Italy tipping--what would you do

I would have asked for the missing Euro, avoiding to increase prices for all future foreign customers. Why would you accept to be treated differently than locals? Doesn't Being scammed bother you?

Anyway The coperto charge does not go to waiters and has no connections with service and tipping.

I would have shown them their math error and asked for the correct change.

Donna

So basically they got 1€ tip.
Since you had the intention to leave 2€, it’s not a big loss to you, so you did the right thing.
If you wanted to do an even more right thing is to write the name of the hotel, so people who come here won’t go.

New Rule: the probability of being ripped off increase proportionally with the popularity of the locality with Rick Steves and his followers (Hence, I avoid Varenna, Montepulciano, etc.)

I would have done the same as you, assuming 50% chance of an honest mistake. On recent visits (My Way tours), I have not eaten in the same hotels where we stayed. A number of guides go to Ristorante del Sole on P. San Giorgio for it's modest prices. They have pizzochere (for us cheese lovers), a larger-than-the-plate cutlet Milanese, or an opportunity to taste the salted lake fish, for instance.

"And can anyone else recommend a restaurant in Varenna?"

I've had some good meals at the restaurant in Albergo Olivedo. I haven't been there for a few years, so hopefully nothing has changed. For lunches I always enjoy stopping at Al Barilott for a Panino and a glass of wine. You've probably noticed it across from the Church. The restaurant at Albergo Milano is reportedly excellent, although I've never dined there.

We stayed at Albergo Milano and had dinner there, and it was excellent. Also ate at a couple restaurants on that same street, though the names escape me right now. The best one had an unusual table that was basically sitting in a window--you entered from inside, but the waiter served from outside--and was on the left side of the street as you walked towards the main piazza. You'd need a reservation for that one, though. We tried being a walk-in the night before and they were completely booked up, so made a reservation for the next night and they were able to squeeze us in at 8 p.m. Didn't eat there (closed the night we wanted to go) but our tour guide also said Il Cavatappi was very good, and she never steered us wrong when we used one of her suggestions.

Edit--checked with my husband and the restaurant was Quattro Pass

I have a habit of checking my bill for accuracy. Yes, I believe honest mistakes happen. That said, I just politely ask for an explanation.

As another contributor mentioned, our friends raved about the restaurant at Albergo Milano, as well as the Hotel.

Hi Frank,

Try Quattro Pass, just a "few steps" from Albergo Milano. We had a very good meal there. Good pastas, and filet with green peppercorn sauce. Best filet I ever had, although quite rare because I forgot to order it "ben cotto". However I ate every bite of it anyway! We also ate at the restaurant in Albergo Milano and, sorry, we were not impressed.

Three years ago we had a good meal at Ristorante del Sole in Varenna.