[48BorHoChiak] Via.Pre ~ Over-ratted Over-priced

I really have some deep doubts on Penangite's taste buds! I keep on getting good reviews from the Penang locals about how good this place was. I had visited Via.Pre TWICE and they gave me double disappointment! Despite of the good looks, and the high price, this is really not a place to enjoy good food.

Environment: Nice cozy environment but not the best. I dislike how they layout the tables. They should have place the small tables near to the wall, not the large tables. Consider that most large tables are used by  a group of people. People will have hard access to their seats when the large tables are near the wall. Plus, when the small tables are in the middle, single or couple visitors may feel so isolated with the large space around them.

Service: Bad English! When I make the reservation, I have some very very very difficult communication with the person who take my reservation! They failed to explain what's on the menu! And they failed to fulfill my request! I have to tell them so many times, that I'll arrive at 7pm! For my first visit, I do have bad experience over their services. Very slow, and difficult to communicate.

FOOD: NOT WORTH THE PRICE TAG! I do believe that they use some expensive ingredients. I would blame on the chefs.

Here's what we had ordered in our first visit:

Breads:

A bit hard and stale in taste. Plain olive oil.

Mezelluna Di VIA PRE:

Fish ravioli, this is the best so far, but my mom's homemade sui gao taste better than this one. Nothing so special about this dish.

Tagliata:

A bit stinky! In Cantonese, I'll call it "Chow Sow Mei".

Salad VIA PRE:

Acceptable, not a bad combination, some tuna+mayo dressing.

Calzone VIA PRE:

No comment... speechlessly... plain in taste! 

Creme Brulee Set:

Ok............. nothing special...

Tiramisu:

Ok................ not the best but just pricey.

Here's what we had ordered in our second visit:

Aglio & Olio Tutto Mare:

Most of the regular spaghetti have a large portion enough for 2 person. This is how Michelangelo and Italiannies serves their spaghetti. Thus, with the extremely small portion, Via.Pre is extremely over-priced. The pasta is too hard, seems like it's not well cooked. Overall, the taste is still good, the seafood are fresh. With the price tag, I'm not satisfied!

Tiramisu (Caffeine Free berry version):

I personally thinks that this is the best dessert in Via.Pre. Something really special and worth order. It's strawberry flavored, but without real strawberry chunks in it. It has some tasty sweet wine in it. 

Overall: 3/10 (7/10 for the strawberry tiramisu - but they do not make it often) You must make prior reservation if you plan to visit. They rarely serves any walk in customers. I personally thinks that this place is all about the "surface environment". You may saw some Eurasians 'working' at the bar, and one dressed up like a chef slicing meat. If you're really looking for some great Italian food, consider Italiannies. My next quest will be the Penang famous Bella Italia. Via.Pre no more! Kena tiok kao kao twice, given them second chance, no more third chance!