The best meal I had in Vancouver. The place was very nice, but kind of casual. Not too pretentious. I ate at the bar, and the server/bartender was very chatty and nice. The owner Umberto stopped by the bar with a half pizza that he shared with everyone at the bar. We then chatted and he wanted to show me a special dessert wine that is enjoyed during Christmas. Then he showed me one of his cook books and went through every picture telling me stories. He had some biscotti brought out to dip in the wine. Then he had a bottle opened of red wine from his vineyard. A truly unique experience that I will treasure. I ordered the book. read more

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Food Quality: **** Service: *** Ambiance: ** Value: *** The food was decent for downtown but the overall experience wasn't the best. The main issue was the noise level there, there were several rowdy tables, it might have just been a typical Friday night but it was difficult to enjoy. Additionally the service was decent and not quite at the level you'd expect. Still worth a visit, your experience might be better than mine. read more

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A coworker recommended Giardino's as one of the best Italian restaurants in Vancouver. When a friend came to town on business, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it. We have a tradition of going out for Italian food in every city we visit. We had a 5:45 reservation and were seated early. The dining room was styled to feel upscale, but the heavy décor felt a bit outdated. Service started off well. We ordered drinks and the antipasti appetizer, which turned out to be the best part of the meal. The house-made cracker bread was especially good. As the evening went on, the restaurant filled up and got much louder. The table next to us was especially loud and crude, which took away from the overall dining experience and made conversation difficult. I ordered the lasagna because I had heard good things about it. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the reputation. It lacked seasoning, and the noodles were overcooked and mushy. At $30, I expected much better. I would rate it 2.5 out of 5. For dessert, we had the crème brûlée. While the presentation was nice, the custard was slightly grainy and almost separated. It was not the velvety smooth texture you hope for in a good brûlée. Overall, the food presentation was beautiful, but the taste and quality did not match the setting or the price. The appetizer and cracker bread were the only standouts. We dined on a Wednesday and still found the atmosphere to be loud and chaotic. For the price and the experience, I would recommend looking for a different Italian spot in Vancouver. read more

Lovely ambiance, highly recommend sitting in the patio garden. Food was delicious, particularly the burrata. Would go for a special occasion only though as it is quite pricey. Service was great too. read more

Giardino - When splitting the pasta, they pre split it on each plate. - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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Some restaurants meet your expectations and some fall below your expectations. Giadino's blew our expectations out of the water!!! I truly cannot put into words just how amazing our night was there. The food was top notch. We had the branzino and the veal which were both specials! They were both top notch. If you eat here do yourself a favor and book a seat at the bar. If Andrew is working count yourself lucky as he is an amazing server who goes above and beyond! The restaurants decor is beautiful and you can tell they have a loyal clientele! If Umberto the owner is working, well just count yourself as blessed as he is one amazing human being! Our night there was truly one we will never forget! read more

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I'll let you in on a little secret of mine... I have a slight crush on this place. It treats me like a lady should be treated and always wines & dines me. Literally. I've been here before a few times, but instead of paying attention to details reviewing demands, I enjoyed the moment instead of making mental notes. I mean what is there to say? Giardino is the Rolls Royce of Italian Fine Dining. The standard is high on every level, and I mean every level you can think of. The Environment. The Service. The Food. Every Level. I don't want to give away too much here, because I want you to go and be unexpectedly pleasantly surprised as I was. The Food: I don't eat Lasagna just anywhere. Stellar Lasagna is very hard to make. It takes patience, attention and of course the right ingredient ratio to preparation. Considering I enjoyed all their other dishes the previous times, I decided to give it a whirl with their Lasagna dish. Between the Lasagna and the wine...I don't know what happened. It was like a dance on their immaculate white table cloth reflecting the superb shimmering mood lights. The Lasagna was spectacular. Now I know where to go when I crave it.....moving on.... Fried Breaded Mozzarella Di Bufala - Yumm. Could've had two more. Heart of Baby Romaine Wedges - Exactly how Caesar Salads should be made. Penne - Nice. Great choice if you're Kosher conscious. Paccheri Di Gragnano - One of our favourites. .....and of course I already told you about Mr. Lasagna. Skip Lunch. Dress Your Best. Sashay In. And Enjoy! Maybe I'll see you there. read more

