Review: Basile Italian Delight Rstrnt

[Christine Christman]

After carefully reviewing the menu, my father chose a sandwich called an Angel Steak, which appeared under the burger section. When the sandwich arrived, my father was surprised to see that the sandwich did not feature steak, but chicken. Concerned that he had received another patron’s meal, he asked the waitress if this was in fact what he ordered. She told him it was. Still not feeling right, and a bit mislead since he expected a sandwich with red meat, he asked a second time and requested a copy of the menu to review the description of what he had ordered. Another woman brought a copy of the menu to him, pointed out that there was no description of the item and assured him it most certainly was what he ordered. I later learned that this woman was Paula Basile, an owner of the restaurant. When we questioned why something would be called “steak” when it was in fact not steak at all, she curtly responded,“I’m not going stand around and argue with you. Can I get you something else?” Taken aback by her rude tone and feeling somewhat embarrassed and upset by the way he was treated, my father asked that they just bring him a carry out box as he was no longer hungry. He later told me that he also did not feel like waiting for them to bring him something else because it had taken quite a while for them to bring us our dishes in the first place.
Upon leaving, the cashier asked us if everything had been ok. My father tried to find polite words to use while still being honest. As he began to answer the cashier, Ms. Basile approached us again. She defensively stated that she had offered him another meal. At that point, I stepped in and offered my opinion – that the name of the dish was misleading and irresponsible as there are people out there with various food allergies and dietary issues. Of course, I could now see why she would want to call it “Angel Steak” since “three dry chicken fingers on a bun with a piece of lettuce” does not sound nearly as appetizing. Ms. Basile began to argue with me, telling me that “chicken of the sea” is not really chicken, either. Thinking that she might want business advice from someone more intelligent than Jessica Simpson, I suggested that she should add a description to the item so that people would know exactly what they were getting. She then raised her voice, telling me that she has many years of experience in the restaurant business and that she was not interested in my feedback. I’m not sure what capacity of business Ms. Basile operated in over her years of experience but her managerial skills could use some fostering. I told her that she just lost a customer, not because of the menu issue but because of her attitude. To that she retorted,“I really don’t need customers like you anyway!” Really? The last time I checked we were in a suffering economy. Ms. Basile should be appreciative of every person who steps through her door. The very day that she opened her business, the local newspaper ran a story about several area restaurants that had closed or were closing.
What incenses me most about this experience is the way in which Ms. Basile spoke to my father who is an elderly retired veteran. What ever happened to having courtesy and respect for others, especially your elders and customers? Ms. Basile never took any responsibility in her part of the misunderstanding, which alienated her customer. The only person who apologized to us was the waitress and this certainly was not her fault. There are many other places we could have chosen for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, such as La Dolce Casa or Two Kings, both of which offer similar menus. I have visited these places for lunch during my visits and the owners and staffs of these establishments have always been nothing but kind and gracious to me.

[Unbelievable]

Really?? I've eaten there numerous times with my family and we've always been treated with respect and kindness. Sorry to hear about your bad experience, but Mrs. Basile has always been pleasant the times we've been there.

[Yum]

Why anyone would go anywhere BUT La Dolce Casa is beyond me. You can't beat their potions, prices or kindness.

La Dolce Casa is the only place to go if you want good food in Tamaqua!!

[ImTiredOf_It]

I think there is more to the story. Much more.
All I have heard has been good about these people.

[Adam]

I have eaten there tons of times since they have opened and my wife even knows the brother of Paula from the Carini's in Mahanoy City and they have always been nice to us and always ask was everything ok on the way out.

There will always be someone who experiences something bad about a place .. sometimes you can't please everyone. I think the person should at least asked what is on this Angel steak first so they weren't so surprised... yes they should probably describe the more vague things on the menu but that can be corrected, all I know is if I don't understand what comes with something I ask.

I like Dolce Casa too and the prices are fair but its just more convenient living in Hometown to go to Basille's. One last thing is they did have some waitresses at Basille's that weren't all that great and some of those or most are gone now and the people working now are nice.

[Angel Steak]

Angel Steak as it is called on the menu is known in this area as a crisy breaded breast of chicken, usually lettuce tomato and mayo on a roll. Not sure what to say about her attitude.
The food is good, service has been fine.

