14/08/2026: My experience at Il Balestruccio has been quite mixed. On my first visit, I ordered spaghetti alle vongole, accompanied by a Gewürztraminer Elena Walch Alto Adige DOC 2025, and finished with a red berry pavlova. The food was very good, and the service was excellent. At the time, I would have undoubtedly given it five stars, and it was precisely this experience that encouraged me to return.
I came back another day in the afternoon, as I had been told that the pizzeria opened then, and I wanted to try it and evaluate that part of their offering as well. This time, I simply ordered a pizza and a Coca-Cola Zero, without appetizers or wine, and surprisingly, the experience was completely different. The service dropped considerably, and I had the distinct feeling that the level of service varied depending on the table's order.
And therein lies my greatest disappointment. A restaurant doesn't earn customer loyalty solely through the quality of its food, but through the consistency of the overall experience. A customer who returns because they were satisfied the first time should feel equally well taken care of whether they order a full meal with wine and dessert or simply want to enjoy a pizza and a soft drink that day.
I travel frequently, and gastronomy plays a significant role in my trips. I've learned that the places that truly leave a lasting impression are those that maintain their high standards regardless of the bill.
Il Balestruccio has excellent ingredients, a pleasant setting, and enormous potential. My first experience proved it. That's precisely why it's all the more regrettable that a second visit can so drastically alter my perception of a place that, for me, had been a five-star experience. A real shame.
09/08/2026: This isn't our first time at this restaurant. The atmosphere is lovely, the staff friendly. There's a wide selection of fish and meat dishes, plus pizza. The fish was excellent, to our taste—fried fish, anchovies, octopus, cod balls, and lobster tonnarelli. This is a great pizza restaurant for both food and atmosphere. Highly recommended.
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