04/09/2025: Late August 2025. I'm returning to my native Campobasso after decades... I've lived in many cities and traveled the world far and wide, including 13 years in the USA... and peeking into the birthplace of the legendary '60s is a hope of success. But no! I find a city ravaged by a thousand problems, and local institutions like Lupacchioli now reduced to a sad parable of tears. In the evening, my cousin asks me if we should go out to eat, and after wandering around some very sad places, with those sad and gloomy kids, I'm reminded of Monticelli, from a TV show. Let's go there... to the old town. How beautiful! Just walking among those houses is a joy for the soul. We enter, we're warmly welcomed at the door, where I meet the chef. The place is small but well-kept. The waiter is excellent (I'm a longtime chef de rang...) who knows how to talk, how to be ironic, how to move the plates in the right directions, and how to advise by listening! Hold on and treat this golden boy well, because it's a jungle of barbarians out there. HE knows what he's doing. Applause for the service. Everything is great, life is good at Monticelli, you fraternize with other customers, you exchange ideas and jokes always with elegance, the time spent here is well spent, happy, fulfilling. Feels really good! The dishes? Good Lord... give me those cavatelli every day I have left to live! The chef has the RARE magic of knowing how to respect tradition with humility and respect, which makes her a master of the kitchen and she manages to epically venture into new dishes of her own invention that leave you in a state of joyful and glorious inspiration. BRAVA! Chef, you are a spectacle in the kitchen and a wonderful person when sharing ideas, experiences, and laughter. My compliments. This is a sanctuary of culinary beauty, a joy for the senses and the mind, human warmth, a wonderful welcome, a feast for the palate and the aromas! I rediscovered the courtesy and kindness of the Molise people of old, something now lost in the city. I had a truly wonderful time, and I absolutely urge anyone in town craving a sublime dinner to visit these guys at Monticelli. Go there without hesitation. It's your introduction to the joy of Molise and cuisine that will fill both body and soul. Chef... do you remember me? We talked in the alley, outside, after dinner... I repeatedly told her to open a restaurant in Manhattan (New York City). She replied that others had advised her the same thing. You see, we who have lived in those cities for a long time know what success YOU could quickly achieve there, which you richly deserve! Bring the whole team with you, don't change a thing, and we'll talk again in a few years. I bow before your desire to contribute to the quality of our city and region, but I made another choice, having only one life; I chose change over humiliation, and I was right. In any case, I wish you all the best, your happiness, and continued growth in your life and profession. Monticelli, HIC MANEBIMUS OPTIME!
03/09/2025: Fantastic meal with fresh and local dishes and ingredients. The owner and staff were extremely welcoming.
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