01/06/2026: I must make a very necessary preface: I've been frequenting the Agriturismo for many years, and never, I repeat, under the previous management, had there been a single reason not to return: never a single dropout, never a single rudeness from the staff, never a single doubt about the quality of the food. I was so certain of their exceptionally high standards that I even celebrated my wedding there last year.
In December, the legendary Mauro il Selvatico and his wonderful staff retired, and last Friday, new management took over. For the first time, today I find myself disagreeing with the name San Polo. The new management offers a slightly different set menu than the previous one: a house antipasto (a slice of bread crostini with ragù, a small ricotta-filled gnocco, and a tigella with cheese sauce); two first courses: tagliatelle with ragù and ricotta and spinach tortelli on a parmesan cream; Gnocco and tigelle with cured meats, cheeses, lard, and dip. Water, bitter coffee, and desserts included in the €42 price tag.
I would have skipped the appetizer; it didn't add anything to the dining experience, quite the opposite. In some ways, it was almost a preview of the menu (considering the ragù, gnocco, and tigella). The two first courses weren't bad, but I won't remember them as the best tagliatella or tortello in the area either. The tigelle were very similar to the already excellent ones we'd eaten before, but now they're only available in the whole-wheat version. Regarding the cured meats, folks, the quality needs to be reassessed. A place like this can't afford anything less than excellent. The lard wasn't brought to us because they forgot, nor the pieces of Parmesan—there were only pecorino (why? Why in a place that's typical of Modena for pecorino?) and a caciotta. The dip was forgotten, too. The desserts need reassessing.
But what I personally don't agree with on these occasions is the head waiter's arrogance. If I point out that I wasn't served everything listed on the menu, and I point it out to you so you can provide it, you can't just say, "Well, what can I say? We forgot, that's the way it is today."
I, however, paid full price, despite the "way it was" the day before.
Undoubtedly, the renovation and modernization of the premises have been a sign of renewal, which isn't always and necessarily a negative thing. However, in this case, I don't feel like expressing full approval for the service and the quality of the food.
3 stars, with the hope that things can improve.
22/01/2026: When you're hungry and arrive at this magical place where they prepare delicious gnocco, tortellini and cold cuts!
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