Vinny's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Medford

Incredibly disappointed in our experience here, had high hopes after reading some glowing reviews and the atmosphere was lovely, but unfortunately the food was a big letdown, we had the fried zucchini as an appetizer and couldn't take more than a few bites, it was under seasoned inside, over seasoned on the outside and either fried too long or in old oil because it tasted very unpleasant.

My partner ordered the Alfredo which was edible but nothing exciting, I ordered the eggplant Parm with gluten free pasta which I ended up regretting, as the pasta was so mushy it was almost a paste, completely inedible, the eggplant itself was decent but another low quality plate overal.

While our server Bethany was lovely I noticed that they had left the fried zucchini on the bill despite us sending it back after a few bites and all dishes were charged at full price, now I was happy to pay for the eggplant despite half the dish being baby food but when I mentioned the zucchini the guy said they all tried it and it was good and they would not be taking it off, having worked in restaurants for 20 years this is not how the good ones operate. Not one of the places I've worked would we ever argue with a customer who didn't eat more than a bit of their food that it was good, it's called the hospitality industry.

He said it's a mom and pop restaurant and they couldn't afford to not charge for it. I'm honestly very surprised that a zucchini and some breadcrumbs are worth losing customers and the absolutely appaling experience of going out to eat and have a nice dinner with your partner only to be served terrible tasting food and told it's good is 1000% a hard no.

The guy is clearly ALWAYS RIGHT and I cannot imagine this is the first time he has bulldogged a customer like this. Very rude and should not be dealing with customers with that attitude. My partner was incredibly embarrassed and just wanted to walk out.

Not only will I never come here again, which is a shame because the atmosphere was really lovely, but I unfortunately have to post this review because no one should have to experience that in the hospitality industry, restaurants are supposed to be welcoming and thrive on customer service... I don't know what that was but I'll not be repeating it and highly recommend that you look elsewhere to eat if you want to feel like a valued customer instead of like you just got swindled for a...

I called hours before for a reservation last Saturday the 11th for 6:30 p.m. for my 9-year-old daughter and I, it was a Daddy-Daughter date! If anyone is reading this that has children you know that it's hard to get them out the door on time. My daughter likes to change outfits several times before she goes anywhere to wear just the right thing! So we got out the door a little later than I hoped, and we arrived about 10 minutes tardy. As a side note, I go to New York City often, as my buddy Chris lives in Clifton New Jersey and we hang out a lot in city of New York city, best city on Earth! If you're running a little late anywhere in New York City, they are happy to accommodate & work hard to make sure you're at ease and going to get your table. That's New York City. This was quaint little Phoenix, Oregon.

The dark-haired lady that was running around at the front said nothing to us except she looked at a clipboard and said no show with reference to my daughter & I, just felt brushed off, as we are not, 'regulars.' I know this, because she was helping a customer with his takeout, and she couldn't have been more friendly with him. However she wasn't warm and fuzzy with us at all.

Right away I was put off. We were hardly tardy, and we were marked down as no-shows. My name is not no show, it's Dan!

So we stood there about 10 more minutes while she helped other people with takeout & getting seated. Pretty much feeling ignored. Not cool. I told my daughter we will go to Blue Royal next door if we don't get some attention in the next minute; we eat there often and loves it! My daughter wasn't happy either but we stood there and were patient. Finally, we were pointed towards the dining room and were given a table. It was a bad start. But my daughter wanted to stay, and I wanted to make sure she felt good, she's been looking forward to it all afternoon. I shouldn't have to work hard to do that though. That's the restaurant's responsibility, not mine because I pay them good money to eat there, they don't pay me money to eat there!

I just think it needs to start off a lot better, when guests arrive a little tardy, and work hard to make sure they feel noticed, and wanted at your restaurant from the moment they see me, to the moment we leave. Not sure if I'll be back. I don't pay money to be...

*If I could post a negative rating, I would!

The other day, I finally decided to give this restaurant a try (a chance).

Previously (approximately a year-and-a-half ago), I witnessed their very rude customers (sitting at the outside tables), yelling, cursing, and spewing obscenities at a woman crossing the street (in the direction away from them, not towards them). "Get a job!" "Go take a shower!" "You're f** crazy!"

Wanting to give this restaurant the benefit of the doubt, I went in and ordered a slice of Hawaiian pizza and a soda.

With the first bite, the pizza was so salty that I had a second bite, thinking it might be me. It wasn't. I took the pizza up to the counter and explained that because it was so salty, it was not edible. Vinny came out of the kitchen and told me to pick off the pieces of ham. (Who does that?) I was shocked! I did what he said, though, with no improvement. Even the pineapple was so salty that I could not eat it.

Back up to the counter, I went. I asked for Vinny, again, and was told that he is not there but one of the other owners is. Before this female turned to go back and get this other 'owner', she told me that I could be nicer. (Is that how you speak to anyone, most especially a customer?!!?)

OK…this is getting quite lengthy.

The point here is that all three of them were very rude. He told me that the female is his sister and that he would not say anything to her.

I did not receive an apology, another slice of pizza, or a refund of my $6.95.

Their restaurant is in a very highly visible location, on a corner, in one of the busiest areas in downtown. (What a waste!)

They need to learn that 'word of mouth' and the internet can make or...