Trattoria del Pennello - Tasty Tuscan Comfort Food

Another restaurant we enjoyed in Italy in July was Trattoria Casa di Dante "del Pennello," also known as Ristorante il Pennello (http://www.ilpennello.it). In particular, I really enjoyed a couple of dishes unique to Tuscany. My choice of this restaurant was based on Trip Advisor reviews.

Trattoria del Pennello

Our grandson and granddaughter both had ravioli with ricotta, spinach, butter, and sage for €9 each.

Our daughter had spaghetti alla carbonara for €7.

Those were dishes that are available in many parts of Italy. However, I had two terrific Tuscan dishes.

First I had La Carabaccia Soup. It was wonderful. The ingredients include onions, carrots, celery, vegetable broth, extra virgin olive oil, toasted bread, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. (Toasted bread is used in many Tuscan soup recipes as a way to use day-old bread. It works great.) This dish cost €6. I intend to try making it.

As a second course, I had a Tuscan version of pork and beans - Salsicce e Fagioli all'Uccelletto - sausage and cannellini beans "little bird style." Several Internet sources indicate that "little bird style" may refer to the fact that the seasonings used are similar to those used in dishes using small birds. In Italy, Tuscans are sometimes referred to as "Mangiafagioli" (Bean eaters.) This dish was very tasty and cost €12. I also want to try cooking this dish.

Inside Trattoria del Pennello

For dessert, we all had Tuscan desserts. Three had tiamisu and I had Zuppa Inglese, which is similar to English trifle. Each dessert cost €5.

The wine I chose was a 2009 Brolio Chianti Classico from Barone Ricasoli for €24. It was very nice. The Ricasoli winery is where the modern recipe for Chianti wine was created in the 19th Century by Baron Bettino Ricasoli, the "Iron Baron" who was the second Prime Minister of a reunited Italy. The castle where the winery is located has been owned by the Ricasoli family since 1141 AD. It is the oldest winery in Italy, and the second oldest in the world.

My daughter and I were each given a free glass of limoncello.

Unlike many other local restaurants, there was no cover charge.

Our total bill for four was €90.

The restaurant is located at Via Dante Aleghieri 4, about 3 blocks north of Piazza della Signoria.