RESTAURANTS, CAFES AND BARS - Florence and Tuscany - page 269

SANSEPOLCRO Il Convivio

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Via Traversari 1, 52037 Tel [phone] Road map E3
Located in the historic Palazzo Bourbon del Monte, this restaurant provides a pleasant showcase for the local culinary
tradition. Mushrooms and truffles prevail, and meats range from succulent steaks to game. The antipasti include a
tasty game terrine. Good soups as well as pasta dishes can also be found on the menu.
SANSEPOLCRO Fiorentino

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Via Luca Pacioli, 60, 52037 Tel [phone] Road map E3
Run by the same family for over 50 years, the Fiorentino occupies a Renaissance dining room with a magnificent ceil-
ing and fireplace. The menu includes Tuscan hors d'oeuvres , home-made pasta dishes, succulent Chianina beef, and
traditional recipes based on Renaissance cooking. There's also a good range of Tuscan wines.
SANSEPOLCRO Ristorante da Ventura

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Via Aggiunti 30, 52037 Tel [phone] Road map E3
This charming family-run restaurant serves delectable agnolotti al tartufo (stuffed pasta with truffles). Another of
their classic dishes is the veal cooked slowly in Chianti. Mushrooms often feature too. Even the cantucci biscuits for
dipping in Vin Santo are home-made.
TERRANUOVA BRACCIOLINI Il Canto del Maggio

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Località Penna 30/D, 52028 Tel [phone] Road map D3
In a tiny hamlet between Terranuova and Loro Ciuffenna you'll find this gem of a restaurant restored and run
by Mauro Quirini and his family. Surrounded by blossoms and aromatic herbs, enjoy the rare, peppery beef dish
known as peposo alla fornacina , along with a wine from the excellent cellar.

CENTRAL TUSCANY

BAGNO VIGNONI Hotel Terme

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Piazza delle Sorgenti 13, 53027 Tel [phone] Road map D4
A fantastic location and an injection of youthful energy have turned an average hotel restaurant into a cool eatery
offering good food well matched with fine wines. You don't have to eat the whole three-course lunch, and the
opening times are less rigid than most restaurants. A must-try is the delicious carabaccia (sweet onion soup).
BARBERINO VAL D'ELSA l Paese dei Campanelli

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Loc. Petrognano Semifonte, Barberino Val d'Elsa, 50021 Tel [phone] Road map D3
Stone walls, linen tablecloths and candles lend a wonderful atmosphere to this well regarded restaurant close to Flor-
ence. It is popular with chic Florentines who come here to enjoy the traditional Tuscan dishes which are given an
imaginative twist. Fillet of beef with breadcrumbs and pesto is popular, as is anything seasonal.
CHIANCIANO Patry

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Viale G. di Vittorio 80, 53042 Tel [phone] Road map E4
Unprepossessing though Chianciano may be, it is worth a visit for its Archeological Museum and for Patry, an
impressive fish restaurant. The menu depends on the day's catch, so let yourself be guided by Danilo, the affable
restaurateur. The cooking style is simple, and the flavours speak for themselves.
CHIUSI Il Salotti

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Il Patriarca Hotel, Strada Statale 146, Località Querce al Pino, Chiusi, 53043 Tel [phone] Road map E4
A Michelin star distinguishes this gourmet jewel in the Il Patriarca hotel, a testament to the chef's efforts to produce
traditional yet innovative dishes made from seasonal ingredients. All wines on the extensive wine list can be sampled
by the glass, courtesy of the “wine cart”. There are only 15 tables, so booking is advisable.
COLLE VAL D'ELSA Arnolfo

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Via XX Settembre 50/52A, 53034 Tel [phone] Road map D3
French-trained chefs have earned this intimate three-roomed restaurant one of Tuscany's few Michelin stars.
The wines, food and service are all impeccable, though the reverential hush feels a bit odd for Italy. Typical dishes
include a sublime ribollita (Tuscan bread soup), and pigeon cooked with wine, prunes and pine nuts.
COLLE VAL D'ELSA L'Antica Trattoria

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Piazza Arnolfo 23, 53034 Tel [phone] Road map D3
This well-run family restaurant features classic Tuscan fish and meat dishes as well as some more inventive fare. For
instance, the saddle of venison is cooked in grape must and juniper. There are also some inviting desserts such as
orange semifreddo . The cheese board is extensive and the wine list decent.
GAIOLE IN CHIANTI Castello di Spaltenna

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Località Pieve di Spaltenna, 53013 Tel [phone] Road map D3
This lovely stone-walled, flower-filled restaurant forms part of a peaceful hotel in a castle just outside Gaiole in
Chianti. Popular with expatriates, it offers refined versions of Tuscan classics such as pigeon cooked in Chianti,
fresh porcini mushrooms, chickpea soup and, occasionally, more offbeat innovations.