De salita

This is an Italian restaurant that is within walking distance from Kokubunji station. The menu had a decent variety of appetizers, salads, pastas and pizzas. All of them were good, although nothing was outstanding. The prices were acceptable -- not too high. The atmosphere is just a step above a f...amily restaurant. Don't expect nice lighting and "atmosphere" -- there isn't any. The biggest problem was with the "service." From the manager down to the "junior waitress," I was not impressed. The manager saw us standing outside the restaurant, waiting in the al fresco dining area. We were in fact waiting for one more member of our party, but he didn't know that. So, he looked at us, never said anything and never offered any help. In other words: We were potential customers, but he decided to ignore us. Once were were seated, I saw the "junior waitress" pour herself a glass of water and drink it while the four of us (whom she seated) sat and watched her while she remained oblivious to us. I saw the manager blow his nose into a tissue, and then TOSS the tissue into some trash receptacle behind the mini-bar where the bartender (who had a foul look on his face the whole night) was mixing drinks. The "junior waitress" had to be guided through every single action she took. We realized she could not process two things at the same time, so we patiently waited for her to finish one task so we could ask her to start another. In a restaurant, you have to be fast on your feet. She was not fast or bright. She did not seem all there. When we asked for our bill, the manager said "Hai" (yes) and then immediately went and starting toying with some seating chart. We watched him. My husband finally had to say, "Uh... the bill?" (in Japanese -- and he's Japanese)... and the manager said (in Japanese), "Oh, I forgot it." Nobody "forgets" the bill in a restaurant in Japan; it just doesn't happen. So: food was good, yes. Atmosphere: too bright, too noisy. Loud children with parents who did not supervise them and harried staff who could not seem to understand their jobs. I won't return.

Visited July 2019