Il Vecchio Forno In L'aquila

14/09/2025: What a gem this is! A fifteen-minute walk from the Lo Schioppo campsite via Piano Sacramento. Opening hours aren't very clear, but on this Sunday afternoon, the restaurant was open for lunch. Simple and delicious food, reasonably priced, and the cheesecake for dessert was absolutely fantastic!

20/08/2025: My experience at La Mandra restaurant was undoubtedly positive. The location is stunning, surrounded by greenery and just steps from the entrance to the "Zompo Lo Schioppo" nature reserve, which I recommend visiting early in the morning and then having lunch at this excellent restaurant. The establishment also offers a B&B service. Lunch, which I had the pleasure of experiencing on two different occasions, with friends and family, began with a tasty appetizer of local cured meats, accompanied by olives and grilled vegetables prepared authentically in-house. The first courses consist of excellent homemade fresh pasta, such as fettuccine, gnocchi, or ravioli (filled with excellent ricotta) topped with sauces (ragù or tomato and basil) or other very tasty preparations (truffle or boscaiola). For the second courses, we opted for excellent and generous mixed roasts accompanied by equally delicious side dishes; we particularly enjoyed the broccoli and seasoned tomatoes. A wide selection of homemade desserts, including an excellent Neapolitan pastiera, and a special mention for the exquisite baked cheesecake, which is quite rare in Italy. A special mention also goes to the gentian liqueur, highly recommended after a meal with coffee. We were greeted by the family-run staff with great helpfulness and courtesy. On one of our visits, even our big dog, Charlie, was welcomed with open arms. The indoor and outdoor spaces and bathrooms are spotless, the prices are reasonable, and the quality is excellent. We'll be back and highly recommend it.