Simply the Best!

Posted by Csdemos from Miami, FL on 3/26/08

OK look. If you want one of the best meals in the world it's going to cost you... say... two car payments on your BMW... or two hours of New York lawyer time... or the price of an average suit. Deal with it. If you're not willing to pay, go eat at a trattoria and save your money. But if you love fine cuisine, Enoteca Pinchiori is, if not the best, one of the best restaurants in Europe. The mere presentation of desert is enough to elicit tears of joy. Also, ask for a tour of the wine cellar!

An outrageously good meal!

Posted by fooddigger1 from Los Angeles on 1/3/08

I just finished a meal at Enoteca Pinchiorri, and let me say that it was fantastic. I was a little worried after reading the other reviews here, but Michelin got it right -- 3 stars all the way. You'll never leave hungry if you order the tasting menu, plus it's a MUCH better deal than ordering a la carte. There are two tasting menus, the modern one is better in my opinion. Have an open mind, this isn't the place where you expect the tagliatelle with pomodoro and basil to be 10x better than the trattoria down the street -- it's modern, creative, delicious french/italian fusion. It's food as art and theater, which unfortunately is something Americans usually don't understand. If you like Alain Ducasse, then you'll love this place. Sure, it's expensive, but the same price as other 3-star restaurants in Paris. They haven't raised their prices in euros much in the past 5 years, but the dollar's value has decreased, so meals are consequently 50% more expensive. The wine is expensive, but a great deal if you love wine. And if you know French and Italian wines, you'll have no problem recognizing the names. The wine tastings are not by the glass -- it's all you can drink, 4-5 different bottles from 175 euros per person and up, which makes it a good deal considering what you can get and how much. Or just order a bottle -- we did. Our meal included white truffles from Alba, but not prepared in the normal way (plainly sliced over pasta). Instead, it was used as a flavoring enhancer for fondue, a pasta dish and even tiramisu! Definitely the highlight of our 4-hour meal.

not just ridiculously expensive, the food is bad

Posted by krmmahr from New York on 12/28/07

my husband and I were so appalled at the quality of the food, the choices available, and the prices that we ended up laughing through dinner. I have eaten in some of the best restaurants in the world - and this is not one of them, The service was fine, but c'mon, a menu for bottled water? As we were sitting there we watched other diners' reactions and they ranged from shocked bemusement to one young, american couple, maybe on their honeymoon, who when the wife finally saw the prices (women receive a no price menu) realized they had to leave. Her husband would have stuck it out, but she called the maitre'd over, said she had to leave because she didn't eat meat or fish, when she was told they could come up with soething she said she had to leave, and did, her husband following. It was very sad, but I wish I had her courage. We ended up paying $800.00 for a sub par meal.

DO NOT GO - subpar food at ridiculous prices!

Posted by carmensandiego from NYC, New York on 7/16/07

Just got back from a one month trip to Europe and this was the most expensive meal I had! Service: Maitre d' was rude and gave us attitude. The servers insisted that my father kept his jacket on the entire meal even though the room was hot. Decor: They sat us in a room upstairs with cheap decor (not like the pictures u see on their homepage) - cheap 80s disco lights hanging above our tables. Food: Each course was very small and about 100Euros each. The tasting menu is better value (around 250) but problem is the dishes weren't original or superb in quality. I live in NYC and am used to fine dining (per se, gordom ramsey) and Enoteca was far below my expectations. I would pay no more than $60 in NYC for what I got there. The only reason we stayed was because they had a 200euro per person cancellation/no show fee if we had left. Other people sitting around us had equally appalled expressions when they realized how expensive it was and what they were being served. BE WARNED!!!

Beware of mafiosi claiming your table

Posted by Robert from Monte Carlo, Monaco on 10/22/06

My experience at this establishment was very 'special' to say the least. When we (party of four) were to start our main courses, a duo of locals walked in, straight to our table, and remained standing there, gesturing and snapping fingers to the staff. Were were then asked (or told, really, but they were very apologetic about it) to move to a different table, as the 'local businessmen' were very good clients who demanded their regular table. Normally one would be seriously annoyed, but in this case it added an interesting touch of (stereo-typical) authenticity. I came to this restaurant by invitation - fortunately, because the prices are outrageous. Even for three-star restaurants this is pushing it too far, but Enoteca Pinchiorri, while serving great food, is not up there with the other three-star greats. One star, absolutely. Our bill was outrageous, even with a 'moderately priced' wine, at EUR 780 a head (USD 950), dinner is not something to recommend to just anyone. For this money you can have three exquisite meals in for example the great Sonnora (Germany) or Parkheuvel (Holland), and then you will have a true three-star meal. Enoteca is, unfortunately, missable.

shockingly high prices - wine pairing rip-off

Posted by Brian from SF on 10/5/06

We had a party of 8 at this restaurant and the tab per couple was Euro 1,077. The wine pairing at Euro 200 per person was a joke - not one recognizable fine wine served, alot of this is a great wine but you can't find it (table red, table white, etc.) Food courses kept coming but I wouldn't call it Italian cuisine at all. Not in as good as French Laundry, Charlie Trotter, Masa or Le Bernadine. You can pass on this restaurant.

Wouldn't go back if it was the last place to eat on earth!

Posted by Marcia from Oklahoma City, OK on 8/7/06

I thought the food was very submarginal...particularly for the price! There was only one course out of 8 that I thought was decent food. The service was OK if rather "stiff" and arrogant. As for value, there was none. The cheapest anyone can expect to get out of the place is about 250E/person which is absurd. They require a credit card with your reservation so they can charge it a minimum if you decide not to eat. Beware, appetizers start at 90E each.

best restaurant in the world!

Posted by Sophia from San Francisco, CA on 1/7/06

beautiful romantic setting high wait staff to diner ratio, about 1:1. someone different for your water, your bread, your server, your wine, etc. we challenged them by bringing a vegetarian at the last minute and required them to whip up a 9 course menu for her and she wasn't really a vegetarian but was vegetarian temporarily and she loved it! which means that if they can make a 9 course vegetarian meal taste great to a non-vegetarian, that's an accomplishment cheese tray is the most extensive I have seen, In fact it was 3 separate large trays which required 3 people to bring it in. each style (cow, goat, sheep) cheese paired with a different condiment e.g. chutney, honey, etc. you can't go wrong here. 100% non-smoking.