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San Gimignano: Ristorante Dorando

Vicolo dell'Oro 2 , Phone: 0577.941.862
www.ristorantedorando.it
Closing day: Monday

Reviewed by: sharonzuk from NJ, review #1573

When: 2005

Many guidebooks call this the best restaurant in San Gimignano- and I have to agree. I'd go back to San G. just to have another meal here!

I wandered by this restaurant and thought it looked interesting (and it was a Slow Food restaurant, so I knew it would be good). I went back and made a reservation for that evening. Since I was traveling alone on this trip, I was interested to see how they'd treat a solo woman.

Dorando exceeded my expectations. When I arrived, I was taken to a nice table - not a horrible table next to the kitchen or bathrooms (which happens too often to solo women diners). The table was already set for one, so I didn't have to sit through the removal of the other place setting. The service remained gracious throughout the entire meal. They also asked if I wanted an Italian language or English menu, instead of just automatically bringing the English menu.

My meal: Stuffed porcino-mushroom top on egg white fritter in caper sauce Gnocchi with carrots and other vegetables, topped with truffle shavings Lamb chops with a rosemary crust, potato kebab, and sauteed spinach Wine: It was hard to pick a wine from the great wine list, but I selected a "Super Tuscan" Il Bruciato 2002 (Bolgheri DOC) It's a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon/30% Merlot/10% Syrah. Dessert: I was too stuffed, but the espresso came with three delicious chocolate truffles

The restaurant? I'll let their website tell the story: "Dorandò is a small and cosy restaurant for people who consider good food one of the pleasures of life. Set in the heart of San Gimignano, between the charming Piazza Duomo and Piazza Cisterna, it is part of a 14th century building. It consists of three private rooms with vaulted roofs and imposing stone walls, all furnished in a simple elegant style and adorned with works of painters from San Gimignano." I absolutely agree.

Reviewed by: SusanCV from PA, review #1049

When: 2004

Classy and absolutely divine!

Directions: just off Piazza Duomo

You should have reservations, even for lunch. We had lunch and were the first to arrive at 12:30. The service is high end, menu is complicated (fancy) and the food is superb!! None of the four of us were very hungry, so we had only one plate each. Each of us would close our eyes and just moan, it was that good. It is expensive and be prepared for a long meal, even for lunch.

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

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San Gimignano: Ristorante Dorando

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