Vini E Olii Locanda Restaurant

07/08/11

Offensive-I would give it zero stars

by Allisonanywhere

I just had the worst customer service experience of my life at Vini & Olii.

I ordered zucchini ravioli ($16) for dinner with a glass of wine ($10). I was shocked at the size of the portion (6 raviolis) and I would probably have refused the meal if the bar maid had not given me about 1/3 of a loaf of bread with pesto sauce which I hoped would fill my stomach. It was 8:30pm on a Friday and I was tired at the end of a long week and essentially stuck with making the most of the predicament I found myself in.

I explained my frustration to the blond-haired waitress/manager, and she said the ravioli was what they considered a primo. It was not labeled “primo” and there was no indication of the size of the portion on the menu. She asked if I wanted to order anything else, I explained that I was on a fixed budget. She had a touch of arrogance and expressed no care about how disappointed I was. I had previously stopped by the restaurant several times before entering, and I was hoping it would be a nice addition to my neighborhood culinary options.

When paying my bill, I felt I would pass on my concerns to the manager/owner I hopes of a more hospitable response (a bald man around 40 years old). I explained my disappointment and said that there was nothing on the menu to indicate that pasta would not be enough of a plate for a dinner. And therein started the tirade.

I was hoping that he would hear my concerns and express a heart-felt apology. What I was told was that:

- I should have read the first page of the menu where there was an explanation of menu terms. I had not seen this essentially worn printout that was almost impossible to read in the darkness of the restaurant.

- I said, well, that’s fine, but it would be helpful if you write some explanation of the portion size next to the heading “Pasta.”

- The owner/manager said “No. When you come into the restaurant, you have entered Italy we will not explain anything.”

- I said that there are thousands of Italian restaurants in the US and that if they are using a standard that is different from the predominant one, that it behooves them to clarify their standards.

- He reiterated – telling me to stop talking and listen to him now – “No – you are in Italy now.” I said, well, the service staff could have at least explained the portion size.

- He then continued to say “Yes, I know that some people don’t like this. There might be 5% of the people who complain, but 95% are happy, so we are not going to change. ” He continued to say “I know that you might never come back and that you might write something up, but we’re not going to change.”

I was so shocked at this arrogance and lack of customer service, that I wrote down all of his clever, brow-beating phrases on my receipt and got out of there.

I will never again step foot into this restaurant with such arrogant, righteous, and obnoxious owners.

07/06/08

Overpriced and Average

by stinav

Highway robbery! I went with friends after reading good reviews, and was disappointed. The carpacio was bland and the portions small. The chestnut pasta and chickpeas was a tasty, but the portion way too small for an entree (but entree priced!). My friend's meal was not memorable. In addition, the staff was not very welcoming. Unfortunate, because I live nearby. But I will not be going back.

• Pros: a few good entrees
• Cons: too expensive

06/24/08

not worth the train ride

by sixftcutie

I LOVE Italian food so I make it a point to try and visit new places to add to my arsenal of good eats. This place was totally not worth the train fare out there. The service was horrible and the manager was a bit of a snob. Honestly, her being there made everything worse. My friend said she felt a little nauseous after her seafood ravioli and I have to admit, I've had better chicken fettucine. If you want Italian in Brooklyn, go somplace else that has way better food and the staff is really sweet.

• Pros: decor
• Cons: service, food, manager rude

05/24/08

utterly unmemorable. overpriced for both portion and quality

by dassmarschett

After hearing some friends raving about this restaurant, my friend and I decided to give it a try. It was a definite disappoinment. First, on first impression, the decor and the ambience of the place is nice, in spite of the inappropriately bright lighting which suits a dental clinic better. Since neither of us has eaten for the whole day we ordered a lot of food, or so we thought. First, we had a 20-dollar sampling appetizer platter with prosecco. As soon as we finished them we understood the caliber of the chef and regretted that we listened to our friends. All the food on the plate were so mediocre; at best you can see them as the experimental work of untalented culinary school students. The portion is so ridiculously stingy - low quality, tiny portion, and they have the dasity to overcharge as if the food deserves it. This appetizer is a prelude to the trainwreck that ensued. 10-dollar Crostini, four little bite of bread with some lousy paste on them. We ordered a parsley fazzolettini to share, which was boasted by the waitress to be one ambrosia created by the chef- turned out to taste the same as chef-boy-R-dee microwave pasta. Each of us ordered a main course. I had a run-of-the-mill grilled beef course with arugala and salt randomly spread on the plate. 27 dollars, I cannot get over it. I could have a fabulous seafood paella for 2 in Boqueria or with 27, though comparing them is an unforgivable insult to boqueria. My friend had a lousy grilled chicken with roasted potato crusted within a layer of goo. We were still femished after all was served. All in all, this place has nothing special to offer. Splurge your money somewhere else. Nothing about this place is worth it. To look back, it's ironic how the host and bartender acted so proud and stuck-up as if they are entitled to it. Oh, and check out other reviews from the reviewers that gave this place a good review- there's none. Give you an idea how scammed those good reviews are.

• Pros: the menu design
• Cons: overpriced. Tiny teeny portion. microwave quality food.

04/09/08

Warm, Welcoming and Authentic

by ftgreenegal

I love this place. I have been a regular customer for years and Catherine and Francois are some of the most lovely, authentic people I have ever met. They both are highly skilled at what they do and it comes through in both the food and service. Great, true to its roots Northern Italian in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I have celebrated many a milestone here and look forward to many more. Highly recommended.

• Pros: Ambience, Attentive Service, Excellent Food