[MMarco]

Our dinner experience at Ricciardi's last night was disappointing. It started with a refusal to be seated in the restaurant with an excuse that all of the tables were "reserved" when there were numerous tables for four evident to us. Also, when was the last time you were able to make a reservation anywhere in the Villages with less than 8 in your party? We didn't enjoy dining outside near the bar especially when the restaurant allows pets in this area. The real disturbing issue here is the waiters who pet the dogs and them come to serve you at your table. A lesson in restaurant hygiene may be in order.

The food quality and preparation has been changing too. My fish was not well prepared and the sauce that it was to be served with was pitifully almost non existent on the plate.

There are a few good choices for Italian dining in the Villages, Ricciardi's seem to be working itself down to the bottom of our list.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by MMarco

Our dinner experience at Ricciardi's last night was disappointing. It started with a refusal to be seated in the restaurant with an excuse that all of the tables were "reserved" when there were numerous tables for four evident to us. Also, when was the last time you were able to make a reservation anywhere in the Villages with less than 8 in your party? We didn't enjoy dining outside near the bar especially when the restaurant allows pets in this area. The real disturbing issue here is the waiters who pet the dogs and them come to serve you at your table. A lesson in restaurant hygiene may be in order.

The food quality and preparation has been changing too. My fish was not well prepared and the sauce that it was to be served with was pitifully almost non existent on the plate.

There are a few good choices for Italian dining in the Villages, Ricciardi's seem to be working itself down to the bottom of our list.

Ate there last year about a month after it opened. It was, well, less than a spectacular restaurant experience. Disappointed to hear that there doesn't look to be much improvement, love Italian and live close to BW

[Villager Joyce]

I'm sorry to hear this. Riccardis is in our restaurant rotation. We almost always ask to be seated outside. I almost always order the vegetable stack off the appetizer menu and have never been disappointed. Hopefully this will be true next month.

[Jima64]

If I saw a waiter petting a dog and not washing hands before handling food the minimum I would do is ask for the manager. Depending on how they responded I would also contact the health dept. i know I sound grumpy, love my two dogs.

[TheVillageChicken]

The last time I commented on this joint it resulted in the thread being closed, so I won't say anything about the waiter whose shirt was saturated with sweat.

[asianthree]

but I don't think that I should infringe my pet on your life. Especially at a restaurant so what the bad posting begin. asked for the manager. I do not like to sit outside no matter what the weather is. And if it was a problem I probably would've chose to dine somewhere else.

[Chatbrat]

Went to Ricciardi's once, asked the owner-"is this your bread" he said yes--walked out never been back--an Italian restaurant that doesn't have Good bread is not an Italian restaurant

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by MMarco

The real disturbing issue here is the waiters who pet the dogs and them come to serve you at your table. A lesson in restaurant hygiene may be in order.

It is not only disturbing but against the law and it requires a permit which outlines their requirements to allow dogs on patios. There are many threads on the subject but it's like trying to push a rope. On our now last visit there some time ago a lady had a small lap dog inside some kind of a large purse at a booth with it's head right up on the table. Dog's outside are one thing but inside up at the table is just toooo much... To make it worse a waitress was right at the table talking to them and just wiped the table as usual when they left and then seated new customers in the booth.

I have nothing against Italian food; growing up in the South, it was always Southern food. I swear that my wife could eat it 3 meals a day so I'll always get spaghetti and meatballs; one time at the aforementioned place I ordered that and the waitress rolled her eyes. Needless to say, we've never been back. Meatballs tasted like what I imagine Old Roy dog food would taste like anyway.

[Kent4Cardinals]

Even though I see that I am in the minority I would like to reverse the trend here. I have been to this restaurant on numerous occasions. I greatly enjoy the place and have not had any issues with the food, wait staff , nor the managers. And, I have many friends that also enjoy Ricciardi's on a regular basis.

[kaydee]

Never HAD a complaint about this place but I do now. If serving staff are allowed to touch a guests animal & then serve my food then that's a problem and I won't chance eating there.

[Skip]

Got a cell phone?
Take a photo of the petting server and send it to The Florida Department of Health ( 850-245-4299 ).
That's a serious violation.

Skip

[Skip]

Here's the law in part:

(c) In order to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public, the local exemption ordinance shall include such regulations and limitations as deemed necessary by the participating local government and shall include, but not be limited to, the following requirements:
1. All public food service establishment employees shall wash their hands promptly after touching, petting, or otherwise handling dogs. Employees shall be prohibited from touching, petting, or otherwise handling dogs while serving food or beverages or handling tableware or before entering other parts of the public food service establishment.
2. Patrons in a designated outdoor area shall be advised that they should wash their hands before eating. Waterless hand sanitizer shall be provided at all tables in the designated outdoor area.
3. Employees and patrons shall be instructed that they shall not allow dogs to come into contact with serving dishes, utensils, tableware, linens, paper products, or any other items involved in food service operations.
4. Patrons shall keep their dogs on a leash at all times and shall keep their dogs under reasonable control.
5. Dogs shall not be allowed on chairs, tables, or other furnishings.
6. All table and chair surfaces shall be cleaned and sanitized with an approved product between seating of patrons. Spilled food and drink shall be removed from the floor or ground between seating of patrons.

Skip

[Skip]

And the only restaurants in The Villages with OUTDOOR exception permits are...
Square One Burgers (CR466A)
Cody's Original Roadhouse (Brownwood)
Crispers (Southern Trace)
Johnny Rockets (LSL)
Flipper Pizzeria (SpSp)
++++++++++
Ricciardi's isn't one of them.
So pets in any seating area there (in or out) is against the law.

Skip

[banjobob]

I was a restaurant owner for many many years and to me its stupid for people to bring their pets to a restaurant , unless its a service animal for cripes sake leave them at home not at a restaurant, I would visit a restaurant only once if they allowed animals in eating areas.