CIMA Enoteca — Restaurant in Hamilton

HORRIBLE SERVICE!!! We waited a half an hour to get seated, as there was a mix in the booking. An error that was on the restaurants part, not ours. When we finally did get seated I would have expected they would have offered us exceptional service. Instead they had one waitress serve 11 people. I had asked the waitress for Don Julio or a premium tequila, I was told the the only premium they had was Jose Cuervo Premium(which is not a top shelf tequila). After an hour our drinks finally arrived, I received no lime or salt to have my shot with. Then had to ask the waitress 2x to get me limes, it should be standard practice to bring limes with a tequila shot no? Everyone is quite upset and agitated, so instead of taking out my frustrations on anyone in the group. I thought I would make it known to the restaurant, how upset and disappointed we are in their service and experience. We all drove here from out of town to be here for a friends birthday and were extremely hungry, and it’s not like we can drink very much as we have to drive. We finally got our food nearly two hours later, and at that point I ate a slice as I lost my appetite from being so starved. The table was then approached by a gentleman who I believe to be the manager, as I only saw him once to check on us once our food had arrived. You think when you see a table of so many people sitting there for close to two hours he would go over and see how everyone was doing. He had asked who had written a review about the tequila, and something along those lines as I couldn’t really hear that well, as it was quite loud. I took ownership right away of who wrote the review, as it was extremely uncomfortable for everyone. I then told him the situation with the tequila, he had told me that it is a premium tequila and that they also serve Patron, and he can offer me free shots. I did not want any more shots as I was driving home. I just asked for our bill so we could leave. Then he walked away and came back and said he could offer my meal for free I said OK but that is not going to justify the fact that you have now embarrassed me in front of everybody at this table, nor will it give us back time to go hang out outside of your restaurant. This was extremely unprofessional and disgusting to say the least to confront me in front of 11 people and embarrass me. Shame on you! You should know better being a person in charge of a customer service based environment. I should have been pulled aside and discussed this with him one on one. Once I had said this he said you are free to leave like I did something wrong?!I just told you the truth I’m sorry that the service that you provided us today at your restaurant was horrible. I have the right to express my opinions, I’m sorry that they are not in your favour. Not only was the service horrible, but this whole confrontation that had happened was extremely shocking to say the least and extremely embarrassing, was that your intention? So I will take down the review?? This will be the first and last time I will ever eat at your restaurant!!! It’s greatly disappointing, as the the food was delicious. However I would not feel comfortable ever coming back again. I just feel bad for my friends will have to come back there, as this confrontation was extremely humiliating and uncomfortable not just fro myself but for them as well, and they had no choice but to be a part of it. So instead of the night being about a celebration for my friends birthday, this became one of the highlights and memorable moments of the night. I feel gravely sorry for that because it wasn’t my intention, but your manager has so inconsiderate and unmannered to approach this...

I would give 0 stars if possible. Here is why (families be warned):

Tried CIMA at Locke and Melbourne for the first time about a month and a half ago with my wife. Arrived late in the evening. The decor was nice and the food was obviously freshly prepared. Returned yesterday on a Tuesday afternoon at 4:30pm with a party of 5, plus 2 infants, 1 stroller (in case one fell asleep), and 1 diaper bag. There were no other patrons in the restaurant. Completely empty. The hostess/waitress was kind enough to push a table for 2 together with a table for 4, which left an empty space where the smaller table had been. Things quickly turned. We presumed wrongly that the empty spot would be perfect for our stroller. We were told that all strollers had to be left at the front of the restaurant near the entrance/exit. The reason given was that for safety or some liability regulation, traffic had to be free flowing. Odd considering you would think that all restaurants would have to comply with the same, but somehow manage to accommodate families nonetheless. We were also informed that the restaurant had no booster seats available. The hostess left for a moment, either to allow us an opportunity to prepare to move our stroller or to discuss whether or not to stay. We wanted to stay, so when the hostess returned, we mentioned that there were no other guests looking to eat at 4:30pm and that there was plenty of room to ensure that the stroller would not impede their staff. We were informed again that was not permitted, and we took another moment to discuss our options. Not wanting to inconvenience ourselves to access and benefit an uninclusive, inflexible "establishment", we left. Something stunk Hamilton and it wasn't my kid's diaper. Spend your hard earned money elsewhere. Come on CIMA! Be better. I will never return and will not recommend to friends (nor enemies for that matter).

Moments later, at 4:40pm, we called a different restaurant at Dundurn and Aberdeen (the Aberdeen Tavern) for a 5:00pm reservation that same day. We obtained the reservation, were welcomed immediately when arrived, were provided a table for 8 (2 seats being boosters), hot water to warm bottles, and the staff did not even mind when one of the 6-month olds fell asleep on their plush leather-backed bench seating. We enjoyed the 2-hour experience of drinks, appetizers, mains, desserts and coffee. It was worth it. All fantastic. Bravo to a real restaurant that values its customers and welcomes doing its job to the highest standard. Come on CIMA! Learn how it is...

Ended up here as we were in the area. Being Italian I knew it was a crap shoot. Ordered the Ceasar salad. Good portion and very tasty. We shared the Margherita pizza and Rigatoni Al Ragu Bolognese. The pizza looked great. There was way too much mozzarella for a Margherita type pizza. The dough was very chewy. Expected crispier for wood oven pizza. Having worked in a pizzeria growing up I know the dough was old. The rigatoni was a good portion. Looked good. However upon tasting it there was a very distinct flavour I couldn’t pinpoint. I asked the server who went to ask the cook. Turns out it was Star Anise. Not an unusual warm spice to use but not used typically in Italian pasta sauce. We ended up finishing it but both of us felt stomach discomfort for the whole day. I wouldn’t recommend it. The price was ok. The kicker was I asked for chili oil instead of chilli flakes. I received it in a small ramakin. It was very good. I knew they would throw it away so I asked for it to go. The server put it in a tiny dipping container. Come to find out they charged us $2.00 for it!!! What?? I couldn’t even say anything to the server because I was actually Embarrassed to do so. Had she told me there was a charge I would have said yes or no. That was not cool. Atmosphere was good. It was daytime so I’m sure it looks better at night. I was sitting on the couch bench side of the table. My husband pointed out the rest of the couch that was tattered and torn and one spot had a piece of tape on it. Nothing a quick material Makeover couldn’t fix. There should be more attention to detail. One table in the corner down from our table had been cleared and the hostess came to clean it. She sprayed some kind of cleaning solution on the table and we caught wind of it. Also not cool. Attention to detail here missing. She would have been better off to have sprayed the cloth away from the tables and then cleaned it. Anyways, we decided we wouldn’t go back again. There are much better places if you want delicious authentic...