Wallace’s Asti — Restaurant in Dublin

Visited here on Saturday 29th June 2024, having reserved a table. We had dined here previously and we were very excited for our return as we really enjoyed our experience previously.

When we arrived we were left standing in the doorway, nobody approached us and we made several efforts to get the attention of staff members to no avail. While we stood there, a large group of 6 came in behind us and were taken to a table while we were left standing there. There were only two of us and there was an abundance of available 2 seater tables, and there were multiple staff around who continued to ignore us. One staff member actually was stood in the corner on her phone the whole time- perhaps she was on a break, but another staff member appeared to shout at her while we waited. Despite all the available tables and multiple idle staff, we continued to be ignored!

Eventually my partner walked up to a waiter and directly asked could we please be seated. He asked did we have a booking (seemed like he was about to tell us there were no tables and then realised he couldn’t as we had a booking) to which we answered yes. We were then told we would have to wait, despite the fact we had just waited over ten minutes and there were a number of available tables! My partner asked why they had seated people who came in after us and was told very abruptly to “speak to the manager.” However a manager never made themselves known to us. If the said manager would like to make contact with me to explain why we were treated so abhorrently and apologise for the experience, I would be most open to that.

After a further 5 minutes, we were taken to a table which had been available the whole time since we entered the restaurant! So I am really confused as to why we had to wait a further five minutes when a member of staff finally bothered to acknowledge us (and only acknowledged us because we directly asked). There was also a very large puddle of spilt milk beside our table, which had been there from when we came in the front door. Even though they left us waiting for 15 minutes, they did not clean up the milk and then brought us to the table while the puddle was still there.

We again waited ages to order and eventually we had to directly ask a member of staff could we order. Again her attitude towards us was very unfriendly. She appeared to notice the milk on the floor and gave a disgusted look towards it, but made no effort to get it cleaned up.

Our food came very quickly and it was nice, although the portion of pasta was very small. When we finished eating, we asked for the bill. It was a male staff member who we asked, and he appeared to notice the milk. He then started to clean up the milk (again, this had been there from before we entered the restaurant) and did not bring us the bill.

We were then approached by a female staff member who very abruptly asked if we were ok, presumably as we were still sitting there having finished our food and drinks, because we were waiting for the bill- the same bill we had asked for ten minutes prior to this, but the staff member decided that it was more important to clean up the puddle of milk, the same puddle of milk that had been left there from before we entered the restaurant!

The female staff member then brought us the bill, she came straight with the card machine and asked us to pay right away. Not necessarily a problem but it just added to the overall bad taste in our mouths and the overwhelming obviousness that we were very clearly unwanted and unwelcome.

This is, by far, the worst treatment that we have ever received in any establishment and we were left feeling very upset and confused upon leaving. As stated previously, we had dined here before and were very impressed, and had been looking forward to our return. I am also aware that this review stands out amongst a multitude of positive reviews, and this only adds to our disappointment, sadness and sheer confusion as to why we were treating so appallingly.

Again, I would invite management to please get in touch with me to...

My reply to the restaurant: Thanks for getting back, however, I am quite sure there was no type of cream/sauce on that pizza (being used to both topinambour and “classic” artichokes from an early age, I could taste none of it and it’s really not pleasant to be treated like I am making things up), just like I have explained your staff when sending it back, and they didn’t come down with your explaination, or with any explanation at all. So, besides the lack of balance in taste I have experienced, it now feels obvious that probably your staff are not confident about the menu, or that you don’t simply care to get more prepared staff to deal with food being sent back.

If anything, if I’ll come back I’ll make sure to order the same pizza (provided it will still be on your menu), because I still can’t believe you could serve something that bland unless something was missing.

The kitchen kept serving other tables’ pizzas while we were waiting, so I honestly remain of the idea that the delay was somehow linked to the lack of taste in what I ordered. Hopefully I am not too optimistic.

Original review: I believe Wallaces Asti is one of the best pizzerie in Dublin, however, in this occasion one of the two pizzas ordered was missing an ingredient -plus the others being poorly prepared and balanced- and was really not good to eat (pizza “Eterna” without artichoke sauce tasted like a bad dessert) I wasn’t able to eat it and sent it back.

Unfortunately, this happened after “something” occurred (this is what the floor staff told us) which meant there was a delay with the pizzas which were then served after way over 30minutes from finishing a small appetiser. We shared the other pizza ordered (which was up to standard) since we already waited a long time and were by then late for another appointment, and the restaurant took it off the bill. I will stick to more “traditional pizzas” the next...

I am writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with the experience my mother and I had at your restaurant on the 17th of August at 3:15.

After finishing our food, we were immediately handed the bill without asking for it — a move that felt incredibly rushed and presumptive. To make matters worse, we were effectively forced out of our table while we still had more than half of our drinks left. We were made to feel like an inconvenience rather than paying customers, which is absolutely unacceptable.

We came to your establishment expecting a relaxing meal, not to be rushed out the door as soon as our plates were cleared. The prior communication stated that we had our table until 5pm.

This kind of treatment is not only unprofessional, it's downright disrespectful. If your policy is to rush guests out as soon as they've finished eating, then it should be clearly stated. Otherwise, customers should be allowed to finish their drinks and enjoy their time without being pressured to leave.

We left your restaurant feeling unwelcome, irritated, and completely dissatisfied even though i left a tip — not exactly the experience you want guests to associate with your business.

I hope you take this feedback seriously and address this issue with your staff. Hospitality matters, and based on this experience, it seems to have been...