Little Wing Holywood: A Pizzeria Visit Raises Hospitality Questions

Over the years, many of us have developed a certain tolerance for the minor issues that can arise when dining out. An overcooked dish or a slightly slow service can often be forgiven if the establishment handles it with a touch of charm and professionalism. However, what can truly sour an experience is when casual indifference or outright contempt masquerades as management.

Our recent family visit to Little Wing Pizzeria in Holywood brought this into sharp focus. The pizza itself was perfectly serviceable: thin, crisp, and competently topped. It did its job well, reminding one of why authentic Naples pizza is so revered, even if this particular location feels a few attitude adjustments short of the real thing.

The issue arose during the dessert-and-coffee stage of our meal. With the children eyeing the menu and the adults contemplating caffeine, the idea came up to quickly collect our miniature Pomeranian from the dog groomer next door. Our tiny, handbag-sized dog, no more disruptive than a well-behaved cushion, seemed an easy addition for a few minutes. We asked our server, a perfectly pleasant man, if we could bring the dog in while we finished our meal. He readily agreed, saying it was no problem at all.

However, this agreement was quickly overturned. A manager, who later seemed hesitant to fully identify herself, approached abruptly. She declared that dogs were strictly not allowed and that we needed to leave immediately, delivering the instruction without room for discussion, her tone devoid of warmth. We calmly attempted to explain that her colleague had just granted permission and that our tiny, bagged dog would only be there for a few minutes. Yet, our explanation was met with a dismissive shrug, a clear lack of empathy, and no attempt to verify with her own staff member.

When we requested her name, she retorted with, 'What do you need that for?' as if it were an unreasonable demand. Another staff member eventually provided the name 'Meghan,' who then confirmed she was indeed the manager. Feeling publicly humiliated and unwelcome, we paid and left without finishing our desserts or coffee. The incident left the children confused and our family deeply disappointed, while the manager promptly walked away.

Following the incident, I contacted their head office, hoping for some resolution or acknowledgement regarding what seemed a trivial accommodation. However, my outreach was met with complete silence, echoing the dismissive attitude we encountered on site. While Little Wing Holywood prides itself on authentic Naples pizza and passion for food, good food alone cannot compensate for a severe lack of hospitality. When management treats paying customers as an inconvenience, it detracts significantly from the entire dining experience. In a community with many excellent dining choices, good food paired with such a dismissive welcome is simply not acceptable. If you value being treated with respect and courtesy during your dining experience, you might wish to consider other options where your presence, and perhaps even your miniature Pomeranian, are genuinely welcomed.