Gustatio Groningen — Restaurant in Groningen

Food is average but our vanilla ice cream tasted like garlic. We let the waiter taste it and he quickly apologised and took all the desserts back....only to realise nothing is being done about it. When I paid they asked whether we enjoyed the food and I said it was fine appart from the "garlic" ice cream. The full price was charged and it was laughed off by saying the chef tried a new recipe which is obviously not a success. No alternative or compensation for a non eatable dessert whatsoever. This also contradicts what the waiter that served us said...that the ice cream tasted that way because of some sauce that was in the fridge with it. I did not want to go into a discussion but this place will never ever see me again. I will not recommend!!

Reply to the owner: Dear mr owner, thank you very much for your reply! It really says to me that you take customer service very seriously which is something I can admire. I will defnitely give you a kudo on that one! Your reply actually reminds me of a letter that circulated the internet a while ago where the restaurant owner replies hillariously to an unfair complaint from a customer. It was really funny and at the same time, to the point. A great recipe that consisted of two main ingridients....sarcasm and humour. A brilliant combinatin. You must read it, it is really funny. The only difference is that with yours the one ingredient, that being humour, is replaced by, maybe a teaspoon full of arrogance. Now before we get carried away, I will get to the point. Maybe my review of your food being average was a bit harsh, that I will admit (I'll ad another star for you). You obviously set a high standard when it comes to food! I will give you another kudo for that one (and even throw in another star - yay). After all we did eat "every little thing" as you mentioned...except for the garlic tasting vanilla ice cream. Your 20 year old waiter actually handled the situation perfect, he even risked his life tasting it from our plates (this is a kudo for him, but unfortunately no star for you). I actually quite enjoyed him as a friendly waiter. As you've said, you did acknowledge, appologised and took the ice cream away (actually 4 not 5...I hope you didn't charge me for 5). Things like that can happen, I completely understand, but how it was (not) rectified was my biggest concern. By now saying it is literally for decoration purpose only is, to be honest, a lame excuse.You never came back to us so I stood up, paid and we left. Also, thank you for mentioning the Michelin recommendation sign. I never saw that....congratulations!! That is a massive achievemnt! Maybe if you learn how to react to a complaint in a proffesional manner, you could even get a star. Just think how cool that...

The worst “authentic” Italian restaurant experience I’ve had . Nothing reminded me of Italy , certainly not the people, definitely not the food. The meal was below par at best , the Ragu itself was an embarrassment, and delivery came with an ego to match their continent of origin. Currently 1,5 hour booking slots. Arrived 5:05 for a 5 pm dinner , waited 10 minutes to order drinks and appetisers, waiting a total of 40-50 minutes to order and receive the mains. That’s now more than 1 hour gone. Once barely finished mains, an attempt to remove my plate was made in haste, while merely taking a break to sip wine at the end in “leisure”. Daylight robbery. Like a vulture waiting remove scraps from a carcass. Following, we asked for the dessert menu only to be told we couldn’t order as we did not have enough time left on our 1,5 hour “booking slot”. Being told “ you knew you only had 1,5 hours”. Speed dating dinner, short of any meaningful connection? Essentially ushered to the door before we our pallets finished savouring the emptiness where their class and etiquette should’ve dwelled. The entire experience wailed fast food “dining”. Unapologetically loathsome. I won’t recommend going . Nor would I return. I’ve worked in the food service industry, I’ve managed a restaurant and I’ve worked with chefs. However, all things considered rather take a shot of tequila and bite into a slice of lemon. It would at least leave you with a slight warmth in your core and a far less sour aftertaste for a far more reasonable price .

Upon reflection, it laughably seems that the manager is incapable of accountability. Constantly deflecting blame to customers in not so appealing reviews. It seems a theme to slander customers as rude or ignorant to steer blame. For clarification, my "rude and aggressive behaviour" was not to a server, neither rude nor aggressive. To the server telling dessert wasn't possible, I said well okay fine. When the manager came to deliver the bill. I asked in clarification "what happens if late service means I have not even even finished eating, should I then just stand up pay and leave before my time slot finishes? ". To which I was told , " you knew it was 1,5 hours and should've planned accordingly etc etc..." . This is after perceivably slow/late delivery of said services. Flabbergasted, I said in disbelief to the manager "oh my god you can't be serious". Neither muttered, nor containing profanity. No sir there was no attempt to hide my disbelief from you or the shrouded ego of yours. To this end that donned the label rude, moreover even aggressive. It no wonder complaints of similar aspects resurface in other reviews.

I'd take the managers responses with a heavy pinch of salt to whomever...

Pasta Defabriek was closed so decided to try here, food was double the price (€6 vs €12), half the size, had literally 3 pieces of bacon in it and I had to heat it up upon arriving home (4 minute cycle) as well as add more cheese. Had the dish cost €6 similar to Pasta Defabriek I would still write this review as the pasta itself was average at best, those ordering takeaway beware! I have also never written a review before but had to in this instance given the outrageous price and dire quality.

Reply to owner:

As I can see that calling out those who give low star reviews and refusing to accept criticism is a habit of yours let me state the facts to back up what I initially said:

I called to order at 1:05pm, you said the food would be ready in ten minutes, I arrived at 1:18.

Regardless of the type of meat you serve, to give literally 3 pieces in a €12 euro dish is ludicrous, my roommate burst out laughing and given your nasty response I wish I had taken a picture to prove this to you.

How can food 'overcook' in packaging yet be cold upon arriving home 4 minutes later?

Also why would you say you're proud to serve food to those who do more than "just consume" yet still offer a takeaway option?

When I called you asked me what I'd like to order and now you're chastising me for using the takeaway service.

Given the fact you are primarily a restaurant not a takeaway and I do genuinely believe you use quality ingredients I can somewhat understand the small portion sizes but I've been to multiple parts of Italy and paid less than €12 for considerably bigger portions.

I also never said Pasta DeFabriek was more or less Italian than you, I never even said the word so why you must say 'Italian' makes no sense

Also, if I really was someone who in your own words "Just consumes" (despite the fact I'm a student studying and would prefer to eat at home than alone in a restaurant) surely I would have been more impressed by your pasta than someone who can "understand" pasta?

The sad part of this is I can understand your frustrations but you seem unwilling to see mine as any fault of yours whatsoever despite the fact I paid €12 euro for a scoop of cold pasta with 3 slivers of meat.

By the look of it the same person who taught you how to cook pasta also taught you how to deal...