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BEST RESTAURANTS IN SIENA: CASATO DI SOTTO, Girogustando 2012

Travelers who have read my Siena guide on Unanchor know that I'm a huge fan of restaurant Casato di Sotto. Owned by Brunello winemaker Andrea Cortonesi (from Montalcino's Uccelliera winery), the restaurant has a wonderful wine cellar and very knowledgeable and friendly staff. And then there is talented chef Cornelius, who cooks Tuscany's traditional dishes, no, not the way my Tuscan native or my mother-in-law do. But always with an element of surprise in them (otherwise I may as well eat at home). 

Restaurant Casato di Sotto wine cellar Siena, Tuscany
The choice is yours.
Wine cellar at restaurant Casato di Sotto in Siena 

For once Cornelius won't be on his own in the kitchen. The Girogustando food events pair, yes, wine and food, but also chefs from different Italian regions. Quite an exciting concept if you think of all the different Italian delicacies you'll be able to try in just one evening! 
 
Salis Cibo & Vino, Salis Food & Wine restaurant from northern Italy's Valdobbiadene area will be this week's guest at Siena's Enoristorante (wine restaurant) Il Casato. If you've read this rather complicated phrase attentively you'll have noticed, that we're talking about two restaurants, which have put food and wine matching at the base of their culinary philosophy. 

Below an approximate translation of the menu of the two evenings (I'm utterly useless with food translations, if you prefer read the Italian version here). 

Starters
Fresh Polenta with fungi and Malga cheese (prepared by the chef of Salis Cibo & Vino restaurant)
Small Chateaubriand prepared with Cinta Senese salami glassed with Vin dei Santi and nuts (Casato Enoristorante)

First course
Gnocchi with beans on a duck sauce (Salis Cibo & Vino)
Pappardelle (large home made pasta) on a hare sauce (Casato Enoristorante)

Main course
Guinea fowl on "Peverada" sauce (Salis Cibo & Vino)
Chianina beef on a sauce prepared with Brunello di Montalcino (obviously!),  accompanied by potatoes, carrots and zucchini fried in Tuscan extra virgin olive oil (Casato Enoristorante)

Dessert
Tiramisù alla Nonna di Gianmaria (Salis Cibo & Vino)
Parfait with pistachio and fragolina grapes from the Sienese hills (Casato Enoristorante)

Girogustando in Siena: Thursday, 11th and Friday, 12th of October 2012
Price: 40 Euro; a great deal for Siena, considering that wines are included. And obviously, you'll only drink the best of Italian red and whites at a restaurant owned by a winemaker!
Make sure you book your table beforehand by calling +39 0577 222 758
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