IL Viaggio — Restaurant in New York

I’ve been closely involved in the restaurant business for over 20 years yet had one of the weirdest restaurant experiences at this place.

First of all there is zero vibe, zero music, and oddly bright bar lighting (even for the day). The entire morale of the staff was off and even unprofessional at times.

The food had a really great flavor which other reviewers had mentioned. However the pasta dish I ordered took 30 minutes to come out. (There was only one other guest at a table and just me at the bar when I ordered) Not to mention the red sauce was very watery and almost looked like soup especially since it came in a bowl. Pasta marinara soup? No thanks!

The woman behind the bar kept complaining to her coworkers around me about certain issues with her job. This went on for nearly the entire first 30 minutes while waiting for my food.

I had a long trip and a tough time getting to the airport that day and was just trying to relax at a bar. This was not the environment I really wanted to walk into. I had to put some headphones on just to stop hearing the negative energy.

Then two other male workers came in to their shift behind the bar and she disappeared for the rest of the time I was there. I was like no problem, I guess one of these guys will take care of me..

At one point I ask both of the male workers who were just standing around in front of me if I could have some extra parmesan. They didn’t even respond. Instead they look up at the female coworker across the restaurant in annoyance then look down to walk away without any response. (which also felt like I annoyed them by asking this simple request)

Then one of the male bartenders walks back with the parmesan and says to the other bartender “I guess I’ll have to do everything myself”.

I was unsure what just happened because they were just standing around before and it was only a side of parmesan. He went back to standing around with his coworker at the other end of the bar.

Due to my experience in the restaurant world it’s not my intention to blame the front of house staff here. Management needs to seriously rethink how they are leading this team if at all. As well as restructuring the FOH restaurant service program because it’s very clear there is a problem.

Things I observed: Zero to negative working culture, tension between the staff and management, lack of teamwork, lack of leadership and purpose which has lead to a misguided staff.

I felt bad for these workers because I could tell there is something seriously wrong with the owners or management here. It’s possible like many airport restaurants there is one company managing many of the other restaurants at once. This isn’t good because then the workers are in the sea without rudder and left to their own vices. There should always be a lead floor manager making sure things run smoothly at all times. All the while providing good vibes for the staff while working together and keeping them accountable.

I’m unsure why I wrote the longest restaurant review of my life but I just want this place to work for some reason. I feel for these workers out there trying their best to make a living after such a terrible pandemic. And for whatever reason it’s not the right environment. Yet is should be.

Ownership / management if you read this you guys really need to get your sh** in gear otherwise you will loose whatever contract you have with LGA.

I know LGA has come a long way after the Biden comment about landing in LaGuardia is like landing in a third world country.

Hopefully they get the restaurants and bar programs sorted out otherwise the new redesign is just like putting...

During our trip home via LGA, we wanted to eat at a sit-down restaurant. This looked like it would fill the bill nicely. It really didn't. Around 12 pm we walked over to a table that could seat four and were immediately told that they could not allow any less then four to sit there, that it was reserved for that. So, we sat a small table for two with our carry-on luggage right beside us. Shortly after we sat down, we noticed that the lady who had shooed us away from there allowed ONE lone person to sit there with luggage. Our FIRST MINUS for the place. There were two staff that we could see, but remember, this is a VERY small place. It took forever for us to get acknowledged and our order placed, although our server Ryan was very nice. It also took forever to get our food (two slices). Our SECOND & THIRD MINUSES. While we were awaiting our food, the original lady grabbed our luggage and said she was going to move it to the opposite end of the little place (outside of our reach) in order to make room for her to get through. Didn't ask the guy at the bar to move his which was also in the way. We, of course, did not allow this and moved it as close to my husband as possible. FIFTH MINUS. The pizza was actually pretty good, but by that time, we were ready to gulp everything down and get out of there. We had to actually ask for our bill. Geez. In case the management would like to talk with the lady who was so rude to us, we were there from about 12 to 1:30 pm. 1-1/2 hour for two...

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