In early June on our way down to Sicily we stayed in Tuscany where we visited Panzano -- a hilltop town we used to visit many years ago. One of the unique features had always been Dario's butcher. Back when we first encountered Dario, he played classical music in his butcher store, entertained shoppers waiting for his delicious cuts by distributing wine and bread. Since those days he has become an Italian culinary sensation and tv star, whose meats and secret herb spices are sought out by those in the know.
We were therefore encouraged to see that Dario has moved beyond a butchery (word?) and has opened Solo Ciccia -- a restaurant featuring, of course, the best meat cuts of the region. Here's how it worked: we were sat at a table for fourteen, were offered wine and were served only once all guests had arrived. We were amused to see that the last four guests were making a commotion at the other end of the table -- it turns out that one of their party was vegetarian and thus chose to spend the next couple of hours wondering the village instead.
The meal was, well, meaty. Probably so much so that we will not seek out a meat-intense menu for the next several months. And whilst the meat might not bring us back in a hurry, the ambience and Dario's charms and warm welcome will certainly continue to lure us back.
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