We Walked Out Mid-Meal – A First in My Life

After reading the positive reviews, we were hopeful about this restaurant, but our experience was so disappointing that we walked out in the middle of our meal – something I have never done before. I’ve worked in restaurants myself, so I understand the challenges of the industry. But with only a few days in Venice, this dinner was too important to settle for uncomfortable service and poor food quality.

When we arrived, we were immediately pressured by staff outside to come in. We asked about Chianti, but the owner kept pushing the house wine, disregarding our requests. Once seated, our waiter told us the first three wines we chose were “unavailable” and persisted in suggesting the house wine, despite our interest in other options. This wasn’t a friendly recommendation – it was a hard sell. Then, when my father and husband tried to order scampi, the waiter began pressuring them to switch to sea bass, even asking my father to follow him to the fish tank.

The food that did arrive only worsened things. The fillet was drowning in what tasted like pure mayonnaise instead of béarnaise sauce, completely masking the steak. The potatoes and vegetables, meant to be shared, were cold and bland. At that point, it felt like the last straw. We decided we couldn’t continue with the meal and politely asked to leave, paying only for what we had already been served.

Bottom line? If you’re looking for a special meal in Venice, skip the places with staff aggressively trying to pull you in. This was our worst experience in Italy, and it simply wasn’t worth the time or the frustration. There are many wonderful restaurants here – choose one that truly values the guest experience.