The Hideaway’s Guide To Amandola and Beyond

Sarah
The Hideaway’s Guide To Amandola and Beyond

Our Favourite Restaurants

Come and experience some of our favourite ways to relax and have fun in our beautiful Le Marche area!
La Conca, Agriturismo Ceresola near Smerillo. With a great choice of traditional local dishes including antipasti, pasta courses, grilled meats, dessert, wine, water and coffee. Oh and don’t forget the liqueurs. A wonderful way to spend a lazy afternoon and plenty of space for the children to play in the garden. Stunning views of the Sibillini’s too.
Bioagriturismo La Conca
44 Strada Provinciale 19
La Conca, Agriturismo Ceresola near Smerillo. With a great choice of traditional local dishes including antipasti, pasta courses, grilled meats, dessert, wine, water and coffee. Oh and don’t forget the liqueurs. A wonderful way to spend a lazy afternoon and plenty of space for the children to play in the garden. Stunning views of the Sibillini’s too.
Casa del Gelato in Amandola. One of our favourite local spots for excellent gelato or aperitivo. There are so many varieties of ice cream to try, there really is something for everyone. One of our favourites is the “mandola”, the almond, named after our lovely town. If you have a cup or a cone, you can choose 3 flavours, whichever size you have!
Casa Del Gelato Antida Di Marini Nadia
13 Viale Cesare Battisti
Casa del Gelato in Amandola. One of our favourite local spots for excellent gelato or aperitivo. There are so many varieties of ice cream to try, there really is something for everyone. One of our favourites is the “mandola”, the almond, named after our lovely town. If you have a cup or a cone, you can choose 3 flavours, whichever size you have!
Agriturismo L'antico Gusto, Contr. Biordi, 16, Penna San Giovanni Tel. 0733669293 Closed Mondays 25 minutes from The Hideaway This wonderful restaurant on a farm near Penna, serves up good local food and plenty of it, in very pleasant surroundings. You certainly won't go hungry! Our favourite time to visit is a sunny Sunday, where your whole lazy day will be consumed by eating & drinking, relaxing & chatting. On our last visit, despite being so busy, the service was excellent. The staff were so attentive, as our jugs of wine or water were 2/3rds empty, they were immediately refilled. The set menu was great value at €22 -€25 per head. You can choose how many couses you have. Locally produced traditional food (much of the cheeses & meats produced right there on the farm) were wonderful & the selection of anti pasti will certainly impress. From salamis & fresh cheese platter served with a delicious berry jam, to heartwarming bean soup with chunks of pork fat, pickled vegetables and so much more. Followed by two pasta courses, of which we enjoyed lemon and ricotta ravioli and a spaghetti with ragu. If you have room, try the delicious, juicy grilled meat platter, served with salad. We managed to squeeze in a wonderful piece of tiramisu, coffee & homemade liqueurs. Our vegetarian friends were well catered for, despite being a farm, and pasta with a tomato sauce and fresh, light tortillas were specially made for them.
Agriturismo L'Antico Gusto
12 Contrada Biordi - Molino
Agriturismo L'antico Gusto, Contr. Biordi, 16, Penna San Giovanni Tel. 0733669293 Closed Mondays 25 minutes from The Hideaway This wonderful restaurant on a farm near Penna, serves up good local food and plenty of it, in very pleasant surroundings. You certainly won't go hungry! Our favourite time to visit is a sunny Sunday, where your whole lazy day will be consumed by eating & drinking, relaxing & chatting. On our last visit, despite being so busy, the service was excellent. The staff were so attentive, as our jugs of wine or water were 2/3rds empty, they were immediately refilled. The set menu was great value at €22 -€25 per head. You can choose how many couses you have. Locally produced traditional food (much of the cheeses & meats produced right there on the farm) were wonderful & the selection of anti pasti will certainly impress. From salamis & fresh cheese platter served with a delicious berry jam, to heartwarming bean soup with chunks of pork fat, pickled vegetables and so much more. Followed by two pasta courses, of which we enjoyed lemon and ricotta ravioli and a spaghetti with ragu. If you have room, try the delicious, juicy grilled meat platter, served with salad. We managed to squeeze in a wonderful piece of tiramisu, coffee & homemade liqueurs. Our vegetarian friends were well catered for, despite being a farm, and pasta with a tomato sauce and fresh, light tortillas were specially made for them.
