The Italian Bakery — Restaurant in Victoria

Last Saturday, at about 11:20am, I was at your cafe with my wife, and my five year old daughter. I ordered a latte for myself, a mocha with almond milk for my wife, and a “child temperature” hot chocolate for my daughter. I made it very clear that the hot chocolate was for my five- year-old daughter, and to not make it too hot. I also ordered a buttercream tart, two ginger cookies, and a marzipan star. Somehow this came to about $33.00. Given what happened next, I regret not getting a receipt to confirm that the charges were correct.

After we got our drinks, my wife took my daughter to the car, as we were on our way to ballet. I decided to get six more buttercream tarts, which had a displayed price of six for $18.75. The employee entered the price as six individual tarts, rather than as a group of six; she informed me that the price was approximately $22.00. I informed her of the $18.75 price, she replied “oh, that’s wrong” and proceeded to attempt to charge me the individual prices. Also, because she entered them as individual pieces, tax was applied. Baked items sold in groups of six or greater are considered groceries, and are not subject to tax. As such, I left without the tarts, this had already taken an inordinate amount of time and I had to get my daughter to ballet.

I would not even have brought that issue up, as false advertising and an overcharge of a few dollars is trivial. However, the reason that I am writing this review is because of what happened next. When I returned to my car, my daughter was crying. Apparently, the “child’s temperature” hot chocolate, which I had clearly stated was for a a five-year-old, was scalding hot and had burned her mouth. Luckily, we had cold apple juice in the car to alleviate her pain. I picked up her hot chocolate and the cup was still very hot; hotter than my latte. I took a sip and it was too hot for me to drink, let alone my little girl; minutes after we had left the cafe. Unfortunately, we had to leave immediately for ballet, or I would have addressed this issue at that time.

Needless to say, I am not thrilled with the service. However, I am absolutely livid about what happened to my little girl. Obviously, I have left this review, based less on the falsely advertised pricing and the employee’s unwillingness to resolve it (she didn’t even bother to check the card with the price on it), but more because of the terrible and painful experience that my daughter was subjected to. I am also sure that I was overcharged on my initial transaction, particularly given the employee’s lack of knowledge about...

I’m lmao at this place rn. I have been meaning to go here since ‘05, when it first opened before I moved away from Vic. I’m back now and have been searching everywhere for pistachio gelato. Walked into this place (it’s Italian after all, and they advertise GELATO). They only had a few of the most basic, basic, basic flavours, no pistachio or spumone :(

I asked them if they had any food or sandwiches and the person working there said no, they’re sold out. They only had a few sweet treats and it’s 2pm on a Wednesday.

I’m unsure how this place has managed to stick it out for so long in this location, as there isn’t really anywhere decent to park, there is no seating to sit and eat/drink, it’s on a busy street, has weird hours (closed on Monday Tuesday and Sunday? And some Saturdays?), when it is open during a fairly peak time they don’t have anything to eat. Lol! Oh well...

I've been a regular at Italian Bakery for many years, then, when Covid hit, they closed for what seemed an eternity ( because I missed them so much). My wish is that they'd go back to the old schedule, and open every day. I remember the luxury of "feeling" like an espresso on Sunday morning, and drive for five minutes (or walk for 15) to get it! I love everything baked, cooked, and served here, and, of course, the coffee. The gelato is to die for, and I have it often (Nocciola is my favorite). The staff is super nice and friendly, as soon as I walk in, my coffee is being made exactly the way I like it, I don't need to say a word! I brought many of my friends here, and they all loved the atmosphere and the food. I get my Easter and Christmas Panetone every year, fresh bread or bread sticks for my grandchildren. ( and me) PLEASE! open every day! Thank you! See...