[Editor’s Note: It appears that the result of Covid 19 has struck another restaurant enterprise.]

Occasionally we invite knowledgeable people with discriminating taste to write a dining review. Ivan Drechsler and his wife April live in Tubac and are active in that historic village 47 miles south of Tucson.

Ivan has a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Cornell and taught Restaurant and Hotel Revenue Management for eCornell, the online offerings of that school. He and April have owned and operated Tubac Country Inn since 2005.

Serendipitously, a week after we received Ivan’s excellent Ragazzi review, four of us from Tucson drove down to Tubac and, with Ivan and April, enjoyed a truly fine Italian lunch. The photos are from this second meal. I can report that we were all glad we made the trek. Satisfaction on all counts. Our individual comments follow Ivan’s review.]

Ragazzi Insalada Caprese with side of meatballs.

April and I recently hosted my two sisters. Karen arrived from New Orleans and Tisa from Waitsfield Vermont. We were having a small reunion and needed an intimate space to share our stories and catch up with each other over dinner. We decided on Ragazzi and am glad to report, we made the right choice.

We were greeted and immediately sat at a large corner table for four in the interior of the restaurant (They also have outdoor patio dining). The table was set with linens, and we were brought glasses full of ice and individual bottled waters. As soon as Karen read the menu, she let out a sigh and said “Veal Picata, my absolute favorite!”