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"Excellent cuisine, very kind service"
Telefon: +41916464791
Adresse: Ala Caraa 8, 1204, Mendrisio, Switzerland
Stadt: Mendrisio
Webseite: http://www.osterialaguana.ch/
Montag: 10:00-23:00
Dienstag: 10:00-23:00
Donnerstag: 10:00-23:00
Freitag: 10:00-00:00
Samstag: 10:00-00:00
Sonntag: 10:00-23:00
Gerichte: 31
Ausstattung: 25
Kategorien: 5
Bewertungen: 633
I had visited this restaurant 2.5 years ago and was impressed with the simplicity about this place (but not the prices) (my review is on td) . This new experience left me with a poorer impression than what I remembered it. Now, this does not mean that this restaurant is bad or that it has been revolutionized over these years. However, there have been some changes that have moved me to remove one of the stars I had given it. But first lets start with the positives. I had already described the location but that is perhaps one of the greater assets: being located on the side of a poorly used road surrounded by woods, the restaurant is easily accessible by car and is in a really quite area. But if you're looking for a quiet and calm experience, do not be fooled. Inside the spaces are really small, with 4 tables in a really small side room with a really minimum distance between tables for the waitress to pass by. There were 4 occupied tables when we were there and these were all in this small room: I'm sure they had done this to reduce the walking distance of the waitress but as a result, the noise can get high. In our case, it was kept mostly on the lower tone because our neighbors had a lot of respect for each other, but I can imagine that it is not always like this. Soft music was playing in the background, which is totally ok, but some individuals might prefer to eat without. Chairs and tables are still made out of wood and the fireplace is still there (nice idea to give a traditional feel to the structure). On the angle of the room there are displayed several articles natives of the region (like grappa and wine) which add to the traditional experience such a place should offer (although in such a small sized room any cm counts, yes even in the one in an angle). Just like my last review, my opinion on the staff is very neutral. They were professional, gave us enough space to chat but that is it. Not that there was anything wrong with our waitress but you won't be leaving with the impression that the staff is the reason to visit this location. The place is simple and so is the serving, but guess what? The food is not! And here starts the list of negatives that the restaurant has to offer. As expected, the selection of choice is very limited (and this is not necessarily a bad aspect for a traditional restaurant such as this one), but the choice of servings is extremely atypical. I took the pork (30chf) which was served with fennel (uncooked, ya I know), licorice (did not taste it but apparently it was somewhere included) and a sauce made of apples and oranges. The deer was served with chicory which is also atypical and the gnocchi were combined with....guess? Rabbit! But this aspect was extended over just the selection as the quantity of the portions was, at least for myself when I make a comparison to other grotti in the area, extremely poor, almost along the line of nouvelle cuisine almost. True, one might admire them for having the courage to suggest something new and innovative. However, the traditional feel goes all the way down the drain as soon as the food arrives. It is like if a stereotypical doctor with terrible handwriting and artistic skills tried to replicate a Van Gogh. As mentioned at the outset, everything was simple here: from the location, to the decor, to the greeting from the staff to the choice of selection. This replicates a traditional eating experience here. The food was far from following these lines. The lion has been brought to the North Pole in this case. The next negative aspect is the price. Last time I had rated it a little pricey and this time the judgment is even worse as it became more pricey. Not because the prices increased because they didn't. But the portion decreased in comparison thus increasing the prices. Pork (30chf), deer (36chf), gnocchi (24chf) are prices that are reasonable for the region and for such a place. But the quantity served does not do justice in my opinion. Possibly the prices respect the nouvelle cuisine standards, I do not know. The deserts were more traditional (although still original) and also pricey (10chf each). We therefore opted to eat dessert some place else. If you are searching for nouvelle cuisine without having to travel to a city center this might be the place for you, admitted you have cash in your wallet. But beware, together with the modern selection there is also a stand of traditional articles on display. If you are searching for a traditional location to eat a traditional meal do not be fooled by the appearance and choose another restaurant, there are some in the area.
The location of the restaurant is on the main road on the way to Meride, in the Mendrisiotto region, Swityerland. Easy to reach by car with plenty of parking on the side. Bad if you are you using public transportation, it will be complicated to get there. The restaurant presents a very old internal décor, typical of the region, with tables and chairs made out of wood. The space internally is though limited, that is what you will surely notice. Thus, if you are searching for a place to have a romantic and quiet dinner, this is not the place for you, as having so many tables at such a close distance causes a lot of noise in the background. The menu is not very varied, but surely offers the main typical dishes of the region. However, I was a little so surprised as I noticed that I ordered an actual stick with polenta and meat on it, sort of a greek souvlaki but with polenta. I have never seen more unconventional Italian food in my life, or at least that way it was presented. Ok, maybe pineapple on pizza is worse. Food is average, and portions are abundant. Price however is high for what you order. But keep in mind that you are in CH and plus in a typical place so I was sort of expecting that. Staff is very friendly with a German lady who was serving us. Recommended depending on what you are looking for. Oh, one last downside: the location does not allow you to get the phone line, so in my case I could not have made any phone calls while being there.
Convenient, nearby parking, also for disabled people, with ramp and no steps. Very expensive wine list compared to restaurants in the area. Excellent welcome at the counter thanks to the locals. Amous-bouche not exciting. We ate review, good tartare, the onion powder was burnt onion powder, the Butter was not alpine. Pappardelle well cooked, but watered down and bland. Sliced well cooked, creamed potatoes like una gacada d 'un piviün . Dessert cramble=oreo, eggnog ok, gooey meringue. Very good and fresh tiramisu. Very expensive bill, not worth the quality. Fast and friendly service, appreciated the disposable wipes and hand cream for the ladies in the restroom.
