Once Upon A Time

My friends and I have been to the "C'era una volta" on a Friday evening, here are the details of our experience: Atmosphere 6 ½: Friendly and informal. We arrived at the venue with a last-minute change, a friend joined the group, and we asked for adding another seat to the table. We couldn't give any notice to the staff. The restaurant manager was unfriendly in the first place, but huffing, he found a solution. I have to say this is a typical approach of people from Lucania, they can sound and look unfriendly, but they will do their best to be helpful and supportive. Place 6 ½: the general level of cleanliness and hygiene is good. The bathrooms were clean and well organised according to the COVID rules. Location 6: The restaurant is outside the city, and if you're not a local, you need to be careful while driving there. There's a good number of parking lots, and the whole facility is curated and well maintained. Menu 6: We used to go to the "C'era una volta" mainly for enjoying a delicious steak, and in my opinion, it is the best place to eat meat in town. One thing I can't tolerate, though, is the outdated list of wines. It's a matter of fact, the wine contributes to the overall meat experience, and we asked for three wine types that were on the list but not in the cellar. This careless together with the not perfect crunchy "puparuli cruschi" is unforgivable. The meat, as usual, was delicious and we enjoyed it a lot. Service 5: All the workers who interacted with us were courteous and helpful. Unfortunately, they suggested a wine that didn't match the expectations due to the outdated wine list, and we had to change it after the first bottle. Bill N.A.: I couldn't see it because my friend decided to have all of us as his guests.

Sunday lunch as a couple. Reservation made by telephone in an easy and functional way. Original, characteristic and unique place. Private parking on dirt road. The first time I was there, it wasn't easy to get inside, an "entry" sign was recommended for those of us who were unable to do so, once we entered we wandered a bit in the dark as there is no real reception service, we ran The waiter was helpful and kindly showed us a seat. Very basic place setting with two placemats and a napkin with cutlery, at the reception only water and no bread which was served only with the second course and upon express request. Two euro cover charge at this point really seems like an enormity to me. The wait to order was quite long, it was Sunday, but the place was practically empty when we arrived. Maître, ready, prepared and available to advise, service insufficient, I believe in my heart that a room of this magnitude cannot be managed with just one employee, who is also quite "distracted". Refined food, well plated and elaborate, appetizer with bruschetta with lard "served cold" nothing special, good cheese in crust and elaborate pie filled with mushrooms, bacon and other things, good, but the cheese foam, very salty, killed a some flavours. The other appetizer consisted of a cheese crust served without honey and the subsequent request for honey fell miserably on deaf ears. Second courses: grandmother's ravioli, frankly I have eaten better ones in many parts, the ricotta not tied and the pasta more than al dente, roast meat requested well cooked, but arrived with medium cooking. Sweet to say about his wife, magnificent. Price/quality ratio €.80.00 for two people and as drinks a beer, a coke and a water seem excessive to me. To be recommended, frankly, I don't know, they speak well of it in the city, but I haven't found all this quality, in Potenza, there is definitely better. Once again, however, compliments to the location with a few small changes you can certainly improve the rest.

Once upon a time, it represents a point of reference for the city of Potenza. A unique environment, with traditional cuisine characterized by a touch of innovation that makes the dishes not predictable. Use of quality ingredients, professional service and a true tavern atmosphere, where the figure of the innkeeper acts as the host... the ideal location to relax and immerse yourself in everything that is not taken for granted.