Manny's Italian — Restaurant in Greater Brisbane

Valentines Day, set menu. Was decent too. Entree, the scallops had a little grit from the shells they were served in, but otherwise good and cooked perfectly. Mains, absolutely EXCELLENT the portion size bang on (not small, thank goodness!) , and DE-LICIOUS (even sent compliments to the chef for their linguine), Dessert also good. Service, over all was okay BUT... a mix up at dessert and towards the end left us a little unhappy.

What we think happened is, we attempted to place the dessert order when ordering mains (2 pannacotta) but was told it's easier if we order desert at the end, which is cool. After mains, dessert just appeared but it was 1 pannacotta and 1 tiramisu... so we corrected the order, and asked the tiramisu be replaced... the young waitress took the tiramisu away and then returned with it, saying it was a set menu and we had to have it. We don't like tiramisu so, that wasn't going to happen and we all know how set menus work, a choice of the items etc... we think the young waitress may have inadvertently given us someone else's dessert order and because I insisted one of the dishes stay so my wife could start, she was left not knowing what to do with the tiramisu, and tried to save the situation by suggesting that we must have it. Fortunately, an experienced staff member turned up and sorted it all out. Bit of a laugh... it happens, no biggy. We eat our desserts (tasty!). The unfortunate ending came as I had finished mine (quick eater), but my wife was still eating her last spoonful or two, and a staff member came and asked us if we were finished and could she clear our plates. Wife literally stopped, and looked at the spoonful of food she was about to eat and we laughed... obviously, the waitress was looking at my empty plate but my wife still had food in front of her,... but, the awkwardness... the feeling of being rushed... that wasn't good. Overall, happy AND will likely go back again because their food...

I really didn't want to write this review but got to a point where I had to let others know. Firstly, their food is delicious. There is no question. It is incredible. The problem with this place though is the service. I wish it was an isolated incident too but alas. The first instance, I ordered via Uber Eats and after waiting for an hour, the restaurant calls me and tells me they still don't have a driver (not the restaurants fault) and may need to cancel the order unless I can go pick it up. Frustrated, I agree. I make the drive down only to then find my Uber Eats driver waiting patiently out front for my food. I questioned them on this and why they didn't bother to say anything and instead was told 'Its not our fault. Next time order directly through us - its much better and easier'. Disgruntled, I took the food and went home. I tried again using their delivery service. The delivery guy couldn't find our place initially and the food arrived cold - it was not transported in anything to even keep it warm. Then tonight I try one last time, having learnt from previous experiences and figured I would order online and go pick it up myself. Strangely, the menu is very small online so I called them to order and their response was 'No delivery today, its too busy. Pizzas only'. Admittedly, it is Valentines Day but still. To be told 'Too busy' and brushed off is disappointing. No where does it say on their website, socials or Google that they were running with a reduced menu for Valentines and effectively ruined our plans for dinner this evening. So while the quality of food is incredible, the repeated poor service lets this restaurant down. Should this improve, it would be a great place. I do not plan to give this place a...

Going to be a little honest. The restaurant was nice and clean and the staff were lovely and attentive. Unfortunately (not the first time) the 'Italian' restaurant is owned and worked by non-Italian chefs and owners! As stated this is not the only non-Italian Italian restaurant in the area, but when I go to an Italian, I expect the chefs at least to be Italian and not Indian (I think they were in this case, please forgive if this is incorrect). Another 'Italian' place we know is run but quite a few nationalities all except Italian! Being married to an authentic Italian I know that to get the best you have to have Italians cooking Italian food! Just the same as Indians cooking Indian, Chinese cooking Chinese cuisine etc. etc. I wouldn't mind if these restaurants were some sort of fusion cuisine, but it's sad to see non Italians thinking that some Italian music and pasta dishes will make for an authentic Italian restaurant. The gnocchi was a little rich and very loose and the pizza was no different from any other pizza place in Australia. As I said the owner seemed very nice and the staff do him proud, but should I go to eat in a Mongolian restaurant, I do not expect to see Texans (no offence to Texans or Mongolians or any other race for that matter!)...