Oggi a Milano — Restaurant in Etterbeek

It is with deep regret I have to give this one-star review, the truth is if I could give no stars I would. Which is a shame, because this is a beautiful restaurant with very good food. But wow, tonight’s service blew my mind in the worst possible way. Living in Brussels as I have done for 30 years, I am well used to “questionable” customer service, and therefore reluctantly accept it as par for the course. So it takes a truly horrendous experience to motivate me to comment and review.

The server tonight ruined our meal and our experience from start to finish. The issues were so numerous, they are too many to summarise so I’ve listed them in order below. I am also very happy to state that I am prepared to engage in DM with the owner/ proprietor of the restaurant if they so wish because I am truly furious. My daughter, a student aged 20, works in a high-end restaurant in the Châtelain area and I can unequivocally state that if she behaved as our server did tonight she would be sacked from her position in minutes, and rightfully so. Which leads me to believe that this particular person has some familiar connection to the management because I can’t think how anyone else behaving similarly would keep their job.

Before listing below, I also want to unequivocally state that this review relates ONLY to the Italian part of this franchise and not in any way to the affiliated Bistropolitan restaurant next door, nor any of their staff. We have dined in Bistropolitan many times and loved it.

So tonight:

Arrived at 19.23 to a completely empty restaurant. Greeted with a cold, unwelcoming stare and asked if we had a reservation. Said no but would it be possible to have a table for two. Was told to take our pick and figure it out ourselves.

Sat down and my husband asked if they had alcohol-free beer. Was told, “yes we have beer# No clarification each time he asked (he was driving so for us it was important!) until it arrived opened at the table and we were able to verify it was actually alcohol-free.

Starters arrived and were unceremoniously dumped with a clatter at our table. Goes without saying a smile never broke this server’s lips at any stage. But scowls were fully present and forthcoming all night.

She broke a glass - no problem, it happens. But it speaks volumes of her attitude that instead of apologising she said loudly to diners (in French) whatever, what do you expect, it happens.

While waiting for our main, a server arrived from the adjoining door and she shouted at him (three times!) while taking the plates, “Are you doing this on purpose” She said it in French, roughly “tu l’as fait exprès?” No idea what that was about but it seemed unnecessary and humiliating to her colleague and most definitely out of place in an expensive restaurant.

The worst incident for me personally was when I ordered a glass of of wine to accompany my main course and she lifted my apéro glass to take it away. I said politely “oh that’s not finished”. She retorted rudely “yes, it is finished” and grabbed the glass again. To which I replied “I’m actually the customer and it’s not finished”. Off she went in a temper.

To say the experience was awful because of this sever’s attitude is a huge understatement (she was the only one on shift tonight, Wednesday 24th September 2025, but in case there is any doubt she was working in the Italian part with a blond ponytail). When I asked her for her name she refused point blank to give it and said why do you want to know. I told her why and she said well whatever, have a good evening. Still refused with an attitude that sums up her entire demeanour.

This review has taken me a very considerable amount of time to write which reflects how strongly I feel about tonight’s experience. I hope it helps others. If this individual is serving, find somewhere else to eat. Otherwise, go next door to Bistropolitan or come back another time because the food is good and the decor lovely. Such a shame one individual can let it down so badly. We live locally but won’t be back while she...

The dishes are OK, though a bit on the small side. However, we did not feel very welcome, as the waiter announced, when we arrived at 13.15, that we would have to leave already at 14.15. When that time had come, he asked us whether we needed the bathroom before leaving, as he was about to change and go home. Quite a rude reception! Following your reply (many thanks), I would like to add that we also found the service quite 'minimalistic' the previous time we visited. We decided to give it another try, but were at least as disappointed on our second visit.

Furthermore, the so-called olive oil that was served with the bread tasted more like baking oil - no trace of olive oil there. Following your comment, please allow me to add that we both have a long experience in tasting olive oils, and that both of us had doubts as to whether it was genuine olive oil (let alone, virgin olive oil). Perhaps you should check your supplier, as the denomination 'olive oil' is sometimes used in a fraudulent manner. We maintain that we will...

C'est la première fois de ma vie qu'on quitte un restaurant tellement on est mal accueillis. Endroit à fuir absolument tant que la serveuse nous ayant servis travaille là.

En arrivant, notre couple d'amis nous attendait à table. L'accueil de la serveuse a été des plus froids (et ne s'est pas amélioré durant la soirée, au contraire). Du début à la fin, elle s'est montrée antipathique, pas un sourire n'a effleuré son visage, on avait vraiment l'impression de la déranger. Elle a renversé de l'huile juste à côté de moi, au lieu de s'excuser elle a jeté le menu qu'elle avait en main sur la table d'un air énervé et a essuyé en râlant. Je comprends qu'on puisse parfois avoir des journées pas top (cependant, au vu des avis, il me semble que son comportement pose problème depuis longtemps), mais cela ne justifie pas un tel manque de courtoisie et de manières. Elle a commencé à prendre nos commandes, et quand elle a réalisé que l'une des personnes de notre table était partie aux toilettes, elle s'est à nouveau montrée extrêmement agacée. Un peu plus tard, alors qu'elle prenait les commandes de la table se trouvant juste derrière mon mari (nous étions installés à la table du milieu, donc proches d'un peu toutes les tables), elle s'est retournée pour l'engueuler en lui disant qu'il parlait trop fort et qu'on ne s'entendait plus. Les deux personnes dont elle était en train de prendre la commande avaient l'air tout aussi choquées que nous de la situation et nous regardaient avec des yeux interrogatifs. Après ce moment de surprise, on a pris la décision de nous en aller car on ne voulait pas qu'elle continue à nous gâcher la soirée de la sorte. Quand on l'a annoncé au gérant en lui expliquant la situation, elle a fini par revenir à notre table, non pas pour s'excuser, mais pour continuer à nous engueuler, en disant que sa réaction était normale car elle n'entendait pas les commandes. On lui a alors dit qu'on comprenait tout à fait que cela soit dérangeant, mais qu'il y avait une manière de dire les choses, et que la sienne n'était pas correcte. Elle s'est énervée encore plus en disant qu'elle était pourtant polie. Vraiment aucune remise en question de sa part. J'imagine que les propriétaires vont répondre comme à d'autres commentaires traitant du même problème, en disant qu'il est dommage qu'un mauvais aspect entache le reste, qu'un commentaire pareil peut leur nuire beaucoup, etc. Eh bien oui, mais si vous preniez les décisions qui s'imposent, on n'aurait pas à rédiger un tel avis, et on pourrait peut-être passer une bonne soirée dans votre restaurant. Sur ce, je vous souhaite une bonne continuation, et bon courage pour continuer à travailler avec une...