Gia Giudice defends her new restaurant Il Vero over its no-kids rule after being hit with negative reviews

Gia Giudice has defended her new restaurant over its no-kids rule after being hit with negative reviews.

The 25-year-old daughter of Real Housewives star Teresa Giudice, along with her business partner Maria Sausa, soft launched Il Vero in Westwood, New Jersey, on October 7.

It describes itself as being ‘a destination for Italian-Mediterranean dining, beautiful cocktails, and evenings meant to be enjoyed from beginning to end.’

But after 5pm it is exclusively adults-only. 

‘Il Vero is an adult-oriented dining and lounge establishment,’ its website states. ‘Dinner service begins at 5pm and is intended for adult guests.’

However, the controversial no-children policy quickly came under fire after a one-star Google review claimed a group of eight adults, who had brought babies in strollers, was turned away after arriving at 5pm on a Saturday.

Giudice has since taken to TikTok to hit back at the feedback.

‘The first thing that I want to address is that we are a restaurant that only accommodates adult dining. 

‘While I know that might be a bummer to some who want to bring their kids out to dinner, there are many restaurants in Westwood that are kid-friendly.’

She continued that Westwood is a ‘very family-oriented town,’ adding ‘which is why we wanted to bring something a little different and bring a new atmosphere that adults were actually waiting for and the town of Westwood is loving.’

Giudice said that her aim was to create a space that feels ‘elevated and makes you want to get dressed up.’

She explained that the eatery had only been open for a week and is not yet taking lunch reservations – but added that they may consider letting kids in for this service only.

And many viewers flooded to the comments to share their support for the concept.

‘No shade but not every space needs to accommodate kids, don’t change that rule,’ one wrote, in part.

‘A toddler mama here and I LOVEEE that this is adult only! When I’m kid free and go out with the girls or with hubby for dinner I do not want to hear a child. 

‘I do not want to be in mom mode,’ another added. 

‘I gladly pay higher prices for no kids. You’re setting a tone for the atmosphere, nothing wrong with this. 

‘I like your vision, sometimes adults just want to go out to dinner and not have to deal with other people’s children around. It changes the vibe,’ a third said.

Giudice’s business partner Sausa has also responded to the criticism from Il Vero’s early visitors.  

She told the Daily Voice: ‘Our decision to create an adults-only dining experience at Il Vero was intentional.

‘There are many wonderful family-friendly restaurants in the area, and we think that’s fantastic. However, we wanted to offer something different.’

The entrepreneur, from Queens, New York, explained: ‘Both concepts can exist, and neither needs to be criticized simply for being different.’

She continued that the restaurant valued constructive feedback, before adding: ‘However, there is a difference between genuine, constructive criticism and criticism simply because a restaurant offers something that doesn’t align with someone’s personal preferences.’

Sausa stated that ‘everyone wants to be a food critic’ and that negative feedback from one visitor ‘doesn’t automatically mean the restaurant is doing something wrong.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to Il Vero for further comment.