Il flauto di pan

We were encouraged to try this place while we were in the Amalfi coast. As it was my birthday I figured we should splurge and give it a go. First the good. The grounds at Villa Cimbrone are stunning. We greatly enjoyed the walk around the area and having a cocktail at the far end near the overlook to the sea. Beautiful as we watched the sun begin to set. Then we made our way to the restaurant. We were early for our reservation so they sat us in the garden bar area. Again beautiful and had a round of wonderful drinks. It was a full seating so we were placed inside but with a view to the outside. The setting was beautiful and the servers were top notch. As others have said, it’s a semi prix fixe menu, with recommended wine pairings. My wife and daughters are fish/vegetarians so they went with the “sea” oriented options. I had a more traditional land-focused option with pasta and meats. Upon the first course arriving, and initial tastes, we knew we could be in for a long night. The seafood appetizers were devoid of any seasoning or flavor, and frankly the shrimp app and the pea-squid app were both borderline inedible. They tasted terribly fishy and unsafe to eat. The server noticed and smartly offered to provide an alternative for the pea dish. The replacement was actually extremely good but our guards were up already. For entrees, the sea bass also had a terrible fishy flavor unbecoming a “fresh” fish dish. Our daughters got the risotto dish and these were ok. My pasta and meat dishes were fine but certainly not exceptional in any way. We expected small portions and delicate flavors for a kings ransom price. We did not expect to have such poorly flavored and virtually inedible dishes. Michelin-starred? Maybe at one point but not for our evening. If you have the money and want an experience feel free to give it a go. But I’d sooner spend my money on any of the many good restaurants all along the coast for far less.

This place was so stunning it was ethereal. You reach the restaurant through the beautiful gardens of Ravello, which is a lovely walk. We had our meal on the patio, overlooking the mountains and the mist, which was worth the meal alone. The food is fine dining, well prepared and delicate with creative takes on classic italian dishes and stunning wine. I loved the food, the beautiful views and the really unique location. If you have the budget and the time, I'd recommend making a visit.

The setting of this restaurant is really magical- at the top of Ravello, it requires at least a 15 minute walk from the closest parking lot, which is part of the experience as the town itself is gorgeous and the villa that houses the restaurant is outstandingly beautiful. Food was fabulous, service impeccable, and the price was very reasonable. One of the few Amalfi Coast restaurants that I wouldn't hesitate to return to.

Outstanding food along with an impeccable service. Everything was simply perfect. Exactly as you would aspect from a Michelin star restaurant. Just worth mentioning that the restaurant is not located on Terrace of infinity which is part of Villa Cimbrone and can only be visited during the day purchasing a dedicated ticket. The stroll from parking “piazza duomo” to the restaurant could result being more challenging than expected if not wearing comfortable shoes.

I had a very enjoyable dinner at this stunning location last night with a few exceptions; the pour for a glass of wine was so small, I chose to have only one, there should be an offering of 375ml bottles. My appetizer, ‘liatina,’ a local traditional dish, of pork terrine, vegetables, bay leaf jelly, pine nuts and raisins was exceptional. I thought there were too many varieties of bread served, six in total, and I was anticipating a wonderful entree, but the free range chicken, with carrots, arugula, spring onions, was tough, difficult to cut and very over salted. Each of the amuse-bouche were excellent, as were the complimentary desserts.

The location and views are great. The food is pretentious. Almost no flavor (except for the gnocchi). It’s the tiny portions that Michelin restaurants sometimes seem to offer. After three courses and €300+ (with only 2 glasses of the less expensive wine), you walk away hungry (as a 145 lb man with a 105 lb partner). Don’t bother going here