Hostaria La Tufa
Cortona
Ossaia di Cortona 67
Cortona (AR)
0575-677-717
Owner: Emanuela Rachini
Review copyright - Ginda Simpson
It
was one of those winter days, crisp and bright, with a determined sun
piercing through the mist. After
wandering the streets of nearby Castiglione del Lago, we decided to head
toward the Hostaria La Tufa, located in the town of Ossaia, near Cortona.
Inside, a pleasant warmth welcomed us, not just from the
wood-burning hearth, but also from the greeting we received from Emmanuela,
the owner and chef at this quaint hostaria, opened thirty years ago by her
parents. After purchasing the
18th century farm structure, Serafino, her father, converted it
one room at a time into dining space.
The old stone and brick walls of what were once the old wine
cellars now enclose three dining rooms where tables are covered in rustic
linens and the walls are adorned with old farm implements.
The granary above became their living space.
And creating delectable dishes and welcoming guests to their dining
rooms became their life.
Emmanuela
has worked side by side with her parents from the beginning. Her mother, Angellina, exercised her culinary imagination
daily, and although she has passed on, her recipes are still cherished and
draw people to come back again and again.
We especially enjoyed her “Rosetto dell’amore,” flat
pieces of pasta coiled like a rose, filled with a béchamel sauce of
cheese and ham, then baked in the oven.
A second course of roasted duck for me, and stewed rabbit for my
husband, proved hearty and most satisfying for a winter lunch.
Their sweet, crunchy “tozzetti” are made in house, and
when dipped in vin santo, soften to a melt-in-your-mouth
perfection.