Umbria - La Chiusa? Anybody Been?
Hi all. I'm getting married in Tuscany/Umbria this Sept and my incredible Tuscan-born and raised wedding planner is recommending La Chiusa as a reception spot. Anybody been? Heard anything? Sounds great to me on the web, but not sure. Any comments on price, what to get for a group of 20, ambience, etc. Any details would be great or any other suggestions. We want something cozy and affordable but fantastic tasting (of course) near Niccone Valley (above Lake Trasimeno), or close proximity. Thanks!
-
La Chiusa has its merits, and I once had duck in porchetta there that set the standard, but unless you are rich as Croesus, and probably even then, it tends to be pretty disappointing - sterile, filled with international richies, and wildly expensive. The products are local, and so are many of the wines, but you could be in any high-end restaurant anywhere.
Unless you're talking about the La Chiusa in the Niccone Valley, which is triple-organic and lovely, but severely food-impaired. If you're in the Niccone valley, Locanda de Nonna Gelsa is a better choice; relaxed and lovely.
-
La Chiusa is one of the most wonderful places on earth! I will be having my birthday brunch there Sept. 30th. Martha Stewart would arrange to have your wedding in the Church of San Biagio, in neighboring Montepulciano, which can be seen from La Chiusa-it is the most perfect Renaissance church in all of Italy. Let the Brunello da Montalcino flow!
-
Husband and I had dinner at La Chiusa in 2004 (we did not stay there, just ate there). It is a lovely inn/restaurant, in a breathtaking location overlooking the countryside.
The ambience was upscale country Italian, if that makes sense. Stone walls, very high cieling providing a spacious feel, white-table-clothes tables, well spread out from the other guests. A fireplace at the end, not lit when we were there, a big bar area (used primarily for food prep, as I recall) in the middle. I would assume that with a group of 20, you'd be in a private room, though. The food was very, very good, sophisticated but still with Italian roots. I recently looked at some trip notes for a friend's trip to Rome, and re a Michelin-starred restaurant that we ate at in Rome, I said, La Chiusa deserved the star more than the Roman restaurant did. At La Chiusa, I had incredible grilled lamb, and as a primo, fresh tagliatelle with white truffles (it was in the fall). For dessert, which I rarely get in Italy (I prefer gelato when I can get it!), I had flambeed figs. Our meal was not cheap - we got a 100E bottle of wine, and for the rest of the meal, paid a total of almost 200E, for 2 primi, 2 secondi, 1 contorno, 1 dessert, 1 coffee, and water and a coperto, I assume. Keep in mind, though, that the fresh truffles (I didn't note their price) probably added a bit to that price (maybe 20E-30E?)
I would think La Chiusa would be an excellent spot for a wedding reception!
›1 Reply
