Ago & Lillo Bistrot — Restaurant in Rome

I am bewildered at the high stars at this restaurant. Never have my fiance and I ever endured such a horrible experience at a restaurant. When we showed up - to a place that looked cute near the vatican - we were welcomed warmly. It took around 5 minutes to get the menus, then another 5 for still water. While we ordered a beer and a wine, they took 15 minutes more. Our order was taken when the water arrived, but took around 30 minutes to come to our table - despite there being 2 other tables in the restaurant with us. When the food did arrive, one of the dishes was incorrect.

However, the nail in the coffin was our server laughing with a friend over the incorrect order from the doorway. We are from Canada so I assumed he thought we didn't speak Italian. He told his friend that my fiance asked how big the ciabatta was, and if it was too much for one person. Then he laughed about how he rang in the right meal but delivered the wrong one, and we didn't object. All while vaping in the doorway.

We weren't thrilled, so as soon as they came by after 20 minutes of us finishing our meals, we asked for the cheque. He tried to persuade us to get coffee or dessert, but naturally we wanted to be anywhere else. In a massive huff, he printed and delivered the bill, then took another ten minutes to get the machine.

Never have I had such a poor experience. The food was mediocre, when delivered the right thing; the timing was far overdue in every single way; and the sheer insolence of the server angrily doing his job when we simply requested the bare minimum was beyond horrifying. Especially when they tack on a 4EUR charge per person for service and THEN ask for tips on top of that.

70 EUR for a pasta, a bruschetta, a fried artichoke, a pizza, a beer, a water, a red wine, and "service" charges.

If they step it up, then sure, give it a shot. Otherwise, avoid this place at all costs. There are far better restaurants across the square - and they have sunlight, good service, and...

Ate here last night and after being seated 2 other small families came in and were given menus and their orders taken before we had any drinks offered? We then drank our own bottled water as it was hot even in the evening and we needed a drink. 20 minutes later after the second time of calling the waiter he came to take our order. The pizza was good as was the burger which tasted great for €14 My chicken in Parma ham was dry - clearly left under the heat lamp for too long and even the sauce on the plate congealed. My wife had Spaghetti Carbonara and again, it looked like it had been left under the lamp as it was a congealed lump: the sauce on top had started to form as one larger skin. Also, within 30 minutes we were back at the hotel and my wife was sick. We had not eaten before this for several hours so I would say it was this food.

The bill came and they reminded us that the city tax on meals is NOT the tip and we needed to pay tips in cash directly to the waiters. We did not tip as the service was not great and the food was poor. Think it was just a bad experience for us and I rarely write negative reviews as I know it can impact a business , but it was not great and my partner was ill and I believe it was from the food here and therefore rated it...

Let’s start to say, Roma is crazy crowed and full of tourist every day every moment, I fully understand when you deal with tourist is easy get annoyed and become less kind… But if we ask: 1 mezzenaniche pasta carbonara and 1 spaghetti amatriciana, why tell us is not possible?? Because too complicated make 2 different pastas ?? In the end we have to take same pastas with only different sauces The quality is ok, carbonara was good, and it must be as we are in Roma The saltimbocca made with pork meat… I was expected veal.. but ok too The meat balls very generous portion The service is only attentive to make sure each guests spent the right amount of money, and you are not allowed to seat just for a drink… you must order food or no seat for you… Only one suggestion, we personally been in Roma for 7 days, and we wanted to go here every day for lunch or dinner, but we didn’t get satisfied for the 2 pasta we ask, so we went somewhere else Take care of your tourist guests, you never know who they are and how long they will stay in Roma and they could come back if the get satisfied , make 2 different pastas is kid simple work.. don’t make it looks so complicated, restaurant business is about...