Il Granaro del Monte
Hotel Grotta Azzurra
Bevagna
Via Alfieri 7
06046 Norcia (PG)
0743-816-513
Review copyright - Ginda Simpson
We virtually feasted at this, our hotel’s restaurant - Il Granaro del Monte is considered a national culinary monument. I was in agreement from the very first savory bite. What makes their cooking so extraordinary? Ordinary, wholesome ingredients prepared with a love and respect for the land that produces them – Norcia! The Black Truffle is king and is an essential part of the cuisine of Umbria. Truffles are best consumed shortly after being extracted from the ground, as their particularly strong scent and taste fade quickly. At the Granaro, the chef does not allow this to happen and he prepares the truffles in countless ways. For me, they are absolutely divine simply perched on a mound of handmade tagliatelle. But a meal would not be complete without sampling Norcia’s lamb and cured pork specialties, the lentils of Castelluccio (presented here in a velvety soup), the spelt, the cheeses…
Picture the sheep as they graze in the flower-filled meadow of Castelluccio, the cheeses made from the sheep’s milk, the honey of a thousand wildflowers. These are the elements that are used to recreate traditional dishes following ageless recipes, held dear by the Bianconi family and presented daily to their guests.