Langosteria

We were a party of two, with a reservation made in advance — everything went smoothly on arrival. An iconic place that’s well worth a visit, especially if you love seafood. The food was exactly what I expected: very fresh seafood, pasta cooked perfectly al dente. We also received an amuse-bouche from the chef — a clam in tomato water, served with bread — and a small farewell dessert, both complimentary. Lovely touches. The staff were very kind and attentive, perhaps too attentive: they came by very often to check the table and our plates, and my wine glass kept being topped up before I’d finished it, with pours more generous than you’d expect at a place of this level. It ended up feeling stressful — I couldn’t enjoy the meal at my own pace. A little less hovering would completely transform the experience. One note on the wine: I asked for help choosing from an impressive wine list, mentioning a budget of around €60, and the waiter recommended an off-menu bottle, a Poggio al Lupo Vermentino at €70. The wine was fine, but rereading the list afterwards, I noticed that at exactly the same price there was Michele Satta Costa di Giulia — a far more renowned Bolgheri producer, and precisely the aromatic profile I had described. For a restaurant of this caliber, I would have expected a recommendation from the list, ideally from a sommelier, rather than a bottle “about to be added to the menu.” Overall: I’d happily return for the food and atmosphere — just hoping for slightly more relaxed service.