Tuscan Burgers & Vino

I love it when my family visit and at the moment I am fortunate to have my younger brother Chris staying in Versilia for a month with his wife Mas and gorgeous two year old son, Cooper.  They all came and spent last weekend with us so it was a wonderful excuse to return to Panzano in Chianti for lunch at well known locale, Mac Dario owned by the very talented Dario Cecchini.

The last time that Chris and Mas visited, Cooper was only 6 months old (quite the jet-setter already!) As we ate at Cecchini’s first restaurant, ‘Solo Ciccia’ (just meat) during this visit, we thought it would be good for them to see the less formal, more casual restaurant, plus much quicker service when you have a two year old present!

Mac Dario, a play on Dario’s name and another famous burger ‘restaurant’………….. is incredibly good value for the wonderful quality of Tuscan food delivered.  There are two main choices on the menu so if you are not a meat eater, it is best that you avoid any of Cecchini’s restaurants.  He is a butcher by trade, passionate about the preparation of his local Chianina beef and other Tuscan meats and this is the theme of both places.

The first choice on the menu is the Dario, which costs 10 euro and consists of the following :

• a 250gm burger coated in bread crumbs
• potatoes roasted with sage and garlic
• tomato and onion
• home made ‘Chianti Ketchup’, chilli sauce and mustard

The second choice, Accoglienza at 20 euro, is very generous and consists of :

• pinzimonio of fresh garden vegetables served with Tuscan olive oil and Cecchini’s special salt
• ‘Chianti Sushi’ – Beef Tartare
• ‘Chianti Tuna’ – shredded pork served with onions
• Roast Pork
• Meatloaf

All meals are accompanied by wonderful Tuscan bread, and upon request water, Cecchini’s Tuscan wine, beer and grappa at the end of the meal.

We finished our meal with coffee which is served with a beautiful cake made with olive oil and pine nuts.

About forty minutes from Florence, Mac Dario is a must visit stop on anyone’s Tuscan tour.  The staff are incredibly welcoming, the food exceptional and the Chianti countryside breathtaking!

The lovely and very entertaining waiter, Dante and his dedication to our unborn child.