I see others have written some excellent reviews about this restaurant. As for us, we had a horrible experience there, and I would never go back to the place unless it was to chew them out. Il Ragno d'Oro was recommended to us by the hostess of the bed and breakfast we were staying at. I, unfortunately, left my reading glasses in our room when we left to go eat and was unable to see the menu. My husband was trying to read certain items and prices from the menu to me, when the server came to the table and offered to help. We ordered antipasti, which was good. Bread was brought to the table, as was typical during our 2-week trip to Italy (however, it was free everywhere except this place). We ordered two simple pasta dishes, which were edible but gloppy. We had had a very tiring day, with an all-day tour to Pompeii, so we didn't really want to extend our time at the restaurant. The server came to the table and said something about dessert, and we said: "No, no dessert. We don't need dessert." Well, at that very moment, another employee set 2 dishes down in front of us, each with a tiny scoop of pistachio ice cream. The server said, "Oh, please. He made it just for you." With the manner in which this was presented, we assumed this very small dessert was "on the house," so we said, "Well, okay."
The waiter then brought the bill to the table and said: "Our credit card machine is not working. You have to pay with cash. And by the way, the service is not included." He then instructed my husband on how to get to the nearest teller machine down the street. My husband left to go get cash. Typically, I would have looked over the bill at this point, but without my glasses, I could not read the bill. As my husband sat down, before he could even pick up the ticket to look at it, the server was right there to collect the cash, including his "tip."
I did not realize until we were packing late the next night to leave Rome that we had been charged for bread, for the dessert, and for another item we didn't order. We had a car picking us up early the next morning and had no time to return to the restaurant to discuss the charges. After leaving Rome, I did email our hostess about it, and she stated to us that other than a "coperto" charge, she could not figure out what the additional charge could be. She felt it very inappropriate that this charge, along with the comment about the service not being included, and the "sneaky" way in which the dessert was presented, then charged for, were all totally out of line.
In summary, Il Ragno d'Oro charged us more than they should have, and due to the way in which it was done, I would even use the word "scammed."
If you still decide to dine at this restaurant, I would strongly advise that you beware of the things I have mentioned. Ask questions, check your bill carefully, and refuse to pay for items added onto your bill!! read more