Il Torchio Opens Tonight

I went to culinary school, worked at several top restaurants and have high standards but I rarely consider a meal to be BAD. Tonight was an exception. Bacalao cakes were tasty, but the tartar sauce was overwhelming. Same goes for a soggy skinned porchetta with an overpowering saffron sauce that had an off-putting vinegar taste to it. Grilled scallops were drowned out by the porcini mushrooms in an accompanying risotto. The fritto misto was the WORST I've ever had: doughy, flavorless, limp batter. The special was boar chops ($21) which were chewy and oddly spiced (too much fennel seed?) and served with awful basil pesto mashed potatoes that could have been made with glue and an equally awful puree of some sort of bean. Despite expressing my feelings about the meal to management, the bill included all items and was almost $80. They did however comp us a mediocre tiramisu. I wish I liked the restaurant. I live in the neighborhood and could really use a tasty tapas place so I don't have to head to Casa Mono so often. My fingers are crossed that they will improve. As it is, I would suggest staying away.