Divino Tianmu — Restaurant in Taipei

We use to love this restaurant - just 3 months ago we really enjoyed our previous dinner there. But they must have changed their suppliers and/or chef : the beef quality was really poor, the antipasti portions were even smaller than before (pierce of advice : do not get the cold cuts antipasti…you can make the same at home with Carrefour products…), the veggies that used to be included with the secondi (main course) are now a side dish so you have to pay extra… Also, the cheerful and welcoming owner that used to give an extra spark to the restaurant atmosphere, was not there tonight. So we just felt pressured to finish our plates quickly as the waiters come within seconds after you take the last bite to remove the plate ; our son even had to ask them to bring the dip back as they took it away before he could finish his bread. And honestly, we did arrive on time for our booking and did not take long to eat each dish we ordered. Having great quality products, tasty plates with reasonable quantities just 3 months ago made it acceptable to pay an above-average bill and even to be a bit rushed to finish your plates so they could accommodate more customers in one evening. But now that they serve lower quality products, it feels like it’s not...

Went to order takeaway from them at around 6pm, which is their advertised opening hour.

I started by asking a male staffer about the differences between their dine in and takeaway menu. Was met by a curt answer followed by a shrug.

I had read the rave reviews given here and decided to press on and order dinner, but was promptly turned away and refused service by a rude and condescending female staffer who cited a full house as the reason.

The restaurant was empty.

Whatever their reasons for turning away business, they should at least do so with some tact; failing that they should at least show some common courtesy.

Thoroughly disappointed by the whole experience. Will NOT be giving them a second chance. There are plenty of restaurants in this district who can offer you excellent service and great food without leaving you with a belly full of anger.

Update: re: owners reply. 8/8/2021 Thank you for your reply, it is appreciated. If the staff had bothered to explain the situation, this would have been a none...

The food was good. However, the restaurant is priced at the international end of the scale and attracts international clientel such as myself, but regarding payment, ONLY accepts CASH. I wouldn't mind so much but when booking the restaurant insists on credit card details and a late cancellation charge: "You have made a booking at this restaurant and authorized the hold. If you wish to cancel the booking, please notify the restaurant within the cancellation window. Otherwise, you will be charged $2000." But nowhere in the confirmation email does it mention "only cash". The follow-up confirmation text message also omits such information. So, when we come to pay for our meal we are told "cash only", "you were told", "go to the ATM and come back". The restaurant wouldn't even accept a Paypal transfer. Whatever reason there is for such a policy, any benefit is at the cost of the customer's convenience (walking back and forth to the ATM after an otherwise pleasant meal) and cost (ATM charges). I suggest...