Friend of 'NHS on the run', the Sicily specialist and amazingly talented Charlie Mackieth recommended several restaurants in Palermo to us. Highly recommended was Ferro di Cavallo. https://www.ferrodicavallopalermo.it/it/
It looked inviting. It offered great local food at really reasonable prices, what's not to like? A f"kin lot it turns out ..
Ushered to the bar area we sat neglected. Despite the great music, there were lots of long faced customers! Presumably being forced to drink their Aperol spritz! The establishment cannot be blamed for the fact that most people are pretty miserable, even on their holidays....
We elbowed our way to get our drinks. The maitre d' managed to avoid any eye contact despite his retro Hipster specs.
After an hour and 14 minutes he deigned to glance at us from 30 meters and gave a single beckon, we dutifully, gratefully and hungrily followed Dennis to our table.
Fair to say, not the best seats in the house.
Some 30 minutes later, after plentiful attempts, starting to feel a tad hangry, I managed to catch the eye of the young waitress. She had clearly been trained by Dennis, the gaze avoidance maester. We asked for the menu, we don't expect English. But we also don't expect rudeness. The Italian expletives I shall spare you, the tablecloth menu arrived. 135 minutes after arrival, while I was physically chasing the waitress around the restaurant, (she must have known), Mrs W manged to score wine and water! I dipped down and tried the stealth approach, suddenly jerking my head upwards from near the ground, I made eye contact accompanied by the words "please stop". She did! She swore. She acted like I had physically detained her, she lept back ! Google translate had provided me with - "we've been here 2 hours can we order food please ??? " she swore - she followed me to the table. She scribbled our order - she left, the Italians at the next table apologised for her rudeness.
Incidentally, several tables of locals had arrived, been seated, and were tucking into mouth watering food while we had been sitting there!. Kindly, at 150 minutes, a neighbouring table started sending us food parcels - really never been more grateful for a slice of polenta!!
Nearly 2hours 45 minutes late my meatballs arrived. Tasty but I'm pretty sure they'd had enough time to have heated them up! Arrencinata were off the menu and replaced without discussion by ... polenta slices.
We chatted to neighbours who confirmed they wouldn't be happy with luke warm meatballs, but advised " I suggest you that you eat! " message recieved. We did . No sign of mains.
We had finished our wine and frankly hangry had resolved to angry.
Then, suddenly, and with the effortless grace of a conjoined gazelle , we rose as one. With no discussion, we legged it out of there , stopping only to send abusive messages to Charlie!!
Try it one day, it's very liberating ... the runner, a long forgotten art!
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