Campania — Restaurant in New York

This is Gregory. He is the manager of Campania Restaurant in Brooklyn New York, and I’m going to take a moment to recognize his exemplary customer service skills. He made such an impression on me that I asked if I could take a picture with him so I could write this post when I had a moment.

On Wednesday April 6th Jessica and I were looking for a place to eat in the southern Brooklyn area. The Google reviews for a place called “Campania” showed a nearly perfect rating on Google with almost 1,000 reviews. We were about to find out why.

Walking into the small Italian restaurant I immediately realized I should have made a reservation or something, as it was packed. A soft spoken man with a genuine smile made eye contact with me and greeted us. This was Gregory.

Gregory told me that he would need a little time to get a table together, but in the meantime we would need to sit outside in a heated waiting area. As we made our way out he says “actually I think I’ll join you to keep you company”. I was really surprised by this!

He spent the next 15 minutes having a heartfelt conversation with us about our profession, his time in the restaurant industry and how the pandemic changed his life in different ways. After getting infected in the first wave, he said his taste and smell changed permanently and he has unexplainable new preferences in food. He seemed very interested in our travels and experiences and made many recommendations about the restaurant. Eventually we were sat and enjoyed our dinner.

The white pie we had there was remarkable, really 10/10 stuff here. I would go on and on about it, but you just really couldn’t imagine a better coal fired pizza. The stories you hear about pizza being better in NYC because of the water/minerals are actually true.

Gregory stopped in several times to check in on us, bring by refills and offer additional suggestions. I felt like I was with a family member.

When we were done, Gregory insisted that we try desserts on the house. I’m really trying to avoid desserts and sugars but I couldn’t say no to his kind offer. He ended up bringing out three different desserts: a ridiculous white chocolate and raspberry ice cream, an Italian cheesecake, and some kind of Brooklyn speciality pistachio ice cream. All of it, amazing.

Gregory kept offering us coffee or cappuccino, haha. It was 9pm! I guess they do that with dessert up here in the northeast or something.

I was so impressed with the entire operation, the quality of the food and especially the customer service. The manager really didn’t have to take the time and effort to make our experience so special, but he did and it became really memorable as a result! He even walked us out to the curb after I paid and complimented my energy and enthusiasm. 🙂

He didn’t know I was a Google Local Guide or anything like that, how could he of? I think this is just how he treats everyone. I think someone needs to shine a light on Gregory, because you can’t pay a person enough to have these kind of customer...

I want to leave a review about absolutely boorish attitude to guests! More than once visited this place! Very tasty, the service is ordinary, nothing special! But this time, I was struck by the manager's answer (a short, bald man) you have to wait for your 3rd guest on the street, when the guest arrives we will put you at the table. I tell you how it was! I had pre-booked a table for 6pm for 3 people! We arrived at the cafe by 6 o'clock, but our guest was late! After we walked in, a waiter came up to us and asked if you had reserved a table and for how many people! After 2 minutes the manager came over and said what I wrote above: "where is your third guest? I answered late! He said wait outside, as he arrives you will come in! I was shocked, never heard such a thing! We went outside, I couldn't understand why. Then the manager went outside to ask something to a woman who was standing outside. I tried to ask him why such rules, we could have sat down to order appetizers, drinks. To which he replied, we have such rules! I want to say that it was quite cold outside and we were not dressed for long walks. Our evening and mood was spoiled we had to look for a new place to meet our friend! I want to warn you! If you order a table in this place, keep in mind that if your guest is late, you will not sit at the table! You'll be waiting outside the restaurant... it's horrible! I will never go to your cafe again! And everyone I know will definitely tell about such a terrible attitude to guests...

I am all about customer service for 25 years and work in the service industry for a major U.S airline.I live three blocks away and always supported the local restaurant business. Due to covid I comprehend all the rules and regulations about social distancing. My sister and I decided to enjoy and support the outdoor dinning today when she took the liberty of moving her chair next to mine to talk in private. No one was next to us until an hour & a half later.Two people then sat next to our table and one specific table had the same set up but with 3 people instead and same distant. The manager approached my sister in a manner that was not warm at all to move the chair back to its original set up. Meanwhile this could of been addressed from the very beginning in a way by stating just in case anyone else comes we have to ask you to move back. But two hours later right before our lunch is over and ready to pay 79.00 with a bottle of wine and the guy next to us with only chicken wings and water for 15 dollars he decides to ruin our lunch and single her out. Just know if you have any issues whether it's food ,service or policy clarifications, Rest assure the current manager in that place has zero people skills and does not know how to Communicate with people. His lack of professionalism truly demonstrates amateur beginner then someone who knows about customer service skills. Poor choice who ever hired him. Never going back there again or order food from them...