Italy for me From Italy with love
Nestled in Umbria, a small family-run restaurant that simply warms your heart. Here, one feels compelled to sing odes to Italian Umbrian cuisine and relish life with friends. Not everyone gets the chance to visit, but if you ever find yourself here, I will be happy for you.
Bar Ristorante Da Giovannino is a roadside restaurant, just 10 kilometers from Assisi. This previously secret spot was introduced to us by the owner of Villa Relais Parco Subasio, Christian, whom we’ve previously written about.
Here, you’ll find a classic Italian story: mom cooks in the kitchen, the children serve as waiters, and the dad runs the bar and manages the bills. To clarify, the prices here are incredibly affordable.
The restaurant’s interior is rather austere, but that’s not the point.
Before diving into the menu, let’s order a liter of house wine for 5 EUR. Friends, 5 EUR – can you believe it? Even at Carlo Menta, the most affordable place in Rome, you’ll pay 8 EUR.
Useful article: Where to eat tasty and inexpensive in Rome.
Now, let’s delve into the menu.
It primarily features homemade pasta, and I recommend trying each type in turn, day by day: Strangozzi, Spaghetti, Ravioli. You may have already noticed the affordability of the dishes.
The main courses are, of course, meat-based.
Now, let’s get to the specifics. The signature antipasto, ideal for 2-4 people as a starter, will blow your mind with its aromas and flavors. Should I even describe each ingredient when the internet can’t transmit smells? All that remains is for you to imagine.
Bread, give me more of this incredible bread.
Another liter of house wine for a cheerier atmosphere. On one occasion, I asked for several bottles of their best-bottled wine, specifying that I didn’t need anything over 100 euros. The waitress reassuringly informed me that they didn’t even have wine more expensive than 15 euros a bottle.
In essence, you can choose any pasta type and “sauce” filling. We tried them all and were absolutely delighted.
But what impressed me the most was the lamb steak. All the meat I had tasted before that day seemed somehow different. I admit, I hadn’t even imagined it could be THIS delicious!
Official restaurant website: www.ristorantedagiovanninoassisi.com
Address: Località Ponte Grande 89/a, 06081 Assisi PG
If you’re visiting Rome for a few days and want to experience the nuances of Umbrian cuisine, I recommend a one-day tour from Rome to Umbria with gourmet Vladislav Doro.