Weinbar - Gallina — Restaurant in Berlin

No Tip, No Peace – Beware the Italian Drama!

I visited this place with a friend for an Espresso Martini and loved the vibe, so I booked a window table for 10 to celebrate my 40th birthday a month later. Everything seemed fine until the bill came. While chatting with friends, I casually placed my card on the terminal to pay my Espresso Martini, and suddenly, a rude tall dark haired Italian waiter SHOUTED at us, accusing us of not tipping—even though we were still seated, enjoying our drinks. He even had the audacity to say he hoped I'd leave a tip on my birthday. Shocked, I calmly told him this wasn’t the way to earn one...

Two weeks later, I popped in for a drink to get a feel for the place. Lorenzo, the manager, was friendly and reassured me the window table would be ready for my birthday. So, I kept the reservation and forgot about the italian drama boy.

The night before my birthday, I called to confirm—only to be met by the same waiter. When I reminded him it was for my birthday, he smugly said, "I remember you for not tipping," then casually told me he’d erased my booking and suggested I find another place. He told me to complain to the managers if I wanted. Some people really do use the little power they have to feel important in life.

I was worried I wouldn’t find a table last minute, but I got lucky. We managed to snag a big table at "Mariona," an amazing Catalan restaurant nearby, and had the best birthday I could’ve hoped for! But I felt the call to write this review as Its important to share how bad the...

I feel the need to write this review because although the environment is wonderful, vibes are great and the ambiance is super fun and cozy, my group and I had an awful experience with one of the waiters here. The service for the evening was fine, nothing special. But when it came time to pay the bill, the waiter, who is Italian, tall with dark hair, stood over me as I paid with card and said “In Germany, we have to pay tip.” I wasn’t planning on tipping since all I ordered was a glass of Prosecco, and service was just ok, but he stood over me making me feel uncomfortable and waiting for me to change my mind. Eventually I said ok, I guess I’ll add a tip, and I did. He was incredibly rude and intimidating as he did this and it made me feel really uncomfortable. He then did the same thing to my friend. I will not be returning to this place, even though it’s a lovely vibe.

Also, my same friend wanted to have her birthday party in this space and was willing to look past this uncomfortable moment with the waiter because it really is a nice environment. She was given a reservation and then the day before the party, the same waiter said he remembered her from our table, and that her reservation was canceled. She had to find somewhere else last minute for 10+ people which is not easy. There is something very off with this person who works there and I do not advise people to go...

The place is very nice and some of the food was great. However, the duck risotto was not great at all. It was lacking in nice flavor and the rice was undercooked. Basically, wet hard rice with chunks of duck that had several hard bits for €20. Also, the service left much to be desired. Our server was so concerned with pouring the exact amount of wine, bending down anxiously so as to not over pour by a drop, that she actually under poured. After 3 regular sips, my husband was at the bottom of his glass. She also offered us a glass of wine but told us we couldn’t have a second because that meant she’d have to open a new bottle and she couldn’t do that for us since it was a „reseve“. Overall, just not a pleasant service experience, and...