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Montalcino: Ristorante di Poggio Antico

Reviewed by: Robin R from USA, review #1072

When: 2004

Food and wine: divine. Sunset view: breathtaking.

Directions: At the gates of Montalcino

We had no complaints. Every morsel was divine. We paid about €60 for 2 people. The drive there alone was so charming! Reserve a table outside. Evenings may be cool, so bring a shawl or light jacket.

Reviewed by: Sandra Pierce from IL, review #992

When: 2004

Special restaurant for those who enjoy fine dining and fine wines; not just a neighborhood spaghetti joint.

Wonderful fine dining experience. We went for Sunday lunch and sat at a beautiful outdoor table with marvelous views of the Tuscan countryside. Tables were spread out and not bunched together on one terrace.

There were 2 set menus (piccolo: 4 courses and grande: 5 courses) as well as an ala carte menu. My two children had pasta with pomodoro and 1 person out of the remaining 9 in our group had ala carte. The rest of us chose the piccolo menu. We were each given 4 different types of rolls - tomato/basil, walnut, rosemary, and parmesan - all yummy. Our amuse buche was pecorino cheese with bits of tomato and basil. For the first course, we had a choice of melon and assorted salamis or panzanella (their variation on the tomato/bread salad). The second course was biboli - hand shaped strips of pasta with a light Bolognese sauce. The third course was peposa - slow cooked beef in Chianti with mashed potatoes - very tender and flavorful.

The dessert course was chef's choice. We all got plates with several different gelati and either a spice cake or chocolate cake. The coconut-mint gelato stands out in my mind. With waters, 4 bottles of Poggio Antico wines, and coffees, the bill was about €700.

The food is not typical heavy Tuscan fare. Our server said that no creams are used and all sauces are lighter so the meal and wines can be fully enjoyed. After your meal, you can visit the shop to purchase some of the excellent Poggio Antico wines.

Reviewed by: Arney from NJ (www.italyvilla.com), review #441

When: 2000

Gourmet. Best meal I've had in 14 trips to Italy.

Directions: 4 kms SW of town on the road to Grosseto

My Montalcino hotel recommended this restaurant to me and were they ever right. Chef Roberto Minnetti knows how to cook. I had the Menu a Degustazione, the chef's 6- or 7-course tasting menu. The portions are small, so you can handle it. Was about U.S. $55 for one person, including a glass of Brunello, and well worth it. A first-rate gourmet experience. The service is Old World formal and deferential. Reservations required. Poggio Antico is a Brunello-producing estate and has a wine shop.

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

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Montalcino: Ristorante di Poggio Antico

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