Antico Casale la Carovana — Restaurant in Rome

We went to the restaurant this evening but not in a large group. We are an American couple and we are staying in the immediate area. When we saw the setting and reviews of the restaurant, we were very excited. We came around 6pm and were the only guests. The waiter, an older guy, was VERY unfriendly. We weren't sure whether the restaurant was even open or if it was closed for a group since many tables inside and out were set in a very formal setting. The waiter mumbled something to himself and reluctantly gestured us to a table on the outside. He brought the menu and right away I ordered sparkling water, trying my very best with the tiny bit of Italian I speak. I asked for lemon for the water. He gestured NO lemon. He clearly heard us speak English but brought an Italian menu. NO HELP or asked anyone to assist in translating. It took my husband a little while to understand the menu a little bit, so we didn't order within 5 minutes. The waiter came back and when we weren't ready, rolled his eyes, started saying something in Italian and left. I ordered Bruchetta with gorgonzola and smoked ham, I pointed to it. He came back with regular bruschetta. I ordered a pizza Capriosa and my husband ordered a dish what we thought was tagliatelle with chicken. My pizza came in a timely manner but my husband's dish came about 15 minutes later. It was a bare piece of chicken with 3 lemon slices on it... NOTHING ELSE. Mind you he told us earlier they had no lemon!!!!!!! Next, a group of about 30-40 English speaking guests came to the restaurant. Service for them was PRONTO. When I asked the waiter why he wouldn't have given us an English speaking menu, he excused himself by saying sorry and continuously speaking in Italian.

This was by far the MOST poor customer service we received ANYWHERE and we travel a lot. The worst of it all, it felt like he was punishing us for not speaking Italian. I speak 3 languages fairly fluent but unfortunately Italian isn't...

Horrible service - one of the staff broke my mobile device during clearing the table and I explained to them - he rolled his eyes and showed ugly manner. I then came to talked with another one able to communicate in English and his reaction was much more disrespectful and everything became the worst. Just wanna hear a word of sorry but he shouted at me to break his iPhone as mine which is broken. Oh Godddddd, what an uncivilised reaction.

The pizza was Ok but the pork was over-cooked. Don’t understand why the restaurant can run for more than a year.

Really not recommend for everyone.

Typing from an iPhone without protective film that its screen is now broken.

Reply for a response below -

Unempathetic reply - not surprise.

Don’t know how you judge me that I need compensation as I just walked and told what happened.

All people sitting at my table saw what happened and try push a fork on your phone at aged 6+ years without a protective film - better than reply this unhelpful answer.

Congratulations for your hard work on running your restaurant for so long. As your business has been exist this far, it’s why I have seen a lot of complaints, particularly on your service - hard working - but not towards a good direction.

Again - I don’t need any compensation or new phone - I do have my own money and I am able to buy myself - what I require is only a sincere apology (or if you cannot, you just pretend to).

Remember - You ruined my...

We celebrated my son's wedding in this beautiful restaurant on September 20, 2020. The lady owner was a very helpful person and a unique kindness in the period before the wedding. The wedding day was perfect, the food was excellent and the service impeccable, we made a good impression with all the guests and even the people who came from abroad said that it is worth returning to Rome just to eat at the Carovana. Throughout the service the waiters were very professional, discreet and always careful that the guests never lack for anything. During the day, the spouses were also involved in small culinary and other shows; the entrance with the red carpet and toast with prosecco at the cutting of the ribbon .... the cut of the veal rib .... The steaming pan of pasta ..... and then also the cut of the cake in the giant shell. The restaurant itself is beautiful, in fact the spouses took photos of themselves in the garden, above the small lake bridge and near the Roman ruins. You really couldn't ask for more! Thanks again to the Carovana for helping to make this special day even more beautiful and magical! Highly recommended restaurant, we will definitely see...