Osteria Mezzaluna

Mandatory bread and water charge 3 euro per person on the bill, even though we said NO to water when asked by waitress. She took away the water glasses and starter plates from the table but brought bread basket to the table without asking, which we didn't touch for the whole evening. I would not complain about this if the staff was friendly at least, however waitress almost tossed the plates on the table with sad/uninterested face. I would not complain if this charge was on the menu as mandatory 'coperto' charge. But putting it in the menu as optional bread and water charge and then putting it on the bill even though customer had no bread and water at all is not fair. In the end we have not paid it but it seems the staff attitude is this kind of charge normal thing. Maybe this is a difference in Italian customer service in general vs rest of the Europe, the argument caused by this was unnecessary. The food - not bad but not great either. The beef carpaccio was sliced too thick and overpowered with lemon juice. Calamari ravioli had a dry filling which tasted and had a texture of overcooked white fish. House white wine is quite good though. The few good things were the live music band of 3 professional instrumentalists and the general look of the restaurant which is cosy and romantic. A pity it was a disappointment on customer service side and will leave bad memory. Please add to the menu that bread and water charge is mandatory - this will save you unhappy customers in the future.