I really have been trying to read all the threads on this question, but I'm looking for more ideas.

Do you have a special restaurant to recommend in southern Tuscany for a nice dinner, that serves regional food, could be expensive but not necessarily? (la Chiusa in Montefollinico is on my list) A place that would be likely to serve fresh porcini and cinghiale (wild boar) in the Fall?

And here's the other half of the question. We're staying at a place way out in the country (we usually stay in towns, where we can walk to dinner), southwest of Chiusi, and it'll be in October. Is it difficult or a hassle driving on unlit Tuscan back roads at night? Even Montefollinico looks pretty far from our lodging, given the size of the roads.

I've had a bad week, so I'm looking for some mouth-watering descriptions of great restaurants, that will lift my spirits and keep me looking forward to our trip to Italy...

La Grotta near Montepulciano would be much closer and very good. And, someone talks about a place near Chiusi named Villa Patriarca[sp]

Not southern Tuscany, but just over the border in Umbria is Panicale, sitting on top of a hill overlooking Lago Trasimeno. Two excellent restaurants:

LE GROTTE DI BOLDRINO: Via V. Ceppari 30
Tel: (+39) 075 - 837161
Fax: (+39) 075 - 837166

MASOLINO: V. Roma 7
Tel: (+39) 075 837151

Make reservations. And get good directions...it's dark out there at night.

This may be a bit out of the way, but three years ago we had a spectular dinner at Il Borro, outside Arrezzo. It's a restored village/Tuscan style resort with a fantastic osteria. I had a delicious pasta with wild boar sauce. It would be fun to make an afternoon of it, wandering through the village before dinner.

www.ilborro.com

Just outside of Chiusi is Il Patriarca. The dining room is fabulous; food and service. I believe we had 5-6 courses of seasonal and regional specialties. While I know we did have suckling pig, I don't recall seeing any cinghiale on the menu, but it seemed to be offered at nearly every other restaurant in the area (Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza), perhaps most often in a ragu.
As always, I recommend packing the Michelin Guida Rossa for restaurant info.
Have a great trip.

In April, 2003, I stayed in Montefollonico at La Costa. You all may laugh, but my best meal in that area was at a tiny restaurant, right in Montefollonico, called 13 Gobbi. I had pigeon, my son had rabbit, and I don't remember what my DH ate! It was awesome, and not so expensive, but truly authentic. I recommend it highly.

A couple of years ago, we found La Solita Zuppa in the upper, historic center of Chiusi. These are my notes:

Charming, traditional decor in a 17th century building. The owner walks you through your choices and has really thought out what is to be available each night. This isn't a place with a nine page menu. Typical Tuscan cuisine based on what's fresh today. Go for the whole meal. This was really among the top meals we had in all of Italy over 3 weeks time!

Favorite Dish:
A light antipasti of pears, cheese and nuts. Or maybe it was the primi of Pici with duck ragout. But then the wild boar was especially tasty....

Address:
Via Porsenna, 21

This thread was just topped! More info here.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...t=0&screen

As I just replied on another thread:

If you're in the Arezzo/Siena area...there is a little town just off the autostrada called Monte San Savino. In this town there is an incredible restaurant called Lo Steccheto (signs from the exit). The food is incredible, price is right, the atmosphere inside is a festive sort of montage to the life of the owner, and outside is like dining in the Garden of Eden. The owner, Giancarlo, is a wonderful person who makes you feel better for knowing him. They've a guest book where one can read the many, many testimonials of previous visitors. No matter where you are in central/ southern Tuscany , this restaurant is highly recommended.

www.losteccheto.com

Directions - Come off the autostrada at Monte San Savino exit. After passing through the toll booth turn left towards Monte S. Savino. About 30 yards after passing an Esso on the right you will make a left. Go down this road for about 2.5 miles and the restaurant is on the left. Dinners start around 7 P.M.

I can promise you a wonderful and memorable experience. Many have actually said it was their best evening in Tuscany. Giancarlo loves Americans!

- Jonathan

We loved Latte di Luna in Pienza for typical dishes, good service and nice ambience at reasonable prices. We walked up during the day and made a reservation for dinner.

I'll second Il Patriarca. We stayed at the hotel which was fabulous and the dinner we there was very special. They have all the theatrical serving with the plates brought out covered and each plate is uncovered simultaneously by a different waiter. http://www.tuscany.net/patriarca/

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned, I'm looking for restaurants in southern Tuscany, as we're staying way out in the countryside and will have to drive home in the dark on tiny roads after a long and lovely meal - I'll save all the too-far-away recommendationss for our NEXT Italy trip!

Any suggestions on the cinghiale and/or porcini front?

Or you might want to make lunch your big meal at these restaurants so you will be finished before it is dark. Som roads are just fine to drive at night, others are not.

My suggestion would be Buccon di Vino just outside the gates of Montalcino. It is a wonderful old Tuscan stone house on a hill overlooking the rolling countryside. The food was delicious and beautifully presented, with the nicest staff.

The restaurant at Relais Il Falconiere right outside of Cortona is divine. And whatever you do, do NOT miss La Chiusa. Buon appetito!