Best meal of our honeymoon. We went on our last night in Tuscany before heading to Rome. The wine…read moreis sensational and the service is impeccable. The special was carbonara inside of ravioli with bacon on top. Don't know how they did it but it was our favorite bite of our 3 week trip through Italy. Make it a priority to come here, it's a must try!

Food was amazing, great service as well. Staff are very accommodating and have great knowledge…read moreabout the foods as well as wine parings. Definitely recommend.

Where do I even start? Montepulciano is a dreamy town tucked into a Tuscan hillside. In chilly…read moremid-November, it's haunting and empty and blessedly peaceful. Admittedly, a fair amount of places were closed, possibly due to it being a drizzly (but still so atmospheric!) Monday evening, so when I looked at the menu for L'Altro Cantuccio, I was excited to see that it was open. I was even more excited to see a vegetarian entree that I figured could be made vegan. We entered the restaurant at an early time for Italy, 7:30 or 8, but we'd skipped lunch and we also were calling it an early night because we were staying at an agriturismo about 45 minutes away. Not surprisingly, we were the first customers (by the time we left around 9:30 or ten, there were only 2 other tables). If you're looking for a dark, intimate dining experience, this is your place. It's so beautiful inside, like an upscale tavern, with ambient lighting and a fireplace. I was totally unprepared for this utterly exquisite dining experience, but I had a hint of what was to come, once we were greeted by an urbane set of waiters. I asked if the farro dish could be made vegan and he said it could. That's all I ordered (besides a glass of sparkling wine, and my husband ordered some kind of steak), but we received several curated complimentary amuse bouche, presented like the edible works of art they were. Only one item was not vegan, a duck liver macaron. Besides two tiny bites of vegan pates, there were these incredible bites that appeared to be olives but were savory cocoa butter truffle that contained olive oil and crushed olives (like a filled chocolate). I never had anything like this before. This was followed by a single cherry tomato... or so it seemed! It was actually a bite of pappa al pomodoro. And then there was the divine bread service (see my photo). The main event, also presented like a work of art, the farro. It's absolutely delicious and I treasured each bite of grain, truffle, mushroom, beans in a porcini broth. This was followed by a complimentary dessert, two tiny chocolate shells with a passion fruit topped non dairy cream and two tiny spoons of chocolate pop rocks. I can't say "exquisite" enough! Now I must note my appreciation here for the service, as I was informed as to exactly what things were vegan when they brought out all the complimentary courses (I am not entitled... I never expect such service). I walked in without a reservation and this meal exceeded my expectations beyond words. And coming from the US, it blew my mind that the cost of this extravagant meal was comparable to a casual dining experience. Core dining memory may be an understatement. I'd return to Montepulciano if only to dine here.

Our Perfect Last Night in Tuscany - Best Romantic Dinner in Montepulciano at L'Altro Cantuccio!…read more After a day of strolling up and down the winding hills of Montepulciano, my wife and I stumbled upon L'Altro Cantuccio, and what a find it was. Tucked under the archway of an ancient stone breezeway, our romantic little table caught the cool evening breeze and gave us front-row seats to the quiet hum of this timeless Tuscan town. The dim lighting and centuries-old walls made it feel like we were dining inside a piece of history -- only with the comfort and warmth of a dear friend's welcome. From the start, the staff set the tone, with Leaza leading the way. "Outstanding" doesn't quite cover it -- her knowledge of food, wine, and spirits transformed the evening into an experience. She presented three perfect wine options, guided us like an old friend, and had that rare gift of knowing when to be right there and when to step back, letting the romance and flavors speak for themselves. A rustic bread board with pillowy focaccia, nutty seeded bread, and golden olive oil -- the perfect Tuscan welcome. We began with cocktails -- a Negroni for me, an Aperol Spritz for my wife -- followed by an appetizer that can only be described as edible theater. The crispy egg "candido" with pecorino foam, green coffee, and Sichuan pepper arrived in a smoked ceramic egg, releasing an intoxicating aroma when the lid was lifted. The smoked ceramic egg, opened to reveal the delicate crispy egg "candido" over pecorino foam -- like unwrapping a culinary gift. Alongside came a complimentary aperitif -- whimsical bites that looked like one thing but tasted like another -- playful and creative. A tiny "tomato" that burst into chilled gazpacho on the first bite -- a fun and surprising twist. For our first course, my wife had the ravioli of stewed pigeon topped with seared breast, Sangiovese wine reduction, and a butter-sage powder. It was perfectly cooked -- tender, rich, and delicious. I had the truffle pasta, a nest of golden tagliolini crowned with a snowfall of freshly shaved truffles, the scent so intoxicating it turned heads at nearby tables. The truffle pasta -- a mound of golden tagliolini under a generous snow of fresh truffles, plated on sculpted white porcelain. Both dishes were paired with a 2018 Talosa Nobile di Montepulciano, deep ruby in color and velvety on the palate -- a flawless choice from Leaza. The mains were pure Tuscan indulgence. The local Chianina beef cheeks were slow-cooked for 50 hours until they practically melted on the tongue, plated with seasonal vegetables and a silky sauce. The Fiorentina T-bone steak was a feast for the eyes -- thick, juicy, beautifully charred -- presented whole before being sliced and served on a black marble slab. Too full for dessert, we closed the night with an Indonesian Kopi Luwak coffee. The brewing process was presented tableside like a ceremony. Sitting there, sipping coffee in the cool night air, hearing the faint murmur of other couples, I couldn't imagine a better way to end our last night in Tuscany. L'Altro Cantuccio isn't just a restaurant -- it's a memory you'll carry home. The flavors, the setting, the care in every detail... you must eat here!

