Barlèsh Montevarchi — Restaurant in Montevarchi

The food was pretty good, certainly one of the best option in the all Valdarno area. Unfortunately the owner/chef is the rudest person I have ever witnessed in hospitality.

What happened is the following: one of my guests ordered a plate of pasta with wild garlic and truffle, which unfortunately had no salt whatsoever on it, making what would have been a marvellous and sapid dish into a the blandest carbohydrates I have ever tried. I pointed it out to the waitress, which was absolutely graceful throughout the evening, and she reported it to the kitchen. Unfortunately we were not approached again on the subject and my query was left ignored.

As I was paying at the end of the meal, I dared ask the waitress one more time why the dish lacked so much salt and that out of a very tasty meal that was the only off note, when from over my shoulder I see a salt grinder and the bearded and angry looking face of the owner telling me with his jaw clenched: ‘Would you like some more salt?!’ I was speechless and to this day I think back to it as the most disturbing episode I had in a restaurant.

A serious hospitality business is not run in such a thuggish manner, and given the wealth of experience of the owner, he should know better. Talking so poorly to one’s guests doesn’t justify for amazing food, which by the way it wasn’t: great for provincial Arezzo, but not even close to excellent. Let alone finding out how rude are the comments the restaurant writes to reviews of people that did not enjoy their experience there: complete lack of class and self awareness.

I would take this as constructive criticism, there’s lots of unrealised potential here, it would be a pity to spoil it with...

The surprisingly dining experience in a hidden town in Tuscany. The location is perfect where is very close to Florence by train which is about an hour. Is close to Arrezzo and many iconic tourist place. The restaurant is open by a Chef Francesco who has the travel around the world in Asia and New York. I like the environment of Barlesh that reflect a special character of the chef - his own playroom in his cooking world as well as all his Barlesh ( dialect of piedmont means toys) . He use all local produce to create his own dishes. You can try the best chicken that raise at nearby farm or the cinta ham . Chef and staffs were welcome all customers to share their dining experience. I would highly recommend people to go to Barlesh and discover what is the mind of...

I am a chef, restaurateur, tour operator from San Francisco, California. I have brought many groups to several locations in Italy for the last 22 years. I've also had the great fortune of being able to travel to Italy frequently and have eaten in some of the very best restaurants in Italy. I was really surprised and delighted when friends of mine from Montevarchi brought me to an unassuming restaurant there, Barlèsh, owned and operated by Francesco Berardinelli. In a few words, the food was absolutely stunning. It was a few months ago and still I recall every dish. What a talented and gifted chef with an exquisite palate! If you’re passing through Montevarchi (A1-Valdarno/Chianti Exit), do...