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Arezzo: Il Saraceno

Via Mazzini 6 Arezzo , Phone: 0575 27644
www.ilsaraceno.com
Closing day: Wednesday

Reviewed by: PotenzaRon from CA, review #4046

When: 2013

Local favorite with typical Tuscan dishes in a fun atmosphedre

Directions: Just steps up Via Mazzini from Via Italia

We've eaten at Il Saraceno several times in the past few years and enjoyed two meals on this trip in April. This is not a fancy trattoria but it is suggestive of the area both in food selection and preparation as well as decor. Many times we were the only non-Italians but always received caring service. Pastas are good and I thoroughly enjoyed by roast lamb and patate arroste on one of our visits. Prices are very fair with neither bill over 50 euros which included wine, water and entrees as well as side dishes.

Reviewed by: Tessmar from CA, review #3337

When: 2009

20 kinds of pizzas are just the beginning

Directions: Via Mazzini runs right by Chiesa San Francesco, so is handy for anyone going to see the frescoes there. It is only a short walk east, just past Corso Italia

We were taken to Il Saraceno for a mid-day meal by friends that live near Arezzo. This is a cozy trattoria that has an atmosphere similar to a New york deli, and a wide selection of dishes, including six different bruschette selections, the same number of antipasti dishes, four different soups, seven pasta choices, the same number of secondi including rabbit and tripe, four "carni di manzo alla brace" selections, five "carni di cortile Toscano al forno," plus extensive choices for contorni, formaggi, and desserts.

My wife and I had the pici al cinghiali and gnocchi di patate al pomodoro, both of which were excellent. The pici was neither under or overcooked and the cinghiali was done as a ragu with a rich sauce, while the gnocchi were delicate in size and taste and served in a tomato sauce that was lively without being overly spicy. We started the meal with bruschetta which was adequate but not particularly notable. Our other party members had ravioli al tarufo and the tripe. I can't comment on the latter (not my thing) but I did try a bite of the ravioli, which was quite good.

Prices are very reasonable for "big city" food. With a litre each of wine and acqua minerale as well as two caffe and a shot of grappa for one of us the bill came to 60 euros including the cover charge (coperto).

This place is not fancy but the food is good and the prices are reasonable.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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Arezzo: Il Saraceno

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