Friendly

Convivial in Tuscania: Andrea Astolfi and the Tuscia

If you're looking for a table that doesn't mock you with tourist clichés, Convivial in Tuscania is an address to note. Andrea Astolfi's house is firmly rooted in the Tuscia territory, with a local reputation that speaks for itself when it comes to the consistency of his cuisine.

What you really eat here

Here, the cuisine is that of Andrea Astolfi, and it revolves around seasonal products from the Tuscia. You won't find any unnecessary flourishes, but dishes that speak of the area. Guests report plates like the Indivia, yogurt, nocciola, mandarino, or the Zucca, Mela Cotogna, Funghi e Salvia. There's also the Patata, Tuorlo e Tartufo, which clearly shows the attachment to the flavors of the terroir. This isn't grandma's cooking, but a thoughtful interpretation of local products.

The atmosphere is described as "materico, elegante ma informale". That means it's crafted, but without fuss. The restaurant is in the historic center of Tuscania, and there's a large hearth that is always lit, almost a character in its own right in the dining room. Some even say the place may have once housed a monastery or a hospital, which gives you an idea of its character. With only about fifteen seats, intimacy is guaranteed.

Why this table rather than another

Convivial is a table you go to for territory-based cuisine, honest and well executed, without the tourist traps. The local reputation and customer feedback speak of the "perfection" of the meal, which is no small thing. It's a "solid and genuine" project, rooted, not yet another trattoria serving the same thing as everywhere else. If you want to understand what the Tuscia has on the plate, this is an address to consider seriously.