An otherwise pleasant family outing was completely ruined by terrible service and disrespectful conduct. Traveling with a toddler, we ordered several appetizers right away, hoping for a quick turnaround. Instead, the dishes dragged out every 10 to 15 minutes, stretching our meal out so long that our two-hour parking meter almost expired. This delay was entirely unjustifiable given that the restaurant was empty save for one other table, and once they left, we were alone. The staff completely neglected our table, prioritizing preparing empty tables for dinner service over serving the actual patrons present.
Even the beverage service was careless. The busboy delivered my partner's 'Sicilian Slap' cocktail without performing the required slap to the basil. When my partner commented that the basil garnish looked wilted and dry, the busboy merely muttered, 'Oh, does it?' and served the drink anyway, completely ignoring the clear need for a replacement.
To make matters worse, when I struggled to understand the server's thick accent, I purposefully asked for his name to keep the conversation polite and ensure there was no disrespect on my part while asking him to clarify the evening's specials. Unfortunately, that courtesy was met with a culturally insensitive comment when he asked if I would prefer mangu instead. I genuinely had no clue what that was; when I told him so, he responded with surprise, asking, 'Oh, you don't?' before quickly saying, 'Never mind' and walking away. A simple, respectful request for clarity should never be met with cultural stereotyping, especially from a staff that is already failing at basic hospitality.
