Ristorante Daniela: romantic dinner in San Casciano

If you intend to visit San Casciano dei Bagni, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to have lunch or dinner at the Ristorante Daniela, located just outside the burg’s wall, in front of a panoramic terrace overlooking the luxuriant countryside.

Il Ristorante Daniela is set inside the former stables of San Casciano dei Bagni’s Castle and offers traditional local dishes creatively reinterpreted according to Daniela’s flair. By using only high quality local products, the restaurant provides you with a remarkable gastronomic experience: baked pecorino cheese with truffle, home-made pasta dishes with Tuscan sauces, Val d’Orcia lamb, Chianina meat.

People eating

Lovely table

Ristorante Daniela

As for the wines, the restaurateurs own also an adjacent wine shop, the Enoteca Daniela, where you can attend a wine tasting and obviously buy only wines, cured meats, cheese, pasta, olive oil and other quality regional products.

Enoteca Daniela

Enoteca

For those who enjoy a dinner al fresco there are also some outdoor tables, overlooking the belvedere of the burg. But I preferred to dine inside since it wasn’t a super hot evening. It rained, to be more precise ?

As soon as Matteo and I walked in we felt surprised by the pleasant retrò-chic atmosphere. Clearly I immediately fell in love with the exposed stone walls (as you already know, that’s a feature I absolutely love because it conveys a sense of rustic warmth, which makes me feel comfortable). Little square or round tables at a proper distance to enjoy your meal in absolute tranquillity, simple and essential decorations, the soft lighting, candle-light. Everything was perfectly set to put at ease the guests.

Ristorante Daniela – Our dinner

First of all we ordered the antipasti. For Matteo the predictable Antipasto Toscano (Tuscan appetizer): cold cuts, meat sauce bruschetta, cheese soufflé. For him it is not a proper antipasto without cold cuts! I ordered chicken liver paté with toasted bread, pear in wine and honey. It was amazing. The combination between the pungent taste of the liver, the sweetness of the pear, plus the crunchy bread. It was perfect. We also had the chance to taste the saccottino, a crispy bag with Pecorino cheese, bacon, summer truffle and potato cream. Very good, but I stay faithful to my liver antipasto!

Antipasto Toscano

My antipasto

Saccottino

As main course we opted for two primi piatti, ie pasta. Matteo went for a classic of Italian cuisine in general, ravioli with ricotta cheese and spinach seasoned with fresh tomatoes. Very good. But not good as mine: Pigeon stuffed potatoes tortelli with butter and sage. I know, I had a peculiar dinner. At first liver, then pigeon. What can I say to my defense? It was good! ?

Ravioli

My first course

Me eating

Matteo

Yummy dessert

For dessert, while Matteo chose one of his favourites, la Creme brulé, but with the pistacchio variation, I was tempted by the dessert with the longest name: Cioccolato Valrhonà (which is a premium French chocolate) soffice e croccante con frutti rossi e arancia candita. It mens Soft and crisp Valrhonà chocolate with red fruits sauce and candied orange. It was chocolate lovers jubilation. A soft mousse with also chocolate chips/flakes/peels. I ignore how to define them. In Italy we call them sfoglie. I searched everywhere but I couldn’t find a fitting English translation. So, how do you call those pieces of chocolate you see in the photo? Thank you!

The staff was kind and helpful. The atmosphere romantic and cozy. In conclusion it was a pleasant dining experience and I would suggest this restaurant for a special night out while in the Val di Chiana area. Then let me know!

Restaurant facade

Restaurant exterior

Ristorante Daniela
www.settequerce.it
Piazza Matteotti, 6 – San Casciano dei Bagni (Siena)

The restaurant is always open. Except on Wednesdays (from November to March).
Phone +39 0578 58234

Post in collaboration with Ristorante Daniela. As always opinions are entirely my own.