La Dolce Vita Detroit — Restaurant in Detroit

Return visit to a place I loved in the past. Had brunch reservations for 4 for Mother's Day, that we had to pay a $25 deposit (p/p) for. No issue with the deposit at it would go towards the final bill. The issues our party had was the fact that the venue had bitten off more than they could chew as it pertains reservations and staffing. The hostess and our waitress were phenomenal considering what they had to work with. We were given a full menu and not told that brunch menu was all we would be able to order from. This too, fas fine...issues came when the items we ordered from the brunch menu were out. Each thing that our party of 4 ordered, they were out of the main ingredient such as the chicken from the chicken and waffles. At this point, we asked to speak with the manager as we were not allowed to substitute any of the missing items. We were told that the manager didn't want to come to our table and that our deposit could be refunded if we didn't find anything else on the brunch menu. Again, there were no substitutions! We insisted that the manager come to our table. Oh when the manager/owner arrived at our table, he was rude from his opening statement. When we asked how or our food selections could be substituted from the dinner menu or anything of that nature, Stinson became rude and belligerent. We were told that common sense should have told us that there were no substitutions. When we calmly tried to redirect his anger and dismissive tone, he told us to leave once we tallied our bill. The other larger party in our area was also upset and were on our side as they heard the tone the owner/manager used when addressing us. He was extremely rude, unforgiving and unsympathetic to the needs of his patrons or employees. Everyone on staff was working at 100% capacity to appease him. My party thanked those that services us and generously tipped our waitress even though we only had mimosa that took forever to receive when the bar itself was empty. The owner didn't bother to offer to comp them as a compromise or show of good faith. He became enraged again and told us to leave. We gladly exited the building once the deposit had been reversed. We've never been treated in such a disrespectful manner in a well-known establishment that sits in the middle of OUR community, ever! It is sad this day and age that service industry has no care or concern for their patrons or the neighborhood in which they service. I will never step foot in the location, ever again. The owners poor attitude took away from the ambiance and the sweet gesture of the hostess handing out white roses to all...

Had dinner reservations for 6:30pm on a Saturday night for a blind date. I arrived a few minutes early, when I approached the host ( who knew it was a blind date) said, “Oh your date was here and left.” I was completely shocked and when I what happened the host started to laugh at me and say, “ I was just joking with you.” It was a very rude and awkward way to start off my experience at this restaurant. My date and I barley had time to say Hello and get comfortable before, our waitress was asking for our drink order, we both asked for more time to look at the menu and she came back so quickly that we just ordered very common drinks, did not have time to look over the drink menu. We were then quickly told the specials, again had to ask more time to look over the menu. The food came out very quickly and was average. A different staff member can and offer pepper and grated cheese for our meal that was nice. Our waitress came back before we could have two bites of our food to ask if it was good, offered to get me another drink. I stated, “ I was good for now.” My date and I were joking about how fast everything was and how rush we were feeling. We ordered dessert it was good nothing amazing about it. The check was provided without asking if we wanted anything more, both my date and I were going to at least get one more drink each. As soon as he put his card down it the bill was taken. Within minutes of him filling out the bill, not even having time to put his card away. A different staff member came to take his drink glass away and stated, “ Oh, you did not finish your drink do you want to before I take it away?” Within 5 minutes of that the host came to our table and ask us if he could find us seats at the bar because people were waiting for a table. We were so rushed and feel very awkward being stared at, I did not even have time to put my jacket on at the table. Again, we had reservations and there was only about 4 people waiting for a table. When my date and I were in the door freezing trying to figure out a place where we could finish our date, we realized it hadn’t even been a full hour since our reservation time that we both had arrived early too. It was very disheartening, we went to another place and had several more drinks. Not only did La Dolce Vita lose out on our business that night, but prior to tonight, I was planning on having brunch with my friends there. Overall a very awkward, cold and...

My heart is so sad right now!! I’ve been going to LDV for 20 years. I’ve celebrated birthdays there, shared many memories with my friends dancing on the patio to some of the best house music we enjoyed great food, excellent service and a warm European atmosphere.

Last night my friends chose to have dinner reservations there and I was so excited! As soon as I opened the door it was total disappointment! The hostess was very nice and she shared our grief immediately when we entered the construction zone. First - the place looks terrible! The walls are stark white, the chandeliers are halfway burnt out and the lights flickered constantly. There is active construction going on while you’re eating dinner!! We hear loud banging, drills etc right behind a plastic covered wall from the front dinning room.

The place feels cold, the decor, color choices or lack there of are hideous. The bathrooms, both men and women were absolutely disgusting. It pains me to have to write this!!

You cannot justify the prices on the menu with this condition of the restaurant. The food and portion size reflect what you would pay for when you’re provided an amazing atmosphere. The food was ok but not for the price. This place should not be open during renovations…I can’t believe the city would even allow that. One of the toilets was backed up in the men’s room and the women’s sink was filled with grime and hair, I don’t want to touch anything and just get out of there as soon as I could.

The new ownership had really big shoes to fill buying this place. It’s been an icon in Detroit for a really long time, providing an incredible EXPERIENCE, indoors and on the patio for decades. I can’t see myself returning because it’s such a shame what they’ve done to the place.

Our severer was very kind, our food came out just as it should have and we didn’t wait long for our appetizers, drinks or meal to come out. But you could tell the workers were embarrassed about the conditions.

Also there is no coat check! My long jacket had to hang on the back of the chair on the dirty floor. You can’t think you’ll be able to continue to charge people these prices with these type of conditions.

Also there was a giant puddle probably 50ft long where the valet park was. I mean it was like a sinkhole puddle. We parked on the street instead.

Please restore this place to reflect a Roma atmosphere…my heart was broken when I left...