Pizzalley’s Chianti Room is situated in a prime location in St. Augustine, and the atmosphere is inviting and pleasant. However, our dining experience was marred by several issues that left us feeling frustrated.
Service Issues:
Upon arrival at 2:55 PM, a time when the restaurant was not particularly busy, we expected a timely greeting and service. Unfortunately, it took an unacceptably long time for our waiter to approach us and take our initial orders. This delay was surprising given the number of open tables around us. As our wait continued, we found ourselves having to remind the waiter about our requests multiple times, which only added to our dissatisfaction.
Children’s Experience:
One of the most disappointing aspects of our visit was how our children were treated. While other families at nearby tables received coloring pages and crayons to keep their kids entertained, ours did not. After noticing this discrepancy, we asked for coloring materials but ended up waiting for quite some time without any response. Eventually, one of our group members took the initiative to retrieve the coloring pages and crayons herself, which should not have been necessary. This lack of attention to families with children made the experience feel less welcoming.
Plant-based Menu and Pricing Concerns
As a vegan family, we were initially pleased to see that the menu offered customizable options. We ordered a vegan pizza, and while our waiter suggested a vegetarian pizza without cheese, we were able to request different vegetables to suit our preferences. However, we were taken aback when we received the bill: $27 for a 10” gluten-free pizza that contained only tomato sauce, a sprinkle of broccoli, mushrooms, pineapple, and a few pieces of eggplant.
In stark contrast, friends dining with us paid the same price for a 16” pizza loaded with an impressive array of toppings—pepperoni, sausage, cheese, vegetables, and specialty ingredients (they ordered half Garbage Can half Pig’n’Fig pie). It felt as though we were being penalized for choosing healthier options. Charging extra for a simple vegan pizza with minimal ingredients is not only unreasonable but also discouraging for those seeking plant-based meals.
Conclusion:
While Pizzalley’s Chianti Room boasts an attractive location and a pleasant atmosphere, the combination of poor service, inadequate attention to children’s needs, and exorbitant pricing for simple vegan options left us feeling dissatisfied. This experience does not align with what one would hope for in a family-friendly restaurant. We cannot recommend this establishment based on our visit.