Bar del Limoni: Aperitvo & Light Tuscan Cuisine

A beautiful spot to enjoy a light lunch under the shadow of lemons and limes on the terrace beside the pool, guests can enjoy a delicious glass of wine or aperitif at Bar die Limoni, while taking in the magnificent views over the Tuscan hillside in the warm golden glow of the setting sun. Open also for lunch, the outdoor terrazza of Limoni offers a lighter menu than La Oliviera, perfect for enjoying a glass of prosecco and insalata caprese.

The gorgeous pool at La Suvera sits just beside Bar del Limonia

Young servers prepare the terrace of Limonia for lunch

Bar del Limonia terrace and chairs set out for cocktails

A glass of Prosecco is a lovely start to lunch on the terrace

Insalata Caprese for lunch

View of the lovely garden and terracotta urns at dusk from Bar del Limonia

Dramatically lit at dusk, lemon trees and the Tuscan hills provide a romantic for 

pre-dinner cocktails

Looking up through the lemon trees at La Suvera's Papal Palace 

Candles are lit by the staff once the sun goes down

A classic chilled Gin Martini with olives

Delicious appetizers were served with cocktails each evening

A little fluffy friend came by just to say hello, and whether we had an appetizers 

we might be willing to share

Fresh baked bread and grissini

Our wonderful server pouring a delicious bottle of white Tuscan Vermentino as we dined at Limoni one of the 4 nights we stayed at La Suvera

A handsome table-side wine bucket kept our Vermentino nicely chilled

Grilled Salmon with Lemon Sauce and green salad

Insalata Caprese

Selection of Tuscan cheeses

www.lasuvera.it/en/lemon-bar

Ristorante Oliviera: Relais La Suvera Tuscan Cuisine

Located in an old mill that was once an 18th-century olive press, Ristorante Oliviera serves fine Tuscan cuisine featuring produce and wine from the estate. Authentic flavours and fragrances exhilarate the senses, complimented by an excellent wine list of prestigious Tuscan reds and whites. The cosy dining room with a wood burning fireplace, Egyptian murals, fine paintings and olive press machinery, is warm and inviting during the winter, while in the warm summer months guests can enjoy a candlelit dinner under the stars on the beautiful terrace overlooking the Papal Villa, surrounded by fragrant flowers, herbs and citrus of the Lemon Gardens. Chef Giovanni D'Ecclesiis' sophisticated menu with authentic Sienese flavours from traditional Tuscan recipes, is constantly evolving in harmony with seasonal ingredients while also offering vegetarian versions of each course. The restaurant is also laid out each morning with a magnificent buffet breakfast of tempting home-made cakes and pastries, organic jams and marmalades, seasonal fruit, local cold meats, salami and selection of egg dishes. The more informal Bar dei Limoni is a lovely spot to enjoy a light lunch under the shadow of lemons and limes on the terrace beside the pool, where guests can enjoy a delicious glass of wine or aperitif, while taking in the magnificent views over the Tuscan hillside in the warm golden hues of the sunset.

The beautiful outdoor terrace of Ristorante Oliviera 

Setting the tables for lunch

Mixing Martinis and and Aperol Spritz in Bar al Limoni

The sumptuous interior of Ristorante Oliviera, perfect for dining on cold winter evenings

The outdoor garden terrace of La Oliviera

Basket with homemade bread

Glass of Champagne as an aperitif before dinner

Our server decanting a splendid bottle of 2013 Brunello di Montalcino

Amuse Bouche: Tartare of Raw Shrimp with Ricotta

Amuse Bouche: Polpette di Cinghiale con purè di zucca

Uovo croccante, spuma al pecorino, sottobosco di funghi e tartufo: Crispy egg with pecorino cheese foam, mushrooms and truffle

Insalata Panzanella

Carpaccio di ricciola, sedano, bottarga e arancia: Yellowtail carpaccio with crunchy celery, 

bottarga and orange

Special appetizer of Raw Seafood from San Stefano

Raw oyster 

Filetto di triglie in crosta di pane, zucchine, indivia riccia e ristretto alla pizzaiola: Mullet fillet with crunchy bread, zucchini, curly endive and pizzaiola sauce

Controfiletto di agnello, caponata di verdure, mandorle e menta: Lamb with vegetables caponata, 

almonds and mint

Linguine with Mussels

Our grilled Fiorentina Steak presented before slicing

Hand carved table side, the Fiorentina steak was a special treat for our 15th Anniversary

Cooked medium rare, the beef was absolutely perfect, and served with locally grown vegetables

