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.

We all ordered similar dishes, so I can’t show you variety, but everything was delicious.

Thank you Circolo for a lovely evening. It is great to see things opening up here in Bagni di Lucca. We need to support our local businesses!

I Macelli

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Debra Kolkka

I Macelli is a delightful restaurant in nearby Borgo a Mozzano. It is a bright yellow building behind the town. We visited on an autumn evening.

The decor is traditional. We were early, the first people there, but it soon filled up and by the time we left all tables were full.

The menu is typical of the area. All of our chosen dishes were well presented and delicious.

Antipasti…

A selection of salami and local choices.

Buffalo mozzarella with anchovies.

Secondi…

Bacala with polenta.

Tagliata di cinta sinese with cannellini and borlotti beans.

Grilled veal chop.

Tagliata di manzo with Gorgonzola and radicchio.

We were much too full together try one of the delicious desserts…next time.

I Macelli…Piazza I Macelli, Borgo a Mozzano.

Phone…0583 88700

Chestnut polenta

Posted on April 19, 2019 by Debra Kolkka

I have revisited Il Totto in Elio Sassi in nearby Garfagnana to enjoy their version of cucina povera again. The restaurant famously served chestnut polenta and ossi salati, which translates as salted bones.

Once most of the meat has been removed pork bones are soaked in brine for a few days then boiled.

There was a large table near us and their polenta was delivered on a board and cut using a special tool.

They serve other things as well. I had ravioli with ragu and fried chicken a rabbit…delicious.

It is a lovely drive up to Elio Sassi. The views are glorious from the village. I highly recommend a visit.

Rifugio Fiori

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

Rifugio Fiori in Pieve di Monti di Villa has new operators and things are looking good. We went for Sunday lunch shortly after they opened.

It was a little cool to sit outside.

So we found a spot in the cosy room.

The building used to be a school.

Antipasti was pasta fritta with prosciutto.

Our first course was pasta with ragu.

Next was delicious veal and fried vegetables.

There was an excellent chocolate cake and torta della nonna.

It is great to see that Rifugio Fiori is continuing to serve delicious meals. Pieve di Monte di Villa is lucky to have this great asset.

www.rifugiofiori.it

Phone…371 3916108

info@rifugiofiori.it

La Sosta

Posted on January 14, 2018 by Debra Kolkka

La Sosta, near Pescaglia, is a bit of a drive from Bagni di Lucca, but is a great place for Sunday lunch.

The little restaurant is nestled into a pine forest beside a church.

There is an outdoor eating area for sunny days.

We visited on a cool autumn day and chose to sit in the cosy indoor area.

It isn’t a big room and it was soon packed.

The food is great! Porcini mushrooms and pumpkins are in season so it made sense to order some. The pasta below has pumpkin and spicy sausage…delicious.

Pumpkin risotto.

Scaloppine with porcini mushrooms.

Excellent fried vegetables.

The table next to us ordered a feast.

La Sosta is open through the week for dinner and Sunday lunch. It is in Pascoso,via Pescaglia or Fabbriche di Vallico.

Phone…0583 357657

Bella Bagni di Lucca

A beautiful village in Tuscany

Tag Archives: restaurants