Valù Risotteria — Restaurant in Naples

Beware of tired staff!

Arrived as a family of four to have dinner - we were very grateful that the waiter, although rather gruff about it, found us a table along the alleyway from the Restaurant. We were given two menus, one for Valu and the other for a neighbouring restaurant, and ordered from both of them. As the waiter took our order he complained of being tired... there the bells of warning should have been heard.

My wife's food arrived within 10 minutes although they forgot to serve her wine. No bread was to be seen, my eldest daughter was without cutlery, and the remaining three of us waited and waited and waited. When, at the end of the meal (which is yet almost an hour away), I complained about such things it was deemed to be my fault for not raising the issues with the fatigued waiter despite his inability to make it past the family at the top of the alleyway.

My food, along with my daughters, arrived 25 minutes after my wife's. This was 15 minutes after the "it'll be 5 minutes" my glares of dissatisfaction garnered. In an effort to soak up the distinctly average wine I was working my way though during the boredom of waiting, I tried my wife's food. The generous description of the beef with orange and cinnamon would be that it was subtlety flavoured. The description I am willing to give after an hour of shoddy service is: it was bland.

I had Ragù alla Napoletana, after almost 45 minutes of waiting. It was not without merit in terms of flavour although lightly seasoned. However once one had identified the small bit of meat in the dish only about a third of it was edible, the rest gristle and bone. Although I understand such dishes use a 'seconda scelta' cut of meat (the exhausted waiter managed to find a second wind to condescendingly re-explain this to me with vigour), I do expect not to have to spit out most of the meat as gristle into a napkin. Complaints to the waiter were met with protests that he was only doing what his "Master" told him to.

So, Reader, what to the "Master's" reaction. The presumed owner of the restaurant would only accept complaints dealt with in a whisper - the first Neapolitan who wants to do business quietly! He discussed at length with the fatigued waiter in Italian the service, despite my pleads to go easy on such a wearied soul, but offered no apology to me or to make amends. I did not raise my voice or shout but any effort to get across how disappointed I had been was dismissed by a nonchalant plead to be quiet so not to be overheard. I crossed out the bits of the bill I did not feel I had received service for and paid what I thought was fair with no complaint from the apathetic owner.

After 6 days in Napoli this is by far the worst service I received and the second worst food. The McDonald's in Piazza Garibaldi served worse food; although their service was more polite, efficient, and, perhaps most...

The best risotto

N40°50.431' E14°14.870' In the Spanish Quarter, this restaurant is known for its wide choice of risotto. It offers seating in the street and inside. The theme of the interior style is famous women, such as Marilyn Monroe. The kitchen is separated from the restaurant by a glass wall and automatic door. No cooking vapours in the restaurant.

In April 2019, we visited Valù after the Opera. It is a short walk. Valù offered full menus, but so late in the evening we liked a small diner. No problem for Valù. We ordered Risotto Procida €12 and Risotto Reale €18 with two glasses white wine. The risotto rice in both dishes was "al dente" cooked and had great flavours. Immediately, we became risotto lovers and decided to master the art of risotto cooking.

We enjoyed our visit to Valù. They know how to serve the best risotto. Very...

I'll start with the food - gamberetti without taste, imposible to remove from the carapace. Other guests at my table both had risotto, which was, at least, edible. But we all agreed that all of us are able to do a better one without too much effort. The mushrooms were most probably prefrozen, not fresh. The waitress was really rude, has shown a lot of disdain after any question or request, it was clear that she doesn't give a prawn about our satisfaction. Also, she broke cork while opening our wine bottle, and while that can occur, she just poured it into my glass so I had to spit tiny pieces of cork. I am usually not the one to complain, but this was just a bad experience. Save yourself the disappointment and pick some other...