I know it’s a stretch, but hoping someone can help. We’re in Siena now. Back in maybe 2015, we were in Siena and ate at a restaurant that was recommended in Rick’s Italy book. He mentioned in his review that the owner loved showing diners his wine cellar and that they had the best chocolate cake. Both were true.
We would love to go there again. Thought I wrote the name down in my notes. Not! I know there are many good restaurants here, but we were looking forward to going back.
Thank you
I was going to look it up for you in my RS Italy book but can't lay my hands on it right now. However, could it be La Taverna di San Giuseppi? We had a great dining experience there 4 years ago, reserving a table there on the recommendation of our local Siena guide.
This one sounds like it could be it. Featured in his 2016 "Siena and Tuscany's Wine Country" TV show.
https://www.tavernasangiuseppe.it/
When we ate there in 2018, and it was indeed good food, the servers brought me a miniature wooden chair to put my (equally small) purse on --- I never figured out exactly why. I hadn't put my purse on the table or on the floor, so it wasn't like a hygiene thing. If you go to La Taverna di San Giuseppe, let me know if they bring your purse its own chair.
For what it’s worth , San Giuseppe isn’t listed in Rick’s 2019 Florence & Tuscany 18th Edition guidebook. It’s not in the descriptions, nor marked on his map. Where the above Website link shows its location, is just a big blank part of Rick’s “Siena Hotels & Restaurants” map, simply labeling the Onda neighborhood but with no places marked off on Via Giovanni Dupre. Interesting?!?
That guidebook does recommend, under the Old Town Fine Dining heading, Compagnia del Vinattieri, “a good bet for wine lovers, serves Tuscan dishes with a creative touch … romantic meal under graceful brick arches.” Says owner Marco (a different or the same Marco who owns San Giuseppe ???) is happy to take you down to the marvelous wine cellar, and to leave Rick’s guidebook on the table for a complimentary aperitivo or digestivo, but no mention of chocolate cake. They’re open daily 12:30-15:00 & 19:00-23:00, Via delle Terme 79, tel. 0577-236-568, www.vinattieri.net
Either way, I hope this helps. We’re heading to Tuscany in 2 weeks!
Cyn- I think that’s it. Thanks everyone for your help. Will check it out tomorrow.
Sue - Double-checking my entry above for typos, I realized I’d put down the hours, address, and phone number for a different place!!! Tough reading Rick’s book and typing on my phone at the same time 😕
Anyway, I’ve now corrected all that above, and also the Website address that is in Rick’s book, but which didn’t get included in my initial posting.
Ciao Sue. We are also in Siena. We have been to both restaurants that have been mentioned. We went to the Taverna di San Giuseppi five years ago. What a disappointment. First they were only allowing two seating for the evening (not very Italian). The food was not good and some was pre-prepared. We have not walked by to see if it is still open, but would not go there again if it was. The other restaurant Compagnia del Vinattieri is as Cyn describes. I would highly recommend it. The outside seating area is very charming. Another restaurant we highly recommend is just across the street. It is called the Osteria Da Trombicche. A small space, but for the evening seating they have moved all table outside. Reservations are recommended for dinner. Hope you enjoy Siena as much as we do. It feels like our second home. Ciao
