Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | La Locanda
Left: Italian Carlo Liberati arrived in Aalborg 25 years ago and never once regretted his move. Right: With its authentic Italian atmosphere and food, La Locanda has earned the hearts of locals and food critics alike.
An Italian in Aalborg With an authentic Italian kitchen and atmosphere, La Locanda in Aalborg has become Jutland’s most popular restaurant on TripAdvisor. The critically acclaimed restaurant is owned and run by the Italian chef Carlo Liberati. By Signe Hansen | Photos: Julia Cecilie Liberati
Italian Carlo Liberati left his home in the south of Rome 25 years ago to move to Jutland with his Danish wife. Despite splitting up with his wife, the 49-year-old has never regretted his decision to move to the north where he has made a name for himself running several restaurants, including the popular Il Mulino. Two years ago, he opened La Locanda, an authentic Italian restaurant loved by locals, tourists and professional food critics alike. “I think the best way to describe our kitchen is that it is as close to original Italian cuisine as you can possibly get – of course updated a bit to suit modern times. The same goes for the restaurant: we built it from nothing, in an old warehouse, but we’ve managed to create a place that has a feel of authenticity and originality,” 28 | Issue 92 | September 2016
says Liberati. His words are echoed by several food critics and guides, including the White Guide, which recommends the restaurant for its authentic Italian cuisine. La Locanda is located in the cobblestoned courtyard of one the oldest houses in Aalborg, which means that visitors have the opportunity of having a delicious lunch or dinner in charming settings outside as well as inside. On the menu guests will find a selection of mouthwatering à la carte dishes as well as a number of smaller dishes put together in set three to nine-course menus. The restaurant’s authentic Italian set-up and high quality have made it a popular venue for business events as well as
summer tourists. “The way we make our food, our selection of Italian wines and our Italian-speaking waiters all add to the authenticity of the experience,” says Liberati. Recently, Liberati also opened La Bottega, an adjoining deli selling and serving freshly baked bread, fresh pasta, special meats, coffee and ice cream. The deli is run by Liberati’s new wife, Lida Esfandiarnia, and is thriving as much as the restaurant. No wonder Liberati has no regrets when it comes to his move to the cold north. “When I split up with my ex-wife, I had to make a decision to stay or go back. I chose to stay up here and, when you look at how things are going, it was the right decision. I’m very happy to be an Italian in Aalborg.”
For more information, please visit: www.lalocanda.dk