Rustico Neapolitan (Hailsham) — Restaurant in Wealden

Went into the restaurant in Hailsham last night (Friday 15th July 2022) and asked for a table. The lady who spoke to me who I assumed was the manager told me politely to grab anywhere as the restaurant was half empty. I sat at a small table next to another small table that sat another single gentleman. I had been down in Hailsham on a business trip. It was early evening and I hadn’t eaten all day due to a long day of meetings. So needed to eat as I was driving back to London. For the first five minutes neither the manager or the other five members of staff bothered to come over to even offer me a menu. The manager then after the five mins joined the gentleman at the table next to me as he was a local businessman having a lengthy conversation. As she got up she literally looked at me as I tried to catch her eye and ignored me. A couple then walked in who were shown to a table opposite me. They were both within a couple of mins given menus and drinks and had a lovely conversation with the staff. I know I could have said something but why should I? I waited another 10 mins and finally one of the waitresses asked if was ok? I said no not really as I hadn’t even had a look at the menu yet. She did apologise and brought a menu over and then her and the other members of staff ignored me for a further 10 mins. The couple who had arrived 5 mins after me had their starters and drinks on the table as I walked out. Absolutely blown away. Maybe it was because I was a single middle aged man or maybe it was because my face just didn’t fit. I was still a paying customer. Whatever the reasons I sure as hell won’t accept the restaurant was busy as the couple that came in after me were tucking into their flipping starters as I walked...

Honestly? The best Italian-Neapolitan restaurant in the UK. The menu is 100 % pure with no bad influence whatsoever.

Pizza is absolutely perfect, pure Neapolitan, dough is well done, all ingredients are very well balanced and fresh. Calzone was one of the best I ever tried. And tried a lot.

Pasta is home made, al dente, bolognese sauce was light almost uplifting, made with majority of tomato reminded me about the taste of childhood full of sun. Definitely not the usual disgusting beef stew type of nonsense served in most of food poisoning facilities. Perfect.

And the coffee? Just amazing. Double espresso was a real amazing experience with surprisingly changing taste during a sip from gentle sour to pleasantly bitter at the end. I couldn’t believe it. I had to have another one to confirm my initial impression.

Well, service was great as well but this is something expecting if you serve food of such quality.

Believe me I’m no joking if I say it’s worth to stop here on the way from London to the south even if you have to make a little diversion. 100% recommended.

All of this for very low price for the...

Delivery not dine in: The food was sightly later then stated however the main issue was cold food on delivery. I just moved so there was no way to heat the items up. The salad and beers were OK obviously it was just mains. So I called and stated this. First, was "what do you want me to do? " Second, "it was hot when I made it." (obviously) Third, I was then laughed at for some incredibly rude reason and lack of professionalism. Forth, drop the item back for a refund. (I'm semi disabled so I can't do this otherwise I'd of collected it in the first place). I got so angry on the end of this ridiculously poor and disrespectful "customer service " and no offer to just remake it and then deliver that end then exchange the items I thought....forget this amateur establishment. Absolutely awful and disrespectful service. It looked OK and I liked the single choice plant based item, but wow the service was arrogant and rubbish. Wouldn't recommend to an enemy or even my dog. Just...