Restaurant’s brilliant response to ‘toxic’ diner who moaned staff were a ‘wet lemon’ when they didn’t get their way

A RESTAURANT manager has given the best response to a “toxic” diner who moaned that staff were a “wet lemon” when they didn’t get their way.

The customer left a review claiming staff at Lorenzo’s Italian eatery in Preston – which regularly receives rave feedback – were “rude, arrogant, totally deluded” after they “spoiled” their daughter’s 16th birthday surprise.

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The reviewer, only known as “Kiptic” on Tripadvisor, wrote in November: “Booked this restaurant for my daughter’s 16th birthday and as everyone knows how hard it is to organise this with the surprise getting spoiled.

“As usual we looked into different local restaurants who might be suitable for this. We decided to use this so called family restaurant who would understand the importance of family morals and know what it’s like to organise such a event. How wrong I was.”

The irate customer claimed they had “called up” Lorenzo’s to let them know they’d be dropping off a birthday cake before the dinner and was told that “whoever brought cake in would have to wear a mask,” which they felt was “fair enough”.

They continued: “Just before booking I went into the restaurant with the cake to be met by the most arrogant old person I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.

“As soon as I opened the door I was meet by a wall of rudeness being told I could not bring the cake into restaurant even though it was pre-arranged.

“I told him it was pre-arranged… then to be told they was doing me a favour even taking [the] cake that Covid guidelines said this could not be done.”

They claimed they were told they “should know the law of the land” before calling the staff member they spoke to “a deluded pompous waiter” and another waiter a “wet lemon” and called the restaurant a “disgrace to the community”.

The customer then went “over the road” to another restaurant who “gladly accepted the cake and assured me my daughter would have a great meal”.

They added: “They were flabbergasted by what I told them but not surprised by it as it’s well known they think they are above everyone in area.

“Do not use this restaurant, take your business to the other fine places in the community. I will never step foot in that doorway again.”

But General manager Ruggero L left a savage response for the customer.

He wrote: “Your review shows the kind of person you are. Luckily you won’t be coming to visit the restaurant again, so we don’t have to deal with such a toxic person.

“Disgrace to the community? Like in lockdown when we baked hundreds of loaves of bread and gave them away for free?

“You didn’t get your way so you come onto the internet to try and slander and damage a small business. Hope you feel better about it. Kind regards, the wet lemon.”

The searing review was out sorts for Lorenzo’s, which is in the top ten restaurants to eat at in Preston, according to ratings left by guests on Tripadvisor.

At 4.5 stars overall, Lorenzo’s is known to provide a “outstanding experience” for customers, according to reviews.

One customer, who visited two weeks ago, said: “Fantastic food with very friendly staff. Gem of a restaurant in Freckleton. Consistent experience after multiple visits, 10/10.”

Another said they had a “great evening meal” back in October, adding: “We ate here Friday evening after a few aperitifs in The Vestry. The food was great, we even had dessert!! The service was also very good. We’ll be back.”