We were in town for a few hours and stopped by for lunch. It was perfect for what we were looking for, enjoying the view of Castel Gondolfo over a bite to eat. My initial feeling is that this is for the view and experience rather than the food or service.
I will talk about the view - spectacular. You're sitting in a grape vineyard on a balcony overlooking the gorgeous lake. On clear days, you can see foothill cities and distant mountains, like the day we happen to be there. To just relax and enjoy the view, this is a great spot. The food is also pretty great, but if you're picky about the cuisine or service, then I think there are other places that cater to the ambiance and dining experience.
We ordered red wine and they gave us those small cups that Italy can be notorious for, when asked for appropriate red wine glasses, they pushed back, but we insisted and they finally gave them to us. Not the most service oriented bunch, but generally when in Italy, if you insist and provide some decent reasoning, they are willing to oblige. For an appetizer we got the Buffalo Mozzarella. It came out with only the mozarella ball and were were hoping for fresh tomatoes. When asking for the tomatoes, they just poured some sauce on it. The lackluster service theme continues. I ordered a traditional roman pasta and my fiance ordered the meatballs, both were good meals, we were more than happy to eat, but it certainly wasn't the highlight part of our meal.
For a relaxing lunch or dinner, absolutely yes. If this is the defining meal of your trip in any capacity, then elsewhere would provide a higher chance of satisfaction. read more