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-   -   Just had to post on Mezza Luna (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/restaurant-discussions-90/just-had-post-mezza-luna-167835/)

Maxman 10-24-2015 08:08 PM
Just had to post on Mezza Luna
 
This evening 4 of us went to Mezza Luna for dinner. We were seated in a nice booth in the right hand corner of the restaurant. We were given menus when we were seated. After about 20 minutes with no service, I went to the host station and asked if we could get waited on. Soon a waitress came over and apologized even though she was loitering around our table since we got there. She took our orders and we never saw her again. Our iced tea came and they were out of Splenda. We never got bread. My soup came out lukewarm warm, but I ate it as no one ever checked on us. Our meals came by bus boy and my wife's lasagna was an ugly flat microwaved dish smothered in tomato sauce and cold. My chicken parmesan was okay, but the buttered fettuccine noodles that I requested came out instead covered in tomato sauce. Our friends ordered a pizza that was okay. I flagged down another waiter at the next table and asked him if he could please bring us some rolls and butter. He said yes, but the rolls never came. Our iced teas stood empty never to be refilled. Finally a different waiter came over and we told him of our displeasure with our service and meal. We figured he would voice our complaints to the manager in the kitchen, but no after another 10 minutes he came back and abruptly handed me both checks. I have lived on this earth for 61 years and have never had worse service in a restaurant.

I went to the bar where I saw 2 waiters just hanging around BSing and asked for the manager. He was unprofessional in my opinion as he promised to reprimand his staff and gave us a discount. Something tells me with the horrible attitude of the wait staff that its a family affair. Needless to say we will never go back to Mezza Luna.

velcro 10-24-2015 08:39 PM
Basically the same thing happened to 4 of us last Sat. night. We were seated 20 min's later some one took our order & we never saw them again. After an hour & 15 min's we got up & left as our food was being delivered. Never again.

kcrazorbackfan 10-24-2015 08:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxman (Post 1134909)
This evening 4 of us went to Mezza Luna for dinner. We were seated in a nice booth in the right hand corner of the restaurant. We were given menus when we were seated. After about 20 minutes with no service, I went to the host station and asked if we could get waited on. Soon a waitress came over and apologized even though she was loitering around our table since we got there. She took our orders and we never saw her again. Our iced tea came and they were out of Splenda. We never got bread. My soup came out lukewarm warm, but I ate it as no one ever checked on us. Our meals came by bus boy and my wife's lasagna was an ugly flat microwaved dish smothered in tomato sauce and cold. My chicken parmesan was okay, but the buttered fettuccine noodles that I requested came out instead covered in tomato sauce. Our friends ordered a pizza that was okay. I flagged down another waiter at the next table and asked him if he could please bring us some rolls and butter. He said yes, but the rolls never came. Our iced teas stood empty never to be refilled. Finally a different waiter came over and we told him of our displeasure with our service and meal. We figured he would voice our complaints to the manager in the kitchen, but no after another 10 minutes he came back and abruptly handed me both checks. I have lived on this earth for 61 years and have never had worse service in a restaurant.

I went to the bar where I saw 2 waiters just hanging around BSing and asked for the manager. He was unprofessional in my opinion as he promised to reprimand his staff and gave us a discount. Something tells me with the horrible attitude of the wait staff that its a family affair. Needless to say we will never go back to Mezza Luna.
So, the manager was unprofessional, in your opinion, in promising to reprimand the staff and was unprofessional, in your opinion, in giving you a discount? Hmm.

Maxman 10-24-2015 09:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1134922)
So, the manager was unprofessional, in your opinion, in promising to reprimand the staff and was unprofessional, in your opinion, in giving you a discount? Hmm.
Although the manager was helpful, he seemed uncomfortable and out of control of the situation. Maybe it's just me because of the horrible experience previous to him addressing the problems.

I don't enjoy complaining and rarely if ever do it even after experiencing mediocre service, but this seemed to be a complete loss of control and lack of discipline on the part of all the staff not just bad service. This was an order of magnitude worse then just mediocre service.

NYGUY 10-24-2015 09:52 PM
Have had some of these same problems. Not sure how or why they bother to stay open anymore. I haven't seen it crowded in a long time.

