Antica Fonte — Restaurant in Arezzo

I think the front-of-house system needs better organization when large groups appear, based upon what I saw tonight. It was a bit chaotic. There were several large tables with 8+ guests.

I came alone and ordered a noodle plate, a side of roasted vegetables, and a dessert. The noodles came promptly and were delicious. Likewise the other entries were crafted well and tasted great. The chefs clearly love their work and it shows.

The waiters and waitresses tried to cover everything all at once but it seemed the organization was lacking. One person sat me at the table, another took the drink order (water) with help from that first waiter. A third person then asked me for the food order and wrote it down. Never saw the first waiter or third waiter again. The second waiter brought the noodles, then much later came and removed the empty plate and silverware, no sign of the vegetables. He came back with a fourth person and the dessert, so I asked about the vegetables and with some shock they went back to the kitchen with dessert and some time later returned with those vegetables, bringing the cheesecake out after I finished the vegetables.

While this was happening, someone on staff decided to sit several more tables for service at about 2155. I thought that the closing time was 2200 so this makes no sense when many tables are still eating or waiting for food. Why add more to the kitchen queue so close to closing? At one point a waiter arrived with a spritz I didn't order before realizing it was for the next table. All the tables look alike, and this is a simple mistake, they happen, not a problem by itself but a symptom.

After the meal, I asked for the check and it took some time (understandable, very busy tonight). Reviewing the bill there was an extra item, patates, which I did not order. The remainder of the check was correct. By then I just wanted to go back to the hotel for the night, so I left cash and walked back. There was no point waiting additional time beyond closing to argue over 6€.

Suggestion: Encourage better communication between staff so folks know who is covering which tables. A system is best, such as a chart on paper or a binder but even a quick huddle before opening could work. Something like 'Chiara will tend tables to the right inside, Julia the left inside, Andreas the right outside, Antony the left outside, if a big table sits inside Chiara and Julia will work it together, one takes drink orders and the other food '. I think things like this are why the staff had to stay an extra hour (I left around 2300 and there were tables still eating).

Edit to add: I know there was a language barrier and some of that is my fault, hence why so many people came to the table. I do not blame the wait staff or the kitchen for the errors, it was a crazy night. I do still think that organization and communication between staff could be...

Food The food tasted amazing! The dishes are down-home but prepared in such an artfully way that the taste is so intense and mouth watering. Also the quality was absolutely convincing :-)!!

Service Was fast and friendly. Very willing despite little language difficulties (we speak no italian). As for the restaurant staff, some do a little. But that totally sufficient to order and get what we wanted :-)!

Restaurant / atmosphere: The restaurant is pretty nice. It is a bit angular and has different spaces to sit: inside area, indoor garden sitting area and an outside patio to sit which is nice in summer.

Value: Outstanding! Considering what we got we considered it...

Riuscire a trovare ad Arezzo un buon posto dove mangiare può sembrare una cosa difficile. Eppure, se ci si arma di pazienza, un locale degno di nota lo si può scoprire. Situato nel cuore della città, questo ristorante è il posto perfetto dove fermarsi per mangiare. Si viene accolti in maniera da sentirsi subito a proprio agio. Con estrema gentilezza e professionalità, il cliente viene guidato attraverso la scelta dei piatti e dei vini. Non un’ampia scelta di piatti, ma ben ragionata. La carta dei vini offre sicuramente una maggiore scelta. Tutto è curato nei dettagli, nulla è lasciato al caso. La passione che intendono trasmettere i proprietari è palpabile, nel porsi verso il cliente ma anche in quel che “creano”. Da provare sicuramente le pappardelle all’anatra e la faraona tartufata, «il tutto nel rispetto della terra Toscana e delle sue tradizioni», a cui abbinare un buon Chianti. Se non ci si vuole imbattere nel solito locale, l’Antica Fonte è sicuramente la scelta migliore.

It’s not so simple find a good place in Arezzo where eating for lunch or dinner. Only the patience can help you to discover a nice restaurant. Located in the downtown of Arezzo, Antica Fonte is a perfect restaurant for eating. You can feel yourself like at home. A kindly and professional staff guides guests in the selection of dishes or wine. Not many options of dishes, but reasoned. Instead, you can choose from many bottles of wine. Every detail is tidy. The passion of owners is fantastic, a passion for the clients and their “creations”. You have to taste pappardelle all’anatra (pasta with duck) and faraona tartufata (guineafowl in truffle sauce), with a good glass of Chianti, that fully respect traditions Toscana. Antica Fonte is not the usual restaurant, but the...