Venice Italian Restaurant

My mom is vegetarian (and okay, granted she used to work at an italian restaurant) and really this place is not so friendly about that. They ran out of a lot of items, and we asked for stuffed mushrooms and after mentioning my mom being vegetarian, the mushrooms were stuffed with meatballs. HAHAHA. Wow.
Anyway, we got the Puttanesca. Bad idea. It was not flavorful at all, very much watered down (like you actually see it in the sauce) and apparently they charge you extra for splitting a meal. OKAY!
Don’t go here. You can do better and save more by making your own italian dishes. Even reheating frozen dinners is a better option.
Did I mention horrible service?

The place is in disrepair and the food resembles frozen dinners. Sorry, this place should be avoided.

I’ve such mixed feelings about writing this review, & really want to rate it higher, but will attempt not to be too verbose. This restaurant opened in about 1982, when I was working in the Las Colinas Area. I had many lunches here with staff, clients, and dinners with family and friends between then and 1988. We LOVED this place. Great atmosphere, ambience, food and overall experience. That is still the same. Piano playing at night, which they still have. So, to preface this review with the fact I haven’t been back in probably 15 years, onward we go.
Once going on-​line and seeing it was still open, WAHOO, had to go back and enjoy a late lunch after a visit with a friend in a nursing home in Irving. I so want to give it at least 3 stars, even 4, but some things were sorely lacking.
The main thing was service. I was the ONLY diner there @ 1500, along with two patrons sitting in the bar driniking. My server spent long periods of time visiting with them about mutual acquaintances, how they went out partying together, how they got so drunk, etc etc etc. Their conversations were loud and clear, obviously the patrons there were regulars whom she knew. There were extended periods of time she didn’t check with me about ordering. I once got up, went to the bar area to tell her I was ready to order. Okay, so much for that.
The first disappointment: My first two choices for lunch were unavailable… their seafood delivery had not arrived… no shrimp or scallops. Okay, on to another review of the menu. Ordered the Veal a la Venice. in a creamy dill/​brandy sauce with mushrooms & shallots, with added spinach, accompanied by a salad and side of pasta. I had taken 3 bites of the salad, and the entrée and side of pasta and spinach arrived. Much too soon… stopped with the salad so that the entrée wouldn’t get cold. The salad accompaning my meal was delish. LOVED the house Itralian dressing, very creamy and smooth. Veal was very tender, loved the dill/​brandy/​cream sauce. Tasty. However, it was overpowered with too many mushrooms, some of which were very «rubbery» (is that a word?).
I had asked for a «little» steamed spinach WITH the entrée. It was served on the side. (And a charge of $ 2.50 for two tablespoons of spinach?) Okay, I can spoon it into my veal dish. (The house glass of Merlot was great @ $ 5.50, a large sized goblet)
Overall, enjoyed the meal, but it seemed everything was not in cinc. I probably would go back if in the area to give this restaurant with many fond memories another chance, but wouldn’t make a special trip. Or… perhaps I should for old times sake? Chalk off today as an anomaly? (Located on MacArthur Blvd @ Walnut Hill Ln on the Southwest corner in a strip center)…Okay, I am busted, big time… I DID get too verbose. Sorry, had so much to say!