What could be below allergen non-friendly?
Ok so probably without my experience with this waitress and my intolerances, it would probably be a 4-5 stars as I could truly appreciate the aromas. I can truly say the decor is superb and from the people around us, people seemed to enjoy their dishes. I chose mainly this restaurant for my mother, telling myself I could always eat just a salad being vegan and gluten free by intolerances. When I asked if they had gluten free pasta the waitress told me no. Then I asked just for a green salad and she grimaced meaning no. I said ok, I guess there is not much I can eat ( most of their stuff is cooked in butter). She turned the menu around but when I explained to her, I felt her powerless. Now I understand my situation is difficult but in every restaurant I went in my life, most waitresses were like" wait I will go consult the cook and see what we can do". Nada. My mom was appalled and said, as the table next to us got a plate with rice, seafood and vegetable " well they could at least offer you rice and veggies cooked in oil".
Then my mother's appetizer came in, with some greens in the middle. I said, well couldn't I get just something like that...salads and lemon juice...and she goes " I don't have salad , this is aragula". I looked at my mother and just bit my tongue. Unsure if this woman was just unressourceful, to remain polite, or if I was laughed at...cause there was this comment she made at the end of the evening, where I wondered if they took me seriously or not.
Anyway I ended up not eating, letting my mother eat ( yes before some of you go " well why did you not just leave": my mother is with reduced mobility, hard to walk long ways and we were in the summer's busy touristic time...took us time to find an available restaurant)
Note: when I shared my experience with a local place which had some beautiful options to offer, one of the girls asked me where I went. When I named The Batture she made a face which said it all( something like " oh ya, well").
So I guess it is great for most people, but truly ALLERGEN UNFRIENDLY. Waitresses are the extension of the image of restaurants, as a clerk is in a hotel, or in a store. I don't know if it is the chef's decision to not be accommodating or just the waitress ' inability to adapt. read more