I’d heard rumours of the pici cacio e pepe of its motherland being a dish to die for, but after one mouthful of the pasta at Villa La Massa’s poolside bistro L’Oliveto, I was prepared to die, come back to life, and die again. A day later, this Italian bolthole’s main restaurant Il Verrocchio served up a traditionally Tuscan bistecca alla Fiorentina that’s made its way to the top of my “best steaks of all time” list.
Big claims? I know, even I’m surprised. The sommelier’s recommendations of Tuscan wines paired perfectly with my chosen dishes and left me in an even happier holiday haze than I had been in previously.
L’Oliveto and its neighbouring grass-lined pool are new additions to this luxury lodging on the outskirts of Florence, with the renovations being completed while the hotel was closed during the peak of the coronavirus crisis.
After fully reopening on 29 July, Villa La Massa has implemented the expected virus prevention measures including temperature checks on arrival, mandatory wearing of face masks in indoor public areas, a ban on group gatherings and having hand sanitiser readily available. Of course, the hotel also encourages one-metre social distancing rules, but with nine acres of wide-open space, a peaceful atmosphere and a currently low number of guests, crowds are unlikely to ever be an issue here.
