Cucina Urbana Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Cobourg

My recent experience at Cucina was disappointing, especially considering that we are regular customers who visit every weekend throughout the summer when our son plays lacrosse in Cobourg. We’ve never been treated so poorly before, and this incident highlighted a significant lapse in customer service and management.

Upon arrival, we found both the patio and interior to be visibly empty. We simply wanted to enjoy a quick Caesar salad but were directed to the bar instead of being offered a table. Despite explaining to the manager that we would be gone before any reservations arrived, he argued with us and refused to accommodate our request.

A good manager would understand the importance of flexibility and customer satisfaction. Leaving room for walk-ins is crucial for attracting and retaining customers, especially those who might make spontaneous decisions to dine out. As regular patrons, we were surprised by the lack of consideration given to our situation, especially since the restaurant was clearly not at full capacity.

By leaving space for walk-ins, a restaurant can maximize occupancy, enhance customer loyalty, and build a positive reputation for being accommodating. In this case, the manager’s inability to make a simple exception for loyal customers left us feeling unwelcome and undervalued.

The restaurant boasts a beautiful setting with a spacious patio and comfortable indoor seating, the bartender was very pleasant and efficient, but the lack of attention to customer service by the male manager/host greatly detracts from the experience. An experienced manager should understand the value of accommodating walk-ins, especially for loyal customers, to enhance the restaurant’s reputation and customer satisfaction.

I suggest the owners consider retraining the older man seating patrons on etiquette, hiring someone with more experience or leave the task to the capable female hostess, who consistently goes out of her way to accommodate patrons. I hope the owners take this feedback seriously and make improvements to their management approach.

As regulars, we hope this feedback is taken to heart, and that future visits reflect the welcoming and flexible atmosphere we’ve...

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this restaurant. I really only go now to grab a drink on the patio in the summer time. The reason being is that if you don’t go here regularly then the owner doesn’t treat you well.

I will book a reservation (like for my birthday) and ask for a window seat and they say they will do their best to accommodate but make no promises. Red flag. When I arrive, the window seats are available but they will not give it to me and when I asked why, they said you need to book a reservation. When I said I did with that specific request they say, “sorry I can’t accommodate your request this evening.” THEN….a couple will walk in and they escort them to the window seat. The reason being is their regulars. Treating me like crap with a reservation makes me NOT want to be a regular here. Just saying.

The food is good, not amazing, not horrible, and the atmosphere is way too crowded and noisy.

Like I said, I only go here for drinks in the summer so I can have a view of the harbour and they always try to up sell me. I’ve even seen the owner pull the waitress aside and tell them to ask me if I want an appetizer. The answer for the third time is no.

I will always recommend Gusto’s in Port Hope at The Waddel hotel over this place. Food is beyond delicious for the same price and the service is terrific even if you are not a regular. They don’t discriminate.

Per your answer regarding the window seats. I’ve lived in this town my whole life and I’ve never been giving a window seat. Yes I understand that most likely everyone will want one given it’s the only restaurant with a view of the harbour. That being said, every time I go in and window seats are available you specifically tell me no Teresa. There’s not even a sign on those seats that say reserved, you always say no to me. Then u give them to a couple that walks in after me. Do you mind explaining to me that behaviour? Because I’ve reserved weeks ahead or a few days ahead with that request and you still say no. No other restaurant does...

Overrated and Underwhelming

My friend and I chose this restaurant based on strong reviews here for both service and food. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype.

We arrived on a quiet Sunday around 3pm and weren’t greeted at the door. A server eventually noticed us but offered no greeting and no smile, just pointed us to a table inside. It was a very hot day with no A/C, so we asked to sit on the patio. He led us to a table in full sun and told us it was the only one available. Later on we noticed another side of the restaurant with several empty shaded patio tables that were never offered to us. Apart from delivering the food, no one came to check in, refill water, or ask how our meal was. At the end the server dropped the payment terminal on our table and walked away.

The food was equally disappointing. We ordered the grilled calamari. It arrived in a skillet, but the dish wasn’t hot. It was very oily and salty, and the texture was soft and slippery, with none of the light chew or bounce one would expect from well-prepared calamari. It tasted more like rice noodles than seafood. Whether it was overcooked, boiled, or simply not grilled at all was unclear. We both love calamari and have had it at countless restaurants around the world. This one felt off.

We also ordered the special, lobster ravioli. It was served in a heavy cream sauce, which was slightly too salty for my taste but otherwise acceptable. The filling, however, was shredded to the point where it was hard to tell whether it was a lower-quality variant lobster, or something else entirely.

We didn’t bother to complain as the atmosphere didn’t make us feel like concerns would be welcomed, and frankly, we were just ready to leave.

We typically tip generously, but this time we left a small tip out of habit. In hindsight, we shouldn’t have tipped at all. We felt completely unwelcome and overlooked throughout the experience....