Venchi Chocolate and Gelato Columbus Av — Restaurant in New York

So Disappointing

I was shocked at how unprofessional one of the staff members was at this store. I have been going to the Venchi Chocolate and Gelato at Columbus Av for over a year because I love their service and their chocolates. But unfortunately, on Monday, July 17th, 2023, I was both disappointed and aghast at the attention I received. I normally go on Mondays or Wednesdays because both of my kids take music lessons at Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Music Center and I have time to spare. Every time I go, I ask for a Mango Stracciatella, because it is so delicious, and normally the staff would add a small chocolate on top of the drink. On that day my husband asked for the same drink and when he received it, he asked for the chocolate. The staff member Jalissa right away reacted with attitude and told my husband that the drink does not come with chocolate. My husband and tries to explain to her that he normally gets it with the drink, but she was so nasty to him telling him that it did not come with the drink. We received the drinks and sat outside, and I thought about just leaving the situation like it was but then I saw that she gave chocolate to all the other people that were purchasing. So, I decided to go to her and ask for the chocolate and she raised her voice and with attitude refused to give me the chocolate. I asked her if the drink does not come with chocolate, why does the picture on the menu have chocolate, she replied that it did not matter and that she was not going to give me chocolate. When I asked her why everyone else got the chocolate, she stayed quiet. Also, when I informed her that I had been coming to this place for over a year once or twice a week, she responded, “Well I don’t think that’s true because I have been working every single day”. I am not sure if maybe she gave me attitude because she has not had any days off but that is something she should discuss with her boss. In the end, I informed her that I was going to stand there until I got the chocolate, and she ended up giving me the chocolate but with attitude. To be honest I was not upset because of the chocolate, I was upset because I felt discriminated against. I am Hispanic and everyone getting the chocolate was white. While drinking the shake I informed my husband that I never wanted to come back to this place. But I do have to point out that the manager Miguel came out to talk to us and asked what had happened and apologized. He also gave her some chocolates and informed us that he would discuss the situation with their supervisor. He was really nice. I have to say that I have not returned and have asked my son not to return either because I do not want my son to pass through this situation. Even though the manager did apologize, I am still sad for what happened and unfortunately, I do not think I will return. I just hope this never...

Ah, Venchi. The name alone sounds like it should be whispered over a string quartet while sipping something expensive on a balcony in Rome. But instead, there I was—standing in front of their glorious gelato counter, eyes wide, heart full, and indecisive as ever.

Let’s start with the moment: my first bite of their olive oil gelato. I don’t say this lightly—it was transcendental. Like, “is this what Botticelli tasted when painting Venus?” kind of moment. That velvety olive oil richness hits you up front with confidence and elegance, like a well-dressed Italian man offering you espresso and secrets. Sure, the intensity mellows out as you keep eating, but it never disappears—it just evolves. A plot twist in every spoonful.

Now, let’s talk about the cone. This wasn’t your average sad, soggy cone. Oh no. This one had chocolate bits woven into it like a love letter to cacao itself. It was the best “cone upgrade” I’ve ever had. Crunchy, chocolatey, luxurious—it deserves its own certificate of excellence, frankly.

And the staff? Patient, kind, and blessed with the empathy required to deal with someone (me) who treats flavor selection like high-stakes diplomacy. I felt seen. And then—oh, the pièce de résistance—a little chocolate coin placed lovingly atop my scoop like a crown. It made me feel like gelato royalty. A duchess of dessert, if you will.

They also have this gorgeous outdoor patio space, which I longed to sit in like a wistful character in an indie romance. Alas, I couldn’t stay, but next time? I’ll claim that spot with the same passion I bring to gelato tasting.

In conclusion: Venchi is elegance dipped in chocolate, sprinkled with patience, and served with a golden coin. I’ll be back—possibly...

Honestly the tipping culture in America is utterly gross. I didn’t think there was ANY service provided and I took my ice cream and chocolates to go, hence no tip. I paid for a large ice cream and received a very small portion (she did it intentionally) for the $11 price tag.

The person who checked me out also forgot to charge the chocolates until I reminded her, hey I also want those chocolates.

Overall very rude/no service and apparently if you sort the reviews by the lowest to highest, you will discover that my experience was not unique. Others have had also commented on rude staff. Keep that attitude and you will keep losing customers despite of having great products (ice cream and chocolate). Which is really a shame. Frankly, you should ask your staff if they deserve a tip for the zero service they provide.

“According to the US Labor Department, an employee is considered a tipped employee if they regularly receive over $30 in tips per month. As such, their employers don't need to pay them a minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, but rather only $2.13 per hour, though employers do need to make up the difference should the end result not match up to the federal minimum wage. Note that this is only true on a federal level as different states have their own minimum wage guidelines.”

Will the owner/manager address this tipping culture issue?...