Ristorante 13 Gobbi
Montefollonico
Via Lando di Duccio, 5
53040 Montefollonico
Owner – Patrizia Biancuci
Chef – Iacopo Masini
Review copyright - Ginda Simpson
Ristorante 13 Gobbi is the type of family-run trattoria that one happens upon by chance, nestled among old stone dwellings on a narrow cobbled street. The décor is unpretentious and so is the food – it just plain good eating. Patrizia, the owner, was kind enough to share her secret to the preparation of their fabulous roasted duck with porcini– a tasty and extremely tender breast in a rich gravy that I sopped up with several pieces of crusty bread – something I had vowed not to do. I found myself defenseless. Even if Patrizia had not left a basket of bread on the table, I would have had to ask for some.
Her son, Iacopo is the new chef and doing a fine job of it in this restaurant that has been in business since 1991. And as to the name of the restaurant, you might ask who would name their trattoria “Thirteen Hunchbacks”? Well, in Italy, the number 13 is a lucky number, and it is said that to increase your good fortune, one has only to encounter or touch a hunchback. I don’t know about all that, but we did have the good fortune of having a great lunch at this friendly restaurant.