MANAGER PICKED FIGHT WITH US OUTSIDE RESTAURANT
Originally going off of the positive TripAdvisor reviews, my boyfriend and I went to VII Coorte for a nice meal. Gaitan, our waiter, first sat us at a four person table, so we just sat in the two seats right next to each other. There were 3 other couples dining and ~10 empty tables. We ate around 10pm on a Sunday, so no one else was coming in to eat.
We made our reservations through TripAdvisor, and I had accidentally made my reservations for the following day. When we asked if we could change our reservation to the day we actually came to honor the 20% off discount, the manager refused to and said he would only if we came the next day. This would be understandable if the manager was not hostile in his explanation.
We were also caught off guard by the misleading prices listed for the entrees than what was listed on TripAdvisor. The menu had raised prices. Nonetheless, we ordered the grilled octopus and octopus pasta to start, knowing we would be paying more for dessert and drinks later. Gaitan, who was surprised we didn't order any appetizers, kept pushing us to order more even though we were just content with our entrees for the time being. He would not go away even when I asked for a minute to look at the menu. So we just asked for bread to get him to stop pressuring us. He said we should order appetizers because it would take 20 minutes to prepare our meals, when it took a lot less time.
Throughout our meal, the waiters and manager kept laughing at us, making us even more uncomfortable and our meal not enjoyable.
We also ordered water, and typically glass bottled water should come unopened. However, the bottle came to the table already opened. Upon further inspection, as you can see by my photos, the bottle looks used, which led us to believe they refill their bottles.
At this point, our interactions with Gaitan and the manager were uncomfortable and unfriendly. We obviously did not want to stay any longer for desserts or an espresso because of our interactions with them. Upon paying for the bill, Gaitan took a photo of us. Clearly even more uncomfortable, we took a photo of the restaurant and their staff.
As we were leaving the restaurant, the manager follows us outside and starts yelling "you act like a King and you're not a King by only ordering pasta and octopus and taking up two tables." This was also confusing since we were sat at the four person table to begin with and the restaurant was practically empty. It was highly unprofessional.
I'm surprised this restaurant is rated so highly when it comes off as them wanting to squeeze money out of customers and treating them poorly if they don't want to. Obviously going into the restaurant after reading reviews, we expected to spend a decent amount. But after our hostile and uncomfortable interactions, we didn't want to spend any more time than we had to there. read more