This wasn't a dinner. It was an EXPERIENCE…read more
In the most serendipitous way, we managed to snag a table at Osteria da Pasquale during one of their wine-pairing events, and it turned into one of the most memorable nights of our trip. When I called to make a reservation, I spoke directly with Pasquale, the owner, who kindly explained that they weren't taking regular reservations that evening because they were hosting a wine pairing with a fixed menu. It wasn't exactly what I had in mind or expected, but we decided to go for it... and holy moly, am I glad we did.
We've done plenty of fixed-menu wine pairings before, and honestly, the success rate is about 50%, so we went in a bit skeptical. This, however, was truly one of a kind. Incredible food, even better wine, and, best of all, an unforgettable ambiance fueled by Pasquale himself and the incredible group of guests who happened to be there that night.
Pasquale is wildly passionate about good food and great wine, and watching him in his element was a joy in itself. We tasted local wines ranging from wonderfully affordable bottles to others costing hundreds of euros, and every pour came with a story, a laugh, or a spark of excitement. And when I say wine pairing, I don't mean the kind where you get two polite drops and that's it The wine flowed freely, just as fast as the laughter from everyone lucky enough to attend. The energy was chaotic in the best possible way.
As two tourists, it felt like we had stumbled into a friend's dinner party. At one point, it genuinely seemed like everyone already knew each other and somehow, by the end of the night, so did we. We loved every second of it.
All of this to say: if you ever see an event or wine pairing at this restaurant in the beautiful city of Lucca, don't hesitate to book it. Thank you, Pasquale, for an unforgettable experience.
