For 10 years whenever we passed through Tuscany we made certain to have at least one meal at…read moreMassimo and Francois's old restaurant in Monticchiello. It was always the most delicious of our trip, and they were an important part of our beginning love affair with Italy. We lost track of them when they began a new restaurant, but by luck found them again, this time in Sant' Albino, just south of Montepulciano. We've eaten there twice this week. The restaurant is warm and welcoming inside, and the food is as perfectly delicious as ever. This is not a place to breeze through, because everything is made fresh for you, and the owners pride themselves in making only the best. Massimo makes the savory foods, and Francois the desserts. We consider them the best chefs to cook for us in our 18 trips to Italy. If you get to experience their artistry, you're a very lucky person.

I came a long way to eat here, at a time that they are publicly listed to be open. And they are…read moreclosed. So unprofessional.

Such a lovely hidden find in the quaint hill town of Siena! We had a little trouble locating it in…read morethe alley on a rainy day, but the interior had a cute interior and covered patio, where we sat. After a few spritzes (15 euro each), we split an osso buco raviolo with seared fois gras and truffle flakes which was delicious and filling. We were hunkering for something other than pasta, pizza or steak, so had the delicious hamburger with pecorino cheese, served perfectly rare (20). It came with nice French fries and hit the spot. We were seated next to the owner, a pleasant New Yorker with the cutest dachound Julietta. The restaurant is a bit more expensive than the trattorias but well worth it.

Everyone will tell you to order the burger here, and they're absolutely right. Surprisingly, the…read morebest burger I've ever eaten was the Bandita Burger at this Pienza restaurant. While the beef patty itself is exceptional, what elevates this dish is the generous layer of melted pecorino cheese on top. The truffle butter pasta is equally outstanding. The pasta tastes unmistakably fresh and handmade, with rich truffle butter coating every strand perfectly. Together, these two dishes easily satisfy two diners, especially since the burger comes with a side of fries. La Bandita Townhouse is a must-visit when in Pienza. Just remember to make a reservation in advance, particularly for dinner service.

By far the best dinner I've ever had in Italy, and that's really saying something. Don't do what we…read moredid and waltz up with no reservation and hope lots of smiling and high school-level Italian will score you a table -- even on a Wednesday night the restaurant was fully booked. We did manage a table in the end, very luckily for us. The menu here (which changes annually) is pretty hefty but is dwarfed by the wine list, which is so thick it -- no kidding -- has a table of contents. There's a lot of wonderful things on that wine list, including a number of bottles from the Montefollonico area and neighbouring Montepulciano. The food, which started with a surprise complementary amuse bouche, was nothing less than exquisite. A number of the things I wanted to try (like the Filet and sirloin of wild boar, eggplant, chocolate sauce and raspberries) were sold out for the night by the time we'd sat down, but what we did get was truly top-notch. I'd put La Botte Piena up against any fine dining restaurant in London. The biggest surprise of the night was the bill. After a good bottle of wine, four plates of food, a dessert and coffee, we hadn't even managed to spend 100 euros.

We chose to eat a la carte, as we were 6 adults with different food needs. If I say perfetto!, do…read moreyou know what I mean? La Botte Piena aspires (correctly) for a Michelin star, and it shows in the whole dining experience. Obviously, from the name of the restaurant, they know wine. The small touches that Michelin seeks are all there. Our amuse-bouche was a delicious pasta chip with flavored cheese and a spoon of bean soup. Our primi were perfectly prepared - pastas, ricotta gnudi, ravioli. The secondi were also delicious - beef cheeks and (for our birthday boy) bistecca fiorentina. I dolci delighted us, as did the dessert wine we chose to finish our 4 hour meal. We chatted with the sommelier and the owners, which rounded out a great evening. Highly recommended!

So behind on my reviews...having to much fun and phone service was out for a few days…read more Dining at La Taverna di San Giuseppe is was one of the coolest dining experiences ever. Our server told us that this previously a cave. How often do you get to dine in a cave? The inside of the restaurant is of this stone like space. We were immediately captivated. While it does not currently have a Michelin rating, we were told it previously had a Micheline rating. The atmosphere is that of a cave...cool, a little damp, and intimate. San Guiseppe has wine cellar, according to staff, date back. We felt totally and complete immersed in history and that was only the building. centuries of Sienese life. The cuisine honors Tuscan tradition while elevating it through precision and care. Each dish showcases excellent ingredients and confident execution, embracing regional flavors rather than reinventing them. San Guissppe feature traditional dishes such as handmade pasta, rich sauces, and tenders meats showcasing distinct flavors with bold seasoning. We order lasaguna and cheese salad...absolutely superb! Our servers were superior...waiting on you hand and foot. You did not ask for anything as it was already there. Our server, Marco, was kind, humorous and knowledgeable. Since it was our first time to the restaurant he was super patient and informative regarding menu items. La Taverna di San Giuseppe has s long-term Michelin recognition for a reason...superior food and excellent service in a very unique space. We savored every bite and sip we consumed in San Giuseppe. When we are in Tuscany again, we will make a beeline for this restaurant.

