La Piazza Restaurant

12/20/11

Beware of this restaurant

by jim swartzburg at Citysearch

The only way this restaurant is still in business is from unsuspecting tourist sucked in by the only place you can get into right away. Our group went on a night that there was a special snow fall that brought out the Xmas crowds and we fell right into the immediate seating while other restaurants were a lengthy wait. Management could care less about any issues of food or service as the feed off new customers, who like me failed to look at reviews. Although any restaurant that fills a glass club soda with ice to the top and then charges you for a refill, is in money trouble. Our group consisted of 4 adults and 2 children under three and I knew when we had problems with the food and service (no apologies and certainly no free refill of club soda) that the bill, which was $150 would contain an added tip as they stated groups of 6 will be charged a fixed service charge. Stay far away from this one.

08/20/11

"THE" place - for those who enjoy roaches with their food

by HppyTrvllr at Citysearch

Alas, the CitySearch user interface 'forces' me against my will to give this place minimum of 1 star (for the record, in this instance 1 star =0). If you have so much as a shred of dignity or taste, please, please, please spare yourself this dining experience (if it can even be called that - read on, it's good, get cozy).

Although I live nearby and go to the Grove almost weekly I never went to this place. Something about it was creepy - the "B" LA Public Health department rating that was posted there for oh-so-long didn't really inspire me to dine therein. Last Friday night I saw that La Piazza had 'moved on up' to an "A" rating so my companion and I chanced it.

A litany of mediocre food was trailed before us. It was late - we contented ourselves. As I reached for another so-so bite of my food I noticed something vaguely brown and about the width and length of a kiwi fruit on the white tablecloth. I looked down and to my horror saw - brace yourself - a kiwi sized COCKROACH on the table. I WISH I were joking. I am talking about something one would imagine emerging from the mists of the Amazon. I jumped up screaming and yelling in horror, only to see yet another one crawling comfortably nearby!!

Of course, I reported this to the waitress, who asked if I would like to see the manager - I said 'of course.' Enter one Alex Silverstri, the alleged 'manager' of this fine establishment (I asked for a business card to this effect, he didn't have one so who knows). His whole vibe on approach was very much 'what the hell do you want?' as opposed to "what seems to be the problem?" I could just tell that a lot of senseless stupidity was about to flow out of his mouth and - guess what - I was not disappointed. He informed me that I would just have to 'deal with it'. He then went on to say that these were not cockroaches but, in fact, a rare environmentally-protected species of ‘water-bug' that inhabits, and with some frequency emerges from, the beautiful Grove dancing fountains.

These 'bugs' were so precious, Silvestri claimed that even the LA County Board of Health told La Piazza that they could not take steps to fumigate their establishment lest they contribute to their extinction (yeah, I bet the inspector told them that right after he issued them a "B" rating on the first of several occasions). I then pointed out that our outdoor table was next to an open door into which one directly enters the kitchen so that these insects A. Silvestri dispassionately described as 'common' on the restaurant's exterior would likely be making their way between the two spaces in much the same way that, oh, I saw several wait staff and other people do during my time there. Silvestri then glibly observed that the insects were "on the OUTSIDE NOT THE INSIDE (emphasis his)." He then folded his arms and glared at me victoriously (he thought this a highly intellectual and argument-defeating observation). I then observed, as would any second grader of average intelligence, that when exterior doors are open that which is outside tends to opportunely make is way to the inside". He merely shrugged then walked away.

I asked for his business card to escalate to Grove management. He didn't have one so he wrote his name on the back of receipt (very classy). Probably not even his real name if his integrity in the roach matter is a guide. It would be whatever 'manger' was on duty on Friday, 12 Aug. When I asked the waitress , a petite brunette with a large pony-tail, what his name was she said "I actually don't even know" - hmmm, classic - looks bad whether a lie or the truth.

If your brain capacity and sense of hygiene and cleanliness even slightly exceeds that of a toad, slew or mongoose and you prefer to dine 'sans insectes' - choose someplace else. Buon Appetito a Tutti!!"

04/22/09

POISONED!!!

by PCaldwell at Citysearch

We were served RAW CHICKEN! Unfortunately, it was covered with disgusting red sauce, so we didn't realize it until we ate 5 or 6 bites. When we sent it back, they offered to replace the meal with pasta (which we barely ate by that point out of disgust). No one came over to apologize. The waitress didn't say a word. When the check came, we were charged for the "replacement" pasta. We told the waitress we should not be charged for the meal. She got her manager, Agnes Jametti, who came over with a smug grin and told us "no," and AGAIN did not apologize for her restaurant's embarrassing incompetence. THE MANAGER IS BY FAR THE RUDEST WOMAN. We were so floored by her horrible, unprofessional behavior that we couldn't even speak. While waiting for our credit card receipt, we went back to get her name and the number of the owner. Agnes smugly smiled in my face and repeated "I have nothing to say to you," and denied that you can get ill from eating raw chicken! She didn't so much as offer us a cup of free coffee - we paid in full, and even left a decent tip out of pity for the waitress. If I live to see another day, I surely will NEVER go to La Piazza again.

• Pros: NOTHING
• Cons: RUDEST MANAGER EVER

04/09/09

A place I can rely upon

by WeeklyGroveDiner at Citysearch

I visit La Piazza for lunch at least bimonthly. I always sit at the bar, and I've always had, at the very least, satisfactory service. Between Alex and Sean (the servers), I usually leave a healthy tip because I am more than satisfied with the level of service they have given. I am always appalled when I see tourists order pepperoni pizza. Sean assures me it is really good. But geez, if you're going to order pizza in an authentic Italian restaurant, wouldn't you want to choose authentic-ish toppings? I mean, even California-style? Look, the panino sandwiches, the salads, the soup specials, the pasta specials -- I've never gone wrong. Treat your server like a human being, and you'll receive good service. Tip well for better than good service, and you'll be remembered. It's the same at every restaurant. La Piazza is no different. I am happy to frequent this establishment.

• Pros: where everybody knows your drink
• Cons: pricey for lunch if you're a working stiff

03/14/09

Yum, Yum, Yum

by LoveVintage at Citysearch

There was table full of us and we couldn't have asked for anything better. This restaurant was very accomodating to what my wants & needs were since I'm a vegetarian. Even thought they had many items on the menu to accomodate just me, since we were sharing food, they were more than happy to exclude meat on many of the items, instead adding more vegetables in the place of meat(s). We walked away feeling not just satisfied, but happy that we had chosen this restaurant. They were the best. Yeah, we could hve eaten at some other restaurant the serves the regular foods (Cheesecake Factory for one), but why choose food that the cooks have no how or they can't change the menu around. This place is in my book to dine at again. Love the ambiance too.

• Pros: Fabulous Service, Fabulous Food