What can be said about this spot…read more..
Well, perhaps the best way to describe the experience is alike to previously common Facebook status, "It's Complicated."
The road leading up to the property is far from amazing, so if driving a Lambo or a Ferrari, it will be a disaster to put simply to get through the bumps. Obviously, not everyone drives expensive cars to come here, but as a Michelin starred spot and a Relais Chateaux hotel, it would be thoughtful to accommodate arrival a bit better at the top of the line price point. The interior design is a greenhouse meeting a Modani furniture store, which creates a rather confusing design. It cannot be said as terrible, but it's far from beautiful in the evening, although perhaps the views during daytime hours make it a bit better. Even the restroom is sized for a hamster trying to close the door. Platters and silverware are very average.
When it comes to food, Il Falconiere offers four tasting menus. There is a requirement that all guests at the table get the same menu or order A La Carte. Again, a very odd requirement, because it almost defeats the point of having so many tasting menus to begin with, requiring guests with varying tastes to either sacrifice or go for a diminished a La carte experience.
The "White Giant" or Chianina menu highlighting local Tuscan cattle was my selection. An excellent carpaccio, followed by ox tongue, vermicelli, stuffed pappardella, sirloin and tiramisu dessert. The menu was half wonderful, half disappointing, with ox tongue being too tough, sirloin being low on flavor and tough, and tiramisu being a complete disappointment. Carpaccio, pappardele and vermicelli were great. Desserts all around across the menu left much to the desired, with half being dominated by simple puddings. But, Michelin starred restaurants are intended to embrace experimentation, so that is not the reason I give Il Falconiere such a low rating.
The sommelier was a very unpleasant man, borderline rude. Not only was he not friendly, but did not take feedback well and even refused to change a wine glass for a different shape one. Wine tasting menu, besides being well aligned to dishes, was filled with cheap wines relative to the price paid. He was also overly sensitive about us taking a picture of the wine and asking not to do so. Overall, just a disaster. Some of the waiters were quite unpleasant and inattentive also.
Overall, Il Falconiere is far from being deserving of even a single Michelin star and even without it, would not make my list of recommendations. Poor design, bad service and many misses on dishes, especially desserts can be cited as the main reasons.
