Yes there are 2 Montecarlos- and actually I think I would prefer this little village! About a twenty minute drive from Lucca(get onto via Romania and follow the signs) it is really just one cobbled street and a few good restaurants set high in the hills so the views add to great eating experiences. And they are definitely more reasonable than restaurants in Lucca. But another reason for visiting this place is a most beautiful small church that we chanced by on our first visit. If you park in the public parking area at the beginning of the town you have a bit of an uphill walk and then as you walk down to LaTerrazzo look for Chesa di S.Anna on your right-no grand entrance just a large wooden door and then you see the breathtakingly beautiful Madonna-go in and say a prayer or just be surrounded by the peace.
TT1 La Terrazza is very casual but do expected beautiful starched pink linen. You sit on the terrace overlooking olive farms and the valley-everything is delicious, cooked by the family as you order- just remember they are closed on a Thursday. We never book because they don’t understand me but here is the phone number anyway- tel:0583.22094. It is quite a good idea to call before hand-if someone answers you know they are open!
TT2Ristorante Forassiepi is further down via Contea but still has a lovely view and is a very elegant, more formal dining experience. Order anything that is served with a porcini mushroom sauce-I truly have never tasted anything quite so delicious.- tel: 0583 229475