[Christine Christman]

Adam wrote:

I think the person should at least asked what is on this Angel steak first so they weren't so surprised... yes they should probably describe the more vague things on the menu but that can be corrected, all I know is if I don't understand what comes with something I ask.

I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to come to the conclusion that a dish with the word "steak" in it would contain red meat, especially since it was under the burger section and all of the other chicken sandwiches had the word "chicken" in their titles. When we asked her why something would be called "steak" if it was not actually steak, that is when she got defensive with us. True, she offered to bring him something else. I will give her that. But it was the manner in which she spoke to him that rubbed us the wrong way. She was not kind or apologetic. Sure, he was wrong in his assumption but it usually takes at least two parties to create a misunderstanding. And when I tried to offer her feedback that might help her avoid this problem again she told me she did not need customers like me. What kind of customers might that be? Ones that have money to spend? Ones that care about the economy of the community that they grew up in? Ones that, up until she copped an attitude, enjoyed her restaurant and wanted to see it succeed?

Being in the restaurant is not just having good food at a good price. It's also about selling an experience. Every customer should leave the place happy, even if you don't agree with their constructive criticism.

[John G]

I work behind the counter at Basiles and was the one who rang out Christine. When she approached the counter with her father, I asked if everything was ok. She replied to me in a very strong tone that our menu is misleading. Before I could respond my boss, Mrs. Basile, came foward to calm her down and she began to act like a child, yelling and making a big scene for no reason. Mrs. Basile kindly asked to make her another meal or refund her the money for the sandwich. Christine said NO in a disrespectful manor and continued to insult her and her resturant. There was nothing else we could do about the situation. That is when Mrs. Basile said that we dont need business from people that use inproper language and cause a scene in a public place. Did I mention she called Mrs. Basile a bi**h when she walked out. The reason I wrote this is because she was insulting my boss and was mean, negative, and disrespectiful as soon as she came to the counter. Who needs an attitude ajustment now? Honeslty a twelve year old would have been more respectful! AND THAT'S THE TRUTH!

[The Patriot]

Yum wrote:

Why anyone would go anywhere BUT La Dolce Casa is beyond me. You can't beat their potions, prices or kindness.
La Dolce Casa is the only place to go if you want good food in Tamaqua!!

That place is the worst so called Italian restaurant I have ever been in.Only place that gives you egg noodles when you order fetticini alfredo.The restaurant in south tamaqua Calabria in the strip mall next to stove and stuff is far superior,better food and lower prices.

[The Patriot]

Unbelievable wrote:

Really?? I've eaten there numerous times with my family and we've always been treated with respect and kindness. Sorry to hear about your bad experience, but Mrs. Basile has always been pleasant the times we've been there.

I agree,the food there is top notch we've been there twice and plan to go again.But to be fair I've gotten great meals at 2 kings also.Try the Shrimp Fra Diablo,excellent.

[ImTiredOf_It]

This whole issue needs to burn out and go away. We have 2 sides of the story and the best outcome would be for the offended patron to go elsewhere since there is a clash of personalities. The business owner/s should serve their customers and, hopefully, will prosper so long as they have, in now way, acted in an unethical fashion toward anyone.
Let us all try to be neighborly, especially when there are disagreements, and do our best to be respectful of others.
Fair enough?

[Flip]

So if they had City Chicken on the menu and they brought you breaded pork/veal on a stick, you would have acted the same way? If I was interested in an item on a menu and did not know what it was, I think I would have asked, "what all comes on the angel steak". I have eaten there a couple times and it was good every time.

