"Last night we dined at Pic Nic in Caorle to celebrate a special family occasion. We know the restaurant well as we tend to visit a couple of times a year. The place is charming, with a beautiful Harbor setting and most importantly, we used to enjoy some of the best fish in the North East of Italy. Thus our decision to celebrate at Pic Nic a very special occasion for which we booked a week ahead of the event. Unfortunately last night our dining experience was very far from our best memories. We sat at the table at 20.30 as booked. We were immediately served some water but then had to wait about thirty minutes for the owner to pick up the order. Eventually our first course was served five of us three pasta dishes and two fish salads) but all was so poorly coordinated that wine came only once we were well into the meal. By 21.15 we were done with it and started to wait for our main: two baked fishes to share. Waited about thirty minutes in vain and then summoned one of the waiters to chase the order. We were told that the kitchen had experienced a little delay and that we would now be served promptly. At 22.00 no sign of our fish yet, thus I walked to the owner and informed that the appetite had now gone, that the party was spoiled and we would therefore wish to leave. Rather than receiving a sincere apology, I was told that in the space of on hour and a half we had been served starters and pasta, thus not too bad in their views, considering the place was busy. In addition I was told for the second time) that our mains would be ready shortly nearly 22.30 by then), thus it was entirely our decision to either stay or leave. Needless to say, I went straight to the counter and checked out. As I paid the bill, again no sign of apology for having failed to serve a decent meal in the space of two hours, spoiling completely our family event Pic Nic had just lost a very loyal customer for good! My takeaway: at Pic Bic they are victims of success; what used to be an excellent restaurant has now increased the number of tables but failed to upgrade staffing and management processes with it. Today they are simply overwhelmed, unable to put up with the crowds they are attracting and the net result is unacceptable service and rushed food. Ingredients are still top but there is no more love in the preparation: it has all become very commercial. The worst dish we had yesterday was an assortment of marinated fish. I was served with one prawn, one anchovy, two small slices of tuna and sea bass, literally slotted on the plate with two cubes of watermelon and a slice of pineapple: very very sad! Two conclude, I would have probably considered to hold on this review and give Pic Nic another chance in light of past good experiences if they had been at least polite and showed some sign of good will to retain the customer i.e. sorry for the inconvenient, may we offer you a glass of wine to apologize as you wait for the main or similar); on the contrary food was mediocre, service terrible and attitude defensive and arrogant. Good bye Pic Nic: used to be a gem, now a pretentious tourists trap. What a shame, clear victims of success, that will not last long if the restaurant continues on this path. Marco Family"
