Osteria Le Panzanelle

After a day of Wine Tasting, or if you're just exploring the Chianti countryside, make Osteria Le Panzanelle your resting spot for a grand lunch or dinner and a fine bottle of local vino.

This little place is off the touristic track, located about 5 km south of Panzano and on the road connecting Luccarelli and Radda in Chianti.  It might be a bit challenging to find, but don't give up.

This place is a locavore's dream.  All local recipes made from all local ingredients.  The dynamic menu changes with the seasons, so what you find depends on when you go.  I've been fortunate to taste their dishes in all 4 seasons, and I'll say that there isn't a "best time" to go to Osteria Le Panzanelle. Just go.

Try spring greens and wild asparagus in the Spring, go for pasta with black truffles out on the shaded patio in the Summer. The wild boar dishes with a lovely bottle of Chianti Classico Riserva is divine in the Autumn, the air aromatic with the smell of the grape harvest.  And in the Winter, give the venison stew a try if a local hunter has been lucky that day.

This place fills up with locals, so book a reservation with Nada in advance or you may go away hungry and sad.  Send her an email with a few days' notice, or call if you like (or ask your hotel to call for you).  Don't forget that you're in Italy:  that means lunch from ~1 PM to 3PM, and dinner from 8 PM to ~10 PM.  No early lunches or dinners.