Circolo dei Forestieri opens

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Debra Kolkka

On Saturday night the new incarnation of Circolo dei Forestieri welcomed its first patrons. The evening was a great success and lots of people attended.
The restaurant is in a beautiful setting.

Of course there was delicious food and wine to try.

Attendees had a great time and I’m sure they will all become regulars.

The menu looks excellent. My favourite, pasta fritta con crudo e stracchino, is there, along with lots of new things.
Battuta di Manzo su misticanza, hummus di carote arrosto, ravioli di farina di castagne ripieni di ricotta, guancia di manzo pure di patate e carotine all origami are just a few calling me.
I look forward to seeing and tasting in person when I return to Bagni di Lucca soon. I’m sure everyone in town will be delighted to see Circolo dei Forestieri continuing to be part of the community.

Thank you to the team for sharing the photos with us.

Good news for Circolo dei Forestieri

Posted on February 2, 2026 by Debra Kolkka

Just as we were getting used to the idea that we had lost Circolo dei Forestieri comes the news that it will reopen with a new owner. The best news is that it is a Bagni di Lucca local.

Giuliano Grub’s family has owned the Ristorante da Marina in Casoli since 2008. Following his studies Giuliano spent 3 years honing his culinary skills in Switzerland. After that he worked for a year in northern Italy and 2 years in Grosseto.

He came back to Bagni di Lucca to work in the family restaurant in 2019 with great success. Then came the opportunity to take over Circolo dei Forrestieri, a wonderful new challenge.

Like the previous team at Circolo dei Forestieri, the new people will serve Pranzo di Lavoro, an open evening menu and pizza. The previous chef, Stephania Crisalli and her daughter Rita Barsellotti, with help in the kitchen and front of house. Giuliano’s mother, Marina Freddi will also be on hand.

Opening celebrations will be held on Saturday 7th February from 5.00pm until 7.00pm.

I am sure everyone who loved Circolo dei Forestieri will be as delighted as I am with this news. It has been an institution in Bagni di Lucca and a vital part of the community. I know everyone will join me in wishing Giuliano and his team the very best.

Good pizza at Pippo’s

Posted on July 4, 2024 by Debra Kolkka

Pippo’s on the Brennero road is a great place for pizza, hamburgers and more.

There is outdoor seating, excellent for summer days.

My pizza was delicious.

My friend loved her hamburger and chips.

There is a bar as well.

It was busy on the Tuesday evening when we were there…a good sign. The service was fast and friendly.

Pippo’s…phone 349 366 0694

A new chef at Albergo Corona

Posted on March 26, 2022 by Debra Kolkka

The restaurant at Algergo Corona is in a beautiful setting over looking over the Lima River. In spring and summer it is especiially delightful when there are tables outside on the terraces. With the weather beginning to warm up the outdoor dining should begin soon..

We were invited last night to meet the new chef, Stefano Gallo, and try the new menu. Stefano has lots of experience both in Italy and overseas. This is evident in the execution and presentation of the dishes we enjoyed.
We chose a five course degustation menu and asked the chef to select them for us. Every one was delicious…take a look. 1. red mullet with pappa al pomodoro. 2.seafood soup. 3. cacio e pepe (particularly delicious) 4. cappelletti (another favourite) 5. cod with endive. The cheesecake dessert was a delightful extra.

I look forward to trying more dishes on the menu soon. I’m sure they will be every bit as good as the ones we enjoyed.

Support your local business

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Debra Kolkka

Tuscany became a yellow zone this week which means that bars and restaurants are open for outside dining. The last year has been very tough indeed for businesses.

Yesterday, for the first time in a while I enjoyed lunch away from home and it was excellent. With a couple of friends I sat on the outdoor terrace at Circolo dei Forestieri. It was great to see the well spaced tables full and the smiling faces (under masks) of the friendly servers.

We need to support our local businesses to help them back on their feet. Let’s hope this spring and summer will see us come slowly out from under the covid disaster.

A rainy night at Villa Aurora

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Debra Kolkka

Villa Aurora, the delightful family run restaurant at Fabbriche di Casabasciana, has a beautiful terrace. Unfortunately on the night we visited the rain was pelting down so we ate inside where it was cosy and warm.

The service at Aurora is very friendly. A young member of the family was very keen to be included…meet Cristian. (Not sure of the spelling of his name)

We began with bresaola and bruschetta.

My friend had the bocconcini di manzo and I enjoyed the saltimbocca.

We shared rosemary roast potatoes.

It is difficult to resist pannacotta for dessert.

When the weather is better I will return for an evening on the terrace, one of the loveliest in the area. Now that things are opening up please support your favourite restaurant in Bagni di Lucca.

Villa Aurora…Fabbriche di Casabasciana

349 4316287

0583 85600

La Corona, a new opening

Posted on June 5, 2020 by Debra Kolkka

We are very excited at Ponte a Serraglio to see the opening of La Corona, the newly renovated hotel and restaurant.

Perhaps the name is a little unfortunate right now, but the up side it is easy to remember.

We arrived just as heavy rain began. This was a pity as the outside areas of the hotel are lovely. I will show you those on a better day. We gathered in the brand new bar area.

There was delightful entertainment.

We were taken up to the first floor to see some of the rooms of the hotel. There are 15 rooms and they look great. Each room is decorated individually, with well appointed bathrooms. Several rooms have views over the river, with great views and a couple have their own balcony.

My good friend Tina and I were the first guests in the beautiful restaurant.

The food was excellent. We began with a selection of Tuscan delights.

We both chose the risotto.

Tina had pork belly with crustaceans.

I enjoyed the guinea fowl on a bed of chestnut bread.

La Corona is an excellent addition to Ponte a Seraglio. I wish everyone involved the best and hope they get lots of visitors soon.

There was huge storm last night which began while we were at the restaurant. It settled a bit, but in the middle of the night I was woken by the noise of the river rushing past my window. The water was as high and as turbulent as I have ever seen it. This morning the river had settled a lot, but it was still brown and flowing quickly under the bridge.

Unfortunately the forecast is for another week of stormy weather. I hope the weather bureau is wrong on this.

La Corona…Ponte a Serraglio.

http://www.lacoronabdl.com

Dinner at Ristorante del Sonno

Posted on May 25, 2020 by Debra Kolkka

It is excellent to be able to join friends and sit down for dinner at our wonderful restaurants in Bagni di Lucca. Last night a friend and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Ristorante del Sonno in La Villa.
Ilario has made sure there is plenty of distance between tables and there is also outdoor dining. All precautions have been taken to make sure guests are safe.

We began with mussels and bruschetta.

Followed by grilled trout, roast potatoes and, for me, a stracchino and prosciutto pizza.

Let’s support our local businesses!

Circolo dei Forestieri is open

Posted on May 22, 2020 by Debra Kolkka

Circolo dei Forestieri in La Villa is open!

It is great that things are slowly opening here in Bagni di Lucca. I went with friends for dinner at Circolo dei Forestieri for dinner last night. It is so nice to be with friends and to eat something I didn’t have to cook for myself.

I know there was a happy, smiling face under that mask.

The tables are spread out and left unset until guests arrive. There are lots of outdoor tables as well. I hope the lovely terrace over the river will be open too.