The dishes at this restaurant are always a guarantee. Succulent meats from around the world, delicious first courses, and appetizers. The service occasionally stumbles, which is forgivable, but if they weren't there, it would be a top-notch restaurant. Prices are moderately high, in line with the quality of the raw materials and the dishes offered.
Stefano Butti
.
11 Ottobre 2025
8,0
A pearl out of the sea.
The restaurant is located on a side road in a small town near the Swiss border; the average price is around €35.
Parking is its downside, as there's no parking, but you can find one about 500 meters away.
The restaurant has a main dining room inside and a second dining room, also in a more or less ethnic style. From the outside, it doesn't look like a large place, and frankly, it's not even very inviting.
Perhaps because of the inconspicuous sign, but as I wrote, "it's a pearl out of the sea."
It has a distinctive character, a mix of styles including Arte Povera furniture, African paintings, and objects from other countries, making this place truly unique—I'd almost call it homey and welcoming.
The clientele is fairly homogeneous, especially those seeking good food, tranquility, and sophistication.
The owner welcomes you, a very humble and friendly person, yet professional at the same time, trying to make you feel at ease, describing the dishes with great passion.
My comment was about his attire, as he was wearing a chef's jacket, which I thought was inappropriate, as the customer doesn't understand who they're dealing with.
The staff is very helpful despite not being fully trained, but they do have a surprising trump card...their smile!
The menu is well-structured, with a decent variety of dishes, focusing primarily on meat, unfortunately to the detriment of other options.
The prices for individual dishes are fair, but obviously not cheap, given the refinement of the products offered and, above all, the quality offered.
The cuisine is decent despite the size of the kitchen, where miracles truly happen. The ingredients are of decent quality, the dishes are well-served and beautifully plated, and the focus is on the product
without frills.
The presentation is neat, pleasant, and quite meticulous. The temperature of the dishes and food is respected. The only complaint is the lack of properly heated plates to keep the meats warm.
What I appreciated most was the atmosphere, as it exudes a very homey and welcoming atmosphere.
We obviously ordered the most unusual dishes, a mix of exotic meats ranging from crocodile to zebra, from kangaroo to bison, all served with a Himalayan salt plate where customers
can sear or reheat the cuts of meat. The only flaw is that the side dishes are not given any special attention. Some vegetables are served lightly grilled but bland, and given the price
of the dish, in my opinion this is a point not to be underestimated.
The real leap in quality comes with the arrival of the desserts, which are amazing, homemade, and nothing short of perfect. And that's where my criticism begins... If a Neapolitan restaurateur takes such great care
into his homemade dessert, how can he get lost in the details of his signature dishes?
The restaurant has a "decent" wine cellar to choose from, with excellent labels to suit all tastes.
The service is "warm," attentive, and courteous, while the wait times, despite the crowds, are average, almost below average.
The restaurant is generally very clean.
My rating is 4/5 because there are some things that could be improved in the side dishes already described, and there's a complete lack of alternative ethnic options for the first courses and fish.
However, the strong points of this place are: the owner, who is very passionate and an excellent host, the ethnic meat selection is truly interesting, as there are no other restaurants of this type in the area, the wine cellar, and especially the desserts.
Obviously, in my humble opinion, this is definitely a place not to be missed.
My advice is to focus especially on the small details, which I'm sure will elevate this place to excellence.
Please remember that every review is intended to improve, not merely criticize.
Chef David H. Bucher
Ki Kitchen Inspires
David Bucher
.
09 Ottobre 2025
8,0