Food was delicious. Service was amazing and upbeat, and as always so accommodating. And of course the interiors and exteriors ensure a glamorous experience. This is not a place for tacky clothes. Even the men usually wear a blazer and/or suit to jacket Front desk staff greet customers - old and new, warmly and efficiently being organized at all times. One cannot name any individual staff for being outstanding. They all are. Everyone of them is knowledgeable, fun and work hard to make dining with them a memorable experience! Of course Bobby - maitre'd is superb and knows the world cause he has fed most of them! read more

Food, Service and Ambiance is top notch! We were invited for Christmas dinner here and every dish was on point. We ordered a few dishes to share in order to have a taste of different dishes. Carpaccio of Beef Tenderloin with Honey Mustard Dressing Calamari Fritturina with fresh lemon Lobster Bisque Crème Fraiche Creamy Burrata, Carpaccio of Zucchini, Cherry Tomato, Baby Arugula with Pomegranate Dressing Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia Atlantic Lobster Medallion, Cherry Tomato Sauce Linguine alle Vongole Fresh Clams, White Wine Garlic Broth Paccheri Di Gragnano with Spicy Italian Sausage, Pecorino Cheese Oven Roasted Pacific Sablefish Horseradish Crust Roasted Spring Rack of Lamb Fresh Herbs Crust and Bean Cassoulet Highly recommended! read more

Food was excellent! Atmosphere was okay. Staff was difficult to get a hold of and forgot itemsLimited menu. It was overall a positive experience. A friend had wanted to go here for a while so we went. read more

We were early and our table was not ready so we checked out the lounge area for a bit. The food is incredible Spaghettini Al Nero - cooked to al dente Seared scallops - this was perfection! The sauces was an added bonus but it was delicious with or without it. Vegetables were a great addition and the scallops were jumbo and juicy. Black cod - great texture but I could use a bit more flavour especially after having the scallops We didn't have enough time for dessert as the table was only for 2 hours Our server was very helpful. read more

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The staff are delightful and talented - none more than Petra (who came from Le Crocodile) - and there is always a seasoned staff on hand who handle everything professionally. The food, however, is not on par with other restaurants with which Giardino compares itself. For example, this is the second time I have ordered the loin of venison rare and it has arrived overdone. The pasta dishes, frankly, don't compare with other Italian restaurants in Vancouver. We miss the old Il Giardino which never held itself out as being a top end Italian restaurant but with Umberto's oversight and touch always delivered a dining experience which left everyone satisfied and wanting to return. My wife and I have no doubt many Vancouverites who are familiar with the old "Giardino" would agree. Respectfully, David & Sandy read more

Superb service, absolutely delicious food, and a wonderful ambience. Definitely going back, I have got to have that veal again.

I found the restaurant to be okay. There was not anything memorable but nothing was bad either. Food took awhile to come and in total I think I was there for about 3 hours. They have an extensive wine selection and I liked the wine we had. Portions were not that big. To start I tried the beef carpaccio and a salad that was special that day. It took awhile to prepare and it was alright. The Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia was good but it was nothing extraordinary. I expected more from the Ossobuco. The saffron risotto I enjoyed. I was excited for their cannoli for dessert but it didn't hit the spot. Again, nothing bad but nothing special and it took a long time to come. Getting the bill again took a good 15 minutes so by dessert time I just wanted to get out of there. I was seated in the back of the restaurant. Although it was covered it was cold. The interior was interesting with lots of different patterns. I liked that. read more

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I've been waiting so so long to try this restaurant. Unfortunately it was a bit of a let down. Service was super uncomfortable and awkward. We felt it was an inconvenience to ask for menus?.. Food was decent .. was expecting more considering the reviews. Still glad we got to try it though. We ordered roasted red beets and it was super bland. 2/5. Lacked flavour and texture was inconsistent. As well we ordered carpaccio - this one was our favourite out of the two. It was loaded with flavour and seasoned well. Pastas were good. I don't know if this is always how it is or maybe just an off day? I just had such high hopes so it was a bit disappointing. Not sure if we would go again.. but I'm glad we got to finally try it. read more

