Bagni di Lucca is only 30 minutes by car from Lucca, so we don’t often stay there overnight, but for a change we decided to stay after the first of Mattia’s concerts in the Oratorio degli Angeli Custodi.
We arrived just in time for passeggiata in Via Filungo, the narrow, winding main street of Lucca.
People were lining up to buy gelato at the brand new Grom store, you can’t blame them for that.
We met friends at Ristorante Mecenate in Via del Fosso 94.
Stefano, the hard working owner opens the restaurant for lunch and dinner 7 days a week. He sources wonderful local produce for lucky diners like us.
The hard working chef also doubles as a waitress on occasion.
In another life the building housing the restaurant was a dying factory…from the days when Lucca was famous for its textiles. There are some lovely old artifacts salvaged from the past.
Of course our food was delicious.
Spaghetti with monk fish. There was some fresh thyme thrown in at the last minute…and I’m glad it was.
Fresh pasta Lucchese style.
Risotto with pigeon.
Maltagliata, fresh pasta made with 3 types of flour, with spring vegetables.
The others enjoyed gelato, but I chose the winner, fresh ricotta with chestnut honey.
Then it was off to the Oratorio degli Angeli Custodi for a delightful evening of piano, clarinet, a fabulous (and handsome, it always helps) tenor and a surprise soprano.
We stayed the night at La Romea, a Bed and Breakfast in a 14th century building in the centre of Lucca.
It is run by the very charming Giulio and his family. Our room was lovely and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast. Giulio has owned the B&B for more than 10 years and knows everything there is to know about Lucca.
There was time the next morning for a walk around Lucca’s magnificent wall before heading home. We need to stay in Lucca more often.
