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an apartment in a monastery....
stay on a vineyard....
villas and farmhouses with pools.....
mountain hideouts and many more.
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Sant Angelo in Pontano
In the village: Sant Angelo in Pontano
Pippo e Gabrielle: 0733 661120 Book in summer
Very friendly with bonus of Maurizio, lovely English speaking Waiter. No TV and usually busy and buzzing. Best things: antipasta platter, always interesting and delicious, Brace cooked veal chop , best fillet steak we have found in Italy though not a regular thing, pancake style pasta dish stuffed with ham,peas and bechamel. Wine always good and degestives sometimes free,excellent coffee.Price med.
0733 661120 Closed Monday.
la Torre: 0733 661277
Relaxed style hotel restaurants, fav with the locals, has tv and quite bright decor recently redone though and greatly improved. Menus provided if required. Friendly staff.
Best things: Tagiatelle al fungi porcini, proscuitto con melone, mix and match main courses ie. chicken breast with lemon (simple and delicious)or with truffle, porcinii etc. Best to avoid truffle dishes .Wine is local, cheap and drinkable, white surprisingly so. Price cheap/med
0733 661277 Closed monday
Dulia: 0733 661288 Closed Wednesday. Book
Fantastic location in summer as can eat al fresco with wonderful panoramic views, very sweet staff. Still nice atmosphere in winter, decent lighting and no TV.
Best things: The pasta dishes are mostly meat based,fairly heavy huge amounts, one plate ample for 2. Wild boar with tagiatelle is good and the tagiatelle with duck sauce is like a delicious spaggy bol. Well flavoured, grilled Spiedini {skewered pork, sausage, red pepper} have this with their fun twist on chips like game chips and a good green mixed salad...perfect light summer evening dish. Wine is excellent as they use only Saputi wines as their supplier, locally produced, Rosso Piceno, medium bodied, oak casked reds, snappy, apply whites. Price Cheap. book esp in summer.
Walk from village towards bell tower on left, keep going.or drive /park Via Sant Nicola.
Further Afield.
Marchigiana 0733 657211 Closed Fridays. Book
Near Sarnano on the ss.78 approached from Macerata.
A hugely popular restaurant and rightly so. This is the place for a big, delicious blow out surrounded by lots of chattering Italians off the ski slopes or out en famille.An absolute must.Great staff, lovely english speaking waitress with an amazing memory.Also a popular hotel. Book, as is very popular at weekends.
Best things: Antipasta... Ravioli stuffed with ricotta served with porcini mushrooms, wild boar slow cooked stew or their speciality mixed meats from the open, wood burning fire, mama cooks it and you can watch in the right room with insalata miste and french fries. Brace cooked lamb tasting exactly like lamb should. Wine comes as part of the deal and is replaced when needed.Cheap.
1 mile before Sarnano on the SS78 if approached from Macerata
Castellana 0733 657942 Closed Monday. Best to Book
Follow signs through Sarnano on ss78 towards Amandola.Also a hotel
A very popular restaurant, nicely lit and furnished in an old restored cantina ...waiter doesn't smile so don't be offended!
Best things: they are famous for their HUGE and delicious wood oven pizza, so big that the tables hardly bear the strain. Great variety to try the house pizza and mix of all thats Marchigianan,truffles, funghi,olives,proscuitto, I love the pizza bianca with rocket, proscuitto and parmesan. This is a hit with kids as they can't believe their luck. Really good house wine, pasta dishes also good and main meat dishes worth investigation. Pizza only at night as is case with majority of restaurants.Booking good idea weekends.Outside eating in summer. Cheap
.Through Sarnano towards Amandola on SS78 after petrol station and large wearhouse/shop take right following signs.
Girorosta 0733 509119 Closed Wednesdays
In the superb old town of Loro Piceno ...home of Vino Cotto apparently.
Beautiful restaurant set in an old wine vault with ancient vaulted ceilings, atmospheric,smart. The owner, Luigi, serves you and has a smattering of English and a very impressive knowledge of wine and a very good cellar.
