MichelangelO's Pizzeria — Restaurant in Perak

If you're looking for genuine and delicious pizzas in Ipoh, this American-style pizzeria stands out. However, be wary—your dining experience might be marred by inconsistent customer service, particularly during peak hours

Locals are likely familiar with the reputation of the unfriendly service, particularly concerning waiting and table arrangement policies. My multiple visits have consistently been marred by the inflexibility of these policies, exemplified in a recent incident.

Arriving at 7:15 PM with a group of 3, we noticed an unoccupied table indoors. However, our request to dine-in was denied, as the table was supposedly reserved for groups of 6. Minutes later, a pair of strangers arrived, and we quickly proposed combining and dining as a group of 5. Unfortunately, our suggestion was promptly rejected by the owner, citing the exclusive allocation of tables for groups of 6. Attempts to reason with the owner proved futile, as he insisted on maintaining the rigid table arrangement policy — that the two tables we saw inside cannot be split up and must be allocated for a group 6

Despite our willingness to dine as 5, the owner remained adamant, even stating that if his policies failed, he wouldn't have sustained his business for 14 years. He emphasized a minimum waiting time of 30 minutes, asserting that those unwilling to wait are free to leave. As he retreated to his kitchen, he underscored that even his family would be obliged to adhere to his policies, and by extension, so should we. In my humble opinion, this scenario highlights that customer requests are not addressed, and that the owner is inflexible, overlooking practical solutions.

The seating arrangement becomes even more frustrating when he enforces the rule of not seating customers unless the entire group is present—a situation encountered during our previous visit. Despite explaining that a friend was searching for parking, he insisted on the entire group being present before allowing us to be seated. This policy could be easily managed by implementing a rule requiring the full party to appear within a specified duration, allowing more flexibility. Instead, he persists in maintaining a rigid approach, claiming it has been effective over his decade of managing the business. However, the evident downsizing from a two-shop pizzeria to a single shop with staffing constraints raises questions about the practicality of such policies, exemplified by customers having to dine-in with paper plates due to the shortage of service crew.

Dear owner, acknowledging your detailed responses to previous reviews, I urge you to consider improving your team's customer service. While I genuinely appreciate the exceptional pizzas your pizzeria offers in a town like Ipoh, I suggest enhancing your team's customer service for greater appreciation from patrons and locals.

It might be tempting to dismiss this review, as you've done before, but I believe you possess a deep understanding of the genuine challenges your business faces. The longstanding complaints from locals about your pizzeria's service over the years underscore a broader sentiment—that the current approach to customer service falls short of expectations, especially with the cultural context of running a business in a place entirely different from your own.

Just a suggestion, reconsidering the way you articulate policy justifications to customers could foster more empathy and understanding. While your intentions of being politely honest and rational are appreciated, putting yourself in the customers' shoes might reveal why these complaints persist. In comparison to other businesses in town with decades of operation, your 14 years of experience may not fully illuminate the current situation or justify the observed substandard service from your team. Patrons and non-locals alike will appreciate if you could consider a nuanced evaluation to align your practices more closely with customer expectations.

Sincerely, A customer who values your...

During my brief 2D1N stay in Ipoh, my quest for an exceptional evening repast led me to explore several renowned Western eateries. Thankfully, my decision to dine at this fabulous pizza establishment turned out to be a brilliant choice.

The restaurant's unique offering of customizing pizza flavors with The-Mix option, allowing a delightful pairing of two distinct flavors on a single plate, instantly caught my attention. Moreover, the option to add-on with the special Peruvian sauce to every pizza is a great option. While the sauce's uniqueness is evident, the taste is subtle when eating with the pizza. Personally, I yearned for a more pronounced seasoning and zesty lime undertones.

A commendable choice is the use of Heinz cans as pizza plates. This ingenious decision maximizes table space, allowing for a harmonious coexistence of other delectable dishes alongside the pizzas. Such thoughtful design fosters a comfortable and gratifying dining experience and I think it's actually a wise choice.

