Photos and reviews of Restaurants and Fine Inns from around the globe.
When I asked Lori what she wanted for her birthday this year she said she’d like to go to Tuscany and visit our friends at the Villa di Piazzano. We’ve been to the Villa many times and always return because to leave the Villa is like leaving relatives behind in Tuscany. Many places can offer…
Back home on the ranch in the Cortona area of Tuscany, we decided to try some new places. We had a conversation with Alessandra the owner of Villa di Piazzano inquiring about any new and exciting restaurants in the area. She recommended Walter Redaelli. Coincidentally, we ran into her and her family two days later…
Prior to our visit to Tuscany we had discussed some new restaurants in the area with our local friends Bianca and Enzo. They had mentioned a place had opened but they have not tried it yet. So prior to leaving Lori decided we are all going to Babette. Locate in the Casale di Brolio outside…
[flickrset id=”72157630728573900″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”large”] While staying in the lovely countryside of Tuscany, Lori decided to have me, drive us to Florence to visit a restaurant recommend by her doctor that is known to love his food. I was reluctant to drive in Florence because this usually involves driving down one way streets the wrong…
[flickrset id=”72157627824848173″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”large”] We received a recommendation from a friend of a friend that has sent a lot of time in Perugia. We called our Italian friends and asked them to join us for dinner. I set the GPS in the rental car and off we went. After the usual amount of animated…
[flickrset id=”72157628082021042″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] In the heart of San Gimignano lies this wonderful Gelato shop, it’s the one with the line in front of it. WAIT do not go to the other shops without a line!! This is homemade Gelato that is truly “World Class”. It’s not the best Gelato I’ve eaten but very…
[flickrset id=”72157628005164394″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Probably the finest traditional Tuscan meal we’ve eaten. We walked into a packed restaurant without a confirmed reservation. There was one table for two or deuce for those in the business available. We were told that it was previously reserved however they have not arrived yet, they were 20 minutes…
[flickrset id=”72157626603308953″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Several years ago we asked our friends that live in Camucia to take us to a local place where people go to eat for everyday food. They took us to Canta Napoli and we LOVE it….I have been reluctant to place anything about this place on the internet fearing it…
[flickrset id=”72157626959471074″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Remotely located in the small village of Monticchello is this jewel of a restaurant, Osteria La Porta. Traveling to this town requires a 30 minute drive off the beaten path. If you follow your GPS you may end up on some unpaved roads. Don’t worry about the unpaved road just…
[flickrset id=”72157626706464233″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] This year when making arrangements for our annual pilgrimage to Tuscany (Cortona Area), we were discussing places to stay with our Italian friends and they recommended a place a bit off the beaten path in Tuoro sul Trasimemo. Il Capricci di Merion. Please don’t get put off by the words…
[flickrset id=”72157623114839182″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Trattoria al Vecchio Forno, Tuscany, San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy Owned by same owners of the Palazzo del Capitano in San Quirico d’Orcia, This charming ristorante feaures truly authentic Tuscan food. Wonderfully simple dishes of tuscan beans teased and pleased our palettes. Fresh tri-color pasta was tossed with cheese and candy…
[flickrset id=”72157622906386322″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] In the Famous hilltop village of Cortona, La Bucaccia is conveniently located near the center of town. The owner and manager, Romano personally greets all of his guest with his unique style of humor. The menu is traditional Tuscan with some excellent specialities of the day. La Bucaccia’s wine cellar…
[flickrset id=”72157622769111285″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] It was truffle season and how could we resist this small Osteria right down the block from Palazzo del Capitano. I think Lori was fascinated by the whole truffle weighing and slicing procedure. The owner personally came out to slice and weigh this delicacy, all I could do is imagine…
The Ristorante di Poggio Antico is located on the vineyard Poggio Antico and is run independently by Roberto Minnetti is another true fine dining experience in Tuscany. We enjoyed Lori’s birthday lunch out on the patio so much we returned with Josh and Kelly the next year for dinner inside. The firsts included traditional Tuscan…
[flickrset id=”72157622360159848″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”] Located in the center of the small Tuscan town of San Quirico d’Orcia is this charming boutique hotel Palazzo dell Capitano. San Quirico is conveniently located near MONTALCINO, PIENZA, MONTEPULCIANO making it a nice hub for wine tasting. The room we stayed in was rather large and decorated in a Tuscan…
Le Coccole dell’Amorosa Nestled in the small village (this means hard to find) of Sinalunga in our favorite region of Italy; Tuscany is Le Coccole dell’Amorosa located in the hotel Locanda dell’ Amorosa. This restaurant is one of the fine dining highlights of the region. We tried to book our reservation well in advance however…
This is one of my favorite places in the world to dine. It’s not Michelin # star dinning but good down to earth Tuscan food featuring the town’s special Mailino (young roasted suckling pig). We have been there several times and in fact have introduced our Italian friends form Cortona; Enzo and Bianca to it….