Fiat Cafe — Restaurant in New York

Here is how my day went: Came in to a nearly empty restaurant and, out of all seats, got seated by the corner seat at the door and wall. Not only was there barely any room to squeeze in because tables are so tightly packed into a very small venue, but there isn't any room for a table there. I was also getting hit with freezing cold air everytime the door opened, which happened often as the waitresses would walk through the front to get to outside street seating. The location doesn't accept credit card, which is absurd for a venue that charges so much. I only noticed it as sub text on the front of the menu. But CC fees are a cost of of doing business, and it screws over customers when businesses don't accept this. Having a cash unit in a basement which leads to cash fees isn't an answer. I ordered a Salmon which was bland, though the rest of the dish was seasoned well. Presentation was also pleasant. But with the expensive and well plated dish, I got cheap paper napkins you find in pizza shops, as well as a plastic cup for my drink. The would say the venue also comes across as a bit cheap for the price of the food. The waitresses then seated the next batch of people right next to me which, because of the extreme proximity of the tables, meant I had to hear every bit of their conversation and I could barely squeeze past them to even go to the bathroom (located in the basement behind the kitchen counter and also very narrow of a hallway to get to the stairs). Service wasn't exactly the best either. No one checked in on me during my meal, though they were attentive enough to notice when I finished my meals and were quick with the check when ready. The waitress wasn't unfriendly, but she also didn't exactly come across as friendly either which, given how the restaurant tries to present itself, I expect a higher quality of service. I received better service just the other day from a standard diner quite frankly. Dessert was good, though the cappuccino was lacking in crema and seemed to have more milk which unbalanced it in my opinion. However, I still think it was good and would have been more enjoyable if not for the incredibly frustrating group next to me.

Overall, it was a torturous experience due to the extreme proximity of the duo seated right next to me. The restaurant isn't at fault for the frustrating conversation was subjected to listening too because I couldn't tune them out, no matter how hard i tried. But they are at fault for situating me in a location that is not suited for a table, or for situating a duo right next to me when there was other seating initially available. Though the salmon seemed bland, everything else was very well balanced and cooked very well; and I enjoyed the food, though I wouldn't pay that price again for it. Service wasn't bad, but should have been better for the price of the establishment, though I do think the waitresses worked with what they could given the incredibly cramped conditions (and it did fill up later on). So its probably not the staff's fault, but the logistics of the owner. lastly, the venue was okay, but couldn't seem to decide as to whether be a cheap pizza parlor (for which its not) or fancy and relaxing cafe. Perhaps lunch is a more pleasant experience if the place isn't filled, because i could not imagine relaxing in that environment, which is somewhat...

As soon as we arrived the host Giada G, tried to advise us outdoor seating, it was 39 degrees. When asked if we could sit indoors comments were made in Italian to the other host. I do not speak Italian but I read body language very well. Upon waiting to place our order the two host and the cook were blatantly talking about us in Italian and English. Every time they looked up to see me looking their direction they would look away and laugh. I'm not sure what the joke was, but we somehow had become it. After our food was brought to the table the host tried to ask for temperature check and ask for name address and telephone number. This should of been done upon entering. At that I point I voiced how I did not like the treatment we had been receiving and Giada apologized and offered the meal on the house which I insisted that we would pay so that I would have her name on receipt. The other host who claimed she was not on the clock was sitting outside drinking coffee. As we left I told her I didn't appreciate her service and she very rudely told me she wasnt on the clock. I told her i didn't appreciate her speaking Italian and her comments unknown made about us. She told me I was spying on her to listen to what they were saying. I'm not sure of you have ever experienced a language barrier among peers to understand how it feels to not speak a language and recognize when your being spoke about, but I know for a fact based on her spying comment that we had become the joke. I do not advise going to this establishment and I will be calling the BBB to let them know that a governor mandated order to temperature check and collect tracking information was not followed until after our...

RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL STAFF.

Extremely disappointed with my visit to Fiat Cafe today. After reading good reviews we looked forward to a good Italian meal, but we were thoroughly underwhelmed with the food and the service was even worse.

We ordered wine and wanted to upgrade to a bottle, which the waitress said she would do, when we were ready for the extra 2 glasses she said to let her know. Later on, we decided we no longer required the extra wine informed the waitress.

She argued with us and said that the computer system will not allow her to change the order back. We explained that we would not be paying for something we haven’t consumed.

She was very rude and aggressive with us, as soon as we explained that we changed our mind. She said that she would need to email her manager and ask them for authorisation to change our order on their computer system. Absolute nonsense ?? This is ridiculous and not the customers’ problem.

The waitress and her colleague were rolling their eyes and whispering behind the bar about us, when we were on the table right in front. Disgusting behaviour.

A minute later, she printed a check for us with the food/wine we had ordered - so it turns out she could change the order after all. She was just giving us grief for no reason. We were put off our food so paid our bill and left. Very annoyed that we paid for such a poor meal and service.

Save your money, go elsewhere. The city is full of Italian...