Hotel Ristorante La Bruceta

The food was excellent, with great ingredients, and we appreciated the welcome appetizers too. The owner walked us through the menu with real professionalism. His wife greeted us warmly and found us a table outside in a corner, even though we’d been told there was no outdoor seating. She was kind to our dog and brought over a bowl of fresh water. When I called ahead to ask about seating, the owner was friendly and gave us directions. He also said bringing our dog wouldn’t be a problem. We came across the restaurant during the fritter fair beneath the castle. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the old town. The only downside is how far away it is for us, or we’d make it a regular stop. If you’re passing through, give it a try. It’s well worth it!

I was hoping for a simpler meal made the traditional way, so lunch on a weekday left me disappointed. This is only about that meal. The welcome was courteous, and the old village trattoria atmosphere, a little disheveled, had made us optimistic. The stew in wine came lukewarm and was really overcooked. It sat on a slice of polenta that was bland and insubstantial. The shredded grilled vegetables and powdered dried flowers added to it didn’t make sense with the dish. The Piedmontese-style fritto misto was advertised with 20 different fried dishes, but it would have been better with more of the main meat flavors. Watery mozzarella and other unlikely additions, such as frozen artichokes, didn’t improve it.

We had dinner here as a group of six and all enjoyed the meal. The staff were welcoming and helpful, and the service was exceptional. From the panoramic terrace, the view is stunning, with nature alongside elegant tourist facilities. What a wonderful find. Highly recommended.

That thin crust is just how I like pizza, and it was really good. We ate out on the terrace, which is beautiful and welcoming, with a stunning view. The staff are very friendly too. They offer takeout, and this has almost become our usual Saturday night spot.