Giardino - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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The food was authentic and delicious. The decor is wonderful, noise level is high, but this a popular spot. If you haven't tried it, you should. read more

It was a very special occasion for our friends, my husband and myself. I mentioned this to Giardino when we made our reservation and my husband mentioned it to our server during dinner. We were very disappointed that there was no acknowledgment of our anniversary. Other fine dining restaurants that we ate at this month to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions have provided a complimentary dessert. At Oceans 999 even although it was an Italian buffet they gave us a special dessert that was not on the buffet. At Seasons in the Park they gave us cake with a candle on top. I know that Giardino used to give a complimentary desserts for special occasions. Has the policy changed or was this an oversight. Small gestures meal a great deal. For the price of meals surely they could do something to acknowledge special occasions. Our server was fine. We never had to touch the wine as she topped it up continually during the evening. I had requested a seat in Phillipe sections as he had provided us with exceptional service when we dined at Giardino previously but unfortunately he was not working the Saturday we were there. Prices are extremely high and although we enjoyed our dinner and the food I find it hard to justify the expense. For the money paid I did not feel it was an exceptional evening. Our friends shared the special appetizer of a crab meat, mango and avocado tower and my husband and I shared paccheri di gragnano - pasta with Italian sausage and pecorino cheese. For entrees we had pasta with clams, lasagna, Tuscan chicken and veal chop. It was good but nothing special for the price. It will be a long time, if ever before we return. read more

Never understood the hype.... overpriced , bad service. They rushed us out after spending $600 because they wanted the table. Maybe it was a good restaurant in the old days when there was no competition ... now I wouldn't waste my money and time going there ! read more

What a beautiful restaurant with gorgeous art everywhere and the canopy. Italy at its finest in Vancouver! We went to celebrate a family friend's college graduation in May so special occasion. There were loads of appys to share: we had the Ahi Tuna w/ Avocado & Grape Tomato Medley and Fried Breaded Mozzarella Di Bufala w/ Tomato Arrabiata Sauce which was very good, and the star appetizer Creamy Burrata, Carpaccio of Zucchini, Cherry Tomato, Baby Arugula with Pomegranate Dressing, this was my favorite. Then my sister & I shared Tagliolini with Rock Prawns & Saffron, Julien Zucchini and the Sablefish Horseradish Crust. The pasta was the winner. The service was excellent and the red wine (forgot the name) paired so well with our meal. The table had desserts and there was a chocolate fondant and a tiramisu, that chocolate with the red wine went so well together. Would definitely go back as this was a special meal. read more

Overall a gem! The setting of the restaurant is beautiful! You feel like you are away, no matter where you sit you are in a great spot! Beautiful artwork, the patio is gorgeous. The service is impeccable. The staff are always friendly, welcoming and on-point every time I have gone. Menu, lots of great dishes, I am a vegetarian but they do accommodate well. The spaghettini was mushrooms was amazing. Overall, worth the carb intake! Tip to you, they have half portions (slightly larger then half, great portion size. read more

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I really wanted to like this restaurant as I have been wanting to visit it for the longest time. When I got there I had to wait 20 minutes for my table even after having made a reservation. Our waitress did not seem to treat us the same as the other customers in the restaurant which made the visit quite upsetting. There was a huge mix-up with the dishes where I had ordered the Hawaiian ahi tuna MAIN dish and the waitress didn't bother to tell me that it wasn't available for the night and put in the order for the appetizer instead. When the mains came out I had informed her that it was the incorrect dish and I had to place another order but by the time my main dish came out the friend I had dined with had already finished his. He had to sit there waiting for me to finish my food and it truly made my birthday dinner an unpleasant experience. The food was mediocre and a let down considering the amazing reviews we had seen for this place. The Spaghetti al nero di seppia was the best dish of the night and I do understand all the talk about it but every thing else was a bit of a disappointment. read more

