There is a small restaurant in Orvieto whose name had something to do with Pinocchio, if memory serves me right. We were there in October and had a simple meal but my wife ordered the pasta with truffles, and the waiter came with the dishes and then grated from a truffle larger than a golf ball enough shavings to turn the whole dish black. The taste was unforgettable.

There's a wonderful restaurant in Spello, Il Molino. It's across the street from the Palazzo Bocci Hotel, so just follow the signs. The specialty is grilled meats, and there is an open hearth in the dining room, where they cook the meat. The aroma is to die for! Everything is excellent, including the service. the best thing is to stay in the town, so you don't have to drive home after dinner. The Palazzo Bocci is a wonderful and not too expensive. There's another good restuarant in Spello: Il Caciatore-La Terazza. In good weather, lunch is served on the terrace (of course), with a wonderful view of the countryside. They sometimes have tour groups stopping there, but it didn't stop us from enoying ourselves!

A year and a half later and I'v been back to Taverna del Pescatore in Pigge several times. I now recommend lunch in good weather under the giant hyperbolic parabaloid tent along side the little stream (complete with tiny waterfall). The food and atmosphere are memorable.

And when I reread your question containing a reference to olive oil, I feel compeled to note the following: My wife and I stayed last spring and fall at Le Case Gialle, near Gualdo Cataneo, not far from Bevagna. The proprietor of the collection of apartments, Mauro Colona, last year received the first prize in a national competition for organic olive oils. He received an award from the Minister of Agriculture in December. The competition had over three thousand entrants. I have three bottles left from the six he shipped me last November and, I guess its time to reload. Every dinner guest in my house has been awed by the oil.

orvieto the pasta and tartufo was great but the best was the roasted braised wild boar that and a good bottle of chianti try it you wont forget that meal

DRJ,<BR><BR>You are SO lucky (olio)! I am dreaming of another foodie trip trhough Umbria! I am hoping for April! Any other suggestions?<BR><BR>I need to get out my notes and post a reply for the places I ended up going...<BR><BR>Wendy

I thought I replied to this thread yesterday, but it seems to not have posted...weird..anyways...<BR><BR>By chance, we passed in front of a restaurant called Duca di Orvieto (they have a website). They were holding a special medieval banquet night. It was 7 courses with paired wines. Before each course the chef and the sommelier would describe the food and wine and why they were paired. The atmosphere was VERY convival and festive. We were the only non-locals. The meal took 4+ hours. It was truly a memorable experience for us.<BR><BR>If you're in Orvieto check them out. I think they do special events like that once a month or once every couple of months.

Wendy_Lyn:<BR><BR>I can also recommend La Bastiglia at the top of the little hilltown of Spello. Nice hotel, excellent kitchen. In Bevagna are Enoteca Piazza Onofri in center of town and Trattoria Ottavius, near the south gate. In Perugia, the outdoor courtyard at Hotel Rosetta right in Piazza Italia. Also, almost anywhere in Norcia is good.

topping

Dog Mother:<BR>I just replied to your other post, but must recommend that while in Umbria you visit the Arnaldo Caprai fattoria near Montefalco and purchase a bottle or two of their Sagrantino. Also nearby to Montefalco is the Paolo Bea winery. Small, but excellent.

Thank you for these recommendations, DRJ!

ttt

My dear DM,

Are you planning to visit Umbria?

How did you guess??

Yes, I am going for about 16 days in May/June 2005. We will stay in Tuscany for a week and Umbria for a week.

I want to do Slow Trav, small/tiny villages, see the birds, walk the land, use my Italian which I'm trying to teach myself, etc.

DM

Have you asked your question at www.slowtrav.com?

Hee hee, which question??? I've asked quite a few lately.

I'm not a card-carrying, dues-paying member of Slow Trav....so I don't believe I am allowed to post questions. But I'm a Big Lurker on that site.

What are your travel experiences in Italy, and particularly Tuscany and Umbria? Are you can American?

What are some of the really, really small villages in those provinces you would suggest I visit?

DM

DM,

You don't have to pay dues to post on slowtrav.

There are a good number of restaurant review for Umbria on slow trav. For Umbria info, slow trav can't be beat!

My most memorable meal in Umbria? Any one where I ordered pasta con tartufo (with truffles) The flavor is earthy,unique and wonderful. To me it's passion defined as flavor.

jan

Looking for a little more input--we leave in 9 days! Thanks for your suggestions.

If you happen to be in Gubbio I quite enjoyed Taverna del Lupo. We had the tasting menu of bruschetta with ham, home made ravioli with zucchini and porcini mushrooms sauce, fillet of veal with rosemary and balsamic sauce,eggplants and mushrooms, and chantilly cream puffs. Oh yeah, and two bottles of vino. The setting and service were supurb. 106E in '02.
If you visit Todi, Ristorante Umbria is out of this world, and you need reservations.