Angelo Recchi

Thank you too, Marc! It's been a pleasure to show the treasures of my land. And we didn't finished! A presto! Ciao Angelo

Michael, what a great description of my beloved Bologna, the city where I spent 6 years of my life (and where I keep going at least twice a month). I would add "Osteria del Sole", a real unusual thing. It's a place where you can bring your own food, bought in the shops next to it (it's in the very centre, Vicolo Ranocchi), and then have a bottle of wine to share with your friends. The place is very old, dating back to 15th century (restored a lot of times), and it's the only real bolognese one which has survived to the modernization of Bologna. ciao! Angelo

Beautiful report!!! And thanks for all the compliments to me. I hope that after reading your report, a lot of people will be curios to visit le Marche. For those who like to know more about Amise-based liqueur, I wrote an article (perfectly translated by Cinghiale, whom I thank again) about Ascoli Piceno, on my weblog: http://www.angelorecchi.com/nuovo_blog/200...ff-meletti.html Enjoy! Merry Christmas to you all! Angelo

I got a day off the day after!!! We had a delicious dinner at Uliassi's, Cinghiale took some pictures. How was Pianella? Did you enjoy the guanciola?

Hi Divina, nice to meet you! Well, in this area there is ike a "religious" struggle, between Uliassi's fans and Madonnina's ones. Actually, I've never eaten at Uliassi (I'll go there for the first time with Cinghiale, next Tuesday, on my birthday btw!), and I went 5-6 times at Madonnina, when it was more affordable than now. At the moment, I think it's too expensive (but this is another matter). Rather, I think it pretends to be a high luxury place, when all the staff is more down-to-earth (and I think it's positive to be down-to-earth). Clandestino is closed in the winter, and it's very nice in the summer. Anikò, the kiosk, is open all the year, and it's good for light lunch or appetizers. I also appreciate Moreno Cedroni's creativity, I know him since he was 25 (so, more than 15 years ago), got up at 2am to come and buy fresh fish at Ancona's fish market. And I'm very happy for his success. But now I'm afraid he "bit off more than he could chew". Uliassi is the other side; I can't comment upon them, since I've never eaten there. Somebody told me they have a different approach to the guests and to the service. After all, the price is the same in both places. I think one should try them alternatively. Ciao a tutti! Angelo

I just asked to a Matelica-Camerino area expert. He told me you should go at Raul-Pianella, in Serra S.Quirico (the one I told you), because there is no special restaurant to mention. It's 30 minutes by car. Maybe you can go there when in Camerino, and go to Fabriano when in Fabriano. Unless you find a place which we don't know (and they might be), and which you will show me when we'll meet! Ciao, Angelo

We spent one night there last November and while the setting is isolated and lovely we were very disappointed in the food. Not bad, just nothing to go out of your way for. It was recommended in Gambero Rosso 2003, but not in 2004 (we discovered too late). ← I can agree with Mmerrill, although I think that the choice in that area is rather limited. I can ask somebody and tell you more. Note: Mmerrill, I think you were lucky not to be an Italian native speaker (I suppose), otherwise you could have got angry after a 2-minutes-conversation with the owner, which I did when I went there. *But* the food was not bad. Well, if I find something better, I'll let you know. About guanciola: it's the cheek of the veal, no guanciale inside (by guanciale I mean the cheek of the pork). About Il Passetto... I've just discovered that it's closed on Mondays :-( We can try Gino, the best one for Stoccafisso all'Anconetana. If not closed as well, I'll check it out. Last thing: don't know whether you found an hotel nor which is your budget. I would recommend you to Hotel Duchi della Rovere, in Senigallia (www.hotelduchidellarovere.it). Just 50 metres walking from Uliassi. It has the best service of Senigallia. It's a 4 star hotel, so it might be a bit expensive; you can ask them for discounts or special prices, in this period they might have empty rooms. Thank you all for such a nice welcome on Egullet! Ciao Angelo

Hi Cinghiale, I would strongly recommend: * near Fabriano, at Serra San Quirico, go to La Pianella, da Raul, and ask for Veal Guanciola (wonderful). Excellent and genuine food, Raul is a real expert, bill around 40 Euros each. I also went to Marchese del Grillo, but I think is overvaluate. Good canteen, anyway, but La Pianella is highly better. * Near Camerino, you can go at Gli Ulivi , Matelica. The owner is weird, but the food is good, and he has genuine and local food. * In Ancona, for your monday night, I would suggest you Ristorante Il Passetto (whether open, I can't remember). Excellent food, great service and perfect professionality. And, of course, when you pass by, just make a call: I'll be very happy to meet you! Ciao Angelo -------------------- www.angelorecchi.com