The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
April 28 - Il Convento and Corciano
The Ristorante Il Convento is located in -- you guessed it -- an old convent. How old? Well St. Francis hisself lived here for a year back in 1100! We discovered the restaurant on a trip in 2003 and have returned every time we have been in the area. It seemed like a great place for a final meal before we all headed off in different directions tomorrow morning.
There was one woman serving the dining room tonight. Since she was in a tux and carried herself with authority I wouldn't call her the waitress, more like a maitre 'd. In any event she was reasonable efficient but had none of the personal charm (and subsequent personal connection) that we felt from Marco at al Coccio on Tuesday night. The result was a good meal in a very pretty place ... but not the memorable event I was hoping for. On our very first visit here we had a Marco-like waiter/manager/maitre 'd named Roberto who definitely WAS the personality we missed tonight.
The dining room is in the lower level which was probably used for storage or perhaps to house animals originally. The upper floors are being (slowly) renovated into sleeping rooms for what is alleged to become a hotel.
The old convent dining room is now used for the occasional group function. Even the restrooms have class. Here is the bank of shared marble sinks. Off this room are separate one-seat rooms for men and women. I guess Italian women don't use the restrooms for social gatherings.
Here are a few scenes around Corciano at night, all but one taken with just available light.
© 2006 Restaurant Doctor
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