Johnny D's in Wheaton (in 120 Ocean Place space)

They've looked ready to open for about 2 weeks. We live close and it was a beautiful night out on Friday so we thought we'd take a walk past.

Walked in and we were greeted and asked if we had a reservation. We, of course, did not. The older blonde hostess, almost scolding us, said "You're going to need one of those whenever you come here...I don't know if we handle walk-ins" and handed me their business card. We asked if it was the first night open and the woman said they weren't technically open but this was the first night handling customers. There were about 10 tables with customers and servers standing around so my fiance said "Um...can we get a table?" and she said okay, almost like she was doing us a favor. The blonde hostess was a little abrasive but we figured it was opening night jitters.

Our main reason for going was that we have a gift certificate for 120 Ocean Place. Before being seated, I asked if they would honor those and she said they indeed would accept them but only Monday-Thursday. That was found money.

We had a swim meet the next day so we wanted pasta. I also got a house salad to start. I wanted the Risotto of the Day but while that's on the menu, they didn't have it available that night. I had a fingerling cavatelli with vodka sauce on the waiter's suggestion. My fiance had meat ravioli with peas and prosciutto and a white wine sauce. His meal was good, the prosciutto had a perfect bite to it. Mine was fine. There wasn't a lot of flavor in the sauce but once tomatoes are in season it will probably be much better. I overheard our waiter telling the another table that he only had a few items off the menu which is probably why he suggested my cavatelli.

I'd say the menu wants to be upscale italian ($15 avg dish) but they also have items like a buffalo chicken sandwich next to the $35 filet. The dessert list was typical but they did have a white and milk chocolate fondue for 2 which stood out. We weren't offered a wine list but they are serving alcohol.

I'd say they have typical new restaurant jitters:

-general timing (bringing out the food in the middle of the salad, long gaps without seeing our waiter, etc.)
-waiter and another server asking if we wanted more bread but not bringing it
-bringing wrong meals to other tables (not to us but a few tables around us)
-items on the menu not available

Our server was good and our water glasses were always full which is a huge plus for me. I think it will be a nice addition to the neighborhood. There is, however, another upscale Italian place literally doors down that opened about a month ago. We'll go back for apps and dessert and mostly to us our GC.

They're open now. I was a fan of 120 Ocean Place... and truly sorry to see it go. My husband and I had some special memories @ the old restaurant and want nothing more than to see the new location succeed.

We went the night it officially opened and were so pleased to see so many of the former employees still working there. It was like coming home after a six month trip... the service was impeccable, because the employees know the place!!!

To bad the food wasn't. The location is amazing and the food less than memorable. Quantity does not equal quality. The polenta was excellent but my pasta was beyond al dente; the servers readily offered pepper for salads but no cheese for the pasta. Didn't make sense. My husband had the chicken parmigana (sp?) and there wasn't enough sauce for the pasta.

The food didn't match the environment. Let's hope they work on it!

(Wheaton doesn't need another pasta joint--really Macaroni Grill was better...Wheaton needs a good steak house. Let's hope someone tells them that!) I will says points go to whoever decided to put them on OpenTable!!!!

mrs.ricebag wrote:really Macaroni Grill was better

Ouch

Pretty much took them off my list, though I agree it is a very lovely space.

Anyone have anything more to say about Johnny D's? These reviews, which were posted around the time that it first opened, are pretty negative. We're going there this weekend with friends, who have dined there and claim that the food is pretty good. TIA.

I've found it to be very mediocre. The rumor is that they are closing soon, which is no surprise. It's hard to maintain this size space with minimal amount of people that it attracts. I've always thought that a downtown place, such as a Hugo's Frog Bar, would be a good addition here, but Wheaton needs more restaurants and places to increase foot traffic in order to maintain the downtown restaurants. There is a bistro opening on the corner from Johnny D's and a new bar two doors down from Muldoon's called "The Bank" that will be opening around May.

saps wrote:I've found it to be very mediocre.

Just wanted to confirm that Saps' opinion of this place is pretty accurate. This is a very nice space, and surprisingly was very bustling on Saturday night. We actually had to wait (with reservation) in the small, crowded bar area for about 25 minutes. (No apologies from the hostess upon our being seated after the long wait...Instead, there was some confusion when entering the dining room, followed by another brief wait for our table.) In any event, if they are closing due to lack of business, then we must have caught the place on a rare really good night -- it was hopping.

Despite Saps' comment, I wanted give them a chance -- I liked 120 Ocean Place and really wanted to like this place. Without going into too much detail, I was really disappointed by the quality of the food -- especially at these prices -- and the service. Prices for some entrees were in the $38-$48 range. Our server just as easily could've been at Chili's up the street.

I ordered the seared tuna, which, in hindsight, was a mistake. The quality and freshness of the fish seemed questionable, and it was not well-prepared. My wife's chicken saltimbocca -- a dish that you'd think they'd prepare pretty well -- was similarly mediocre.

Despite the nice surroundings, this place simply is not a very good value at this price point, given the competition. I'd love to see them turn things around, from a food (as well as business) standpoint, but I don't see it happening -- they almost seemed content with mediocrity, and overwhelmed by the prospect of a busy night.

Signs are up for a new place called "Paello's". Really, I hope this isn't another Italian place.

The restaurants are coming up slllllooooowwwwllllyyyy in downtown Wheaton but there has been signs of recent life. Cellar Bistro and The Bank look to be constructing and an awning (replacing the sign in the window that was up for like 3 years) went up for Genghis Grill. And that's your Downtown Wheaton update for June 5, 2007.

EDIT: Just realized my hearsay rumors could be considered "against the board policies" so I'll leave it with:

I heard that the same guy owns the new place though....

Sorry

lk wrote:EDIT: Just realized my hearsay rumors could be considered "against the board policies"

I'm not familiar with any official board policy on that subject, but it is considered good manners to avoid spreading rumors that could be construed as negative.

Best,
Michael