Taverna La Madia - Vallinfreda

Valinfreda is situated on a promontory facing the valley towards Carsoli which can be reached by three mountain roads. In the summer it is an active village, the rest of the year it is a quiet place. Simonetta and Nino, the proprietors, have opened La Madia as a full service restaurant offering Italian foods within a spacious building, with an attached bar and an outside, covered patio. Nino has experience as an army chef and is used to improvising meals as requested by customers. He and his brother run the kitchen and manage the wood-fired fireplaces for the pizzas. Simonetta is the do-all and is a craftwoman with displays of her handmade creations. Often you will find children walking about, or people playing cards, or locals just stopping by for a chat. A speciality is the mixed meats platter, which is very filling. Well prepared meals and a pleasant atmosphere. The view from the patio extends for miles. And definitely save room for dessert and coffee. Closed on Wednesdays.

The only restaurant open year round in Valinfreda with a dedicated family to keep it running. Mario, head chef, will prepare anything you want. He is jovial and has years of experience as a military cook. The menu is comprehensive. Fridays feature seafood and Sundays has a 19 euro per person Sunday feast which can be eat-in or take out. There are two wood-burning fireplaces for pizzas, a beer fridge, a bar that has English teapots and cups and interesting budini , puddings cooked in baby food jars. They serve their own delicious red wine and varied biscuits for dessert. Unless you are a glutton do not order the Madia sandwich. Think of it as a french fry and meat order served inside a pizza dough covering. This is made only in the evenings when the fires are going. Simonetta, the server, also crochets and sells craftwork in the bar. A very friendly place, with inside and outside tables. Parking is free nearby.

I miei nonni, in vacanza ad Oricola, mi hanno portato in questa trattoria. Ah i nonni! Siano benedetti per la loro quantità di esperienza! Penso che sia uno dei ristoranti più buoni in cui abbia mai mangiato, ci tornerò sicuramente anche se abito a Roma ; porzioni galattiche e sapori genuini. Consigliatissimo l'antipasto. Se non siete timidi, chiedete di poter assaggiare la caponata, il padrone del locale è siciliano e si sente molto bene dalla qualità della caponata e della ricotta dei cannoli siciliani. A prestissimo cara taverna!

La pasta, i dolci e la genziana sono tutti fatti in casa e buonissimi. Le porzioni sono abbondanti. Tutto è cucinato con equilibrio e gusto.

Abbiamo mangiato benissimo. I proprietari sono gentili e molto disponibili. Consiglio vivamente