Just got back from Kim’s birthday trip to Tuscany. Gastronomic highlights included:

  • Pizza in Pisa: Down a side alley away from the tourist traps I found a small pizzeria that was full of locals - proof enough that it was going to be special. And it was.
  • Il Pozzo in the Garfagnana: After a casual drive through the mountains north of Pisa, we stopped off for lunch at a village restaurant, Il Pozzo. I think we were the only tourists having lunch there that day and the place was full. I’d have to say that this was the best taste of Tuscan food we had. Sam’s Gnocchi was amazing. Kim had perfectly charred beef ribs cooked in a wood burning oven that was visible from the dining room. I had farro salad and sausages with white beans.
  • Florence: Expensive. We just snacked on sandwiches.
  • The Coast: At the resort, Kim had a wonderful seafood foil bake with several kinds of fresh fish plus baby zucchini, tiny clams, and prawns. On the following day we walked along the seaside in Marina di Pisa and Tirrenia. I had a one of a kind panini with wild boar ham, cheese, asparagus cream and truffle cream.
  • Gelato: Oh yes.

If you ever go to Tuscany and plan to make a gastro-tour, I highly recommend the book Tasting Tuscany. It’s a tour guide and recipe book in one.

I only wish we had a few more days holiday…