Best things: Ravioli stuffed with lemon scented ricotta and sage butter sauce, vincisgrassi ( Marchigianian type of lasagne, very light sheets of pasta, layered up with a chicken liver and pork ragout ) Several delicious slow cooked stews; best maybe beef cooked in red wine and black olives, lamb with five vegetables, and off the rotating spit ( hence the name of restaurant ) guinea fowl served with lemon wedges. Saputi's Rosso Piceno is a must and incredible value compared to England. Medium priced.
In the old town drive up, park by church walk past park on your right follow signs on the left.
IL Vicolo 0133 658565 Closed Tuesday
Charming restaurant set within the city walls of old Sarnano. In summer eat outside under the pergola. Popular with Italians.
Best things: Unusual antipasta, tagiatelle with porcini. Cheap
0733 658565 closed Tuesday Moderate
Le Colle 0733 657257 Closed Wednesday
Pizzeria
Has the feeling of a skiing chalet in Winter with log fire and long tables, in summer eat al fresco with views of the Sibillinis. Very friendly owner/manager and waiting staff.
Has menus and very good wine with wine list or beer on tap.
Best things: Selection of Bruschetta, truffle, chicken liver, tomatoes. Breasola ( cured thinly sliced beef ) with tons of rocket leaves and parmesan with a good acidic lemon dressing,Very good pizzas small enough to make you want more but only from greed, fillet steak with green pepper sauce. Pizza available evenings only.Moderate
On ss78 towards Sarnano, approx 2 miles before at Gabella Nuova .Turn right following signs
CittaDella 0736 856 361 Open every day in summer Always book Speaks some English
This is an eating experience not to be missed. Hidden away on the road between Communanza and Ascoli Piceno; go past big lake on left, Lago di Gerosa, then take right for Force and then see sign on right to Cittadella. Or approached through Monte Fortino just before the turning to Monte Monaco on the left down steep hill, there are signs. both breath taking with incredible mountain views and walks. Take the turning to Cittadella and don't give up keep going to end , seems too long to be correct; keep going.
Its very popular especially with Italians and run by the very energetic Silvio and food cooked by la nonna.
Set menu that just starts and goes on course after course (about 8) .Lively, great fun and very relaxed. You can stay in beautifully restored bedrooms for 75e a night if the drive is to much after the food.
Best things: Menu changes weekly but polenta with sausage, tagliatelle with porcini,exquisite proscuitto, pork ribs with crab apples and potatoes, lamb cutlets done on the fire grill, wine flows and he has a good choice or decent plonk. Avoid the coffee if you want to sleep in the next decade. Go for lunch at 1.00, leave at about 4.00 very happy .25 e a head usually.Has a new pool for use if have lunch.
Silvio is a member of the slow food movement of Italy which is a retaliation to fast food and a growing concern in our region.
Delle Logette 0734 710143 Closed Mondays
Towards Falerone form Sant Angelo on left before village.
A large light restaurant with magnificent mountain views from balcony where its possible to eat in summer. Very accomodating waiter.
Best Things: Presentation of pasta dishes, tortolini stuffed with proscuitto with a creamy asparagus and cherry tomato sauce, proscuitto with melon, char-grilled veal chop with lemon.
The wine list is long and interesting with some very good reds from the Conero region. See Davids Sheppard's wine section on this site.
Medium priced.
Towards Falerone from Sant Angelo on left just before village
Paradiso Via del Angeli Closed monday evening Open All week in August - opens 8.00 pm
Really good, cheap pizzas at night, outside seating.Kids love the pizza by the yard (and so do the adults!) Other food good as well for lunch. Wine good, reliable and cheap. Very friendly and popular with familys, children.
Towards Falerone, turn left after large clothing shop, follow signs, left, go behind what looks like a church.
Da Secondo 0733 260912 Closed Monday Book
In the old city of Macerata. A favourite with opera buffs and singers.a lovely cosy, old fashioned, buzzing restaurant, Feels special and very Italian. Early dinner sittings on Opera nights.
Best things: Very good interesting wine list and menu.Carpaccio of fillet beef, Osso buco , tagiatelle with large prawns, Fillet steak perfectly seasoned and cooked, deep fried vegetable platter, lemon scented ricotta in ravioli with porcini and truffle cream, panacotta with summer fruits.In the summer you can eat outside before the opera.
