Good Food Bad Service
Just came from lunch at Idea Italia in Ayala Center Cebu. I had purposely decided to eat in this restaurant because I love Italian.

I had hoped that there was a menu displayed outside. Why? The prices for Cebu are a bit high. Although admittedly, it IS Italian cuisine. No matter, I love the taste of Italy.

First off, no one asked me how many in our party nor where we wanted to be seated. 2 servers were just chatting by the door, ignoring me as I walked into the restaurant. Strike one. The menu was promptly given although she left it on the table rather than handing it already open. Strike two.

I ordered bruschetta and spaghetti al pesto with fresh orange juice. They served me with a basket of sliced French bread with 2 packs of Lurpak butter. Bread was not warm. I requested it to be heated. The bruschetta arrived. Tomatoes and olive oil tasted ok. Again, the bread was not warm. Server came back with my basket of bread saying, "Our oven is busy." No alternative, no warm bread. I was still enjoying my bruschetta and so I let it pass.

Next arrived the spaghetti al pesto. Smelled of basil and olive oil. Wonderful. But then no cheese. I asked for parmesan and a few minutes, they gave me a bread plate filled with cheese. I was enjoying my meal. Noticing that there was an excess of olive oil on both the bruschetta and pasta, I asked for balsamic vinegar to dip the cold French bread with. Lunch was over and I asked for the bill.

When the server arrived with the bill, I was finishing my last piece of torn French bread with the oil and vinegar dip. She took a few moments of insisting I take the bill, which was impossible since both of my hands were occupied with the bread. She finally left the bill on the table. Then I saw that there was a charge for the cheese. She didn't inform me of any charges. Strike three.

I waved for a server to get my bill as I paid but no one was paying attention. 2 of the 3 servers had their backs away from the customers. I brought my bill to the counter myself. Told the server who brought me the parmesan that I would appreciate being informed of the charges. She did not apologize. I signed for the bill and stepped away, never to enjoy Idea Italia again forever.    [04 Apr 2005 01:15:07]

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     ­Ivy