HER

By Katie Black

Being a high school senior I wanted to experience an exquisite dinner for two without the excuse of a dance. So Jon and I hooked up with our friends Devon and Eric for a double date. Thinking of places to go Jon suggested the La Piazza, an Italian restaurant in Troy.  Devon and I dressed in our informal (a night on the town dresses, if you will) while the boys showed up in suit and tie. Not knowing what to expect we parked and walked through the doors.

Two words can describe what I saw: Packed and Gorgeous. We were obviously not the only ones thinking of a night out, but the atmosphere was so friendly that I didn’t mind the hour long wait. Finally our name was called and we were off to be seated. Our waitress was a doll: Joking and being incredible friendly. Still trying to read the menu we decided to order an appetizer, the Bruschetta Florentine. While eating the delicious Italian toasted bread I contemplated what to order.

Finally making up my mind…I decided on the Capellini, angel hair pasta with tomato basil, shrimp, and mushrooms. Let me tell you I was floating through the clouds when I took my first bite. It was impressive.

Finishing up dinner with chit chat and jokes we ordered boxes to go and finally dessert.  Probably my favorite part of having dinner is the sweets. Contemplating what to order Jon was set on Tiramisu. Since his mind was made up that’s what we ordered. Happy with the coffee flavored custard I almost ate it all.

Leaving the restaurant I was happy that Jon had suggested such a lively and elegant restaurant. Impressed with the services and the food, I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a night out with your special someone or a group date. 

HIS

By Jon (Quincy) Vollmer

Katie and I wanted to have an elegant dinner somewhere fancy, so we decided instead of going to the dance that weekend; we would go out for a nice dinner with our friends, Devon and Eric. We dressed up like we were going to the dance, even though we weren’t, because we felt like it. The ladies were in beautiful evening dresses while Eric and I wore slacks and ties. Not knowing where to go, I suggested La Piazza on the square in downtown Troy.

Eric and I dropped the girls off at the door, since parking wasn’t readily available, and found a spot in the lot behind the building. Eric and I walked into the restaurant and the first thing I noticed was how crowded it was. Trying not to step on anybody we made our way to the girls who were waiting in the bar area. Devon had put our name in the hat for a table and she said that it would be about a half an hour wait, not bad considering how crowded it was. The atmosphere was very comfortable, lights were dim and it was very laid back. As we were standing there I kept receiving compliments from people around us on my piano key neck tie. 

An hour later they finally called our name for a table, and although it was twice what they told us it would be for a wait, I wasn’t too upset considering I was having a good time talking and joking with my friends. 

We left the crowd and the hostess led us to our table, a round one right on the edge of an aisle. It wasn’t too bad because all four of us were able to sit on the side opposite the aisle. The waitress came and took our drink orders and gave us all a glass of water. She returned promptly and asked us if we wanted any appetizers, Katie and I ordered Bruschetta Florentine, toasted Italian bread, topped with spinach sautéed in garlic and olive oil and fresh tomatoes in three different kinds of cheese and was quite delicious. For dinner I ordered the Cannelloni, fresh pasta sheets rolled around a combination of meats, herbs, and cheeses, baked and topped with tomato basil.

There was almost no delay in our appetizer being brought out and as soon as we were done with that bread and our salads were brought out. I ordered the house dressing on my salad; garlic Italian that was very tasty. The bread came with what appeared to be a home made garlic and herb butter that was very delectable. Our waitress was very friendly and personable and was very quick in bringing our dinner entrée out to us once we were finished with our salads and bread.

The main course was very delicious and although it resembled lasagna, the taste was nothing of the sort. It was a savory dish that was very filling and left me very satisfied. It was a little hard to hear each other talking at times do to the loud noise coming from the other tables in the dining room. 

As the meal came to a close, I insisted on ordering the Tiramisu for desert for Katie and me. The caramel and coffee flavored cake was delicious and melted in your mouth. We asked for our check which wasn’t too steep, considering the amount of food we ordered, and walked out into the brisk evening on the square. 

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