Fattoria Sardi Giustiniani — Restaurant in Lucca

Over my life time I have made it a habit to dine at farm-to-table restaurants. I have dined at many of the best in the United States, Europe and Japan. After more than 50+ years I have finally found my favorite! The dinner I had last night at Fattoria Sardi Giustiniani rose above even my hitherto favorite, Chez Panini.

The Sardi chef took the most humble of foods and turned them into the most flavorable treats I have ever had the pleasure to eat. And whoever selected the wine pairing did an excellent job. The best of the evening meal was a dish of pasta, chick peas and kale. Black kale was toasted to perfection and the chick peas were a tranformed into a smooth sauce that only this alchmist chef, Damiano Donati, could have achieved! The dish was finished off with a oil infused with black kale. It was, BY FAR, the best dish I have ever enjoyed: light, flavorful, nutritious with a combination of textures that blew my socks off.

I am 75 years old and coming to my end of wandering the world to taste delicious regional cusines. Somehow the fates brought me to Fattoria Sardi Giustiniani just as a side trip after visitng relatives. I rarely eat at restaurants when I visit family but for some reasons this place just reached out and drew me in. The surroundings are as expected in this beautiful area close to Lucca. How lucky this taste of heaven came late in my life as it is a sign of what is to be enjoyed in the next dimension. It is certainly not a surprise that this experience occurred in Italy!

I would highly recommend you visit Fattori Sardi as soon as possible. This September (2024) tasting menu is one of the best I have ever experienced and it will likely be a once-in-a-life-time experience.

BTW the service was amazing and the...

Frattoria Sardi is truly exceptional in every way. They hosted our son’s wedding at Villa Renaissance, and from start to finish, the experience was nothing short of magical. We began with a beautiful Welcome Winery Tour, where the staff shared their passion for the vineyard and the winemaking process, setting the perfect tone for the celebrations to come. That evening, we enjoyed an unforgettable dinner featuring exquisite local cuisine and their incredible wines, a true taste of Tuscany.

Elena was absolutely fantastic—her warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail made every moment seamless. Every aspect was perfectly executed, from the breathtaking winery setting to the thoughtfully curated menu. The staff went above and beyond to make our family and guests feel welcome, cared for, and celebrated. Frattoria Sardi is more than a venue—it’s an unforgettable experience we will...

The amenities were appalling, no air conditioning in 2 of the 5 rooms and no water when showering. It was 38 degrees and the heat without airconditioning in the whole house was unbearable. Remaining rooms’ airconditioning was terrible - does not cool at all and makes a huge noise. It was really bad for the price we paid for a 5 star accommodation. We were really unhappy. No coffee machine, no bar fridge, no restaurant, no shuttle service. Swimming pool is a plastic temporary pool. We had to get our own suitcases to our rooms. We have a 12 year old boy who was told not to kick a ball around on grass. The electric wiring needs attention - very dangerous, people can get electrocuted. All together a very uncomfortable and...