Locanda del Sole

We were welcomed back to Locanda del Sole by the owner, as kind and courteous as ever, and shown to our table. The food kept coming: first fried polenta with parmesan cream, which was amazing and a must-try, then green pappardelle with wild boar and plenty of sauce, plus a very good mushroom risotto and delicious zampanelle with pesto. The owner later brought over a platter of sublime cured meats with fried crescentine. We couldn't say no, and ate them simply because they looked fabulous. We shared a zampanelle with Nutella to finish, with no room left for anything else.

The €70 a night felt like a rip-off. We had no hot water, but I was worried that reporting it would lead to an argument. The welcome was barely short of a complaint. The host wanted to send us away, apparently because the restaurant was too busy, and we seemed tired from the trip. If you're looking for accommodation in Montese, search directly online instead of using platforms. Stay away.

For that one night, we were taken from the inn to a friend's house that was almost in ruins. There was no heating, and the hot water kept coming and going. My friends and I had booked rooms at the Locanda del Sole for Saturday night through a booking platform. The owner claimed we'd cancelled the reservation, even though it had been paid for and she had already received the money. The treatment was appalling. It was the worst one-night stay we'd ever had, and we spent the night in inhumane conditions.

The restaurant owner prepared a meal for our vegetarian guest on time, even though we hadn't told them ahead. Service was impeccable, and all the staff were extremely kind and friendly. We were there with friends on Easter Sunday, and the food was excellent with generous portions. We ended the meal singing and dancing like family. I highly recommend it.