Southern Tuscany

[jeffandnat]

Our family has booked a villa near Sarteano for this summer. We are looking for a few great restaurant picks, worthwhile markets, vineyards and cooking classes in and around Sarteano, Chiusi, and Montepulciano. We will be traveling with a 9 year old, so nothing too formal. Thanks in advance!

[alohatoall]

I should also have recommended the Osteria del Merlo, via Sobborgo 1, in nearby Cetona, and the Ristorante I Lecci several miles outside of Castiglione d'Orcia, which would make a beautiful drive from Sarteano.

[alohatoall]

Probably the best in Sarteano is the Osteria Da Gagliano, via Roma 5, just off the main piazza in the old town.

[DavidT]

Not sure about Sarteano, but there have been past threads with comments on dining in Montepucliano, Chiusi, Pienza and Montalcino.. Be sure to go to the upper right-hand corner of this page and do a search for each of these towns. You should find some helpful recommendations.

Here is a thread from last summer about "One week outside of Montepulciano"

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/849687

Here is another one that should be of interest:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/684537

[jeffandnat]

DavidT, Thanks for the links. I have been searching those cities and have found some great stuff. Thought I would throw out Sarteano in a new post, since that is the town we are staying in.
Cheers!

[DavidT]

Here is a NY Times article on Southern Tuscany/Val d'Orcia:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/...