Antica Birreria Viennese — Restaurant in Rome

Before we came to Italy, we read online that you can tell when a restaurant is for tourists and not authentically Italian, such as having a huge menu in English with lots of options. We also saw things on the menu that are not “authentically” Italian, like spaghetti with meatballs and fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. We decided to eat there purely out of curiosity, especially since the reviews were all so positive. The food came out in a reasonable time and everyone who worked there was very kind, patient, and attentive. However, the food was just okay. Also, we thought it was very strange that they asked us at the end of the meal to leave a tip for our server because we’ve never been asked that at a restaurant in Italy. As for the food, we got the spaghetti with meatballs and the meatballs were pretty good but the focaccia bread was thin and crunchy, not soft and thick like we expected focaccia to be. We also got the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, and the chicken was just okay but the Alfredo sauce was flavorless. The basic mixed salad had a good mix of veggies but also had corn in it which we all thought was weird and have never seen in any Italian salad but we liked it. We shared the calzone with spicy salami and it was absolutely delicious, definitely my favorite thing we had in this meal. They were also nice enough to come and cut it into pieces for us, which we appreciated. The fried chicken with fries was like a thin chicken patty and the fries were decent and salty. My husband got the grilled sliced beef with arugula and cheese, and that was very well cooked and delicious. Overall, it was a decent meal, but we wouldn’t highly recommend it or come back. Also, during the meal, a man with a microphone sang a few songs (in English) outside the restaurant and then came around to each person to ask for money, which made us a little...

Nothing wrong with the restaurant itself. The decoration is quirky, giving a good atmosphere. Our starters and my main were fine, although my main was a little overcooked. My husband ordered the Carbonara and it was really bad, a congealed mess. As Rome is the home of Carbonara we had expected an exceptional plate of pasta, not a dry scrambled egg. I can only assume that the pasta was waiting on the pass before service as another table seemed to have a much better plate. The waiter asked if everything was OK as we were eating but didn't even wait for a reply so we had no chance to raise it as an issue. My husband would normally eat all of his pasta but had to leave half of it. Even seeing so much left the waiter didn't ask if there was a problem. We asked for the bill and the waiter pointedly said "service is not included". We did not feel that the service merited a tip. We have lived in Italy for many years and know that, unlike some other cultures there is no requirement to tip in Italy so asking for a tip by saying "service is not included" makes tourists feel that they have to tip. At the next table, the client offered a €20 tip, then asked "is that enough". He then added another €10 and asked again before adding even more, In the end he gave a ridiculously large tip. We quietly spoke to him as we left and told him tipping is not required in Italy. The owner then followed us out and had an argument in the street with me. This is something about Rome and other cities that really incenses me. Italy is a wonderful country but practices like this, basically ripping off tourists, and mediocre food give restaurants and Rome as a whole a bad name. We will not be back, but the owners probably are...

Horrible Service. The staff demanded a tip and gave me a lecture on tipping when they know that tipping in Italy is not required. I would avoid this unethical establishment. Other people have said the same thing. What country I am from is irrelevant. You should follow the customs and procedures of the country you are in. The standard in Italy is not to tip. I guess because I come to Italy often and I don’t usually hang in American tourist trap kind of places I’ve never been asked for a tip except in those kind of places. The sad part is that in his response he doesn’t deny that tipping isn’t the custom it required in Italy. However because he assumes something about me as American he gives me a lecture as to why I should tip. The best thing we can do to avoid exploitation based on your country of origin is to avoid places that locals don’t eat. I have never in my life expected more money or charged more money because of personal nationality. I find that offensive. I think rather than expect me to tip because where I am from this gentlemen should move to a country where tipping is the norm or a mediocre pizza isn’t so expensive. Avoid , Avoid if you don’t want be be asked to do things because of your country of origin. His response is so unethical that supporting this place feels like supporting disinformation which is something I would never condone. I regretted going that night and even more now. Please only eat where locals eat if you don’t want to be taken...