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Giardino is an amazing fine dining restaurant. The bread was amazing and the ambience of the restaurant is just amazing! Totally an instagramable place. I personally don't like the steak just not worth the price and there are many other places serve better steak. The mozarella bread was just okay and I do not see it very tasty and appealing. The dessert: the pistachio creme brulee and the the tiramisu was basic. I could find better creme brulee and tiramisu. Farina a legna has better tiramisu than giardino and they are not worth the price for the desserts. I think giardino focuses on the its pasta. I actually love the lasagna so much and it is the best so far in vancouver. I haven't found any better lasagna than here. I would definitely come back for the other pastas! Recommended for the pasta only! read more

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I have been to a lot of high end restaurants all over the world (not that this place is anywhere close to a high end restaurant) and none of them made my party wait for 40 minutes despite having a reservation a week in advance. We waited 20 minutes at the entrance and the blond middle aged hostess kept telling us that it won't be long before we get our table every damn 5 minutes! She finally told us we can wait at the bar, that way we will at least have a seat. I can understand that they are understaffed, but they should not take so many customers if they can't handle the volume. This place is packed with old sleazy men who can't keep their eyes on their own party. It's really bizarre! !!!! The food was very mediocre and you can definitely get better food and service at so many different restaurants in Vancouver. From what I understand this used to be a cool place, but not anymore. I liked the patio atmosphere to be fair and the old chubby chef who came to our table was very cute and entertaining. I don't think I'll come back here. I'd rather get my money's worth and not feel uncomfortable and embarrassed in front of my party for having to wait nearly an hour to get a corner table at the patio with sleazeballs starring at me. read more

After exploring a lot of Vancouver foods, Giardino has made it to our top 5's! For Italian food which we love, this is definitely our favourite spot. The atmosphere in this restaurant is amazing. It's warm, it's cozy and beautiful. The service was impeccable. Our server Vanessa was amazing and she was so helpful. The menu is overwhelming, we wanted to try everything! We tried eating as much as we could and we loved every single dish. We had a romanian heart wedge salad which was great. The feature pasta was a spaghettini with veal meatballs and it was divine. My wife had the chicken tortellini and I had the oven baked sablefish which was so good. Their wine list is extensive and Vanessa recommended a very delicious chablis to go with our dinner. We ended with a very delicious cheesecake for dessert. We were thoroughly impressed by Giardino's and will be returning again soon. read more

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We celebrated a friend's birthday here and it was excellent as we expected it. If I had one bad thing to say, it would be that my ossobuco wasn't fall apart tender and was a bit dry but the risotto accompanying it was very good. We all had our own starters but we also shared some and we thought they were really good. The waitress was friendly and accommodating and she's good at her job but I never got her name (oops). The place was bright and not dark like some places we've been to. Good atmosphere, great service and we'll come here again. Service and ambiance were 10 out of 10 and the food was 9.8 out of 10 so it was a very pleasant experience. read more

Il Giardino used to be our favourite Italian restaurant and has moved to new location in 2015. We finally got a chance to try the new Il Giardino, it has a wonderful menu and warm Italian feel. I had to call and make the rsvn at least 1 week in advance. I went there for 2 times before I'm writing this review, the dishes we ordered first time was terrific, but the second time was ok. Appetizers: Calamari steak salad - It was well-seasoned but just a bit too much olive oil and made the whole dish too greasy. Looked the picture and found how much oil on the plate.... Lobster salad - It's so delicious and got 2/3 lobster on my dish. Thumbs up!! Kusshi oyster - It wasn't fresh and no salty to fruity sweet taste Crab cakes - It's good but not outstanding. Entrees: Seafood spaghetti - the ultimate simple food, but for me a good litmus test of a restaurant Lobster squid link spaghetti - It's fantastic! Squid link spaghetti not fishy at all and lobster just cooked perfectly. Venison and foie gras - Venison so juicy and it showed the perfection of skill. Foie gras portion was generous. Pheasant - I liked Pheasant and not gamy at all. It's tender and smooth Dessert: Tiramisu - Just a bit disappointed of tiramisu. A bit too soft and soaky! Warm chocolate cake - Not impress at all! Just presented like home cook dessert! Overall, it's not a cheap restaurant but some dishes still pretty good and worth it for special dinner. read more

