A weekend of Santa fun is coming to Bagni di Lucca.
Let’s hope the weather if good for the Santa walk. Christmas is coming.
Santa in Bagni di Lucca
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Aperitivo
A new business has opened in Chifenti. La Tinaia…Enoteca – vino sfuso and spuntineria. Wine shop, wine on tap and snack bar…the perfect place for aperitivo.
We dropped in recently for aperativo and got so much more. We ordered a bottle of Sangiovese, which turned out to be very good. We also ordered taglieri for 5. There was much more than we could eat and it was all delicious. The whole lot cost €10 each, very reasonable.
There was more, but somehow it disappeared before I could photograph it.
We met Cristian who served us well.
La Tinaia
Via del Brennero 15
Chifenti.
348 3396905
Events in Bagni di Lucca
On Saturday there will be a talk and video at the Sala Rosa at Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa on Saturday 1st December at 5pm. Admission is free.
Here is a chance to see the inside of the lovely casino building…another free event. The dance will be on Saturday 8th December at 9.00pm. Phone the number on the poster to book a table.
Walking Presepe in Montefegatesi 9th December.
Christmas is coming to La Villa on 15th and 16th December. See Santa’s house, the Santa walk and the market.
There is always something going on in Bagni di Lucca.
What to do with the casino?
Bagni di Lucca has the first purpose built casino in Europe. It was built in 1837 and operated as a casino until 1945.
It was restored about 14 years ago and is stunning inside. The work was being done when I first arrived in Ponte a Serraglio and I enjoyed watching the workmen bring the beautiful interior back to life.
It was open for some time as the information centre for Bagni di Lucca. The wonderful Leda worked there and took visitors on guided tours throughout the building, telling tales of times gone by when Puccini and Liszt played for guests.
Now it is open only for events, which seems a pity. Many visitors coming to Bagni di Lucca would like to see inside and ask constantly why it is not open to the public.
There is a thought by many residents that it would be a good idea to reopen it as a visitor and information centre. That way it would be open to the public and be a place of interest. I have been asked by some to see if this would be popular.
What do you think?
If you agree that it would be a good idea to have the casino building open and put to use why not let the Comune know? Drop in and have a chat if you live in the area or send them an email. The website is http://comunebagnidilucca.com
Autumn in the chestnut forest
Just before I left Italy in early November I drove up to Montefegatesi hoping to see some autumn colour in the forest just outside the village. I was a bit early, but I could see the changes.
It is always good to stop at the little church beside the road on the way down the mountain.
By now the leaves will probably be gone and the scene will be wintery. That is wonderful too.
Necci in Montefegatesi
It has been a good year for chestnuts this year. Try some delicious chestnut pancakes in Montefegatesi on Sunday.
If you can’t make it on Sunday perhaps you could make your own necci.
You will need…
2 cups chestnut flour.
slightly less than 2 cups water
a pinch of salt
1 cup of ricotta (sweetened with a little sugar or honey if you wish)
Place the flour in a bowl with the salt. Slowly pour the water into the flour and stir with a whisk until the batter is smooth and there are no lumps.
Heat a little olive oil in a frypan and pour in a large spoonful of batter. Swirl the pan to spread the batter evenly. Cook until the bottom is golden then flip and cook the other side.
Stack the necci on a plate until all the batter is used.
Whip the ricotta and spread on the necci and roll up.
Eat.
Here is one I enjoyed at the chestnut festival in Lucchio last year.
It took me a while to acquire a taste for necci, but I now find them delicious.
Palio l’Osteria
Our wonderful new restaurant in Ponte a Serraglio, Palio l’Osteria, has announced different opening hours for the next few months. From November until March they will be open from Thursday until Sunday from 19.00 – 22.30.
There is a new menu for November.
I have enjoyed eating at Palio l’Osteria several times since it opened and I think it is a great addition to Ponte a Serraglio. While it looks elegant and stylish it is not expensive…Antipasti €9, Primi Piatti €11, Secondi Piatti €15. The service is excellent and everyone is friendly and welcoming, a delightful experience all round.
Even though the weather is changing and the days are becoming cooler, there are still things happening in Bagni di Lucca. Here are a couple of things that look interesting.
