Le Monzu

I consider myself a foodie. I’ve eaten at Michelin one-, two-, and the occasional three-star restaurant, and I’m just as happy with a great cheeseburger and fries. So I came to Le Monzù with an open mind and high expectations. What I got was the worst meal of my life. The trouble started before the food did. We were handed three tasting menus to choose from. My fiancée wanted the vegetarian; I wanted something with more protein. After fifteen or twenty minutes of deliberation, the server informed us — somewhat curtly — that we both had to order the same menu. This wasn’t printed anywhere, and no one mentioned it when the menus arrived. We asked if going à la carte would let us differ. One waiter said yes; another came back and said no, then offered to “make an exception.” From the first course we felt like we’d already done something wrong. The amuse-bouche was genuinely good. After that, things unraveled fast. The next course arrived with a pair of tiny tongs and what I can only describe as a tasteless pasta jellyfish…a translucent sheet of something draped over vegetables like a ghost. No explanation, no instruction on how to eat it. The vegetables underneath were fine. The “cuddlefish” was force-down territory, but I cleared the plate out of respect. Then came the pesto pasta. Somehow flavorless, fishy, and rancid all at once— a real feat. The photos my fiancée took of my face when I tasted it were the highlight of the evening. I never send food back. I’ll smile and tell a waiter “it was great” when it absolutely wasn’t. But at €220 a head, I couldn’t pretend. I told the server I didn’t like it and asked them to take it away. I didn’t even want a replacement…at that point I just wanted the meal to end. The course after wasn’t terrible. Dessert was mediocre: a salty frozen tomato thing, followed by a soggy gelato cone that had clearly been pre-filled hours earlier. This is Italy. Come on. To cap it off, my fiancée got food poisoning that night. I didn’t ask for a discount and I didn’t ask for a refund. I paid the bill, walked back to our hotel, and tried to process what had just happened. Something has either slipped at Le Monzù or shifted since the star was awarded. In a country where you can stumble into a roadside trattoria and eat food the cook is genuinely proud of, this place left me with the opposite impression — that no one in the kitchen was particularly proud of what they sent out. That’s the real shame. Avoid.

We spent a beautiful evening in Le Monzù. A very elegant and intimate atmosphere. Director Eduardo speaks perfect German and made us interesting conversation about French wines. We ate the gourmet menu and the dishes were very tasty. Maybe dessert a little less. But everything was perfect. The impeccable waiter service, very professional and friendly. Like a starred restaurant must be. We hope to return soon. RH

A culinary experience of the highest level, curated with intelligence, sensitivity and authentic attention to the guest. From the reception you perceive a vision of refined and never formal hospitality, able to put you at ease with natural elegance. The reserved seat, the precision of the details, the rhythm of the service and the extraordinary quality of the dishes made the evening impeccable in every respect. Of particular value is the management of the menu in the presence of food intolerances: each variation has been proposed with competence and great attention, without ever making any renunciation perceived in the gastronomic experience. The cuisine stands out for the extreme quality of the raw material, balance and personality, while the location adds charm and charm to an already excellent context. A heartfelt thanks to Luigi and Stefania, for the professionalism and care in serving the dishes, to Maria, precise and brilliant in the beverage part and to Eduardo, restaurant manager capable of transmitting control, presence and authentic culture of hospitality.

In one of the most suggestive and panoramic views of our beautiful Italy (Punta Tragara overlooking the Faraglioni) and inside one of the most luxurious and beautiful hotels on Capri, it was a pleasant discovery to find the starred restaurant of Chef Pedana, whom I would describe as polite, smiling, helpful, elegant in manners and ingenious and sophisticated in his cuisine. He adapted his menu to my needs and allergies. Unique location both for the view and for the style of furniture. The reception is elegant and sober; the room staff (specifically Luigi and Luciana) competent, helpful and very prepared even in the extra explanations. Beautiful dishes, because even the eye wants its part and very very good, from the raw material of great quality to the skill with which it was treated and presented.... all translated into an explosion of flavors and emotions that I will remember for life. All delicious and unique dishes, but the two first courses are nothing short of sensational: the linguine with fennel pesto, mullet and bottarga a real dip in the sea, sharp flavors despite the different well-balanced ingredients in an amazing dish and the flavor persistent and savory at the right point, and the signature of the chef or the smoked caprese buttons, essence of shellfish and shrimp of Mazara.... elegant and refined dish that embodies perfection, balance and great competence! Brilliant pre-dessert: the memory of a tomato bruschetta.... very interesting and the dessert?..... my dear: lemon curd, creamy almond, vanilla and basil sorbet... I would have eaten more!!! congratulations to pastry chef Andrea Oriti. It was a real emotion growing from the entrance to the final greetings. Experience to repeat as soon as we return to Capri. Congratulations to Chef Pedana and his brigade❤️