Renato's Pastry Shoppe — Restaurant in New York

I used Renato's for my wedding cake because they were a part of the package at my wedding venue. This is the worst bakery on Staten Island with the rudest and most incompetent staff. I called them to set up a tasting appointment and they asked me to pick out my samples in advance. The options they provided were extremely limited and when I questioned about additional cake flavors and fillings the girl seemed annoyed and made me feel like I was stupid for asking. When we completed the call I don't think she realized she hadn't hung up the phone because I heard her talking to another girl making fun of the sample choices I picked. This upset me, but I decided to let it go and just see how it goes at my scheduled tasting appointment. Renato's canceled on me and my husband a total of FIVE times, and they would always call 20 minutes before when I was already in the car driving over the Verrazano to SI from Brooklyn. Not to mention each time they canceled we were not even offered a crumb for the inconvenience. After the 5th time, we agreed to just talk over the phone. I sent over a picture of what I wanted and gave them all the details. TWO days before my wedding they called me in the middle of my rehearsal dinner because they forgot everything I told them. When I finally saw my cake on my wedding day I was furious. It was not what we discussed and they didn't make enough for all my guests. Many guests did not get a slice. This place is horrible - please do not use them for any events. Dealing with them was a nightmare and stressful. I am sharing this experience with as many people as I can because I don't want anyone else's party or wedding completely...

I'd wanted to love this pastry shoppe, but their inept handling of a delivery, then their rudeness following it lead me to give them a low rating. Their pastries are ok; size is smaller than Alfonso's for same price. I'd called for a delivery to friends on a Wednesday. They couldn't deliver then and scheduled for Thursday between 10 - 2 - that was all good. They called Thur. and said it would be a bit later - still good. The following week I discovered they charged twice $48.05 on Wed., and $52 on Thur - order was actually $46.20+$5 tip = $51.20. They had difficulty cancelling the wrong charge ($48.05) and would drop off cash at the house instead between 3-5pm. The time came and went, my 80+ yr old mother who was to receive the refund, waited without any tv on, without going to bathroom so she wouldn't miss the person bringing back the refund. I called the shop and learned they're running late. When the person did finally arrive, he shortchanged Mom by refunding only $46. She told him it was $48 but he argued with her and gave her only $46. $2 is not going to make my Mom poor or the shop rich - but it's about the principal of it. They double charged, couldn't credit back the credit card, kept her waiting for the cash refund, then argued with and shortchanged an 80 yr old woman. When I called the shop back, Dominique was rude and complained I was calling too often - I'd called once to check on the person not coming within the time slot they'd stated, then 2nd time to discuss the incorrect refund. They still haven't called the issue. Would have loved to support local family business,...

If I could give zero stars that would actually be my rating. We have been customers at Renato's for over 20 years. I have always been more than happy with everything and anything that was ever purchased. In the past we even purchased cannoli shells with the filling packed separately for travel, and when we arrived at our destination everything tasted as fresh as if eaten immediately. Unfortunately this past Friday, the 11th of August the purchases we made were not of the quality we have had over the past years. I asked for the regular sized cannoli and asked if they could be freshly filled. The young lady said sure, do you want powdered sugar too? In addition we also got two regular sized napoleons, Renato's specialty, a rainbow cupcake, assorted cookies and coffee cake. When we got home we unboxed the cannoli and found that the shells were so soggy that they actually were wet and the cannoli filling was hard at both ends. The cream in the Napoleon was soured and the pasty was also soggy, the coffee cake was hard and dry, and the cupcake was dry and tasteless. If one item had been a disappointment or just a bit off, well that happens. For everything we purchased to be inedible is absolutely unacceptable. We will not be back, since $40.00 worth of bakery goods went in...