[customer present]

As a valued patron at Basile's restaurant in Hometown, I feel responsible to write a response on Miss Christine's "description" of the story.
Mrs. Basile tried numerous times to please Miss Christine, asking if she could remove the item from the check or bring her an alternative dinner. After running out of options in trying to please this woman, Mrs. Basile simply said "I'm sorry, but I do not want to argue with you" and walked away. It is unfortunate that some customers feel as though they need to cause a scene instead of simply enjoying a dinner--which could be the reason Miss Christine was dining with her father... I don't know who else would want to. After causing a scene at the table, she continued her nonsensical complaints at the register where she engaged in foul language with Mrs. Basile in front of her other patrons. Mrs. Basile then said "I don't need your business." In my opinion, I believe that Mrs. Basile was referring to the fact that she does not need customers that appear to have just left the scene of a Jerry Springer episode. This woman was an embarassment to her elderly father, which couldn't even get a word in about the meal in which he had ordered. If you cannot mingle in society, maybe you should choose to order out next time. I feel that Miss Christine's "Jessica Simipson" comment was both inmature and juevenile. Comparing angel steak to chicken of the sea was not supposed to be interpreted as "business advice." Obviously, Miss Christine is the one with the confusion for assuming that angel steak is beef-- does she think buffalo wings also come from buffalo?

Well with that being said and Mrs.Basile being called a B**** I think she kept her cool and did what any of us would have done.

Maybe Miss Christine was really the one who took this defensively. She should put all this effort into more important things.

[Resident]

Food was great. The employees leave a lot to be desired. AND, before you comment on it John G. I'd leave it alone. We know who you are and who your sibling was that worked there too.

[Lew]

[I think that this a regional thing. I've grown up in NE Pa and an angel steak is some variation of a Calf. cheeseburger with chicken instead of beef.
If you travel the counrty and ask for a hoagie up north they look at you funny and ask you if you'd luke a submarine sandwich, or a little further south you might be offered a grinder. I've gone to the Basile's, and enjoyed it. Yes the customer is allways right, but trying something new can also be an unexpected surprise.

[Tamaqua]

Hey Resident, what the hell does John G. and his sibiling have to do with him sticking up for his employer??? Get a life! At least the kid works and trys to do good for himself unlike you who is probably sucking off the welfare system.. Grow the hell up! If you had a job and someone wrote on here about your employer you would probably do the same!

[Student]

I wouldnt eat at Basile place if I was starving!!!! All of the people I have spoke to in person about that joint was very displeased. That Paula really needs to work on her people skills,knew her from Marcos in Lansford and trust me, I wouldn't eat there either!

[Get A Grip]

Two Kings smokes alllllll of them out of the water! Best "angel steaks" in town. Don't worry they won't slap two pieces of dried fingers on a bun with a piece of lettuce.. YUK! No thanks i'll stay away from that place .

[MOMMY OF 3]

Christine Christman wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to come to the conclusion that a dish with the word "steak" in it would contain red meat, especially since it was under the burger section and all of the other chicken sandwiches had the word "chicken" in their titles. When we asked her why something would be called "steak" if it was not actually steak, that is when she got defensive with us. True, she offered to bring him something else. I will give her that. But it was the manner in which she spoke to him that rubbed us the wrong way. She was not kind or apologetic. Sure, he was wrong in his assumption but it usually takes at least two parties to create a misunderstanding. And when I tried to offer her feedback that might help her avoid this problem again she told me she did not need customers like me. What kind of customers might that be? Ones that have money to spend? Ones that care about the economy of the community that they grew up in? Ones that, up until she copped an attitude, enjoyed her restaurant and wanted to see it succeed?
Being in the restaurant is not just having good food at a good price. It's also about selling an experience. Every customer should leave the place happy, even if you don't agree with their constructive criticism.

I agree with adam. Never had a problem there. They are always respectful to my orders. I like pizza don't like sauce so i ask for a pizza with no sauce. i get it and have no problems, funny looks ect. I ask for garlic knots extra garlic i get it with no extra charge.. i really like these people.. service tends to stink no matter where u go. my advice to people is ask the waitress for what u really want instead of guessing if they will get it right.. I love their gnocchi with butter and moz cheese.. I order that and that is what i get... If you don't like it don't go there.. there are other people who really enjoy it.

[get a life]

hey what happened to john g sibling could have happened to any of us im sure anyone that is 21 and even ones that are not 21 have driven with a little buss

as far as the basiles i think they are outstanding people never had a problem with them they are always generous they always offer you things to try with no charge theyll offer you a beer or two sit and chat with you really nice ppl

half the restaurants in the area dont even know what there owners look like these people are always there so must mean they care about there business unlike some others in the area

and what is the point of acting like some other people around here who kiss you hand sing to you get on there knees in front of you then go in the kitchen and say f u