At the close of 2022, an important move reshaped the Tuscan dining scene. A long-standing family-owned favorite in Arezzo, La Capannaccia, has entered a new chapter after being acquired on New Year’s Eve by Patrizio Bertelli, a prominent entrepreneur associated with the Prada group. The purchase, reported by La Nazione, marks a restoration of a cherished locals’ and visitors’ dining institution that had temporarily paused operations due to rising operating costs. The restaurant will reopen under new stewardship, with Bertelli stepping in to preserve its Berberian sense of place and its signature Tuscan fare.
La Capannaccia has been a cultural touchstone in the area since 1967, celebrated for its traditional Tuscan dishes and warm hospitality. The departure of the Ottaviani family, former stewards who guided the venue for years, was announced in late December 2022 as part of the transition. In the wake of the handover, the Ottaviani legacy will be carried forward by new leadership while maintaining the restaurant’s original spirit and menu, which have drawn locals and travelers alike for decades.
This acquisition continues a pattern in which Bertelli has demonstrated a commitment to safeguarding historic businesses within the city. Not long before this, he expanded his footprint in Arezzo by purchasing other venerable sites associated with the local social and cultural fabric. Among these are the 19th-century Caffè dei Costanti, the venerable La Buca di San Francesco, a restaurant historically frequented by royalty and VIPs, and a historic newsstand in Piazza San Jacopo in the heart of the historic center. These moves position Bertelli as a custodian of Arezzo’s culinary heritage, blending tradition with new investment to ensure these landmarks remain accessible for future generations.
The broader strategy appears to reflect a philosophy of preserving iconic places while enabling them to thrive under renewed patronage. La Capannaccia’s reopening is anticipated to bring back its familiar dining experience—seasonal Tuscan specialties, locally sourced ingredients, and a menu that resonates with both longtime patrons and curious visitors. The change in ownership invites a fresh yet respectful interpretation of the restaurant’s lineage, balancing continuity with thoughtful modernization that can address contemporary operating realities without compromising the essence that has defined the venue for years.
Beyond La Capannaccia, the ensemble of Bertelli’s local investments underscores a broader pattern: reviving historic establishments that contribute to the city’s cultural and gastronomic identity. Such efforts illustrate how retail, hospitality, and tradition can intersect with private investment to sustain a community’s public spaces. The story of La Capannaccia, together with the revival of the other cherished sites, signals a deliberate approach to safeguarding a regional legacy while inviting new energy and resources to support ongoing operation, service quality, and guest experience.
In related developments, reports note that Prada, the Milan-based fashion and luxury house closely linked with Bertelli, has been connected to ambitious projects beyond the culinary realm. One such initiative involves collaborating on the development of a spacesuit concept for a potential future Moon mission. This nod to space exploration reflects the breadth of influence tied to the Prada family and its business interests, illustrating how diverse, high-profile ventures can intersect with regional cultural sponsorships and preserve a sense of local pride even as fortunes evolve. Taken together, these actions highlight a pragmatic approach to sustaining historic venues while expanding the family’s footprint in areas that extend beyond fashion into technology, science, and community life. (La Nazione)