Where to Eat
Italy in general, and Umbria in particular, is famous for its gastronomic treats. Italians do not need to be taught the merits of Slow Food or the importance of fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Whether it is pasta with truffles, lamb grilled over the embers, or an aromatic stew of wild boar, the following restaurants (some of our favourites) all offer the authentic taste of good cooking in Umbria. Alternatively, you might like to sample what’s on offer at one of the many food-related festivals in the area, or to try your hand at creating some of the local dishes yourself. Our page about Local events and Markets tells you where to go to find fresh produce and local festivals celebrating the specialist fare of the region. We keep a generous array of cookbooks at both houses for the use of guests.
We list some of our favourite restaurants below, in the order of their distance, by car, from Casa Nova.
Calagrana
Bastia Creti, 277 + 39 075 941 0865 http://www.calagrana.com Closed: tbc Speciality: Home grown produce and local dishes, with a hint of London sophistication in the menu and presentation, yet reasonably priced for the quality offered; another of our top three picks. Other comments: English spoken; indoor and outdoor seating; pool; outdoor space for kids to play. Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
Nonna Gelsa
Niccone + 39 075 941 0699 Closed: Tuesday Speciality: Local cooking. Other comments: English spoken; indoor seating or outdoors under large canopy; well and truly discovered by those English living or holidaying in the area but as yet unspoilt. Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
Sommavilla
S. Andrea di Sorbello + 39 0575 638112 Closed: tbc Speciality: organic cooking; a French twist at times (for example, onion tart served as a starter). Other comments: indoor and outdoor seating; children’s play area. Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
Girasoli di Sant’Andrea
Molino Vitelli + 39 075 941 0798 Closed: tbc Speciality: Local cooking; steaks. Recently, however, we’ve found that quality can at times be variable, so check our guestbook to see what others think. Other comments: English spoken; indoor (rooms decorated with antique maiolica) and outdoor seating (under pergola); children’s play area. Distance from Casa Nova: <10 minutes
La Rocca
Piazza Caduti del Lavoro, 4, Umbertide + 39 075 941 1828 Closed: Monday Speciality: worth seeking out for its excellent fish menu (not easy to find in this land-locked province) but also does a range of other regional dishes; however, may be best avoided in August as the chef then disappears to the seaside on holiday and our experience of the stand-in wasn’t up to scratch. Other comments: central Umbertide; some English spoken; indoor seating and in outdoor tented pavilion. Distance from Casa Nova: <15 minutes
Trattoria Mimmi Mercatale di Cortona + 39 0575 619029 Closed: tbc Speciality: plain local cooking at very reasonable prices; seconds of everything for hungry adolescents! Other comments: indoor seating. Distance from Casa Nova: <15 minutes
Locanda del Capitano
Via Roma, 5, 06014 Montone + 39 075 930 6521 Closed: tbc Speciality: superior regional cooking, including game in season and recreations of historic dishes; extensive wine list; the manager (Giancarlo) is passionate about good food and good wine and happy to explain the history and background of his dishes; one of our top three picks. Other comments: English spoken; indoor and some outdoor seating. Distance from Casa Nova: <30 minutes
Tipico Osteria dei Sensi
Via Roma, 3, 06014 Montone +39 075 92 88 040 Closed: Sunday night and Monday: Speciality: typical Umbrian dishes made with locally produced ingredients. Founded by Giancarlo, the chef/owner of Capitano (see above), to offer simpler fare of high quality. Other comments: English spoken; indoor and some outdoor seating. Distance from Casa Nova: <30 minutes
Antica Osteria
Piazza Fortebraccio, 5/6 06014 Montone Tel: +39 075 930 62 71 Closed: Sunday night and Monday: Speciality: particular emphasis on dishes with truffle and on grilled T-bone steaks. Other comments: panoramic views from the walls of Montone over the mountains beyond. Distance from Casa Nova: <30 minutes
Erba Luna
Parco Della Rimembranza, 16 Montone – 06014 +39 075 930 6405 Closed: tbc Speciality: modern Italian, ranging beyond Umbria for its influences. Other comments: located in the converted stables of the castle of Montone. Distance from Casa Nova: <30 minutes
Lea
8/F, Corso Cavour - 06012 Cittą Di Castello (PG) + 39 075 852 1678 Closed: Monday Speciality: Good local cooking; capelletti in brodo and soups especially good. Other comments: just off the main market square; indoor seating; always abuzz with locals. Distance from Casa Nova: 30 minutes
L’Accademia Hostaria
Via del Modello 1 06012 Cittą di Castello (PG) +39 075 852 3120 Closed: tbc Speciality: Traditional Umbrian dishes. Other comments: indoor seating; always full of locals; characterful vaulted rooms. Distance from Casa Nova: 30 minutes
I Muri
Fraz. Gioiello - 06010 Monte Santa Maria Tiberina + 39-075-8571001 - 0039-349-8830867 e-mail: carmela@imuriagriturismo.com www.imuriagriturismo.com Closed: tbc Speciality: A fixed taster menu which is as likely to feature Neapolitan specialities as Umbrian dishes on any given day (reflecting the owners’ origins). A welcome change if you start to get restless with the standard local offerings. (Bored with truffle?) Very generous portions (and many courses, so strictly for hungry people). Warm and very personal service: the owner, Carmela, both cooks for you and serves. You need to pre-book. Distance from Casa Nova: 30 minutes
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