One of the many attractions of Italy is the food - there is very good reason why Italian food is popular all over the world! Italians generally eat fairly simply, but do so very well - they eat seasonally and eat fresh, local produce and always with generous amounts of olive oil (the many benefits of an olive oil rich diet are well documented). Here in Tuscany you will find many restaurants to eat in - the majority are simple trattoria offering uncomplicated but delicious local, seasonal meals with very reasonably priced (and decent) wine to wash it down with. There are also enotecas dotted around, which are wine bars that will give you small snacks to accompany your wine. Although the wine in enotecas is normally of a higher standard, it’s still not expensive. If you really want to splash out, then Tuscany is not without its Michelin-starred restaurants, the nearest of which is just outside Lucca, about 20 miles away. Our local area has a good selection of eateries ranging from bars and takeaways (Italian style) in the town of Pescia to some excellent family- run restaurants in the nearby villages. We keep a list of recommendations in the apartment - and make a point of undertaking thorough research to keep the list up to date! But if you’ve had a busy day, you may just want to hide away in the tranquility of the patio and enjoy your dinner and wine as you watch the sun go down over the hills. There is a BBQ on the patio for use by guests - charcoal can easily be obtained from local supermarkets. We also often have some of our own produce available to purchase, fresh free-range eggs, our own olive oil, organic honey, seasonal vegetables from the garden and even Shiitake mushrooms grown on logs from our woodland.

Useful links: A fairly comprehensive list of restaurants in the local area on the Town Council website Da Nerone (restaurant) in Pietrabuona A 20-minute walk from the apartment, Da Nerone offers typical Tuscan cuisine as well as pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven and has a lovely garden for outside dining in the summer months. Trattoria Manero in Vellano Typical Tuscan trattoria offering excellent grilled meat with stunning views down the valley. Trattoria Lina in Macchino Typical Tuscan trattoria food with a twist, as well as freahly made pizza in their wood fired oven. Da Carla (restaurant ) in Sorana Specialises in home cooked food, wood fired pizza and the famous Sorana bean. Da Sandrino (restaurant ) in Sorana Also specialises in the famous Sorana bean as well as excellent quality home cooked food. Locanda Zacco (restaurant) in Goraiolo Delightfully cosy and quirky restaurant in the small village of Goraiolo above Vellano. Friendly service with a focus on delicious local produce. La Cantina Nobile (enoteca) in Pescia A grown up wine bar with a lovely atmosphere and occasionally live music, only open evenings. La Buca Gasthaus in Pescia A large selection of imported beers and German-style comfort food, expect plenty of sausages. Lucignolo (restaurant) in Uzzano (just outside Pescia) Good value modern dining with a nod towards fine dining while using local and traditional ingredients. Antica Cantina Toti (restaurant) in Gragnano (a little way outside Pescia) A surprising find off the main road to Lucca, this delightful restaurant is located in the wine cellar of an old vineyard. The food offerings are always great value and superbly cooked (try the worker’s lunch ‘pranzo di lavoro’ at €10 for two courses with wine and coffee), and the excellent wines, blended on site, can even be bought to take away. Osteria del Vento (restaurant) in Montecarlo A definite step up in dining without blowing the budget La Terrazza Pizzeria in Montecarlo A lovely friendly restaurant that specialises in pizzas (but also offers other dishes) with stunning panoramic views - great value and unbeatable views. One of our favourites!