RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS - Florence and Tuscany - page 267

PIETRASANTA Enoteca Marcucci

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Via Garibaldi 40, Pietrasanta, 55045 Tel [phone] Road map B2
This wine bar is well stocked with local and international labels, and is known for its excellent restaurant. There is a
lively buzz and the food is incredibly tasty and well presented, while the service is sweetly informal. Be sure to admire
the range of local art exhibited on the walls. Book ahead.
PISTOIA La Bottegaia

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Via del Lastrone 17, 51100 Tel [phone] Road map C2
Looking onto the old market square to one side and the cathedral to the other, this cheerful, unpretentious wine
bar boasts 300 of Italy's best wines. The food menu features cheeses, cold cuts and other toothsome delicacies,
such as fish carpaccio, to go with the wines. Superb desserts. Service is friendly.
PRATO La Vecchia Cucina di Soldano

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Via Pomeria 23, Prato, 59100 Tel [phone] Road map D2
You'll find red-checked tablecloths at this unpretentious trattoria run by the Mattei family. The cooking is old-
fashioned and hearty, with pasta and beans and filling ribollita soup on offer. The house speciality is francesina , an
aromatic beef and onion stew. The wild boar, roe deer and meat cooked with celery are also excellent dishes.
PRATO Osteria Cibbè

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Piazza Mercatale 49, 59100 Tel [phone] Road map D2
Housed in a medieval building in the city centre, this cosy little family-run eatery serves good local cold cuts and
crostini for antipasto, followed by classic Tuscan fare such as pappardelle with game sauce. The desserts are home-
made too: try the apple and spelt tart. Interesting wine list.
PRATO Enoteca Barni

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Via Ferrucci 22, 59100 Tel [phone] Road map D2
This minimalist eatery, related to the family-run deli next door, offers quick, informal lunches at very reasonable
prices. The dinner menu, much more elaborate, features a range of choices such as pheasant tortelli with pig's
cheek, onions and rosemary; spelt timbale with kale and shellfish; lamb in almond crust with foie gras sauce.
VIAREGGIO La Darsena

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Via Virgilio 150, 55049 Tel [phone] Road map B2
Located in the lively docks area, this friendly trattoria offers excellent fish dishes at reasonable prices. The antipasti
comprise little samples of all sorts of things based on the morning's catch. For a dish of pasta, try the tagliolini with
fresh anchovies. Good desserts and some fine Italian white wines.
VIAREGGIO Cabreo

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Via Firenze 14, 55049 Tel [phone] Road map B2
The main focus of this pleasant restaurant, located in a little side street, is seafood simply cooked and served in the
way that best enhances its natural aromas. Specialities include spaghetti with clams, gnocchi with lobster sauce, and
baked fish. It is advisable to leave enough room for the delicious home-made desserts.
VIAREGGIO Romano

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Via Mazzini 122, 55049 Tel [phone] Road map B2
Although Romano is expensive, few other places give such value for money. Wines are fairly priced and the fixed-
price menu has ten full courses. The owner, Romano, at the front of house is unfailingly courteous, and
his wife, Franca, prepares dishes that are simple, immaculately presented and often inventive.

EASTERN TUSCANY

ANGHIARI Da Alighiero

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Via Garibaldi 8, 52031 Tel [phone] Road map E3
Anghiari is a gastronomic crossroads between Tuscany and Umbria. Suitably surrounded by thick stone walls of a
15th-century origin, this restaurant pays homage to that mixed, historic tradition. Try fresh pasta with porcini
mushrooms, followed by roast breast of duck, and enjoy the discerning wine list.
AREZZO Antica Osteria l'Agania

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Via Mazzini 10, 52100 Tel [phone] Road map E3
This typical family-run tavern serves local dishes among plenty of noisy chatter and laughter. Home-made pasta,
ribollita soup, tripe, roast meats are on offer. No-frills service but good value for money. This is not the place for
an intimate diner à deux , but ideal for a quick, lively lunch with friends.
AREZZO La Torre di Gnicche

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Piaggia S. Martino 8, 52100 Tel [phone] Road map E3
Looking out over the beautiful Piazza Vasari, this is first and foremost a place for wine-lovers, with its great list of
Tuscan wines, and some from other regions. The freshly-cooked food is as good, and uses ingredients depending
on the season. There's no menu, so just be adventurous and try anything.