Osteria Della Fornace - GROTTAZZOLINA

As a quintessentially English soul wandering through the cobblestone alleys of Italy, my linguistic limitations hit me like a pasta avalanche. Lesson learned: next time, perhaps brushing up on my Italian might be a good idea before embarking on culinary adventures. Amidst my linguistic missteps, one night bestowed upon me a serendipitous encounter with a hidden gem of a restaurant. Walking in, I was greeted by the owner 's warm smile, language barrier be damned. With a kind nod, she whisked me into the kitchen, revealing a symphony of food options. My own eloquence failed me, so I just surrendered to her expertise, uttering the universal phrase: 'Serve me whatever you want. ' What followed was an epic saga of course after course, a culinary odyssey that seemed almost mythic. Between bites of perfection, they kept me hydrated with divine wines and crowned the feast with a triumphant coffee. Yet, let it be known, it wasn 't just about the food; it was about the people. This restaurant 's true brilliance shines in its humanity. To everyone who embraced me with open arms, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. Grazie mille for a heartwarming experience that transcended words. I 'm already plotting my return, dictionary in hand!

We stopped for lunch and realised that the Osteria had changed hands (again! We weren't disappointed though and had a really good lunch of pasta and then a board of salumi with wine and water. Genny is lovely and smiley and I imagine it's mum in the kitchen so she knows what she's doing!