Snippets from the Italian Scene
Sleeping in & Dining Out
in Tuscany
While we're on the subject of travel, Dave writes,
We're in Lucca this week and having a great time. Especially appreciate your recommendations from your letters. Some notes and things you may want to point out to readers in the future:
Ristorante d'Olivo was good but very touristy. Felt like the restaurant was there more for the tourists. Ristorante Giglio was very good although we ate there with a friend of mine from Lucca. I was disappointed that the waiter handed us an English menu and there were very few items in the English menu that were also on the Italian menu. The English menu was geared more for american/british taste and some of their better items from their Italian menu were not listed. We're glad we picked up on this on our first day here and are especially vigilant that we only get Italian menus in restaurants. May want to let your readers know.
Our landlord alerted us to a new restaurant that opened only 2 months ago outside Lucca. So far, it was unquestionably the best. Vigna Ilaria, just outside of Lucca. The tourist trade hasn't heard about it yet. The cooking was divine. Orchiette with mussels and pecorino was probably the best pasta dish I've ever had. My wife and I shared a grilled branzino with fried potatoes that was awesome. Their homemade Lucchese tortelli were fabulous. Also on the menu, pasta with seafood ragu, leek and shrimp risotto, and asparagus risotto. This place is a must!!!
The Address: V. Pieve S. Stefano - Sant'Alessio, 967 55100 Lucca (LU) Tel. 0583 332 091
A presto,
Kyle
Phillips
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