The Purple Garlic Italian Cafe — Restaurant in San Antonio

We came yesterday, May 10th to celebrate Mother’s Day with a party of 6. We were advised it would be a 45 minute wait time, which was fine. Once we were called in, we weren’t even directed to a table. The hostess or manager pointed to a table in the far back. Our family sat down, and about 10-20 mins later a server comes to take our drink orders. After bringing our drinks she asks if we are ready to order, but we were never even given menus. Finally after a while we place our orders. We did order an appetizer which took a while to come out and were never checked in on or offered drink refills until the appetizer came. After over an hour of being sat down and still haven’t received our entrees, my husband gets up to ask about it. At this point the restaurant is emptying and we’ve watched multiple families come in and even get served their food, while we are still waiting. My husband comes back to the table and about 5 mins later the manager or hostess (not really sure what she is) came and apologized for the wait and that our order is up next after the one they are working on. My mom points out that we’ve been treated unfairly as we’ve watched others get served who came in after us and service hasn’t been great overall. The lady’s response was “no, others have ordered before you and were served”. she did offer to comp desserts - which to be honest, who cares about desserts when you’re whole family has been here almost 3 hours being treated like this. After another 10-15 mins, we decided to leave, hungry and disappointed, but unwilling to support a business who makes petty excuses instead of owning up to their mistakes.

I just have to point out that the interaction with this host/manager was what really set the tone. We weren’t looking for anything free. Being told that after an hour and a half our food would barely START being prepared, is a shame. It feels like our waitress forgot to put in our order or maybe we were pushed to last, I’m not sure but something was wrong. We watched the 2 closest tables be sat after us and get there food before us. One of those tables had a whole different family sitting there prior! So to lie to our faces that these people ordered before us was a shame. On top of that once we did decide to leave, it was past 9pm - closing time. Although there were still a few tables with guests, we are sitting around watching staff clean up to close while we haven’t even received our food. When we did leave the staff held the door open. Honestly made it feel like they just wanted us to leave.

We weren’t difficult. We barely had any interaction with the staff at all. We did leave with no more interaction other than the door being held for us to get out.

We’ve heard great things about the Purple Garlic, my mom and sister recently discovered it and have went three prior times in the past week alone. Me and my husband live very close and were excited to give this place a try based off of the recommendation. Unfortunately, the Purple Garlic failed us and ruined a Mothers Day treat for the 4 mothers we were celebrating. After almost 3 hours at this restaurant, almost 10pm at this time, we ended our Mother’s Day at...

🌟EXCELLENT Service and WONDERFUL ATTENTION TO DETAIL. 🌟We were greeted with the front door kindly being opened for us, with a warm smile. 🤩 Wow! This action set the tone for this is rare.

🥗 GREEK SALAD DELICIOUS. The entrees were nice. 🍝 🍆 Yummy, creamy, sweet butter accompanying the homemade bread 🥖 {included with an entree}. Fresh grated Parmesan cheese was a special treat.

☺️FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE & polite, ATTENTIVE servers who REALLY CARE. 🌟 JOEY A. 🌟, the considerate and intelligent gentleman serving us for our first visit to The Purple Garlic Cafe, we sing his/your praises. Gratzi to you Sir. 🙏🏼 CLASSY intention that really did remind us of two beloved restaurants in Venice.

The tables are a little close for our liking, yet we understand why. Decor is creative giving you a sense you are in a garden. Bar area and Italian backdrop with facade balcony is REALLY CREATIVE and did remind us of our time in Italy. 🇮🇹

A really helpful server shared how HAPPY HOUR is 🍷 🥖 🍅 Tuesday through Friday 3-6pm. And how they have a $10.95 lunch during the week. 80% of everything is homemade.

Next time we will definitely ENJOY their HOMEMADE ITALIAN CRÈME CAKE!! 🍰

GRATZI 💜to the family and all the dedicated cooks, servers, and those who make the SPECIAL & AUTHENTIC CARE come to fruition.🙏🏼✨🧄

Vibrant, peaceful blessings to each of you, and ABUNDANT PROSPERITY, Heather...

Went for the first time to the blanco location because of everyone said it was the best place. Well I can say I was not impressed. We did mention to the server it was our first time and she did mention a few dishes to try, but unfortunately we were left with very few options as alot that was recommended were spicy and I cant do spicy. Sure does limit the choices !! My husband and I split a chicken picatta, again not impressed, a frozen Goron Ramsey chicken picatta actually has more flavor and would be hot !! The one at your place had no flavor, luke warm at best, sticky pasta, server never asked how it was, never got refills on our drinks. The restaurant was cute, but that's all I can say was the only thing I can say was good about our experience there. And as I read all the other reviews its sad that there were so few responses from the owners weather they were good or bad. Won't be back ! One last suggestion give some options spicy and non spicy there are others allergies...