For 10 years whenever we passed through Tuscany we made certain to have at least one meal at…read moreMassimo and Francois's old restaurant in Monticchiello. It was always the most delicious of our trip, and they were an important part of our beginning love affair with Italy. We lost track of them when they began a new restaurant, but by luck found them again, this time in Sant' Albino, just south of Montepulciano. We've eaten there twice this week. The restaurant is warm and welcoming inside, and the food is as perfectly delicious as ever. This is not a place to breeze through, because everything is made fresh for you, and the owners pride themselves in making only the best. Massimo makes the savory foods, and Francois the desserts. We consider them the best chefs to cook for us in our 18 trips to Italy. If you get to experience their artistry, you're a very lucky person.

I came a long way to eat here, at a time that they are publicly listed to be open. And they are…read moreclosed. So unprofessional.

Such a lovely hidden find in the quaint hill town of Siena! We had a little trouble locating it in…read morethe alley on a rainy day, but the interior had a cute interior and covered patio, where we sat. After a few spritzes (15 euro each), we split an osso buco raviolo with seared fois gras and truffle flakes which was delicious and filling. We were hunkering for something other than pasta, pizza or steak, so had the delicious hamburger with pecorino cheese, served perfectly rare (20). It came with nice French fries and hit the spot. We were seated next to the owner, a pleasant New Yorker with the cutest dachound Julietta. The restaurant is a bit more expensive than the trattorias but well worth it.

Everyone will tell you to order the burger here, and they're absolutely right. Surprisingly, the…read morebest burger I've ever eaten was the Bandita Burger at this Pienza restaurant. While the beef patty itself is exceptional, what elevates this dish is the generous layer of melted pecorino cheese on top. The truffle butter pasta is equally outstanding. The pasta tastes unmistakably fresh and handmade, with rich truffle butter coating every strand perfectly. Together, these two dishes easily satisfy two diners, especially since the burger comes with a side of fries. La Bandita Townhouse is a must-visit when in Pienza. Just remember to make a reservation in advance, particularly for dinner service.

By far the best dinner I've ever had in Italy, and that's really saying something. Don't do what we…read moredid and waltz up with no reservation and hope lots of smiling and high school-level Italian will score you a table -- even on a Wednesday night the restaurant was fully booked. We did manage a table in the end, very luckily for us. The menu here (which changes annually) is pretty hefty but is dwarfed by the wine list, which is so thick it -- no kidding -- has a table of contents. There's a lot of wonderful things on that wine list, including a number of bottles from the Montefollonico area and neighbouring Montepulciano. The food, which started with a surprise complementary amuse bouche, was nothing less than exquisite. A number of the things I wanted to try (like the Filet and sirloin of wild boar, eggplant, chocolate sauce and raspberries) were sold out for the night by the time we'd sat down, but what we did get was truly top-notch. I'd put La Botte Piena up against any fine dining restaurant in London. The biggest surprise of the night was the bill. After a good bottle of wine, four plates of food, a dessert and coffee, we hadn't even managed to spend 100 euros.

We chose to eat a la carte, as we were 6 adults with different food needs. If I say perfetto!, do…read moreyou know what I mean? La Botte Piena aspires (correctly) for a Michelin star, and it shows in the whole dining experience. Obviously, from the name of the restaurant, they know wine. The small touches that Michelin seeks are all there. Our amuse-bouche was a delicious pasta chip with flavored cheese and a spoon of bean soup. Our primi were perfectly prepared - pastas, ricotta gnudi, ravioli. The secondi were also delicious - beef cheeks and (for our birthday boy) bistecca fiorentina. I dolci delighted us, as did the dessert wine we chose to finish our 4 hour meal. We chatted with the sommelier and the owners, which rounded out a great evening. Highly recommended!

We went May 1st, first of all, the restaurant truly carries that Tuscan brick-stone tavern, charm…read more The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable about wine selection, the food was absolutely delicious, walking down to the cellar definitely had an awe factor. The staff cut us up a platter of their cheese in the cellar. Tiramisu for desert topped the 5 star experience. EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: You need reservations that can only be made by calling them, no online reservations capabilities. You should call 5 days in advance. Worth it. Our bill came out to less than $250 + Tip for 2 bottles of wine, 6 main entrees, 2 appetizers, 3 Tiramisu, and cheese platter - NOT BAD if you ask me. Because we gave them a nice tip - they gave us a bottle of wine as a thank you gift.