Off main square della Liberta on via Peschiera Vecchia
La Gatto e il Volpe Just turn up closed Tuesday
By lake Fiastra in San Lorenzo di Fiastra. Inside dreadful decor, in summer eat under awning outside. Spend the day at the lake and lunch here.
Best things: Ravioli ( homemade and you can buy it there} smothered in truffle cream, Grilled meats with chips and salad, fruit eps. watermelon. Excellent pizza at night.
La Luana 0733 507163 Loro Piceno
Shocking decor, tv on, but good food, very easy going, menus available(!).
Best things; Tortellini with bacon and cream, Fried chicken with lemon, Veal with with porcini. Vino cotto on sale.
On the way out from Loro towards Sant' Angelo
La Logge Urbisaglia 0733 506788 Closed Wednesday . Book
Smart sophisticated but relaxed. Nice staff, excellent wine list only Marchigianian wines and best available, this is the place for a special night or lunch.
Best things: Where to start. They have a set menu of antipasta and pasta or just anti pasta which leaves space for their really amazing deserts.Do not miss the antipasta, it involves about 8 different dishes which vary each time. Most memeorable have been an exquisite goose liver pate; seared roast breast of duck on a bed of roast red pepper and pesto, calves liver wrapped in proscuitto roasted on a bed of dressed fageolet beans, spinach frittata etc. etc. They do a chefs desert of 3 differing but complimenting puds. Watermelon and mint sorbet with campari, iced expresso mousse and semifredo of vanilla and caramel is one example.
Remarkable value. Set menu degustatione 19 E plus wine.you really need no more than the antipasta but missing the radiccio risotto is a mistake.
La Logga Smerillo. Book
in a beautiful, very high hill top town and very worth the visit.
Best things: The anti pasta which is unusual and imaginative. Poached quails egg on pancetta and radiccio, Baked beans in tomato and cheese sauce, delicious variety of pasta dishes, radiccio and porcini mushroom with tagiatelle, Brace chicken so well flavoured and cooked you remember why you like chicken so much. Good wine, no particular choice.
cheap
Bella Napoli Pizza. Amandola
Some of the best pizzas around. loads of choice, very relaxed, cheap and cheerful, hideous white wine, good red, beer etc.
Very cheap.Turn up.
Hotel Paradiso, Amandola
Small menu that changes, tortellini with cream sauce and pan fried rabbit with pear was good. Eat outside on their loggia in summer, they do not start until at least 8.00. Veggie option available.Medium. More than a touch of Fawlty Towers about it.
Walk up through old town right to the top or drive and park in hotel grounds.
Restaurant at Lago Ruffino
Small seasonal menu, proscuitto and salamis, tagiatellini or tortellini, good grilled veal with rosemary and lemon. cheap good white wine from the tap. Good value for a quick, relaxed open air lunch.
La Priori Monte San Martino 0733 660209 Book evenings
Best avoid anti pasta as is completely overpriced, good pasta all casa tagiatelle with roasted vegetables and good char grilled pork fillet. Pictures of Prince Charles visiting.
No outside eating but the town is very worth a visit. Go on Sundays to see the Crevili paintingsafter lunch in the church at the top 3.00/6.00.
Medium
La Querce 0733 660207 Closed Wednesday
Large, friendly and atmospheric agriturismo, more unusual anti pastas, beans with porcini, good bruchetta, home cured proscuito, very good alla brace meat, and unusual pastas with large portions. Local plonk. Moderate. Excellent pizza in the evening.
Go through Penna San Giovanni towards Monte San Martino look for sign on the right on up a white road 2 miles up white road.
Il Re Leone. Servigliano. Turn up.
Very popular pizzeria and all else besides. Oven fired pizzas, fillet steak, grilled lamb and good pasta dishes. Verdicchio and Rosso Piceno wines and its a big on lager too. Very popular for families and children who eat alone there in parties but also a favourite with grown ups because very good food.Medium.
Park in Servigliano, a beautiful and unusual old town with lots of smart, up market shops and a pretty bar which is a good place for a prosecco sitting out in the square.Very good ice creams and coffee.
Sign posted from Servigliano.
