Il Timone — Restaurant in Porto Venere

My husband and I were here celebrating our honeymoon—our last night in Italy. We were so excited for this meal to cap off a blissful trip (I do realize I sound spoiled). Unfortunately, this meal—and service—was a horrible experience. We were sat immediately and given ample time to review the menu as we needed one in English. Stuffed mussels came (at 8:12) and were delicious, but then we waited roughly an hour for our main courses. Every table (even those seated after us) were taken care of and even had dessert by the time our food came (which we had to ask for twice). After we were told it was ready and would be out in two minutes, it took an additional 18 (we timed). Eventually, when our food arrived (9:02), it was bland and as if it had been prepared simply to get food on the table. When spending $60+ on a meal, expectations are higher than standard street food, but I would lick hard candy off the pavement before I ate here again. After trying to get the attention of a server for several minutes to request a fresh meal or salt (literally anything) we decided to walk away (something we have never done before). That’s when we got more attention than we had gotten all night. Xoxo, “disrespectful Americans”. We’ll be back to Porto Venere, but will not be...

BEWARE: MICROSCOPE NEEDED (PORZIONI MINUSCOLE)

It's a shame when the nice music, atmosphere and friendly staff are ruined by a borderline ripoff experience because of the ridiculously tiny portions of the food.

Two of us thought they were splitting a portion of the Fritto Misto as the two plates were so small - they were wrong. They'd received two full portions.

I ordered the €18 "Gran cartoccio di pesce..." which wasn't grand at all. Would have been a great starter, but for a main course it was a joke. Had to order a pizza after it to feel full, and when you're ordering a pizza after a main course, that ain't good.

Pretty decent quality food and very nice atmosphere but just ridiculously small portions, shame. If all plates were about 3/4 times bigger, then I would be giving 4 stars.

Thing is though, when I go out to eat, I like to actually...

Very rude staff, quality of food is not worth the money you pay for it, be it sea food or vegaterian food, quality of food is not that good as against the price you pay for it. Many people might be going to this place because very few restaurants are in this sea side area of Porto Venere. We had ordered teo dishes Mix fried fish caught locally and threaded dish wrapped oven baked and one other dish Farinata with caremelized Red onions. I must tell you that fish cooked quality was not that great and infact other Farinata dish was worse than the one Farinata which we ate at La Pia Centenaria located at 12, Via Magenta, 19121 La spezia and the price here you pay is the three times the price of La Pia Centenaria. We also ordered two glass of white wine which was not that great too. I would suggest you try some other place...