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Home > Blogs > Taste: Dayton food and restaurants > Archives > 2009 > July > 06 > Entry
Italian restaurant accused of ripping off diners
A prominent restaurant in Rome has been shut down after charging a Japanese couple 700 Euros — or more than $900 — for lunch, according to this story from Reuters news service.
The story says the restaurant has become “an unwitting symbol of tourist rip-offs in the Italian capital.”
The restaurant’s owner seems to suggest the bill was perfectly appropriate for what the couple ordered.
I have not visited Rome, but did spend four days in Florence, Italy in the summer of 2001, and I’ve got to say, my experience was the direct opposite of what is alleged to have happened at this “touristy” restaurant.
At a restaurant we frequented twice while in the city, our server wisely advised us against ordering too many dishes, as we were poised to do. And when I tried to order a bottle of wine from the restaurant’s wine list, he told me flatly, “You don’t want that. You want this.” And the “this” bottle cost about half the price of the bottle I had been trying to order.
Now that’s customer service.
When’s the last time that happened to you here in the States, or anywhere, for that matter?
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Restaurant industry news
Comments
By learnbeforeutype
July 8, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
Why the quick assumption of stupidity? This shows a lack of intelligence by itself. Read the content and take it for what it’s worth. I’m quite sure you’ll continue reading all the same. Mispelling a word is not all that bad of a mistake. To some degree, it shows the intelligence level as above normal. This has been proven by scientists throughout history. It’s where the brain waves or electric impulses move at a quicker pace, not allowing the hands to keep up with the thought process. So, next time you call someone stupid, take inventory (think)of yourself because you might be the one that lacks intelligence.By LJC
July 8, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
Since when do readers assume the responsibility to critique anyone’s writing? That is the job of an editor. Stick to the subject! Your half-a*s attempt to “show off” and act “self-righteous” is pathetic.By BDL2
July 8, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this
To squeak… Why? For the same reason you end a question with no question mark, use ‘is’ instead of ‘in’ in your last sentence, use a sentence fragment, and start a sentence with ‘and’ in the process. Do you not know how to proofread your e-mails, or are you just plain stupid? By squeak July 7, 2009 5:51 AM Why does this generation of young people use the word your for you’re. And the word their for they’re. I don’t get it. Are they not paying attention is school, or are they just plain stupid?By patty
July 8, 2009 7:35 AM | Link to this
name; you should always capitalize the G when you write God. it’s a matter of respect or reverence. just sayin—-By ELW
July 8, 2009 7:31 AM | Link to this
Subject: Waiter’s Suggestions (Not spelling errors)(who cares? Be a willow - not a stick in the mud) Waiters are prompted on what food is being offered by the chef for the day. Anything other than those offereings may be difficult to make due to availability (perhaps they had to have something brought from the local groceryand must be compensated for). That’s why the waiters, who should know the menu well, will make those suggestions. You’d expect a salesperson of any other item, like cars or appliances, to know their products and take their suggestion. Why not a waiter?By Sally Rabbit
July 8, 2009 7:06 AM | Link to this
Sounds like All-About-Transmissions located in Belmont. They have closed their unholy greedy doors after three generations of fine work. But, the last generation likes to do things the Italian lunch way. $1900 for a $375 fix.By bass*
July 7, 2009 11:07 PM | Link to this
northmont mom, check spell check it’s not always right. Trust me I grade papers for a living.By DEB
July 7, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this
I used to wait tables in a nice supper club. I did this for about 15 years and consider myself a pretty good authority on the subject. Yes we were there to work for the tip but there were some a******s no amount of money could make up for. I had been known to meet them in the parking lot and throw their money in their faces.By northmont mom
July 7, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
Maybe squeak should use spell check on the computer. With such a tool available it is totally stupid not to use it.By past proofreader
July 7, 2009 9:48 AM | Link to this
To “squeak”: You are off the subject and me, too now, but why do you assume that it’s just “this generation of young people” who don’t know how to spell or use proper grammar? Haven’t you noticed the writing in your newspaper lately?By mae
July 7, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
Dear No. my daughter ordered a steak well done. It was brought out red in the center. we sent it back. she didin’t want to take it back, saying ” How can anyone eat steak well done. I politely told her I was paying for it, not her. I imformed her boss.No tip for her.By Sharon
July 7, 2009 6:55 AM | Link to this
While in both Rome and Florence in May,2009, I had two absolutely terrific lunches that cost much less than 700 euros. In fact, I believe that each was under 15 euros including the wine. The waiters were marvelous, recommending that we try the local red and white wines of the region which were much less costly than the others on the wine list. His suggestions were great. I wish we could find the same here where often the wait staff treat you with disdain.By squeak
July 7, 2009 5:51 AM | Link to this
Why does this generation of young people use the word your for you’re. And the word their for they’re. I don’t get it. Are they not paying attention is school, or are they just plain stupid?By obese Hiker
July 7, 2009 12:05 AM | Link to this
Maybe she was dropping a little hint. Your too fat.By name
July 6, 2009 9:00 PM | Link to this
they want to give away free stuff and all you can do is b i t c h about it,god your lameBy jem
July 6, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
No! If you want to pay $900.00 for lunch, don’t let me stop you. You ovviously have a lot more money than me.By NO! Don't want servers' input!
July 6, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
No. I do not want the server to tell me what I should or shouldn’t be eating. I visited Canada in 2000. After a day of hiking in the mountains, I was hungry. I was pregnant, too, so I really needed to replace the calories I’d lost up the mountain! The server told me that soup AND pizza were too much food and took it upon herself to simply NOT bring my soup. I was still hungry. Her “helpfulness” was reflected in the tip we left her. :-(By Nicole
July 6, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
when I studied in Paris, I found that waiters—if not the restaurateurs themselves—went out of their way to help us create an affordable lunch that included regional flavors. when you don’t know the cuisine, it’s too easy to end up with a salad and French fries. Thinking back, I actually think the wait staffs were most kind.