San Fabiano

I meant to review this new restaurant at the time of visiting but didn't get round to it, so better late than never. When I first went to San Ginesio, Gianni and his wife Anna Maria were running the B&B in the main piazza. I stayed there many times as the house was being renovated and they became friends. It was Gianni who showed me where to sign up for an internet connection and who came to my house to set the equipment up for me. On the day we went to sign the contract we made a detour to the house in the countryside where he had lived as a child and which he had inherited and was refurbishing to include a restaurant on the ground floor. The setting is idyllic, in a cluster of houses in rolling fields and next to the tiny church of San Fabiano which is still occasionally used for mass. When the new Administration was voted in at the Town Hall 2 years ago they decided to sell the B&B to bring down the debts of the Comune and Gianni had to leave after running it for 18 years and this summer he opened his restaurant. If you want good, honest home cooking in a warm and welcoming environment then I thoroughly recommend this place. The night we went everyone seemed to know each other and I suspect that it will rely on local trade until word gets round visiting tourists. There is no website at the moment and you'll need to call to book 0733 656832. I had mushroom pancakes to start with which were absolutely delicious. There is no printed menu and Gianni speaks a little english so you won't have any trouble ordering. There is a garden with amazing views where you could have lunch or just go for drinks in the afternoon. To reach San Fabiano leave San Ginesio by the Porta Picena and turn right so you are driving around the town walls. Follow the signs to Sarnano and look out for the SS502 (small white surfaced single land road). At the time of our visit there were hand made signs in place but I expect they will put something more permanent up. The restaurant is on your right along this track next to the church.