Bracali - MASSA MARITTIMA

My daughter and son-in-law's birthdays are 2 days apart and they chose this restaurant for their combo celebration. I was lucky enough to be in Italy at the time. First, the service was impeccable down to the fact that you received a new napkin on a silver platter if you used the restroom during the meal. As a decorative artist the Verscace dinner ware didn't go past me. My water glass was never empty. The dishes served went beyond my expectations. Each was delicious, unique and pared well with the next. There were 5 of us and we were all amazed. The desserts were also magical. Like works of art really. Is Bracali expensive? Yes, and it should be. What you receive is much more than just a good meal. You get an experience that heightens your senses, takes you beyond your imagination. Perhaps the word is transformational? Not sure but I do know that you could easily spend this much in New York City at a top restaurant that at the end of the day wouldn't compare. I highly recommend Bracali to anyone traveling in the area of Massa Marittima.

This is definitely a hidden gem in the Ghirlanda countryside and I am not sure how you would get here without a car. As I have described in earlier reviews, the interior is very modern and extremely elegantly furnished. We booked for lunch and unfortunately we were about a half an hour late as we had problems booking into our accommodation in nearby Massa Marrittima. We phoned to let the restaurant know and it was no problem at all. There were three different menu choices the Al la Carte, the Classic degustation (EUR 170-00 per person) or the Frank degustation (EUR 190-00 per person). We chose the Frank menu which started with an amuse bouche, followed by four appertisers including a spritzer, six smaller primi dishes, the main (pigeon or beef), cheese, one dessert and eight different types of petit fours. Some of the dishes were on the menu last year, for example the onion soup, the pigeon and the petit fours, but we did not mind as all of the dishes were quite delicious and wonderfully plated with lots of different textures, aromas and flavours. There were also five different types of house made bread plus a gluten free option. Another wonderful range of dishes by self taught Chef Francesco. The wine list is very extensive with a good range of Italian and other wines at various price points. We had a 2008 bottle of Fugace which cost EUR 70-00. Luca, Francesco 's brother, is the maitre 'd and an excellent sommelier. The service was very formal whilst being both friendly and very efficient. Watching Luca decant the wine is an experience in itself.

Hidden gem. Off the beaten track, in Massa Marittima, but most definitely worth a visit. Run by two brothers presenting an exquisite culinary selection. We had the most wonderful experience (esp recommended the beef tartare of carne Chianina and the pigeon). Highly recommended.

Unique experience! we tried the frank degotation menu, perfect from the first to the last flow. It was an emotion to find the Maremma tradition represented in the beautiful creations of francesco. also the combination of surprising wines.

Francesco e Luca Brancali sono molto simpatico. Francesco cooks on a top level, Luca is the niciest waiter ever, but it is to expensive. U have the classici menu, u can add 2 more plates or you can choose for the 3 or 4 dishes, so they wont throw away food, cause they will cook what they have. The ingredients are not expensive, no lobster, no white truffle and prices of 170 to 190 euro is because of the 2 stars. When we had lunch it was my wife and I and one very big guy (he ould eat! . Make it half the price and your restaurant is full. Finishing with an espresso for 10 euro is 10x times as much because of the shining stars. Then better go to Il Frantoio in Montescudaio where Simone is in the kitchen (he has worked at Bracali . Top quality for a quarter of the price