Le Mandrie di Ripalta

We decided to try this restaurant only half an hour before arriving, after driving up a winding road. It turned out to be my best decision so far in Italy. The views and setting were lovely, and the service, food, and value were second to none. Every dish was stunning. I had an egg and white truffle starter, followed by rabbit in white sauce with grilled potatoes and vegetables. The rabbit was incredibly tender. We finished with Tuscan tiramisu and lemoncello. What a wonderful place.

We arrived around noon on the first day of our two-night stay, and our room was ready. It was spacious and comfortable, with a good shower and a charming balcony. The restaurant was a highlight. The menu has great choices that change each evening, including steak, pasta, cheeses, and wine. We heard there were good restaurants nearby but didn’t feel a need to try them. Breakfast is served in the restaurant. There was plenty of fresh juice, cheese, and snacks, though not much beyond that, and the machine coffee was good but not great. The main drawback was the distance between our room and the restaurant. A large group of rooms is about a 10-minute walk away, and the walk to dinner wasn’t pleasant on the night it rained heavily. We came mainly to rest, so we can’t say much about the area. One day we walked around nearby and went into town for a wine tour, then drove to Florence the next day. There’s also supposed to be a cool food market around. The pool looked like it would be nice in warmer weather.

We loved staying here so much it’s hard to put into words. The views from the lovely lodging are beautiful, and the restaurant’s food and wine are delicious. It felt like being in a postcard. We’ll definitely recommend it to friends, and we can’t wait to visit again.

We chose this restaurant for dinner tonight, and it turned into one of my most disappointing meals. The pasta was completely bland, with no seasoning or flavor, and eating it was a chore. The chicken and potatoes were swimming in oil, making them greasy and unappealing. The presentation was another letdown. It looked as though no effort had gone into plating the food. On top of that, the meal was extremely expensive, with prices that didn’t make sense for the quality. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant. Save your money for somewhere with better food and value.