Piccolo Trattoria — Restaurant in Town of Catskill

My husband and I had a problem with the hostess that evening who I found out subsequently was named Megan. We arrived on time for our reservation at 5:30 and was given the table closest to the kitchen. The bar area was crowded and there was a party going on in the back, but there were many empty tables. I requested a table a bit further from the kitchen and was told that that table was reserved. I explained that I didn’t understand because we had reserved a table as well. She said “well that’s the way the table came out” for my husband and I in “the system” and that she couldn’t change it. We called in the reservation so I’m not sure how we ended up in the system, but I’m sure if they have access to the system that they could certainly move around table numbers. We resigned ourselves to sitting there. After almost an hour and a half a couple came in and was seated at the table that I had requested. I asked them if they had made a reservation and they said no, but that they had called 20 minutes before and said that they could be accommodated. There were a lot of empty tables at this time in the restaurant when we were getting ready to leave. I spoke to Megan and I said that I didn’t understand why she was so adamant about keeping us at that one table near the kitchen and she kept repeating that that is what came out in the system and that it was their policy to stick to the system. She kept hammering the word system at me when I tried to make reasonable arguments for why I didn’t think it was necessary to keep us in the spot we were given. She said that the table that I originally requested to switch to were no shows. That may have been true, but didn’t account for why we weren’t given one of the many other tables that were available away from the kitchen and that were empty when we left at 10 to 7, At that point I felt like I was in a Seinfeld episode. My husband and I are an elderly couple and we can’t help but believe that perhaps we were put in that less desirable table because of our age. Nothing else made any sense. Our waitress was really outstanding. I didn’t care for the lasagna and she took it off the bill and substituted a dessert which I requested rather than wait for another meal to come out. The appetizers and soup and my husband’s dish were mediocre. Also, One expects real Italian bread in an Italian restaurant. They brought oversized, garlic knots made with pizza dough. The meal was disappointing, but the treatment we received was the most egregious part of the evening. In our many years of dining out, the few times that we requested a change in table if tables were available, we were always accommodated. I gave one star for Service because of Megan. As I said, the waitress...

My family brought our mom to Piccolo last night for her 98th birthday, and everything about the evening at the restaurant was wonderful! The management had our table for 8 set and ready by the window, which has a lovely view of the Catskill Creek that runs past and beyond the side of the restaurant. They were kind enough to allow us to bring our own cake, which they kept chilled for us until our meal was done. The interior of the restaurant is family-friendly and comfortable, with lights strung for cozy ambiance. Our meals ranged from lasagna to veal/chicken marsala, lobster stuffed ravioli in brandy cream sauce, chicken alla piccolo, to a seafood combo in a fra diavolo sauce. Servings were HUGE and DELICIOUS!! The yeast rolls served with roasted red peppers and cheese butter, were obviously homemade - warm and outstanding! We quickly asked for a second plate! The staff is wonderful and our server, Sarah, was soo friendly and welcoming, extremely energetic and attentive to everyone at our table. The courses were well timed, and all entrees were served together - and hot! DEElish!! When time for dessert, Sarah brought Mom's cake out with lighted candles, and the staff sang Happy Birthday to the 98 year-old birthday girl. Sarah even offered to cut the cake for us back in the kitchen, then served us with coffee. Between taking our orders, serving salads (the house blue cheese dressing is awesome) and 8 entrees, filling water and wine glasses, boxing up our leftovers (no one could clean their plates!), presenting the cake, then returning with cut slices - and back again with coffee, Sarah put in her steps for a week just on us! And all with a constant beautiful smile! If you came to this restaurant before the new management opened as Piccolo and had a less-than-satisfactory experience and meal, then you HAVE to come back and experience the new operation!! Piccolo Dal Torrente Italian Restaurant is a gem, and the owner, chef and staff are top-notch! For my family who live in Catskill....oh man, lucky you! For my husband and I who live in Albany...we would make the 50 minute trip anytime to return! Thank you, Piccolo! Well...

I'm responding to the restaurant's response to my wife's review. We were together that night. Phrases like she accosted the guests, verbally abused the staff and caused a scene are simply lies. Her voice never rose above a conversational tone. She asked Megan if she could have a word with her and they spoke close to the bar area. Surely a scene would have been recorded on someone's cell phone? I bring this up because you mentioned wishing there was a video. I wish I took pictures of the empty tables, none of which the restaurant would move us to. There were empty tables both on our arrival and when we left after an hour and a half but apparently and interestingly, your reservation platform, Resy, can't be changed by the very restaurant it serves. The only "staff" we spoke to about our grievance was Megan. We were happy with our waitress and tipped her generously as we always tip. To add insult to injury you stated that it was our mission to visit Italian restaurants and give them "ALL 1-star reviews." There are only four Italian restaurants reviewed by my wife in addition to Piccolo's. One received 5 stars, one 4 stars and the other two 1 star. You wrote, "seems like a scam to me." Hardly a conspiracy. We have no vested interest in any Italian restaurant. Perhaps, moving forward, you and "Resy" should add just a little bit of flexibility when a patron asks, in a mostly empty restaurant, to be moved to another table, away from the clanging plates of the kitchen. Perhaps it wasn't ageism, but to quote my wife to Megan (and it was really the most offense thing she said) "it's bad business." As far as the "lasagna" goes, anyone deserves a heads up. Have you...