Antico Ristorante Albergo Furlo
Acqualagna (Pu)

The building which houses this splendid Hotel and Restaurant is a historic residence built along the ancient consular route, the Via Flaminia, which led from Rome to the town of Fano. You'll find yourselves right up against the rock face of the mountain at that point where the road narrows and leads into the small tunnel that was dug nearly two thousand years ago. All around you lies the magical atmosphere of the Nature Reserve, with its briskly running river and hawks making lazy circles in the sky above. It is in this setting that Alberto and Roberta will greet you with their warm and simple hospitality and do their best to guarantee you a pleasant stay. The entire premises were remodeled a few years ago; the rooms are marvelous and the atmosphere is one of absolute tranquility. The restaurant is considered to be one of the best in the whole region. Alberto is the Chef who is in charge of the kitchen; he checks the preparation of each dish, from the moment when the ingredients are selected and purchased, to the final presentation. In the dinning room Roberta takes special care of guests with exquisite courtesy. The dishes proposed are based on the traditional and historical offerings of the territory with particular attention to finding the best available ingredients; among these is the white truffle, Tuber magnatum P. From October to December the menu triumphantly features the famous white truffle of Acqualagna, pride and joy of the Marche and among the very best in all of Italy. Cold smoked breast of duck salad, cappelletti served in home-made broth, maltagliati pasta and polenta, passatelli with cheese sauce, rabbit in porchetta, braised veal, exquisitely prepared desserts. Add to this a fabulous wine cellar and you'll easily understand why we recommend that you stop at the Ristorante Albergo Furlo! www.anticofurlo.it

Il Gelso Agriturismo
Fabriano (An)

Romualdo and Emanuela Cofani and family began their business of agri-tourism a few years ago. Il Gelso (The Mulberry Tree) is located in the area near Fabriano, nestled between the hills and nearby Monte Cucco (1,556 m.), nearly on the border between the regions of Le Marche and Umbria. The farm extends over an area of 360 hectares and includes crops such as durum wheat, spelt, forage, pulses, corn, vegetables and over one hundred heads of cattle of the Marchigiana breed as well as pigs, sheep and poultry – all raised according to the standards governing organic farming. A variety of activities take place here, in a natural and rustic environment. The hospitality facilities include eight rooms and two apartments. There is a teaching farm, a laboratory for curing and dressing meats where the owners prepare their own salumi, in particular, the famous salame di Fabriano. Anyone who is looking for nature will find here the ideal spot to get back into contact with the open fields, the woods and animals in a quiet atmosphere that leaves one feeling renewed. Under the careful guidance of Emanuela, a restaurant has been added, serving food that is especially sought after by those who favor the simple, wholesome dishes of local tradition. The pasta is all home-made, the old-fashioned way, and the meats (beef and veal, pork, lamb, poultry) are all highly recommended as all of the livestock is raised right there on the farm and fed with farm-grown products. The sweets, too, are home-made and include the typical tozzetti for dipping in dessert wine, ciambellone cake suitable for breakfast, a snack or dessert and the round anise-flavored ciambelline all'anice . The swimming pool and solarium are reserved exclusively for guests who delight in the cool respite from the hot summer days. A very popular activity is horseback riding, with outings on horseback and short courses for children. Guests also love the mountain biking excursions on the white paths that crisscross the surrounding hills and the nature walks in the Gola della Rossa Park near the well-known Frasassi Caves. Also in the vicinity of the farm, on the beech-covered slopes of Monte Cucco, the intrepid can go hang-gliding and paragliding.
Cultural excursions can include sightseeing visits to Fabriano (4km away), Matelica, Camerino and Gubbio.- www.ilgelsoagriturismo.com

Salsamentaria
Fabriano (An)

Fabriano's claim to fame is the paper mill, but the town is also known for its traditional salami, the salame storico fabrianese. Right next to the ‘Accademia del Salame storico Reginaldo Sentinelli' is where you'll find the restaurant. The main feature on the menu is the “tagliere Sentinelli”, a selection of excellent quality salamis and cured charcuterie meats made from prime quality, carefully selected ingredients and served on a cutting board. The menu offerings tempt the guest further, with tasty first courses prepared with typical local products, grilled meats of all kinds accompanied by wood fire-baked crescia flatbread and deliciously finished off with homemade desserts. The wine list offers a wide choice of regional wines, showcasing Verdicchio whites and Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno reds. Good food and good times are guaranteed. - www.reginaldosentinelli.it

Hotel Gentile
Fabriano (An)

