L'aquila D'oro - Ciro

If a single restaurant can open your eyes to the breadth of southern Italian cooking, this may be the place. The very talented, and warm, chef Elisabetta has a... read more If a single restaurant can open your eyes to the breadth of southern Italian cooking, this may be the place. The very talented, and warm, chef Elisabetta has a fine hand with the range of rustic dishes of Calabria. The place itself is nothing to look at but if you can eat outside on a summer night you will have no better restaurant experience in southern Italy.

We had dinner here two nights in a row and had a nice time both nights. It is also about the only place in town in November so we didn't have much choice. The f... read more We had dinner here two nights in a row and had a nice time both nights. It is also about the only place in town in November so we didn't have much choice. The first night we went in we were the only ones there. The owners were watching TV when we came in and they left it on the whole time. The dinning room is quite large and I felt bad, but grateful that they were open just for us. Our waiter spoke enough English to help us with the menu and in pricing our one of the delicious Ciro wines. The food was good and plentiful. The next night when we showed up it was completely different. There were two very large parties at long tables and a couple other smaller groups. We were still treated very well and again enjoyed our meal and wine. Because of the time of year it was dark when we arrived but I think the views would be fantastic.

Lead by Tripadvisor, I have visited the place in late June 2014. In fact I was a bit strained when I saw the place. I ordered a fresh orange juice and a cappuch... read more Lead by Tripadvisor, I have visited the place in late June 2014. In fact I was a bit strained when I saw the place. I ordered a fresh orange juice and a cappuchino to test whether it is worth dining here. I got a Fanta (or similar) and a Nesquick with cream on top. Well, I did not go on with other servings.

My sister and i found this jewel by accident and it has become our favorite restaurant in all of Italy. it is a heartwarming experience just to be among such a... read more My sister and i found this jewel by accident and it has become our favorite restaurant in all of Italy. it is a heartwarming experience just to be among such a wonderful family and the food is fresh and delightful. we are going back in april to spend time up in the mountain of ciro. bravo for this fantastic gem.

We were taken to the restaurant by a local wine maker during the wine research trip. The place was a small house stood along the street on the hill with a panor... read more We were taken to the restaurant by a local wine maker during the wine research trip. The place was a small house stood along the street on the hill with a panoramic view of the sea (I could not see it because it was at night). There was a dining room inside and a porch in front of the house. Fluorescent lights everywhere. It is so humble and so not special, you would definitely miss this place if you drive there by yourself. But once their food began to arrive at our dining table, my mind just blew away. Best, freshest, local ingredients were transformed into dishes that truely represented the terroir of Ciro. Honest, slow food that is. They make everything in house including pastas. You would not see much of refined sophistication in their food but there were tons of honesty, dignity, locality. After all what I was all I was craving for. Then I noted, after dinner, that a Michelin stickers were stuck on the door. It is not a best kept secret any more.