Fumo is one of my favorite restaurants. Why? Because my husband doesn't love the restaurant experience nearly as much as I do. Being someone who serves people in a restaurant, I need to balance that out by being served so that I don't feel like a "servant." That is neither here nor there. I came to Fumo on my day off as I often do. The busses asked me what kind of water i wanted and I wanted Pellegrino. The water was served and I sat waiting. During this time, a homeless gentleman (I use this term lightly) came to my table with his hand outstretched but unable to form words. I do realize that I should have given him something but I couldn't even understand what he was saying and I was by myself, afraid, and looking around the restaurant for someone to come and ask him to please leave. At least five minutes of this guy begging for money. I had cash but all I had in my wallet was twenties. It was just bad timing on his part, so I said "no sir," after which he continued to mumble at me more loudly. I again had to look around the restaurant and say, "no, sir." Still undeterred, I knew I had to be very firm. I stop averting my eyes, grew a pair, and said to him, "I'm sorry, sir, but I have told you twice as respectfully and calmly as I could. Now I must insist you leave me alone." He got pissed and mumbled some presumable obscenities, and then walked away. Still no staff at my table. Suddenly, the man rans] past my table, stole my water glass and then continued to run and throw it into the bushes across the sidewalk. I didn't really know what to do about that, because I wasn't exactly assaulted, but I thought it was kind of interesting that nobody saw this go down. The restaurant is small and all of the windows were open. I should also add that the server was training someone new. I knew this. I wasn't at all angry about the absence from the table, because I was just trying to relax. I was a little annoyed that I didn't have a glass of wine by then, but on the other hand, it may have been the casualty of the run-by stealing of my shit (for lack of better words). Right now, diners want to spend a lot of time at the safer tables farther away from the sidewalk for this very reason. When finally I saw someone look in my direction, I asked for a manager. Not one, but two managers came to my table. It has been a long time since I have seen THAT happen at ANY restaurant. KUDOS to management team. Touching tables and being able to speak with your clientele is very important; especially because she finally got to what I wanted, security. That guy was down the block still shaking his fist at me and grumbling obscenities like a cartoon character. She saw a safer table open up and it was quickly set up so that I might move over and feel safer. THIS act saved the whole thing and really just gave me a reason to 1) brag about the management team and 2) write this very witty and compelling review for a.restaurant struggling during covid just like the rest of us. Let's keep trying to keep one another safe. Ill be back either with an armed guard or my husband will just have to come with me. read more