Lil' Italy — Restaurant in Vienna

Title: A Slice of Heaven in Vienna: Lil Italy's Pollo Pizza Delight

Rating: ★★★★★

During our recent stay in Vienna, my girlfriend and I stumbled upon a culinary gem that turned out to be the highlight of our trip - Lil Italy. Nestled in the heart of the city, this charming Italian restaurant offered an experience that was nothing short of extraordinary.

Our journey into the world of Lil Italy began with the tantalizing aroma of freshly baked pizza wafting through the air. The decision was easy - we had to try the acclaimed "Pollo" pizza, a choice that would forever redefine our pizza standards. As a self-proclaimed pizza enthusiast, I can confidently declare that the Pollo at Lil Italy secured its place as the best pizza I've ever had.

The magic started with the dough, a testament to the culinary craftsmanship of the chef Francesco at Lil Italy. The freshness was palpable, as if the dough had just been kneaded moments before reaching our table. Each bite was a harmonious dance of flavors, a perfect symphony of the finest ingredients that tasted as though they had been plucked from the farm just hours prior.

But it wasn't just the food that won us over; the staff at Lil Italy added an extra layer of warmth and hospitality to our dining experience. Prompt service and friendly faces greeted us every time we returned. It's not every day that you find a team so passionate about their craft and dedicated to ensuring patrons leave with a smile.

One memorable encounter with a waiter stands out, as he recommended the Pollo pizza with such enthusiasm that he made us an offer we couldn't refuse. "Try it, and if you don't like it, you won't have to pay," he confidently declared. Challenge accepted, and let me tell you, we happily paid our dues because the food at Lil Italy was nothing short of spectacular.

As if the gastronomic delight wasn't enough, Lil Italy's heated outdoor seating area became our go-to spot in Vienna. A perfect setting to savor our pizza while taking in the city's charm, it made our evenings unforgettable.

Regrettably, our love affair with Lil Italy was cut short by our departure the next day. If only we had more time to explore the diverse menu and indulge in the delightful atmosphere. Lil Italy, you've set the bar high, and you've earned a permanent spot in our hearts. To anyone in Vienna, don't miss the chance to savor the flavors of Italy at Lil Italy - it's an experience that will leave you...

We originally just planned to have a beer but my wife decided she wanted food. Our waitress showed up and told us to change tables since the two of us were at a double table that could seat four. So we slid over to a single table, both of us staying on the same side with a cushioned bench seat since the iron chairs on the opposite side had very thin cushions and we didn’t need much table space anyway.

We placed our small order with the waitress when she came back. Then I asked if I could hold onto one of the menus (since I thought I might order another cocktail later). She said no, they didn’t have enough, dropped the menus on a vacant table, then walked away.

The negative vibes were now piling up so we made the decision to cut our losses and find somewhere else to eat. But it wouldn’t have been proper to just walk out so my wife informed the waitress that we’d changed our minds. The waitress responded that she’d already placed the order and couldn’t cancel it (it was literally less than a minute since she took the order so I’m sure cooking had not started yet), and if we left without paying she’d call the police!

What?! Yeah, that’s what I said. My brilliant wife said go ahead and call them. We’ll wait.

That’s when the waitress finally did something smart: instead of getting the cops, she went upstairs and got the manager. My wife informed the manager about what happened and how uncomfortable the waitress made us feel. He was generally professional and, while not going so far as to countermand his waitress, did say he would seat us elsewhere.

It still didn’t feel right but we agreed to this, and at the new table we had a very pleasant and attentive waiter. We again sat on one side on the cushioned bench at a double table without any objection (the adjacent couple was also taking up a double table, and there were plenty of empty tables). I didn’t ask to hold onto a menu this time since, well, that ship had sailed and I wasn’t going to spend any more money there.

The food itself I have to say was middling. We shared penne pasta with chicken. The sauce was good but the chicken was overcooked and a little tough.

If not for the friendly waiter and reasonable action by the manager, one star would have...

Tourist Trap Alert: Overpriced and Disappointing Experience

Our visit to this restaurant left much to be desired. From the moment we arrived, we felt like just another tourist to be taken advantage of—and the service and quality certainly reflected that.

We initially requested to sit inside because my girlfriend has severe outdoor allergies. However, the manager refused, stone-faced, without offering any apology or explanation. I assumed the indoor seating was full, but when I later went to use the restroom, I saw that the entire first floor was empty, with plenty of tables available and no reservations in sight.

Speaking of the restrooms, they were filthy. The floor was wet and greasy, and there was urine everywhere. It wasn’t the result of recent cleaning, either—the sink, mirror, and hand-drying machines were all caked with dirt.

As for the food, we ordered lasagna, pizza, and pesto pasta. The lasagna was decent, but the pizza and pasta tasted like they came straight from a typical tourist trap. Mediocre at best.

We also ordered two beers and a bottle of water, but despite requesting a glass for the water, I never received one. To top it off, our order was almost served to another table, and later, they tried to bring us someone else’s order.

One particularly bizarre moment occurred when the waiter asked me to stand up so he could adjust the sofa we were sitting on. The misalignment wasn’t bothering anyone, so I have no idea why he didn’t wait until we left.

Overall, the service was inattentive, and we were treated like we didn’t matter. The final insult was the bill—a whopping €85 for poor-quality food and terrible service.

Save your money and avoid this place unless you’re prepared to be treated...