Restaurant Owner Defends Arancini Against Negative Review
A Sydney eatery owner publicly refuted a diner's one-star review, sharing photographic evidence to dispute claims of lacking filling.
Joe Cassaniti, owner of Peppe's Pasta in Haberfield, Sydney, has publicly responded to a customer's negative review of his arancini, calling the claims "bulls**t." The customer, who identified herself as Angela, had left a one-star review stating the arancini had "absolutely no filling" and were "the worst" she had ever tasted.
In response, Cassaniti posted a photograph on Facebook showing an arancini cut in half, revealing a substantial Bolognese filling encased in saffron-flavored rice. He challenged Angela's assertion, stating that his team takes immense pride in crafting the arancini fresh daily. "Quite frankly, I call bulls**t on your claim that our arancini have no filling and taste bad," he wrote.
Angela's review had also expressed disappointment, noting her family's background in Italian home cooking and suggesting the quality of the arancini reflected poorly on the traditionally Italian neighborhood of Haberfield. She questioned the restaurant's positive reviews and stated the arancini were "disgusting."
Cassaniti acknowledged that customers are entitled to their opinions but differentiated between subjective taste and what he considered factually inaccurate accusations. He emphasized that arancini are among his most popular items and praised his employees for their dedication.
The restaurant owner's public defense garnered significant support from loyal customers. Many commented on his post, with some stating that Peppe's arancini were superior to those they had tasted in Sicily. Online reviews have become a crucial tool for consumers discovering local businesses, especially in competitive culinary areas like Haberfield.
Cassaniti told the Daily Mail that the experience was upsetting for his small business. He noted that challenging online reviews can be difficult for independent owners. However, he stated that the public response to his defense had been positive, rallying regular customers and attracting new patrons who had seen the exchange. He invited curious customers to visit and try the arancini themselves.