02/04/2026: A very interesting gastronomic destination in Fossombrone. A charming place and good-quality dishes. Worth mentioning is the kindness of chef Luca Zanchetti, who offered us delicious chocolates at the end of the meal.
19/03/2026: In an alley in the charming historic center of Fossombrone, you'll notice a charming little white house that will transport you back to the last century. After wandering around and fortifying himself with valuable apprenticeship, the innkeeper returned home and opened this osteria a few years ago, a family home (I seem to recall it being his grandparents' old bakery).
Outside, you'll notice a large number of plaques from various awards and recognitions from leading restaurant guides and a charming little outdoor terrace. Inside, two intimate rooms (one on the first floor where we dined) are tastefully and carefully furnished, lending the osteria an elegant, welcoming, and relaxing atmosphere.
A friendly maître d' will attentively attend to your every need, explaining the menu to you, and will serve you throughout your meal. Expertly prepared by the chef-researcher, who draws on several Slow Food Presidia, sourcing and using local ingredients of undeniable quality to create dishes rooted in tradition but also revisited with admirable international flair.
You can choose à la carte (the menu changes periodically), or you can opt for a four-course menu of your choice (€39) (valid only on non-holiday/pre-holiday Mondays and Tuesdays in winter), including a basket of sourdough bread and organic olive oil, a welcome glass, an appetizer, a first course, a second course, and a dessert.
After the welcome welcome, we ordered (tasting menu):
Appetizer: Matico cheese on envy, with a honey sauce made from unstressed bees, pears, Slow Food Presidium fig loin, and chopped dried fruit...an excellent combination of flavors!
First course: Slow Food Presidium Tacconi with creamed potatoes, pecorino di fossa cheese, and cabbage...unmissable!
Second course: Hook-caught cod with peperonata, olives, and powdered Slow Food Presidium Salina capers, a delight for the palate...a skillful balance of Mediterranean flavors and tastes.
Dessert: Dark Bostrengo cheese with chopped dried fruit and pineapple carpaccio...a perfect end to an excellent dinner!
The other diner:
Guinea fowl legs and wings (€19) with ACE cream, dates, carrots, and toasted Piedmont PGI hazelnuts, a true delight.
Fried vegetables (€9) with aromatic bread, delicate and flavorful.
Glazed chestnut parfait with mulled wine apples and Slow Food Presidium Toritto almonds (€8), a dessert of excellent flavor!
The Verzulin (€4), a typical drink of the porters of Fossombrone made with pure anise and mint syrup, is a welcome "revival" that has become the osteria's official cicchetti.
To accompany the dinner, two glasses of red wine from the Marche region, an Ortaia Pergola DOC Aleatico Superiore aged in oak barrels (€14) from the excellent Cantina Terracruda in Fratterosa (PU), totaling €98 for two. I'd say it's absolutely appropriate for what's on offer, the setting, the very high quality of the dishes, and the attentive and friendly service, making for an unforgettable evening that we truly enjoyed.
The osteria is open: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (dinner only), Saturday and Sunday (lunch and dinner).
In my opinion, the effort to offer and adhere to the Michelin Bib Gourmand label, i.e., quality cuisine offered at an excellent quality-price ratio, is highly commendable, especially given these difficult times.
If we add the great availability and attentiveness (from the time we booked) and the attention to detail (the welcome note on the table, the complimentary dessert, and the friendly, smiling service...) the picture is complete.
A highly recommended experience (as is the reservation!) and one we will definitely repeat!!!
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