Grotto Pergola — Restaurant in Circolo di Giornico

Really recommended staying here, the room was very basic with no television, but when you have the surrounding views you wouldn't want to watch television anyway!

The staff was very helpful on arrival, and kept checking if we was ok even though they couldn't speak any English it didnt seem to at first to make any difference and we as cant speak any other language, we didnt care as we haven't bothered to learn Italian or French etc. So have to right to have anything to say on that matter!

When it came to the evening meal, this is where the language barrier really affected us! As there isnt anywhere close by to eat other to drive and we had already had a long drive from italy, so we decided to eat ar the hotel restaurant 🙈 we had pancetta, which I didnt like as I dont like mushrooms and it was literally just a plate of mushrooms that was dripping in oil. Then the main came and it was abit of fish and rice, again dripping in oil. Then the bill came and too are horror, the meal, with no drink may I add cost more than the room for two people for the night!

We didnt get given any menu or prices and the host made out that it came as a set menu and that's all we had to choose from. Not thinking it would cost £97 for literally bread rice an fish we was horrified. After a long discussion, via Google translate they knocked £10 off the bill.

Other than the fact we was overly priced for our evening meal, which we should have checked the price off before eating. I would still highly recommend...

Just don't! Don't book, don't go! Even if you are desperate looking for a place in Giornico! The owner (see photo) is completely crazy and rude, the place is NOT worth the high rates charged, they don't provide you with a receipt for anything, they don't even ask for guests's documents, very shady! The "large room" that we stayed in was very basic, the owner refused to give us extra sheets for the sofa bed (my friend and I had to sleep in the same bed). Also, when asked for a hairdryer and a fan (it was really hot) she initially refused alleging someone had stolen the hairdryer that same day, and that there was no fan. After insisting, a hairdryer and a fan magically appeared! I called the local police and the fiscal department of the municipality when I was about to check out to report the owner for not declaring taxes, but they didn't care. They asked me to write an email to them despite the fact that I was there personally telling the story, and that the main problem was lack of evidence that she was hosting people without registering them. I work with tourism, and I had never seen a person treat guests like this lady....

A small detour from the highway, passing through the old quiet beautiful and remote town. You can park in front of the restaurant. A large terrace but also tables inside. There is a set menu, starting w a toast with goatcheese w figs, and risotto w cherish and ossabuco. Very nice! Price menu, mainly due to the wine was higher than the room price. We got the largest room that could fit 4-6 people. A large seperate bathroom where shower missed pressure. All super clean however a bit outdated although the room itself looked renovated/redecorated. Breakfast is no breakfast to Dutch- just slices of sweet bread w jam and some pre-packed cookies. And coffee/tea. No eggs/bread/etc. |The owner is very nice! Overall perfect location for a stop to Italy but ask the price of the...