Agriturismo Madonna di Piana in Amandola where you will be served delicious food and unusual antipasti. Try the wonderful maialino pork. Another great way to spend a long lazy afternoon.
Agriturismo Madonna di Piana
Contrada Madonna di Piana
Agriturismo Madonna di Piana in Amandola where you will be served delicious food and unusual antipasti. Try the wonderful maialino pork. Another great way to spend a long lazy afternoon.
Great coffee, home-bake pastries and aperitivi in the Piazza. Sit and watch local life pass you by. Wonderful!
Gran Caffe' Belli Di Simoni G. & De Santis G. S.N.C.
13 Piazza Risorgimento
Great coffee, home-bake pastries and aperitivi in the Piazza. Sit and watch local life pass you by. Wonderful!
Re Artu, Baldoni 2, Montefortino Tel: 0736 844380 Closed Mondays and Tuesdays 12 minutes from The Hideaway A great place to go on a warm summer's night. At Re Artu (or King Arthur) they also have tables in the garden overlooking a pretty little valley. The restaurant is great for casual dining. Their very reasonably priced pizza menu starts from around €5. The bases are ultra thin and crispy for those who don't like too much bread. Feeling hungry? Try the XXL with any toppings you like for €10.50. For starters we recommend the thin focaccia with Proscuttio Crudo or cherry tomatoes and parmesan and the crostini or the Ascolana olives. Steaks and other mixed grills are also excellent here as well. Re Artu also specialize in Funghi Porcini and truffles feature throughout the menu, so if you are a fan, don't miss! House wine is served by the litre for €3.50 Buon Appetito.
Re Artu'
2 Località Baldoni
Re Artu, Baldoni 2, Montefortino Tel: 0736 844380 Closed Mondays and Tuesdays 12 minutes from The Hideaway A great place to go on a warm summer's night. At Re Artu (or King Arthur) they also have tables in the garden overlooking a pretty little valley. The restaurant is great for casual dining. Their very reasonably priced pizza menu starts from around €5. The bases are ultra thin and crispy for those who don't like too much bread. Feeling hungry? Try the XXL with any toppings you like for €10.50. For starters we recommend the thin focaccia with Proscuttio Crudo or cherry tomatoes and parmesan and the crostini or the Ascolana olives. Steaks and other mixed grills are also excellent here as well. Re Artu also specialize in Funghi Porcini and truffles feature throughout the menu, so if you are a fan, don't miss! House wine is served by the litre for €3.50 Buon Appetito.
Contrada S. Lucia, 31 Montefortino Tel: 0736 844485 Closed Mondays 15 minutes from The Hideaway A family run agriturismo (farm) 10 minutes from Comunanza which specialises in home-reared lamb and other meats. The hot starters are interesting and main couse specialities include lentils with sausage, wild boar stews, mixed grills, pasta with truffles and porcini mushrooms. All very much from the mountains! Menu is priced individually so those with a lighter appetite don't feel obliged to go through the lot. It is all very reasonably priced. The lamb chops and mixed grill were between €7 and €8. Lovely garden in the summer with a play area for the children too.
Agriturismo Santa Lucia Dei Sibillini
Contrada S. Lucia, 31 Montefortino Tel: 0736 844485 Closed Mondays 15 minutes from The Hideaway A family run agriturismo (farm) 10 minutes from Comunanza which specialises in home-reared lamb and other meats. The hot starters are interesting and main couse specialities include lentils with sausage, wild boar stews, mixed grills, pasta with truffles and porcini mushrooms. All very much from the mountains! Menu is priced individually so those with a lighter appetite don't feel obliged to go through the lot. It is all very reasonably priced. The lamb chops and mixed grill were between €7 and €8. Lovely garden in the summer with a play area for the children too.
