Insight Vacations Optional Excursion – Dinner in Tuscany
Jill at Ristorante I Tre Pini on Insight Vacations Optional Excursion – Dinner in Tuscany
Insight Vacations Optional Excursion – Dinner in Tuscany
WJ Tested: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade – Dinner in Tuscany Optional Excursion
The “Dinner in Tuscany” is a not-to-be-missed optional excursion! The drive through the Tuscan hillside alone is worth the price of admission. In a splendorous setting nestled on a rise outside of Florence this fine evening presents itself with outstanding food, drink and entertainment.
Roberto serenades our group during dinner at Ristorante I Tre Pini
During the 30-minute scenic drive into the Tuscan countryside we passed fields of poppies, olive groves, vineyards and saw the iconic cypress trees lining roads up to ancient villas. As soon as we stepped off the coach we were greeted by our hosts at the popular I Tre Pini Ristorante. Here we started the evening off with a sparkling blue-tinted wine – their very own Blumond made from Prosecco grapes and with a touch of sweet peach flavor – then strolled about the garden while a musician strummed pleasant melodies on the guitar.
Blumond
Our Insight Vacations Tour Director Mark explained that the property was once a post house for weary travellers along the Chianti Wine Road. This old farmhouse is now a venue surrounded by a large park and vineyards where Chef Libero and his attentive staff prepare and serve traditional Tuscan food from recipes handed down through many generations.
After our time spent sipping on Blumond and enjoying the ambiance of the garden, we moved into the al fresco dining area. Again, music filled the air with a jolly, older gent (Roberto) singing as a guitarist played along. Four different wines lined our table top (Splendia Strawberry Sparkling, Libero Chianti, Libero Rosso, Libero Bianco)… a little something to please all palates.
Antipasto – cold appetizers of prosciutto and salami
Bruschetta with fresh tomatoes
Served family style, the food started appearing and just kept on coming. The first course of an Italian meal is the l’antipasto – we started with cold appetizers of prosciutto and salami, followed by bruschetta with fresh tomatoes.
Hot appetizers – polenta squares with ragu, bruschetta with tuna, and deep fried mozzarella balls stuffed with olives
The hot appetizers were polenta squares with ragu, bruschetta with tuna, and deep fried mozzarella balls stuffed with olives.
Chef at Ristorante I Tre Pini Making Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli
Two kinds of pasta were served for the second course (Il primo) – handmade ricotta and spinach ravioli with black truffle cream sauce; rigatoni pasta with beef ragu – each local delicacy delighted our taste buds.
Handmade Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli
Rigatoni Pasta with Beef Ragu at Ristorante I Tre Pini
And all that was before the entree! For our main course (Il secondo) we had several options to choose from – a huge Chianti beef steak (according to Mark, Chianti beef is the best in Italy) or mixed grill (chicken, sausage, beef), accompanied by roasted potatoes – every morsel was delicious!
Chianti Beef Steak at Ristorante I Tre Pini
Mixed Grill Main Course
To conclude our meal we were served desserts of panna cotta and a summer fruit sponge cake followed by caffe (espresso coffee). Needless to say, no one went away hungry. Throughout the dining extravaganza with free-flowing wine, jovial conversation began the bond-building of friendship among our newly-formed group of intrepid travellers on this Insight Vacations Italian Escapade Tour.
Summer Fruit Sponge Cake at Ristorante I Tre Pini
As we ended the evening at I Tre Pini Ristorante, we were given the opportunity to purchase some of their wine for shipment home. Several in the group took advantage of this, as the wine was very good and a wonderful way to remember the evening once we returned home.
Our drive back to the hotel only cemented our collective enthusiasm for the evening of great regional food, live entertainment and camaraderie, as we belted out a few Dino songs on our more-than-happy return ride… Now… That’s Amore!
Next… Pisa & Lake Maggiore
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Note: WAVEJourney were guests of Insight Vacations for their April 30 – May 12, 2013 Italian Escapade tour. Read our full disclosure statement to see that this has no effect on our reviews.
