Our most authentic and best tasting menu of this Italy adventure. Totally off the beaten path (in no guidebooks, we found it driving from Lucca back to our agroturismo based only on the sign), it's a true hidden gem that I hope my review unhides!
Don't let the modest outside and the cats running around the plaza in front of the monastery dissuade you from entering. The restaurant is part of/next to a monastery and the monks run the place. And those fellows know how to cook. While the crostini were not super interesting (some with tomato, the rest with walnut pesto), the caprese was as fresh and delicious as I've had. We ordered three different pastas as first courses: spaghetti pomodoro, pici cacio e pepe, and Caramelle at Tartufo. The latter (photo included) was the tastiest pasta of my life. The pici was one of the best of the trip. The pomodoro -- such a simple dish, so not easy to exceed expectations -- still did.
Our secondi, bisteca (steak) was cooked a juicy, delicious rare/medium rare (advise if you would like it otherwise) and we could have eaten a second. At 16 Euros, it was as good as a $50 steak at a top American steakhouse -- and paired perfectly with the vino rosso.
Speaking of wine, if you're coming here for a fancy wine, don't. If you're going to happy with a good vino della casa (house wine) by the carafe, you'll be pleased.
The service was the friendliest on a trip of nothing but friendly, helpful wait staff. The lady who attended to us covered the whole place (four of eight tables were occupied at the peak of our visit) efficiently. She spoke very little English, but we still communicated quite well.
Dessert -- a fruit tart -- was a perfect end to a perfect meal. And I can't wait to go back... Do. Not. Miss this place! read more