Patty B's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Dover

I don't get they hype about this place. Maybe because it's one of the few Italian places around and they are only open 4 days a week make it so popular when it is open.

Been there over 10 times because it is a convenient meetng place for family. The food is usually good, and once you are in our service has generally been good, but very rushed. The place is always a complete madhouse, crowded and extremely loud. Very difficult to hear across the table. There is always a crowd waiting for a seat and very litle room to acomodate them.

Going out for a meal should be a pleasurable experience from start to finish if the restauanrt choses to make it that way, but this place is so fixated on making sure customers play by their rules, it takes the fun out of it. This time, I tried to make a reservation to 8 people on a Saturday night. I am fully aware that this is a very busy time, and we had a large party. I called and requested the small room to avoid the noise of the main room, and after a few minutes, I was told we could be accomodated at 6:30 as requested. I was plesantly surprised they could take us. However, I was then read the list of rules that the entire party had to be there before seating, and that they needed a credit card, and no shows whould be charged. Having been there before, I politely said I know your rules, thanks.

So the 30 minutes before our reservation time, I received a text saying you are due at Patty B's in 30 minutes. (Dont be late I assume was the intent). So I get there 15 minutes before the reservation time, and push my way through the assembled crowd trying to talk to the hostess. Upon arriving at the station, I was told the table is not ready and the 2 parties in our seats were still eating. I said we had asked for the small room, and they seemed unaware, unconcerned and dimissive that they had agreed to that. They then again asked if the entire party was there, and I said they are in the car, as we had a 94 year old and 4 month old in the group. They said it would be a few minutes. The reservartion was for 6:30, and at 6:50 we asked again, only to be told it would be a few more wminutes, and we were again asked if our entire party was there. Finally at 6:55, we were seated with no apology about the wait or the wrong room. We had a good meal, but could barely hear each other across the table.

My suggestion would be for the owners to change the culture of customer interaction when trying to give this place business. While I understand the intent, it is not a very welcoming experience. We all have rules to follow, but going to a restaurant for a fun night out should not have so many terms...

In 5 visits, I only have two complaints, but saving that for the end. This weekend I ordered the crab stuffed sole special and it was the best meal I've had in Dover in the past year. The food was fresh, the presentation amazing, and my server was phenomenal. An overall amazing visit and experience.

Now for the not so great. Almost every desert I've purchased that was in the refrigerated display case up front had the taste of freezer/refrigerator burn. That's a shame because their deserts cost a premium price, and I can tell much love went into making them. For the flavor to be compromised with such an off-putting, industrial, and chemical taste is just saddening. One weekend I purchased 4 slices of different cakes to share with my friends, and each one had that extra layer of unwanted icy-metallic off-flavor. That visit was a very costly one to be let down. I would have those refrigeration units looked at if I were them. I'd love to purchase more deserts, but will have to wait until they've had a chance to investigate this issue.

Lastly, I have on occasion ordered take-out due to my busy schedule. When providing my CC info I'm asked if I want to leave a tip for the server, though I'm not being served. My to go orders are usually bagged, with no napkins, condiments, or utensils of any kind. The bag literally just contains my food, which is perfectly fine for a to go order. I was told by staff on one visit that any tip left for to go orders goes straight to the servers, and nothing goes to the cooks or food preppers, who are responsible for 98% of my experience when ordering to go. It's difficult for me to even consider leaving a tip when placing phone orders for these reasons coupled with not even having a chance to taste the food before doing so. I always tip 20%+ when I sit down for a meal there, but being asked to blindly leave a tip that isn't distributed amongst all those involved with delivering the food, especially the heroes in the kitchen, just doesn't sit well with me.

In summary, Patty B's is still my favorite restaurant in the area. Their entrees are amazing. They just need to improve their desert storage/display so it doesn't affect the amazing quality at which they are made, and I very much prefer not to be asked to leave a tip when I come in to grab my order to go. These two areas keep them from getting a...

Typically do not leave bad reviews but in my experience with this place I simply can not say anything. This is a service review as we did not stay due the staff performance upon arrival. My family and I were a party of 10 coming to check out this Italian resturante. It seemed very busy when we first arrived, so I had check the wait time which was originally said by the first girl likely 30mins. As she was chatting with staff she had mentioned setting up 2 tables for our parry, another older woman with short grey hair, looks at me with attitude as says do you need something? I said I believe she is helping us find tables, her response "umm I doubt that,there is no way that table is for you and With a party of 10 it's gonna be a while, a long while" with a ugh remark. The other girls comes around and she says how are telling then the have these tables? She looks at me and says I'm not. So confused I said can I put my name in, she says yes. After doing so she tells me we need to leave and wait outside until a message is sent. Shocked I was like I've never been to told leave a restaurant before and wait in the cold with 4 children. 1 being a baby. In this time the chairs im the waiting area had opened up as they sat previous guests at their tables. So my family and I said we'll now there is space so we took a seat instead of going out in the cold to wait. Got many dirty looks from staff. Kind of took us off guard. Then was approached by the young blonde, " she says I really can't have you guys in here you need to go outside." I said is this not a waiting area you have chairs here for a reason don't you? I haven't seen you ask anyone else to leave?, she said you can't be in here it's fire hazard. Confused I said we are sitting on chairs out of the that was provided by your resturant to wait in? She continued to ask us to wait outside. So we left. Never in my life have I experienced such rude behavior from a resturante. Shame on you, and huge loss of money for your buisness. And we are amazing tippers! But only for good service. What a poorly managed place and good way to...