Late last year in December 2008 a restaurant named Il Porto di San Donato opend for business at San Donato in Perano, Gaiole in Chianti (Siena). The name is an anticipation of the menu offered by this fine restaurant: “porto” in Italian is a port on the seaside where boats come in with fresh fish.

This is what you’ll enjoy eating here: the finest, freshest fish you can eat: a light exquisite mediterranean cuisine.

Il Porto di San Donato is opened every day all day.

The restaurant is articulated in different ambients with a fireplace making the atmosphere warm, relaxing, intimate, and ideal for a superb meal after a day out on excursions visiting the Chianti countryside.

Il Porto di San Donato is open from April to October every day – From November to Easter, and is closed on Mondays.

For further information and bookings: +39.0577 744104 (telephone and fax)

Hotel Villa San Paolo, a 4 star luxury hotel in Tuscany is offering a unique St. Valentine’s day proposition for you traveling to or visiting Tuscany.

• Saint Valentine’s Day “Delizia a due” February 14^th
  • 5 course Dinner for 2 at Ristorante Lampolla we featured back in November (a romantic dinner for 2 in San Gimignano Tuscany).
  • You’ll receive a free entry for 2 at the irisspa benessere fitness and wellness center, 2 free passes you can use the day after your Saint Valentine’s day dinner until April 7^th – advance booking is required.

Cost per couple: € 150,00

• Saint Valentine’s day “Piccante Cioccolato” (Spicy Chocolate) February 14^th
  • irispa benessere fitness and wellness center entry (10:00 AM to 10:00 PM) with free access to:
    • indoor and outdoor swinning pools both with warm water and hydro massage
    • sauna
    • turkish bath
    • tuscan aromarium
    • rugiade
    • cascades
    • kneipp iteneraries
    • summer storms
    • ice fountain
    • fitness room
  • 2 course lunch for 2 in front of the fireplace at the loliva bar (St. Valentine’s day menu, drinks are not included)
  • 25 minute chocolate massage for 2

Cost per couple: € 140,00

• Saint Valentines Day Piccante Cioccolato evening February 14^th
  • irispa benessere fitness and wellness center entry (6:00 PM to 10:00 PM) with free access to:
    • indoor and outdoor swimming pools both with warm water and hydro massage
    • sauna
    • turkish bath
    • tuscan aromarium
    • rugiade
    • cascades
    • kneipp itineraries
      
    • summer storms
    • ice fountain
    • fitness room
• romantic snack near the fireplace (St. Valentine’s day menu, drinks are not included) at the loliva bar (open until 01:00 AM)

Cost per couple: € 100,00

Borgo San Jacopo Restaurant in Florence is a restaurant transmitting a conscious return to the various original and authentic regional specialties of days gone by, revisiting the somewhat lost tradition of Sunday lunch that creates a personal atmosphere in which one can participate.

Considered as a place for friendly get-togethers, Borgo San Jacopo is the ideal mix between a Dining Room and local Club, a restaurant where the service and atmosphere effortlessly generate an ultimate personal relationship, never invasive or pretentious, with guests.

The décor by architect Michele Bönan was inspired by the energetic and sophisticated ‘glam’ of the 50’s, the Italian “new deal” and the birth of “Made in Italy”, an era also closely tied to the extraordinary creativity of Salvatore Ferragamo, the “shoemaker of dreams”.

To aid this interpretation, the walls are graced with re-produced designs, sketches and images of this magical fashion epoch. The two levels of dining enjoy an arch shaped window on the river and have an elongated architectural prospective.

The concept and refurbishment follow the contemporary design evolution of the Hotel Lungarno with which it shares a lounge.

The custom-made lighting reflects the atmosphere of a 50’s film and was designed guaranteeing intimacy and focusing on the centre of the table and its décor, without obscuring the view of the other guests. Two grand mirrors, positioned opposite one another in front of the mezzanine area, generate an infinite space, which transports the magical evening river view to the guests’ tables within the restaurant.

The soft linen and cotton furnishings in varying tones of white with grey mineral notes complement both the oak floors and the black/brown details, confirming a fresh yet classic character. The table décor boasts crystal glassware and fine porcelain that recall those from any fine dresser. The platter service discreetly underlines the home-style feeling.

On the gastronomic front, Borgo San Jacopo offers a legitimate response to society at large’s desire to rediscover the traditions of a bygone era, carefully reviewed and presented in a refreshingly modern, retro architectural setting.

