Il Buongustaio — Restaurant in Brussels

Unacceptable Unprofessionalism and Disrespectful Behavior!

I have frequented this restaurant on multiple occasions in the past, and I have always appreciated the professionalism and courtesy demonstrated by the gentleman in charge. However, I must express my extreme dissatisfaction with the abhorrent conduct of the young lady who single-handedly ruined our dining experience with a friend. Thankfully, it was not a business lunch.

Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, an excessively loud group was allowed to disrupt the tranquility of our meal. Their incessant noise made it impossible for us to have a conversation without shouting. We sought assistance from the restaurant staff to address this matter, and it was only after catching the attention of the young lady, who was already preoccupied with the loud group, that we were able to voice our concerns. Due to the noise caused by the group, she was even not able to hear us while we were calling her.

To my utter disbelief, when I brought the disturbance to her attention, she callously declared her inability to take any action, citing the group as their "valued customers." What an utterly deplorable statement to make to a customer whose peace and enjoyment are being hindered by a rowdy group! I inquired as to how it could be justified to disrupt the comfort of other patrons simply because someone is considered a "good customer." Clearly, such behavior is inexcusable. What then, I ask, does this imply about us as customers in this situation? Are we considered "bad customers" for desiring a peaceful meal? Consequently, we hastily concluded our lunch, abandoning our unfinished dishes, and departed from the establishment. The terrible treatment we endured left my friend and me feeling utterly disheartened.

Imagine taking a valuable business client to this restaurant for a lunch meeting, only to have everything ruined by an atmosphere in which you can't even hear your guest due to the restaurant's indifference to the uproar caused by a group of clients. And on top of it all, the aforementioned lady has the audacity to inform you that they have the right to behave that way because they are regular customers. I have brought my business contacts to this establishment in the past and have also dined there alone. However, after today's abysmal experience, I unequivocally declare that I will never set foot in this restaurant again.

Consider...

Uitstapje met de collega's, grote groep van +20 personen, daarom hebben ze de keuzemogelijkheden beperkt tot 4 hoofdgerechten (trio van pasta met 3 sauzen, welke was niet voorhand geweten, escaloppe alla parligianna, escaloppe alla fiorentina en escaloppe de poulet aux pleurotes) en 3 nagerechten (tiramisu, trio van sorbet en tarte citronné). De keuzes moesten ook op voorhand worden meegedeeld voor een vlotte service. Heel vriendelijke en correcte bediening, het meisje deed superhard haar best in het Nederlands, de patron kon enkel Frans en Engels, vermoedelijk ook Italiaans. Akoestiek was echt slecht, soms moeilijk om de omzittende collega's te verstaan. Voor mijn keuze escaloppe poulet (niet op hun kaart vermeld) kon je kiezen voor pasta, légumes of slaatje als bijgerecht. Ik was heel blij met mijn keuze met slaatje want de combinatie met de pasta zag er heel wat zwaarder uit. Was echt een lekker hoofdgerecht. Omdat het citroensorbet op was, kregen we last minute nog mogelijkheid om onze dessertkeuze aan te passen; er was extra crème brûlée, tartuffo nero, tartufo pistache, fraise nature of ijs peche melba. Ik ben bij mijn keuze van tarte citronné gebleven, maar was toch heel anders dan wat ik...

Though food is acceptable and prices just ok - the service is horrible. It took 15 minutes to take order and another 45 minutes for the orders to arrive. One of the dish was even the wrong one. This restaurant is in the European quarters where most clients are office workers. We have limited time. Spare yourself trouble -...