"My wife and I thought that it was important to let everyone know how our meal went at Stefano’s Restaurant (2970 Linden St.; Bethlehem, PA 18017), and the utter lack of understanding, and remorse felt by the owner of the restaurant. On February 13, 2009 we went to a pre-Valentine’s Day dinner at Stefano’s, a restaurant that we did dine at one time prior. Basically, here is what occurred: We had a reservation for 6:30 and were seated promptly. That is where it went downhill. We were not greeted by our waiter (no need for names here – I am sure he still needs the job), for a full ten (10) minutes until after we were seated. He came by and the first thing he asked was “what can I get you to drink?” It seemed like the restaurant was understaffed, but I guess he failed waiter etiquette school. No water, and no bread was brought to the table, but the drinks arrived promptly. He returned 10 minutes later after dropping the drinks off and asked if we would like to order an appetizer, which we did. It was the portabella cheese appetizer which came out lukewarm at best, and was more suited for one person. While biting into one piece of the appetizer, my wife came upon a 1 inch by 1½ inch piece of white hard plastic (sort of like from a gallon milk container). We called over the waiter, and he took the piece of plastic in his hands, and said whimsically “so I guess you don’t want the rest of the appetizer, huh?” We responded, “no” thinking he might offer a replacement, apology, visit from the cook, manager visit, etc. Nothing more was said about this by him or anyone during our meal. We waited patiently for the next few minutes for our dinner. Our waiter spent the next 15 minutes at the table next to us taking his time making the best Caesar salad he could (while our dinners were sitting under the heat lamp). Our dinners were brought out by the hostess, which we later learned was the owner’s (Stefano’s) wife. She asked if there was anything else she could bring, and to that we said, “well, yes … bread and water would be nice.” She brought the bread out, and it had a long blonde hair. Neither my wife nor I have long blonde hair. Quite disgusting to say the least! The waiter returned, and asked if we wanted desert. We were quite disgusted with the “meal” at that point and we declined. The check came … $52 and we left, (based upon what occurred) a very fair amount on the table – $60. Upon departure I left my business card with the hostess, and asked for the owner to call me. He did, the following day, and after a few calls back and forth we did speak on the phone. After describing all of the details of our meal, I asked for our money back, and he agreed. Then, he had the audacity to send me a $25 dollar gift certificate instead. I called, told him I was not satisfied, and then sent the $25 cert back after he said he “would take care of it”. All the while, he used the expression that he was “dumbfounded” that it could happen in “his” restaurant, and it never happened before. Well, Mr. Stefano, it did, and people need to know. Three more calls and no response by Stefano has prompted this review. My wife and I tell others about great restaurants in the area, and we get the same in return. They now know about this visit and I doubt they will return. For those contemplating going to this establishment, there are plenty of other choices in Bethlehem, and the surrounding areas for Italian fare. Diners should think twice, and then think again, before entering Stefano’s doors."
