Vecchio Ristoro - Ristorante in Aosta — Restaurant in Aosta

This is difficult. Generally I only post opinions on places I feel are excellent or even better - or truly dreadful. It could be that Vecchio Ristoro was having a bad day when we visited, but no Michelin-starred restaurant should ever have a really bad day, only degrees of excellence. A locked door with almost invisible signage greeted us, and entry required energetic ringing of the bell. Not a great start, and the service was simultaneously too intimate and overly formal. This was an atmospheric style that went out of fashion many years ago. Almost everywhere food is now meant to be fun, and dining a pleasure. We can't really remember what we ate. It must have been all right but it was certainly unmemorable, and hugely out of kilter with the gravitas of the hefty bill. All over the Aosta valley there are places serving good food in a happy atmosphere. That this restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star suggests it must have peaks as well as troughs...possibly we were...

By coincidence we dined at another 1-star Michelin restaurant 2 day’s previous in Piemonte before dining at Vecchio Ristoro. Sadly this one just wasn’t the same experience. The service was fine, sometimes friendly but mostly perfunctory. The food was good but not amazing for the tasting menu. The dessert was the best part. Some of the portions were pretentiously small for the “soup” and the risotto served on flat plates with maybe 3 tablespoons. We understand many course small portions philosophy…but this seemed extreme. The breads were tasty but do not need for every course. We don’t visit Aosta often but for 300euro+ we guess there are better food...

Amazing food, really fresh, flavours very well balanced - put together in creative combinations, wine list excellent and recommendations on point! Service was impeccable and Paolo looked after us very well! Tables were extremely well spaced and Covid measures fully adhered to but not overbearing. Highly recommended to go for the 7 course tasting menu and let them take you on an unforgettable culinary experience! We left filled, contented and eager to return next time we...