Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

My first birthday in 10 years without cancer. This is one of my favorite places to usually eat, I called 2 weeks ago and made a reservation for 10 people to celebrate not only my birthday, but me finally being cancer free. I was VERY specific making the reservation not to be put outside since it was going to be in the 40’s. Between the host and the manager I was told there would be no problems and it was marked down for inside seating. The day before our party I got a call from someone named Elana to discuss our reservation, she works for bavaros and helps with large parties, again I was VERY specific please make sure we are sat inside, I even said to let me know if not and I would be happy to make a reservation somewhere else. she confirmed it would not be an issue and she said she would remind the store herself. That night I even called the restaurant, asked to speak to a manager, and once again was told not to worry, our party is marked to be sat inside. We arrive at 5:30 sharp for my birthday and I see our table is set up outside. The manager was at the host stand so I immediately told her everything I have just written above, that I’ve spoken to multiple managers, hosts, and Elena. The manager Mia was extremely rude, she told me there was nothing she could do for me, that the reservation is marked down for “outside seating” I told her that’s impossible and she said “well it’s written right here” I looked and saw multiple tables open inside, and she still said I had to be outside, I pleaded with her, letting her know for 2 weeks now I wanted to make sure we would be inside. I am only 3 months post-op from having more than half my lung removed from lung cancer, sitting outside in the extremely cold weather on my 26th birthday was the last thing I wanted. It is a huge danger to my health. I asked her to please work something out and what my options were, in a very condescending way, she said “you can either sit outside or you can come back another day” I have NEVER been treated this way at any establishment. I have worked in the restaurant and bar industry for 10 years now myself, I could never imagine treating anyone like that, let alone a cancer patient just trying to celebrate their birthday with her friends. As all my guest were arriving, and I was too embarrassed to try and find somewhere else for dinner on a Saturday night, we sat outside, it was miserable, I had multiple of my friends leave early because it was just too cold, the service was not great, we felt ignored 75% of the time, our server was never around, we waited about 20 minutes for a drink every time it was ordered, our food got cold immediately from being outside. We just felt like we were a bother. I will never get this night back, I have been thinking of this for months, layed up in a hospital bed, I just wanted this night, I just wanted this night with my friends, at my favorite place to eat. 10 years with cancer, and this is where I wanted to celebrate. And thanks to the awful staff, and the absolute worst, rude, degrading manager,I was robbed from that. This is just another bad review to them, but this was my night. Thanks again Mia, learn how to treat people with decency, you never know what they are...

We are repeat customers who live in St. Petersburg. This was our second time eating here in a month. For tonight, I had made a standard (inside) reservation for 4 people for 6:15 PM on Open Table. A few days ago Bavaro's called and asked to switch our time to 7:00. It was not the time that would work best for us, but we decided to accommodate Bavaro's needs. Upon arrival, we were told by the hostess that the only table available for us was outside and that, "sometimes standard reservations get switched to outside." I could see 2 tables inside that had no one seated at them. I told her we did not wish to eat outside and asked if we could have one of them, but were told that we could not. Being seated outside was extremely chilly. No one in our group was dressed appropriately to sit outside on a cool evening. We asked our waitress if the heater that was positioned closer to the building could be brought to us and turned on. She said, "I don't think so. It is normally only used in colder months." She said she would ask someone, but nothing was ever reported back. Bavaro's sidewalk tables are positioned VERY close together. The loud guests at the next table made it difficult to hold a conversation. The establishment to the east has very loud outdoor music with their bass turned to extreme (Boom-Boom-Boom!) Lastly, Bavaro's outdoor tables are located 2-3 doors down from a Marijuana Shop, which also has outside tables that were packed with marijuana smokers and the wind was blowing our way.

This was NOT the dining experience that I had reserved.

Our food was good (as always) and was served in a normal amount of time. When leaving, I approached the hostess again to tell her that I was really unhappy with the dining situation that was forced upon us and that I would really like to share my thoughts about it with the manager. She told me to leave an on-line review and that the manager would read it and contact me.

So, here's my review and now few questions: If Bavaro's could call to ask me to accommodate their needs and change my time, why couldn't they have called to tell me about the table location switch and to wear warmer clothing? Why would a restaurant want a customer complaint printed on- line for all to see, rather than talk with me in person?

I look forward to a reply.

Update: Mr. Cruz, Bavaro's owner, called me 2 days later and apologized profusely. He invited us back in for a complimentary meal and the chance to win us back. We went last evening and had a lovely evening. Our server, Kristy, was amazing. Our food was delicious (as always!). Thank you Bavaro's for going the extra mile to assure us that your restaurant is one that we can continue to enjoy and show off to our out of...

I recently had the opportunity to dine at Bavaro's with my family, and while the experience had its highlights, there were some notable disappointments when it came to certain dishes.

Let's begin with the positive aspects of the meal. The pizza at Bavaro's was undeniably a standout. Expertly made and bursting with flavor, the pizza showcased a delightful harmony of fresh ingredients and a perfectly balanced crust. It was evident that the pizzaiolos took great care in crafting this culinary delight, and it certainly left a memorable impression.

Another highlight of the dining experience was the burrata mozzarella. Creamy, luscious, and perfectly textured, it was a testament to the quality and expertise of the kitchen. Each bite of the burrata mozzarella was a heavenly delight, and it served as a reminder of the restaurant's capability to deliver exceptional dishes.

The service at Bavaro's was commendable as well. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and prompt in addressing our needs. Their knowledge of the menu and willingness to provide recommendations added a pleasant touch to the overall dining experience.

Unfortunately, the gnochi and ravioli did not meet our expectations. The pasta lacked freshness, with a texture that leaned towards being slightly dense and heavy. It seemed as though the gnochi and ravioli were not prepared in-house and may have been sourced pre-packaged. Additionally, the accompanying sauce left much to be desired. It had a generic taste that hinted at being commercially produced rather than crafted from scratch.

In conclusion, Bavaro's has its culinary highlights, particularly with their delicious pizza and luscious burrata mozzarella. The attentive service also added to the overall positive impression. However, for those seeking a consistently outstanding Italian dining experience, I recommend exploring other menu options or discussing the freshness of the pasta dishes...