Aroma Italian restaurant — Restaurant in East Lindsey

Skegness is lucky to have some great Italian restaurants, we've tried them all several times, and Mario's is no exception. As with any restaurant in Skegness, I'd advise you book in advance to avoid disappointment, as they can get very busy. So, on our most recent (3rd) visit, we were having a small family celebration, and booked a table for 4 for a Tuesday early evening. The interior is nicely done, simple in design, and very clean, with a fairly generous table layout, so you don't feel cramped, all of which creates a very pleasant eating environment and ambience. The staff, especially the waitresses, provide you with a very friendly and efficient service, and happy to help with any menu items you're unfamiliar with. The menu selection has plenty of variety, so should have something to suit all tastes with vegetarian options too, but do also check the chalkboard inside for specials. Between us, we've probably tried about 50% of their menu now, and never been disappointed, always nicely presented, and tastes absolutely delicious. Only exception IMO would be the dirty fries, but only had as a side anyway, so not important to our main meals. We all had 3 courses, sides and a rather nice bottle of Asti which with well deserved tip was £130, or £32.50 each, which for a meal of this quality is very good. They also have a small bar area, and do checkout their new pizza oven, it's massive, and do know they had a mammoth task getting it installed. My only negative really, is some item descriptions, specifically the deserts, didn't quite match the expectations, and sounded more glamorous. I can't remember the exact name they used, but ordered a zesty lemon tart, beautifully presented, but wasn't a tart at all (maybe forgot something?). Tasted exceptionally nice all the same (see picture). Also, the 'pastry' item within the deserts trio, had more of the texture & taste of crushed nuts, almost like soft peanut brittle. That aside, can't fault, so although we don't get a chance to eat out very often, this'll definitely be another one of our favourites.

I don't generally review restaurants until I've been at least 2 or 3 times, so as to get a more honest opinion, on things like...

Booked a table well in advance as we had tried the year before to get in to no avail. When we arrived the greeting was less than expected after reading reviews. Booked table at 6pm arrived at 5:55pm wasn’t asked if we wanted a drink until 6:25. Ordered nibbles at the same time. Very unorganised staff. Seemed to be only one person able to take a full table order from started to mains and so on. Perhaps only guy who could write a table order suffice for the chef to read. Other staff were able to get drinks and ice cream but nothing else. Cutlery was unclean with old food stuck to it. No food arrived until 7:40 including nibbles which was very disappointing service with 2 hungry children really needing drinks and food from 6pm when table was booked. Accommodated a table of 8 who were a walk in and took their food order before ours despite us being ready to order for a while. Frustrating seeing as we we’re ready to order very soon after seating. Service was not with a smile unfortunately as the guy who had the order note pad just had too many tables to care for! Would not return did not feel 4/5 star as the reviews suggest. Food was mediocre at best. Calamari was very over cooked or not fresh either way I wouldn’t repeat. Mozzarella was cheap and not flavoursome at all in the salad tomatoes not ripe. Pizza was really hard and inedible anywhere near the edges same for garlic bread with cheese. Olive and bread nibbles the bread was heavy and unprepared, tough and heavy for a nibble option did not appear fresh at all as described. My partner enjoyed his calzone he said it was average I wasn’t looking for average and the reviews suggest authentic Italian food, I also had the baked egg in spinach and toms with mozzarella the egg was so hard it’s a shame it wasn’t more fresh you can see the kitchen and how hard He was working I expected so much from this apparently great chef.

The kids enjoyed their ice cream and I enjoyed the profiteroles but I expect these weren’t made fresh/homemade by Mario. Very disappointing seeing as we’ve looked forward to good food all week here. At £83 I thought it extortionate for the service and...

Here August Bank holiday - visiting for the day and we hadn't booked so we appreciated it was busy and they fit us in. That's about the only good thing to say.

My partners parents accidentally went to sit at a table that wasn't ours, and the waiter was so rude, rolling his eyes and exclaiming "that's not for you!"

From then on, the staff were rude the whole meal. I could list about 10 examples so I'll just pick a couple...

The waiter came to offer black pepper and I asked if I would be able to get another drink. He snapped back and said "can't you just let me finish what I'm doing!" Wow...

My partners mother at one point actually said to the waiter "please don't get angry". She's such a gentle sweet person so she was particularly uncomfortable how aggressive the staff seemed to be.

The food was average but we were determined to stay for the whole meal as we'd been travelling and were hungry.

I ordered a cheesecake for dessert and it came out frozen. I mean, completely frozen. I asked one of the waiters if it needed to go in a microwave to defrost. He said no, "that's how it should be". I was very polite saying, but please, I cannot even cut it in two?

He said the cheesecake came frozen and they only took it out the freezer as and when necessary. Fine no problem, but make sure it's defrosted? They then charged us for 2 cheesecakes we hadn't touched despite my complaint. My partners family were so upset that they just wanted to leave urgently so we paid the whole bill despite an absolutely terrible experience that ruined our trip...