Embarking on a gastronomic adventure, we boldly sampled the bacon & egg pizza – a choice that defied convention and rewarded us with an unforgettable palate journey. What sets the pizzas here apart is their balanced saltiness, allowing the exquisite herbal notes to dance on the tongue. The harmonious pairing of bacon and egg proved to be an unexpected revelation. However, the most amazing part of this pizza undoubtedly lies in the charred crust. It has a special crunchy, earthy crust and I wish I can have just the crust as a side dish. The sheer joy of encountering such a remarkable pizza in Malaysia is unparalleled. While a touch more salt might elevate the experience, the pizza is impressive as it is.

We couldn't resist indulging in their highly recommended tiramisu. The flavors are nothing short of wonderful, and the moist texture adds to the delight. My only minor observation is that the ladyfinger cookies could retain a bit more of their texture, although this doesn't detract from the overall experience. Tiramisu seems to be a popular choice among patrons. I wouldn't go so far as to fighting with my date over this delectable dessert, although its charm remains undeniable.

We can observe the owner's fiery passion for his restaurant, as he circulates among the tables, checking with customers every now & then and ensuring their satisfaction. The staff members mirror this enthusiasm, providing impeccable service with a friendly demeanor. Some may remark on the crowd and loud music, but I found it to add a unique ambiance. The variety of music, spanning from '80s pop to modern K-pop, is quite intriguing, contributing to the overall charm of the place. The only thing I would ask for more is the choice of beverages as they offer mainly soft drinks.

This memorable dining affair at MichelangelO's Pizzeria encapsulated the epitome of a perfect evening. A testament to Ipoh's culinary prowess, I hope to witness MichelangelO's Pizzeria continue to thrive, granting me repeated visits whenever...

I had a disappointing experience at MichelangelO's Pizzeria in Ipoh. Their signature pizza was overly salty, making it hard to enjoy. The environment was chaotic and noisy, and despite being a group of four, we were crammed into a very small table. To make things worse, they used disposable paper plates for dining, which felt cheap and unprofessional for a restaurant.

The owner was particularly unfriendly. Guests are not allowed to bring their own water, and I was rudely warned that I would be charged RM5 if I drank my own. While I understand policies, the way this was communicated was harsh and lacked hospitality. The entire experience felt like a mix of American fast food rather than an authentic Italian dining experience.

In my opinion, the taste and presentation were below average, and the lack of competition in Ipoh might be the only reason they're still in business. This was, without a doubt, my worst dining experience in Ipoh.

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Thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate that you’re willing to address customer concerns, but I’d like to clarify a few points in your reply.

Salty Ingredients: While I understand that items like streaky bacon and ham are inherently salty, it’s worth noting that balancing flavors is a key part of creating a pleasant dish. The saltiness of your pizza overshadowed the other flavors, which affected my enjoyment. As a paying customer, I feel it's reasonable to expect a well-balanced dish, especially when it's your signature item.

Outside Drink Policy: I understand the importance of beverage sales for your business and respect policies, but the issue was not the policy itself—it was the way it was communicated. Hospitality is about how customers feel during their experience, and I found the approach here to be unnecessarily harsh. This could have been handled more courteously.

Seating and Ambience: Your mention of "thousands" of satisfied customers sitting at similar tables doesn’t negate my experience of feeling cramped and uncomfortable. Restaurant standards should account for a wide range of customer preferences, especially if your aim is to provide a welcoming environment.

Paper Plates: While I now understand your establishment is positioned as a semi-fast-food restaurant, this wasn’t communicated clearly at the outset. For first-time visitors, disposable plates can be off-putting when expecting a dine-in experience. It's encouraging to hear you’re transitioning to standard plates soon.

I understand that not every restaurant can cater to everyone’s preferences, but my feedback was shared with the intention of helping improve the experience for future diners. I hope you’ll consider my points not as complaints but as constructive...