The Hotel Gentile opened its doors in 1987. In a modern building with comfortable interiors and plenty of space, there are 138 guest rooms (of which 8 are suites) and several mini apartments and the well-appointed facilities include living rooms, small conference rooms, a bar, exclusive gym and a parking area. The restaurant is run by Chef Domenico Balducci, also an active sommelier, who enjoys organizing special evenings dedicated to food culture and themed food and wine events. His cuisine is solidly rooted in tradition and relies on the best quality ingredients that can be found in the local territory, such as cured meats (one cannot forget that Fabriano is the home of the ‘Salame storico' which comes from the centuries-old tradition of cured meat preparation), cheeses, meats of all kinds and wines. It is easy to see why, with these credentials, the Hotel Gentile is a beacon of reference to guarantee a pleasant stay. - www.hotelgentile.it

Hotel Le Grotte
Genga (An)

Located near the Frasassi Caves, not far from Fabriano, the Restaurant and Hotel Le Grotte is a new and modern hospitality structure built in the green landscape of the Gola della Rossa Gorge. In the last few years, thanks to the pleasant environment and attentive care given to guests, Le Grotte has become a reference point for tourists and businessmen alike. The comfortably-furnished rooms are ample, well-appointed and welcoming. Guests also have available a large swimming pool, immersed in the silence of fascinating natural surroundings. Careful attention is also devoted to the meals offered in the restaurant which proposes traditional Marche recipes with a modern touch, along with an ample choice of wines. - www.hotellegrotte.it

Ristorante Da Maria
Pierosara - Genga (AN)

Pierosara, a tiny village perched on a high rocky outcropping, sits facing the mountain that harbors the famous Frasassi Caves in its innermost heart; the view is marvelous, the environment peaceful and serene. At the end of the old fortified castle town, by following the directions, you'll come to Ristorante Da Maria, built right in a wing of an old monastery, with enough room for convenient parking. As you walk in, it will appear simple and sparse, a bit rustic, but when you sit down, you'll begin to notice and appreciate the solid values that back it: exquisite hospitality and a cuisine based on the highest quality ingredients and on careful preparation. Special attention is devoted to the wines by the owner, Claudio Bruffa, sommelier. Perusing the varied and well-presented menu, you'll find here the very roots of local culinary tradition in the dishes that are so closely tied to the history of this area. The pasta is still homemade, by hand and thus, the first courses are a triumph of flavors and textures: thin tagliolini noodles with crayfish, large ravioli with truffles, potato gnocchi stuffed with wild boar, cappellacci pasta stuffed with porcini mushrooms, passatelli, and the list goes on. Truffles, mushrooms, wild mountain asparagus… can be found and gathered right here is these mountains, so when you taste them in these delicious dishes, you will feel in absolute perfect harmony with the surrounding territory. Moving on the main courses, you'll find the menu offerings include excellent lamb (try the scottadito), beef of the Marchigiana breed - wonderful for the thin-sliced, juicy tagliata, wild boar served alla cacciatora with olives, rabbit in porchetta with garlic and rosemary, roast pork shank with rosemary. Here you have it all, beautiful scenery, authentic regional recipes, superb food, very honest prices: what more could you ask for? - www.ristorantemaria.com

La Baita
Monte S. Angelo - Arcevia (An)

In a splendid position, at 600 meters above sea level on Arcevia’s Monte Sant’Angelo, this “chalet” offers regional cooking with particular attention to home-made pasta and carefully selected meats. Wide selection of wines and well-chosen oils. Family atmosphere and cordial manner.
www.la-baita.it

Hotel Giardino
Ristorante – Hotel - San Lorenzo in Campo (Pu)

Originally opened in 1971 as a simple, family-style village restaurant, this venue has been transformed into one of the best restaurants in the entire Region, thanks to Massimo Bigiali, his wife Patrizia and their son, Paolo. Particular attention is paid to the choice of ingredients, the wines come under the care of some of the most qualified sommeliers in the Marche and the owner constantly studies, updates and refines the menu, with the help of his collaborators. The setting is spacious, welcoming and elegant, the atmosphere relaxing and the service always courteous and professional but with a personal touch that lends a family flair.The recently renovated rooms have been carefully appointed to include every comfort. The swimming pool is open in the summer months. - www.hotelgiardino.it

La Palomba
Mondavio (PU)

A typical country “inn”, it is located just opposite the marvelous fortress. Listed in numerous tourist guidebooks, the rooms are comfortable and well-appointed, the hospitality is cordial and there is a family atmosphere. The cuisine is a treat, offering a genuine glimpse of regional traditions, using local ingredients to dishes with authentic taste. Guests can enjoy a variety of specialty dishes with mushrooms and truffles when they are in season. In summer, meals are served on the open veranda where the view is breathtaking. www.lapalomba.it

