Antica Trattoria "La Torre"

As I have mentioned before, Sunday lunch in Italy is a wonderful time to gather with friends and family, to share a long meal and conversation. We searched the guide books, Gambero Rozzo and the Gambero Rosso and found a charming place in Castellina in Chianti. The town is of Etruscan and Roman origin with an ancient history.

It was a very breezy day with temperatures down to 2 C, so we did not take the time to wander around town. Instead we made a beeline to the bar, located just a few steps from the Piazza del Commune, had an aperitivo, chatted and enjoyed the sun as it streamed through the large windows then bundled up and headed off to lunch. This bar could easily be described as a town hangout, equipped with a foosball table, bathrooms and pinball machines. There was even a poker room in the back, which prohibited minors from entering.

The restaurant was cozy, it's walls warm with rich yellow hues. The table was set with a thick, matching ochre tablecloth and cranberry colored napkins. In Tuscany, meat and oil are kings. The average Florentine steak can weigh as much as 2 kilos, meat sauces on pasta are common as is cured meats and the greenest olive oil you've ever seen. I usually indulge in a great steak when I come to Tuscany and this time it was no different. I did however break up the meat fest with a winter salad of radicchio, pecorino cheese and walnuts and a spicy house ragu with spaghetti alla chitarra.


The anti pasta plate consisted of various mixed cured meats, tomato bruschetta, crostini topped with liver pate, and fried polenta.


This tagliata is a giant steak grilled over a wood fire then cut and served at the table, usually on a bed of arugula. This meat tastes like meat should taste, not bland but with a nice earthy, beefy flavor. Just delicious!


Castellina in Chianti: is located in the north of the province of Siena and on the border with the province of Florence. Look forward to long, winding roads with wonderful views of vineyard after vineyard.

From: Siena 18 Km - Florence 50 Km - Arezzo 65 Km

Antica Trattoria "La Torre"
Piazza del Commune
Castellina in Chianti (SI)
+39 05 77/74 02 36
Open on Sunday, reservations recommended on the weekends

All contents copyright 2004-2006.
All rights reserved.