Our introduction to Folgaria wouldn’t have been complete without decent Italian food. Used to Austrian and Bavarian Alpine restaurants (which tend to be good, but usually stick to what they do best) I often get a bit “schnitzelled” and “spatzled” out after a couple of days. In Folgaria however, as part of a country where food is almost as important as religion, there is no fear of that happening. Ever.
The first of many enjoyable lunches was at Restaurant Da Ugo. Its unassuming exterior makes you think there might only be a couple of tables inside, which there probably are in the side room off the sweet little bar at the front, but the main dining room (lots of wood, lots of hearts, lots of cosiness) is at the back, and was absolutely packed to the rafters with locals. If that’s not a good sign then I don’t know what is. If any of them managed to make it back to work after the size of their dishes of delicious home made pasta, I would be incredibly surprised – they are generous to say to say the least. When I mentioned this to our friendly waiter, he smiled and told me they were “mountain portions”… It’s probably just as well I don’t live here.
My Caramelle with scamorza, speck and sage butter was delicious, and could probably have fed a small army. The Small Girl managed a vast amount of lasagne, and claimed it was the best she had ever eaten (I had a small taste, and completely agreed!). Mr R loved his tagliatelle with a local hare ragu, and The Small Boy decided that his gnocchi con pomodoro was so amazing he was going to eat the entire lot. Which he did – after a small interval that involved lying down and groaning a lot (out of sight of other guests thankfully) – a tactic he can well get away with at the age of 7, but that his mother sadly wouldn’t anymore.
With chestnuts in season, these took centre stage in a semi-freddo with a chestnut puree core and drenched in persimmon sauce (something else grown locally – I have never seen a persimmon tree before, they are gorgeous) . Given the atmosphere, it was really easy to imagine we were in the middle of a ski lunch with snow falling thickly outside, so I accepted a home made chamomile brandy just in case. We loved the food, the atmosphere and the great service.
Also featuring highly on my Folgaria Eats list would have to be the rather lovely four star Folgaria Post Hotel, where we enjoyed an evening full of traditional food given a fine dining edge. The welcome we received when we turned up made us feel like old friends rather than guests, before being taken downstairs to the beautiful restaurant (another instance of traditional with a modern twist!) with typical hand-carved furniture adorned with gorgeous white and blue alpine fabric. Despite the fact that I am sure they entertain many families here (this is Italy after all!), this particular colour scheme had me mentally crossing off anything containing chocolate, red wine or orange juice before we had even started – all for my own sanity rather than that of the restaurant’s, the hosts are so kind I am sure any such disasters would have been swept aside with a smile.
We began with a delicious dish of polenta (a regional speciality) topped with wild mushrooms. Thankfully I had only requested a starter for the Small People as these too were “mountain portions” and almost the size of their heads. We however went on to sample some excellent local wines before embarking on the culinary adventure that is Bollito Misto, a classic North Italian stew consisting of several different kinds of meat, served alongside mostarda and salsa verde – quite the regional speciality. I gave myself away as an interloper as I attempted to cut dainty mouthfuls, but when I looked everyone else around me was tucking in with gusto.
And afterwards (because if it’s on the menu in Italy it has to be done), we gave the restaurant the Bavarian Sojourn Tiramisu Taste Test, which I am happy to report it passed with flying colours. A lovely meal, in great surroundings. The Folgaria Post is a hotel that I would return to for a special occasion. Highly recommended.
Just up the road is Hotel Alpino, the sister hotel to the Alpen Eghel (Alpino has to be the big sister, it’s been in the family for generations, look out for the amazing photograph at the front desk!) and was to be our host for the last meal of the trip (you don’t have to be guests to eat at any of the hotels by the way, just call ahead and book a table!). Unlike the slightly minimalist interior of the Alpen Eghel, Hotel Alpino does alpine by the shovel full in a completely cosy, wooden interiors, overdosing on edelweiss kind of way.
We enjoyed a decent meal here that included pumpkin lasagne, a carpaccio of beef and pomodorro pasta for Small Boy (who obviously decided to stick to a theme this trip!)! Guests have two choices from a set menu, and the food is accompanied by good wines, and delivered by super friendly staff.
Afterwards, we explored the hotel where we found the most perfect cellar bars – one room packed to the rafters with wine, and another that turns into an intimate live music venue on the weekend.
Seduced by this (and because I am very nosey!) I asked to look at a couple of guest rooms for future trips and recommendations. Each room was completely inviting with furniture made from a fragrant wood supposed to induce the best kind of sleep. I could quite happily have done an impression of Goldilocks that night, and not moved any further (it was probably all that food!) Another place on my future visits list, and again highly recommended.
Needless to say I haven’t had to eat much since we got home, I haven’t actually needed to. There’s one more place coming up by the way, but it’s not in Folgaria so it gets its own post!…
brooke says
The cellar bars look so rustic yet inviting and romantic! Really looks and sounds like you had a nice time.
Emma says
We had an amazing time. Folgaria is definitely a place you need to visit before you leave Brooke, definitely with that energetic family of yours! :) x
SJ says
I wish I had not read this after having the crappest dinner ever… Now I am longing for some of that pumpkin lasagne.