YouNeverKnow 10-24-2015 10:03 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxman (Post 1134909)
This evening 4 of us went to Mezza Luna for dinner. We were seated in a nice booth in the right hand corner of the restaurant. We were given menus when we were seated. After about 20 minutes with no service, I went to the host station and asked if we could get waited on. Soon a waitress came over and apologized even though she was loitering around our table since we got there. She took our orders and we never saw her again. Our iced tea came and they were out of Splenda. We never got bread. My soup came out lukewarm warm, but I ate it as no one ever checked on us. Our meals came by bus boy and my wife's lasagna was an ugly flat microwaved dish smothered in tomato sauce and cold. My chicken parmesan was okay, but the buttered fettuccine noodles that I requested came out instead covered in tomato sauce. Our friends ordered a pizza that was okay. I flagged down another waiter at the next table and asked him if he could please bring us some rolls and butter. He said yes, but the rolls never came. Our iced teas stood empty never to be refilled. Finally a different waiter came over and we told him of our displeasure
with our service and meal. We figured he would voice our complaints to the manager in the kitchen, but no after another 10 minutes he came back and abruptly handed me both checks. I have lived on this earth for 61 years and have never had worse service in a restaurant.

I went to the bar where I saw 2 waiters just hanging around BSing and asked for the manager. He was unprofessional in my opinion as he promised to reprimand his staff and gave us a discount. Something tells me with the horrible attitude of the wait staff that its a family affair. Needless to say we will never go back to Mezza Luna.
The exact same thing happened to us at City Fire in Brownwood last Saturday night! Our group will not go back there either.

Chatbrat 10-25-2015 02:03 AM
Honestly, people who go to restaurants with big groups are kidding themselves--if tables have to be put together to handle you--the establishment isn't really prepared for such a party- its extremely difficult for an average kitchen to time more than 6 meals @ once.

Turners has it right by limiting party size--if you want a big group-go to the American Legion

you can sit 20 @ one table and you'll only be able to talk with the person on either side or directly across and no one will care how loud your group is and how much you disturb other diners.

Villager Joyce 10-25-2015 02:07 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chatbrat (Post 1135007)
Honestly, people who go to restaurants with big groups are kidding themselves--if tables have to be put together to handle you--the establishment isn't really prepared for such a party- its extremely difficult for an average kitchen to time more than 6 meals @ once.

Turners has it right by limiting party size--if you want a big group-go to the American Legion

you can sit 20 @ one table and you'll only be able to talk with the person on either side or directly across and no one will care how loud your group is and how much you disturb other diners.
Four is a large group? Come on now. That is two couples.

john1953 10-25-2015 04:38 AM
I have had the same ugly service their as well.The food was ok but the service really sucked.Waiting and waiting when the place was fairly empty is crazy.Probably will not be back again.Its a shame because its close to where we live.I've been their maybe 10 times and service was bad 8 of those times.

Walter123 10-25-2015 07:19 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1134922)
So, the manager was unprofessional, in your opinion, in promising to reprimand the staff and was unprofessional, in your opinion, in giving you a discount? Hmm.
A very rude reply. Shame-shame. Oh yeah, in my opinion.

Happinow 10-25-2015 08:04 AM
Why can't we get a decent restaurant in that location?? We have to drive to get a good sub, good pizza, go to a decent chain restaurant (Bonefish) and do any shopping. I'm wishing we bought a home closer to 466. There's a ton of people in the Southern part of town with very limited facilities.

graciegirl 10-25-2015 08:46 AM
One of the wonderful things about this place is that you can much more easily relocate to another part of town. Homes that are clean and fairly priced sell quickly.(EVEN without a realtor) There are tons of strong men to move you far more cheaply than where we were from. AND there are homes for sale in every part of town. Four years ago today, there was not ONE home built south of 466A. I think that in a short time supply and demand will even out. What is tricky that there is enormous business for only three months out of the year all over Florida.


As to the decent restaurant, there is a fair chance that the location will someday have one that pleases a lot, never all, people. But if a restaurant is struggling and not doing well, they still are in the contract of the lease and have to pay it out. One thing that people fail to bring up is that very, very, few of the restaurants charge nearly as much as those back home. EVEN though we know the ones back home are perfect, prepare wonderful food, are close to where you live, know how to cook your favorites and are now a thousand miles away.


I am SO glad that when I am hungry for something I like, I can cook it, and I don't mind cooking it, and it tastes just the way I like it. I am pretty sure that most seasonal residents NEVER cook at home. But we love them anyway.


