Italianni's — Restaurant in Taguig

What can I say... Great food, unprofessional and dishonest supervisors and Management.

We have used the Bistro Groups restaurants many times before and always been happy. That said this particular Italianni's on BGC high Street has always had done challenges.

This particular visit on Sunday evening was without doubt, quite remarkable for all the wrong reasons.

Before I address or experience, I must highlight, we have no issues with the food, it had always been great and the Chef's should be applauded. Well done.

This issue was all about an internal mistake by the Company. As such could have been handled with acknowledgement, apology and honouring of what the customer was given rather than lies, deceit and mistreatment.

I have been a BFF card member for a couple of years now and been happy.

However, this particular evening we were treated to the single worst experience I have ever had in any restaurant, ever. By your staff and Manager at Italianni's High Street BGC.

Not only was I lied to directly a number of times. I was treated like I had done something wrong and left feeling like a crook.

We entered your branch at 5pm and ordered our food and drink - my wife, son, family dog and I. My wife handed over the Bistro card to the staff, she was in a hurry. I usually use the app.

The team came back and said it had expired - January 2nd. This is what was printed on the card. We did not notice, and we're surprised as it seems only yesterday we renewed. So we said, ok we will renew.

The team brought us a new card application and asked us to fill it out. I said I want to renew, not reregister. They said yes, you need to fill out the form anyway. So we happily complied.

The team brought us the new card and I asked how I update it in the app? She said logout and re register. Why do I have to reregister? Ok so we logged out, when trying to register the new card, we could not as the system recognized my phone and email. I asked why this was the case, surely if my card expired then it should work? Is it because you want me to register as a new customer? No.

Your employee then told me I had to use a different phone number and email? Lie number 1 Why I asked? Do I have to get a new number and email every year just to get a new card? I explained I do not have alternatives, I want the ones I already registered? Your employee then said, ok I will register you using her phone? This seemed very strange so I said no. If I cannot use my details then I will not renew. To this point, whilst frustrated we were understanding and polite. Your team however were very forceful and pushy to get us to renew.

After we said we will not renew, I logged back into my app, as unusually the card was not saying it had expired. On checking it clearly showed the card had not expired and would not until March!

Imagine my surprise, I called your team and showed them the app. And said I want to use the BFF voucher etc.

This is where they told us lie number 2. Sorry sir, we don't use the app, we only accept the card. You and I both know this is not the case, as I have used the app and voucher just last month in TGI Fridays.

I challenged this after we had eaten. Now they told me that the system is wrong and our membership should be expired, so they have contacted Marketing and they will cancel my card? Really? So you forcefully try to sell us a card, knowing that it had not expired in the system, you now actively contact your marketing team to cancel our card so we buy another one? This is almost fraudulent, at the very least it is dishonest behavior and no way to treat...

We headed to Italianni's BGC around 9pm on a Saturday. The outside seating area was relatively empty as everyone opted for the airconditioned confines of the dining area. We had a canine companion so the choice was obvious. What was a delightful surprise was the natural breeze as the seating area leading to O Lane was like a tunnel, so you get this free flowing air. Throw in a couple of potted palms and you achieve a breezy lanai effect.

Anyways, we started with the complimentary bread with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar to dip it with. We followed that with the focaccia paired with the spinach and artichoke dip. That was good. The dip was mealy, hearty and tasty. The bread, cut in triangles, was thoughtfully toasted. It could easily please 3 people.

We had the Seafood Cioppino which didn't quite impress me. There was a bit too much of a sour note in it. The seafood was also rather sparing, for me anyways. We didn't clean our plates. What would please a chef is to see plates cleaned off with bread - a sure sign the customer enjoyed the dish immensely.

Our server Albert was friendly and efficient. He readily provided a container of iced water for our thirsty furbaby. He was alert and quick when we needed him. Sadly, he had to leave early and the servers who took over were rather impersonal. I have to say the female FOH acted like snooty snobs, wrinkling their noses at the sight of our four legged friend (who, mind you didn't make a mess or even bothered anyone). They came in and out of the side door behaving with utter disdain and acted like they'd much prefer it if we just left.

With that attitude, we opted not to have dessert and just left to have coffee someplace else. It's sad that the stellar efforts of a certain staff would be torpedoed by the snootiness of another.

The patrons inside looked chill and pleased with themselves. Maybe I'd have a different take if I tried dining inside myself.

I have to say, having experienced the overall superb customer service I got from the staff at Italianni's Eastwood, I'd rate the service here at 2 stars and the overall...

About a month ago I stopped and looked at the menu here. A hostess came out just as I saw the prices. I'm sorry but I reflexively laughed. She said yes, but very very good. I said it was too much for me and left, never planning to eat there. Tonight we passed by and girlfriend saw it and begged to try it so we went in. Atmosphere was loud and sometimes bordering on raucous, completely due to laughing snd joking employees. The customers were quiet. We ordered and waited longer than we should have but it was OK. When the food came the server took away my unused napkin and never brought another. My dish was a large enough portion but taste was mediocre at best. It wasn't "bad" but certainly not good. Meatballs were totally bland and I didn't finish them for that reason. Girlfriends portion was too small even for her. It was way too spicy even though it was not a spicy dish and she hadn't asked for any spice at all. She didn't finish it. Price was near American prices. Server asked for a tip. We declined because she had never once checked on our meal or topped up the water or brought a new napkin. This is yet another high street business trying to appear to be much more than it is and wanting to charge for that facade. Mediocre food. Mediocre service. Uncomfortable atmosphere due to employee noise. And prices much too high. Typical high street. Waste of time and money. Won't be back. I believe the great reviews here are fakes. UPDATE. Many months later I decided to try again because I was craving meatballs. Walked all the way there. Only one dish has meatballs. How many meatballs? One. That's enough done,...