While we had some nice meals in Rome, I can easily say that Tuscany had the best food of the trip and that includes our meals in Florence and in the countryside.  The food in Tuscany was definitely heavier with a focus on pastas with meat sauces, ragus, massive bone-in steaks and braised meat and game dishes.

The highlight of the trip and one that was completely unplanned was a dinner at the Michelin-starred La Grotta restaurant in Montepulciano.  We had originally planned to do a big Florentine steak dinner at a restaurant in Montepulciano but it turned out to be closed so we asked our hotel manager for a recommendation and he made arrangements for us to eat at La Grotta.  Apparently it’s a very well known restaurant and in the summertime, you need reservations weeks in advance but we got one last minute and were only one of two tables dining there that evening.  We did the tasting menu and it was worth every penny!  Lots of food porn shots below.

Our hotel had a restaurant with a lovely patio terrace but they were only one the day we arrived as it was low season.  In November, be prepared for many local restaurants in the countryside to be closed.  Our hotel did an incredible sampler platter of the local pecorino cheese and honey – it is a must try in Tuscany!

We also did a lunch at a local winery one day called Le Ripi.  They served us a platter of local charcuterie and pecorino cheeses, followed by a salad made with greens from their biodynamic farm and then a homemade lasagna, all paired with Brunello wines.  You may notice that everything in Tuscany is locally sourced and it was so fresh and delicious!

I really want to come back and visit the Chianti region next!