Chris Tunn
Google
We got so excited to visit Bentoteca after some recommendations online, but only to leave really disappointed.
I don’t want this review to take away from the good dishes we did have, as well as the service which was brilliant.
The wine offering was wonderful, with multiple choices given and a full in depth description of each bottle expertly given by the wait staff. The wine was complex as stated and one of the best bottles I’ve had in Milan.
We ordered 4 shared starters between us and a main each as recommended.
We started with a Tuna Tartare which wasn’t to my wife’s taste but I enjoyed it. She isn’t a big sushi fan so this wasn’t taken in to consideration when reviewing, it is what it is, we try things.
The second course arrived which was a chicken Karaage. This was again, very good! Third course was a Wagyu Sando which was easily the best part of the meal.
The other starter we ordered was the mushrooms. For reference we absolutely adore mushrooms in every form. If there’s a mushroom dish on the menu there might be 2 orders of it going in. Big mushroom people.
The mushrooms didn’t remotely meet the criteria that this restaurant is supposed to set out. They were chewy, lacked flavour and generally had an unwelcoming texture. I’d argue they were a little chunky for the dish? I hope that makes sense.
This takes us to the main. I ordered the Wagyu with Monfish liver. It was solid enough but not outstanding. Lacked something but not remotely enough to complain about. I did enjoy it to a degree. 40 euros for a small main like this stung but look, it wasn’t bad it is what it is.
Then that leads me to my wife’s tuna steak.
I’m not one to complain. If I am I’ll likely leave 5 stars and say ‘this is what I’d prefer’ or ‘this is what I’d hope would be better’ and appreciate things could be worked on.
This was one of the worst Tuna steaks I’ve ever tasted. The quality was so poor and I appreciate we’re near the dolomites in Italy, but it seriously lacked the level I was expecting here.
My wife initially tasted and turned her face, and admittedly I thought she had maybe put herself off after the very first course, but this was far from the case. To us a tuna steak should come out a little pink and be very meaty in taste but this was the most ‘fishy’ tasting tuna I’d ever tasted. Think John West style tuna taste. It was grey, and arguably tasted a bit old. We complained and the waiter passed on our message. We ate possibly 1/3rd of it.
The bill arrived and the tuna was still on the bill, which was a little disappointing. When we complained we made sure to let the staff know that it was our only gripe (I did mention the mushrooms but if the tuna was good I’d imagine I’d have said nothing) and yet still it was on there.
We apologised to the waiter for the fuss (he was lovely, no qualms there), and made our way to the front.
The member of staff at the front apologised and took €15 from the €230 bill and let us know that the tuna was ‘frozen today’ but he would have to charge us.
These things happen. The chef’s in that kitchen will know significantly more about food and cooking than I ever will, and mistakes do happen
But when I go to a restaurant that has been hyped up as much as this, that is literally known for its tuna dishes, and receive something that poor, I can’t help but mention it.
A real shame. Hopefully others have a better experience than we did.
