You might have noticed that I've taken a break from writing Yelp reviews. Yelp's chosen method of…read moremonetizing their platform requires me, out of principle, to step back from voluntary contributions. Having said that, I just had one of "those" restaurant experiences in Central Italy, and to not share it with others would be criminal. The Ristorante Olmicello offers clean modern Italian dishes in a renovated 900 year old building atop a hill a three hour drive from Rome. Its a quick visit from Campobasso and still worth it from points on the shore near Termoli. Most of the streets in Oratino are too narrow for cars - even the Fiat 126 - and the town's entire population can go uptown in New York City on the same subway train. Our party of nine asked for "family sizes" and ate the same courses. A fast wait staff filled the table with red wine, water, and sparkling water in caraffes. And an olive tapenade came in several ramekins along with thick-cut, crusty-toasted, peasant bread. Nothing from a jar or a can. The olives were fresh and the oil was young. The depth of flavor without spices warned us of a culinary adventure. Tintilia is the wine you'd expect in this region, (and it has yet to seriously invade American shores) but Olmicello served a cabernet/merlot blend from San Martino producer Cantine Catabbo. Earthy, ruby jeweled, mouth filling flavor with a small exclamation point of a nose: $95 on any steakhouse wine list. I asked to photograph the bottle but it was green glass with no label. Before you could say "dunque", everybody got a big square appetizer plate with fried mozzarella beads in marinara in the center. Clockwise from the top: a roasted cubanelle, fried zucchini, grilled pimentos, baked eggplant, a rasher of prosciutto, fried provelone, and deep-fried squash. Boom. Everything made before 7:00 pm. We were still marvelling at the artistry of the opening salvo when a triangle of raviolis smothered by crushed cherry tomatos - obviously picked while we ate the appetizer. The ravioli was hand-made, al dente, with that hint of doughey-ness that gave it a satisfying bite; mozzarella and riccota made the filling. Surprisingly, no third course: no one could eat any more. Desert came: perfect cheesecake with strawberries and a light coat of heavy cream; chocolate mousse cake marbled by perfectly unsweet Bavarian cream; and lemon and coconut gelato served in frozen lemon skin and coconut shell, respectively. A shot of strega for non-drivers got the blood boiling. Olmicello has been around 14 years and displays its awards out front: The Ristoranti d'Italia award every year since 2013, per Gambero Rosso, and the AIC award every year since 2015. The latter award goes to gluten free restaurants. Nice wifi inside too. I gave my iPhone to my 5-year old to keep him quiet

We were treated to great appetizers, pizza, and vino during our trip to Longano. What a great…read moreexperience and the owners are wonderful.

One of the first things we do when visiting Castel di Sangro is eat at La Tavernetta. The food…read morenever disappoints. Not to mention, I can get an ice cold Pepsi My husband and daughter love their pizzas and I love their pastas and the tiramisu is sooo good I can't wait to come back!

This is what you think of when you want true Italian food in a city that is off of the beaten path…read more Situated in the old part of town this family owned and operated place makes all the food fresh on site and to order. The highlight of the primo was the polenta with balsamic onions, AmAzinG!!! Of course the pasta is amazing its Italy it has to be that way, even the house wine is amazing and its practically cheaper than drinking water.

Funny very few reviews. It's because the clientele are super serious about food in Molise. Amazing…read moreas always. After Ferragosto, special menu featuring many types of bacala.

My wife and I come to this restaurant at least once a year. This time we craved pizza made by…read moreClement in his pizza oven. We ordered a pizza diavola and vegetarian pizza that were cooked to perfection. Nothing pretentious here just basic rustic style of cooking. Ingredients are usually from home grown gardening. The dough is very similar to what you would find in the eateries in Naples. So if you get off the beaten path and travel to the Adriatic coast of Italy get ready for some really great, wholesome, feel good Italian food. And the home made wine is the final touch that adds to the genuine homemade type of experience.

We stayed in the hotel. The price of the room and dinner was less than most meals we have eaten in…read moreItaly. The food is outstanding! The value is amazing. We had risotto ai fungi con tartufo. The menu said two person minimum, 20 euro. We thought than meant 40 for two. Wrong! 20 euros for two absolutely delicious full plates of food. I cannot believe it. We had buffula and tomatoes as an appetizer and lemon sorbet for dessert. Do not pass on the lemon sorbet. Wonderful! The pizzas looked so good, my husband would have eaten one if his stomach was not so full. For two with water and one beer, 43 euros. Best deal ever. My husband wants to buy a house in Agnone and eat here every day.