Osteria Al Torcol — Restaurant in Sirmione

The worst service I have ever experienced in Italy. We ordered a spaghetti aglio olio and sea urchins and asked it to be made vegetarian, they obliged and everything went well, until we found a big insect inside our food. When we called the waiter and showed it to him, he took it away and told us the chef would “check” what it was. They came back and we were given the bill, they had removed the item, but when asked about it, they were in complete denial and told us that it’s insect season and it’s not their fault. Keep in mind that the insect did not fall when the food was at our table. It fell in before we were given the food and it was under the spaghetti and inside the oil. We discovered it after we had almost finished our food. We were disgusted and made it known. What aggravated us was the complete denial of the fact that it was their fault. They were saying that it’s “just” a mosquito and speaking to them about it was wrong. We were not loud, we were respectful and were speaking in a normal tone like the tone we take while ordering the food. But the waiter blamed us for speaking loudly and making a scene. Truly disgusted with the behaviour and the attitude of the waiter and staff. I am 100% sure that I will receive a reply from the restaurant somehow making it to be our fault. For a restaurant that boasts good food, I hope in the future they will focus on hiring better waiters than this, or educating the existing waiters about how to treat a customer who is complaining about an Insect in the food. Truly disgusted. And growing up in a place full of mosquitoes, I am 1000% sure it was NOT a damn MOSQUITO. It...

This place was truly exceptional! The charming garden setting created the perfect atmosphere for what turned out to be one of our favorite meals during our entire stay in Sirmione. The food was absolutely delicious - every dish showcased authentic Italian flavors that were both refined and comforting. As for the portions, they were perfectly sized in the true Italian tradition. I've noticed some reviews mentioning "small portions," but honestly, I think those perspectives come from travelers accustomed to the enormous servings typical in places like the US and UK.

Italian dining culture is built around savoring multiple courses, each offering different textures and flavors that complement one another. It's about quality over quantity, and the experience of progressing through antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolci.

Each course at AI Torcol was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. It was easily among the best culinary experiences we had in Sirmione! If you're visiting the area and want an authentic Italian meal in a lovely setting, I can't recommend this place enough!

Other details: If going during summer time, don't forget your personal battery operated fan (You will need it everywhere you eat in Italy, it is just too hot during the summer)

We were 2 ppl, shared a starter, shared a pasta, and had a main each, 2 glasses of wine each, 2 litters of water, 1 espresso and a grappa, our bill...

On entrance i was greeted by an obnoxious waiter that treated me and my wife with disrespect and poor service Automatically he had made his decission on our class. Immediately we felt out of place and put a unpleasent feeling on our mood to the point when we felt like leaving i asked politely for attention as he was with no one and cleaning a table to where he came and addressed us in a rude manner telling us to wait he is not a slave. Wow . As we had already ordered we felt compelled to stay .When the meal did arrived I ordered the Rib eye fillet Medium to well which turned up Mooing and just about walked of my plate. The I returned the Steak which turned up the same piece hacked up i had returned on a new plate recooked. For a 4.5 Star Restaurant this is the only place I have felt is below 2 Stars. Maybe because we are not locals it felt we were in the wrong space . The city is such a wonderful place and beautiful experience i will not let one man destroy our stay . Do yourself a favour Enoy one of the other many Restaurants in town . Not...