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Where's that time machine when you need it? Just finished dinner, looked across the table and said "wanna go back in time about an hour and a half and do that again?" Creamy burrata, yes! Lobster bisque crème fraîche, yes! Absolutely excellent entrees and desserts, yes yes! We had the pleasure of having Erenee serving us, and you can tell instantly that she is in her element. Just sit back and let the amazingness happen. We are only in town for a few more days and are moving some plans around to try to make it back before we leave. read more

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We live in the neighborhood and have dined at Giardino many times. The careless and reckless valet who turns onto Hornby from Pacific on red lights is a nightmare. I guess he probably didn't clue in that the "green bike" light is only for bicycles NOT CARS. There has been a change in the rules at this intersection due to a cyclist death and I fear that this 25 year Giardino employee (if he doesn't smarten up) will be the next driver to seriously injure a pedestrian or cyclist!! I doubt I will return to Giardino as this person is very aggressive, confrontational and belligerent - definitely left a bad 'taste' in the mouth. read more

There were 7 of us and we made a reservation well in advance for this busy restaurant. The service was impeccable, wine menu extensive and food - Delicious. Everyone enjoyed the food and ambiance of this fabulous restaurant! The portion sizes were smaller, but the tastes were amazing. Definitely a place to splurge for an evening! read more

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This place lost his superb.......... We went as we just moved next door to them and we wanted to support local business and we loved the place before ! BUT all I can say is that I end up disappointed ...... 1 - The hostess addressed us with a cold and non welcome " do you have a reservation?" Looking at us like we do not belong here ... and we dressed up for the occasions ! No sorry ... " In my mind I thought it was after COVID and we are just trying to help here ......." Then she offered the patio that was empty by the way ....... 2- The waiter Made a bit too my fun of my French accent... I do not mind but at some point it is good to just stop dear ....... 3- The food ... was reheated even from lunch or from the previous day .... I have a sense of taste and I know when it is not Fresh Food ... So Sorry Giardino you won't see us again and we won't recommend you anymore...... read more

This is a high end restaurant suitable for celebrations, fancy dates, and holiday events. The squid ink pasta was impeccable - I couldn't help but scrape up every last drop of sauce once I finished the plate! read more

Giardino - Squid ink seafood pasta - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

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The worst service I've ever experienced in my life. The moment we stepped in the greeter to the servers looked at us judgementally. The whole meal we were treated poorly, for example the server who grates the cheese is supposed to grate the cheese over your pasta but instead he just pre grated it standing next to us and then chucked it on my friends plate in one go along with the pepper. We don't know why we were treated so poorly considering we ordered 5-6 dishes so the amount we spent wasn't an issue. We dressed formal and said please and thank you the whole time (It feels ridiculous i also have to point out that we acted / dressed like decent human beings to prove my point). Given the price point I expect to be treated like a human being, however, I would have received better service at a McDonald's Drive Through. Our intent was to celebrate a birthday, look cute, and indulge in pasta. Disappointed by the discrimination we experienced. Food wise, could have been ok but why would I pay $$$$ to be treated like a second rate citizen. TLDR: only go if you're couple that looks mature for an anniversary or look like you have old money as they seemed to only treat people of that stature with decency. As they like to pre-assume a woman can't pay for her own meal. read more

The patio out back is a must at night-time, especially if it is a clear night. The serving team is top notch. The appetizers are really good, although the calamari was nothing out of the ordinary, and plainer than expected. Main dishes are decent portion size, but packed with flavour. read more

Giardino - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Amazing food and service every single time we eat here. I cannot say enough positive things about the food or service here. Quite simply: if you are willing to spend the money for it, then this is the best Italian food you will have in Vancouver. The service is also of the highest quality, with incredibly attentive and well-trained staff, a sommelier who has recommended excellent suggestions every time and it even has a few options for vegans though admittedly you will be limited to either one salad, one soup, or one of two pastas (all of which are fantastic). read more