Le Betulle
Fraz. Avacelli - Arcevia (An)

One of the historic castle-towns under the dominion of Arcevia was Avacelli, where nowadays, a hospitality center, an agritourism farmhouse, has been built. The farmhouse offers accommodation and restaurant services to groups of travelers who are increasingly becoming more numerous and frequent. The style of cooking is based entirely on local traditions: homemade tagliatelle noodles and vincisgrassi, the local lasagna, sauces made from mushrooms or mountain-grown wild asparagus gathered in the nearby hills, charcoal-grilled meats and oven-roasted game. Ample choices on the wine list include both local (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno) and national wines; there is an in-house sommelier. www.agrituristlebetulle.com

Coquus Fornacis
Serra de' Conti (An)

An old brickyard dating back to the mid-1800s was completed restored and remodeled and the main parts preserved to create an unusual ambience of remarkable architectural value with the brick smokestack, central furnace and round tiled roof. This gorgeous work of industrial archaeology now houses the “Coquus Fornacis” Restaurant where Chef Marco Giacomelli and his young brigade of helpers offer clients excellent cuisine, taking the best of what the territory has to offer and presenting it with great care and finesse. An ample selection of wines. In addition, there are a few rooms available to overnight guests who will find the combination of antique and contemporary a fascinating mix which creates an intriguing atmosphere.
www.coquusfornacis.it

Le Copertelle
Serra San Quirico (An)

Located right at the entrance to the historic center of the town, the B&B was built in the old“copertelle” (the covered walkways of yore, built on top of the town walls during medieval times). The double rooms all have a private bath, air conditioning and TV. Next to the B&B, the Copertelle Restaurant serves hand-made pasta and regional recipes featuring mushrooms, kid, game birds, cave-aged cheese, truffles and wild herbs. - www.lecopertelle.com

Cadabò
Agriturismo - Montecarotto (An)

An old farmhouse belonging to the Landi Family was refurbished in recent years and now operates as an Agriturismo. From its panoramic location, the view sweeps over the surrounding hills and valleys. Guests are offered courteous hospitality rooted in the rural simplicity of the area. The farmhouse includes a restaurant which features tasty dishes from the local culinary traditions with the added benefit that Landi produce is organically grown. In the summertime an outdoor veranda offers a quiet place to dine and enjoy the lovely vistas. Guests may also use the swimming pool. - www.cadabo.com

Erard
Maiolati Spontini (An)

M The small town of Maiolati is a hillside village sitting at a little over 400 meters above sea level, in the heart of Verdicchio wine country. The renowned musician Gaspare Spontini was born in this town in 1774; he later became famous in all of Europe, where he practiced his art from Paris to Berlin to London, earning the highest honors in the most important royal courts of the Napoleonic and Post-Napoleonic period. Spontini returned to Maiolati with his wife, Celeste Erard, in 1850 and there lived the last years of his life. He was a great philanthropist and donated many of his riches to causes to benefit the lower classes. Among the works he commissioned is the beautiful public park and gardens, Parco Colle Celeste. After his death, the town was renamed Maiolati Spontini, in honor of the great Maestro.Now, think about it: if you had to choose a location for a new restaurant, where would it be? And what would it be called? Pasquale and Sara, young and enthusiastic restaurateurs, have chosen Parco del Colle Celeste as the ideal location for their restaurant, for it is the highest and most panoramic point of the village, and they have given it the name Erard, in tribute to the musician's wife.Both of the owners have good training under their belt and several years' experience and so, decided to open a top-notch restaurant. Their orientation is towards tradition at its most sincere, with only the freshest ingredients and the utmost care in preparation. Sara's mother, Giuseppina, also works in the kitchen, contributing her 30 years' worth of experience and passion for her art. Occasionally, Moreno, Sara's father, turns up to lend a hand in the dining area where he still plays the time-honored part of the gracious host.The main focus of the menu is fish, as the ideal counterpart in the sacrosanct alliance with Verdicchio wine. The various dishes are exquisitely simple, for, as they say, good food has no need for extravagant masks. The flavors are clean and distinct, always recognizable whether it is a risotto or a plate of tagliatelle, or even, a slice of turbot masterfully presented in the center of a delicate fish broth. When a menu specializes in fish, everyone knows that the work in the kitchen must often be planned around what is available on the market that day, so as to guarantee the absolute freshness of the product. Thus, on the menu we find “Catch of the day” which, for variety, can be prepared steamed, roasted, baked in salt and so on. Maiolati Spontini, a hilltop town, a park, a fish restaurant in the heart of Verdicchio territory: all the elements to awaken the desire to go there, discover, taste. www.erard.it

