I’m fortunate to enjoy many great meals at restaurants at home and abroad. Here’s my take on my favorite meal of 2025.
Somewhat spoiled, having lived most of my life in close proximity to Manhattan, few restaurants leave me longing for more, even a year after dining there.
When searching one of my Facebook groups for mention of Montepulciano, Italy, a phrase caught my eye. The writer spoke highly of a restaurant, Rosso Rubino. Truthfully, I didn’t delve deeply or peruse any menu. I simply made a lunch reservation for our first day there in September 2025.
My daughter and I arrived in Montepulciano a bit late, after a long drive from Bologna. After a challenging walk over sloped cobblestones with large suitcases, we arrived at our lodging. Then we rushed outside to find Rosso Rubino, afraid that we had missed our chance for lunch. Literally across the street, was a small oval sign for the restaurant. We walked in, and a woman, now known as an owner, greeted me with, “Debbie?” To our left, a small table by the window, held a sign saying, “reserved.” I’m a little sad that I don’t remember if it was in English or Italian! This was our table by the window.
My favorite meal in 2025 happened when my daughter and I both ordered the “Pici con Ragù Di Cinghiale.” We ordered a simple, but delicious red wine. Our pasta arrived, our forks got busy, and Zoë almost began crying with appreciation. She begged to go back for dinner the next night. Obviously, we did, and ordered the exact same meal!
Rosso Rubino doesn’t have a website that I could find, but you can find them on Instagram.https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/931741088/rosso-rubino-trattoria/