A reviewer for the guide, which reveals the best restaurants, pubs and cafés in Great Britain, praised La Laconda as a “very good” business, with tasty food that is served in a “homely and intimate” setting.
Owners, Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi, who have been at the helm of the restaurant for more than 22 years, said they were “delighted to be named an unmissable Italian in the Ribble Valley”.
The review said: “One could easily drive straight past without registering La Locanda’s special presence on the main road through Gisburn village.
“The solid stone building has no super-flashy signage, and there’s no indication that this is anything other than a conventional ‘pizza and pasta’ pit stop.
“Yet, for over 20 years, Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi have been raising the ‘tricolore’ in defiance of the ‘fast-food, frozen lasagne and garlic bread’ norm still typical of many Anglo-Italian restaurants.
“The trattoria setting is homely and modest, with an intimate and unhurried atmosphere and a welcome in inverse proportion to the size of the cramped ground-floor bar.
“The seasonal menu requires some study, but there’s no rush and Cinzia is on hand to answer all questions.
“The focus is on a slow food-style that marries Italian regional dishes (including Maurizio’s trademark pasta) and rigorously curated imported ingredients with local produce such as Goosnargh chicken, Gisburn Forest roe deer and Bowland wild garlic.
“A key part of the ethos is sustainability and authenticity, so the owners only work with like-minded suppliers.”
The restaurant has also received praise at awards ceremonies.
Last year, it was awarded with best Independent Italian restaurant at the PAPA Awards, for the second consecutive year, as well as being highly commended in the environmental sustainability category.
The PAPA Awards are run by the Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association and celebrate businesses in categories ranging from best ready meal to best pizza chef.
Cinzia and Maurizio said: “We’re absolutely delighted to share the fantastic news that La Locanda has been named ‘an unmissable Italian in the Ribble Valley’ by the prestigious The Good Food Guide, with an impressive ‘strength of recommendation: Exceptional’.
“This esteemed recognition is a testament to our dedication to serving truly authentic Italian cuisine, crafted with love and care, using only the freshest ingredients and traditional techniques.
“For 22 incredible years, we’ve been passionate about bringing a taste of Italy to the Ribble Valley.
“We’re grateful for the support of our loyal customers, who have been instrumental in our success, and we look forward to continuing to serve you the best Italian cuisine in the region.”
Dining and Cooking