I think the hype is what killed it for me.  Having seen Nora's on TV and reading all the positive reviews, I expected the best Italian food in town.  Especially since \"this is where all the chefs go to eat\", as per the Food Network.\n\nWe wanted to order the pasta puttanesca but the bartender insisted we order the house special pork chops.  So it was fried calamari, some kinda fried risotto balls with saffron, and the aforementioned pork chops.\n\nThe calamari was typically mediocre, the same kind you'd get at Cheesecake Factory and the like.  The risotto balls were decent, though there wasn't much cheese or saffron in it.  We felt like tools for listening to the bartender about the pork chops though.  It reminded me of Kitchen Confidential where the chefs try to push out the last of old meats on the customers.  At least the garlic bread was good, but they charge you for any additional baskets beyond the first.\n\nThis place just seems like an overpriced Olive Garden, minus the unlimited salads and breadsticks.