Editor Pick
Montagna
- March 13, 2006
- Rated 1 of 5 by
emilymarie from Los Angeles, California, Afghanistan
First, let me express that I have never gone out of my way to post a negative review—until now. This was the WORST restaurant experience I've ever had. Here are some of the low points.
- Room was full of smoke. And beware: don't ask if there's a "No Smoking" section either, this seemed to irritate the waiter.
- Food was bland.
Okay, here's where it gets REALLY bad.
- The owner ran around the restaurant yelling in German and Italian. Sometimes she yelled at the employees, sometimes the patrons, and sometimes into the air at no one in particular. It could have been humourous except it was mean spirited, which made it bizarre and disturbing.
- When I got the bill, I asked about a €2 charge that I didn't recognize. Apparently, it was a charge for the (low quality!) sliced bread they brought to me automatically as soon as I sat down at the table.
- When I questioned the charge, the owner came over and said that it's clearly stated on the menu. When I asked where, she opened it up and pointed to an item listed in the á la carte section labled "Bread €.90." I said, "Do you serve and charge for other items from the á la carte menu without customers ordering them? Besides, even if that was an honest thing to do, it says 90 cents, not 2 Euro.
She tried to tell me that this was customary. I don't think so. I have not encountered this practice in America (you'd be reported to the Better Business Bureau there), other countries in Europe, the Middle East, or in Africa. If it IS a customary pratice in Vienna, it is one that should be changed. Serving the bread to a customer automatically when they are seated and then charging for it is a misleading and dishonest business practice.
If this was just a €2 disagreement about the total of the bill it wouldn't be a big deal, BUT I'M SURE THEY SYSTEMATICALLY DO THIS TO EVERY SINGLE GROUP OF CUSTOMERS THAT COME IN EACH DAY. THAT IS DOWNRIGHT WRONG.
From journal Restaurant Tip