Contrada Aso, 62 63851 Ortezzano, Tel: 0734 770194 Closed Wednesdays 25 minutes from The Hideaway If you are in this part of Le Marche, you simply must pay a visit to Mamma Rosa, especially if you love Napolitian style pizza. Marcello has just won the World's Best Pizza Maker Of The Year Award and here it is certainly all about the dough. Fresh and light with simple toppings. The buffalo mozzarella, capers, tomatoes, tuna and rocket is just delicious. Beautiful garden to dine out in the summer but book in advance as they are busy every day and you don't want to miss out. Pizzas are around €6 each - there is even a pizza with Vin Cotto (or baked wine) in the dough! There is also a wonderful selection of grilled meats. House wine is excellent and reasonably priced too!
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Mamma Rosa Ortezzano
62 Contrada Aso
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Contrada Aso, 62 63851 Ortezzano, Tel: 0734 770194 Closed Wednesdays 25 minutes from The Hideaway If you are in this part of Le Marche, you simply must pay a visit to Mamma Rosa, especially if you love Napolitian style pizza. Marcello has just won the World's Best Pizza Maker Of The Year Award and here it is certainly all about the dough. Fresh and light with simple toppings. The buffalo mozzarella, capers, tomatoes, tuna and rocket is just delicious. Beautiful garden to dine out in the summer but book in advance as they are busy every day and you don't want to miss out. Pizzas are around €6 each - there is even a pizza with Vin Cotto (or baked wine) in the dough! There is also a wonderful selection of grilled meats. House wine is excellent and reasonably priced too!
Parco della Fessa n.1, Smerillo, Tel: 0734 79129 Cell 348 2523933 Le Logge is tucked away in the tiny village of Smerillo, with wonderful views over most of Le Marche's southern coastline Here you will find a set menu for €22 which includes a wonderful selection of starters which keep on coming. Our favorites include tiny friend quails eggs sitting atop crispy panchetta, scrambled eggs with liver and tasty crositini with bean soup. Then follows several pasta dishes, all perfectly cooked. You are often offered seconds as well! For main course, choose from their delicious grilled meats - try the fillet of beef wrapped in panchetta if it is on the menu. The price includes wine, water and coffee. Friendly staff, beautiful views and good atmosphere.
Ristorante Le Logge Di Vallesi Gabriella
Parco della Fessa n.1, Smerillo, Tel: 0734 79129 Cell 348 2523933 Le Logge is tucked away in the tiny village of Smerillo, with wonderful views over most of Le Marche's southern coastline Here you will find a set menu for €22 which includes a wonderful selection of starters which keep on coming. Our favorites include tiny friend quails eggs sitting atop crispy panchetta, scrambled eggs with liver and tasty crositini with bean soup. Then follows several pasta dishes, all perfectly cooked. You are often offered seconds as well! For main course, choose from their delicious grilled meats - try the fillet of beef wrapped in panchetta if it is on the menu. The price includes wine, water and coffee. Friendly staff, beautiful views and good atmosphere.
Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 41, Santa Vittoria In Matenano, Tel: 0734 780171 25 minutes from The Hideaway Tucked away high up in the medieval town centre is the attractive Farfense Restaurant with its vaulted ceilings and cosy atmosphere The large wine cellar compliments their menu and there is a large range of antipasto, pasta and grilled meats. Try the maialino (baby pork) which is just so tender and soft! There is also a pizza menu which we have yet to try but again the prices are reasonable. A good place to dine if there is a large group of you as there is plenty of space! Take a stroll round Santa Vittoria before or after dinner. It really is worth exploring.
Albergo Farfense
41 Corso Giacomo Matteotti
Corso Giacomo Matteotti, 41, Santa Vittoria In Matenano, Tel: 0734 780171 25 minutes from The Hideaway Tucked away high up in the medieval town centre is the attractive Farfense Restaurant with its vaulted ceilings and cosy atmosphere The large wine cellar compliments their menu and there is a large range of antipasto, pasta and grilled meats. Try the maialino (baby pork) which is just so tender and soft! There is also a pizza menu which we have yet to try but again the prices are reasonable. A good place to dine if there is a large group of you as there is plenty of space! Take a stroll round Santa Vittoria before or after dinner. It really is worth exploring.

