Wheat + Water Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in South Bradenton

I give this restaurant a 1 star only for the fact that our waitress was wonderful and the food was decent. I for one will not recomend this place because of the attitude and unprofessionalism that the owner showed towards us. When the hostess sat us down she asked if we needed a booster for my barely 2 year old Daughter. She apparently was unaware of how to strap it in appropriately(unknown to us) so when my daughter leaned to the side the whole booster flipped out of the seat causing my baby to slam her head into the wall before falling to the floor (hard enough that she was screaming and we left with a big knot on her head that began to bruise). The waitress was wonderful and immediately got my baby some ice to put on it. She called the owner over just to let her know that all booster seats needed to be checked in order to make sure they were all safe... the owner then had the audacity to look at us and speak towards us as if it was our fault!! She was nothing but rude and condescending. I was being very understanding that it wasn’t hooked properly these things happen. We just wanted to make it aware that it should be taught to all staff. Still she continued to be rude and act disrespectfully towards us. We weren’t trying to get a free meal or anything, just a simple acknowledgement and a “Im sorry is your child okay” would have been plenty. However she could have cared less about my child’s injury. When we left the hostess was nice enough to apologize and ask if my baby was okay. I explained she would be fine but she did get a nasty bump and bruise on her head. The owner just stood there staring at us with nothing to say. Both us and the owner are lucky that the injury wasn’t more serious. And she is definitely lucky that i am as kind and understanding as i am. This was the most unprofessional and rude business owner i have encountered especially when it was about an injured child that happened in her restaurant because of...

I had high expectations as I read all the five star reviews. There was no problem getting a last minute reservations, but it was not needed as there was plenty of available seating. Upon arrival we informed the waiter this was our first visit. He did not offer a warm welcome, explain the menu or provide any information regarding the restaurant or chef. The pasta is imported, not fresh made on the premises. The restaurant IS called Wheat + Water. They also do not offer dipping oil for the bread. I ordered the Lasagna Bolognese. It says five layers. Mine was missing the Ricotta and Mozzarella and the pasta was extremely overcooked. Mush! When I informed the waiter he stated the lasagna was cooked in large batches which then sat until gradually consumed. This causes the pasta to overcook. What??? How do other Italian restaurants do it successfully? He did offer me the opportunity to order a replacement meal but I declined, not wanting to eat after my husband had already completed his meal. He stated he would inform the chef. No response. No comment or visit from the chef. We each order one cocktail. Nothing out of the ordinary, yet these also fell short of our expectations. When the check arrived the waiter asked if we had a membership points card. On the first visit?? When he then started to explain the program I interrupted and stated that would not be necessary. [For obvious reasons] He quickly did an about face and walked away in silence.I do not understand the favorable reviews. Maybe the chef was absent the day I was there.

UPDATE: I decided to give this restaurant another chance given its many good reviews. I am glad I did. The server was attentive and informative regarding the menu. I order the Chicken Parmagani with fettuccini and my quest ordered the Sacchetti. The pasta was a perfect al dente, the chicken was tender and the sauces were flavorful. I...

I went here for the first time this past weekend. Upon entering, the atmosphere is very nice, good crowd, and not crazy noisy like so many places are nowadays. I ordered the veal parmesan from a very pleasant wait person. Pretty basic Italian restaurant staple, hard to go wrong. The meal arrived and I had trouble cutting the veal with a steak knife so I thought this may not be the best. I was correct, it was very tough and I couldn't chew it enough to eat it. I asked for the waitperson, she was very gracious, took the veal away and I ordered a chicken parm instead. I waited a good while for it, the other 3 in my party were finished their meal for some time before my replacement meal arrived. I was surprised that there was very little feedback from the manager, he stopped by to tell me it was coming out but that was it. There was never any offer of a dessert or anything while the other 3 in my party waited. No mention of taking the meal off the bill. When asked, the manager took $4.50 off the price of the chicken parm which I thought was a very strange way to deal with the problem. I paid my bill and left. Needless to say, we won't return to Wheat and Water, shame, seemed like...