Viva Pizzeria & Ristorante — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

I have frequented this restaurant for many years (both Kempsville and Red Mill). The food has consistently been outstanding and service has been commensurate. However, for the 2nd time in as many months, the service at Red Mill has declined.

Tonight, we were immediately met, seated and offered drinks by a friendly waitress. Drinks and bread were provided quickly and our orders were taken. Unfortunately, this was the end of that level of service. Our waitress never came back to the table, until we eventually asked for our check. Empty glasses remained on the table until we asked other waitstaff for refills. It took approximately 45 minutes for our food to arrive (delivered by kitchen staff - who was very kind, helpful and apologetic). I wholeheartedly understand the time it takes to adequately prepare and cook quality food, especially when calzones and strombolis are ordered! As a suggestion, it might warm guests over if there is at least a warning ahead of time that some dishes may take longer so the delay is expected and explained. The restaurant was not overly busy tonight with many open tables.

Our table required several 'to go' boxes for the remainder of our food. We sat at the table for some time, expecting someone to ask if the meal was okay or if we needed anything. That did not happen. We eventually asked other waitstaff for these boxes which were immediately provided. We again had to request refills for drinks.

Once the leftovers were boxed up, we again sat for a long time with no interaction from waitstaff. Eventually, we asked for our check and our original waitress, whom we hadn't seen since our orders were taken, came to deliver the check and simply, curtly told me to have a nice night.

I understand current staffing issues in the industry. I understand food, at times, can take longer to make when served fresh. However, there just seemed to be a lack of supervision for waitstaff, the majority of which were very young. I understand the learning curve for appropriate service. With that said, guests should not have to seek out waitstaff for service. There should be communication about delays, of which there was none.

I will continue to support this wonderful business. I just hope there can be more positive training provided to waitstaff for more successful culinary...

The service was horrible on my last trip to this Primo Pizza. We had a fairly large group, however, they weren’t too busy other than our party. I can’t blame our specific server as she did her best for only working there for 2 weeks. I will blame the older server, the cooks, and the management. Horribly managed. Took about an hour and a half to get my food...most of my party had left. Then they bring the wrong tab. I paid it and then they bring me another tab. Apparently the first one was for a different order. So the server tries to remedy the problem...unsuccessful. At this point the server calls the manager (at home I suppose) about the issue. The manager tells her to make me pay for both and if I want a refund call back later tonight. Keep in mind, I still haven’t eaten. My food had to be boxed up because it took so long. Now back to the older server. This old leathery shoe bag has like 1 table. She doesn’t help this poor girl out at all. Not once. I just see her walking back and forth to empty areas of the restaurant in an attempt to look busy. I reiterated the whole scenario back to the server and looked at the food I still haven’t eaten and asked if they actually expected me to pay both tabs. Apparently they were either serious or didn’t grasp what I was trying to say. But in the end I paid all of it, as I’m in uniform I don’t want to create a whole scene or give them a reason to say I didnt pay my tab. In the end I never ate anything I paid for. That place screwed everything up so bad, I couldn’t trust they could even cook the food right. So I left my food and walked out. That place is complete trash. Want good Italian food? Go to...

Never again. We have been loyal Primo’s customers since 2010 and Mother’s Day was our last visit. Since new ownership, everything has gone down. Father’s eggplant was raw and crunchy and sent back. It came out with our apps for some reason. Calamari stunk and was 1/2 the portion it used to be. The antipasto salad was hilarious! 3 little slices of meat with some provolone and the rest was pickled vegetables!! The vodka sauce was runny and white like watered down Alfredo and there was no shallots or prosciutto in it. That was sent back. Ordered penne with meatball for my one son. You have to order it separately now. Server even asked me what type of sauce we wanted and I stated tomato. She brought him out a single meatball. I asked where the penne was and she said we didn’t order any. I told her I did because she even asked me what sauce I wanted in it. Told her to forget it. I never did get to eat on Mother’s Day because I sent my food back and was already aggravated with the entire debacle already. Someone was going to order the seafood pasta with sherry cream sauce and they no longer make it with lump crab, just shrimp and the price has gone way up. My husband and son’s chicken Parmesan was burnt. My brother’s clams were in a bland and watery liquid. Every single person at the table had an issue with their meal. Such a shame because anytime anyone ever came into town to visit, this was our go to. We’re all from NY and NJ and Primo’s used to be like what we were used to back home. Ask any loyal Primo’s customer how they feel about the new Viva because everyone is talking about how awful it is on the...