Bistrot 100 — Restaurant in Cagliari

I had been really looking forward to coming to this restaurant after reading a great review but I was disappointed. I suspect if you speak Italian your experience would be much better but I don't recommend coming here if you only speak English.

I was given an English menu (which is very helpful) but no explanation about how it worked. It wasn't clear whether there were starters and mains, for example, and there was a numbering system which turned out to be a key for dietary restrictions but there was no information about what each number meant. I also wasn't given a wine list at all and had to ask whether it was possible order a glass. It then felt like a battle to order both a starter and main - the waiter seemed to just want me to order one thing. In contrast, I saw a couple on the next table get a lengthy and seemingly very helpful explanation in Italian as soon as they sat down. The waiter also tried to take away the olive oil while I was still eating my bread. I understand that not speaking Italian is my issue and I certainly don't expect restaurant staff to be fluent in English - that was not the problem - I just really didn't feel very welcome in this restaurant, especially given I was there alone. I have found most restaurants in Europe to be so nice about it!

This was a Saturday night and there were only 2 other tables seated when I left at 9pm-ish so I can't put it down to busy-ness. The food was actually very good, but the vibe made it very hard to enjoy it. I was really surprised/disappointed given the other Google reviews are so positive. Maybe I was just a bit unlucky on...

The quality of ingredients is undoubtedly exceptional. However, that’s not what makes the whole experience and I think there’s place for improvement. I was surprised to eat in Sardinia, have a 120€ bill and not to be offered a digestif. Probably got spoiled by other Sardinian and Italian restaurants. Also, we ordered a grilled seafood platter, and I wish the server would have informed us, that there’s no accompanying side dishes. So you actually get 1 kg of seafood. After asking for side dishes, we had to wait while the food got colder. And we are charged 12€ in the end for the sides. I also didn’t like that after one of us wanted a dessert, we were charged a double price for two.

Very good food, however, lacking the Sardinian/Italian hospitality I have experienced elsewhere. And that’s why the experience of the evening is not...

Delicious food, the most excellent friendly service, and a wonderful wine selection; this restaurant is the BEST of our week in Cagliari by FAR! It only gets 4 stars instead of 5 because of the reservation system that they have that needs fixed. I made a reservation for 19;00, and when we showed up they said they did not open until 19:30, despite me receiving a reminder email from them 2 hours earlier saying they were looking forward to receiving me at 19:00. Don't let that dismay you from going, but do plan to go after 19:30. Hoping the staff fix this so others aren't left out in the cold...