Rifugio La Mestà Trassilico — Restaurant in Unione Comuni Garfagnana

So as the best summary of my review I would like to say that we have left this place after about 15 minutes since we arrived. We knew we won't get reimbursed (we obviously couldn't cancel our booking), yet we still decided to just ran away from this bizzare place. Since we arrived to this apartment (after having driven about 20 minutes on a very narrow and competly dark mountain roads) we saw the entrance and bunch of weird poeple sitting in the front of the house where the apartment was located, drinking and talking loudly. Of course, once we went upstairs to our room we could hear every sound because walls weren't keeping any noise from us, including other guests talking in their rooms or bathroom noises. Our room did not have an AC, moreover, it didn't even have a fan to cool us a bit after spending entire day in super warm Italy. This was the second shock (first one was random poeple just gathering in front of the house). The third shock came when we seen a huge bee was flying in our room. The bee (or other insect which I can't even identify since we ran away) wasn't shock itself, but lack of any anti - bug net in the window which would let us to have our window opened (since no fan or ac only such a net could prevent us from getting attacked by insects going through this window, yet the appartment didn't have it). Other "facilities" were also very disappointing, like the most basic one, the bed. It had very thin and clearly, by looking at it, old flat from using, mattress. Pillows and sheets were placed in some old stinky closet, not even wrapped in a secured plastic bag. The bathroom was stinky and old (this kind when you need to press a pedal in order to let the water flow through the sink). Of course, the place had no kitchen, not even a damn kettle. I'm so surprised by this place rating on Booking - I think it's highly overrated and simply being in this filthy room just does not let me rate in any higher then 2/10. The 2 is however for host whho was super nice and lovely, but this place he rans its just very poorly equipped, has bizzare shady people drinking in front of it and very noisy. Also two very important things - the location on Booking lies, so beware. It's not located 20 km to the beach in Forte dei Marmi, but 70 km by car. Maybe the distance measured on the map in the straight line shows indeed 20 km, nevertheless unless you are not planning to fly from there or slide down the mountains, you have to drive more then an hour to get there. Another warning - guys please be aware that if you are planning to get to this place by night you will have to face a very narrow curved mountain road. The road has no lighting system so you can only rely on your car lights,your own eyesight and reflex. You need to be paying full attention if there is no other car coming the opposite way, bevause if you don't then it's possible you are going to hit it. Please be aware of this very difficult driving condition, since it's not indicated on the website where I booked our stay. I have a driving license 3 years and love driving, never had accident but I wouldn't never drive a car in such conditions so consider your skills above everything else first. That's all I guess. Strongly...

Yes, this is at the top of a mountain, and it serves good, honest, local food - not the tourist stuff. The menu changes daily because the best local ingredients change daily - hence no written menu. You will always get a warm welcome, by the locals and the staff alike - I cant believe people are complaining about the locals sitting outside! This is a small community living in a hard environment, the Rifuge acts like a community hub where the locals meet, help each other out and the like. To be welcomed by them as a tourist for visiting them. or eating or staying should be seen in such a small village as an honour.

Last time I was there we had Nettle pasta, with the forager who picked the nettles sat at the next table...

This place is a true treasure - PLEASE make the effort to see Trassilico and see for yourself - the memories and views will last your...

Travellers know that there are 2 kinds of restaurants. Real vs. Touristic. Touristic restaurants are usually within a stone’s throw of attractions, come with a high price, a rushed experience, and usually low quality. On the other hand, you have places such as the Reguge Mesta in Transillico. Transillico is distance, weathered and modest. You’ll find the Refuge Mesta matches it’s surrounding. However, this is not a bad thing. The hosts are welcoming and warm. The food plentiful and great. No rush, sit back and enjoy yourself at an incredible value – just 10 Euros each for a Primi, Secondi, and a coffee. I love finding these places...