Sergio owns a bookstore in Lucca, and is the head of the Lucca Shambhala meditation center, which happens to be right in our building. He has lived all of his life in Lucca.

Osteria di Meati

This restaurant used to be an old horse and cart station where travelers would stable their horses and go in for a good meal. The meals are most typical of the Garafagna, a mountainous region north of Lucca. In the summer there is outdoor seating in a beautful garden. A typical meal might include a antipasto misto (mixed antipasto plate of various deli meats), zuppa di cipolla (onion soup), or zuppa di farrro (a soup made from cracked buckwheat and pureed kidney bean), grilled Florentine steak, and the dessert of the day. Says Sergio, "I like this place because it is removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, in a location that is slightly elevated to give a good view of the countryside, and of course, you eat really well here. My favorite dish is the Tortelli, and I would definitely recommend the antipasto misto as an appetizer."

posted by gina, 2005-04-25