Ristorante Gardenia — Restaurant in Castel Gandolfo

This place had really good reviews which is quite misleading.

Atmosophere, location and scenery is wonderful, however service and food was lower than average and unreasonably priced. Service was not good. We felt rushed while ordering, one of the staff members even made a face when they saw us hesitating, over all, staff was not helpful, since dishes are quite unique, there were questions from our end and the questions were not answered or they straight up gave false information. For example, portions are too large and we were almost pursued to order one portion each person, even though most portions of pasta can be shared between 2 people if not more. It also took surprisingly long time for them to bring food, but that could be exception, since we arrived at around when they open.

We specifically asked for semi-dry wine and clarified several times and were mislead anyway, they brought us wrong kind of wine, which non of us were able to drink. We tried Vermicelli and Gnocci, both lacked taste, but that is another problem, some of us didn't get any meat in Vermicelli, while others did and it felt a bit like lottery, bacon in Vermicelli was kinda burnt in very oddly tasting oil. Honestly, Gnocci was a bit better.

Meat dishes simply weren't great, however boiled and then roast beef was still slightly better than everything else we had.

Over all, I am not saying you should not visit this place, just maybe avoid first and second course and enjoy drinks or desserts. Scenery and interior design is good and potentially still worthy of visit, just not food and...

Upon entering, a strong smell of artificial of ambience spray pervades the restaurant. First red flag. We were supposed to have lunch but immediately I realise this isn't going to be a good experience - no restaurant should smell like cheap perfume. Should be illegal. I tell them, for courtesy, that we will only stay for a drink. I ask for a bellini, to which the reply was "is that the one with peach?" No comment. Another waiter comes to the table and asked my guest what they would like to drink, to which they reply a glass of bubbly - the server goes through a list of 4 champagnes, the guest picks Chardonnay. The server looks at me and says what about you - I respond for my bellini, Chardonnay will be fine. They return with a bottle of room temperature white chardonnay - about to pour in my glass, I stop the waiter and say, is the bellini possible, the answer is "there is no barman" by that point I wish we'd just gotten up and left. But since we are ladies, we stayed. I asked for a bottle of water instead - the waiter returned with the bottle which she didn't even pour in our glasses.

Embarrassing to say the least. This place is visibly not owned by Italians. And if it is...

Upd: the owner replied with “ok. ora che vi siete imparata a scrivere e ora che impara anche a mangiare e ha capire il cibo.” No comment

Our dining experience was poor and we were disappointed as the reviews were great. The service takes a long time, we waited for the salad for half an hour, even though it was nothing special. For an expensive and gourmet restaurant compliments from the chef were not served, which is surprising.

The starters were very pathetic. The pasta was intolerably salty with the taste overpowering anything else. Artichokes were fried with poor quality oil. Salad greens were old and spoiled.

The main course (meat) was ok, I assume it is because the chef has made it in advance with other staff not being able to ruin it. So I would recommend taking main courses if you have to.

It is an elaborate place with some views, but restaurants nearby so far provide a better experience and better quality food. Good for pictures or a party to impress guests with the decor but...