24/11/2025: Review – “Da Erminio” Restaurant, Mombaruzzo (AT)
Preface: Reviewing a place where you weren't entirely comfortable is not easy, especially in the restaurant industry, where a significant part of the experience depends on personal taste. It's important to remember that behind every business are dedicated people and families, and that unlucky days or small mistakes can happen to anyone: only those who don't work don't make mistakes. That said, our experience at Da Erminio didn't start off well. Upon arrival, the bar was quite crowded; a waiter asked us what we wanted, and we said we had a reservation for two at noon. He asked us to wait a minute. After a quick visit to the bathroom, we sat down at a table at the bar, but from that point on, no one paid any attention to our presence. Meanwhile, a few more customers entered and were immediately escorted, one after another, to the dining room upstairs, while we remained seated without any instructions, with the waiters unavailable. When one of them reappeared, I tried to get his attention, but to no avail. We then decided to move independently to the dining room; only then were we asked what we wanted and were finally seated. Service began without any explanation or introduction, with traditional Piedmontese appetizers: raw meat, tomino al verde, veal with tuna sauce, and peppers in bagna cauda, presented in rather small portions. The first courses, consisting of cold lasagna pre-portioned on a tray—which gave the impression of having been prepared well in advance—and tagliolini with mushrooms, unfortunately proved unappetizing. While serving the tagliolini, part of the dish spilled onto the napkin, which was stained and the waiter did not replace it. The second courses included a small slice of roast beef and a guinea fowl wing, accompanied by artichokes, Nice cardoon, and caramelized onions. Again, the overall quality was rather modest. As for desserts, the millefeuille and meringue seemed like pre-portioned, industrial products, presented in a way that wasn't particularly appetizing. The coffee didn't stand out either; the chocolate served separately, however, was the only pleasant touch at the end. We drank a bottle of Mombaruzzo red wine and sparkling water, for a total of €45 per person. Considering the overall experience, we believe that higher-quality options are available in the same price range.
09/11/2025: Authentic, home-cooked food; friendly, welcoming staff.
Quick service.
Truly excellent mixed fried fish.
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