Community Forum

mmattalo · 07-28-2010, 02:18 AM

8 of us (neighbours in Aruba) went to Gianni's the other night for dinner - maybe this is just an issue with low season . . . we generally have a good meal there, but this time, it was AWFUL. Here were the issues:
- I ordered calamari fritti as an appetizer and it was like rubber, cold, and sopping wet
- my wife ordered a lobster and pasta special (for $38 USD nonetheless) and it was badly cooked spaghetti and "good luck" finding any lobster - seriously - a plate of muck passed off as a high end feature item
- the service was lackluster at best . . . lots of staff, little service.
- I don't like the fact that they sting you with a 15% service charge AND don't mention it . . . hoping you miss it and "double-tip".
- the meals at Gianni's seem to have goten VERY EXPENSIVE for decreasing quality in both food and service

We are on the island 7-8 times per year so let's hope this is a one time event and is only because it is low season.

Shnyda · 07-28-2010, 07:15 AM

I have heard negative things over and over again about Gianni's. It had kept us away over the years. My wife always wants to go - the location is great and the decor is gorgeous.

Randi · 07-28-2010, 07:39 AM

It seems that it is hit and miss. The last two times everything was good for us but prior to that I swore I would never go back. We ended up there with a group of people after I said they were "off my list" and they redeemed themselves.

Unfortunately, whenever they seem to get their act together they fall apart again!

DANNYO · 07-28-2010, 07:55 AM

I'm not doubting your experience but did anyone tell the manager,which is sometimes the owner.No excuse for bad service and bad food.

*Andrea J.* · 07-28-2010, 07:56 AM

gosh what a disappointing experience.
when you bought your displeasure to the wait staff person or the manager about the calamari and lobster pasta special what was done? did they offer to replace the food? did you and your wife eat it?
were they nice about it? accommodating?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmattalo

8 of us (neighbours in Aruba) went to Gianni's the other night for dinner - maybe this is just an issue with low season . . . we generally have a good meal there, but this time, it was AWFUL. Here were the issues:
- I ordered calamari fritti as an appetizer and it was like rubber, cold, and sopping wet
- my wife ordered a lobster and pasta special (for $38 USD nonetheless) and it was badly cooked spaghetti and "good luck" finding any lobster - seriously - a plate of muck passed off as a high end feature item
- the service was lackluster at best . . . lots of staff, little service.
- I don't like the fact that they sting you with a 15% service charge AND don't mention it . . . hoping you miss it and "double-tip".
- the meals at Gianni's seem to have goten VERY EXPENSIVE for decreasing quality in both food and service

We are on the island 7-8 times per year so let's hope this is a one time event and is only because it is low season.

nikko · 07-28-2010, 08:38 AM

that is so dissapointing to hear....we have been to gianni's twice, last year and this past july and both times it was great. i spent over twenty years in the service industry dealing with the public and i have also owned a business in the food industry. i am very hard on retaurants and service. our experience with this restaurant was great.

did you speak to anyone about the food? i would have.

Jacki · 07-28-2010, 09:22 AM

Wow I'm shocked. We were there last week, Thursday I think, and it was amazing! We had people constantly coming to the table asking if everything was ok, the food was amazing, of course most of us (party of 9) got the pasta made in the parm wheel thing...I'm so sorry to hear of your bad experience

mizpahlouise · 07-29-2010, 04:07 AM

Whew! Gianni's foods are delicious. Hope it's only one time event for if the things that you had experienced there will be experienced by many, Gianni's will be in terrible bankruptcy..lol...

Question: Did you ever try to ask them why their foods and even their service are that bad?

Truly,
mizpahlouise@

HeyMiss · 07-31-2010, 08:50 AM

I was accustomed to dining with friends for the past 3 birthdays. Each time, although the food was delicious, the service was beyond our acceptance. The last time we dined there, we were offered a special - and yes, we did not ask the price - and it was not offered. The special plate was more like an appetizer in size - good but not worth the $60 each they charged us on the bill! By the way, before we rec'd the bill, we were given - unsolicited - a complimentary shot of limoncello - because of the service. When we signaled to our waitress for the bill - she held her finger up (a minute); other hand on her hip and then proceeded to continue her visit with a friend who had stopped by!!! So, we will not return there. They will survive because of what we call "fresh meat every week"!!! The unsuspecting tourist who is there for 7-10 days and tries it out....beautiful decor, good food, despicable and rude service - from the wait staff up to management. Not my idea of a nice night out!!