Giardino - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

Love love love this spot. First thing first: food. Takes me right back to Florence. Octopus carpaccio, Lobster spaghetti ...man I wish I had more stomach to have ordered more food. People obsess over Ivy in LA, this spot is 3x better. Nom nom nom nom Ambience: beautiful. Service: attentive. Table setting is set the way it's supposed to. Value: pretty good for what you get. I'll come back any day read more

Giardino - Italian Near Me - Vancouver, British Columbia

They think just because they are older established restaurant they know what they are doing. Well, they don't! The service is really bad. The staffs seem never been trained for giving customer service. They food is just typical Italian food, nothing special. There are lots of other Italian restaurants in Vancouver have better food and service. Never again coming back to this place. Arrivederci! read more

Gorgeous building, however the cocktails and food was very mediocre. For the prices they are charging you would expect the best, however this was not the case. The pasta was from a box and not cooked well and the chicken was overdone. The bartender needs to read up on how to make martinis because these were the worst I have had. It was very disappointing for what we were expecting. read more

I've been told by many of my friends that Giardino is the best restaurant in Vancouver for pasta. I initially intended to order a few pasta dishes to see what they have to offer but I was taken aback by their vast menu and couldn't help myself in ordering a lot of other things! In retrospect I should've stuck to their infamous pastas as my meal was decent but not spectacular. I started off with oysters which I thought was disgusting and not good at all but it's usually a hit or miss with oysters. Next, the Dungeness crab cake was just alright. The ahi tuna carpaccio on the other hand was heavenly! There was a little Granny Smith apple sorbet which I've never had with tuna carpaccio at any other restaurants and it made all the difference. Each bite offered a little slushie and it was amazing. The beef salad with burrata was disappointing for me since I love burrata dishes and this was kind of bland. As expected, the only pasta dish we ordered, the squid ink pasta was delicious and so was the porterhouse steak. All in all, I definitely regret not ordering more pasta dishes I'm not done with Giardino yet and will definitely come back! read more

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Went tonight to give it a try in hopes of having a group dinner here next month, I found the place to be busy nice interior but very pricey for the quality, our carbonara was so salty it was almost inedible, and the veal was terrible we couldn't even eat it. Left feeling like it was all hype. And spent nearly $170. For 2 appraisers a pasta and a main. read more

OK, let's cut right to the chase: The BEST dang gnocchi I've ever had. Bar none. And my waist line attests to the fact I've had a few plates of the little potato dumplings prior to Il Giardino. The gnoccho were as light as a feather, each bathed in a mild Gorgonzola sauce that was clingy, but not gooey. It too, was light. Very ample serving ( I could have had about 1/2 plate more. When to stop???) Matched with a dark red wine and there is no need for heaven above. It's at Il Giardino. In the Spring and summer, reserve a table in the courtyard to complete the experience. But do reserve. The word is still out about this restaurant's high quality after nearly 30 years. read more

I went in today to buy a gift card from a colleague and was swiftly reminded of my station in life: that is, not old-money enough to be worthy of Il Giardino's respect. I pulled out the pile of cash I had collected from my colleagues, and said I would put the rest on my VISA. The hostess said, "We can't split it." Surprised, I said, "That's unusual." She shrugged, made a face, and said, "We can't do it." Most servers worth their salt would at least pretend to apologize and say something like, "Sorry about the inconvenience. Our system won't allow it for some reason." Even though we all know that's absurd. Everyone's machines are the same. And even if they weren't... I quickly realized she didn't want or need my business, hence the epic rudeness. Yes, Il Giardino is THAT kind of place. Had my colleague not specifically requested Il Giardino, I would have responded, "Okay, then. I'll spend my $350 at Le Crocodile. Bye!" Note to the management: I may not drive a Ferrari, but I have no trouble dropping a few hundred at a nice place on a special occasion. Nor do my colleagues, many of whom have heard this story. We'll head to Le Crocodile for the next special occasion. No one is too rich or too important to be respectful. Cheers. read more