Typical Food and Wine in Siena
Being so close to the Chianti region results in many cuts of meat – beef or even wild boar – being braised or slowly stewed in red wine to produce Stracotto or Brasato al Chianti. A variation of this stew adds a head of garlic and a generous amount of pepper to produce Peposo. To accompany main courses popular side seasonal dishes feature Porcini mushrooms amassed by jealous collectors or Carciofi, the flexible artichoke that may be marinated, fried or stuffed.
To finish on a high, Tiramisù, literally a ‘pick me up’, is the ubiquitous cold coffee-flavoured dessert consisting of coffee-drenched ladyfingers layered with a whipped mixture of eggs, sugar and mascarpone cheese flavoured with cocoa. No wonder it’s the dessert of choice.
Market Days close to Siena, Tuscany
MONDAYS – Casole d’Elsa (1st & 3rd), Radicondoli (2nd & 4th)
TUESDAYS – Empoli, Poggibonsi, San Miniato, Gambassi Terme, Montespertoli
WEDNESDAYS – Barberino Val d’Elsa, Certaldo
THURSDAYS – Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Empoli
FRIDAYS – Colle di Val d’Elsa, Montaione
SATURDAYS – Castelfiorentino, Certaldo, Staggia, Montespertoli
Good Restaurants close to Siena
Osteria Casolani– Casole d’Elsa, Tel: +39 0577 948733
La Pergola– Radicondoli, Tel: +39 0577 790717
Il Granaio – Radicondoli, Tel: +39 0577 550791 or 393 1033287
Bar dell’Orso – Monteriggioni, Tel: +39 0577 305074
Osteria Antico Travaglio – Monteriggioni, Tel: +39 0577 1651764
Ristorante Arnolfo – Colle di Val d’Elsa, Tel: +39 0577 920549
L’Antica Trattoria – Colle di Val d’Elsa, Tel: +39 0577 923747
Le Vecchie Mura – San Gimignano, Tel: +39 0577 940270
Osteria del Vicario – Certaldo Alto, Tel: 0571 667809
La Mangiatoia – San Gimignano, Tel: +39 0577 941094
C’era una Volta – Lucardo, Montespertoli, Tel: +39 0571 669578