Osteria degli Svitati — Restaurant in Siena

Firstly, I don't usually give such detailed negative reviews unless a place is really not worth the time, experience, and money, which is the case here.

I know that it's owner-operated and they probably don't care about my review or that this review will affect their business at all, as they rely on tourists. There will always be people like us who find them on Google and decide to stop by.

Let me share my experience here.

We found this restaurant on Google Maps with a 4.7-star rating, which was above the overall ratings in the area. Considering it's a tourist area, 4.7 is pretty solid. So, we decided to have lunch here by walking in.

We arrived at 12:35, asking for a table for two. We were greeted by a lady with glasses at the coffee station who explained that they do two sittings. She asked if we wanted to sit in the first or second sitting. We wanted a quick lunch because we had plans and wanted to eat immediately, so we agreed to the first sitting. There were two big tables available at the time and one bar stool in front of the restaurant.

The lady said if we wanted to sit at the big table inside, there might be another couple sitting with us as it was a table for four, so we chose the bar stool outside. She also tell us the policy fjat you must order a minimum of two courses per person, so we would have to order four dishes to be able to eat there. We agreed because we didn't have time to look for another place.

We were seated and offered menus and a card written in Italian and English, stating the same thing the lady explained earlier. I posted a picture here. We ordered food not long after being seated: two antipasti—one with anchovy and potatoes and a mixed salumi board to share—and two plates of pasta.

Ten minutes passed and we received a basket of bread without olive oil and balsamic, but that was okay. They also dropped off the crostini (one small sauce bowl—that’s the amount they gave). Another ten minutes passed, and one of the waitresses came and said there would be a wait for the antipasti. She asked if we wanted to wait or if they could send the pasta now and serve the antipasti later when it was ready. We agreed to take the pasta now because we had to leave by 1:30 as our parking ticket time was ending.

Another ten minutes passed and they served our pasta as pictured. Filled pasta was served with sauce just chucked on top. The other pasta was completely overcooked. However, we didn’t want to say anything and tried to eat it. We almost finished the pasta dish and still didn’t receive our antipasti. It was now 1:10 pm. To slice the cured meat and put anchovies from the can on the plate, they managed to take more than 40 minutes.

At 1:15 pm, our anchovy dish arrived, full of oil and with cold potatoes. I was very upset and asked my partner to cancel the other dish as it was still not ready and we had to leave. But then it finally arrived—our mixed salumi dish. All the meat was old and dry like paper, as well as the toast on there. You can see it in the picture.

How ridiculous is it that they took 45 minutes to make dishes that require only plating?! We had to rush in 5 minutes to eat these as we had to run to the car park before we got fined. My partner went to pay and the owner offered us free coffee because he overheard my partner say to another tourist looking at the menu that it’s not worth it and to go somewhere else. (Yes! We we were at the front and told others that don’t come in that’s how we do not recommended that is)

Horrible...

Not recommended, unpresentable, incompetent and rude staff, they do not inform that you have to reserve on arrival, so having indicated to the waitress that we wanted a table and spending more than 30 minutes on the street, they sneak in a group of tourists alleging that They had a reservation and that we had not made it, when at no time did the waitress who attended us inform us. I wouldn't go back because even the owner was cool and arrogant...we didn't even stay for a joke. ......there are too many restaurants in Siena to waste time eating at this one.

RESPONSE TO THE OWNER: Thanks for the reply almost a month later, a bit slow isn't it? (perhaps like the organization in your local)..........I guess it's the hospitality that you boast so much about.

I want to tell you that it is a pity that your answer is based on a lie, because we talked to one of your employees to ask for a table, the girl told us to wait about 20 minutes in the street and that we would be the next after a couple who were in front of us that they had NO reservation like us and that were attended to their, I repeat... WITHOUT HAVING A RESERVATION RECORDED OR TELEPHONE IN YOUR FAMOUS NOTEBOOK. We wait about 30 minutes on the street according to the instructions of YOUR EMPLOYEE.

It is not a misunderstanding as you tell us or you make believe whoever reads the comment.

I think that both in Spain and in Italy the word is the word, and if it was really full it would have been foolish to wait in the street.

I believe that there is no need to disrespect potential clients, I suppose that the lack of humility and education makes them say barbarities, but I reiterate my advice... THERE ARE MUCH BETTER RESTAURANTS AND WITH BETTER TREATMENT IN SIENA AND WE HAVE CHECKED IT! !

Greetings and I'm sure I don't drink the infusion in your restaurant, not even as a joke!!! Non ti...

We visited this beautiful place, Sunday afternoon late January, without any reservation. At first, we were about to leave since there was no available table. Thankfully, we asked if it is possible to sit in the small table outside. The weather was sweet and we really felt the real “Toscane” atmosphere. The owner welcomed us and he even went outside to assist us with our orders, later on he even came out to ask us if we were cold and offered us blankets. The signora in the reception also came many times outside to ask us if we wanted something else. Overall, the service was excellent, very kind with a smile to assist.

Concerning the food, this is a unique place. Amazing pasta, food and dessert, nothing typical, everything was exquisite. We have tasted the “picci all’Aglione Vero” and the “tortelli” filled with fresh riccota and spinach accompanied with pesto sauce as well as the “Papardelle Del Pastore”! We couldn’t get enough! You must also try the soup “Pappa al Pomodoro” and for the meat lovers the “Filettino Di Arista” accompanied with boiled potatoes and salad (as extra). Lastly, we tasted Tiramisu which was very fresh and light; you could understand it was homemade!

We totally suggest this place if you want to taste unique Tuscan food away from touristic spots. Grazie mille!!!

**Just a small hint; the reason we went to that Osteria was that in the afternoon when we were strolling, we saw the owner outside eating with a friend and discussing for food. When we returned he was there preparing dinner in the kitchen. He is very passionate with food and...