Italian food cooked perfectly must be absolutely heavenly. Me. I like Carrabas.

asianthree 10-25-2015 09:02 AM
We have been here two weeks, and have eaten out twice. Thanks to my trusty pressure cooker, and indoor grill.

bandsdavis 10-25-2015 09:28 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1134922)
So, the manager was unprofessional, in your opinion, in promising to reprimand the staff and was unprofessional, in your opinion, in giving you a discount? Hmm.
Sometimes the "unprofessional" part comes not from what is said, but the way it is said and the attitude that goes with it. I wasn't there, so I don't know if this is the case, but I have certainly experienced it myself on more than one occasion in other places.

Jima64 10-25-2015 09:55 AM
I am so glad I learned to cook as a single man. Now married, my wife tells me my mu shu pork is better than any restaurant prepared version. Bad service, overpriced food, no thank you.

Jima64 10-25-2015 09:58 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan (Post 1134922)
So, the manager was unprofessional, in your opinion, in promising to reprimand the staff and was unprofessional, in your opinion, in giving you a discount? Hmm.
Giving a discount on the bill does not even come close to making up for the bad experience. He should have comped the entire bill at a minimum. I would never go there.

John_W 10-25-2015 10:09 AM
Mezza Luna we've been to about five times, but only for the pizza. When we find a pizza we like we'll return to that place and just order that. For Italian meals we like Giovanni's at Southern Trace between Publix and Ace Hardware. They aren't fancy and it's small, but the hostess will always bend over backwards to get you seated. The waitresses arrive quickly, as well as the salad, rolls and then the meals. Price wise, they are even cheaper than Olive Garden. I love their spaghetti with meat sauce, I guess I'm easy to please.

newguyintv 10-25-2015 12:20 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxman (Post 1134909)
This evening 4 of us went to Mezza Luna for dinner. We were seated in a nice booth in the right hand corner of the restaurant. We were given menus when we were seated. After about 20 minutes with no service, I went to the host station and asked if we could get waited on. Soon a waitress came over and apologized even though she was loitering around our table since we got there. She took our orders and we never saw her again. Our iced tea came and they were out of Splenda. We never got bread. My soup came out lukewarm warm, but I ate it as no one ever checked on us. Our meals came by bus boy and my wife's lasagna was an ugly flat microwaved dish smothered in tomato sauce and cold. My chicken parmesan was okay, but the buttered fettuccine noodles that I requested came out instead covered in tomato sauce. Our friends ordered a pizza that was okay. I flagged down another waiter at the next table and asked him if he could please bring us some rolls and butter. He said yes, but the rolls never came. Our iced teas stood empty never to be refilled. Finally a different waiter came over and we told him of our displeasure with our service and meal. We figured he would voice our complaints to the manager in the kitchen, but no after another 10 minutes he came back and abruptly handed me both checks. I have lived on this earth for 61 years and have never had worse service in a restaurant.

I went to the bar where I saw 2 waiters just hanging around BSing and asked for the manager. He was unprofessional in my opinion as he promised to reprimand his staff and gave us a discount. Something tells me with the horrible attitude of the wait staff that its a family affair. Needless to say we will never go back to Mezza Luna.
Where are all the posters who were singing the praises of this joint after it opened. How about Bonny?

graciegirl 10-25-2015 12:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguyintv (Post 1135287)
Where are all the posters who were singing the praises of this joint after it opened. How about Bonny?


You don't want to get Bonny after you.


My money is on Bonny. She is the resident expert on restaurants. You just don't understand newguyintv, that not all people are lucky enough to be born in New York City and have all this expertise on food and culture. Some of us had to be born in Ohio where are mothers smacked us for saying stuff like what you just typed.

YouNeverKnow 10-25-2015 03:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chatbrat (Post 1135007)
Honestly, people who go to restaurants with big groups are kidding themselves--if tables have to be put together to handle you--the establishment isn't really prepared for such a party- its extremely difficult for an average kitchen to time more than 6 meals @ once.

Turners has it right by limiting party size--if you want a big group-go to the American Legion

you can sit 20 @ one table and you'll only be able to talk with the person on either side or directly across and no one will care how loud your group is and how much you disturb other diners.
Just an FYI, we did ask to be split up into smaller tables when we made the reservation at City Fire in Brownwood just for the facts that you mentioned and to help them make it more manageable. Seems that didn't make any difference.
Not sure I appreciate your comment about going to the American Legion. This is the Villages and it's all about being able to go out and eat at places in the Villages with groups of friends. The restaurants here should be used to that by now and plan accordingly.

waynet 10-25-2015 03:32 PM
I eat their quite often. I think the food is excellent,have never had a bad meal. Service has been good most of the time. I like their pizza, veal parm is very good, bar service is good. I see nothing wrong with the place.

