13/06/2026: In all my years of trying restaurants, only once have I left a dish. The scallop tagliolini with slightly spicy yellow tomatoes was, in my opinion, unpresentable (an opinion shared with my partner): bland, watery, uncombed, no spiciness whatsoever, a truly unsuccessful dish; only the cooking was just right. It's a shame because the other dishes we ordered were good, including the tuna, which was quite plentiful.
The price was fair for the amount of food (excluding the tagliolini, of course). Service could be improved, especially the payment process, which was handled hastily and without anyone questioning why a dish had been completely left behind. The staff were friendly and helpful.
The atmosphere was to our liking: minimal, modern, clean, and tidy.
12/06/2026: Renovated in a modern style, but high prices and lacking the Valsassina soul
La Bussola da 8 in Ballabio is now under new management. Upon entering, you immediately notice that the restaurant has been recently renovated, but in my opinion, it has lost some of its original soul: being in Ballabio, in the heart of Valsassina, the industrial-style decor is perhaps a bit cold and out of place. Furthermore, the tables are set quite close together.
Here are the details of our Sunday evening:
* **The menu and prices:** We looked at the food, but the prices for the first and second courses seemed decidedly high. We therefore settled on the **pizzas**: quality was average, a good pizza, neither good nor bad.
* **The service:** Very fast and efficient, also thanks to the fact that the restaurant was only 50% full for a Sunday.
* **Plus:** The welcome is especially noteworthy, as the place is dog-friendly. Furthermore, in the warmer months, you can eat on the outdoor terrace, which is definitely a great added value.
Overall, a renovated and clean place, but perhaps it could rediscover a touch of the local warmth and revise its restaurant prices.
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