Europe - Tuscany Wining & Dining Recommendations

We're doing a 3rd immersion trip to Tuscany in late May with 5 couples. Have rented a Villa outside Montalcino (Siena) for 2 weeks preceeded by 3 days in Lucca/Cinqueterra and followed by 3 days in Modena/Parma/Bologna. Any special dining, winery, food producers/shops recommendations are much appreciated!

The recommendations for the Siena area found here (www.tuscanhouse.com/travelplanner/restaurantsinsiena.htm) are usually right-on, and Zak has recs for the Lucca area here (www.tuscanhouse.com/travelplanner/restaurantsinlucca.htm). I wouldn't miss Grappolo Blu (typical trattoria) or Poggio Antico (fine dining, fine wines) in/near Montalcino, La Porta in Monticchiello (near Pienza), or Acquacheta in Montepulciano (noisy, very local, at the top of town - the BEST bistecca fiorentina in Tuscany, cooked the old-fashioned way). In Parma we had a truly excellent meal at Cocchi and a good meal at the osteria del Gesso. In Bologna we loved da Gianni and enjoyed da Cesari (not Cesarina), the Gelateria Gianni (a different location) is incredible, and the food shop Tamburini is really special. Gosh, I've got to fix dinner - I'm starving now, just thinking about all these wonderful places. Time to go back to Italy!!!

Looking to pull together a similar trip and would appreciate any help in finding the place to stay.

SFO, probably the best place to start is SlowTrav (www.slowtrav.com/italy/), with an amazing amt. of info about the different regions of Italy, and villa reviews which give you an insider's perspective.

Looking to pull together a similar trip and would appreciate any help in finding the place to stay.

Yes, we went thru Tuscany.net after looking at italrentals.com; italianvillas.com; cottagestocastles.com; wimco.com/villas; tuscanybella.com; tuscanynow.com; intuscany.net/villas; luxury-villas-in-tuscany.com.

Working with Annalisa who has been great. We chose Villa San Filippo near Montalcino and took all 3 bldgs. We even negotiated a discount

The recommendations for the Siena area found here (www.tuscanhouse.com/travelplanner/restaurantsinsiena.htm) are usually right-on, and Zak has recs for the Lucca area here (www.tuscanhouse.com/travelplanner/restaurantsinlucca.htm). I wouldn't miss Grappolo Blu (typical trattoria) or Poggio Antico (fine dining, fine wines) in/near Montalcino, La Porta in Monticchiello (near Pienza), or Acquacheta in Montepulciano (noisy, very local, at the top of town - the BEST bistecca fiorentina in Tuscany, cooked the old-fashioned way). In Parma we had a truly excellent meal at Cocchi and a good meal at the osteria del Gesso. In Bologna we loved da Gianni and enjoyed da Cesari (not Cesarina), the Gelateria Gianni (a different location) is incredible, and the food shop Tamburini is really special. Gosh, I've got to fix dinner - I'm starving now, just thinking about all these wonderful places. Time to go back to Italy!!!

Thanks. We know G BLu and have Poiggio Antico on the list recommended by a wine distributor. Our other Fav in Montalcino is Re di Macchia, best meal of the the last trip and going again! The rest sound BELLISIMO. Grazie

SFO, probably the best place to start is SlowTrav (www.slowtrav.com/italy/), with an amazing amt. of info about the different regions of Italy, and villa reviews which give you an insider's perspective.

I agree, we've been studying and printing for 3 nights!

Globalrunner, glad that you like SlowTrav. If you have specific questions, try SlowTalk (http://slowtalk.com) -- the knowledge of certain folks there is astounding, and they're glad to share.

Bosco della Spina in Montalcinois is in in Murlo. maybe best food in area. not too far from sienna.

when we ate at Re di Macchia the restaurant was owned and operated by the wife of Grappa blu. liked both very much

in bologna we eat often at montegrappa del nello, called montegrappa by locals. is is on via montegrappa, just off via del a independence,near plazza neptunio.

you must reserve well in advance.

The area around Pienza is often overlooked by many people. It's an interesting day trip and there's not much better food than at La Chiusa in Montefollonico which is near Pienza and Montepulciano.

The area around Pienza is often overlooked by many people. It's an interesting day trip and there's not much better food than at La Chiusa in Montefollonico which is near Pienza and Montepulciano.

Thanks, got the same rec last night at a party!

I've had several good meals at the Castello Banfi itself. They also have a nice link on their site with a list of all restaurants in the area:

http://www.castellobanfi.com/features/restguide_mont.html

If you're in Tuscany near Artimino, Da Delfina is a fantastic dining experience.
http://www.dadelfina.it/