I guess the words “Va Piano” in Italian must stand for “Very Slow,” because that’s the general atmosphere at this downtown eatery. After having two unsatisfying meals previously at what seems to have become a fairly popular restaurant (probably because of its gimmicks regarding pasta and service), I thought I’d give it one last chance to prove itself worthy of a future return visit. Once again, I was disappointed.Oh, sure, the fresh pasta is enticing, and even available for take-away so you can cook it at home if you wish. And the ingredients for the other dishes – antipasti, salads and pizza – are all fresh and beautiful and generally tasty. The preparation by the never-numerous-enough chefs is a joy to behold. Unfortunately, that joy is mitigated by having to stand around watching the preparation (that’s one of the restaurant’s gimmicks).
On this visit, I tried a lunchtime meal, arriving right around noon. The restaurant wasn’t very crowded, but my dining companion and I still had to stand in line and wait to place our order, cafeteria style, for at least ten minutes. And there were only two couples in front of us, and only around 10-15 people standing in the other lines.
When we finally told our personal chef what we wanted, he was all attention and questions: what kind of pasta? Spicy or not? Fully cooked or al dente? Cheese on that? These choices were especially cumbersome, as we were still standing in front of the preparation counter, uncomfortable and fumbling with trays and silverware. The pressure to move it, move it, was on!
At this stage of my life, when I go to a restaurant I enjoy sitting and having a drink and perusing the menu, making my choices as I go along, studying what’s available and considering my options. Meals should be leisurely and well-considered. And an attentive waiter should take my orders, bring me drinks and food, and take away my finished plates.
Standing in line to order my food, then standing for another five-plus minutes to watch it being prepared, is not my idea of an enjoyable meal. Plus, if I want anything other than a pasta dish, I have to go stand in yet another line to order other dishes. We stand in enough lines at post offices, banks, etc. I sure don’t want to repeat the process when I’m hungry and thirsty. Not my idea of a good meal.
And finally, time to pay. Vapiano’s other little gimmick is to give all diners a plastic credit-card upon entry; when the diner receives his order from the still-too-few chefs, he has to have his order transferred from a sensor onto the card. By the way, the first time there I couldn’t find a slot in which to place my card, and had no idea what to do until another diner indicated the card should be pressed onto the sensor rather than inserted into a slot. Oh.
So, armed with our little cards, we went downstairs to pay, only to find at least 15 people waiting in line for the same thing; and only one cashier, who had to run the card through yet another sensor, verify the total on her PC screen, then accept payment, often via a real credit card, which takes yet more time. It took us almost as long to pay as it did to wait for and order and finally get our food.
I won’t be visiting Vapiano for a fourth meal.
By Gary Lukatch for XpatLoop.com
Vapiano Restaurant Budapest
Address: Budapest I district, Bécsi utca 5.
Telefon: 411-0864
22.04.2009