This is the second time it has happened to me at an Italian restaurant in the Frankfurt area. What you ask ? A waiter recommends dishes to you which happen to be some of the most expensive, without informing us how much it was. In this instance it was ok, as someone else was paying for it but, in my opinion, that's cheating and something I really don't like. It just seems underhanded and sneaky. I will never ask for recommendations at an Italian restaurant when in this area :-((
The restaurant itself is nice and big with plenty of outdoor seating for the warm days. The waiter we had was friendly enough and was speaking to us like an Italian, only to find out he was from Romania ;-))) I found it quite amusing. Why put up a show and then try to justify it ?? Totally unnecessary.
We had a couple of vegetarians in our group and the waiter recommended a starter platter with a bit of mixed vegetarian and seafood dishes. I asked for him to separate the seafood from the vegetarian and bring them out separately, and when it arrived, it was all on one plate. Again another no no, when someone specifically requests it. I could see the look on the face of one of the people in the group and you could tell, he was disappointed.
At €50 this was the most expensive starter I have had in any restaurant across Germany and, there was no truffle or anything special about this plate. Just a bit of white asparagus, caprese salad, squid, salmon tartar and some leaf salad to share (see photo here). For main the waiter recommended we share a sea bass for two. We agreed to do that and again at €57 for a fish for two, this is also one of the most expensive fish I have had, in a long while. Considering that most of the dishes on the menu were between 10-15€ he should have given us some idea before rushing off and placing the order at the kitchen. We asked for the fish to be done with little oil and, it came out dripping in olive oil. Another fail. The fish was moist and well cooked but lacked seasoning and tasted a bit bland.
Don't get me wrong the food was quite ok, not great and, definitely not worth the money. I could have eaten better quality food in a restaurant in Munich for half the price of that and, enjoyed it immensely. The dessert was quite ok and the coffee was also ok. At €60 a head this was an expensive evening out for some Italian food with a drink each and water.
I don't have an issue paying for good food, and I never have. I would however like to know beforehand what it costs and, it's the responsibility of the restaurant to inform you. Such behavior simply makes me never go back to the place again and, makes me really angry that they get away with it.
I am not likely to return here ever again. Even if the food was great, the happenings of the evening would keep me from going back. Good restaurants are dime a dozen and you can eat well for a reasonable price in many places around Frankfurt area. read more