We’re in Tuscany in a few weeks and want to reserve a table at one of Dario’s Panzano restaurants. We want to try his bistecca and it seems that they all offer this. We prefer casual places. Any thoughts? Thanks!
Posted by
San Diego, California, USA
1144 posts
Hello dmlefaivre, and welcome to the boards,
I don't have much input into his restaurants but I got try his pastrami at a place in Prato and it was amazing. My wife tried a bite and said "I will trade you all of my sandwich for the other half of yours."
The only video I've seen of his restaurant had long, shared family style tables and involved a lot of cheering and toasting. It seemed the farthest thing from stuffy and formal. I say if you have the opportunity make the effort and go.
My envious, have an great meal and a great trip!
=Tod
Posted by
seattle
2144 posts
For acasual stop by hus butcher shop, Antica Macerella Cecchini, in Panzano. He sells his famous sandwiches there. We were able to sit at a nearby central park. The town is quite small. Suspect his sit down dinner experiences book up early.
Posted by
11606 posts
Dine at his restaurant in Panzano.
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2418 posts
hey hey dmlefaivre
thistuscanlife.com
search dario cecchini - a butcher in chianti
dariocecchini.com
scroll down to bottom for english. click on kitchen to see his places for eating. saved these sites for a trip we planned in 2021 (we all know what happened)
tuscan-wine-tours.com
look at super chianti tour, if interested in a tour.
few years back, friends booked tuscany wine tour with company I forget. wanted to stop here and couple others, said no, will go to places I plan. this was a first for me with all the tours we’ve been on.
learned more about the “kickbacks” LOL. one of the places won’t go again is san gimignano. pretty place but absolutely packed like a can of sardines!! had about 8 buses, 6 tour vans, and private cars. with such limited time there, couldn’t spend some time in shops, the gelato/cafe outside had a line out the door and along the wall.
learn to leave extra early before the “tribes” arrive, plus so many people are traveling everywhere nowdays. all I can say is enjoy and have a glass of wine for me
aloha
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
We ate at at his restaurant in Panzano and it was a pretty miserable experience. I know he gets a lot of praise but man it was bad. Our friends from Bologna were with as and wondered why we insisted on eating there ... they are right ... 6 thumbs down,
Posted by
washington, dc, us
27 posts
Donna, could you add some details? Just recently made reservations for Dario's most expensive lunch.
Posted by
11606 posts
Our large group loved Dario ‘s in Panzano.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks for all the suggestions! We were not able to get a reservation but it sounds like a stop at the butcher shop will be enough of an experience.
Posted by
Sunriver
1321 posts
Kate, we had a lunch reservation for a group of 5. The most expensive lunch choice. The waiter never even replied to our Italian friend when she asked questions in Italian... he just walked away - twice. When he served us and we asked what he was serving he pointed to the menu which had some icons on it. We had to ask twice for more water and our carafes of wine (one red one white). I think we finally got the water when we were ready to pay our bill. Very disappointing.