Tuscanlover's Profile
Zuckerberg and Roman tipping culture
But he did do like the Romans if, indeed, it is common not to leave a tip in Italy!
I keep reading that the Italians don't leave tips not that I take much notice since I usually leave one. I do, however, try to remember not to leave a tip if a service charge is already included.
Leaving a space on the bill or credit card receipt (for a tip?) when service is included is the THE big rip off.
one week ouside Montepulciano
Yes it is but they did not open until 1.00 when I visited. Lovely little restaurant though with excellent food and a very personal touch.
one week ouside Montepulciano
Market day in Lucignano (over by the A1 autostrada) is Thursday. Make a visit and you can eat in the garden at the outstanding Da Toto, which provides exactly the authentic local food that you are looking for. Go for one of the set menus and let Chef Boris choose.
Mrs T and I are just back from another four day visit and the food was outstanding as always.
Agriturismo in Tuscany
Tobia seems to have taken over a thread that was started by JC Chow. This is where he (Tobias) came in:
"It need not be fancy, as I'm looking for superb, local, rustic fare. Any thoughts?"
Da Toto fits the bill exactly. We have agreed it is not fancy but the rooms are not "decrepit, beat up and mainly salvage" either. You will not find better "local, rustic fare" and, unless Tobia wants to be in chiantishire or northern tuscany, it is a fantastic base.
Agriturismo in Tuscany
Read the first post. And I quote "somewhat on the luxe side".
Agriturismo in Tuscany
Tobias,
Do let us all know when you find this mythical luxury agriturismo.
Also, where is that you think you will find all these beautiful hill towns that are better than those listed above?
Agriturismo with great restaurant
Look at the other current thread on Agriturismo in Tuscany.
Agriturismo in Tuscany
I have stayed at Da Toto many, many times and IMO your comment that "it is only barely a hotel" is completely out of order. OK - it's not the Carlton Tower but it has enormous rustic charm and the food is outstanding. Surely nobody would be looking to stay in an agriturismo if they wanted the height of luxury woudl they?
It is not in the middle of "chiantishire" but is all the better for that. It is, however, surrounded by beautiful hill towns - Siena, Pienza, Monte San Savino, Montepulciano, Montalcino - and Lucignano itself is one of the most beautiful. For me it is very well situated in the heart of SOUTHERN Tuscany.
Agriturismo in Tuscany
Then you need to go to Da Toto in Lucignano. (About 40k south of Siena.)
It is a hotel rather than an agriturismo but, other than that, it is everyting you describe above. The food is fabulous, in the Tuscan country cucina style, and the room plus a 3 or 4 course meal, with EVERYTHING included, will be 110 to 120 euros.
Look at my previous posts.
Tourists not given whole menu?
Whats has the experience in a market got to do with how restaurants operate?
Tourists not given whole menu?
I have never experienced this is years of going to the "real" italy and even in Venice.
May 2012: Thoughts (and help) on my choices for Rome, Florence & Venice
Why is Harry's Bar always packed? (They must be doing somethig right?)
What they clearly do right is manage their image.
They are a "sales led" organisation. (Key belief - there's one born every minute.) The strategy is profit through sales volume and if the customer is not satisfied? So what - there will be another one along in a minute.
IMO good restaurants must be marketing led. The strategy is profit through customer satisfaction which is, and remains, the most important objective. The top restaurateurs understand this, although they may not articulate it in quite this way, and care deeply about their customers having a good experience.
I'm not sure that is true of Harry's Bar.
Cicchetti in VENICE
Wow! I wish I had seen this before my recent trip. However, it will be useful for next time.
Cicchetti in VENICE
Mrs T and had cicchetti for the first time a couple of weeks ago. On our third visit to venice we finally plucked up the courage so we were similarly daunted but our italian is quite good now and we figured we would manage.
In Schiavi, which is a great place, it was all very easy. We just went in and ordered ombre, small glasses of wine, and pointed to a few plates, which were all labelled and all priced at 1 euro the piece.
Some people payed straight away, as they collected their drinks and plates, but we paid when we had finished eating and drinking. By some italian magic all the staff always seem to know how much you owe.
We had a couple with aperitivi one evening and it was so good that we went back the next day for a few more at lunchtime, this time with a glass of prosecco.
Review: Il Refolo, Fiaschetteria Toscana & Il Ridotto | Venice
It may be old (two years!?) but it is still relevant I think you will agree.
Review: Il Refolo, Fiaschetteria Toscana & Il Ridotto | Venice
Not a great post. I had the scartossa of fried fish at Vecio Fritolin a couple fo weeks ago.
It WAS NOT a Venetian punishment for us. Maybe it depends on what sort of tourist you are?
Rome, Montalcino, Florence restaurants
Len,
You really don't need GPS to get around in Tuscany. (Unless you can't read a map of course.)
Mrs T and I have driven extensively in Tuscany using only maps and signs. Never had any problems.
Thanks to all Italy Board Chowhound posters
The correctv saying, which is very ancient, is: "The proof of the pudding is in the eating". (Meaning - To fully test something you need to experience it yourself.)
The often-quoted incorrect variation 'the proof is in the pudding' really has no meaning.
Il Ridotto: The Best Place to Eat in Venice
There is a relevant post two days ago!
If you read the directions Jinx, you should at least be able to find it easily enough.
Il Ridotto: The Best Place to Eat in Venice
The above directions are incorrect!!
DO NOT go straight on at the end of the road at the side of the duomo. Turn right and go over the next bridge which is only 30 feet away. THEN go straight on. (You will pass an exchange on your right.)
