Osteria Candalla — Restaurant in Unione dei comuni della Versilia

The place is ubicated aside a small hill road over Camaiore, so expect a bit of issues with parking and turning your car around once there (remember the rule: parking is only allowed on the STRAIGHT parts of the tiny road... Don't park on curves!) As I have mobility issues, the main restaurant is accessible via wheelchair, but the outside tables and the cocktail bar down the river will need for you to walk a little down steep steps (I did it!! Slowly but steadily, it's worth it). The cocktail bar is directly placed outside, against the opposite side of a small river that crosses the area (you can walk over a small iron bridge to get to the other side and get some good IG photos). The cocktail and spirit selection is very good and it feats both local products, but also specialties and novelties from abroad (the Tesla Gin is said to literally taste... Electric!)

Ask them more info about the spirits because they're quite expensive but totally worth it if you know what you are doing. We got back to the restaurant for dinner, and the appetizers arrived quite quickly. Little note... No explanation provided for my wife's glass of wine, or her plate of cheeses (could have been nice to introduce them a bit since they were matched with jams n fruit). I think the worst part was in between the appetizers, and the main courses... We waited almost one hour for them (which could have been fine, no hurry) but nobody, not a single server came to check on us during this period. My wife emptied her wine half an hour after the appetizers and noone ever asked her if she would've liked for another glass, or anything else. When the main courses arrived, again, they were just left on the table with no words. I had red meat and they forgot to bring me salt n pepper with it (they did it before for other guests) so I had to stop someone passing by just to ask for salt, which they brought and left. The food was good, so we enjoyed our evening, and the server who finally took care of us afterwards was a tad more attentive and privided me with half a glass of Limoncello off the menu when I asked for it, so kudos to her for being so accommodating! The total we ended up paying for was less than I anticipated, so that was also a good surprise... Everything was pleasant, from the atmosphere to the drinks to the food, too bad for the service that was a bit too distracted - the place was full, but it's always like that (no matter when you will have to reserve way in advance if you want to get a table), and for a place which wants to be beyond a simple "local restaurant", service has to be on par with the rest. I can't and won't judge everyone of course, but I kept an eye on other tables too and I noticed the same kind of mistakes... Still, I want to reiterate that at the end of the day we were happy, full of good food, and...

This restaurant is set in a beautiful location, perfectly in tune with nature, and the décor makes the atmosphere calm and relaxing. For lunch, we started with appetizers—Tuscan cheeses and an eggplant dish—both absolutely delicious. As a first course, we tried the rice with beetroot and cheese: unique, flavorful, and truly memorable. For the second course, we had rabbit, which was perfectly cooked and very tasty. We finished with a strawberry dessert paired with wine, a wonderful way to end the meal.

The prices are fair considering the quality of the food and the setting. Just a note: the access road is narrow and parking isn’t very easy, so it’s best to leave the car in a safe spot along the roadside before arriving. Also, I recommend booking a table in advance as the place tends to get crowded.

Overall, it was an excellent and...

An hidden jem in a tropical valley. The outside look of the location looks like a typical chalet but the venue opens in a wonderful garden full of banana's tree right in front of a lovely stream! The different areas of the venue are all very well kept and the attention for details is excellent. There's an open air bar lounge decorated with candels and pillows that gives a very relaxing touch. All around the vegetation is a green forest and surrounds the place giving the feeling of being in a tropical wild island. The food and wines are probably even more worth it than the venue itself!!! The quality of the ingredients, the passion of the staff and the rustic atmosphere, bring this place on top of my list of the whole Versilia! Early Booking is mandatory as this place looks like being very well known by gourmet tourists from all around...