Taverna di San Giuseppe was a disappointing meal for us, especially in a city with so many great…read moredining options. We ended up here by mistake (confused it with another spot), and unfortunately it didn't live up to expectations. The restaurant fills up with reservations for two seatings, and from the moment we sat down the pace felt rushed. We ordered drinks and a starter while deciding on the rest, but multiple staff members kept coming by trying to take our full order. It felt like they were pushing to move things along quickly. There were a couple positives. The chicken livers to start were quite tasty and something we didn't see often on other menus. The primi were underwhelming. The pasta didn't taste fresh like many other trattorias in Siena, and the dishes overall were just average. The lasagna in particular was mushy, and the sauces didn't stand out. The secondi were slightly better -- pork ribs, Barolo-braised beef, and a "small chicken" -- but still nothing that justified the higher prices. They do have an underground wine cellar built into a cave, which is interesting to see, but there are other places in Siena with much larger and more impressive cellar spaces. Also worth noting, they add a "10% tax" charge rather than the typical €2 coperto per person. Overall, a rushed and fairly mediocre meal at a higher price point. With so many better places to eat in Siena, this is one I'd skip.

Excellent Food & Service, we ate here 4 nights for dinner & were treated like Family.read more

The staff are so friendly, quick to smile and laugh. Very attentive working as a team. Beautiful…read moreview from every angle. Would you believe the food tastes better than it looks?

A perfect holiday. Our hosts kept us busy learning to cook traditionsl Italian dishes interspersed…read morewith interesting food outings and visits to historical venues. Worth every penny! Rooms were clean and well attended. George and Linda bent over backwards to see that everyone had an ecperience to remember for a lifetime.

From emu sightings in a morning to truffle hunting in the afternoon!…read more We spent an unforgettable few hours at Agriturismo La Chiusa Tuscany last year wandering through the olive groves with the expert Paolo Formichi and his amazing dogs, Super and Lola. Watching the dogs work was pure magic, they led us to a massive haul of about 20-30 black truffles and even a few rare reds! The best part? Sitting down afterward with close friends to a lunch featuring our finds, overlooking that iconic Val d'Orcia view. There is truly nothing like the taste of a truffle you watched being pulled from the Tuscan soil just an hour before. A huge thanks to Paolo, Super, and Lola for the best kind of 'treasure hunt.

Amazing dining experience in this small rustic Osteria! Chef Julio masterfully cooks Bistecca Alla…read moreFlorentina to perfection in his wood fired oven! Pici Con Ragu Di Cinta Sense e Tartufo is a must try. Authentic Tuscan food! Atmosphere is very cozy with shared tables.

Excellent Food & Service, we come here every time we come & stay in Montepulciano, it's one of the…read morebest with a Family Style Restaurant.

We have been in Italy for 3 days and this place really stood out for us! The bruschetta was a great…read morestart. I ordered the pork chop and wife ordered the gnocchi. Both were over the top good. We loved the bottle of wine and finished with the house cake. Place is kind of cramped inside being on top of people. Everything was very clean! We enjoyed everything here! The after flavor in your mouth is so good!

This little restaurant is a gem! They have both an upstairs and downstairs section. The food was…read moredelivered quickly and everyone was very attentive. For antipasti we ordered the cheese with the radicchio , walnuts, and apples. This was really yummy. For our primi we ordered the local pasta with tomato and garlic. For secondi we ordered the grilled lamb and the rabbit. Both were good but the rabbit was definitely different and what I'd order again. Of course we ordered the house wine, which I recommend.

One of the best meals I have ever had. You must eat here!…read more We could not decide which pasta to get - so we got them all and each one was heavenly. We also ordered the seasonal vegetables that I thought could be good - maybe the BEST vegetables I have ever had. Go go go!

My wife and I have been traveling here for years. Amazing place! Great food, unique atmosphere, and…read morefriendly staff. I would highly recommend it.

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.