Taverna di San Giuseppe was a disappointing meal for us, especially in a city with so many great…read moredining options. We ended up here by mistake (confused it with another spot), and unfortunately it didn't live up to expectations. The restaurant fills up with reservations for two seatings, and from the moment we sat down the pace felt rushed. We ordered drinks and a starter while deciding on the rest, but multiple staff members kept coming by trying to take our full order. It felt like they were pushing to move things along quickly. There were a couple positives. The chicken livers to start were quite tasty and something we didn't see often on other menus. The primi were underwhelming. The pasta didn't taste fresh like many other trattorias in Siena, and the dishes overall were just average. The lasagna in particular was mushy, and the sauces didn't stand out. The secondi were slightly better -- pork ribs, Barolo-braised beef, and a "small chicken" -- but still nothing that justified the higher prices. They do have an underground wine cellar built into a cave, which is interesting to see, but there are other places in Siena with much larger and more impressive cellar spaces. Also worth noting, they add a "10% tax" charge rather than the typical €2 coperto per person. Overall, a rushed and fairly mediocre meal at a higher price point. With so many better places to eat in Siena, this is one I'd skip.

We arrived in Montepulciano mid week in November. This was the only restaurant open near our…read morehotel. We didn't expect much... Instead, what we found with this restaurant was one of the best dinning experiences I've ever had. The food was wonderful, and the owners were so friendly. We also learned much about wine from them. Among our dishes were lamb chops, beef cheek, and beef and pork tagliata. The meat was so tender. We also had their fondue as an appetizer, and a first dish of pasta ragu. Both were fantastic. They had a huge selection of local Montepulciano and Montecino wines and knew what to recommend and helped us properly taste them. We laughed with them and left both full and in the happiest of moods! We wish them success and we hope to return when we next come back to Italy!

The staff are so friendly, quick to smile and laugh. Very attentive working as a team. Beautiful…read moreview from every angle. Would you believe the food tastes better than it looks?

From emu sightings in a morning to truffle hunting in the afternoon!…read more We spent an unforgettable few hours at Agriturismo La Chiusa Tuscany last year wandering through the olive groves with the expert Paolo Formichi and his amazing dogs, Super and Lola. Watching the dogs work was pure magic, they led us to a massive haul of about 20-30 black truffles and even a few rare reds! The best part? Sitting down afterward with close friends to a lunch featuring our finds, overlooking that iconic Val d'Orcia view. There is truly nothing like the taste of a truffle you watched being pulled from the Tuscan soil just an hour before. A huge thanks to Paolo, Super, and Lola for the best kind of 'treasure hunt.

Wow! What an amazing place to spend our anniversary!! Our room was immaculate, spacious, and warm…read more Dinner was magnificent! I literally licked my plates clean- and that was not a typo! All Staff members were very friendly and knowledgeable, and I ended up ordering 3 dishes for myself. After a peaceful night's rest, we had a terrific breakfast that was sooo fresh and delicious, I could've eaten for hours. If you want a bucolic Tuscan experience, La Chiusa is a MUST!!!

Amazing dining experience in this small rustic Osteria! Chef Julio masterfully cooks Bistecca Alla…read moreFlorentina to perfection in his wood fired oven! Pici Con Ragu Di Cinta Sense e Tartufo is a must try. Authentic Tuscan food! Atmosphere is very cozy with shared tables.

Great dining experience. One of the best meals we had in Montepulcino. We ordered the steak, which…read morewas perfectly cooked and a couple of sides which were also delicious. The house red wine was quite good.

I hate to give away my great restaurant finding, but this place is a must go if you are in Pienza…read more You definitely need a reservation. Service and food were wonderful.

This little restaurant is a gem! They have both an upstairs and downstairs section. The food was…read moredelivered quickly and everyone was very attentive. For antipasti we ordered the cheese with the radicchio , walnuts, and apples. This was really yummy. For our primi we ordered the local pasta with tomato and garlic. For secondi we ordered the grilled lamb and the rabbit. Both were good but the rabbit was definitely different and what I'd order again. Of course we ordered the house wine, which I recommend.

One of the best meals I have ever had. You must eat here!…read more We could not decide which pasta to get - so we got them all and each one was heavenly. We also ordered the seasonal vegetables that I thought could be good - maybe the BEST vegetables I have ever had. Go go go!

My wife and I have been traveling here for years. Amazing place! Great food, unique atmosphere, and…read morefriendly staff. I would highly recommend it.

Wow, wow, wow. We stayed in historic Montepulciano and this Osteria was recommended by the locals…read more We had a beautiful experience siting on their outdoor patio overlooking the Centro. Ate a delicious plate of pasta! Friendly service! Highly recommend!

Both our pasta dishes had little flavor. The photo in menu had lots of meat. In reality maybe 3…read moretablespoons! Boiling a few large shrimp took 45 min. Hectic service. Overrated.