Shelly · 07-31-2010, 03:27 PM

I'm so glad I read all of this....I'm taking it off our list for Oct.

07-28-2010, 02:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
mmattalo Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 232	Gianni's - BAD experience 8 of us (neighbours in Aruba) went to Gianni's the other night for dinner - maybe this is just an issue with low season . . . we generally have a good meal there, but this time, it was AWFUL. Here were the issues: - I ordered calamari fritti as an appetizer and it was like rubber, cold, and sopping wet - my wife ordered a lobster and pasta special (for $38 USD nonetheless) and it was badly cooked spaghetti and "good luck" finding any lobster - seriously - a plate of muck passed off as a high end feature item - the service was lackluster at best . . . lots of staff, little service. - I don't like the fact that they sting you with a 15% service charge AND don't mention it . . . hoping you miss it and "double-tip". - the meals at Gianni's seem to have goten VERY EXPENSIVE for decreasing quality in both food and service We are on the island 7-8 times per year so let's hope this is a one time event and is only because it is low season. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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07-28-2010, 07:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
Shnyda Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Gold Coast Villas, Stellaris Casino, Madame Janettes, Arashi Beach, Baby Beach, Sopranos Posts: 651 Images: 6	I have heard negative things over and over again about Gianni's. It had kept us away over the years. My wife always wants to go - the location is great and the decor is gorgeous. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ -E&K- Follow me on Twitter @ShnydaOne Summer Aruba trip in New Year's 2013 Aruba trip in

07-28-2010, 07:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,516 Images: 9	It seems that it is hit and miss. The last two times everything was good for us but prior to that I swore I would never go back. We ended up there with a group of people after I said they were "off my list" and they redeemed themselves. Unfortunately, whenever they seem to get their act together they fall apart again! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in

07-28-2010, 07:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
DANNYO Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Marriott Surf Club Posts: 1,580 Images: 1	I'm not doubting your experience but did anyone tell the manager,which is sometimes the owner.No excuse for bad service and bad food. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

07-28-2010, 08:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
nikko Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: molmok eagle beach Posts: 256 Images: 59	that is so dissapointing to hear....we have been to gianni's twice, last year and this past july and both times it was great. i spent over twenty years in the service industry dealing with the public and i have also owned a business in the food industry. i am very hard on retaurants and service. our experience with this restaurant was great. did you speak to anyone about the food? i would have. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

07-28-2010, 09:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jacki Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 167	Wow I'm shocked. We were there last week, Thursday I think, and it was amazing! We had people constantly coming to the table asking if everything was ok, the food was amazing, of course most of us (party of 9) got the pasta made in the parm wheel thing...I'm so sorry to hear of your bad experience Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ *Jacki ~ loving Aruba from NJ*

07-29-2010, 04:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
mizpahlouise Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: too many to mention Posts: 3	Whew! Whew! Gianni's foods are delicious. Hope it's only one time event for if the things that you had experienced there will be experienced by many, Gianni's will be in terrible bankruptcy..lol... Question: Did you ever try to ask them why their foods and even their service are that bad? Truly, mizpahlouise@ Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

07-31-2010, 08:50 AM	#9 (permalink)
HeyMiss Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 26 Images: 5	Too Many Chances I was accustomed to dining with friends for the past 3 birthdays. Each time, although the food was delicious, the service was beyond our acceptance. The last time we dined there, we were offered a special - and yes, we did not ask the price - and it was not offered. The special plate was more like an appetizer in size - good but not worth the $60 each they charged us on the bill! By the way, before we rec'd the bill, we were given - unsolicited - a complimentary shot of limoncello - because of the service. When we signaled to our waitress for the bill - she held her finger up (a minute); other hand on her hip and then proceeded to continue her visit with a friend who had stopped by!!! So, we will not return there. They will survive because of what we call "fresh meat every week"!!! The unsuspecting tourist who is there for 7-10 days and tries it out....beautiful decor, good food, despicable and rude service - from the wait staff up to management. Not my idea of a nice night out!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

07-31-2010, 03:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Shelly Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Palm Beach, lighthouse, Posts: 231 Images: 4	I'm so glad I read all of this....I'm taking it off our list for Oct. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ [/url]