Scherzi a Parte 0733 651244 Closed Wednesday
Through Sarnano towards Sasso Tetto or coming down from the ski slopes. a good place for after ski/walk lunch/dinner. Convivial atmosphere, pleasant English speaking manager. Very good bean soup served with home made bruchetta, good ravioli, interesting and differing main courses casseroe/ oven based dishes, rabbit with grapes, wild boar stew,beef stewed in red wine and olives, home made pannacotta very good. Medium/cheap.House plonk.
La Foresteria 0733 201482
A new restaurant run by the hotel in the grounds of Abbadia di Fiastra. Interesting menu with good choices for Veggies, Sformata ( a double baked souffle )
Risottos add Northern italian influence. Excellent char grilled lambed and beef. Also has a self service restaurant cheap and cheerful for quick bite.
In summer eat al fresco over looking the abbey, grilled fish and meats, fried squid, good selection of Marchigiana wines. Sophisticated bar for coffees, gelatis etc. nice for a glass of prosecco and some olives early evening.
At the abbey di Fiastra on the ss78 towards Macerata
Da Rosa Abbey Fiastra 0733 203552 ClosedThursday
The older, established family run restaurant next to the abbey through the older style bar. Small, concise menu; but delicious, well seasoned and interesting. Excellent grilled lamb and guinea fowl. Good quality Verdicchio and Lachrima regional wines serves from the tap in litre or 1/2 litre. Very cheap.busy sundays so book.
Monastery San Liberato Restaurant Sunday only 0733 694103
Have included this as looks interesting though have never yet managed to eat there. Only Sundays, seems very busy. Menu interesting and great atmosphere. Imagine is worth the attempt
. Off the SS77 towards Sarnano turn off right for signs to San Liberato after a petrol station. Also takes you up to the mountains.
Isolina. Passo Sant Angelo. 0733 663119
Looks uninspiring both out and in but pasta very good, Ravioli stuffed with lemon flavoured ricotta served with sage butter and Tagiatelle con porcini, Pappardelle con lepre, Rabbit stew recommended. Surprisingly good wine list and very cheap.Decor conprises of lots of pine and antlers etc.
Right on the ss78 at the crossroads in Passo Sant angelo near nite club.
Piergentili San Ginesio Closed Monday 0733 656316
Recently changed hands but seems much the same , cheap, relaxed pizza is ok though cannot rave, decent pasta dishes, whole thing very low key. Set in the centre of San Ginesio. Sit out in the summer with drinks has a french feeling about it. Very cheap, good for children.
In main square
Benito Restaurant. MonteFortino.
The place for lots of wild mushroom dishes, Risottos, gnocchi and pasta with funghi and grilled and stewed red meat dishes with funghi. Good wine list, nice alpine atmosphere, go for a large hearty mountain lunch or dinner. Book weekends. The chef does the Funghi Sagra in the nearby beautiful Monte Fortino in January when the funghi and all things edible and mountainous are celebrated. Quite Expensive for what it is. A must for mushroom heads.
On road up to Monte Fortino from Amandola with petrol station in front.
Fermo Enoteca ( Wine Bar ) An intimate atmosphere, excellent wine choices served with cheese, Proscuito,salamis, olives and bread. Live jazz music, eat out on the Loggia in summer overlooking the stunning main square in Fermo. A way of eating not really taken up in UK; very popular in the larger, sophisticated cities, select a glass or bottle from a long list of almost exclusively Italain wines and choose a selection of Italian cheeses or cold meats to accompany. A lovely way to while a time and sit and chat. Book.
In the Piazza del Popolo by gates on left as approach gates.
On the Coast.
The restaurants listed below are tried and tested by the writer who, with family, friends and mostly husband has spent many a long happy afternoon sitting in the shade over looking the turquoise Adriatic sea, eating freshly caught fish and sipping properly chilled wine. The prices are higher towards the sea though any Brit will be happily astounded how cheap the fish is compared to poor old Blighty. A 2 course lunch with wine and coffee with be approx 50E for 2 if you don't go mad.