Wonderful local Osteria restaurant tucked away on a side street away from the hotter piazza. Family…read moreand service was outstanding as were the local dishes. Highly rate them all but standouts were the artichoke pie and sliced beef with cheese.

This place was sooo good. My friends recommended it and I can't thank them enough! I got the steak…read morewith Parmesan for €18 and it was so worth it. They also gave us and bread and fried polenta. The house wine was nice and our waiter was too. Great ambience as well. Love this place, def recommend!

Best Bisteca in Florence . A small place off the beaten track…read more Great food and wine and close to our ABNB

Had a wonderful time here on the balcony. You have to make reservation to make sure you get a…read morewonderful view. The steak was wonderful as well as the wine and everything else we had. Highly recommend.

The food was absolutely delicious. Enjoyed every single bite. The waiter was very knowledgeable…read moreand friendly.

This is a very good restaurant very close to Piazza del Campo, yet away from the very touristy…read morerestaurants at the piazza, and close to the duomo. We went for an early lunch and had the pici carbonara, pappardella with meat sauce and the bread soup. We all enjoyed our dishes and the service was very good. Definitely worth a a stop here.

1st visit If you're looking for a real Tuscan dining experience, this is it. Trattoria La Torre…read morefeels like the kind of place locals actually eat at--a small family-run restaurant with a simple menu focused on traditional dishes done right.We had the faraona (guinea fowl), ossobuco, and potatoes, and everything was excellent. The food was flavorful, authentic, and clearly made with care. The faraona was prepared exactly as it should be, and the ossobuco was one of the highlights of our trip.What really makes this place special is the atmosphere. The service was warm and welcoming, and the owners and staff were humble, friendly people who made us feel at home.In a world full of tourist restaurants with huge menus, it's refreshing to find a place that stays true to traditional Tuscan cooking. We would definitely come back and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Siena. 2nd visit - We enjoyed our first visit so much that we came back a second night--and that says a lot when you're traveling in Italy with so many great places to choose from. This time we ordered the Fiorentina, Arista, Patate alla Fattoressa, and Piselli al Prosciutto. Once again, everything was excellent. The food here isn't about being flashy or trendy. It's traditional Tuscan cooking made with care, and every dish tasted like it came from a home kitchen rather than a restaurant. What really made this visit stand out was Mario. We discovered that the person taking care of us wasn't just our server--he's the owner. Mario has a genuine passion for the restaurant, its history, and his guests. He took the time to show us the cellar and shared part of the story of the building. Being able to see that side of the restaurant made the experience even more memorable. The food brought us back, but Mario is what made this visit special. His hospitality, attention to detail, and enthusiasm turned a great dinner into one of our favorite memories from Siena. If you're looking for authentic Tuscan food and the kind of personal service that's becoming harder to find, Trattoria La Torre is a place you shouldn't miss. Highly recommended.

