Dining inside, all'Italiana

DINERS are flocking to what could perhaps be termed the most exclusive restaurant in Italy — inside a top security prison, where the chefs and waiters are Mafiosi, robbers and murderers.

Serenaded by Bruno, a pianist doing life for murder, the clientele eat inside a deconsecrated chapel set behind high walls, watch towers, searchlights and security cameras of Fortezza Medicea, at Volterra near Pisa.

Under the watchful eye of armed prison warders, a 20-strong team of chefs, kitchen hands and waiters prepares 120 covers for diners who have all undergone strict security checks. Tables are booked weeks in advance. . .

Instead, a smart, mainly middle-aged crowd tucks into a vegetarian signature menu, cooked up by head chef Egidio — serving life for murder.

The restaurant opened two months ago and has proved so popular that Italy's prison department is thinking of trying it in other jails.

Full article here, but no mention of tipping policy.

Posted by David on May 21, 2007 3:40 PM