Grotto Linet - Chiasso

This restaurant is located on the outskirts of the town of Chiasso, at a short distance from the Italian border. It is easily accessible by car and there is, in front of the place, a good amount of space to accommodate most customers. On the plus side this place is located not too far from the station so it is also accessible by public transportation (5 minute walk from the station). Now, it is important to mention that the place is what you would expect from a typical grotto: simple. No extravagant entrance, no huge numbers of waiters, no large menu. In fact, the entrance into the restaurant is so modest that we had trouble finding it! On the right side of the stairs there was an empty room of tables and chairs. Being that we arrived really early here, we thought to be the first and that that room must have been our spot. However, after seeing no waiters and a board with the sign: we wait for you in the upper room , we knew we had to proceed up the stairs. Perhaps this was one of the few negative aspects: we weren 't greeted in the traditional sense but had to find our way to the dining room. Some better markings/a waiter outside waiting could have helped in such a case. Given that we came at 6PM, it could also be that the waiters weren 't expecting anyone at that time. Upon entering one will not fail to notice the simplicity and reduced size of the room.In the room there were 5 6 tables accommodating perhaps 20 people in total. We were greeted by the waitress who was really friendly and showed us the way to the tables which weren 't reserved. As is typical for the region, the tables were covered with a red white chequered cloth. Just like other grottos the menu consisted of a limited selection, but appropriate of the setting, with a set of starters (we chose the traditional plate of cold cuts 22CHF the large portion), a set of first plates, a set of main dishes, and deserts. I had the rabbit accompanied by polenta (30CHF). Now the portion was good, not too excessively large, it was good average portion. The meat was well cooked and full of bones (what you would expect from the rabbit). Being the only ones because of the time we were served quickly. Positives: friendliness of staff choice of selection and physical setting is appropriate for this location warm bread served with cold cuts Negatives: modest entrance which could misdirect the customers Trains passing by can be a bit noisy (if you come on a Sunday there should be little traffic). Logic of price: I reviewed the Crotto dei Tigli some time ago, commenting on the excessive price of the Polenta with mushrooms, which costed 29CHF. Here the price was the same: 29CHF. But what is even more bizarre is that I paid 30CHF for polenta and rabbit. Assuming that the portion of polenta stays the same or approximately the same for both plates, how is it possible that the meat is sold just slightly (1CHF) more than that of mushrooms? I definitely would recommend this place for the friendliness and for the typical experience of the region. However, the prices can be quite high for the region (Italy located just a few meters South) so if you 're wallet is not so full and you wish to spend less there are other options. If I think of the Grotto del Pierino, located in a much more touristic area, the prices there are of a different kind compared to these.

One of my favorite place near Lugano to eat something very good with big portion and very kind people!

Excellent cuisine, very courteous and friendly staff, traditional grotto location

Very friendly staff, very good food and not excessively expensive

Typical cooked food around the corner