Ristorante Avellino — Restaurant in Falmouth

We had a reservation for four at 7:30 PM, but when we walked in on time, we were told we’d have to wait 10 minutes because only high-top tables were available. When you make a reservation at a place like this, you expect to be seated at a low-top table, so we were confused as to why we had to wait at all. Still, we waited, but the 10 minutes turned into an unacceptable 25 minutes.

When I went to the host stand to ask how much longer it was going to be and mentioned that waiting this long for a reservation was insane, the young, inexperienced hostess didn’t even acknowledge me at first because she was too busy on her phone. When she finally did, her response was shockingly rude—she waved the paper reservation list in my face and said, “You can take a look at our list if you’d like,” and then told me I could leave if I wasn’t satisfied. Keep in mind, we hadn’t even been seated yet.

The manager, who watched the whole thing unfold, did absolutely nothing when we asked to speak to her. I understand if there isn’t a table ready, and I don’t expect anyone to kick out other diners, but the lack of professionalism and basic courtesy from both the hostess and the manager was appalling.

The restaurant itself didn’t make up for the poor service. The place looks like it’s in a basement, and the food was below average at best. It’s honestly hard to understand why the staff acted like they were doing us a favor by letting us eat there. The entire experience wasn’t worth the hassle and is one I wouldn’t repeat. This is the kind of place you go to out of desperation, not by choice.

IN RESPONSE TO MANAGER:

Wow, what a professional response! Arguing with a previous diner is definitely the gold standard for hospitality. Having worked in the industry for years myself, with my family owning two restaurants, I can confidently say that no one I’ve ever worked with would dream of speaking to a customer the way you and your hostess did to us last night.

Let me clarify: no one asked you to move other guests from their tables. We were simply expressing that making a party with a reservation wait 25 minutes to be seated was baffling. That’s not an unreasonable observation, yet both you and your hostess seemed to take it personally. There was no need to get emotional about it. Perhaps breathing exercises might help in the future?

It’s also worth mentioning that you stood behind the bar smirking and watching the whole thing unfold rather than stepping in to de-escalate the situation. If you had intervened at any point, things could have been handled more professionally. Instead, you chose to watch and let your hostess’s unprofessional behavior speak for itself. Frankly, it seems like all of you could benefit from hospitality classes because it’s clear there’s some confusion about what good service actually looks like.

And just so you’re aware, offering a free appetizer is a common courtesy most restaurants extend when there’s a misunderstanding or inconvenience. Why that seemed like such a big deal to you is beyond me. Most diners would also take their food home if they’d paid $30 for ravioli that looked like it came from a can.

For what it’s worth, we weren’t the only ones who felt this way. Another group leaving at the same time as us shared in the parking lot that they had a similarly disappointing experience. So, to be clear, this isn’t meant to insult you but to provide honest feedback as a customer. I would expect someone in the industry to be able to take criticism constructively, but I also understand that not all restaurants can do that. Keep working on it, and I’m sure you’ll get there eventually!

A quick reminder: staff should not be on their phones when customers are waiting to speak to them. It’s also worth noting that appropriate attire is part of professional service—seeing multiple holes in your hostess’s tights was not a great...

Avellinos, or Ristorante Avellino, is a relatively new restaurant in East Falmouth.  My wife and I eat here on our own and have also had a couples dinner there in May.  On every occasion we have found Avellinos to be welcoming, have great food, a broad menu and excellent service.  We are no stranger to Italian food and they continue to best our favorites by their sauces, meatballs, pasta and more.  Desserts are another story where you almost can't refuse they are so good and the portions are shareable.  You just have to have the Strawberry Tiramisu, something that was not available last night and sorely missed.  It is just outstanding. Last night on July 11 I planned a family dinner with 11 people at 6:00 PM.  We had a broad range of entrees, mine being Chicken Marsala for the first time at Avelinnos.  I have a high bar on Marsala and will be back for more. Other than the great service, a standout point was the preparation and delivery of our meals.  Not every restaurant can make 11 largely different meals with all of them coming out piping hot around the same time.  Everything was just perfect and steam was coming off each meal.  It could not have been better. Try them out.  You will be...

My wife Debbie and I recently had the pleasure of dining at Restaurante Avellino in East Falmouth with my family, and it was an experience to remember! Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed and shown to our table by the attentive staff. Our waitress was incredibly personable, making our dining experience even more enjoyable.

The highlight of our visit was reconnecting with Michael, the wonderful owner. Michael, who previously owned Il Maestro in Hyannis, took the time to chat with us, sharing stories and making us feel right at home. His passion for the restaurant and dedication to his guests truly shone through.

As for the food, it was simply fantastic. I opted for the chicken special, which was cooked to perfection and full of flavor. Everyone else in our party was equally delighted with their meals. The menu offers a great variety, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Prices were fair, especially considering the quality of the food and service. We left Restaurante Avellino feeling satisfied and eager to return. If you're in the East Falmouth area and looking for a wonderful dining experience, this is the...