Venice - Trip Report
By the way, I kept reading that Il Ridotto is very difficult to find. It is not.
Go down the road to the left of the Duomo but DO NOT go over the bridge straight ahead of you at the end. Instead, turn right and go over the next bridge which is only about 30 feet away. Go straight on and Il Ridotto is in the little Campo straight ahead of you, slightly to the left, right next to the Farmacia.
Venice without fish
Il Ridotto is very special and they have a meat only fixed menu for 60 euros.
Venice - Trip Report
Mrs T and I are just back from a week in Venice and we greatly enjoyed ALL the meals that we had there. No rip-offs; no disappointments.
Landed Monday at 11.00 am and by 1.00 pm we were in Il Ridotto for a small lunch and a glass of wine, and to meet Snr Bonaccorsi. I just asked the waitress where he was and she went next door to get him.
He recommended the scallop dish with carrots, spring vegetables and lemongrass as a good starter for two people to share and then I had the tubettini with the local fish sauce and Mrs T had the orichietti with asparagus and clams. All outstanding!! So booked for dinner on Thursday night.
Dinner Monday night was at A Beccafico, which I had booked by e-mail. We had the famous mussel soup as a starter to share, followed by the stuffed calamari three ways for me and the mixed fried sea food for Mrs T. I was not very impressed with the wine chosen by Snr Beccafico because it was too much; too flowery and too "Australian Chard". I would have preferred something much drier but otherwise an excellent meal and they will bring you a sweet wine and Limoncello, on the house, at the end. (142 euros.)
The welcome and service were both fantastic and if you want to watch a master at work front of house, this is the place to go.
Dinner Tuesday was at Vecio Fritolin, also booked by e-mail. The Moeche had arrived so we both had that for anti pasti, one each. No sharing here. I have been wanting to try Moeche for some time and they were superb. We shared a pasta dish, mussels with potato, and then I had the fritto misto and Mrs C had the grey mullet with peas and baccon. Too full for dolce, although Mrs T sucumbed last time we were there. A fabulous meal accompanied by an excellent Pinto Grigio. (150 euros.)
Went back at lunch time the next day and had the scartosso of mixed fried fish, which was also something I have been wanting to try for some time. E10 to take away
No formal lunch or dinner on Wednesday - we snacked all day, tried some cicchetti and had the full afternoon tea at cafe Florian. What an experience!!
Went back to Beccafico for lunch on Thursday because we wanted to try the seafood risotto, which is for two people. Perfect for a piccolo pranzo.
Finally the highlight of the week - dinner at Il Ridotto.
We both had the set menu; mixed for me and the fish for Mrs T. We had ordered a bottle of Prosecco which turned out to be corked. I asked Snr Bonaccorsi to check and he took one sniff, said "cork" in Italian and it was all whisked away and replaced. No fuss, no bother.
Octopus with fava beans for antipasti on both menus, followed by tortelli with borrage and sweet herbs for both.
Then I had the braised beef cheeks in pinot nero because I wanted to try a glass of Italian Pinot Nero which I have only had once before in many trips to Italy. It was excellent. On the fish menu Mrs T had the John Dory in its sauce/soup. We both finished with their take on Tiramissu. Absolutely outstanding and good value at 180.00 euros including service.
By the way...the cafe in Campo S. Stefano is the place to go for coffee, tea, beer, orange juice, snacks, whatever.
Can't wait 'till next time!!!
foodies in Italy, where to go?
Cleopatra,
You MUST go to Lucignano just off the A1 between Sinalunga and Monte San Savino. You will find everything you are looking for at Albergo Da Toto in the middle of this beautiful and charming town. Tell Boris and Marianna that Tusanlover sent you.
The welcome is great and the food is fabulous. (In the rustic Tuscan country style.)
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Da Toto
Piazza del Tribunale, 6, Lucignano, Tuscany 52046, IT
Tuscany Help....Home Base - Lucignano
Thank you for the report.
I am absolutely delighted that another hound has discovered the "homey" delights of Da Toto. I don't think they actually produce their own wines. It is just that the house wines, which are excellent, are stored in barrels and not bottles. I particularly like the white but you cann't go far wrong for a local red in Tuscany!
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Da Toto
Piazza del Tribunale, 6, Lucignano, Tuscany 52046, IT
Tuscany Help....Home Base - Lucignano
If I were you, I would stroll to Da Toto in Lucignano for dinner every night if you are looking for "the authentic Tuscan experience". (I assume that you will be out sightseeing during the day.)
They do have a carte and a wine list but I would stick with the all-inclusive set meals and let chef Boris choose. (And I do mean all-inclusive!) See below.
Mrs T and I were there in late May last year for the Maggiolata (which was fantastic) and we had the best roast pork (whole pig) we have ever had.
Give my love to Boris, Marianna and Beatrice. Mi piacciono molto.
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Da Toto
Piazza del Tribunale, 6, Lucignano, Tuscany 52046, IT
Tuscany Help....Home Base - Lucignano
There are a number of great places to eat in Pienza, which is well worth a visit.
I have been rather negative about Il Rosselino in the past but Mrs T and I tried it again last summer to give them a chance. It was a deeply weird experience but the food was actually fantastic. Best steak I have ever eaten in Italy and, more important if you want authentic, the best tomato sauce as well!
They also keep a superb cellar - literally a cellar so that the wines are at a good temperature.
Tuscany Help....Home Base - Lucignano
Dear Jen,
How wonderful to find out that you know Lucignano. (In Arezzo.) I had no idea!
