Great place in Chianti for birthday dinner?
 

I'm looking for a great place for dinner perhaps in Siena. I've heard Cane E Gato suggested; would it be a good choice? Arnofo's sounds great. We don't want to be too far from the villa we're renting which is 25 minutes north of Siena.

25 Minutes north of Siena? Would you drive to Castellina?

Ristorante al Gallopapa in Castellina, with its Michelin star, was the best meal we had in Tuscany, Umbria and Rome in two and a half weeks of great food this summer.
Tiziano, the owner, will definitely make your special day memorable.

Don't miss it. But figure 60-75 Euro per person minimum. They now serve lunch if that's an option.

Gallopappa's sounds great. Do you know what the roads would be like between Castellina and Barbarino as far as night driving?

You will not get out of Cane e Gato until perhaps after midnight and will be stuffed. And, the road bewtween Castellina and Poggibonsi has switchbacks---not suggested after dark.
I would stay close to home.

Bob, Do you have contact info for Cane E Gato? I'd rather avoid the curvy roads. Thanks

Better yet, look at www.divinacucina.com and see what she suggests closer to your base . She lives in Certaldo which may be closer for you, and that place in Colle is superb.

And, check out this one in Panzano.
Oltre il Giardino
Piazza Bucciarelli, 42
Tel: 055.852.828
Closed Monday

My friend Paolo Baldini has made a home away from home for you in Panzano! A fabulous converted house, with an incredible garden overlooking the Conca d'Oro (Golden Valley), where he serves traditional Tuscan meals at reasonable prices! We had great pasta with wild boar sauce, ribolitta, grilled asparagus, grilled pork sausages and ribs, the wonderful Peposo stew...and great desserts! Fabulous wine list and Paolo, being the head of the local sommeliers, is the one to know! Put yourself into his hands

Oltre Il Guardino sounds like a possibility. Has anyone tried Osteria di Pasignano in Tavarnelle? It sounds close and interesting.
And, Bob would the roads be easier between Barbarino to Panzabi than to Castellina? It's hard to tell from the map.

I'm uncertain of what maps and roads your are looking at but a very useful map is provided by the Chianti Classico consorzio. It shows much smaller roads, some of which are gravel, which provide far faster and easier access to the areas of Greve, Castellina and Panzano from Barberino. I made great use of these passages during a two week villa stay two years ago which was near Barberino--Villa Cinciano. The roads take some exploring but really turned into time savers into the Chianti areas. Try www.chianticlassico.com . Paul

I do not know that road but probably yes. The road just west of Castellina heading to Poggibonsi is the one to avoid. There are other routes to Castellina from the north. My point is to stay closer to home. I would hate to be the designated driver.

I do have the Chianti Classico map, one of the most useful for the area, but, it doesn't really indicate the topography. Thanks for the heads up on that road, which do you suggest?
Also I've read about Badia a Passignano are you familiar with it. It looks close to Barbarino.