In the middle of the woods near the Monticchio lakes, there is an enchanting masseria, a characteristic Lucanian trattoria, immersed in the verdant side of Mount Vulture, called Il Riccio. The name refers to the hedgehog-shaped shell in which chestnuts grow, until they fall to the ground when they reach their most mature stage. The territory is rich in chestnut trees that are harvested especially in autumn, a period in which the chestnut festival is celebrated in all the cities.
The restaurant emerges behind a small hill and can be reached via a small road that runs alongside the farm, a place where animals are raised and from which the restaurant obtains its raw material. A large well-kept garden supplies the restaurant's kitchen throughout the year.
The restaurant looks like a classic local trattoria but inside I was amazed by its elegance and simplicity at the same time. Everything was in order and each piece of furniture is perfectly integrated into the rooms with colored elements that stand out pleasantly to the eye. The room is very large and well laid out, with neat tables, a large central fireplace and neat and professional staff.
I ordered the menu of the day which includes a rich appetizer based on products from the farm: local vegetables and salami, homemade savory pies, parmesan and omelette. A really difficult taste to describe, even now salivation is activated by the memory. A first course of ravioli, filled with an excellent cod, seasoned with a sauce with an aftertaste of crusco pepper, an excellent product from Lucania.
A second course of meat, cut of city veal slowly in a broth for over 12 hours, meat of extreme tenderness, almost a butter, served with a sweet sauce that really went perfectly. A side dish of baked potatoes that accompanied this wonderful course. Finally, homemade dessert, among the many I chose tiramisu, my favorite, accompanied by a digestive made at home by the owner's mother, a liqueur handed down for generations, with a strong aftertaste of herbs and licorice.
Il Riccio is a farm where you can spend a pleasant lunch or dinner or you can stay overnight even for a few nights in the rooms of the accommodation. Really very high rating for this restaurant. I advise you to book if you are in the area because the first time we were unable to sit down, I am talking about our previous visit to the Monticchio lakes.
Regards