Amare Cucina Pizza Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

I have never been made to feel so uncomfortable on what was meant to be a nice dinner.

Upon arrival, it was somewhat busy but nowhere near capacity. We were waiting in the entry to be seated. As we were waiting there, a blonde waitress was repeatedly brushing past us somewhat aggressively with zero care.

After waiting 10-15 minutes, we were finally greeted. We mentioned we had a booking, and the response was an exhale and sigh, followed by 'alright..' as if we were an inconvenience.

Once seated, we waited about 30-40 minutes to order our food.

Our food came out. I noticed that my pizza looked a bit different to what I had in mind. Thinking that they got my order wrong, I did not say anything as I did not want to make a scene / make them feel bad.

2 minutes later, they came to the table with a second pizza. It seemed like that was the correct pizza and we suggested that. Still obviously confused though.

The older lady then grunts loudly, raises her voice and scolds me in front of everyone “You don’t just eat a pizza if it’s not yours. Next time, say something” and storms off.

So in summary, we were made to feel bad for them serving the wrong pizza.

We were left absolutely speechless and honestly felt uncomfortable, repulsed and embarrassed. Ruined our entire dinner.

We went up to pay later and she brings it up. We then say that we apologise for not saying anything, but argued back in all honesty saying “How were we meant to know what the pizza was meant to look like?”.

She laughs it off. She ended up removing their weekend surcharge but at no point was there an apology or any acknowledgement that she treated us horribly.

Worst experience I have had at a restaurant, with plenty of other reviews having had experienced similar things. Which is so unfortunate because the chef cooked us wonderful dishes, specifically the...

Visited earlier on during the day to make a booking and was told by lady at the door (red glasses) that there were no bookings and we were fine to walk in at 7-7:30, maybe a 10 minute wait for a table. Turned up at 7:30, then was told that no walk ins only bookings until 8:30, which she had failed to say earlier. I explained to her she hadn’t said this to me and she waved her hands in my face. After I walked out she then ran out to the front of the restaurant to yell at me for her own mistake, claiming I had yelled at her when I had done no such thing. She obviously is either stressed or has no clue how to run a restaurant. Working in the restaurant industry myself I understand the pressure she may be under but in no way s how she conducted herself acceptable at any level. Empty tables full of dirty dishes… people lining up to pay… people lining up at the door to try and get a table and she completely ignores them, hanging around the bar area running around like a headless chook but not really doing anything….? Can tell the gentlemen at the front is stressed, hope he can find some staff that can support him on the floor. Hope you guys can get your act together and maybe the older lady some lessons in how to speak to customers (a tip… don’t run out and yell at customers who want to dine in...

Do not book on a busy night and in more than 2 people because the kitchen and the floor staff will not be able to look after you in a proper way. Service was bad, in Italian and also we have been told at the table that because we were in many ppl we had just three choices from the menu, quoting the waiter “otherwise the chef will get upset with you”.

We initially booked for 9 and than another friend called and add on another 6 ppl (agreed by the manager).

The food was not ok, the quantity of fish in the pasta for some people from the party was very poor and a lot for others, plus precooked/over cooked pasta that Infact it arrived 5 mins after we ordered, way more before the drinks.

Don’t you dare to let the staff know, because they will take it so personal that the unprofessional cooking staff will come out of the kitchen and scream at you.

Sincerely sorry to have had this kind of experience since the other times that I have been there I had a delightful one.

Ps after leaving the review one the owner reached out to me on social media and insulted me as well for...