Locanda I Piceni

The risotto was outstanding, and the food overall was great. We also had professional, well-dressed servers and a superb view.

The whole situation left me embarrassed in front of my family. I'd grown up in the area and never had such a shocking experience. This doesn't feel typical of the region, and I don't want anyone thinking the food or owner represents this amazing place. The meal itself was disappointing too: lukewarm food, very small portions, and generally bland. To me, it felt like a tourist trap, attractive from outside but low quality compared with what's available nearby. It seems to aim for a posh feel but falls short, and the cuisine isn't traditional. I was standing at the desk for 15 minutes waiting to pay. When I complained about the wait, the chef and owner came over, didn't apologize, and insulted me and my family in front of a room full of people. He called me “morto di fame,” a derogatory term. He said he was a gentleman and I was a “morto di fame,” so I didn't need to pay. But once we were outside, he called me back to make me settle the bill. I was happy to pay from the start; I wasn't complaining to get anything. We were on a schedule, and I felt held hostage by the place. In response to the owner: I don't understand why I couldn't order “only” three mains, or why I should feel bad for doing so. Thinking a customer is rude doesn't justify shouting insults at them. That's shocking behavior for someone in hospitality. I can't stress enough that the food was lukewarm. I didn't think I was rude when I said I was about to leave. I had asked the staff twice to pay, and they dismissed me, saying the owner was on his way. You can't keep people hostage. I didn't mean to disrespect anyone, but I felt personally attacked. Shouting “morto di fame” was unnecessary and ruined an excellent day in the countryside.

We had two outstanding meals at Locanda, a charming little restaurant with great service. After our first dinner, we booked another right away. We loved the stuffed fried olives, the perfectly cooked truffle risotto, grilled lamb, and warm chocolate cake. On the second visit, the beef tartare, duck carpaccio, truffled squash puree, and veal cheek with tomato sauce and potatoes were fantastic. Everything was seasoned wonderfully, and they were happy to split courses so we could share one serving. Look for it in the centro storico in Ortezzano for great food and service!

We've been coming here virtually every year for a decade, and the food and service have always been outstanding. The terrace views at sunset, as the Moon came up, were outstanding too. What's not to like?