Buon Appetito — Restaurant in Hayward

Today I had a rough day so I decided I’d go out to eat, on a sorrowful empty and exhausted stomach. I was revived by Haywards Buon Appetito. This Italian restaurant exhibited every ideal trait I can name. The food was made timely, the restaurants interior lobby drowning in the feeling of home and Italy, music perfectly somber and guests respectful, not loud and obnoxious. The man next to me left a $40 tip for a $20 meal. As it should be for places of this personality. The team only talked to me when I needed, otherwise leaving me alone to soak in the flavors of my youth. Pasta 10/10 replacing the pork with chicken for my dietary restriction, and the salad was amazingly fresh, lacking some vinegrette for me, but that’s no problem as I was provided with my own to use. Can we also mention the fact that the owner is working as a chef, and a server? While his wife is also here working. This food encompasses love. Anyone who wants to have Italian dinner or lunch come here, come one come all. To buon appetito...

So I have seen this place busy in the evenings. We went close to 3pm and it was not busy. I was excited to try their food and also went for a birthday dinner. First off my little boy noticed that the cups were dirty and the plates weren't washed well either. The lady mentioned that cups looked like that because maybe the water wasn't change which I guess would explain why the cups were greasy. She then took the cups to switch them out supposedly. When she came back she filled the glasses quickly. My husband noticed lip marks on the glass before he even drank out of it and thankfully he noticed. That drew the line. When we walked out the waitress didn't care to ask why and said have a nice day with a smirk on her face.

I am really bummed out that it didn't work out and I really hope this review will help so that this does not happen to someone else.

Also, a word of advice for the host.. you should always go pressed and polished to work. First impressions are...

Have just been here twice. The last time was recently--4/20. Service on the first visit , was very good a few yrs ago. This past visit, was better than my visit at Restaurante Palma on Foothill, recently, BUT def not as good as the first visit , here, to Buon Apetito. I was seated where the sun was already blaring through they window onto the table. I picked up the chair and moved it to the other side of the table. ( only the 1 chair was at that table). The butter that was brought to me was frozen hard. Bread was room temp. Butter, of course would not spread. I've experienced this same thing at other restaurants also. Server should not bring it to a table frozen. Whats the sense? Have an additional area where the butter can thaw out somewhat. I saw only 3 servers but I think another server would have been better coverage. Good check in with customers. Must have been about 4 employees who were bussing and setting up tables, and...