Locanda Aurilia

Locanda Aurilia: Hotel, Ristorante, Enoteca in Padua, Italy. On our recent trip we had to rent a van to accommodate 8 of us. It was a very scenic drive from Venice to Padua. Our driver Michele Roppa was informative and entertaining. When it came to dinner time, he suggested a place that was out of the way. He was friends with the owner of the hotel. He quickly called him up to make a reservation. We looked forward to it as this was no ordinary restaurant. It has been run by the same family since 1952 though the place has been there for 150 years and was previously a tavern with a stable.

As soon as we arrived, we were greeted by the owner and sommelier Ferdinando as he whisked us over his very impressive wine cellar. He has won multiple awards for some of his collections. He had prepared some appetizers; Crostini Baccala (cod) with anchovy, olives, cheese freshly carved from the wheel and tendon of the an extremity of a cow with tripe which we all tried...."when in Rome...." this also translates to " when in Padua..." it was unusually good. The texture was like mochi though it was not sweet. It went well with the Prosecco he poured for all of us. After we checked out the various wines for all occasions, Ferdinando led us to the dining room upstairs.

We were welcomed by his sister Lucia who was very charming and accommodating. We were open to suggestions as we wanted to try their specialties. They started us with some Prosciutto followed by Mushrooms with polenta and then we were served little plates of 3 varieties of cheeses. The wine we ordered was so good and inexpensive that after 2 bottles, we decided to buy more to take home. It was Il Dominio Bagnoli Classico Friularo which is from the region nearby. Right after the cheese, they brought us a huge platter of Risotto con Funghi which they made especially for us.  We all absolutely loved it. I can say it was the best risotto I have ever had!  A platter of Tagliatelle with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes arrived next.  A very simple yet an excellent dish cooked aldente of course.

We were getting full and we still have not had our entrees.  Two people in our party ordered the Grilled Veal Chop with baked potato.  One had the Cod with fried zucchini and a few of us including myself had the Sliced Beef Tenderloin with rosemary and oil but instead of the baked potato, I asked for polenta instead. The beef was so tender and delicious.

Nobody cared for dessert as we were all bursting....but some were curious. We got talked into the Chocolate cake which was a cross between a souffle and a lava cake. I can't remember if there was any other dessert as I was almost comatose after all the food.

Ferdinando introduced us to his brother Chef Osorio. We told him in our broken Italian/Spanish how we enjoyed everything.  Ferdinando who didn't speak English seemed worried that we didn't have enough to eat, asked if he could offer us anything else aside from coffee. We assured him we had enough to eat...." basta..."

Before we left, he gave the ladies a commemorative plate of one of the wine awards.
What we had was no ordinary dinner. It was truly a feast and a very special and unforgettable evening.  Grazie mille Ferdinando, Chef Osorio and Lucia.

Locanda Aurilia is located at 35010 Loreggia, Via Aurilia, 27. in Padua, Italy.