Italianni's - Robinson Place Manila — Restaurant in Manila

Food is excellent. Service is terrible. Service staff did everything possible to pad our bill so our dinner cost 2x what it should have. For example I was on a date and I ordered a calamari appetizer; the server then said would you like a small or large portion?; I asked for guidance since we each ordered dinners as well and the response was do you want to share or just eat this appetizer yourself?; so rude. I wanted to share it with my date and of course I didn’t want to appear cheap to my date so I ordered the larger one the server recommended; big mistake. We had so much food on the table it was crazy but the bill was very high so at least the server got a higher tip. I wanted honest guidance from the server and not to be ripped off. Service was also terrible and the restaurant wasn’t even crowded at the time - examples: they took 20 minutes to bring out the before-dinner bread and then brought all of our other food out at the same time. Never came back to check on how our food was. Never cleared a plate. And then we had to ask 4 times for the bill and were ignored so it took 15 minutes to get the bill and we just sat there with all the dirty dishes still on the table and no service. The great food makes up for a lot but the service was terrible and I left angry at how badly we were treated and for all the wasted food left on our table...

Been a while since ive tried this Brand... finally got the chance, rather decided to eat here.

If you're coming from the mall, you have to exit at Pedro Gil... i dont understand why the access to the store is outside the mall (its not even a 24/7 store).

We were met by their staff at the entrance and immediately ushered in. The store was roomy... with itallian themed decor. Themed music was also playing in the background.

She offered us a table for 2 which was jammed agaist a divider... seems more approriate for a solo eater. We motioned to be seated at a 4 seater on the other side of the store but was cautioned that it was not cool in that area. We were finally given a 4 seater on the opposite side... well located, sufficient table space, and well conditioned.

We were waited efficiently. Menus were handed right away, orders were taken as soon as we were ready, and provided with their house water and complementary bread. The waiter prepared the olive oil/vinaigrette.

We got the clam chowder and egg plant parmegiana for starters... then quattro formaggi pizza and truffle chicken and mushroom pasta for oue mains. Food was served promptly.

I love the pizza! (sympre) and my parter...

Italianni's has high quality food and is priced accordingly. The ingredients are the best ingredients and you can tell, with flavours that are bursting with freshness and are faithful to what they are meant to be. We always eat at least once in Italianni's while in Manila and walk away very satisfied after our dining experience.

But a dining experience is not just about the food. Ambience and service play a huge part. The service on our most recent visit, however, was uncharacteristically patchy; we had to wave to a staff member to get a menu after we arrived, we had to wave to say we were ready to order, one ordered drink was forgotten until reminded, we had to wave to get the bill as staff were busy standing around laughing and talking to each other and I was persistently offered to be sold a loyalty card I did not want or need. Oh, and you should always address customers as "sir" or "madam", not "boss"; that is too familiar and is unbecoming of a higher quality restaurant. These things should just not happen.

I am hoping that the service during this dining experience was a one-off and I will return to Italianni's as the food is fantastic. Please don't...