Emma says
Thanks SJ… Hope today’s dinner is better! :D
Emma says
Oh Emma, it all looks amazing!! We’re looking into ski holidays at the moment and I am very much liking the look of Folgaria.
Emma says
It is honestly the perfect choice for families (and for foodies alike!) ;D xx
Michelle Twin Mum says
Oh my that pasta looked so good and the mushroom polenta too, I’m dribbling! Mich x
Emma says
Thank you M x
A Patchwork Life says
They really are monster portions! But I’d definitely be up for that kind of challenge :) Love proper pasta and gnocchi. You make it all sound and look so tempting x
Emma says
Thank you T! When it’s decent food it’s just so much easier! :) xx
Alice Hassall says
Oh My Gosh… I am so hungry right now that mountain portions wouldn’t be enough. *notes down on places to go list*
Emma says
Thanks Alice! :) x
older mum in a muddle says
You eat so well and enjoy all those dishes like they’re your last! Yum! X
Emma says
I had never thought of it like that before. Now what would I choose? :D
Louisa says
After two weeks in Italy, I get pasta’d out and when in the uk, I miss Italian food….so I hear you! The food looks delicious in your photos, particularly the polenta and mushroom dish and my favourite pudding is tiramisu. I understand your son’s reaction after devouring the gnocchi. I love gnocchi, but I always forget how filling it is!
Emma says
Thanks Louisa! So much choice here! I could never live in Italy, as much as I would love to! :D
becky says
ooh you make me want to eat!!!
Emma says
Thanks Becky! :D
pinkoddy says
Oh wow looks and sounds like you were really taken care of.
Emma says
It is such a welcoming place! Thanks J x
Liz Burton says
I am loving the sound of ‘mountain portions’! I can’t abide it when restaurants serve teeny morsels of food. It all looks absolutely amazing and I’m drooling at the pictures.
Emma says
Thanks L xx
Cass@frugalfamily says
I am drooling right now! Not sure what I like the sound of most but I would’ve loved to try the pumpkin lasagne x
Emma says
I am a sucker for anything pumpkin too Cass! Thank you! :) x
Mary Keynko says
Wow! Italian food has to be my favourite cuisine and this lot looks amazing, I am currently drooling in my keyboard! I need to get myself out there!
Emma says
Thanks Mary, it pretty much has it all there, great hospitality, beautiful views and amazing food! :) xx
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
Look at that tirasimu! my hubby would kill for that. It looks a beautiful restaurant to visit
Emma says
That tiramisu was so so good! Thank you! :)
Grace says
Wow, what amazing food, mouth watering descriptions and photographs to do justice to an alpine cookery book! My problem is I have not eaten yet before reading this and could just tuck into any one of the dishes described. I did have to laugh at your description of the small boy lying down and groaning while digesting his gnocchi!! x
Emma says
Quite typical for him! Thank you xxx
Katy Hill says
I’m SO hungry now! Stunning photos – as ever. Love that Hearts shot at the start. My husband says, if I bring any more hearts home, there will be trouble! ;-) And the cellar bars look very cool. Lovely post x
Emma says
Thanks so much Katy! You could always get around that by buying him a heart for Christmas, wouldn’t technically be you then would it? :D x
Mummy Barrow says
I almost licked the screen reading this. I love good gnocchi but sadly so much of it is rubbish, this however looked delicious!!!
Emma says
It was such such such good gnocchi! Thanks so much T! :)
Nikki Thomas says
Wow that looks so amazing, I feel so hungry now. I love that the children had a positive dining experience too as that is always a worry when you travel with children.
Emma says
Thanks so much Nikki! I am incredibly lucky in that my two will eat just about anything (apart from baked beans!) :D
Sonya Cisco says
All looks SO good – love that cellar bar too! Fab pics and now I am hungry!
Emma says
Thanks Sonya, that bar is gorgeous! :)
Trish says
I love that your son was able to have a lie-down during his meal: the most we can do as adults is discreetly undo a belt!
No wonder you haven’t eaten much since your return!
Emma says
He likes to partake in a spot of extreme gnocchi eating from time to time! Thanks Trish! :D x
Sally Sellwood (@Recipejunkie27) says
Wow – what a complete feast. I’ve just eaten my diner, and I’m feeling hungry again after reading all that
Emma says
Thanks Sally! :)
Mark and Kate @vagrantsofthworld says
Delicious post, great photos and really good looking food.
Emma says
Thank you both! :)
Diana @ Life in German. says
it’s a good thing I read this post after I had eaten! Everything looks so good!
Emma says
Thanks so much Diana! :D
Mari says
You visited some of my favourites here and I’m drooling at the menus and photos. Wouldn’t it be lovely to book Sunday lunch at one of them today?
Emma says
Totally. I think I could cope with the mountain portions today as well! Thanks Mari! :)
Midlife Singlemum says
What an absolutely delicious post.
Emma says
Thank you, it was an epicurean adventure! :D