Antica Locanda Del Monviso - SALUZZO

Came here for lunch. Atmosphere was intensely Italian filled with local people enjoying a festive meal. The service was very attentive and patient with my horrible Italian. They do offer either daily menu or ordering a’ la carte. I think this is what might’ve confused other reviewers. We ordered à la carte. My companion had very fresh mushroom risotto that she was very happy with. I had the regional appetizers which were fantastic. I also had eggplant and beet “meatballs” (fritters) which were amazing. Highly recommended.

What may not be clear to visitors is that this restaurant evidently has two very different modes: a very well-regarded dinner and a very underwhelming lunch. Those who come for lunch having seen reviews and photos of dinner will certainly be disappointed. We came for a late lunch, and were rather surprised at the difference between the place and the review photos. We asked for a menu, but was instead only given two options each verbally: fine. The pasta was certainly dried rather than fresh; the vegetarian main was three wedges of cheese and some sautéed vegetables. The chicken was good though. My bet is that we would have had a better experience had we booked in advance and informed them we needed more vegetarian options. Or if we had come for dinner instead. But I can’t review an experience I didn’t have, and I don’t think a positive restaurant experience should require prior booking on our part. It’s true that the lunch was inexpensive: however, we would’ve done better to have a cheaper pizza elsewhere.

Very confusing experience. We came here for lunch and they didn’t offer us a menu, but instead gave us what seemed to be some kind of thrown together almost leftovers from a choice of 2 dishes that the waitress reeled off. I had a plain bowl of (premade, dried) pasta and pesto, then some chunks of cheese and fried spinach. Was extremely basic fare and mediocre tasting. We must have come at some kind of off time, as the place has great reviews but I think they could have explained a little, rather than cobble together a bowl of something random. It wasn’t, at least, expensive, and the staff were nice.

Friendly and prepared staff, nice dishes to see but portions too esigue especially the first....say that it is not likely that you get fat

Local and management very well, I ate very well!