Oltre. In Bologna

We went there last night for the set menu with wine pairing. We were initially greeted warmly, but then the service deteriorated significantly. The waiters only spoke the bare minimum, offering no explanations about the food or even a bit of information about the wine, as one would expect from a proper dining experience. Truly poor service! We were only told which dish was in front of us and the name and vintage of the wine. We couldn't understand half of that because they were speaking so quietly. At these prices, one expects more, and we've certainly experienced much better. The food was tasty, but everything was very salty, and the beef was tough and covered in fat and sinew. All in all, a disappointing evening for us. Anyone looking for a genuine dining experience where they actually learn something about the food and wine should look elsewhere. What a shame! How this restaurant can be considered a Michelin-starred establishment is beyond me. It's far from being a good restaurant in its own right.

There's no need to write a review for this place. Sophisticated and welcoming. Even though the itineraries are pre-established, we felt like they were tailor-made for us.

A unique place in the center of Bologna, with special dishes from starters to main courses, especially the desserts. Compliments to the chef, the staff, and the person who makes the desserts.

One of the best experiences in Bologna, if not the best. Excellent products, a modern setting, numerous awards, and a bite that's pure bliss: the Parmesan cheese biscuit with crackers and Modena balsamic vinegar. A must-visit in Bologna. A 10 out of 10 in almost every way!

Oltre Ristorante in Bologna is a restaurant that aims to reinterpret Emilian tradition with a touch of contemporary elegance. The ambiance is refined and minimalist, with a sophisticated design that creates a sophisticated atmosphere, though perhaps a little cold. The cuisine showcases a clear focus on ingredients and artistic presentation. However, while I appreciate the quality and originality of some of the combinations, the overall experience doesn't justify the high price: the portions are small, and the price-to-satisfaction ratio isn't entirely balanced. The wait staff is professional and knowledgeable, in keeping with the restaurant's tone. I should note that the bathrooms are located at the bottom of a flight of stairs, which may be inconvenient for some. It's a place for those seeking a thoughtful dining experience, but without worrying too much about the final bill.

Surprised to say the least, even though I'm from Bologna and live in the historic center, I wasn't aware of this wonderful restaurant. Quality ingredients, dishes on par with any Michelin-starred restaurant. Friendly and attentive staff. Highly recommended, priced in line with what's on offer.

A Michelin-starred find in the heart of Bologna. A modern restaurant with a sophisticated design. The seating is beautiful, and the service is meticulously detailed. The Oltre tasting menu is a huge hit. The cod cannoli and mezze maniche al Peposo are exquisite. Highly recommended!

Good food Inattentive service Too dark environment

It's a very quiet and elegant place, but it doesn't quite fit the concept of a tasting menu. The food, however good it might be, doesn't justify the price or the ambiance of the restaurant itself. The waiters aren't particularly friendly. I wouldn't recommend it because it wasn't what I expected, but the food is good and typical of the area.

It was almost ok. Ambiance, your visceral sense of space, lends a large part to a dining experience. Light, color, texture, sound, materials, spacing, windows, tableware, even use of fire and water are curated (if even by neglect) in each restaurant. Lighting is so very important. The harsh, bitter exposing glare of 3 star Piazza Duomo is almost as baffling as this new generation progressive Bolognese experiment, oltre, where the entire dining room has no lights on. Only when you are seated at a table do they turn on your one single tabletop LED. Not having still enough light to see the "punched paint chip selector" style menu and miniscule wine list, I turned on the light at the two top next to us, tables separated by about six inches. The hostest ran across the room, shaking her finger at me, and turned that light off. OK. Only one Barolo on this menu, and slightly pricier than the place, but we went for it... And the 2016 Meteri/Grasso Cascina del Monastero had very well developed and smoothly integrated Barolo notes: spice, leather, dry red fruit, black Sharpie, and that oaky hug. The food was certainly moving in a newer direction. Baccala cannolo with olive powder could have used a much thinner shell and more potato. Chicken liver mousse on brioche with persimmon was fine but with no outstanding notes. Passatelli (heavy pasta cylinders) with cheese, celeriac, and mussels actually worked quite well! Sangiovese peposo-braised capriolo (roe deer) on maccheroncini tasted like all the other wine braised country style meats that we've been having, but the fresh pasta was very good on this dish. Venison with black truffle and one single baby carrot was quite well cooked. Pre-dessert of almost frozen grapefruit snot was the first truly inedible thing we've run into this month! Strawberry-grape mousse and sorbet with grapes two ways on more brioche felt like an excuse looking for a dish... Unable to be seen in its little mustard bowl, that's ok, because it's a visually cool dish only. Oltre has been open a while, so you would think that they've hit their stride. I see potential here, but several misses of things not thought out, or perhaps too broad of a selection of food, and a dismal selection of wine.