Review of La Porta Ristorante

I think I got myself way too excited about this place. It’s a really cute place and the menu makes selection easy, but the guy who waited on us ensured I can’t go back.

First, it was easily 10 minutes before he got our drink order. When he finally came around he said he had wanted go give us “time to settle in”. That’s not a great way to start. I place my order, a sandwich, and he asked if no bun was cool, to which I replied that it was perfect. I asked for the side salad since the fries were not marked safe. No croutons.

My husband wanted to know what kind of bread and dip was at the table. He found the dip interesting. I asked the server and he made a big deal about how I can’t eat it and he will get me something I can eat. Super embarrassing, especially since I didn’t ask that. I explained that we just wanted to know whAt was in it. You know. The question I actually asked.

Now my sandwich comes out on a pizza crust folder over with croutons on the salad. Food deliverer disappears before I can comment and the waiter, who we have now watched be rude to both customers and co-workers, is no where to be found. He finally arrived and I point out the croutons and ask about the bread. He acts incredulous about the bread like it should be obvious it’s safe, then to the croutons he says “can’t you just...”. “No” “no mr. super awful waiter sir, whatever was about to come out of your mouth, no, I can’t”. With a sigh he says “I’ll just take it”. Now I have no choice but to feel that this guy doesn’t take it seriously and doesn’t understand the situation. It made me so uncomfortable. All he needed to do was say “sorry about that” and pick up my plate with no questions. Now that he has given me specific reason to be uncomfortable, I don’t expect I’ll ever go back. So sad. The food was pretty good. I was telling my husband that the restaurant is obviously trying to do right by celiacs, but maybe they don’t get enough in to have the staff well practiced.