John just forwarded me a very interesting restaurant tip from one of the guests at ‘his’ hotel. It’s called “La Frateria” and it’s located in Cetona near Sienna, about 45 minutes away from our house in Cortona. The restaurant (wow – it looks really beautiful) is part of a former convent founded in 1212 (!) which today “offers moments of tranquility, relaxation and piece to those who feel the need.” Meaning: a retreat. (Or is this the cute Italian version of a rehab?) Besides the restaurant the place includes 7 beautiful rooms for temporary residence (apparently Oscar winner Anthony Minghella stayed here to recharge his batteries) and a little store which sells (olive) oils, jams and art. On their website, the restaurant is described as follows:
In the old prison, where even the gentle Saint Francis put the friars who did not heed the rules or were in contrast with the mother church. Here we still sense the severe and mystic aura that gives the importance and comfort of a liturgy to each meal.We dine on linen table cloths. The menu is hand written and the dishes inspired by the seasons, the fantasy of the chef, the fragrance of the vegetables and the produce of the convent: Oven baked bread, olive and caper pate, preserves, salted meats, extra virgin olive oil milled by the young people using old stone millstone.
Sounds almost like a poem, doesn’t it? (Do I see tears of joy in your eyes, Les?)Besides the yummy food this definitely sounds like a place where each of us can detox from the hectic daily life and enjoy the present moment in its entire beauty (in case I sound like a spiritual jerk – yes, I started to practice mindfulness a couple of months ago.. and I recommend this to everybody…)!
August 31, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I think this looks fantastic and this is just the kind of unique experience I want to have in Tuscany. And then there’s the fact that if its good enough for Mr. Minghella its good enough for me!!!!
January 17, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Tuscany is beautiful and everyone knows that.
If you don’t want to spend time with the tourists, try doing the same tuour of Umbria.
It’s just south and east of Tuscany and just north and east of Lazio.
It is just as beautiful and must less traveled.
PS – You are not that far from Tuscany if you stay in the northern part of Umbria. (i.e. Perugia to Cortona is about a 45 minutes and to Senia is another hour.