Agriturismo "La Gioiosa" — Restaurant in Cleto

We are from Ottawa, Canada and we got married in Italy on September 12, 2015. We were married in a small church just minutes away from La Gioiosa. ||||So many fantastic memories from La Gioiosa! And please, bear with me with the length of this review – I have shortened it!!||||We had 45 guests at our intimate wedding reception (held at La Gioiosa) and we ate and were treated like Kings and Queens. Yuri, the owner at La Gioiosa, pleased us and all of our guests with the beautifully delicious food and second to none hospitality. While we were getting photos done, our guests were warmly welcomed at La Gioiosa with refreshments and a variety of freshly prepared appetizers and sweets. Our reception dinner was held outdoors on the upper terrace (known as the Sopra) and Yuri and his team did an incredible job making the setting romantic! The tables were decorated beautifully and they over looked the town and castle of Cleto – stunning to say the least! We had the most amazing dishes of fresh meats and seafood, beautiful seasonal vegetables and signature La Gioiosa pasta and risotto - not only did the food taste beyond our wildest dreams – Yuri and his team also take pride in the exquisite presentation of their food. The taste and the look of this food is truly art! We had a beautiful pistachio cream and white chocolate wedding cake accompanied by about 20 different fresh fruits. White and dark chocolate fountains were flowing along with their fabulous coffee. Yuri brought in some amazing wine for the wedding and he also pulled out some of his homemade liqueurs ((pistachio cream, almond limoncello, melon – to name a few – (which he sells too!)).||||Now, our wedding reception was truly beyond marvellous…but, there is a lot more to La Gioiosa. ||||We stayed at La Gioiosa for nearly two weeks, had countless meals (and also had our rehearsal dinner at La Gioiosa). We were impressed, beyond satisfied and every part of La Gioiosa exceeded our expectations.||||Each floor has private bedrooms and bathrooms and one fully furnished and equipped large kitchen, dining area and living area. We never once felt like we were staying in a “”hotel room””. La Gioiosa made us feel as though we were right at home. Beds were comfy, rooms were bright & clean, the living areas were cozy. Incredible!||||The staff at La Gioiosa glow with happiness. We were greeted with a warm smile each morning at breakfast. They stopped whatever they were doing to fill our breakfast tables with warm croissants, fresh fruit, meats and cheeses, and of course – their fabulous coffee (cappuccino and espressos!). All the ladies (and head chef!) that work at La Gioiosa were wonderful – and, I must take a moment and make recognition to a very very special young lady, Ilaria, what a warm and gentle soul. She is truly beautiful, has a heart of gold and she would do just about anything for us and our guests. What a blessing it was to meet her. ||||I left my bridal bouquet at La Gioiosa and made my promise that I will be back 100% for sure! (I can’t wait to see it again!!). My husband and I will be back to this beautiful gem where we can get away, be treated like royalty, enjoy food and hospitality like no other. ||||Now, Yuri – the man who made this wedding dream of ours happen. We could not have asked for a better host, better venue, better food or a more hospitable experience. Yuri – you are one of a kind and I will be forever grateful for what you did for our wedding. You are God’s gift to us and to each person who discovers you and La Gioiosa. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We cannot wait to see you again!||||Marc & Julie...

We are from Ottawa, Canada and we got married in Italy on September 12, 2015. We were married in a small church just minutes away from La Gioiosa. ||||So many fantastic memories from La Gioiosa! And please, bear with me with the length of this review – I have shortened it!!||||We had 45 guests at our intimate wedding reception (held at La Gioiosa) and we ate and were treated like Kings and Queens. Yuri, the owner at La Gioiosa, pleased us and all of our guests with the beautifully delicious food and second to none hospitality. While we were getting photos done, our guests were warmly welcomed at La Gioiosa with refreshments and a variety of freshly prepared appetizers and sweets. Our reception dinner was held outdoors on the upper terrace (known as the Sopra) and Yuri and his team did an incredible job making the setting romantic! The tables were decorated beautifully and they over looked the town and castle of Cleto – stunning to say the least! We had the most amazing dishes of fresh meats and seafood, beautiful seasonal vegetables and signature La Gioiosa pasta and risotto - not only did the food taste beyond our wildest dreams – Yuri and his team also take pride in the exquisite presentation of their food. The taste and the look of this food is truly art! We had a beautiful pistachio cream and white chocolate wedding cake accompanied by about 20 different fresh fruits. White and dark chocolate fountains were flowing along with their fabulous coffee. Yuri brought in some amazing wine for the wedding and he also pulled out some of his homemade liqueurs ((pistachio cream, almond limoncello, melon – to name a few – (which he sells too!)).||||Now, our wedding reception was truly beyond marvellous…but, there is a lot more to La Gioiosa. ||||We stayed at La Gioiosa for nearly two weeks, had countless meals (and also had our rehearsal dinner at La Gioiosa). We were impressed, beyond satisfied and every part of La Gioiosa exceeded our expectations.||||Each floor has private bedrooms and bathrooms and one fully furnished and equipped large kitchen, dining area and living area. We never once felt like we were staying in a “”hotel room””. La Gioiosa made us feel as though we were right at home. Beds were comfy, rooms were bright & clean, the living areas were cozy. Incredible!||||The staff at La Gioiosa glow with happiness. We were greeted with a warm smile each morning at breakfast. They stopped whatever they were doing to fill our breakfast tables with warm croissants, fresh fruit, meats and cheeses, and of course – their fabulous coffee (cappuccino and espressos!). All the ladies (and head chef!) that work at La Gioiosa were wonderful – and, I must take a moment and make recognition to a very very special young lady, Ilaria, what a warm and gentle soul. She is truly beautiful, has a heart of gold and she would do just about anything for us and our guests. What a blessing it was to meet her. ||||I left my bridal bouquet at La Gioiosa and made my promise that I will be back 100% for sure! (I can’t wait to see it again!!). My husband and I will be back to this beautiful gem where we can get away, be treated like royalty, enjoy food and hospitality like no other. ||||Now, Yuri – the man who made this wedding dream of ours happen. We could not have asked for a better host, better venue, better food or a more hospitable experience. Yuri – you are one of a kind and I will be forever grateful for what you did for our wedding. You are God’s gift to us and to each person who discovers you and La Gioiosa. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We cannot wait to see you again!||||Marc & Julie...

La Gioiosa is heaven! After a less than 40 minute drive from Lamezia airport, the last stretch of that drive winding up in to the foot of Mount St. Angelo, just a few kilometers from the Tyrrhenian Sea, you couldn't feel further from city life with the beautiful Calabrian countryside surrounding you. With a view of Cleto and it's ancient castle the other side of the valley the farm, La Gioiosa, consists of a lovely family style 3-storey house made up of apartment style rooms, theres an accompanying terrace and restaurant below. The farm is the first thing that greets you up the driveway - chickens, goats, rabbits and pigs on one side, donkeys on the other, all amidst a sea of fig trees. The food in the restaurant is delicious, home cooked, fresh and local, you couldn't ask for more - make sure the pizza oven is on and that you try the signature freshly made pasta with avocado and prawns, plus try some of their local almond milk and...