IL PALIO RESTAURANT — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

Thank you Keyarra for ruining my birthday. Thank you for ruining not only my birthday but also two other members of my parties 30th birthday celebration.

Our party of 11 reserved a table over the phone for a 8:30pm reservation. When we called the restaurant they assured us that 8:30pm was the last time that they seat a party and not close. We were driving about 2 hours away from the restaurant, which is why we asked to book the table at the latest time.

On our way to the restaurant we realized that we would be about 5 minutes late for our reservation. We called the restaurant at 8:25pm and no answer, we called again at 8:28pm and still no answer. Upon arrival to the restaurant itself, when we went to the front to ask for our table they completed denied us the table. Keep in mind i had a 2 month newborn with me and we drove about 2 hours to reach the location. Keyarra stated that they only give the party a "15-minute" grace period and we should have known that. No one on the phone who gave us our reservation notified us about this "15-minute" rule or about the rule of our whole party to be ready once we arrive. They also stated that they never received our phone call. We showed them proof on our cellphone about the outgoing calls that we had placed. Even with proof she was adamant about never receiving our calls.

She stated that this is how a business runs. Which, unfortunately for her, she didn't realize my family also own businesses and that too hotels. For a hotel with the restaurant they clearly did not have the proper hospitality training provided to them and did not put their customers first.

Not only did she tell us we weren't allowed to get our table she was very hostile and told us to take a seat at the bar and we would only receive bar service. If she was a little more kind and nice about the situation this review would not have happened.

I should have checked the reviews first to know that many others experienced the same lack of care that we did.

A waste of time and experience. Poorly managed staff and clearly do not care to make any money. The staff must only care to get home on time after their shift.

Lastly, the best part of this whole fiasco was that the whole...

My husband and I got engaged here last April. The ambience is lovely and serene with a beautifully decorated yet under stated dining room. Our waiter, Michael, was courteous and respectful. He did not hover, yet our water glasses were always full and he was quick to replace dropped napkins or utensils. Having never been there before, my husband and I deferred to him on what to order and we were not disappointed! Yes, the serving sizes are small - they are meant to be. Il Paleo attempts to emulate a European dining experience, serving many small courses and pairing them with matching wines. The food is divine. You will leave feeling pleasantly full, not uncomfortably stuffed as you would if you'd chosen a traditional American eatery.

At our visit, my husband got down on one knee to propose, much to the delight of the other diners and staff. No one was crass enough to intrude on the proposal, but when I said yes, I heard a sigh of contentment coming from the group of ladies seated next to us (and a couple of stifled squeals, lol) At that point, the head waiter approached and offered us dessert "on the house" to thank my husband for choosing their restaurant as the site of the proposal. It was really nice.

As we were leaving, a staff member approached and offered to take a few posed and candid engagement photos. He had us recreate the moment of the proposal so that I could have pictures to help me remember the exact moment. He also took pictures of us embracing. We tried to tip him for this but he flatly refused, repeating that it was his honor. Several leaving customers stopped to wish us well also, including an elderly French lady who grasped both our hands and blessed us in French. Too bad neither of us speaks a word of French! Hah.

Honestly, we could not have had a better experience anywhere, and we can't wait to go back for our anniversary. Il Paleo, you have earned our...

YES, I assign ONE STAR! Experience? Horrible. Rip-off! Won't return. Couldn't get reservations for 7 to 7:30. Only 6:30 open. Arrive, were seated at the bar. Two guests arrived at 6:30, ordered drinks to join two early-arriving dinner companions already with drinks. No place to sit for four, only at a long table in the reception area. We sat for another 20 minutes. No drinks arrived. As we moved to the restaurant, I asked that my cocktail order be canceled as we were heading to the table. We were seated in the relatively empty restaurant with only three other tables with customers. What? No reservations available for 7:30? Let's recap. Thus far, were we forced to sit in the bar area and drink while the table we reserved awaited empty? Hardly anyone at the bar. Oh yes, they're selling drinks; yet, our order doesn't arrive. Nice marketing. We arrive at the table in the restaurant. They apologize for not delivering the cocktail, comp it. The drink? It was vile and watery. Food? We ordered. I ordered a lamb pasta. My companion ordered another pasta dish. Each was delivered. Food the size of a silver dollar, served on a massive porcelain ice-cold, dish. Of course! Food was ice cold. My lamb swam in grease. Meanwhile tons of wait staff/table roam the restaurant. At least 5-6/table. Others circle but seem to not have duties. Miss Manners style, we gently informed staff the dishes were cold, I could not eat a dish swimming in that much grease, perhaps the chef might consider using a better cut of lamb. I ordered a steak that was fine but it tasted like it was cooked over anthracite coals. Yes, that taste. We did not order desert. We dined friends who are world-traveled patronizing restaurants of high quality. While we do not approach their dining experiences, this experience was a bust for all, I assure you. Save your money. ...