Melo's Italian Table — Restaurant in Walnut Creek

Been going to Melo's in Danville for years and started going to the Walnut Creek location since they opened. I stopped by for lunch today and ordered the Fuji Apple salad and asked for no blue cheese or "candied" nuts, due to being diabetic. I asked if I could get the pistachios instead. I got the bill and was charged $2 extra?? I was told because they don't substitute. Why would you charge me? do I get a credit for the cheese and more expensive nuts that I didn't use? I watched the waiter walk up to the manager, short guy with the beard and he told the waiter NO, that he would not take off the extra charge. fine! I ate at Melo's a minimum 1x a week with my family and spend minimum $200 each week for dinner.. so that's roughly $800 a month which is about $9600 a year. The salad at Melo's cost me $16 plus $7 for chicken and $2 for the pistachios, for a total of $25 for a salad. The other restaurant I eat at a lot is ESIN in Danville and order their Grilled Mary's Chicken breast salad, which comes with Toasted almonds, raisins, blue cheese, apples.. etc, which is very similar to the Melo's salad that I ordered today. Esins price for the salad is $18.50 and it already comes with the chicken. I usually omit the cheese and raisins at Esins in danville, and substitute the nuts with NO ISSUES! They are happy to do it without any stupid charges and great service. I also eat at Esin at least once a week and they aren't foolish enough to rip me off like your business does. GOOD BYE Melo's! I will never drop another dime at your restaurants. Shame.... Esin will now get all the money that I was spending at...

Gerardo S was my server for the evening, and he provided me with excellent service. I started my visit off with the Roasted Garlic Bread, and a Strawberry Lemonade, both of which were out of this world, not to mention the free refill on what I was told was some of the last Strawberry lemonade they had for the evening (they were almost out by the time I got my 2nd refill).

After that, I ordered my main course for the evening. I went with the Marinara Red Pie, with pepperoni, mushrooms, green olives, and kalamanta olives.

For dessert, I got the house made Tiramisu to-go. Both the garlic bread and pizza (pie) were so filling, that I had no room for it, which was unfortunate as I was anticipating having room. When I got home, I tried the Tiramisu, and it was packed with flavor. Loved and enjoyed every bite.

All of the staff, not just my server, were very attentive to my table, even though I was by myself during this visit. The service provided to me was so good, that I kid you not, I only had to refill my water myself ONCE. Several different employees walked by and refilled my glass a total of 4 or 5 times. Insane! Not to mention my food came out crazy fast. I wasn't waiting more than a few minutes. What an amazing first impression.

More detailed review containing parts I took out from this Google review as well as more pictures can be found on the Yelp page for...

If you want to experience exceptional customer service, DON’T go to the pickup side of the restaurant. It majorly sucks.

Disclaimer: I’ve never dined-in so I’m not sure how great customer service is inside.

I placed an order for pickup and entered the left side of the building by the patio to pick it up. When I entered the restaurant, no one acknowledged me. Restaurant staff walked back and forth past me without saying a word. I stood there for a minute before asking a gentleman if I was in the pickup area. He replied “Yup.” And walked away— I guess to continue helping someone else somewhere within the restaurant.

Suddenly a woman turns around and says, “Name?!!”. I tell her my name and she doesn’t hear me. She yells, “What?!!” I say my name louder. And she grabs the order before saying, “Online?!!”. I say yes and she hands me the bag and says “Have a nice day.” In the most short and insincere way. Like I was inconveniencing her in some way. The food here is way too expensive for such terrible customer service especially being in Walnut Creek.

Luckily the food was out of this world or I’d give zero stars for my experience with...