Rural life must have been tough a century ago in San Nicolò d'Arcidano in south west Sardinia. At least it seems that way from the sepia photographs displayed on the wall of the Shardana Restaurant in north Rome.

This Sardinian restaurant can trace its origins to this small town in the province of Oristano. The exact location of San Nicolò d’Arcidano is between the Monte Linas and Monte Arci mountains ranges; the last town in the most southern comune of the province and bordering the new province of Medio Campidano towards Cagliari. A land of transition of sorts then and especially for the tourist venturing north from the capital of the island.

The coast at Marina di Arbus and Arborea is between 10km and 20km away. Until the last century the zone was strictly rural and the menu of the Shardana restaurant hints at what was produced or cultivated. Antipasti di montagna, lasagna della nonna, suckling pig with mirto and abbacchio al forno. Another dish deserves a closer look; 'gnochetti sardi alla capidanese'.