Fico D'India Sicilian ( Not curry it means prickly pear) Via Isonzo 41 CivitaNova One block from beach strip. 0733 815894
It is worth leaving the beach front for this and this is open all year lunch and dinner. Predominantly fresh shell fish, for a larger party the fruiti del mare ( fruits de mer ) is stupendous. The anti pasta served from a long table is abundant and mostly vegetable based, lovely roasted peppers and aubergines. The pasta recommended by the manager as a spaghetti with a cherry tomato, basil and chili sauce was so fresh and surprising I am won over, normally would avoid a tomato sauce pasta; the calamari fritti served on brown paper with lemon was perfect. Very interesting., long southern Italian wine list; try the Greco di Tufo from Campagnia. Medium priced.
One block in from mid way sea front, by a large playground. Near the main car park, right from car park.
Emilia Porto Nuovo 071 801109
On the most beautiful coastline of the area , craggy small pebbly beaches. the main beach has three excellent restaurants, all speak English, all serving fresh fish almost exclusively. For the non fish person there's Spaghetti with tomato sauce, salad, chips and often grilled veal or steak.
Emilia is on the sea front, open air, always busy but very relaxed,well presented food, large wine glasses, very good wine list. Recommended are the mussels in wine and parsley, steamed clams, Spaghetti with clams or Langoustine, Friti misti ( assortment of lightly battered, lightly fried fish ) Swordfish lightly steamed, sliced thinly, dressed with lemon. They do vey good pannacotta. Large variety of Verdicchio which is the perfect wine to have with fish sitting out of the hot sun. Recomended Verdicchio Mattalica Reserva by Bisci, one bottle sometimes isn't enough! Medium priced. 3 courses with salads, Bottle wine, water and coffee and digestivi 70 euros.
There is bar here where you can get piadini, soft drinks and ices too.June to early October.
There are 2 other very good restaurants all pretty much serving same. For a good grilled steak head for the restaurant nearest the jetty.June -Oct
Fortino Napoleonico On Porto Nouvo beach 071 801450
Smart, internationally renowned hotel unusual if not unique in Le Marche,not straight off the beach wear, shaded eating area in summer, inside the fort off-season. Popular with business men and hotel residents. Excellent service and food esp seabass with fennel, seafood based pasta dishes.International wine list. Quite Exp. Special occasion.
Il Clandestino Porto Nuovo 071 801422 June- early Sept
Sushi shack right on the next beach on past the Napolionic Fort Hotel situated on a tiny beach, built into the rocks overlooking the sea. Said to be the best fish place in Le Marche, very cool New World feel. You can indulge yourself with Oysters and Champagne, Sushi made from very local fish, anti pasta mista plus a few non fish and non meat choices.Very impressive, flash wine list though the food isn't pricey. Perfectly situated with food to match. Book because erratic opening and very seasonal. Med/Exp
Porto Sant Giorgio Loads of restaurants here, just take your pick. I like this one but don't know the name. May to Sept
Near the Marina with yellow umbrellas as seen from the beach. A very lively, make-shift cafe/restaurant serving very good fish based pastas, Spaghetti with mussels, clams and langoustines very good, huge platters of anti pasta mista a selection of bruschetti with anchovies, tuna etc, clams, mussels, sea snails, calamari. A massive plate of fritti misti ( always my favourite and kids like it ) calamari, langoustines etc etc in light batter deep fried served with crisp green salad and fries. If the nonna of the establishment is there she will serenade you as you eat ( very horrible experience, avoid , she had my poor father in a head lock as he didn't appreciate her singing) wine in carafes, very chilled and light, beer on tap. Very good value.
Pedaso Beach Restaurant May to Sept
Wooden structure with shade serving only fish, the anti pasta mista is huge and enough for 3 as main course. all the usual fish things, simple and very relaxed. Good white wine from tap. perfect beach eating.
Before town under the railway.
La Locandiera Ascoli Piceno 0736 262509 Closed Sunday night and Monday
A set menu with lots of small courses, most are local, seasonal and interesting and its fun not knowing what to expect.Lunch kicks off at 1.00 and wine included in price, reasonable price. Small and packed.
On via Goldoni . From main square Piazza del Popolol ,left at big church, Corso Trente e trieste, 4th Left.
Cafe Melitti Ascoli Piceno
Beautiful old Art Deco cafe, very famous, sit out over looking the Piazza del Popolo, thought to be the most beautiful Piazza in Italy by some.Relax in style and drink coffee, or glass of red wine with canapes. If you visit the city you mustn't miss this cafe.
See our guide to Food and Wine
