Ambra S
Google
Where do I start? Unfortunately, I left this meal very disappointed.
I first visited Bistrot in July 2020 with my mother. We discovered it by chance, tried it, and were absolutely impressed, every dish was outstanding, the service was excellent, and we returned the very next night. We left Forte dei Marmi with beautiful memories, one of the most vivid being the amazing dinners we had there.
Fast forward five years: I’m back in Forte, this time with my boyfriend for one night. As soon as we planned the trip, I booked Bistrot immediately because I wanted him to experience the same exceptional food. I also noticed they had since earned a Michelin star, which raised my expectations even more.
Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to them.
We were seated promptly, but the atmosphere felt chaotic. The staff weren’t exactly rushing, but there was a constant sense of urgency that made the space feel stressful rather than refined. Both my boyfriend and I noticed it straight away, not what you expect from a Michelin-level experience, but we were still hopeful.
While ordering, I mentioned my allergies, and the waiter took note. He also pointed out that my boyfriend had only ordered meat dishes and asked if it was a preference, since the chef would be sending out amuse-bouches. We confirmed it was, and he said he’d inform the kitchen.
When the amuse-bouches arrived, my boyfriend’s plate was identical to mine, two of the bites contained fish. He decided to try them anyway, but the oversight was disappointing. I also double-checked with the waiter who served them if they were safe for me (celery allergy). He said one might contain celery, something I had already informed another staff member about. He went to double-check and came back confirming it was safe, but this shouldn’t happen in a Michelin-starred restaurant.
For starters, I had the calamari with chickpeas, and my boyfriend had the beef tartare. Both were beautifully plated, but lacked flavor. My calamari needed seasoning, and the tartare, though served with a sauce, tasted like plain meat. Thankfully, the bread selection was delicious, one of the few highlights up to that point.
For the main course, I had the turbot, and my boyfriend had the green chicche with rabbit ragù and salted ricotta. Again, mine was bland. His, on the other hand, was flavorful and by far the best dish of the evening, the only one we’d recommend.
For dessert, we shared a mascarpone cream with berries and cacao crumble. It was okay, but unremarkable.
The true highlight of the evening was the sommelier, a young man who was friendly, knowledgeable, and consistently attentive. He helped us choose a wine and checked in with us throughout the night. His service was truly appreciated and stood out from the rest of the staff.
That said, there were other service issues. We were seated at what I believe was the worst table in the restaurant, right in front of a door to the terrace. Staff constantly passed through, and every time, my hair (which I had in a bun) was brushed or bumped as they moved past. It was distracting and unpleasant, and no one seemed to notice.
There were also a few issues with wine service. My boyfriend’s glass sat empty for a while until he poured it himself. A staff member noticed and apologized, but later in the meal the same thing happened, his glass stayed empty for another eight minutes before being refilled.
The bill came to around €270, which I wouldn’t have minded at all had the food and service matched what I experienced in 2020. Sadly, it didn’t.
I know some of my comments might seem picky, but I believe they’re fair, especially when evaluating a Michelin-starred restaurant. Even without the star, I don’t think I’d return. The food simply wasn’t memorable.
It’s such a shame. I remembered this place as truly special. I hope my feedback is taken as a genuine opportunity to reflect and improve.
