Taste of Italy — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

I don't normally review or rate via Google / trip advisor so disappointing I felt compelled to write a negative review for Taste of Italy. I have used the restaurant a number of times in the past and always found the food, ambiance and service good value for grabbing a quick lunchtime panini or bowl of pasta. Unfortunately after my latest visit I have no plans to return due to appalling customer service. Upon arrival for a lunchtime bite to eat by myself I fould myself ignored twice without any eye contact by the waiting staff that greet you upon arrival. After looking around for a few moments hoping to catch the attention of staff who were less than 5 feet away over the service counter and waiting to be directed to a seat I took myself to one of the high seats in the window area. Aware that I had not spoken to any of the staff upon arrival and them not aware of my presence I spent the next five minutes attempting to gain the attention and eye contact of staff again without success. Appreciate any staff can be busy but an awareness of ones surroundings and an occasional scan of the restaurant is not an unreasonable expectation in the service industry. Upon finally making contact and a member of staff aware of my presence I was greeted with a pulled face / expression of ' I am on the phone' when a better response was to surely alert the colleague beside her to attend / acknowledge the customer. It was at this point I decided to cut my losses and leave the premises unfortunately without even an attempt to approach me hear my concerns from any member of the team. Abysmal customer service which didn't even merit the 1 star left in the review. Expect better from the...

I have been eating at this fast food joint since 2017. In the last few weeks the service has deteriorated to an all time low.

Earlier this week, I popped in for lasagne. When I had finished eating, a bill was plonked on my table and a few minutes later a girl returned with a card machine. I had to say I would like a cup of coffee. This pushy service is a far cry from the pleasing service provided by the very nice girls who have worked here over the years

Today, I sat outside at the tables. When the waitress with green streaks through jet black hair with loud make-up breezed by, I requested a strawberry milkshake. I have done this on countless occasions over the last six years and it has never been a problem until today. I was told,

" Order inside.We'll take money off you before we bring anything out to you."

The tone of the request was both officious and insulting - suggesting that I was not trustworthy to order and would skidaddle without paying. I declined to order anything but the waitress had to get the last word in with the officious

"Thank you, Sir, goodbye." She then laughed in my face.

I had to muster every bit of resilience from telling this woman where to go...

Today I had one bad experience which was disappointing because this was the first restaurant I ever visited when I visited Edinburgh. It was also the first restaurant I have ever brought family and friends that visited because it's always amazing. I am not going to judge it on one bad experience. The owners do care about the restaurant and after sending them an email I got a very long response an hour later in the evening. I do not think a corporate company would care about their restaurant like that and I respect that. But 1 bad experience in 50 or so visits is not a way to judge this place. My bad experience was nothing to do with the food. Of course the food was amazing as always. Why would I recommend this place. Because unlike other restaurants they let you do half and half with pasta and pizza for 2 people. This allows you to try 2 different meals and I promise you it's worth it. The italian fried meetball in rice, I do not know the name of it but it is to die for. I would recommend getting it with your mains. Totally worth it. But if you think the food is too much they always offer to put it in a doggy...