Favourite Spots To Visit

There really is so much to see and do in our local area. Here is just a taster of a few of our favourites.
Abbadia Di Fiastra is an amazing place for a peaceful walk. The countryside around is just like Le Marche was 1000’s of years ago. Nearby you will also find Urbisaglia Roman ruins, town and amphitheater. You can go horse riding, dine, have a picnic, visit the beautiful church or just stroll through the grounds.
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Chiaravalle Abbey, Fiastra
Contrada Abbadia di Fiastra
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Abbadia Di Fiastra is an amazing place for a peaceful walk. The countryside around is just like Le Marche was 1000’s of years ago. Nearby you will also find Urbisaglia Roman ruins, town and amphitheater. You can go horse riding, dine, have a picnic, visit the beautiful church or just stroll through the grounds.
Wine Tasting at Murola. Not far from the Abbadia is one of our favourite wineries where for €5 you can have a tour of the amazing grounds and buildings. After which, relax on the terrace and sample some delicious Marche wines. Murola have very reasonable prices. You certainly won’t be disappointed and if you buy some vino, the cost of your tasting is deducted off too. Anna speaks good English and is very knowledgeable. Another great day out.
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Tenute Muròla
9 Contrada Villamagna
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Wine Tasting at Murola. Not far from the Abbadia is one of our favourite wineries where for €5 you can have a tour of the amazing grounds and buildings. After which, relax on the terrace and sample some delicious Marche wines. Murola have very reasonable prices. You certainly won’t be disappointed and if you buy some vino, the cost of your tasting is deducted off too. Anna speaks good English and is very knowledgeable. Another great day out.
Lago di Fiastra is just stunning at all times of year. Here you can swim in the cool waters, kayak, ride your bike or hike. One of our favourite walks is to the strange pinnacles of Lama Rosa. PS no idea who he is in the photo!
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Lago di Fiastra
12 Via B. Gigli
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Lago di Fiastra is just stunning at all times of year. Here you can swim in the cool waters, kayak, ride your bike or hike. One of our favourite walks is to the strange pinnacles of Lama Rosa. PS no idea who he is in the photo!
Our nearby lake at San Ruffino is fantastic for a picnic or evening stroll. Listen out for the frogs! You will find the great pizzeria, Vecchio Morro for when you are feeling peckish and for a more formal meal try the trattoria on the other side of the road. You can also sit in their garden by the lake and take your own picnic as long as you buy some drinks or coffees. Perfect on a summers day.
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Lago di San Ruffino
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Our nearby lake at San Ruffino is fantastic for a picnic or evening stroll. Listen out for the frogs! You will find the great pizzeria, Vecchio Morro for when you are feeling peckish and for a more formal meal try the trattoria on the other side of the road. You can also sit in their garden by the lake and take your own picnic as long as you buy some drinks or coffees. Perfect on a summers day.
Ascoli Piceno, our nearest large city is a great for wondering the streets or sitting in the famous piazza for a coffee or aperitivo. Older than Rome, this beautiful travertine city is easy to explore on foot. There is also the Quintana in August which takes place after the procession through the streets. This jousting competition is held every year between the various areas of Ascoli.
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Ascoli Piceno
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Ascoli Piceno, our nearest large city is a great for wondering the streets or sitting in the famous piazza for a coffee or aperitivo. Older than Rome, this beautiful travertine city is easy to explore on foot. There is also the Quintana in August which takes place after the procession through the streets. This jousting competition is held every year between the various areas of Ascoli.
Another spot perfect for a picnic or lazy by the waters edge. Or if you are feeling energetic, a hike!
Lago di Gerosa
Another spot perfect for a picnic or lazy by the waters edge. Or if you are feeling energetic, a hike!

Food scene

Bella Napoli in Amandola is a local pizzeria! You will find them near Conad, as you turn left onto the Montefortino road just before you reach Amandola.
Ristorante Bella Napoli
1 Piazzale Fratini
Bella Napoli in Amandola is a local pizzeria! You will find them near Conad, as you turn left onto the Montefortino road just before you reach Amandola.