Bengodi Enoteca Ristorante — Restaurant in Castelnuovo Berardenga

We really wanted to like this as two dishes were quite good, but in the end, there were too many negatives. I would give it a 2.5 if I could.

Overall the service was good and attentive. Their explanation of the Italian-only menu was excellent and detailed. The overall service was prompt. Two negatives though. We ordered the risotto (which was excellent btw), partly so the kids could watch them mix it in the cheese bowl. Instead they mixed it at another table and served it in a dish, so we didn’t get to see it. Second, they brought the wrong bottle of wine, which they did replace promptly. All said, still good.

For the food, the risotto was great, and the beef tongue was surprisingly delicious and tender. Highly recommend both. Unfortunately the pork belly was too crispy with the skin too hard to easily eat. The Florentine steak was just average. It was served without any seasoning, so we had to salt it judiciously. Even then, although flavor was fine, it was fairly chewy. Not the best cut.

The setting is very nice. Beautiful little square with a few places for the...

We sat down at a table for about 10 minutes while a waiter and waitress were passing by several times like we were invisible. Finally i approached the waiter asking for a menu. In that moment he told us the table may be booked. After another few minutes he conformed it was booked. We insisted to see if he can offer a solution. First he said NO and then offered a table inside. We accepted this option as we wanted to eat. While heading inside he said that we may have to wait about an hour to be served as they were full, though there were not more than 12 people outside. And even if the tables would have been booked, as far as i know it is the first come, first served. Important to mention that the table right next to us has asked for the bill few minutes before. Would not try to eat there again.

Last minute update: somebody answered my review in a very unprofessional way blaming me for their lack of profesionalism. And then somebody smarter than that person deleted his answer. What a joke of a...

My wife and I have never been treated so well by any restaurant! While vacationing in the area, we decided to stop in Castlenuovo for dinner and found Bengodi. It was early, before it opened, but Reg, the owner, welcomed us to sit at his outdoor area, brought us a complimentary glass of wine while we waited, and invited us inside before it opened. Inside the menu was unique (items we never heard of before). Reg continued to give us warm welcome, helping us understand the menu and recommending wines that were both excellent and reasonably priced. We loved the food and Reg's hospitality so much we came back the next evening, and if we stayed in the area any longer, we would come back a third time! On our second meal, it seemed like Reg became our friend, taking selfies with each other and hearing about his family. We highly recommend Bengodi for its food and wine and for Reg, a unique person who treated us like we've never been treated before in...