at Chile Verde and got bitch slapped by the bill at the end. I tried to tell him – ask for the price first. Those servers will upsell you in a heartbeat and never mention the price. “But how much could a little guacamole be?” he innocently said. And here I am breaking my own rule. Ahhhh!

Although I will accept some blame, the next time a server fails to mention the special price, I will be deducting 5% from the tip right then and there. No questions asked.

For desert, we shared the Tartufo Espresso (according to the bill) but I could’ve sworn the waitress said Gelato Espresso. Good but way too sugary a coating. I think it was supposed to resemble coffee cake.If you go, ask for the price of the specials.

Giuseppe’s Ritrovo
Giuseppe’s Ritrovo Italian (duh!)
2268 E. Main St.
Bexley, OH 43209
614-235-4300

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