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Orvieto: I Sette Consoli

Piazza Sant' Angelo, 1A

Closing day: Wednesday, month of February

Reviewed by: KerNJ from NJ, review #2517

When: 2007

After reading stellar reviews on this site and others, we were very disappointed with the service and our experience at I Sette Consoli.

We went to I Sette Consoli after reading so many positive reviews on various listserves. There were 9 of us and we were seated in a beautiful outdoor garden in the back.

We were traveling with 4 children, and it became clear that one of the kids should not stay so he and his mother left before we ordered. The remaining 3 children were well behaved. The waiter was rude at every instance and it took away from the entire experience.

First, we had to repeatedly ask for bread and oil which is always welcome when you first sit down. He then brought out a dish we had not ordered and tried to convince me that I had ordered it. We were missing a pasta as well.

We did have two delicious pastas, a ravioli in a pesto sauce and a pasta with seafood. However, it was the end of the meal when he brought the check and insisted that we pay for the cover (€5 each!) for the two who had left before ordering. He charged the same price for the children who had pasta with olive oil as he did for the other first courses.

He was unbelievably unpleasant about the entire experience and was clearly unhappy that we had just ordered salads and pastas. I would never return there despite the quality of the food. It was our only sour experience in a week in Umbria.

Reviewed by: colleenk from MA, review #1488

When: 2005

Creative menu, fabulous food and service

This was our first meal out in Italy for our group of 8 and it was one of best meals of this trip. The setting is serene but cheerful and the friendliness and service of the staff was outstanding. The women in our group were particularly tickled by the stools provided for our handbags!

The meal started with complimentary Antinori sparkling wine and fried rice balls. The primo course varied from snails, lobster salad, fava beans and pasta with pureed ham (my delicious selection) and risotto. All were exclaimed over. We asked the English speaking waiter for his recommendation of a nice local vino rosso. He suggested a Lungarotti riserva 1997 Rubesco Vigna Monticchio which was excellent. Priced for 36E it was a terrific value. Secondo was a very tender and delicious veal chop with on a bed of risotto. Most of the group had this or a wonderful sea bass. Dolce were also mouth watering. I had a pleasing combination of 4 pecorino cheeses from Pienza with honey and pears. Others had chocolate tortes or a sinful custard with melted chocolate. Complimentary vin santo was offered to those who wanted some. That would be me.

The meal was moderate to expensive but no more than a good meal in Boston or NYC. The restaurant was not full on a late September Sunday night but had a good mix of tourists and locals. The chef, Anna Rita Simoncini, came out to bid us buona notte. I would not miss a meal here if I were visiting Orvieto!

Reviewed by: Dennis from PA, review #1215

When: 2005

Went there because of all the hype and wasn't disappointed!

Directions: Piazza Sant' Angelo

Lunch was a spectacular and memorable meal, we ooohed and aahed the whole way through. This is a very special restaurant with fabulous service. We also met the chef, Mauro Stopponi, and he was kind enough to give us a copy of the menu. Every dish was creative and delicious. €121 for lunch for 2 including a bottle of Sagrantino.

Reviewed by: dale from SC, review #620

When: 2003

Upscale, locally recommended ristorante with romantic courtyard dining.

Directions: Right on the main street.

My wife and I lunched here our first day in Orvieto because of recommendations from another website (the owner-chef is a woman). The interior is relatively modest, but upon entering the exterior dining areas (tent covered, gauzy fabric walled) one is completely smitten by the place. Service is absolutely perfect and the food and wine are extraordinary. I would return again with great pleasure. As I recall we got away for less than 100 euro for antipasti, secondi, wine and grappa.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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Orvieto: I Sette Consoli

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