La Tavernetta — Restaurant in Como

Recently visited this restaurant and was left thoroughly disappointed. The food quality was well below average, starting with a terrible pizza with bufala priced at €13, and a pasta dish (tagliatelle con funghi porcini) that cost an unbelievable €18, far too high for what was served.

The service was equally poor—the server didn’t even bother explaining the menu. Despite there being few guests, the atmosphere was ruined by a loud TV. In an attempt to make up for the subpar experience, they offered complimentary bread and cookies, which we didn’t touch, but it didn’t compensate for the awful food or service.

Overall, the place is far too expensive for the quality offered. I left absolutely dissatisfied and would not recommend it to others.

Answer to the owner:

Thank you for your response. However, I must respectfully disagree with your explanations, as several of your arguments are invalid.

While I appreciate your emphasis on the use of fresh ingredients, the quality of the raw materials does not necessarily reflect the quality of the final dish. The issue I experienced was with the taste and preparation, not the freshness of the ingredients. Fresh products alone don’t guarantee a satisfying meal if they are not cooked or seasoned properly.

Pricing-wise I was aware of the menu prices, but my feedback concerns the value for money. Even if the prices are in line with other restaurants in Como, the quality of the food should justify the cost. In this case, I did not feel that the dishes met the standard expected for the price charged.

While it’s true that we didn’t explicitly ask for the volume to be lowered, I believe it is the responsibility of the establishment to maintain an environment that is comfortable for all guests. Just because no other guests complained doesn’t mean the TV volume wasn’t disruptive or bothersome.

The fact that plates were returned empty does not necessarily mean the food was enjoyed. It’s common for diners to finish their meal out of courtesy or hunger, even if they do not find the dish particularly good. Moreover, my comment about the pizza being “terrible” refers to the quality, not whether or not I finished the dish.

The lack of complaints during the meal should not be taken as a sign of satisfaction. Often, diners may not feel comfortable raising issues in the moment, especially if they feel it won’t change their experience. It’s easier to provide feedback later when reflecting on the overall experience.

I hope this clarifies my perspective. I provide this feedback in the hope that it helps improve future experiences for...

We found this place through goggle maps while driving down from Switzerland looking for a place to eat for dinner. We saw that it was so highly rated and decided to give it a try and it definitely did not disappoint! We initially ordered a pasta and a t-bone steak. Before our food arrived, we were served freshly made bread with salami. We were first served our pasta and it was one of the best pastas we’ve had in italy. We had the tagliatelle with fresh tomatoes and cheese. The fresh tomatoes and cheese blended so well together as a sauce making it rich, creamy and slightly sweet. The tagliatelle was fresh and handmade and cooked to perfection which was slightly chewy and al dante. This pasta dish blew our minds and decided that one was not enough and we decided to order another ravioli on recommendation by the staff. The ravioli had a unique filling with ham and figs which we had never had before. it was extremely flavourful with the ham with a slightly sweet and nutty taste by the figs. Next, our T-bone steak arrived which took awhile but the chef explained that it was because he had to slow cook it first and then sear it before serving it on a hot sizzling plate. The meat was cooked to perfection and was so fresh and tender. It was about 700 grams and was perfect for two people. Throughout the night the chef had also served us breads and tomatoes to go with our meal. We ended off our meal with a tiramisu which was nothing less than expected. Although on the pricier side, the high and fresh quality of the food along with the service makes it with the money paid. I will definitely be returning here just to eat at this restaurant again. We had also skipped lunch prior making this meal definitely worth the wait! We got to know from the owners that this was a family run business and that they had just recently opened and was still a rather new establishment. I am rooting for this restaurant and hope to come back again. Thank you to the staff and chefs at La Tavernetta for making our meal delicious and...

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I know what you're struggling with. You Googled restaurants in Como and found a whole mess of 3.9 to 4.2 stars, and then this gem at 4.8. You enjoyed a beautiful walk around the lake, and then following Google Maps turned up the road towards the restaurant, and started to question your decision. The lake view disappeared, you walked through a short industrial area, and checked the map a half-dozen times. Can't be right, you thought; there's nothing here but closed businesses and cramped houses. Then finally you found the restaurant, and peered inside. It's tiny. Maybe seemed too hot (if it was the summer). Front of it almost could have been a convenience store. Maybe Marco was wandering around in there in a black t-shirt and sweatpants, looking like he might have just woken up from a nap. And now you've turned around having decided not to go inside, and are looking for somewhere else to eat. STOP. GO BACK INSIDE.

The reviews here don't lie: this is the best meal we've ever had in Italy (and we live in Geneva; we can go to eat in Italy whenever we like). The family that runs this is wonderful, and while Marco might look like a sleepy teen, he is not. Listen to his daily recommendations and for the love of Pete, follow them. The appetizers are simple and delicious (crudo trout = insanely good, and even the green side salad was incredible). The pasta we ordered was the best pasta I've ever eaten, and the polenta uncia was worth the experience. Drinks: amazing, service: amazing, food: amazing. Do not make the mistake we almost made and judge this incredible little book by its cover; go inside and enjoy the best meal you've had in a long time. You will...