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WELCOME TO TUSCANY RESTAURANTS
A PERSONAL GUIDE OF RESTAURANTS IN FLORENCE, SIENA;PISA
Italian Cuisine: Eating, Drinking and Celebrating In Your Tuscany
Tuscany offers its guests a mosaic of culinary delights, from Pienza’s pecorino cheese to the wild boar of the countryside and the world-famous red wines of the Chianti, Montepulciano and others. Each region has its own specialties, such as the sumptuous bistecca alla fiorentina and the almond crescent cookies native to Siena known as ricciarelli. Each season brings something different to the table: spring introduces sweet rice frittelle in celebration of Easter, vine-ripened tomatoes make "pappa al pomodoro" and fresh bruschetta in the summer, fall signals the vendemmia of the vineyards to produce wine and the excavation of wild truffles, and the crisp winter weather is an invitation for pasta with a hearty ragu sauce made with lepre (hare) or cinghiale (wild boar).
The Market
Visitors are always enchanted by the vast array of fresh fruits, vegetables,
game and more at the local markets throughout Italy. Many small villages
host a weekly market in the town’s main piazza on Saturday mornings
from approximately 8am to 1pm, where you can mingle with the locals
while you peruse everything from housewares, clothing, leather goods
and ceramics. Prices are usually fixed but always considerably lower
than the average retail value.
Produce is sold al etto, or per 100 grams. A chilo, or kilogram, weighs
a little more than two pounds; ask for a mezzo chilo if you want approximately
a pound’s worth of produce. To order, point to the item that you’d
like and say “vorrei (un etto/un chilo)” as soon
as you have the vendor’s attention. Vendors prefer to handpick
your order from their cart and generally do not allow the customer to
touch the merchandise. Remember to specify whether you prefer your produce
maturo (ripe) to eat right away or acerbo (unripe) to last a few days.
Eating Out
No matter where your rental accommodation is located in Tuscany, there
will always be a village nearby with an array of restaurants to choose
from for a nice meal out. Some may be ristoranti, which are
the most elegant and refined of sit-down eateries; other less formal
establishments are often referred to as a trattoria or osteria
– the latter is the old-fashioned word for the country inns that
would host travelers from town to town. These establishments may not
have white linen tablecloths, but that doesn’t mean that the homecooked
Tuscan food is any less delicious!
One recommendation: try to not eat dinner before
8 p.m no italian would ever do it and you will certainly eat in a tourist
restaurants!!!
While it’s perfectly acceptable to order a la carte, a typical
Italian dinner is composed of several courses. First there’s the
antipasto, which typically consists of a sampling of cured
meats or local cheeses; then the primo, usually a pasta or
risotto dish; then a secondo of meat or fish accompanied by
a contorno of vegetables or potatoes. And don’t forget
a dolce and a digestivo of grappa, limoncello or liqueur
of your choice. Italians usually enjoy a caffe after every meal, but
never a cappuccino after noon!
When you’ve finished your meal and spent as much time as you like
chatting, you may ask for the bill – il conto. Remember that a
small cover charge is common, typically 1 or 2 euro per person, to pay
for service and bread; because of these common cover charges, Italians
generally do not tip like Americans do, but it is polite to round up
– for example, leaving 20 euro for a bill of 19.32. Remember that
unlike the States, water is not automatically served; you need to order
it by the bottle, naturale or gassata.
Ask for the lista dei vini and choose with confidence; Tuscany produces
hundreds of high-quality wines, from the award-winning, multifaceted
Brunello di Montalcino to the favorite Chianti Classico. Ask for a recommendation
from your server if you are unsure. You usually can’t go wrong
with the vino della casa, especially if your holiday rental is in the
heart of wine country. House wine is served by the liter and is a daily
pleasure, even at lunchtime. Raise your glasses to good friends, good
food and an exquisite holiday in Tuscany. Salute!
Siena e provincia
Monticchiello
Osteria La Porta Via
del piano 3 Tel. 0578 - 755163 € 30
Chius
i La Solita Zuppa Via Porsenna 21 Tel. 0578 - 21006 € 35
Chiusi
Il Patriarca Loc Querce al Pino Tel. 0578 – 274407 € 65
Bagno Vignoni
Osteria del Leone Tel. 0577- 887300 € 35
Bagno Vignoni
Osteria La Parata Tel. 0577- 887508 € 25
Montepulciano
La Grotta Loc. S. Biagio Tel. 0578 - 757479 € 40
Montepulciano
Osteria Acquacheta Via del Teatro Tel. 0578 – 717086 € 30
Montefollonico
La Botte Piena P.zza Cinughi Tel 0577 – 669481 € 30
Chianciano Vecchia
Il Casale V. delle Cavine Tel 0578 – 60501 € 35
Pienza
Latte di Luna Via S. Carlo 2 Tel: 0578-748606 € 30
Pienza
La Buca delle Fate C.so Rossellino 38/a Tel. 0578 – 748272 € 30
San Quirico d’Orcia
Al Ghibellin fuggiasco Tel. 347 – 1064598 € 25
Cortona
Osteria del Teatro V. Maffei 2 0575 – 630556 € 30
Cetona
La Frateria Convento S. Francesco Tel. 0578-238-261 € 90
Radicofani
La Grotta p,za S. Agata Tel 0578 – 55866 € 30
Montalcino
Osteria del Vecchio Castello Tel 0577- 816026 € 60
Colle Val d’ Elsa
Arnolfo Via XX Settembre 50 0577 – 920549 € 95
Siena
Bottega Nuova S.da Chiantigiana 29 Tel. 0577-284230 € 50
Siena
Da Enzo Via Camollia 49 Tel. 0577 – 281277 € 45
