I was a Tutto Pasta customer for many years. As a matter of fact, I recall dining there since I was a teenager many moons ago. Nowadays I usually order their pizza delivery, but on occasion I do dine there. This Saturday my wife, daughter...and myself decided to go for dinner along with a friend and fellow Brickell resident who had never been there. Before we arrived we praised the restaurant to our friend, excellent food, service and price.
What a shock when we arrived. As soon as we opened the door the hostess noted we had a dog and informed we could only be served outside (it was raining). We informed that the dog was a service animal, as it was clearly indicated on the dog vest. The very unfriendly and rude hostess snapped that they did not accept “that particular kind” of service dog. We were rather perplexed, and we calmly pointed out that dog in question was a registered service dog (not emotional support, as commonly confused). My friend offered to show the service dog’s ID, but to no avail. Very rudely the hostess said for us to look at the sign by the door. Alas, the sign stated clearly that service animals permitted. When I pointed out this information, she simply turned her back on me and walked away. Upon this rude gesture (not typical nor acceptable in the service industry) I called her attention, to which she promptly replied “Do you want me to call the cops?!”
We obviously left the restaurant.
How dare she? What a complete humiliating experience this was! How can a restaurant hire someone who is so rude, ignorant and with no social skills? How can at this day and age people treat people that require special assistance in such a way?
In just a mere 2 minutes this restaurant lost forever a client that has dined there since the ‘90s.
Blessing in disguise. Upon leaving I searched for another Italian restaurant nearby. We ended up at Ponte Vecchio on Coral Way. Excellent food! Excellent service! And most importantly, they accept service animals, as per law, without questioning, humiliating or threatening to call the police on their patrons.More