Torta “ Setteveli “ con gelato ai pinoli e fior di sale: Chocolate mousse, hazelnut and pine nuts 

and seasalt ice cream

Selezione di pecorini Toscani con pane alla frutta secca e confettura di stagione: Selection of Tuscan pecorino cheeses, bread with dried fruits and nuts, seasonal jam

www.lasuvera.it/ristorante-oliviera

Relais La Suvera: Luxe Renaissance Hotel in Tuscany

Set like a precious jewel amid the gently rolling Chianti countryside, with its lush vineyards, olive groves and ancient woods, La Suvera is an extraordinary five-star villa located on the fringes of the little Tuscan village of Pievescola just west of Siena. Once a medieval castle, La Suvera was transformed into a Renaissance villa by Pope Julius II when the town of Siena gave him the property in 1508. Now owned by the family of Marquis Giuseppe Ricci Paracciani and his wife Princess Eleonora Massimo who are responsible for turning their private home into a boutique luxury hotel, this gracious country residence comprises a Papal Villa, farmhouse, ancient stables, church and olive mill. Surrounded by beautiful Italian Renaissance gardens and luxurious swimming pool embraced by cypress, wisteria and fragrant linden trees, La Suvera also features an unique wellness centre and spa in the medieval part of the villa with a hydromassage and Turkish bath made from a medieval cistern.

An exceptional setting, the villa is exquisitely furnished with period furnishings, antiques and heirlooms from from the private collection of the current owners, all beautifully arranged throughout the 36 rooms and suites as well as in the family museum on the first floor of the villa, made up of the Pope’s Hall, Brancaccio Hall, Library and the historic Ricci Paracciani Archive. For gourmet dining, Ristorante Oliviera is located in the building which used to house a huge olive press, hence its name. A magnificent buffet breakfast is served here every morning, consisting of home-made cakes and tarts, organic jams and marmalades, seasonal fruit and local cold meats and salami. In the evening Oliviera offers candlelit gourmet dining on the terrace overlooking the Papal Villa, where new Chef Giovanni D'Ecclesiis serves classic Tuscan cuisine with a contemporary twist. For a glass of prosecco or light lunch, the hotel's Bar dei Limoni is open at all times of day in the shade of the lemon trees on the terrace near the pool, or in the evening as the sun sets over the romantic Tuscan countryside.

The entrance gate to La Suvera

The Rennaissance era Papal Villa was designed by Baldaserre Peruzzi for Pope Julius II

View to the caged bell-shaped aviary in the central palazzo

Garden nymph sunny Italian Renaissance gardens

The tranquil swimming pool set in La Suvera's leafy gardens

Entrance to the Benessere Spa

Hydromassage pool made from the villa's Medieval cistern

Our superior bedroom with views over the garden

The Ricci Library

The Sitting Room

 The impressive 16th-century Ricci family Church, dedicated to San Carlo Borromeo, 

is often used for weddings taking place at La Suvera

'Pippo' the resident cat

Sipping Limoncello on the outdoor terrace overlooking the Tuscan countryside

La Suvera was featured in Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon' 'Trip to Italy' film

Coogan and Brydon relaxing in the garden at La Suvera

www.lasuvera.it

A Culinary and Cultural Month in Tuscany & Umbria

A Culinary & Cultural Journey in Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, Italy

September 1 - October 8, 2017 

Scrumpdillyicious will be touring Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio exploring the rich cultural and culinary pulse of these gorgeous regions of central Italy. Join me online each day as we journey through Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and the historic hilltowns in between, capturing all of the robust flavours and breathtaking natural beauty of this rich landscape of gentle green valleys, soaring mountains, glittering lakes and silver olive groves.

Our Culinary Journey will take us from the luxurious La Suvera, the historic Renaissance Borgo in the Chianti region of Tuscany to our lovely hilltop villa in the Umbrian countryside for a glorious month exploring this breathtaking area of Italy. We'll visit Perugia, Siena, Assisi, Pienza, Arezzo, Orvieto, Gubbio, Lago Bolsena, Todi and the walled medieval hill town of San Gimignano famous for its skyline of medieval towers. An ancient land which has been at the crossroads of many people and cultures for millennia, our home base of Umbria is still as unspoiled and peaceful as the days Renaissance painters immortalized it. Offering one of Italy's most authentic cuisines, the region is famous for its black truffles, Valnerina lentils, robust pastas, superb pecorino cheese, fragrant wines and acclaimed Perugian chocolates. Andiamo - let's go!