Sarah J. Donovan
Google
If you’ve never eaten at a Michelin-star restaurant—or done so while traveling abroad—Arnolfo can feel both exciting and a little intimidating. My partner and I had lunch here while living for a month in Colle di Val d’Elsa, and it was one of the most memorable food experiences of our lives as it is designed to be.
We walked from our Airbnb in Colle Bassa to the restaurant, which sits in a modern building surrounded by olive trees and a nearby highway. (It used to be located closer to Colle Alta, the historic center.) The walk was a bit tricky—there aren’t sidewalks the whole way—but it’s possible to come through Colle Alta instead for an easier route or to drive and park there (but we didn't have a car).
When we arrived, we weren’t sure where the entrance was—there’s a path that wraps around the building—but someone quickly greeted us. I was very warm from the walk and never quire cooled down as the restaurant is all inside without an open air space. I wore long pants and a blouse as most women there were dressed in October, but warm nonetheless. The staff had confirmed our reservation several times in advance, and you do need to provide a credit card to hold your booking. They were waiting for us, so it felt nice to be welcomed.
We chose the 2 p.m. Thursday lunch service since no evening reservations were available during our stay. We thought lunch might be more affordable, but that wasn’t really the case—it’s still a luxury meal and discounts aren't really a thing. You seem to get the same experience lunch or dinner, which seems fair---only a different view of Colle, which is stunning.
Once seated, they offered us water, and throughout our three-hour meal we shared two bottles at €6 each. For wine, we opted for a single glass instead of the €140-per-person wine pairing. My glass was €30, and I made it last the entire meal. We love wine and deeply appreciate their sommelier, but we had the walk back to consider and our budget. We planned for about 500 euro.
We each selected one of the menus: I chose the vegetarian menu, and my partner had the contemporary menu. Both were extraordinary—beautifully plated, creative, deeply respectful of ingredients and tradition, and full of flavor. The meal included around 16 small courses and tastings between our menu and chef complements, each one artful and distinct. We were in awe of the care, imagining the preparation and skill in eat plate. We savored every bite and we're grateful we planned and could be in this place at this as time of our lives.
We did experience some uncertainty throughout—like whether the bread selection or the cheese cart were included in the fixed-price menu or extra. (We politely declined both, just to avoid any surprises.) Everything is exquisitely presented, and knowing the details up front can help you feel more relaxed and fully enjoy the experience. We know there are people who may say that money shouldn't matter or that we should care if bread is an upcharge, but it is. We scanned the menu from a QR code, so this information may have been in the fine print somewhere, and we also could have asked up front. I was a little embarrassed 😳 .
The service was gracious and professional. Multiple staff members attended to us—a sommelier, a lead server, and assistants—and while we weren’t always sure who was responsible for what, they worked seamlessly as a team. Everyone spoke both Italian and English.
When it came time to leave, we remembered that in Italy, you have to ask for the check. The staff guided us to the bathrooms (hidden behind a seamless wall door with crisp white towels) and saw us out through the tall woodeb doors, saying warm arrivederci.
By the time we stepped outside, the afternoon light over Colle Alta was glowing, and the restaurant looked stunning against the hillside.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime meal for us—a teacher and retiree traveling for a year, living one month at a time in new places. It was expensive, yes, but also extraordinary. We’ll remember the art, the care, and the sense of occasion forever.
