Gusto Ferrari — Restaurant in Penticton

We drove all the way from Vancouver and have now tried to dine here three separate times, only to be met with complete disorganization every time.

First attempt? They completely forgot our reservation for 15 people — despite us calling and emailing in advance in 2022. Our most recent visit (July 25 at 3pm), We booked for 8 people over the phone in late June. The person on the phone confirmed they would close the kitchen at 4pm (this is also clearly advertised on Facebook — see attached screenshots).

When we arrived, the host/manager had the nerve to say she remembered our call but somehow had no reservation written down. Then she told us the kitchen was closed — at 2:30pm. She claimed we misunderstood and that it’s “always been that way.” Why would we assume our reservation was at 3pm then when we called? That’s a lie. The social media posts contradict her completely. She looked us in the face and gaslit us. No apology, no offer for takeout, nothing. Just shrugged us off because they couldn’t be bothered. We left because why argue if they are closed?

As for the food? It’s no different from any average Italian restaurant in the Lower Mainland. It only stands out here because Penticton doesn’t have much else. Maybe 1 other restaurant. Honestly, it’s not worth the drive or the disrespect. I’ve worked and managed in hospitality before and not calling your reservations back and just “cancelling” them without following up just because you want to change your times just is not professional whatsoever.

If you’re visiting Penticton or just want good service, skip this place. Poorly run, dishonest, and not worth the trouble.

Exactly. Poorly poorly run by a child who has no hospitality or reading comprehension skills. Coming from Italian immigrants—-Canadian hospitality in your business should be no. 1. The other one star reviews prove that. Small towns will boost ratings for each-other. Best of luck to this business and whichever tourist has the treacherous time eating there! You will be lied to and be served with the most...

You would think with all the rave reviews this would be the place to eat so we did. Family and friends went with the anticipation of wonderful Italian food. Well unfortunately our experience was definitely not a good one. Rude staff who you would think would take small suggestions to heart but only had rude responses to us. Carbonara pasta was horrible. Pasta used was all wrong but apparently if they run out of the right pasta then use whatever’s available without telling the customer in advance. Also, menu is very deceitful if you just wanted to order a highball which should not cost the same price as a cocktail but once the bill comes surprise no we read the menu wrong. Normally a good quality restaurant will try to please an upset customer with either a complimentary item or take the item they were dissatisfied with off the bill. Oh but that’s not the case here. You have a manager which definitely is not a manager more like a glorified kid come out to argue with you some more and then goes back in the restaurant to yell in Italian to the kitchen most obviously complaining about us. Then as we are leaving one of the most rudest cooks from the kitchen comes out to yell at us in Italian as we leave. Just tells us all we need to know… never ever go to this restaurant if you value being treated...

This is the second time I’ve been here. Again the food was great, but the first time I’m sure we had complimentary homemade bread and limoncello shots, which wasn’t offered this time.

The staff nice, but the service was quite disjointed and inefficient with different people taking orders and serving food that didn’t arrive at the same time.

I understand that this is a casual setting, but to me, the lighting inside (too white, too bright) makes it feel like a cafeteria. I noticed a beverage fridge (like in a convenience store) sitting against the wall in the dining area and one table had these cheap folding chairs. We opted to sit on the patio which has a much nicer atmosphere.

This Italian family-run restaurant has so much potential. With just a little effort, like placemats for the metal tables outside, better lighting and coordinated service, they could make this place a great,...