Most Creative Dining Experience: Lux Lucis Restaurant

Hi there travelers,

Did I ever tell you eating is my second favorite thing to do after travelling? Well, it’s true. No matter how hard I try, I could never break up with my best friend forever, food. A few weeks ago, I’ve had one of the most special dining experiences ever. There are no words to describe it. However, I will still try.

It all happened in Italy (the country with the best food ever) in Forte dei Marmi, at the restaurant called Lux Lucis. Located inside the Principe Forte dei Marmi Hotel, on the top floor, the panoramic restaurant has both sea and mountain views, having an unique and modern style. Run by Chef Valentino Cassanelli and Manager Sokol Ndreko, the restaurant holds a Michelin Star which has been awarded in 2017 and reconfirmed in 2018. I’ve been to multiple Michelin Starred restaurants and none have left me the impression that this one did.

As soon as we sat down, the service was impeccable and we were brought the menus to decide which journey we want to take. It was either the a la carte or the tasting menus and I had to beg my mother to go for the tasting menus even though she was feeling more like ordering a la carte (tasting menus only come for the whole table). Speaking of tables, ours was located on the rooftop terrace, in a quiet corner, having a grand view of the mountains.

Shortly, the head waiter came and we decided to go with the tasting menu called “On the Road, Via Vandelli”, the longest and most complete option. Including 12 spectacular dishes, this was the most inventive tasting menu I’ve ever had. As soon as we placed our order, we received a map and a booklet, detailing each dish and where it is located on the map of Italy. This is what truly stunned me. The dishes and the order that they were served in represent the chef’s journey that took place in Italy, between his homeland, Emilia and his land of choice, Tuscany, on Via Vandelli. The booklet contains the description of each dish and even some history about Via Vandelli.

Ladies and Gentleman, I present to you On the Road, VIA VANDELLI:

Amuse Bouche

Sun rise by the sea (cockles, Jerusalem artichoke and “panzanella”)

Morning breeze at Forte (Shi drum in coffee scent with sea food foam and forgotten cucumber)

Rural Versilia (Ravioli of nettle and squills, salted lemon and roaster’s combs)

Marble of Squills (Raw Squill, tamarind with cocoa butter)

“Un Capitolino” from the cave watches the sea (Monkfish in Vaccinara beef sauce, chicory and marinated anchovy extract)

The mess-tin… (Cheek’s and liver of monkfish porchetta with Carreggine’s infuse)

Falling in Garfagnana (Spelt as a risotto of ramen, rosehip and fermented saffron grapes)

On the summit, sky, sea and ground (Duck, lettuce, coriander and sea unchin)

Sunset on grazing (Parmesan cheese, mortadella curcuma's pear and dolceforte sauce)

Welcome to sweet Emilia (Tortellini with green walnut and saba with hen stock and apple)

Should I stay or...?! (Barozzi cake, goat kefir and capers)

The fruit comes at the end

As you just saw, my journey at Lux Lucis was spectacular. The fact that each dish was connected to a place in Italy from the chef's journey on Via Vandelli was impressive.

All the combinations were exquisite and everything was worth it. Some may wonder why gourmet food is so praised. Hesitant people may have never tried gourmet food because it is something new that they haven't experienced before. These creations are not meant to feed us, they are meant to surprise us and give us certain emotions. Chef Cassanelli is just putting his journey down on plates for us to discover it. It's like reading a story but instead of doing that, you taste it. Overall, I encourage everybody to try this restaurant when in close proximity as it is a unique experience. As I mentioned before, gourmet food isn't about feeding yourself, it's about getting to know others and going back on memory lane. None of us should be scared of trying these sort of dishes. Eating a gourmet meal is just like reading a good book.