The pleasurable significance and interpretation of the grand classics of Italian Cuisine have been trusted to chef Beatrice Segoni, owner of the renowned “Torcoletto” restaurant in Porto Recanati, Ancona.

Beatrice has admirably accepted the challenge of transmitting her experience and sensibility to Florence with the sound intent of recreating the art of good home style cooking with the utmost respect for seasonal produce and traditional products with which are offered “classics” such as “il fritto”, and home-made bread and pasta.

Special care has been taken to present a Wine List that, without excluding the widely known labels, also includes carefully selected wines from boutique vineyards.

Open exclusively for dinner from 7.30 to 10.30 PM, with the exception of Tuesday, Borgo San Jacopo seats 65 in the dining area plus the lounge which is dedicated to relaxation and conversation, maybe accompanied by a fine liquor, also benefiting from renowned service at the Hotel Lungarno.

Addition information on Borgo San Jacopo

• Info and Booking Ph. +39.055.281661 – Fax +39.055.291114 – Email: bsj@lungarnohotels.com
• Project and Interior Designer: Arch. Michele Bönan
• Project supervisor: Arch. Nino Solazzi
• Lighting design: Arch. Jan H.Van Lierde

Lungarno Hotels means Hospitality in:

• Florence: Continentale Contemporary Pleasing Hotel, Hotel Lungarno, Gallery Hotel Art, Lungarno Suites, Villa Le Rose
• Rome: Portrait Suites

For Meetings and Events:

• Florence: Sala Poccetti a Palazzo Capponi, Sala Guarnieri presso l’Hotel Lungarno

Restaurants

• Florence: Ristorante Borgo San Jacopo, (The Fusion Bar) SHOZAN-GALLERY

Retail

Florence: Hotel Lungarno Details

www.lungarnohotels.com

PR office LUNGARNO HOTELS: Elisa Francini, Tel. +39.055.27266800, press@lungarnohotels.com

Another great restaurant in San Gimignano, Tuscany, you’ll certainly wish to visit during your holiday is the Lampolla Restaurant at Hotel Villa San Paolo …

A special place with a unique atmosphere ideal to celebrate a special event or just to be with your loved one and rediscover the pleasure of an intimate evening together: this is a restaurant you’ll definitely wish to visit.

Flavors of foods and wines combine with carefully designed interior decorations and lighting play a significant role in the entire experience and make the Lampolla Restaurant in San Gimignano Tuscany a unique experience that will exceed your expectations …

You’ll enjoy the perfect balance between tradition and contemporary taste. The wonderful views on the Tuscan hills from the terrace will complete your experience and make your dinner unforgettable.

Villa San Paolo
Strada Provinciale per Certaldo
53037 San Gimignano – SIENA, Tuscany
Tel. +39 0577 955100 Fax +39 0577 955113
info@villasanpaolo.com

Of the many luxury hotels in Tuscany taking part in the Hotel Relais Consortium today I’d like to tell you about Hotel Certosa di Maggiano and the famous Il Canto Restaurant one of the most famous restaurants in Tuscany and a must for those seeking refined cuisine at the highest levels.

Il Canto Restaurant was recently reviewed by 2 of the most prestigious guides on Italy: the Guida dell’Espresso awarded an 18/20 score and the Gambero Rosso a flattering 93 points confirming once again “three forks”.

Il Canto Restaurant gets its name from an old farm belonging to the Carthusian monastery still producing olive oil, fruit, and vegetables, the basic ingredients of the many dishes featured on the menu.

One of the peculiarities of this fine restaurant in Tuscany, is the number of places where lunch or dinner is served, depending on the season.

The rustic kitchen decorated with age-old branches and the patio are the ideal place for simple, informal lunches.

Depending on the season, dinner can be served in the dining room which offers a plethora of unique, beautiful furnishings, or beneath the ogival arches of the main cloister.

Cooking is based on Simplicity and authenticity fostering the creation of unique gastronomical delights based on healthy fresh products: olive oil, fruit and vegetables are grown in a garden cultivated by the restaurant

La Certosa di Maggiano was built in 1314 with a long and interesting historical background, involved in the 16^th century war between France and Spain, is now a 4 star hotel and maintains the prestige and historical atmosphere that makes this hotel such an interesting stay in Tuscany.

For more information:

Relais & Chateaux
Hotel Certosa di Maggiano
Ristorante Il Canto
Strada di Certosa, 82/86
53100 – Siena – Tuscany – Italy
Phone +39 0577 288 180 Email: info@certosadimaggiano.it

see also the post about best tuscan restaurants