L'Aromatario - Osteria e Affittacamere — Restaurant in Neive

On the advice of a knowledgeable person we decided to book a table at L'Aromatario. The first member of staff was very unfriendly, probably because it was his first day at work and he didn't understand English very well. Due to his very young age (I estimate him to be around 18-20 years old) I suspect he is very inexperienced and I blame the owner for not having trained the staff.

The second servant also understood poor English, after which the owner took over at our request. At first she was friendly but that changed when we pointed out the behavior of her staff. For example, the sommelier was closely acquainted with guests at another table - and he decide to keep on entertaining them for up to 10-15 minutes while paying no further attention to other tables.

The wine that the owner served with the starter was fine. In the second course, the wine only came after we had finished the dish. The main course was a regional dish called Brasato al Barbaresco. We had eaten that main course at 6 other restaurants and there it was fine at all. Not at L'Aromatario.

At L'Aromatario the Brasato was of very poor quality. The meat was undercooked and we had great difficulty cutting or chewing it. The owner showed no interest in us and the youngest member of staff was instructed to remove the plates. After I asked for the owner, she approached somewhat annoyed and asked if the food had tasted. When we both answered no, she indicated that it was impossible because the meat had been cooked for 8 hours. We both responded that at least another 8 hours should be added.

In short, a big deception and really not recommended. We were most disappointed that she didn't make any offer to accommodate us. That is why we made a counter-proposal ourselves for a - in retrospect still far too high - price. We experience it as very unprofessional that the owner speaks negatively and very loud about us in Italian after we paid. She probably didn't realize we understood...

We stayed at L’Armoatorio and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. The rooms are full of charm and comfort, and the warm, welcoming team make you feel instantly at home. Breakfast was a real treat – authentic, generous, made with local ingredients, and featuring the best hazelnut chocolate spread we’ve ever tasted.

We also enjoyed dinner here with a tasting menu that was absolutely outstanding. Highlights included a beautifully prepared vitello tonnato, delicate handmade pasta, melt-in-the-mouth slow-cooked meat, and a seasonal dessert that showcased Piedmont’s famous hazelnuts perfectly. Every dish was crafted with care and full of local flavor.

Beyond the table, the local area is simply gorgeous – peaceful, full of character, and the perfect backdrop for such a memorable stay. A true gem we’ll happily return to...

We were advised to book this B&B because of the restaurant and found it to be just as wonderful! We were a family of three with an 8 month old staying 2 nights. Rita, who took care of us, was so lovely and tended to our every need. She mostly spoke Italian, but we had no problems communicating. The room was large, fresh and clean with the only downside being that there was no air-conditioning and it was July! We got a cot and a chair for the baby, with entertainment in the garden by several tortoises roaming the grounds. The breakfast was lovely with anything you could ask for in Italy, with local sausage and cheese. Would highly recommend going to stay with the lovely hostess Rita with family or just on a romantic getaway, and dining in the restaurant downstairs in...