Caffe Italia — Restaurant in округ Смольнинское

Not fish nor meat - I would say if I would like to describe first emption about this place in traditional Russian. First note - these guys are avoiding taxes and sell their products and services illegally so do not accept credit cards; by the way - if you book a table they'll have to put your name on it, but when you will not see table with YOUR name - it's fake to sell best places by hostess to someone who is ready to pay some extra not to seat next to toilet/entrance to the cafe (note entrance is leading to the street directly and you'll have a cold breeze from outside instantly). This place is quite big, but zones are splitted for three parts - disco bar (vulgar mirrors included), gastro bar (in the middle) and ice cream court. Coffee is Good, a bit sore but you may dare to book it without milk, even as restretto. When you'll finally get your meal you'll not get fork and knife - but you should ask for it to be informed which tools are situated INSIDE the table. Salads are good but a bit too much vinegar and sore. So be careful- weak stomach will not handle it. In case you'll book pasta - check the type before booking. It may cause you'll get not that you expected. Anyway, waiters are not helpful AT ALL. Lazy bastards even not pour a vine in your glass unless you'll ask for it. Anyway, toilets are good and clean, have enough sitting places for guests. Fillers full of toilet paper and liquid soap. Wine is good and price is not outstanding thanks to tax avoidance. Ice cream is perfectly good and cream cup could be kept by kid in case you'll book a...

Beware! A suspicious place. Don't get fooled by high rating, it's just the hype—they say it was sort of a legend here. Possibly b/c it's (was?) owned by Italians and (used to be?) authentic cuisine.

I was attracted by 5/5 rating on Yandex maps, relatively high average check, and late working hours. It seemed like a decent Italian restaurant. I thought, how come I didn't notice it yet? I know the location, it's so-so—a busy pub next door, another one across the road, a cheap cafe for immigrant workers nearby, a sport bets club and a suspicious lounge bar in the basement. But it was late and I was tired and hungry, so I decided to check it out, after all SPb is full of surprises.

Crowded, noisy, poorly designed interior, feels filthy rather than cozy. I wandered around looking for a place and settled for a small table with three comfortable chairs around. There previous customer left his cash payment with the check. The waiter who said "Hi" to me a minute ago came to take it and was surprised when I asked for a menu, I repeated my request. "Isn't that yours?" he asked. After my negative answer he took the money and check, fetched a menu from next table and gave it to me. The menu was already rather filthy but the list was quite impressive. I skimmed through looking for something like salmon or seafood pizza and fish soup. When I found what I was looking for I noticed a warning on the menu's footer saying they don't accept cards.

Outraged and...

Service is rude, food is just ok, I won't be back.

This place is a joke for me.. I've been there twice and it looks like halfway ready to receive the customers, weird disco decoration, not a cozy place at all.

Last time my she-friend and I did ask for some modifications in the food (split 2 ice cream scoops into two plates) and waitress and administration said that they have so many customers that they don't do any adjustments to the orders, as other customers would see it, would ask to do the same and restaurant don’t like to do that. What?

The very first place in my life where I didn't leave tips.

There are so many great places in Saint-Petersburg,...