Agriturismo La Brocca – Restaurant

Agriturismo “La Brocca” (Winner of the “Ospitalità Italiana” ISNART Award) is owned and run by Carla Di Crescenzo and her family: daughter Filomena, husband Maurizio and the “grandparents”. Founded in 1999, it has become quite an institution in the Chieti region and is popular with insiders for its authentic regional cuisine followed by very modest prices: where else can you get a 3 course meal for EUR 16,00 (wine and coffee included) and actually think, “Why aren’t I paying triple for this?”. That’s how good the food is here… and once again, priced very fairly.

The current establishment opened its doors in January 2007 after the original location had to be evacuated due to a threatening vertical landslide, the only one of its kind known of in Italy. The “new and improved” La Brocca is beautifully restored 150 year old manor surrounded by olive and fig trees, wine gardens and overlooks the Sangro Valley.

The wonderful thing about La Brocca is, you don’t feel like a restaurant guest, you feel more like you are invited to eat at Carla’s home and she’s just too busy cooking to sit down with you all evening long… but you can be sure she will take time out for you when she can: very similar to an Abruzzese “mamma” cooking for her own family and guests.

Carla has made quite a name for herself in the Collina Region due to her high standards and principles. At time when many establishments use the “Agriturismo” name tag never having seen the inside of a barn or having ever baked their own bread let alone raise their own animals, “La Brocca” has remained true to its original concept and doesn’t serve anything which they don’t grow, make, raise themselves and anything which is purchased is done so strictly from other local growers and farmers in the region. For example, “La Nonna” (the grandmother of the household) still makes fresh cheese daily. I’ve never eaten a fresher cheese unless I happen to be in a cheese factory. But even then the cheeses weren’t this good. The word “packaged” or “industrial” wouldn’t even cross Carla’s lips so you can be sure that all pasta dishes are handmade on a daily basis.

If you happen to park in the main parking lot behind the establishment you will definitely have to go by Maurizio’s grill realm. Sneak a peek into this wonderfully restored room with a massive fireplace and grill area which will make any BBQ fan jealous and surely make most of us feel like total amateurs. The only thing better than the grill area itself are the quality meats which are broiled over hot coals. If you’re hungry make sure to ask Maurizio if there is “Fiorentina” on the menu on this particular evening… you won’t be sorry.

It’s the type of restaurant which is very unpretentious but still offers quality as a norm. A place where everyone feels at home and on any given evening you will find locals of every walk of life or maybe even catch a glimpse of Gianni Masciarelli dining with Angelo Gaja. And if these two don’t know quality, well then… I rest my case.

Via Fonte Giardino, 59
66010 San Martino sulla Marrucina (CH)

Hours of operation:
Open daily for dinner also lunch on Sundays
Closed Tuesdays

Telephone: +39.0871.809100
Cellular: +39.335.7171140

Website: www.agriturismolabrocca.com
E-Mail: info@agriturismolabrocca.com