Gelateria Milano — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

(Edit: Owner responded so have made some edits to clarify, nothing else has been changed. After their response, if I could change this star rating to 0– I would)

Appalling service and misleading descriptions. Haven’t been here for over a year (read edit 1.) but this experience still makes me furious just thinking about it. Ordered a single scoop of what I thought was rum and raisin (read edit 2.) Again, won’t even let you taste test so that should’ve been a huge red flag there and then.

Anyway, received my scoop and when I began to eat I was underwhelmed with how vanilla it tasted. Literally vanilla. I let a few of my friends try it and they all agreed that it was very vanilla and not rum and raisin at all.

So I took it back and explained what was wrong, and the young lady at the counter snipped back that “it was rum SOAKED raisins in a vanilla icecream.” So I pointed out that their description was misleading and there were hardly any raisins in my scoop, rendering it almost completely vanilla. I asked to exchanged for a different flavour, she looked at my cup and said “you’ve already eaten plenty, you’ll have to buy another one if you want to change.” There had been maybe four small spoons taken out of it. (read edit 3.)

I walked out and threw it in the bin. What a horrible establishment and equally horrible staff. (read edit 5.)

EDIT: Make that 7 years! Store owner kindly pointed that out to me. Shows you how rubbish the experience was that I still think about it when I visit Caloundra 7 years later.

Owner again pointed out it was Brandy and Raisin. Regardless; they chose a name that so closely resembles the iconic Rum and Raisin yet only in the smaller print underneath did they mention the brandy was soaked into the raisins. If that isn’t misleading, I don’t know what is! Perhaps rename it to Rum Soaked Raisins so you don’t ruin anyone’s day

Owner apparently remembers this day clearly but they were not even at the service counter, I was served by a girl and absolutely no one else. Not to mention the owner talks about a tantrum I “threw” when it was simply me explaining to the girl what I wrote above. And I apparently asked to put it back in the display!? I’m actually howling at how ludicrous this is!! 5/5 for creativity Gelateria Milano but you trying to explain this away by insisting I wanted you to put my “half cup of melted icecream” (your words) back in the display either shows that I’m an unfathomable idiot, or you’re desperately fabricating a tall tale to save this review. I was young, (would’ve been around 19 at the time) and something like this in person would’ve taken me enough courage to even try speak up about it to your staff member.

Did I buy a baby cup? I only ever buy single or tiny scoops from gelato shops so maybe— but why does this even matter. Still a waste of money and a terrible experience!

Owner pointed out that I had written a review about it on TripAdvisor. Totally forgotten that I had! No rules against writing bad reviews across multiple platforms though, right? Just read it now and I’m pretty pleased to see that my memory serves me quite well still and aside from a few details it basically describes the same terrible experience as I remember it. You should check it out because a review written closer to the event is much more reliable. Unfortunately the owner never responded to that one so we don’t have an immediate description of events from their side— Unless of course you believe that I asked them to put a melted cup of gelato back into the display...

The gelato was decent, nothing extraordinary, and the service left much to be desired. The owner appeared as if she were doing us a favour by serving, a touch of customer service enthusiasm and a smile would have been appreciated. It was rather impolite and disagreeable. Additionally, she was unkind and lacked professionalism with the young trainee girl. Certainly not a worthwhile expenditure, I would not suggest this experience to anyone. If possible, consider trying elsewhere for a more pleasant ice cream and service with a smile, just a few meters away along the esplanade by the water. Additionally, the response below is rather inaccurate and imprecise. The shop was empty at the time, and indeed, the street was quite deserted. I noticed there was a lack of customer service, and I definitely observed an impolite way to approach a newly hired trainee. I have no further comments to add, and I wish you well. However, do remember to wear a smile. After all, people return not only for the gelato, but also for the overall experience. There are plenty of places that offer icecream. Furthermore, I also appreciate the latest comment in response to my review, from G N (G inafranco N egri, the owner of Milano Gelati). It does seem a bit exaggerated, doesn't it? The husband commenting/praising on his wife "hard" work, posing as a dissatisfied customer upset with others cudtomers wanting to sample the ice cream... Honestly, folks should invest their time in improving their customer service skills rather than...

We have been patrons here for 17 years, and have had ordered the same birthday cake every December for the last 13 years.

I ordered my yearly usual for my birthday and came to find it poorly done, not correct, didn't bother to put the names I requested on there, with a heap of birthday sprinkles shoved on top. The owner was called by the waitress and he was very unbothered, and said he could not write the names on the cake as it was too small. It was not the correct size I ordered. He had called the day before to confirm the order pickup and neglected to state this. I was offered a 10% discount. There was no want or need to rectify anything. I told them I would not be buying the cake or taking it home. The waitress was very understanding.

Camilla and Franco valued their recipe, but above all, valued their customers. Displaying their awards whilst not exercising the same love and passion is...