Review of Krystall Bar, Via Anguillarese 115, Anguillara Sabazia 00061 RM. We had a week in Anguillara courtesy of a delightful Airbnb house to the SE of the Centro Storico (which is on a small hilly cape over-looking Lago Bracciano). This is Italy at its most elegant and enticing; a small heritage town and classic images of holidaymakers that dominate the transient summer communities, and little more than 40 km north of Central Rome. There are a couple of supermarkets that capture the commercial reality of living in the town - the large modern Carrefour on the Via Anguillarese just 300 m from the Centro Storico (with challenges for those arriving by car – parking is always competitive). And at the other end of the town heading for Rome and places south, there’s the smaller Conad supermarket. Parking is reasonable. Crucially, it’s about 250 m from the Krystall Bar. The key issue is one of access. Leave the car in the Conad carpark and walk to the Krystall Bar or, this being the land of ‘why walk when you can drive’, head for the Krystall Bar where parking is good. There are an estimate two dozen parking places immediately in front of the Krystall Bar and, across the Via Anguillarese, are additional parking space serving the commercial shops on that side of the road – perhaps room for another 40 cars. Sounds great, except that both are nearly always full. A pedestrian crossing links the two (but be aware … cross when there are no cars approaching … both directions). In a word the Krystall Bar is highly convenient – for prima colazione, brunch, pranzo, cena and everything in between … caffe/brioche, gelati, snacks/spuntini, bevande, ecc. Head for the Krystall Bar at peak demand times, however, and you’ll find yourself searching for table space (and car park space) and queuing in-line at the counter to order/pay. That, however, is little by way of detraction – people were friendly, quality of service was good, sit in the undercover lean-to front section attached to the main building and you’re comfortable, at a relative distance from your fellow diners/drinkers (for those wary of Covid-19 infection) and there’s that delicious caffe latte, cappuccino and brioche/cornetto to enjoy. Drinks, food (and gelato) were good. We were there perhaps half dozen times during the week, and mainly for our prima colazione – the pleasure of this quintessential Italian start to the day – but also for gelato of a late afternoon when returning to Anguillara from Rome. There’s also an abbigliamento/casalinghi/giocattoli/ecc. next door – part of the network of Chinese owned/managed stores that have covered the country during the past 30 years with their convenient, low-cost, house/garden essentials that come with that key advantage of COST - everything is cheap. We were chasing beach/swimwear for the kids. And then, straight into the Krystall Bar for gelato/cold drinks. For the casual visitor Anguillara is on two parts – the Centro Storico already mentioned that fronts the lake and the more modern town that stretches alongside the lake and south into the hinterland – alongside the Via Anguillarese. This is the road that leads to Rome. Modern housing developments have been built over what was once patchwork peasant/farmland with the mix of semi-industrial blocks, commercial centres, shops, petrol stations and more. You can quickly search out places of interest such as the Aeronautical Military Museum 5 km west of the Centro Storico, the summer nightlife along the beaches west of the town, the beaches, a handful of fine restaurants and more. Easiest (and perhaps the focal point of a local holiday) simply wander the Centro Storico during the day and at night. Be ready for the steep climb along narrow streets). You’re in the ‘middle ages’ … let your imagination run. Check out the earlier Tripadvisor reviews of the Krystall Bar and there’s a couple in English from 3-5 years highlighting the prompt and friendly services at the time? The more recent ones reflect local feedback in Italian and cover the entire spectrum from ‘Poor’ to ‘Excellent’ with an overall status of ‘Average’ (i.e. ‘3’). So mixed reviews and minimal response from management. Just the one positive review in 2022. This will be the second. Summary? Anguillara is an attractive place to spend time in summer – there’s the picturesque lake with views, crystal clean water and gorgeous beaches. The Krystall Bar is the place to enjoy your prima colazione – for best you’ll need a car to get there. Peter Steele 27 January 2023