ZEB GASTRONOMIA

Pedi uma massa com ragu, estava bem salgada. O senhor que me atendeu aparentava estar bem infeliz fazendo seu trabalho. Só pedi um prato, não achei que valesse a pena pedir o segundo. Experiência bem ruim. Não recomendo.

Extremely disappointing experience from start to finish - average food with horrific standard of service.

We discovered this restaurant on the Michelin guide which rarely gives any bad surprises but this was certainly one.

It started with our phone call to book our table. We asked if 8:00 was available but were told rudely to come at 7:30 without explanation - at this point we put it down to their probably being very busy.

Dressed up for the occasion and setting, we arrived and introduced ourselves politely to the first staff member who kindly showed us to our designated seats.

The experience sharply declined, however, with the service of the main gentleman who seemed to run the business. His whole attitude was condescending and unfriendly, immediately rushing us through the menu items with a flat face. He was extremely impatient when we asked for clarification. We asked if we could order an aperitivo to start with, to which he said with much unnecessary judgment “We don’t do cocktails. Red or white.”

There was bread on the counter and we asked whether we could have any olive oil - you would think in Italy this is at least an acceptable question - but were abruptly told they cannot serve us any olive oil. This level of over-stiffness and inflexibility already surprised us for this standard of restaurant.

Our pasta primi arrived and we were momentarily placated by the good quality of this ravioli dish. The pasta was cooked to perfection.

Then returned the true colours of this restaurant: we had not even finished our pasta and the next dish was forced in between onto the narrow counter space.

The mains took away any compensation that quality of food could give for poor service. The pollo dish was completely overpowered with saltiness from an insensible proportion of cheese to chicken, which was tough and rendered tasteless.

The popese, a classic Tuscan dish, was absolutely dry and tough to the point of being powdery. Again over-salted, we had much better popese at a cheap restaurant.

We were never asked by any staff how the food was, never offered another drink or even a refill of water when these were visibly finished. These are normal expectations for any decent restaurant.

We made our best efforts to finish our mains and politely put them on the serving counter when finished. The main waiter noticed leftovers on passing and asked, “Didn’t like it?” Intimidated we smiled sheepishly saying “Well the starter was great!” He just shook his head and stormed into the kitchen. Any waiter would at least ask what’s wrong.

Though the main waiter treated the tourists next to us with similar gruffness, we noticed him laughing and conversing with the local Italian speaking customers across from us. This leaves the feeling that it’s a crime to be not local and come to this restaurant.

Having traveled and dined extensively throughout Italy, we usually absolutely love the culture, food and welcoming attitude of the country. But even regardless of the underwhelming food at Zeb, their unacceptable treatment of customers here is enough to taint Italy’s reputation as a visitor-friendly country.

Overall, Zeb’s pretentious and unwelcoming atmosphere strikes as a failed effort to feign class with unnecessary rigidity, only to result in an unacceptable dining experience.

Have you seen the soup "dictator" on Seinfeld? Well that is alberto. The website lists he "values friendship" but he does not even register a Ciao or warm smile when entering. Maybe a little racist or prejudiced but upon entering, his young wait staff was ready to seat 2 of us. But bc young waitstaff interrupted Alberto's menu presentation to another couple he snapped his finger and yelled at the young waitstaff to get back behind him and not talk to us. We stood there shocked. Waited until alberto was done with his menu presentation. Then he came over and said he doesn't have us down for reservations. Yet, there were 6 open chairs. He said try again tomorrow! Yeah, no.

Hands down best pasta we’ve had in Florence. We went in with an open mind and Alberto, the chef, was so nice to us…offering advice on what to order and kindly explaining the menu. Nowadays, many enter establishments with a sense of entitlement, speaking English without bothering to learn even basic Italian greetings, expecting royal treatment despite only spending 40€. This establishment isn't about that. It offers genuine Italian cuisine and merits nothing less than a 5-star review. Thanks for everything!

First of all the food is incredible. but what is worth that the food is so good if you get a vibe from the chef/waiter that you not welcome if you not speeking italian. I and my girlfreind decided to order check before we were full , because we felt like the chef/waiter is about to yell at us at every single moment, which made as felt uncomfortable. I recommend to tourist not to go there if they dont want to been treated like they not welcomed