Fusilli Alla Norma
Valentino - LA

Valentino - LA

3115 Pico Blvd Santa Monica, CA 90405, 90405-2061, Santa Ana, United States

Tea • Italian • Dessert • European


"As patrons of Valentino for over twenty years. We wanted to leave before they closed. Early reservation, 5PM to avoid rush. Piero welcomed us as usual. I saw a little flustered, handed over to waiters who have been there forever, but very rude. We broke up, another waiter, two months on the job. Fortunately, our ordinary waiter seemed to welcome us, but he didn't work. New type brought menus, very limited choices, took beverage orders, delivered them and hovered around the table waiting for us order. It was awkward. We asked if it would be possible to get our salad, a bean salad with warm blue cheese, he said no. Valentinos is known for fulfilling customer requirements. Rude Kellner comes back and says, will check if cook can prepare. Return and said no. Say good, give us a moment. Rude Kellner back, says now, cook can make our salad, but we need to order complete meal immediately. Salad at the table in three minutes. The bread asked three times. Never offered water, had to ask. My halibut was excellent, vegetables were extremely scarce, eight green beans, a very small roasted potato. The steak of my husband was very good and well prepared, again vegetables a joke. Since our waiter never checked for us, my husband asked the busboy to Gravy or Sauce for steak and potatoes. Waiter returns, said can't. Then the bus boy brought the sauce. When a rude waiter appeared to clear courts, my husband called our waiter on the table to show him, in fact there was Sauce available. More excuses. Ordered a decaf cappuccino, no foam, tasted terrible. I told him to take it away. It was never so disappointed. Bad service I ever met at Valentinos. Probably it didn't matter because this was her last night in Santa Monica. Your fame days have been over for a long time. I thought I was sad to see her, but after tonight it's definitely time."

Ports Of Italy

Ports Of Italy

4 Western Avenue, Kennebunk, 04043, United States Of America, 04043-7756, KENNEBUNK

Pizza • Cafés • Seafood • Italian


"Valentine’s Day Spectacular Disaster 1 – First round of drinks takes too long to arrive. 2 – We ordered 2 hot appetizers (meatballs and garlic bread). The bread was ordered because there’s no bread to be seen at any table. 3 The server brings two perfectly chilled plates. What? For hot appetizers? 4 – A second drink is never offered, even as the appetizers arrive. I finally flag down the server. Sloppy service. 5 – Wife asks: “what are those small paper bags on the tables of other guests?” Oh, that’s bread. But I forgot to bring you some. She brings a small sack of bread. It’s apparent that we’re being subjected to an experience that guests with other servers are not. 6 – The main arrives and is announced: Orecchiette sautéed with Italian sausage, tomato, broccoli rabe basil. I’m looking at miniature shells, not orecchiette. Pasta is pasta, but why announce what is obviously not true? The broccoli rabe was represented by a few chopped stems. The whole plate is a back of the house failure to deliver. 7 –We eat and laugh at our misfortune. 8 – Plates are arriving for other guests. Rack of Lamb! One of my favorites, and a special for the evening. But we were never told about any specials. Disappointment becomes upset. 8 – Small chocolate cakes arrive at other tables, surrounded by fresh strawberries. Nice! 9 – Would we like to see a dessert menu? Yes, of course. Let’s continue the fun. The feature is the flourless chocolate cake. We naively order that. 10 – The brownie arrives, slopped with half deflated whipped cream, and a few whole and fresh but FROZEN strawberries. Our server fails again to speak about the specials, and the kitchen delivers frozen fruit as an accompaniment. $163.00 for dinner. No tip. The experience: unforgettable and unforgivable. The chef should be dragged from the back to witness the nightmare of abominable service and mediocre food unfolding before the guest’s eyes. Never again."