We were excited to try this restaurant, especially because of the reviews, maybe it used to be…read morereally good. The pasta was good, we got the Pici pasta, which is a Siena speciality. Then we ordered the pork, but after we ordered it found out somebody had ordered the last one, so we ordered the chicken which was extremely dry, overcooked and left in the convection oven for far too long. We also got the peas and prosciutto as a side which was ok and gave us something with a bit of moisture for the overcooked dry chicken. I could see how this could be a charming place but it didn't charm us last night. We look for these small mom and pops, and unfortunately this was not a good meal.

Beautiful, cozy and intimate restaurant. Service was warm and attentive throughout our meal. I…read morestill dream about the pici and blue egg three years later.

If you want to have an incredibly fancy food experience this is it!…read moreOMG we were gifted this experience and told to order whatever we wanted.everything was a work of art. The ambiance was spectacular and we were seated next to this open window looking out to the street and it was just dreamy. The sommelier was very knowledgeable and guided us through the wine lust making our evening so special. I believe they have a M star. Treat yourself!

Great service and food, had a wonderful time sitting outside in the beautiful alley…read more The Creme Brûlée was really great and most memorable.

Tre Cristi Embodies the Soul of Tuscan Food…read more Tre Cristi exemplifies the true soul of Etruscan food in Siena. It is the oldest restaurant in the city dating back to 1830 -- that's 184 years in business offering fresh and tasty Tuscan cuisine at very reasonable prices. The structure emits a classic, refined and warm vibe. A man and woman comprise a chef team that will take your mouth into the heart of gourmet Tuscan fare. We love to experience the local cuisine; so naturally, we started our meal with Panzanella. A bread salad that dates back to the 14th century from a historic waste-not-want-not Tuscan tradition. It is comprised of bread, cherry tomatoes cucumbers, olive oil and beautiful prawn and octopus on top. The taste was very comforting and the seafood atop were so fresh and juicy. Tre Cristi is known for their seafood, so we sampled a Selection of Raw Sea Food Specialties. The pretty plate had scampi, sea bass and red prawn with great extra virgin olive oil. One of the great things about Italy is that you can be assured you are eating some of finest and purest olive oil in the world. There are huge scams being perpetuated around the world where olive oil not from Italy is being pawned off as Italian. The second this pure and delectable olive oil touches your lips, you'll notice the difference and wonder what you've really been eating all your life. While the scampi was smooth and delicious, it was the prawn that ruled the plate. The prawn was presented as a deliriously enticing sashimi that was insanely satisfying. We refused to wash the sensational lingering prawn taste out of our mouths until the next course arrived. Cuttlefish are very common in Italian waters, and play a pertinent role in everything from appetizers through elegant entrees. So we were very excited to try Tre Cristi's Cuttlefish on Potato and Yellow Pumpkin and it was great. The pumpkin, which was more of a pumpkin sauce, was such a wonderful addition to the plate. The cuttlefish was seasoned and grilled perfectly, leaving us savoring every last bite. The Shedonist is a bit of a cuttlefish addict and could not stop raving about this dish. The Paccheri Pasta from the tiny renown city Gragnano (population is only 30,000) was exquisite. Gragnano is close to Naples and is known to make some of the best dried pasta in the world. The paccheri was presented with black ink of squid soaked cuttlefish. It also contained a smidgen of tomato sauce, a succulent prawn and fabulous Ricotta atop. The gorgeous dish is a typical Italian dish and was cooked to al dente perfection. The ingredients had such a unique and terrific taste individually but together it was magical. Ask for extra ricotta because that really set the dish off. For dessert, we had Sorbetto (the Italian word for Sorbet), a frozen dessert made of fruit, fruit juice, and/or fruit puree and ice (and does not contain dairy). Ours was a refreshing banana flavor that sealed our fate as sorbetto fans. Tre Cristi offers a truly unique, magical and tasty experience. One can really feel the historical energy while sitting in this almost two century old structure. The fare and libations are presented with love and care and are reflected in its superior ingredients and execution. It is one of the many reasons that is included in the Michelin Guide. If one wants to experience the soul of Etruscan food then Tre Cristi will completely immerse you in it.