   Panzano is 35 kilometers from both Florence and Siena on the 222 highway between Florence and Siena, the strada di vino. It's only 3 kilometers up the hill from Greve in Chianti. Antica Macelleria Cecchini Via XX Luglio, 11R (next to the post office) Tel: 055/85.20.20 Closed Wednesday Open Sunday 10-2 Other days 9-7 (Market day in Panzano) SOLOCICCIA, Dario's new place Read about it here Open Thursday-Saturday, 7-9 Sunday lunch Tel: 055/85.27.27 Fixed menu € 30/person Credit cards accepted Tons of food, meat, & two veggies House wine or bring your own bottles, no corkage fee |
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  ante Alighieri and Michelangelo's Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, has joined the 21st century. There are four McDonald's in Florence and more cell phones and SUVs than you can believe. The air pollution is only outdone by the noise pollution from the motorino's called Vespa's zooming by you on the streets. However, hidden away in the heart of Chianti is a man who's preserving the traditions and quality of Italian life.
The Antica Macelleria Cecchini runs as it has for 250 years! Macelleria means "butcher shop" in Italian, but this is much more. When you walk into this bottega in Panzano in Chianti, you're stepping into the past. Time stops. The owner, Dario Cecchini, is a Renaissance man. More than that, an Etruscan! Walking into his bottega, your senses are immediately overwhelmed. The aroma of fresh herbs and spices, whole prosciutto's aging on the wall, classical music filling the air. Sometimes there's even a touch of Dean Martin, Renzo Arbore, or the Buena Vista Social Club. You'll find customers sipping Dario's wine and sampling preserved meats as they wait for their turn at the counter. Not unusual for Panzano, a charming community in Chianti Dario calls paese dei golosi, or "village of gourmands." (Some customers come from as far away as the lake region with their refrigerated bags to take home provisions until the next trip.) Here time stands still. Shopping Antica Macelleria Cecchini can take several hours. Each customer is treated to Dario's stories, polite gossip about mutual friends, and the latest news. With your order come recipes for the preparation, Dario's way of preserving the traditions of Tuscany and Chianti. Dario works with the University of Florence to preserve many of the traditional foods that are endangered species. He unites farmers and restaurant owners to continue producing and serving local products. Dario's shop has a lower room, which is a temple to his heritage. Here you may find an art show, a wine tasting, perhaps even a concert, or a visiting chef grazing on his creations. It's Dario's second home. If you have a kitchen while staying in Tuscany, you'll be able to try some of his exceptional products and creations. Stop by and say "Ciao!" Thank you Dario for existing! Check out one of Dario's recipes for Florentine roast beef. 
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David Lebovitz Kate Hill Paulette Mitchell Benita Leo Piazzesi Gianni Migliorini Germana Conti Gabriele Ferron Osteria Luchin Federico Bacci Gastronomia Perini Romeo Colzi Dario Cecchini Mimmo Baldi Donatella Lauteri Giovanni Cappelli Fabio Picchi Andrea Francini FUTURE PROFILES! 
 Click here to find Dario's Arrosto Fiorentino |