Coal Miner 10-25-2015 03:58 PM
We ate there once. Bad service and mediocre food. We wont be back.

TheVillageChicken 10-25-2015 05:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by waynet (Post 1135409)
I eat their quite often. I think the food is excellent,have never had a bad meal. Service has been good most of the time. I like their pizza, veal parm is very good, bar service is good. I see nothing wrong with the place.
That's one attaboy. It takes 1000 of 'em to wipe out one aw$hit.

Callaway Guy 10-25-2015 08:02 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxman (Post 1134964)
Although the manager was helpful, he seemed uncomfortable and out of control of the situation. Maybe it's just me because of the horrible experience previous to him addressing the problems.

I don't enjoy complaining and rarely if ever do it even after experiencing mediocre service, but this seemed to be a complete loss of control and lack of discipline on the part of all the staff not just bad service. This was an order of magnitude worse then just mediocre service.
We'll know not to go there; thx for your info on it.

applesoffh 10-25-2015 10:06 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Happinow (Post 1135073)
Why can't we get a decent restaurant in that location?? We have to drive to get a good sub, good pizza, go to a decent chain restaurant (Bonefish) and do any shopping. I'm wishing we bought a home closer to 466. There's a ton of people in the Southern part of town with very limited facilities.
Absolutely true! Also wish there was a car wash nearby. Not a big deal, just a wish.

applesoffh 10-25-2015 10:08 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1135152)
Mezza Luna we've been to about five times, but only for the pizza. When we find a pizza we like we'll return to that place and just order that. For Italian meals we like Giovanni's at Southern Trace between Publix and Ace Hardware. They aren't fancy and it's small, but the hostess will always bend over backwards to get you seated. The waitresses arrive quickly, as well as the salad, rolls and then the meals. Price wise, they are even cheaper than Olive Garden. I love their spaghetti with meat sauce, I guess I'm easy to please.
Giovanni's is excellent! Best Italian in TV - and it's not a chain!

Chatbrat 10-26-2015 01:39 AM
Giovanni's catered a village party--way above all the so called Italian restaurants in the villages.

We'e been to Mezza Luna 4 times the straw that broke the camel's back was when my sister-in law( my wife & her are Italian) joined use for a luncheon--the food was so bad we all had a few bites, the house wine was swill--you can't fix not caring--after Luigino' s demise, they'll be the next ship to sink.

graciegirl 10-26-2015 05:18 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by applesoffh (Post 1135579)
Giovanni's is excellent! Best Italian in TV - and it's not a chain!


Do any real Italians like Carrabbas? I think it has wonderful food. The soups are really, really yummy. I have an Italian friend who is an excellent cook and she says if she feels poorly she has her husband bring home a container of soup from Carrabbas.. I love the chicken dish with lemon. I like the flavored oil that you dip your bread in.

Can someone tell us about what happened to Mezza Luna? Isn't it owned by a Villager and his son? They gutted the facility and decorated it expensively and must have had high hopes. Wonder why they seem to have given up? Never ever went to Luigino's. Have gone to the Italian restaurant in Brownwood and must have hit it lucky. I possibly don't know the difference between good and bad Italian, but certainly can figure out bad service. I love the spaghetti and meat sauce at Stavros in Leesburg. But I am not Italian. I don't see anything wrong with many chains. They seem to have perfected some dishes enough to enjoy a success wherever they open.

Sometimes it just takes time to attract good restaurants and maybe there will never be food to please some refined palates. Again I say that there was not one single home on the farmland south of 466A four years ago.

People here in The Villages seem to support restaurants with fairly good food, consistent good service and not high prices because of their "fixed incomes". I love to eat at Cane Garden. Lovely staff, enjoyable food.

newguyintv 10-26-2015 05:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1135613)
Do any real Italians like Carrabbas? I think it has wonderful food. The soups are just wonderful. I love the chicken dish with lemon. I like the flavored oil that you dip your bread in.
Carrabbas is as bad or worse than most Italian Restaurants in the area. The Chefs of Napoli is the best around.

