Contrada is located in the grounds of Castel Monastero in Tuscany. It’s best described as fine dining in an 11th Century medieval hamlet, which, if that isn’t enough to pique your interest, their menu certainly will.
They offer a range of traditional and authentic dishes showcasing Tuscan cuisine at its finest. Each dish is masterfully created with an emphasis on using locally sourced produce.
The design and layout of the restaurant is wonderfully authentic, they embrace the history of the building rather than cover it over with modern decor which provides guests with a true sense of Tuscany.
There’s an abundance of intriguing wall art which certainly creates a talking point, and weather permitting we recommend sitting outside on the terrace and enjoying the piazza.
After being shown to our table we decided to indulge in an aperitif while browsing the menu. Being in Italy it felt fitting to enjoy a couple of classic Negroni’s, which were most enjoyable and perfectly crafted.
“Contrada is best described as fine dining in a charming 11th Century medieval hamlet.”
To begin our culinary experience my partner decided on the eliche pasta, with cheese, pepper, and red prawns, garnished with fresh basil. I opted for the Tuscan spaghettone, which is best described as fatty, burnt, acidic, and salty tasting. Not a collection of adjectives commonly associated with such an enjoyable dish, but the flavours were most intriguing and left us excited for what was to come next.
For our main course, I chose the catch of the day, which on this occasion was a deliciously fresh sea bass, complete with a delicate arrangement of fresh, locally sourced seasonal vegetables. The presentation set the bar high, and I’m pleased to say the taste certainly didn’t disapoint. My partner settled on the beef cheek “Kokkinisto”, which was served with Tuscan zolfini beans. The meat was cooked “Kokkinisto” style which is extra juicy and combined with the seasoning and beans made for a very satisfying dish.
For dessert, neither of us could pass on the Tuscan dark chocolate, which was prepared with almonds and apricot. A superb marriage of flavours, and the sensation of the chocolate melting in the mouth is one we will not forget.
To accompany our meal, we choose a bottle of 2015, Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy. An enjoyable full-bodied red with grainy tannins and plenty of spice on the nose.
The combination of friendly staff and the impressive cuisine, along with the interesting and luxurious surroundings made for a memorable experience at Contrada. We wouldn’t hesitate to return and certainly recommend you make a booking if you’re staying at Castel Monastero.
The Bill: £64 per head
