Tuscany suggestions

[flyinbayou]

Going to Tuscany in the 3rd week of September....FOR FUN, not for work.

Base town will be Montecatini Terme and will visit Florence, Cinque Terme and San Gigminano.

Has anybody been and have suggestions?

[GuySajerForgottenSoldier]

Going to Tuscany in the 3rd week of September....FOR FUN, not for work.

Base town will be Montecatini Terme and will visit Florence, Cinque Terme and San Gigminano.

Has anybody been and have suggestions?

Great trip. You should really enjoy yourself.

San Gimignano is one of my favorites. Think about a place called Ristorante Dorando in SG. Here's their website:
http://www.ristorantedorando.it/eng/menu.html
We had a memorable meal there.

[café au lait]

Eat plenty of gelato while you're in Florence. The city has some of the most extensive gelato shops I've ever seen.

[edible complex]

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/viva-il-veneto/sidebar/1

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/viva-il-veneto

[TulaneRebel]

Dine at the Villa Antinori vineyard....mmmm

[bam bam]

There are no villas in Tuscany!

[spudly]

I looked over my notes from last Sept and in San Gigmiano there is a place right by the San Matteo Gate called La Mangionian (sp)...I can't read my writing. It's one of those places that wants "to look closed" to tourists and really only wants to cater to Italians. You have to pass through a curtain and the glass door is also dark. Once inside the place is packed. Everything on the menu was stellar.

Other towns and restaurants that were excellent during our visit.

Siena...La Loggia
Arezzo...Buca di San Francesco
Volterra...Don Beta's
Montalcino...Acquacheta di Ciolfi (this place is run by a nazi but the food is superior.
Montereggioni...Il Pozzo
Cortona...La Grotta, this is the family restaurant of Antonio Molesani, a wine rep in New Orleans

We really didn't have any problem with the food in Tuscany. Even the lamest pizza shop did a decent job. And anyway, everything tastes great with chianti.

[justagirl]

My suggestion is that you bring justagirl with you as a tour guide :)

[expatorleanian]

I looked over my notes from last Sept and in San Gigmiano there is a place right by the San Matteo Gate called La Mangionian (sp)...I can't read my writing. It's one of those places that wants "to look closed" to tourists and really only wants to cater to Italians. You have to pass through a curtain and the glass door is also dark. Once inside the place is packed. Everything on the menu was stellar.

Other towns and restaurants that were excellent during our visit.

Siena...La Loggia
Arezzo...Buca di San Francesco
Volterra...Don Beta's
Montalcino...Acquacheta di Ciolfi (this place is run by a nazi but the food is superior.
Montereggioni...Il Pozzo
Cortona...La Grotta, this is the family restaurant of Antonio Molesani, a wine rep in New Orleans

We really didn't have any problem with the food in Tuscany. Even the lamest pizza shop did a decent job. And anyway, everything tastes great with chianti.

The only bad meal we had in all of Italy was at a luncheonette-looking place right across the Ponte Vecchio -- can't remember the name, but don't go there. There was another wonderful place not far from there, that I could walk to, but I don't know if I can give directions. I'll have to try looking for my files and see if I can find it. We went there on two different trips, and had really good meals both times. Another couple of places in Florence -- maybe I can find them in my credit card statements.

[flyinbayou]

I didn't want to chime in too early but rest assured that I am taking in (and investigating how I can work them into the tour) all of your comments.
Even Jags! ;)

All of you have given me a lot of homework and although you may not know me, I am diligent so all recommendations are under consideration.


Thank You.

[justagirl]

Jag patiently awaits at the computer, with credit card in hand, perusing the airline websites waiting for a sign....she's ready to buy a ticket to Tuscany...

LOL (one of those funny cuz it's true type of funnies)

Have a great time my flyin friend. I can't wait to hear all about your trip!

[DaBeerz]

Just found this site, new to the board... thought I'd chime in.

I spent 3 weeks traveling around Italy 3 years ago. I'll have to look to see if I can find some restaurants in Cinque Terre, I spent 5 days there.

But fwiw, imo, you must go to Il Latini in Florence and get the bistecca florentine. It is the best steak I've ever had, all 2.2 lbs of it (34 ouncer). Get reservations and you stand outside and sit you 8 at a time randomly at a community table. It's a great experience, great fresh food and wine from their tuscan properties, and they have free bottomless house chianti on the table. I went for my birthday and the owner gave me a free top shelf bottle of their own wine. Also, FWIW... Rachel Ray from the Food Network is a regular there and has done some shows from there. I highly rec it just because it was the best meal I had in my 3 weeks there. Check out the website and reviews.

[edible complex]

http://bottegavini.it/

we ate at their NY location, which is a replica of the original Verona place.