Restaurant in Piombino between stars and planets. A place of haunting beauty, the hall and veranda for a bright reception, knowledgeable and friendly staff.
It happens sometimes to talk about the location before even the gastronomic offerings of a restaurant. Vespero in Piombino even happens to immediately address the issue of sustainability, a concept that is as much bandied about as it is often disregarded in reality. Here, on the other hand, the message of respect for the environment is explicit: one sits on a large terrace overlooking Piombino’s marina and canal under a large photovoltaic pergola whose modules regulate airflow and direct light, protect against rain, and above all produce clean electricity. The view from the terrace is on par with the best scenery on the Italian coasts and becomes poignant at sunset as the name of the venue suggests. The interiors are no different: in a large airy room the walls are transformed into a wine shop, with bottles from the extensive wine list on display; in a library; in a sound environment with a choice of your favorite music; and in an overlook to the open kitchen, equipped with the best technological equipment.
In short, the four partners had no uncertainties when deciding what the style and functionality of their workplace and the pleasantness of the welcome to be offered to customers in the 40 available covers should be. We talk about Francesco Assirelli, Veronica Recchia, Martina Raspolli and Elisabetta De Micheli. Francesco is the coordinator and hospitality man: he comes from hotel school with first local experience at La Rocchetta in Piombino, then more challenging ones like Pinchiorri and Gambero Rosso. He is the one who builds the team with Veronica, a chef with a precise and happy hand, Martina at yeast and pastry, and Elisabetta the cook and Veronica’s assistant.
he style of Francesco’s restaurant is very clear: the quality of the product comes before all other considerations, and here we are basically talking about fish and vegetables. The fish are exclusively caught and the sea dintorno, between the Gulf of Follonica, the Piombino Channel, Baratti Bay, and the island of Elba, allows for a wide variety of seabeds, sea currents, and shelter from the winds, such that quality catches are always possible. The vegetables, also intended for a vegetarian menu, rigorously selected by Veronica come from the fertile land of Venturina and are grown by a family friend. Francis studies the customer’s tastes and desires of the moment, so alongside the menu, he offers a custom-made express menu with the use of fish and vegetables chosen in several different preparations. Veronica makes it with expert hand and sure touch enhancing all the flavors. There is no room for foams and curls of sauces, but It is the balance of flavors that matters. Seafood Spring is a didactic dish in this regard: langoustines, baby squid, seafood freshly seared and served in a bed of fresh, crisp greens, savory sprouts in a harmony of delicate and mouthwatering sea scents and flavors. A viable alternative for the one who, by his own religion, wants to forgo the large platter of crudo proposed by Francis without, however, forgoing the marine flavors.
The fish cart is equally appealing. In our case, we found neither bream nor sea bass, a clear sign that breeding had been abandoned. On the other hand, a bright red-colored capon, a medium-sized grouper, and two live lobsters were on display.Francis proposed to prepare an entrée with part of the chosen fish and the rest to be presented in the customer’s preferred cooking.
For vegetarians, the menu includes a burger with grilled vegetables and salsa verde, a calamarata with eggplant, smoked burrata and basil, or eggplant parmigiana with burrata mousse, but Veronica is able to offer fresh vegetables of the day in other imaginative preparations.
iverting as well as mouthwatering is the dessert, as in the case of Pistachio and Chocolate presented in the form of a “paleta” coated with white cocoa and grains or the ricotta, chocolate and pear semifreddo.
Wine list of good depth, with classics from the Suvereto and Val di Cornia area and many original labels from the north and south, with the possibility of pairing a proper red with fish.
A very appealing overall picture, with the poignant beauty of the place, the bright welcome of the veranda and lounge, and the competence and friendliness of the staff at a price that is certainly not popular but absolutely reasonable compared to what Vespero offers. The only problem that remains to be solved is road access, the route of which is not clear. The navigator leads to getting into an alley where it is then difficult to juggle. Francis should as soon as possible have a site that is up to the task in which the route to the available parking spaces, which are ample and not difficult to access, is indicated.
