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Do not be shy, I know, from the outside it only seems an old and forgotten cafè but “La Petrulla” is a fish restaurant where you can live a real experience during your trip in Calabria region – southern Italy (see map).

It is on the SS18 at San Lucido town (Cosenza district), easy to reach for those who travel along the coast as well as for those who spend their holidays in the area to enjoy the wonderful sea. I myself often spend a few days in this area in my summers and by chance, thanks to Calabrian true gourmets, I came across this trattoria!

Furnitures are more than retrò I dare say and a proper welcome at the entrance is just occasional, only paper table cloths are available but you’ll forget anything at the first bite.

Mr. Rino, the main character in the kitchen, used to work in other restaurants all over Italy before returning to the origins, and not only because he came back here, in his land but also for his basic style, almost elementary. He has no secrets, you can ask for recipes but I do not think it is that easy to replace what he does!

Needless to read the menu that the brother of Rino will bring, ask for what’s fresh and enjoy the rest.

The “alici arraganate” (with garlic, parsley and chilli) are one of his specialties, the octopus is always hard to perfection, the first courses of pasta are simple and tasty: with fresh tuna or amberjack, spaghetti with squid ink, not to mention the seafood risotto, there is something for everyone; and then great fried fish, grilled swordfish or of the one called chestnut fish (not to be missed!) are just a few examples.

Not recommended on busiest days as public holidays or Saturday night if you want to avoid delays.

Too sophisticated people should remain out!