Molto Italian — Restaurant in District of Canberra Central

Carlo Tussolini (if I was given the correct name by his staff) is a physically/verbally violent and yet COWARDLY Manager/Owner of this Italian Restaurant in Kingston!! Beware!!!!

I went for dinner tonight, 13th of October 2023, and was verbally and physically abused by this man simply for critising and not accepting his explanation for serving me 7xpieces of Ravioli of the 'Pasta Special' at a price of $37!!!

That's right! $37.00!!!!! for 7 pieces of Ravioli!!!! Does he think it's a 5 star Michelin Restaurant!!! What!!!???

Anyone reading this review whom thinks $37 for 7xpieces or 'even 15xpieces' of Ravioli in a 'non-Top Hat' rated restaurant is justified, is an Imbecile!!

Upon paying my bill he asked, 'how was the evening/meal' ? I replied $37 is a bit much for 7 pieces of Ravioli. His response was, well this is not a cheap restaurant (words to that effect)?! What??!!! $37.00 FOR 7 PIECES of Ravioli!!! This is not the first 'high end' Italian I've visited!!!

As he continued on to argue (at this point relatively respectfully), I realised he didn't really want to take in the feedback and instead was trying to sell me his reasons for charging this 'GOLD VALUED price for a 7 PIECE Ravioli Special'. Hence, I walked out of the restaurant reiterating my point!!

As I walked away, he opened his side door (to the foreshore) and said 'C...sucker'! Wow!!! I returned and looked at him from the outside and said what did you call me? AT NO point during this whole experience did I use foul language!!

He walked out of the restaurant and started ranting and physically got into my face (no hand contact by him yet). As I stood my ground, he pushed me back with his chest. I stood my ground and did not let him push me back. Seeing that I was not as weak as he had thought, he grabbed me with his hand and tried to force me back at which point I again stood my ground!

His staff finally realised that he was not handling the situation professionally and that he was COMPLETELY in the wrong and came out to take him back into the restaurant. The male waiter (whom had been my waiter and was respectful during my dining experience) apologised to me and asked me to PLEASE leave (almost begging) but Carlo obviously kept on ranting and his staff kept on apologising on his behalf.

He was so unprofessinal that a Customer of his had to come out and calm the situation.

As I was about to leave Carlo came out again and said 'wait here mate I've called the Police'. I replied 'no problem I'll wait'. But his staff again asked me to leave and I replied 'he has called the Police I will wait until they arrive'.

So I waited and Carlo came back out and said 'sit down mate the Police are coming'. I replied, 'I don't want/need to sit down. I'll wait here standing until they arrive'.

A few seconds later another staff member came out and asked me to please leave and just wanted the matter over. He said, I'm a friend of Carlo and I'm just trying to resolve the situation.

I said to him 'mate, tell me what you want me to do, if he has called the Police I'll wait, if not, then I'll go??' He had no reply. I asked him again, he had no reply. I asked again, he said 'I don't know'. I said well go and find out and I'll stay if he has and I'll go if he hasn't. Again, a blank stare and no repsonse. At that point I walked away.

Obviously Carlo had not called the police (we all know why). Laughable and pathetic!

Appauling experience, owner/manager and a dispicable human being! At your age you should be ashamed of yourself!!! Carlo, you have no depth in character, lack maturity & are a Coward! I feel nothing but utter sorrow for you Carlo. Pure Sorrow!!!

At one point Carlo, you said never come back! Carlo, I can guarantee you that I would not set foot back in this or any other restaurant owned/managed by you!! even if I was dying of...

I just had a horrible experience with a passive-aggressive staff (must be the manager or owner because of how he was dressed) who discriminated against our group composed of international students. The moment we walked in, he was already being aggressive and was talking over me without letting me finish my sentences. He was making snide remarks which I find extremely discriminatory. When we walked in, I kindly asked for a table away from the centre of the restaurant that is very cramped, by the way. Instead of discussing our options, the staff in a condescending voice told me, "Just sit where I tell you to sit and we will give you great food." He said that like a drill sergeant commanding me what to do. I wasn't even able to finish my question. I and my friends were shocked. I felt extremely uncomfortable by that time and began discussing leaving. While talking among ourselves, he was making snide remarks by the table. Most of which I could not hear. I did not want to pay attention to him because I was feeling unsafe already as he was standing less than a meter behind me. But at one point I heard him say "We provide good food here. I don't know about your company." At that point, we just wanted to leave because he was getting more aggressive. On the way out, the same staff made another aggressive remark to my friend. It was a horrible, horrible experience. I just checked this review section, and found many similar incidents. I hope this staff--if he's the owner, oh well-- gets called out to stop him from badly treating customers from hereon. WHAT YOU COULD DO IS TO DISCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS FROM DINING IN HERE. I just did, called all my ANU friends, who plans to celebrate the end of the semester, to not pursue their dinner plans at Molto. I implore you to do the same. Let's give this owner/manager a taste of his...

I’ve never had a worse customer experience. We ordered via Uber and one of the $37 pastas was about a third the size of the other. Called to express my disappointment and both the barman and manager were so insulting, arrogant and rude I was almost speechless. The food is good but you would think they would want to know if their customers are unhappy. I was literally told that they didn’t care if we never came back. I don’t have enough space to write down the string of insults but I was shocked at the attitude. My mother has been in hospital five months. We are there every day . Was so looking forward to a quiet night in to regroup and relax which is not common. My impression is that they could not care less because they are busy enough. They even tried to tell me that the Uber driver probably are sone! It was clearly not touched. They were so busy telling me that my business doesn’t matter because the Prime Minister orders food from them that they could not even hear that what I was suggesting was that they just ask their chefs to make sure a full meal goes in! I’m sorry but I don’t care how good the food is .. if people treat their customers like this, just because they are not in the restaurant, it’s clear that any ‘good service’ inside must be less than genuine. I wish I had recorded the conversation. I’m not normally one to complain or leave negative reviews but this was extraordinary. We were planning on booking a large family group event based on another meal we had recently enjoyed via Uber … but I’m afraid that will never happen. And according to the restaurant we aren’t welcome anyway. We eat out a lot. So will be supporting those who treat their customers with respect. And can value feedback that might improve their service, and minimise the chance of further...