Mino — Restaurant in Naples

I was excited to go to Mino with my friends who were visiting from out of town. My daughter and son-in-law have dined here before numerous time and raved about it. They were joining us and arrived first. They were waiting at the bar having a drink. We were waiting for a table since we were a party of 6. While waiting for our table...at the end of the bar, we ordered a few drinks which the bartender was more than happy to make for our group. The next thing, the manager came over YELLING at us. He was saying we were infecting the tables that were reserved for a party. There was no one in the area except at the bar and the seats were all taken. He said he had to change everything now. The men were only leaning on the table and not even touching anything else. When we asked why he was being so disrespectful to us, he said we were not allowed to be at the bar while waiting for a table. We needed to wait outside. It was extremely hot that evening. I have NEVER been to a restaurant where we could NOT ORDER drinks while waiting for a table. Even though we apologized because we did not know the rule, the manager made us leave. We were shocked. Since we were hungry, we went to 5th Ave for dinner. We went to a wonderful restaurant which made us feel welcome and took great care of us. Seated our party within a few minutes, even though we did not have reservations. We told them about our experience at Mino and they said the manager was not right and does not know the meaning of HOSPITALITY. I know I am going to get BLASTED from the owner on my review. I read some of the other one-star reviews and how he insults the reviewer. I am not surprised. What I am surprised with is how he gets away with this. My friends visiting, have been here numerous times, and said that Naples has the nicest people. This experience goes in the record books as the WORSE EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD IN THE 10 YEARS I LIVED HERE. We enjoyed the rest of our evening on 5th at a five-star restaurant, being treated like everyone should be treated in a restaurant, with RESPECT. After 4 bottles of wine, 5 appetizers, 3 steak dinners, 3 fish dinners, 3 desserts, and more, our bill was $997.00. YOU MISSED OUT MINO'S. This owner should not get away with how he treats his customers. There are many good restaurants in Naples to choose from. I hope this is NOT one that you choose in the future.

I am adding to my post after the managers response. He knows nothing about me nor my family. He has no idea about my financial situation. How can he make comments and get away with belittling people for their lifestyle. He has NO IDEA how hard we work. My daughter was a server for 14 years at a high pace restaurant in Maryland and went to school full time while also holding another job at a property office. My friend visiting has a cleaning business and works 5 days a week cleaning houses at 66 years old. I had a painting business for 17 years and did ALL the painting myself. So why don't you STOP JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS COVER. YOUR ATTITUDE IS DISGUSTING. And by the way, my name is WENDY.....NOT KAREN.....I was not even close to acting like a KAREN. And believe me,...

Went to Mino about 4 years ago with friends and order a couple of pizzas only to find out they don't cut their pizza. All four of us equipped with a dull knife began to placing our hands on the pizzas trying to get our piece of the pie. Was quite frustrating.

Fast forward to Jan 2024. Thought let’s give it a second go, thinking if they still don't cut the pizza no problem I’ll bring our pizza cutter. Waitress came indicated they still don't cut the pizza because that is the Italian way of eating pizza. No problem I said I brought a pizza cutter. Within 10 mins the owner confronts our table, mind you we didn't ask for him to come to our table. He begins to school us on why they DON'T cut the pizza. He said do your research. I said to him no problem we just prefer to have cut pizza. We indicated we were in Italy a few times and loved the pizza but don't remember them not cutting the pizza. Owner said well I'm Italian maybe even said he is from Italy. I said I'm Italian too! Then he condescendingly began to speak to me in Italian, just to humiliate me in front of the other customers. I said I don't speak Italian. That is when this ITALIAN got upset. I said I'm done here. All this over pizza cutting. I got up; he said pay the bill for the two sips we took out of the beers. I said please just be quiet, he said this is my restaurant and I'll say anything I want, or something like that. I said no problem we are leaving. He said go somewhere else to eat, he said there are plenty of other places to eat in Naples. Then he said this all is on a surveillance camera. All this because we wanted our pizza cut into slices. All I can say is, I'll tell two people, then they will tell two people and on and on. What a classy owner telling us to go F yourselves! If you don’t believe me just read all the other rude comments. This is his response to my son's review, Response from the owner 4 hours ago SORRY MORON, but first of all you didn’t speak to me…#2we are an authentic Italian restaurant and we don’t cut the pizzas like they do in Italy. #3 Do your parents still spoon feed you, since you were unable to cut your pizza. #4 Do you actually think I would want you back? Karens are not welcome here…Try and do research before you go out…you won’t be kicked out and embarrass yourself anymore in front of my laughing customers that appreciate what...

Again, the attitude of the staff and owners of this place is beyond belief. Too many of these incidents there--we are DONE. I ordered a Caesar salad with anchovies, tasted the salad, looked through it ... obviously no anchovies. I told the server they forgot them. She took it away and when she came back said that I had eaten half the salad and ate the anchovies! What? I took ONE bite and I would obviously KNOW if there was an anchovy in it! What motivation could I possibly have to lie?

When employees feel they can act and treat patrons that way, it speaks to the attitude of the owners which trickles down. These owners are not good role models and are doing a disservice to their young, impressionable employees. This place has its own little set of rules (we won’t cut your pizza), and no regard for customer service. It is not a place you want to go....there are too many great restaurants in Naples with owners who treat customers with respect, dignity and appreciate your business.

The owners' response to my review is typical.....look at all of his horrible, nasty responses to many other complaints. They have demonstrated who they are.....there is no accountability for the one simple mistake made by the kitchen that could have so easily been corrected without the nasty comments made to me.

And the owner called me entitled??? Moron??? He has no idea who I am or anything about me. Calling women names? Donald Trump is probably his man-crush. Yes, I consider myself a conservative, but there is no place in society for this type of name-calling and behavior. Really sad that these people believe this is acceptable. Good-bye to the negative vibes...