The Magic Of Lake — Restaurant in Terni

Unwelcoming service, mediocre quality pizza. Don’t understand the average 4.3 rating. Doesn’t represent the quality of our experience at this place.

We arrived 19.00. Although it is stated here that the place opens at that time, we were sent away with the info that they open at 19.30. When I looked surprised I was asked if we wanted to make a reservation. So we did. When we came back at 19.30 there were 3-4 tables already filled (so others were allowed to sit down earlier? Btw: a more elegant way to receive a customer would be to offer them to sit down and have a drink, informing them that the kitchen only opens at 19.30.)

Despite lots of tables being available when we arrived, we were placed at the most remote table of the place, where 2 of our party of 4 were facing the wall. (Plenty of tables remained available, some for the whole duration of our meal, so telling us there was no other table free to offer us a nicer view of the lake at the time we arrived would not be an adequate explanation.)

When the pizza’s arrived, they were tasteless, rubbery and soaking in oil. (I should have read the 1-star reviews here, I see now, because that description also provided by others looks familiar; but we originally went by the average 4.3 scoring - which is very misleading).

We had ordered one of the more expensive wines on the menu (the Montefalco). The wine itself was fine, but when it was served, the bottle was simply opened and the wine poured into our glasses, without letting us taste in advance. (Which is customary practice for any decent place to eat, especially in Italy, where usually good quality food is served with pride.)

During our meal, we saw another couple who apparently were not happy about the quality of their pizza. The owner/boss came out and started quarreling with the couple…

All in all: the location on the lake is the best thing about the place. The wine (that was good thanks to the winery, not necessarily to the credit of this place) tasted fine, but was served sloppily. Being first sent away, and then offered the most remote terrace table with restricted views made us feel “tolerated” rather than welcomed. The pizza’s were below par - and certainly not the quality we expect to be served in a 4.3/5-rated...

The manager was an absolute rude one. I asked a question about what was on the bill, and instead of simple answer you were arguing and defending for no reason. I dine often in Italy since I live here. I work in restaurants for nearly 20 years and I know what are the service charges. What I want to say there was no need for you being rude and raising your voice. I didn't expect any special treatment, simply you don't talk to people that way. It is simple manners to have in relation with others. And you continue to fight here on the review page. I don't speak to anyone like that, especially to my clients...

Esperienza da non ripetere! L'unica cosa positiva è la location che è suggestiva, ma grazie a madre natura non grazie a loro. Avevamo prenotato un giorno prima avvertendo che saremmo venuti con i cani e che preferivamo stare seduti ad un tavolo fuori, loro di tutta risposta ci hanno detto che non c'erano problemi, eppure quando siamo arrivati ci hanno fatto sedere dentro e oltretutto dopo questa decisione presa da loro arriva un ragazzo, probabilmente il proprietario che è venuto a lamentarsi del fatto che non si poteva stare col cane così. In più un servizio lentissimo che ci ha fatto passare la fame per la durata dell'attesa per ogni porzione, il tutto accompagnato da una maleducazione del proprietario che ci guardava e borbottava per poi avvicinarsi alle persone ai tavoli e parlare con loro senza mascherina. Edit: La risposta del proprietario conferma ciò che ho scritto sopra riguardo alla maleducazione, fortuna che il cliente ha sempre ragione!😍 PS: Come ho detto, lo staff sapeva della presenza del cane, e che avevamo chiesto di sederci fuori, oltretutto appena ci è stato fatto presente questo problema, abbiamo portato via il cane dividendoci durante il pranzo. È giusto fare presente ad un cliente di un eventuale problema, ma sicuramente ci sta modo e modo per dirlo, non borbottando alle spalle e guardarci male da lontano anche dopo che abbiamo portato via il cane, anche perché siamo clienti come tutti gli altri, ma forse l'educazione non si addice a...