Birrificio Turbacci In Mentana

30/07/2024: A fun place with family, filled with sincerity and a variety of wines and food. It was good

10/07/2024: I was on the fence when deciding to make reservations here but decided that I wanted to take the wife and kids (12 & 16) out to a fine dining experience while in Rome. First, I was never told that you need to ring the bell to get in the door. We waited (with another cover) for almost 10 minutes before they opened the door to see if anyone was waiting. The restaurant is small and has a beige feel/tone to it. Tables are lit from above and highlight a floating grapevine stalk that holds potato chips/crisp snack. This was a clever and tasty touch. My wife doesn't drink so I could only order by the glass. There were some interesting selections. The servering team was quite reserved and sterile. I know this is a high end place but after all the lively hospitality that we had been experiencing across Italy, this interaction was disappointing. Nothing was bad, it just had zero personality or warmth. Rather than being warm and personable (showcasing the wonderful Italian hospitality we discovered everywhere), it was professional, clerical and formal. This was my biggest issue with Il Covivio. I will add that the somm made my kids some cocktail drinks. He did this table side and put in a great mixing show for them. They loved it and it was the most (only) personable moment of the night. There was an English fellow who did add in a bit of personality for us. No one was rude nor did anyone do anything wrong. It was just soul that was missing. The food was good. Unfortunately, nothing stood out to me as spectacular as I expected for the 500€ bill. There were some starting and ending amuse bouche that just did not work and it felt like the chef was trying to stretch the limits too far Platings were beautiful and artistic. Unfortunately, the meal was just not up to par with the high price and that, along with the blandness of the service will keep me from returning.