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Terri April 5th, 2007

There is no lack of restaurants in Tuscany and the cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients and fragrant olive oil. The following are our tried and true recommendations for good eating in Tuscany.

Siena

La Taverna di San Giuseppe
Via Giovanni Dupre 132
53100 - Siena - Italy
Tel. 39 0577 42286
The Taverna of San Giuseppe is an authentic Tuscan restaurant whose location dates back to 11oo! It is situated in the heart of the historic center of Siena, just 400 meters from the famous Piazza del Campo The cuisine is home-style Tuscan cooking, with home-made pasta such as ravioli, pici and pappardelle and fresh ingredients. Home-made desserts top off the menu. We love the food and the setting is fabulous.

Il Cavaliere Errante $
Piazza Provenzanol-3
Tel: 39 0577 280 150 This is a typical inexpensive pizza and pasta taverna. The German beers are fantastic and they have great house wines as well.

Antica Trattoria Papei $$
Piazza del Mercado 6Tel: 39 0577 280 894Tucked behind the Palazzo Publico Market, this restaurant is a hidden gem. A family run restaurant, the food is excellent and the price is so inexpensive for the quality of the food. In good weather you can dine al fresco, but if you go inside they may try to put you in the large modern space that seems to be reserved for tourists. Ask to be seated on the left side or upstairs where the ambience is better.

Antica Osteria da Divo $$S
Via Franciosa n. 25/29
53100 Siena
T el. 39 0577 286 054
A fabulous setting in the vaults beneath the Duomo, this restaurant is perfect for typical Tuscan cuisine. The wild boar braised in Chianti is a specialty. Hand made pasta and desserts are spectacular as well.

Radda in Chianti

Ristorante Vignale $$
Via XX Settembre n. 23
53107 Radda in Chianti (Siena)
Phone: 39 0577 738 094
Lunch and dinner. Closed Thursday.
Reservations are highly recommended for this lovely restaurant nestled in the Tuscan hills between Siena and Florence. Comfortably informal, the restaurant welcomes you with a charming and sophisticated ambience The menu with excellent daily specials, features seasonal produce and a fresh take on Tuscan standard fare.

Florence

Ristorante Ottorino $$$
Jazz Bistro & Ristorante
Firenze Via dell’Oche 12/16R
Tel. 055 215151 - 055 218747
Closed Sundays
Ottorino Restaurant offers high quality, professional and courteous service in a warm and cozy atmosphere. The cuisine respects the culinary traditions of Florence and Tuscany. Specials include Pappardelle with wild boar and reggiano parmesan. The wine cellar has more than 500 international wine labels giving particular attention to those from Tuscany.

La Giostra $$$
Near Santa Croce
Borgo Pinti 12/r
Tel: 055241341
Expensive but out of this world cuisine and fabulous atmosphere. They have a way with mushrooms (fungi) here. Pasta with truffles is exceptional.

Trattoria Mamma Gina $$
Borgo S.Jacopo, 37/r (Old Bridge)
Tel.39 5523 96009 Closed on Sunday
We love this unpretentious, but lovely restaurant. It is not expensive, and the food is outstanding.

Trattoria Garga $$
Via del Moro 48/R Tel 055 2398 898 Located on the ground floor of a 14th century palazzo, this wonderful restaurant offers a friendly and welcoming atmosphere with brightly colored walls and modern, lively décor. The veal with avocado is a taste treat. But you will be happy with anything you order at this excellent restaurant that uses only quality, seasonal ingredients, extra virgin olive oil, fresh herbs and produce. Sharon Oddson, chef and owner (along with her husband Giuliano Garga) shares her restaurant’s signature recipes at her own cooking school.

Acqua Al 2 $$ (Pronounced Agua al duo) Tel 39 055 284 170 This restaurant is very popular in Florence and for good reason; they serve good food at reasonable prices. Their signature dish is steak with balsamic. I suppose that it is because of their popularity that they have opened a restaurant in San Diego, CA and look to franchise their restaurant as well.

Lucca

Buca di Sant’ Antonio $$
Via della Cervia, 3
55100 LUCCA
Tel: 39 0583 55881
Closed on Sunday evening and Monday

The Buca di Sant’Antonio, located in a historical building, is known for preparing the traditional cuisine of Lucca. Some typical dishes include liver in pastry alla toscana, porcini mushroom tartlet with chick pea sauce, farro soup in the traditional Garfagnana style, goat grilled on a spit, roast stuffed rabbit with a soufflé of French beans and roasted salt cod with chick peas and local olive oil. For dessert, try the apple tart with hot cream sauce. The wine list contains a good selection of Italian wines, with emphasis on the wines from important Tuscan vineyards, and special grappas and whiskies.

• Italy , Tuscany