This is not an easy review to write. Gondola is only a hop, skip, and a jump from where I live. The food here is very good and I would love to give this place more stars. I recently had a grilled beiried with a spargel risotto and shaved grana that was very tasty. A nice salad accompanied the meal. And Gondola has a really attractive Schanigarten for outdoor dining.
But the waiter was totally unpleasant and the service was slow. I was stopping here to have lunch as I had an appointment close by but it took a while to get the menu and when I finally did I was given only the a la carte menu and not the lunch menu with specials which is why I was there. I noticed a party of Koreans who came in after me also was not given the special (and cheaper) lunch menu. Anyway I finally got up and got it myself which I think annoyed the waiter and everything went downhill from there. At the end I couldn't even get the check to pay from him and I saw him disappear downstairs without his apron never to reappear. After another ten minutes or so, I finally got a waitress to handle my payment and I was off to my appointment although I was now late. Also I was charged for a glass of tap water. C'mon, that is a first for me in Vienna. I'm not sure if Gondola regularly does this or the waiter just did it to me but whatever.....
My question is - why not provide friendly service? The last time I was here, the waiter was okay but now I don't want to go back and I don't want to be charged for a glass of water. What's next? I'll be charged for a serviette (napkin)? read more