Dal Contadino Trattoria

Maybe they were having an off night. the hostess was great. She was able to get us a table for 2 without having a reservation. Then, My wife and I sat down. The server was noticeable rushed and impatient. Wanted us to order our water , wine, appetizer and meal all within of 2 minutes of sitting down. I tried to order a glass of wine and was immediately upsold to a $140 bottle of Amorone I had the be pushy to stay with my order of a glass. We tried to order the bruschetta and was heavily encouraged to go with the blossoms. Well we said ok and guess what. 2 appetizers showed up. Really didn’t want two. And by the way. After being hurried to order to the point of being uncomfortable. The 2 glasses of wine show up well after the apps are served even with me asking and guess what else. No bread till we ask. well in the first two minutes the seldom chance I get to have dinner with my wife with the kids at home the mood was spoiled by the server. Then the food and beverages are mis timed, Then the server never comes back to the table and the glass wine is gone and I have my main with water. This could be a fun place. But we got Murphy’s law. Tried to have dinner for 2 and we just wanted to leave. To make it worse the server acknowledged she ignored us the total time we were there. When she brought the bill... Really No reason to comment on the food. As it was probably ok. But with the service and introduction to this restaurant as poor as it was ; it had no chance. I have been a Fort Lauderdale native for 30 years now and this was the first time we stopped into this restaurant around the corner from my house. I really have never given less than a 4 star ever as a review. This was unfortunately the lowest dining Experience we have had in a long time. Should be a one star....Not sure if us actually buying the whole bottle at $140 would have changed the way we were treated. Hopefully the crew can serve their next guest better based on my accurate and constructive look back on this evening. .....Be patient. When a guest tells you we need a few minutes. Let them have a few minutes. Let the guest order what they want. Don’t bait and switch them and over serve and over charge apps. Bring the wine before apps appear on the table. Offer bread , as you are an Italian restaurant with olive oil on the table. Come back to the table at least once to refill a wine glass. Don’t apologize for bad service when you drop off the bill. Realize when a couple goes to dinner as 2 there is a really good chance they are paying a sitter. The last thing they want to do is constantly battle with a pushy server, be over charged and ignored.