Nocciola — Restaurant in Ojai

Myself and a friend went to dinner here last week. I asked our server if they had anything that accommodates a vegan diet, and he literally told me if I wanted to eat something vegan I could go elsewhere. Even typing that sounds so extreme it sounds like it's made up.

When I pressed more, he said something on the menu was gluten free if that helped. So clearly he doesn't understand what vegan is. I asked to talk to someone else just because it didn't seem like he was understanding what I was asking. He said no one else at the restaurant could help me. I should have just left right then but it was getting late and things tend to close early around there and my friend had already ordered.

So I got what was described on the menu as just pasta and tomato sauce. When it was served to me, it had a lot of cheese on top, so I couldn't eat it.

Trying to reason with our server was definitely not going to happen based on the long conversation we had with him resisting any attempt to try to help me find something to eat in the restaurant. So I paid the $28 for some pasta I couldn't even eat.

So rather than posting a passive aggressive yelp review, I called the restaurant the next day and asked to speak to a manager. I told him the story, he seemed surprised by the servers actions which was reassuring. He offered to give me a free meal next time and said they offer prepared vegetables for vegans (something our server didn't offer) and I could come back whenever. But I don't live near there so I wouldn't have been coming back any time soon. I asked if he could just refund me for the meal. He took my number and said he wasn't sure that he could but if he could refund me the meal he would. (How would it not be possible to issue a refund?)

He never called me back. So I've disputed the charge on my credit card. I really dread the idea of having to pay $28 to be mocked by a server and then left hungry the rest of the night.

I've been vegan for a long time and I've never had a restaurant not be able to serve me, especially one that has the perception of being upscale. Big bummer. Hopefully the manager is reading this and can finally give me my refund. Sorry to write the bad review but it seems to be the only way to possibly get...

Service was excellent. Attentive but not overly. We may have overstayed our welcome but did not feel forced to leave even though we were almost the last group to go. I've had many pulpo starters over the years and theirs was tender and flavorful with complimenting vegetables and a decent portion to share. It was honestly one of the best I've ever had. I could have made a meal out of three or four of those and been perfectly happy and stuffed. Portions on the pasta are enough to share or make a meal of as an individual without leftovers. The boar bolognese on pappardelle was one of the best pasta dishes I've enjoyed. The noodles were fresh made and Al dente and the boar was tender and paired nicely texturally. The sauce lingered invitingly on the pallet. We finished with the affogato over biscotti ice cream. The espresso was strong and smooth and cut through the soft sweetness of the ice cream. If you're in town and have and have a little extra spending money this is an excellent place to go. I would have taken pictures but it was dark and we were with company that we met for the first time that day. The meal made for a lovely finish to a surprisingly great...

We decided last minute to drive to Ojai for dinner and had to quickly make a decision about where to eat. I love everything Italian and this restaurant had great reviews. To our surprise they fit us in without a reservation but said nothing was available on the patio. Once seated in the bustling dining room we were told a patio table had become available so we moved. Tables were decently spaced apart and there were heaters scattered around. Ours was not working so I was given a blanket. Gonzo was our waiter and he was delightful, as well as the other staff members who assisted us. I ordered the lasagna which was amazing, my husband ordered the risotto and was not disappointed, but not wowed either. My only complaints about our experience would be the portion of the meal vs. price, and the crawling visitor on our table (which we did not order). Gonzo promptly partially squished the earwig and while it was still moving scooped it up and walked away explaining it was additional protein. I am not a fan of bugs so I probably...