This got sooo long so in summary: Choose Moretti's where the food is always amazing and I've never been rushed out the door. Never go to Gallo's where they don't have time to allow you to finish your meal.
Local Authentic Italian Homemade Food Family Dinner Restaurant Dublin, OH - Moretti's Restaurant
AND now the novel of my evening:
I'd heard so many wonderful things about Gallo's -- how delicious and homemade the food is -- and I'd been excited to try it for a long time. My husband and I haven't been able to go out much since April 2020. Not because of COVID, but because our son, Pete, was hit by a car that year and now requires 24/7 care. That's made dining out something rare and logistically tricky for us.
My day had been busy but really nice. I went to the Bradley Craft Show with my sister in the morning, came home to do some laundry, and got ready for my open house (I'm a Realtor -- call me if you're looking for your first or next dream home!). After collecting my signs, I rushed home, and my husband and I headed out to meet my sister and her husband for dinner at Gallo's in Upper Arlington.
Our reservation was for 6:15 p.m. My sister texted to say they'd arrived, and we got there right on time at 6:12. Our server greeted us warmly and took wonderful care of us all evening. She laughed at our jokes, was attentive without hovering, and made the meal feel relaxed and fun.
The food was absolutely delicious -- appetizers, salads, seafood, pasta, jambalaya, two bottles of wine, and mixed drinks. Everything was spot on. I even ordered a to-go meal for my 16-year-old at home, and he loved it. The company, conversation, food, and wine -- it was exactly what my husband and I needed.
When I saw bread pudding on the menu, my eyes lit up. I love bread pudding, and I had already decided I was going to order it no matter how full I was. We were sipping our wine and waiting for our server to return with dessert suggestions when a manager came to our table.
He asked how everything was, and we told him it had been wonderful -- that our server was fantastic. Then, out of nowhere, he said he was "in a jam" and needed our table. We were stunned. We explained that we were still waiting to order dessert, and a carry out order he said he'd check on it before walking away.
We all looked at each other, trying to process what had just happened. There was an empty table nearby and only a few people waiting by the door. We still had plenty of wine left, and our service had been well-paced all night -- not slow, not rushed. When our server returned, we told her what happened. She looked uncomfortable and said she'd need to ask if we were still allowed to order dessert. Apparently, there's a 90-minute dining limit.
I wasn't watching the clock, but the entire meal had moved along naturally. We definitely weren't lingering or holding things up. Still, I was determined to have my bread pudding.
I decided to explain to the manager-- calmly but honestly -- how much this night meant to us, and how his words had taken something special and turned it into something upsetting. I tried to keep it factual, but as a mom who still cries daily seeing my son struggle, my emotions showed. I didn't yell; I just shared my reality.
He didn't apologize. He barely said anything -- just nodded a few times. When I asked to speak to the owner, he came over, but his demeanor was fidgety and detached. He said the right words but didn't seem sincere. We even pointed out t
the table that remained empty the whole time. He said he didn't know what happened but would ask.
He ended by saying he hoped it would be better "next time," and I told him there probably wouldn't be a next time. He didn't seem to care. As someone who's worked in restaurants for many years -- from server to general manager -- I know that this situation could have been turned around with empathy and ownership.
Instead, I went from having a rare, joyful evening to sitting in the car replaying the words, "I'm in a jam, I need your table." It's about a 25 minute drive home and we arrived home around 8:15 p.m.,about two hours after our reservation time. I never did get my bread pudding -- and by then, I wouldn't have enjoyed it anyway.
Again, choose Moretti's for all your Italian cravings!!! read more