Al and Stella Authentic Italian Restaurant And Pizzeria ( Water Front) — Restaurant in Clearwater

Wallets and Tastebuds Beware!

Never again. I typically don't leave negative reviews. Twelve of us arrived. They advised we would have to sit at 3 tables which was ok. We were told we MUST order family style and no separate meals as it would be too much for the kitchen. We advised it was ok if the food wasn't timed perfectly so we each could have what we want. We were told that would not work, family style only. We almost left. Hindsight, we should have! They said we had to pick 7 apps, 3 entrees, and salad. We declined apps as we just wanted dinner. We were not given family "pricing". Each table ordered an entree for the table. We then were brought bread (warm), then a salad (average)...then my table had spaghetti & meatballs but ALL tables were given this entree, then ALL tables got the other table's entree choice, and then a 3rd. The meatballs seemed cooked from frozen. The spaghetti seemed from a box. The chicken Parm did NOT have breading and minimal chicken. The ravioli was somewhat of a saving grace. They then brought our check. $767! $40 was our drinks. The rest was the cost of a family meal? In what way was $66 a person ok? It was not a lot of food either. I can't find the words for the frustration. We wanted a single meal per person, expecting $20-25 each. They told us the kitchen couldn't handle and it must be family style. Ummm and now they want us to spend $66 per person?! We talked to our waiter who said the owner would come see us. We waited 20 minutes. All 12 of us. The owner is apparently also the chef. He finally came out to see us and felt like what they did to us was ok… So pulling one over on us was ok and valid to them?? We stood up for ourselves, for the lack of family style pricing, for the fact it was for the kitchen's convenience. We were not a group of tourists who would just blindly pay an outrageous bill. They eventually discounted our check as the restaurant was full and all patrons could hear. We still paid double per person than what we expected. Find somewhere else. You're welcome! Our group of 12 already paid the...

The most bizarre dinner experience. Seriously, take our word and SKIP IT!

Don’t waste your time or money. Plenty of other good places around.

The only good things: pretty plants at the tables. Waiter was nice. Pretty view.

Weird… things: Atmosphere: weird valentines decorations in the middle of July. The smell 🤢. About 10 minutes in, something smelt atrocious. We saw them spray some air freshener out the door of the kitchen but that still didn’t help. We had to move outside it was so bad. Music… playing off of the boss’ phone but his notifications/ringer was on so we kept hearing text tones and ESPN alerts. Also, the music choice did not fit the Italian ambiance we think we they going for. It was Mexican pop…ish. Prices. WAY too much for what was offered! Seriously… $2.95 for each topping on the pizza, which was already almost $20. We had two beers, a gluten free pizza and a regular pizza and after tax/tip it was $75. Yikes. (Oh, the receipt actually was $4.95 for the sausage topping🙄). Bathroom is a stinky rat hole. Pizza was MEH at best. Too much sauce, skimpy on the cheese. Wheat crust. Used the entire jar of Parmesan cheese…. Because it needed it!

Oh also, we arrived about an hour and a half before closing and were the only people there. Three more families showed up by the time we left… but it was EMPTY (this should have been our first sign 😂).

Our conclusion: this has gotta be a money laundering joint or...

If I could give a negative 5 stars, I would. We walked in and were greeted by four waitstaff and an empty house. They were very pushy. There was only one table of guests. The very second we were seated I had a PTSD episode. We quietly got up so that I could go outside. We had not even touched the table, literally. My other half apologized profusely to our waitress and he led me out the front door. One of the waitstaff (older female) FOLLOWED US OUT with an attitude to tell us we needed to move our car! My other half explained politely: "We are staying right here" and the woman said (I kid you not) "I'm going to call the police if you don't move it". He repeated that we were staying right there and she YELLED that she was going to check. Instead of going back in, we left. We will not ever go back. A male member of the staff came out to STARE AT US as we left, he only went inside when we drove off. I will make sure to tell our friends, family, and my employees about our experience. I wouldn't want ANYONE to be made to feel like we were. I'm not sure if it's because of the color of our skin, the tattoos, or the peircings that made these people treat us this way, but I can tell you I have never had an experience...