Le Logge del Vignola — Restaurant in Unione dei Comuni Valdichiana Senese

We were recommended to go here by our friends at La Casella in Umbria and made it a priority when spending the day in Montepulciano. We enjoy the more rustic experiences when we travel and somehow this place seemed to keep raising the bar with every step of our experience there.

It was lunchtime . . .

When we arrived, we really hoped to dine outside, but even though their dining area on the most perfect corner in the city just across the tiny street from the restaurant was like a dream, there were only 3 tables and they were all taken. We almost left, but instead we asked a waitress (whose name was Virginia and who later waited on us in the most delightful and charming way) if it would be possible to get one of the tables outside. She said one of the parties was leaving shortly and they could seat us in their restaurant for an aperitivo as we waited. She walked us to a back room which can only be described as what I could have only imagined to be the warmest and most Tuscan-kitsch (in the most positive and authentic way) room in all of Montepulciano. Wines lining the walls. Busy little payment counter and bar. A wall of some famous people who had autographed pictures (but not too many). And we sat in a perfect, vintage love seat with a low cocktail table as they served us a local sparkling wine and two small Italian tapas dishes (which we had to ask for vegetarian versions of which they accommodated without hesitation).

Before we knew it, it was time to be seated outside, and if it wasn't this incredible outdoor corner in the shade I knew it was, we would've stayed in our little love seat for the whole meal.

The menu was super exciting and unique. We were expecting a bit more of a classic selection, but this place was most definitely offering more of a modern twist on all dishes and a presentation to match the class and complexity of the dishes. We were offered several wines to taste before ordering ours and the combination of the ambience, the presentation, the quality, the service, and the uniqueness and refined presentation of the foods made for the perfect outdoor dining experience. Every course, every drink, and every detail of the charming desserts were all divine.

Thank you, Le Logge del Vignola! And thank you, Virginia! We hope to come visit again next time we're in...

The restaurant excelled in its ambience and presentation. The decor was chic, and the atmosphere was elevated by creative gimmicks that added a touch of intrigue. Each dish arrived looking like a work of art, which initially raised my hopes for an exceptional dining experience.

Unfortunately, the food itself did not live up to the visual appeal. I started with the pici, a dish I’ve enjoyed countless times at other restaurants. Here, however, it was extremely dry—almost as parched as a desert. The black garlic sauce and breadcrumbs only compounded the issue, creating a dish that was heavy and unbalanced rather than flavorful and satisfying. For the first time ever with pici, I struggled to finish even one serving.

The veal cheek followed, but it was disappointingly tough. The sauce—a combination of chocolate and meat gravy—was barely detectable and failed to complement the meat in any meaningful way. Lastly, the pigeon tasted completely ordinary, lacking any standout qualities or innovative flavors that one might expect from a Michelin-starred menu.

While the ambience and presentation were undeniably impressive, the food fell far short of expectations. A Michelin star sets a high bar for both creativity and execution, but this experience left me feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. It’s hard to justify a return visit when the dishes failed to deliver on both flavor and texture.

My experience was further marred by what I perceived as a lack of professionalism from the service staff.The service seemed unaccommodating, and there was an unsettling atmosphere that suggested a lack of respect for feedback. This added to my overall dissatisfaction with the dining experience. While I hoped for a more engaging and supportive interaction, the staff's demeanor felt off-putting and, at times, even racially insensitive.

In a fine dining setting, one expects not only exceptional food but also attentive and respectful service. Unfortunately, this visit failed to deliver on both fronts, making it unlikely that I would return or recommend the...

I had a disappointing experience at Le Leggo del Vingnola due to a booking misunderstanding and the unprofessional attitude of the lady front desk staff and waitress. I had made a reservation and canceled it well within the 24-hour policy, but a second booking appeared in the system under my name, with only one confirmation reaching my inbox. This caused confusion upon arrival.

I fully understand that the restaurant has held a table, and I would have been amenable to a resolution had the matter been addressed with courtesy and clarity. Unfortunately, when I tried to clarify the situation, Virginia, the lady at the front desk and waitress were aggressively dismissive, cutting me off within seconds and asking me to step aside as they needed to work. This attitude felt disrespectful and left me with no opportunity to explain. All guests deserve to be treated with courtesy, especially in challenging situations, but I felt neither respect nor understanding was extended to me.

This experience fell short of the service standards expected from a Michelin-recognized establishment. I am not seeking a refund for the €100, but I urge the restaurant’s management to review how they handle difficult situations to ensure future guests are treated with respect and grace. I hope this feedback is taken constructively to improve staff training and guest interactions.

P.S. The response below clearly shows the owner’s reluctance to acknowledge the misunderstanding regarding the booking. Attached is proof of a cancellation made two days prior to the booking. The owner’s rude comment certainly does not meet Michelin standards and demonstrates how guests are treated. A professional, high-caliber restaurant should have well-trained staff capable of handling difficulties and misunderstandings with grace and professionalism.

Food for thought: Would a distinguished five-star hotel, such as Rosewood or Four Seasons, ever accuse a guest publicly compounding with an error of misspelling their guest’s...