Itálica Pizza Bar — Restaurant in Aventura

I don't do reviews very often, but I'll take my time for this one. Last Saturday, July 13, 2024, I went with my kids and a couple of friends to eat at the restaurant; there were 7 of us in total, and the experience was very good. We were attended by Juliana, from whom we received excellent service. That same day there was a soccer match of the Copa América and there were quite a few people. Unfortunately, there were some rather large reservations inside the venue, and with the people consuming inside, we couldn't sit indoors, so the heat worked against us. What bothers me about the whole situation that day has nothing to do with the venue, the service, the food (excellent by the way, and good beer); it was related to the reservations and how customers do not value or respect that. If I remember correctly, there were two large tables reserved, and when I asked our server about that table, she mentioned that it was a reservation for 18 people, who DID NOT SHOW UP. Considering that the restaurant was completely full and you have many tables together waiting for a group of people in two large reservations (one for 18 and the other I don't know), and they do not arrive (even an hour after the reservation time has passed), seeing how several servers had to dismantle the tables having lost sales and available seats, simply because of irresponsible and inconsiderate people; where, moreover, people who were there, like us, could not sit there because they were waiting for people who did not show up, is unfortunate. This is not the restaurant's fault, it is the customers' fault. Therefore, I think it is fair that every time reservations are made for more than 4 people, the minimum that should be done is to charge in advance an amount that makes you think twice about making a reservation and not going...

We live next to the restaurant and we spent reasonable money and time at this specific restaurant for months so far. This restaurant is just convenient for us to entertain our daughter since there is a big outdoor space for kids to play next to it. However, the food and service quality was just average since the beginning but, somehow it is getting worse lately. Lately, they hired new servers with who you can’t communicate. Some don’t get your order and keep you waiting and some even don’t come back to ask if you need anything else. We stopped by today for a quick dinner and it was very challenging to get the server to order two drinks and a large pizza. After a while, the owner showed up with the pizza without knowing what pizza was in his hands but, the server never came back for our drinks. I had to go behind her to ask for our drinks again. Anyways, we didn’t enjoy any part of our dinner, asked for our check, and left 18% for her. I clicked the “thumb down” icon for service satisfaction on the payment POS to give them some hints about it. The owner came right away to ask what was wrong with the service. We explained our last couple of unpleasant experiences with the service and food. He just said “sorry” and left without offering anything to make it up. I had some bad experiences in the past with other restaurants all around the world and they always offered something to show that they sympathize. That was one of the weirdest lack of management skills that I have ever seen. Saying sorry doesn’t save anything in a professional business. Just because of the owner’s careless behavior, I don’t recommend this restaurant to anyone unless the owner improves some...

Went on December 31st for a gift exchange with two friends and our daughters. First I ask if we could buy pizza to go and simply eat outside in the terrace and they said no, to sit in the terrace we have to sit to be served. I understand, so we did that. From the moment we arrived, our server, whose name was Ivana, was completely absent. I understand it was December 31st and they wanted to leave, but the place was empty, and they let us order, so at least we expected this server “Ivana” to come once in a while to check on us. We had to get up to get ourselves plates, then again to order another pizza, then again to ask for silverware then again and again for other things, the server was on her phone every time i would go inside to ask for something. I went inside, and I asked for the manager, someone by the name of “Jaime” was there, and i simply told him, calmly, politely, that the service was not good, that i was asked to sit on a table to get service yet i wasnt getting anything. The server overheard me, and started yelling at me…..completely out of line. She was rude, unprofessional, and whoever Jaime was, just stared at me with an IDIOTIC look on his face and did and say absolutely nothing. This server Ivana came back still being rude and yelling. IVANA, if you ever read this, I suggest you take some training on how to treat customers, because you ruin anyones experience in a place that can be worth coming back. Which I NEVER will thanks to you and the...