Just wondering if anyone has come across this in Europe.
We went to a new ristorante (not fast food or take out) just down the street from our apartment. We were seated at a table and thought someone had left a tablet behind. The server showed us that it was their menu. First, one can select language. Divided into sections, apertivi, pizza, 1st primo, 2nd primo, beverages, beer, wine, etc.
You work your way through and make your order selections and when you press “send order” it goes to the bar or kitchen to execute. When ready, order is delivered to your table. We first ordered bottle of sparking water (with gas) and still water was delivered, so had to wave down server to correct. There were only 3 of us, but took a while to for each person to look at Pizza options (with pictures) and ingredients listed on the tablet. A coperto of €2 pp was charged, so we ordered breadsticks, but waiter came to table and said they werent available and would bring bread. The glass wine options were not under the wine icon but next page under bulk wine. Food was delivered quickly and was good. You could even order a fork, salt, butter, etc. When you are ready for your check, back to the tablet to close order, which is then delivered to table.
But especially in Italy, eliminating personal interaction seems odd. Maybe the restaurant decided they could hire less skilled wait staff, as they are delivery servers, and less need to be multilingual. Can’t imagine how long it would take a table of 6 or 8 to order with one tablet. We won’t go back as we like the whole dining experience without technology.
We are in a small city on Lago Maggiore with mostly, Italian, German, French and Swiss tourists. A business model I would expect in California, especially large cities, but not in a small town in Italy.
Just curious if anyone has come across this in your European eating out (McDonald’s and fast food doesn’t count)