Chatbrat 10-26-2015 05:40 AM
Most of the time when a father brings a son into the business its the kiss of death for the business. The business is usually the father's baby, his money, his sweat, love and tears--now to the son--its a paycheck--he cares about the way the typical employee does.

chuck90199 10-26-2015 07:17 AM
Another "attaboy" for Mezza Luna. We've eaten there many times and never had a bad meal or really poor service. We've had inexperienced waitpersons on a couple of occasions, but politeness and patience go a long way in making it a pleasant evening.

jblum315 10-26-2015 07:33 AM
IMHO, in my six years here I have eaten at exactly three restaurants where the food was good and service was excellent.
They are Nancy Lopez, Athens and Sonrise cafe..
Period.

Walter123 10-26-2015 08:16 AM
Keep your expectations low or eat at home.

Bonny 10-26-2015 10:31 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguyintv (Post 1135287)
Where are all the posters who were singing the praises of this joint after it opened. How about Bonny?
We were just recently and had the pizza. It was yummy and service was great. No complaints !

EnglishJW 10-26-2015 12:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1135087)
I am SO glad that when I am hungry for something I like, I can cook it, and I don't mind cooking it, and it tastes just the way I like it. I am pretty sure that most seasonal residents NEVER cook at home. But we love them anyway.


Italian food cooked perfectly must be absolutely heavenly. Me. I like Carrabas.
Do you really believe that most seasonal residents NEVER cook at home?

My (italian) wife and I agree with you about Carrabba's (especially MAMA MANDOLA’S SICILIAN CHICKEN SOUP).

Chatbrat 10-26-2015 01:53 PM
Carrabba's has always been good-haven't been to the one near the Villages-one good thing about chain restaurants is consistency--one is as good or as bad as every other.

Roaddog53 10-26-2015 05:47 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 1135087)
One of the wonderful things about this place is that you can much more easily relocate to another part of town. Homes that are clean and fairly priced sell quickly.(EVEN without a realtor) There are tons of strong men to move you far more cheaply than where we were from. AND there are homes for sale in every part of town. Four years ago today, there was not ONE home built south of 466A. I think that in a short time supply and demand will even out. What is tricky that there is enormous business for only three months out of the year all over Florida.


As to the decent restaurant, there is a fair chance that the location will someday have one that pleases a lot, never all, people. But if a restaurant is struggling and not doing well, they still are in the contract of the lease and have to pay it out. One thing that people fail to bring up is that very, very, few of the restaurants charge nearly as much as those back home. EVEN though we know the ones back home are perfect, prepare wonderful food, are close to where you live, know how to cook your favorites and are now a thousand miles away.


I am SO glad that when I am hungry for something I like, I can cook it, and I don't mind cooking it, and it tastes just the way I like it. I am pretty sure that most seasonal residents NEVER cook at home. But we love them anyway.


Italian food cooked perfectly must be absolutely heavenly. Me. I like Carrabas.

Wonderful response Gracie! As the saying goes, you can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time.. Err, was that fool people lol. Some will not like the food, service, wait, bill, seating, temperature, noise, etc, but one should take this as a side to a story and than see for themselves. Out of the thousands that eat out their will be some that will not like it and speak out more than others. Others love it and say nothing.

Sandtrap328 10-26-2015 08:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by newguyintv (Post 1135614)
Carrabbas is as bad or worse than most Italian Restaurants in the area. The Chefs of Napoli is the best around.
I went to Chefs of Napoli and the Eggplant Parm was the worst version of it I ever tasted. It was thin boiled strips of eggplant with a very sweet tomato sauce poured over.

Never again!

Giovanni's or Pasta Faire are so much better.

CFrance 10-26-2015 08:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by EnglishJW (Post 1135857)
Do you really believe that most seasonal residents NEVER cook at home?

My (italian) wife and I agree with you about Carrabba's (especially MAMA MANDOLA’S SICILIAN CHICKEN SOUP).
And they brought back the Johnny Rocco salad (I'm sure I have that name wrong) with the shrimp and seared scallops. It's so good you don't even need the dressing on it.

Hmm, tomorrow... lunch...

CSilvestrucci 10-26-2015 11:32 PM
We went to Mezza Luna last week. They were crowded. 3 large parties. Service was a little slow but not bad. The food was good. No complaints. A wise woman once told me "there are people in this world who would complain about the food and service at "The Last Supper".


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