I try to visit Leonessa (fig. 1), a one thousand-years-old village near the Umbrian mountains, any time I am back in Italy. My family has had a small apartment just outside the historic part of the town and getting back there even for a couple of days is always a special moment for us. 

The Leon D'Oro (figs. 2, 3) is my favorite restaurant in the area where one can enjoy the perfect fettuccine con funghi porcini (fig. 4) or a spectacular plate of gnocchi al gorgonzola. The quiet atmosphere of the restaurant (figs. 5, 6) with a large wood burning open fireplace (fig. 7) is always conducive to a full meal. Perhaps some roasted salsicce, lamb or pork chops, of course accompanied by some of the local Umbrian red! Locals and visitors from Roma and other nearby towns often dine at the restaurant (fig. 8), as its reputation is well established (fig. 9) thanks to the fresh ingredients and quality of the food and the unsurpassed culinary skills of its staff (fig. 10).

The medieval flavors of Leonessa (figs. 11, 12) are unmistakable as one wanders around after lunch, ultimately traversing the main square (fig. 13) with its centuries old fountain facing the Municipio, one of the many churches in town and many other architecturally interesting buildings (figs. 14, 15).

The trip back to Roma at the end of the day is always bittersweet (fig. 16), yet I know that I can always say arrivederci to Leonessa, until the next time.

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