Da Rosina
Monteroberto (AN)

On the road from Cupramontana, about halfway down the hill, as you head towards Jesi, on the left you'll find this restaurant known and recommended for its home-style cooking, so much so, that the place is always packed. Well-known for miles around, there is no need to advertise because word of mouth does an excellent job and people have been coming here, sure of a good meal, for decades. The restaurant first opened its doors back in 1973 by Signora Rosina who is still in charge of the kitchen brigade, along with her son, Andrea, and her daughter-in-law, Sabrina. Ristorante Da Rosina is definitely a monument to the essence of the Marche region and of being “Marchigiani”, a veritable icon, no ifs and buts about it. There is nothing fancy here and no highbrow pretence, but it is welcoming and there is a warm, family atmosphere. On the menu you'll find all of the traditional Marche-style dishes typical of this hilly area that lies amongst the olive groves and the Verdicchio vineyards. They still make their own pasta, rolled out by hand; the kitchen turns out inviting platters of tagliatelle, cannelloni and the Marche's own version of baked lasagne (with very little béchamel sauce), the vincisgrassi. The roast rabbit in porchetta with garlic and wild fennel is still prepared the old-fashioned way, just as is the stuffed pigeon. The charcoal fire is kept going constantly, to grill excellent meats such as beef and lamb. Some can still make room for a platter of mixed fried foods that includes a variety of meats and vegetables, and don't forget the Ascoli-style breaded, stuffed olives – those, too, are homemade. The choice of wines, ample and carefully thought out, offers the best Verdicchio, Rosso Conero and Lacrima di Morro labels for your dining pleasure. The prices are always appropriate. You'll have a great meal here – count on it.- fotoadam@libero.it

I Spiazzi
Jesi (An)

A modern tavern located in the oldest part of the town, just a stone’s throw from the historic center, this eatery features simple but high quality fare consisting of excellent soups, well-chosen cheeses and charcuterie meats and an ample choice of regional wines. Pleasant and casual atmosphere.
www.osteriaispiazzi.com

Al Crepuscolo Agriturismo
Recanati (Mc)

Recanati immediately brings to mind the works of the poet Giacomo Leopardi, in which he describes the hills, the stillness that follows a storm, the moon in the sky, the immensity of the silence. And it is up there, in the area of Montefano, in the midst of silver-leafed olive trees and sweeping horizons, that the Gabrielloni family has prepared an amazing refuge for anyone wishing to enjoy the infinite tranquillity of this marvellous corner of the Marche. It had been the family home and now, carefully and lovingly renovated, it has been named “Al Crepuscolo” (At Dusk). Open to guests, its interior reveals and conserves all the small details of life as it was, to pass on the memories still alive in each single brick, in the fireplace chain, in the planked oak cupboard. But what is more precious is the atmosphere one breathes and relives in the serene beatitude that only those with profound roots in the land can give you. Gabriella, Elisabetta and Sonia have put their hearts into this place and it is they who will lead the visitor to the olive grove that has been yielding olives for decades, olives that go to the family olive mill which produces some of the best and most highly prized olive oils in the region. Their Laudato and Solivo are well known in Italy and abroad. Here you'll also find a wood-fired oven, like those used in the past, to make baked goods to accompany white and red wines, the Verdicchio and Conero, chosen from among the best the land has to offer, along with a myriad of other quality products, typical delectable specialties to delight your palate. Should you want to explore the territory on a voyage of discovery, the possibilities are endless, from Recanati to nearby Mount Conero, from the hilltop of Cingoli to the higher summits of the Apennines and down again towards the sea and the coastal towns of Sirolo and Numana. Of one thing we are absolutely sure: anyone who drops by the Gabrielloni's will come away with a lasting memory.
www.alcrepuscolo.it

Farroteca Monterosso
S. Lorenzo in Campo (PU)

The Farroteca Monterosso opened its doors for business in 2003, as both a point of sale and a restaurant specializing in spelt wheat. This “spelt granary” offers guests a variety of specialty dishes made with spelt or “Triticum Dicoccum”, the purest quality of this ancient cereal grain. Here, you can taste a whole array of recipes that use spelt and spelt flour as the main ingredient, from breads to soups and pastas like spaghetti and tagliolini, as well as enjoy a nice selection of cheeses, meats and local charcuterie products. The Farroteca can also accommodate groups that wish to discover the authentic taste of regional dishes prepared with fresh vegetables and always served with the good wines that come from the surrounding hills. In the summertime, guests can sit at the tables outdoors so as to fully enjoy the beauty of the Marche countryside. Reservations are required one day in advance. www.farrotecamonterosso.it