I had a truly terrible meal at Frantoio last night with a friend. As soon as we entered the restaurant we were asked what name the reservation was under, after responding the owner said there was no booking and had I called today. I replied I had reserved approximately one week ago and pointed out my name to him in the reservation book. A rude reception set the tone for what was to follow. After we were seated by the owner (an aging lothario sporting turquoise sunglasses inside the restaurant) asked if we wanted food! An odd question to ask customers in a restaurant we thought! Then as we started to order, he walked off towards another table in the restaurant. After his return (with no apology I might add), he took our wine order and then returned telling us they did not have that particular bottle in stock. We ordered another bottle of white wine and it arrived not that cold. However it was still poured for us despite asking if they could please leave it in the wine bucket for 10 minutes or so. Foodwise we ordered our meals of courgette flowers stuffed with mozzerella followed by the tagliatelle a ragu, only for the waiter to come scurrying back to tell us they had run out of the starter. Again we made another selection. When the food did arrive, the grilled baby squids were very good but the parma ham on the bone with figs was very disappointing and the pasta was lukewarm, very ordinary and bland and quite frankly I can cook better at home.
We followed up our meal with Limoncello which was suitably refreshing but by then the damage was done. The waiting staff were on the point of being rude as they delivered our bill but had made an error and crossed several things out but when we looked at it, it turned out they were trying to overcharge us, hopefully accidentally. Then when we got the revised bill, it was still not correct but in order to simply leave, we paid anyway rather than have an arguement. We were severely disappointed and will not be returning or recommending… More