Cafe Gazelle

My husband and I love this restaurant for its authentic Italian Food. We've brought friends several times. Frank, the owner, always choses a good wine for us. I've also gotten takeout from their restaurant in OC for a party I hosted. Hard to believe someone would give this restaurant one star. We eat there several times a year. It's small and authentic.

I first ate at this restaurant in 1999. I have been back several times since, been very pleased and not fell ill. However, early this year I left the restaurant and attempted to walk back to my hotel near Redondo Ave. and PCH. Before I reached 7th St., the urge to relieve my bowels of diarrhea was overwhelming, so I found bushes and defecated. Moving on, I only got as far as just south of Anaheim Ave and went into the bushes again. I notified management the next day by returning the uneaten leftovers and leaving a note on the business's front door. He compensated me with a free meal, and I experienced no ill effects. The next time I went, unfortunately, I was able to make it back to my hotel room before suffering from diarrhea again. It was the same story tonight, though unlike the other times, I DID NOT FINISH MY BOTTLE OF WINE, EAT DESSERT OR CONSUME THREE CUPS OF BLACK COFFEE. Yet, I barely made it home before running to the toilet. Management keeps the establishment fairly warm, I am uncertain how food is stored or handled, but I am concerned about the frequency in which I became ill. I eat all over the country with all kinds of cuisine. I prefer spicy food, I drink routinely and am fine.

It appears that despite what I thought was an amicable resolution between me and the owner that let bygones be bygones, he harbored resentment that was unleashed upon me. Specifically, I ordered chocolate mousse and black coffee but expressly directed the owner to serve it AFTER I had consumed the last of my wine. Instead, the mousse was brought out to me IMMEDIATELY after our exchange. I sent it back and motioned for the owner to come speak to me again. He came to me enraged and said, "You're making trouble again and acting crazy. How would you like it if I '86'ed' you?" I finished the glass in my wine, paid the bill, walked out and hurried home to used the toilet...again.