La Famiglia

04/28/09

Good food, if you can survive the attitude...

by nearthesquare at Citysearch

I've dinned many times at La Famiglia, particularly last year ('08) in the months just after my move to Marietta.

I'll start with the "pros": They have good, authentic seeming Italian food (I don't profess to be an expert... but the meals I've had have been tasty). Their prices are also reasonable.

The atmosphere is "retro" (to put it kindly), as I've told friends to expect to feel like you've been suddenly transported to the 1960's or 1970's. The decor makes you feel you're in a small town (you are), but one far - far away from sophisticated Atlanta (you aren't).

The biggest "con" has to be their attitudes - usually apparent from the moment you walk in. Rather than pleasant smiles and a welcoming demeanor, they're stiff and cold. You're never really sure they want you there in the first place (I've actually been turned away several times, with the owner saying they are closing early (before 9:00) because it's a slow night - go figure? He successfully 'trained' me not to even try them after 8:30 on week nights. Maybe a different approach would avoid so many slow nights? Meanwhile I've spent thousands of dollars dining elsewhere on the square week nights between 8:30 and 9:15).

The bad vibe is continued when you read the introduction to the menu, which is all about "dining out is a special occasion and shouldn't be ruined by misbehaved children" (I'm paraphrasing, but that's essentially the message). Thanks anyway, but I don't care to have menus preach to me. When I've taken friends there (for the good food), I've warned them in advance that "these people take themselves a little too seriously, so be prepared". From their attitudes, you'd think you were at La Cirque or 21 in New York - rather than at a moderately priced neighborhood Italian place in Marietta.

If I could consult the owners, I would encourage an attitude readjustment. Italian restaurants, in particular, should be places where hospitality and friendliness exude - not stiffness, condescension, and coldness. Try smiling more, and relax! The reviews on this restaurant tend to be on the extremes - highs (typically the food) and lows (sometimes the food, always the service/vibe). In their own ways, I agree with each of the reviews - at both ends.

P.S. - After eating there at least once a week in the month or 2 after moving near the square, week after week they wouldn't acknowledge I had been in before. I was new to town and it would have been nice to have been recognized - how hard would it have been to note my last name on my credit card - "Nice to have you back, Mr. Smith!"?

• Pros: Authentic Italian Food
• Cons: Attitude, vibe, decor

09/21/08

THE WORST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by mike252522 at Citysearch

I will start out by mentioning that I wish i could give this resturant a negative rating. The food is some of the worst I have ever had in my life. The atmosphere of the place is compareable to a smelly mildew basement. There was hair in my food, probably from the wench who owns it named Debbie. The service was as horrible as the food and Debbie the owner offers some of the worst conversation and attitude you will ever experience. I have never been treated so poorly by anyone in my whole life. But wait it gets better, she will actually yell at you for not liking the food. I bet you would have been able to find better food, personality, atmosphere and fun at a Natzi internment camp. I hope that everyone is able to read this so that they will be able to save themselves. But if your idea of a good time is a root canal you might enjoy yourself.

• Pros: There are none
• Cons: everything

04/18/08

Avoid these bigots

by la428 at Citysearch

My partner and I had tickets for a play at Theater on the Square at 8 pm, so we both drove up to Marietta directly from work and looked for a place to eat near there. We picked this place. After the hostess seated us, the waiter came by and sullen told us that he would be with us "in a few minutes". That seemed odd. He kept passing by our table and waiting on other customers but never returned to us. After 15 minutes, I went up to the hostess. She asked me if she could get me something and I replied "yes, a waiter". She asked if the waiter had helped us and I informed her not only that he hadn't, but that he had gotten water for a table that was seated after we were. She said she'd take care of it.

About 5 minutes later, the hostess brought us water, but didn't take our drink order. And still no waiter. Then the waiter passed our table 2 more times, again without stopping (the 2nd time while delivering the drink order to a table that was seated after us). Evidently, either the hostess didn't tell the waiter to come to our table or the waiter felt free to ignore the hostess. At this point, we left - and told the hostess that we were leaving and why. She seemed unconcerned. So not only was the service non-existent, so was the supervision.

During this whole time, my partner made eye contact several times with the waiter, but the waiter ignored him. And the waiter was handling at most 5 or 6 tables. All I can conclude is that either both the waiter and the hostess were completely deranged, or they had some significant problems with 2 professional gay men as customers. As neither of them had "crazy eyes", my guess is the latter. And if they don't want or need my business, I'm happy to oblige. And equally happy to let others know about it.

• Pros: None, since we never got served
• Cons: Service - we never got served so we left. Anti-gay bias.