La Fontanina - MONTE ARGENTARIO

We were here September 2021. It was very good. We look forward to coming back. This time it was horrible! The food quality was terrible and the service was even worse. For example they had a Cod entrée that was disgusting. The Fiorentina steak was a wedding type prime rib. You could hardly get anyone to come by the table for service. Too many examples of inappropriate business practices to name I don’t want to be petty. We were so looking forward to coming back but we’re disappointed. We recommended thus restaurant to our friends who were going to go next week, now they will not.

This is our favorite restaurant on Argentario. The setting is idyllic, up a winding mountain road from the port, with the al fresco tables set among terraces festooned with vines. It’s simple yet chic, straight out of La Dolce Vita. The food is superb. The menu features just enough dishes to offer variety— with surf, turf and vegetarian options at every course. The salt fish, tortelloni and desserts were all excellent. The amuse bouche (zeppoli) was also scrumptious. For wine, go for the local ansonica. Equally impressive was the service. Friendly and attentive, and accommodating of English speakers. This is the only place where we ate twice. Go!

We loved everything about this place.beautiful view and nice table settings. I will return for the ravioli with Mozzarella and black Truffles. So good! We had the house wine and were surprised by the quality. The restaurant is family run and the pride is reflected in the food, service and atmosphere. Recommended for couples like us, one fish lover and one no! Very nice selection of dishes on the menu and we enjoyed everything .

Our family of four recently had a wonderful dining experience at an Italian restaurant tucked away in the hillside of Mount Argentario near the town of Porto Ercole. The service was excellent, the food was incredible, and the ambiance was perfect. Tucked into the hillside, the restaurant is beautiful with a stunning view of the surrounding areas. The service we received was top-notch, with the staff being friendly and attentive throughout our meal. They went above and beyond to accommodate our needs and make us feel welcome. From helpful recommendations to prompt service, their attention to detail made our dining experience even more enjoyable. The food at this restaurant was a true delight. We savored a variety of classic Italian dishes, all made with the finest and freshest ingredients. The flavors were vibrant, and each bite showcased the chef's skill and passion for Italian cuisine. The fish of the day nearly melted in your mouth it was so perfectly prepared. Whether you prefer seafood, meat, or vegetarian options, there's something for everyone to enjoy. What also stood out was the freshness of the ingredients used. Every dish had that authentic Italian taste, leaving us longing for more. The menu offers a diverse selection, ensuring there's something to please even the pickiest of eaters in the family. When we arrived, we were the only people in the restaurant. It was a mid week evening during the off season. Our meal lasted nearly 3 hours while we enjoyed every moment of the multiple courses, the wine and chatting as a family. It turns out we were the only diners that evening but the staff acted like there was absolutely nowhere else they would rather be than at the restaurant with us.

Our hotel recommended this restaurant as did our travel agent. They both said it was one of the best restaurants in the area. Fontanina is set on a hillside and has nice views. The tables are under grape vines. Contrary to other reviewers, we had good service and the staff was able to assist our broken Italian with English. The food was disappointing considering all of the positive things we had heard about the restaurant. We ordered two starters, the baked eggplant and the swordfish ceviche , both mediocre, and then the lobster spaghetti dish and the ravioli with burrata as our mains. Both entrees were similarly mediocre. All the food we tried lacked complexity or flavor. Our ravioli was overwhelmingly creamy and rich with no balance, the eggplant was overcooked and oily. We 've had better at bad Italian restaurants in the US. Not sure that there are many other good options in the area as alternatives to this one, but we had a much better meal for slightly more money at Pelligrill.