Callistemo - SCANSANO

People come to Tuscany for many reasons. But most come for the picturesque settings, the great weather and the glorious, simple, honest food and excellent wines. And this is exactly what you get at Ristorante Callistemo, with an incredibly warm welcome to wrap it all up in. Based inside an idyllic agriturismo, with views over the farm hills, you're welcomed by Enrico, the owner of this third generation business started by his grandfather. A charming and lively man who took his time to explain the food's origins and talked us through their small but perfectly formed wine list (which is also incredibly priced as they produce the grapes for the wine makers and can therefore sell at almost retail prices). For those who don't know, an agriturismo must serve its own produce, and we were in for a treat when we discovered all the ingredients for our delicious meal were either from their farm or their neighbours. All the salumi (we had six different cold cuts) we had as a starter were made on their farm with meat raised free range on their territory. Cheeses and vegetables were incredibly fresh and delicious and found their way in a fantastic tomato and farro salad, with mozzarella and fresh basil, a sprinkling of olive oil, quintessentially Tuscan flavours experienced at their best. Home made tortelli (the chef is very aptly the owners young mum Fiorella, a lovely lady who puts passion and heritage into her handmade meals) were pillows of wafer thin freshly made pasta, stuffed with ricotta and a local herb similar to spinach, were topped with a perfect ragù, meaty and intense with tomato, never sloppy and just delicious. Wild boar fillet (caught of course on their premises) was served slowly stewed and thinly sliced, topped with a sauce derived from its cooking juices blended with its odori (carrot, celery, onions) and olive oil, lavished on the slices and adding an extra dimension to an already tasty dish. All accompanied by grilled melanzane and zucchine bursting with flavour and of course fresh from their fields. A strawberry crumble (I didn't believe it either but it was a thing of beauty) was accompanied by a choice of home made grappa flavoured by one of 37 seasonal ingredients (we had an olive infused one) and coffee. It's a set menu that changes most days and a set price: €25 a head gets you the copious amounts of food, and between €7 and a max of €15 gets you a top bottle of wine from a very reputable winemaker (using grapes picked of course in their vineyard). Their craft beer selection is also incredible and we'll have to go back to dine with a selection of those another time! All in all it was a great experience. We may even stay there on our next visit, but we'll certainly go back to eat. Honest, home-grown, hand made food all served with passion and love. Thank you Enrico and Fiorella, keeping up a family tradition with a wonderful smile and warm hospitality. As things should be.

People come to Tuscany for many reasons. But most come for the picturesque settings, the great weather and the glorious, simple, honest food and excellent wines. And this is exactly what you get at Ristorante Callistemo, with an incredibly warm welcome to wrap it all up in. Based inside an idyllic agriturismo, with views over the farm hills, you're welcomed by Enrico, the owner of this third generation business started by his grandfather. A charming and lively man who took his time to explain the food's origins and talked us through their small but perfectly formed wine list (which is also incredibly priced as they produce the grapes for the wine makers and can therefore sell at almost retail prices). For those who don't know, an agriturismo must serve its own produce, and we were in for a treat when we discovered all the ingredients for our delicious meal were either from their farm or their neighbours. All the salumi (we had six different cold cuts) we had as a starter were made on their farm with meat raised free range on their territory. Cheeses and vegetables were incredibly fresh and delicious and found their way in a fantastic tomato and farro salad, with mozzarella and fresh basil, a sprinkling of olive oil, quintessentially Tuscan flavours experienced at their best. Home made tortelli (the chef is very aptly the owners young mum Fiorella, a lovely lady who puts passion and heritage into her handmade meals) were pillows of wafer thin freshly made pasta, stuffed with ricotta and a local herb similar to spinach, were topped with a perfect ragù, meaty and intense with tomato, never sloppy and just delicious. Wild boar fillet (caught of course on their premises) was served slowly stewed and thinly sliced, topped with a sauce derived from its cooking juices blended with its odori (carrot, celery, onions) and olive oil, lavished on the slices and adding an extra dimension to an already tasty dish. All accompanied by grilled melanzane and zucchine bursting with flavour and of course fresh from their fields. A strawberry crumble (I didn't believe it either but it was a thing of beauty) was accompanied by a choice of home made grappa flavoured by one of 37 seasonal ingredients (we had an olive infused one) and coffee. It's a set menu that changes most days and a set price: €25 a head gets you the copious amounts of food, and between €7 and a max of €15 gets you a top bottle of wine from a very reputable winemaker (using grapes picked of course in their vineyard). Their craft beer selection is also incredible and we'll have to go back to dine with a selection of those another time! All in all it was a great experience. We may even stay there on our next visit, but we'll certainly go back to eat. Honest, home-grown, hand made food all served with passion and love. Thank you Enrico and Fiorella, keeping up a family tradition with a wonderful smile and warm hospitality. As things should be.

Genuine and typical dishes of the Tuscan tradition, wines of the territory, comfortable and familiar environment and invaluable hosts! highly recommended if you are near the saturnia.