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Montalcino: Osteria di Porta al Cassero

Via della Liberta 9 , Phone: 0577.847196

Closing day: Wednesday

Reviewed by: T. Klonoski from IL, review #3029

When: 2008

A great traditional and family-run osteria

Directions: Near the top of the hill within the town

This was my favorite restaurant in Tuscany during a week there in August 2008. A friendly, casual environment with reasonable prices. All of our food was very good, especially the soups and pastas. A small but high-quality wine list; our half bottle of 2003 Il Poggione Brunello rocked. One word of caution: this is a very traditional place: our request for butter with our bread was denied, and a few customers were smoking.

Reviewed by: GailS from MA, review #2764

When: 2007

Recommended by Anya who worked at Il Barlanzone where we stayed, it is a good restaurant which was filled with locals both times we ate there.

My husband and I had lunch and dinner here. Prices were reasonable and the food quite good. The polenta with wild boar and pinci with meat sauce were both very memorable. I would recommend reservations or getting there early as it filled up with locals very quickly both times we were there.

Reviewed by: SusanCV from PA, review #1052

When: 2004

Local crowd, good food

Directions: 2 entrances; one on Via della Liberti and the other on Via Ricasoli

This restaurant was reccomended to us by the wife of the owner of Il Poggiolo Montalcino (E. Roberto Cosimi), it is her favorite. It is truly a local place, we were the only visitors! The portions are small enough to have several. It seemed that people just kept ordering plates as the night went on. The beans and sausage was wonderful! It is very inexpensive.

Reviewed by: Jane from CA, review #501

When: 2003

We had read limited reviews of this Osteria indicating that it might be good. We did not enjoy the food, the ambience or the service.

Directions: In town on street leading down from fortress.

We ate here for lunch and found the food to be mediocre with not much of a selection. We thought the staff and the owner were rude, unwelcoming and unaccommodating. Definitely would not return and do not recommend it to fellow travelers.

Reviewed by: Monica from CO, review #411

When: 2002

Nice atmosphere, good food. Recommended in the Carla Capalbo book.

Directions: Near the fortress (1 block downhill). You can enter the front or rear from 2 different streets.

Nice atmosphere - it's built into an old city wall, so has very old brick walls, floors & ceilings. It's candle-lit. Carla Capalbo's book said it's open all afternoon, but it was closed from 3-7.

Pastas were homemade and delicious, your choice of fresh tomatoes or meat sauce - the tomato was VERY fresh. Soups were outstanding and fresh. Entrees were delicious, with the cinghiale and rabbit the standouts.

About $90 for 4 with soup, pasta, entrees, dessert & a great bottle of brunello.

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

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Montalcino: Osteria di Porta al Cassero

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