Bar I Poggio — Restaurant in Barberino Tavarnelle

This was the most fun restaurant we had been to on our trip. We were staying in that area for 4-5 days, so ended up going there several times and ran into the same folks often.

We went in just after reading an English menu. But Lorenzo, the bar owner did not know the items in English...so, it was fun translating. So, you can't blame me, if I had doubts about the food initially!

The lamb skewers were amazing (no pictures - it was gone too soon!). My family said, their burger was very good too. I tried the pasta and the sauce was delicious. Huge (and delicious) mozzarella ball; the cheese board with various dipping sauces was tasty. Loved the frozen coffee in the end.

Lorenzo, although spoke limited English, made it up with his fun personality and excellent service. This place is a bar + ice cream shop + coffee place + mini-market + mini-arcade.....where the neighborhood folks hung out...including kids, read newspapers, watch soccer matches on TV etc. At one point, we borrowed ping-poing balls to play at home. Kids wanted to go there all the time! Such...

While out exploring the charming wineries of the region, our appetites naturally kicked in—and what we all craved was pasta. But nothing too heavy; we had a big dinner planned in Panzano that evening. Wandering the cobbled streets of San Donato, we stumbled upon a quaint little bar tucked between stone buildings. With no expectations, we sat down, drawn in by the warm Italian sun and the cozy patio. Their menu was simple—sandwiches, snacks, and thankfully, pasta. We ordered the carbonara, and it was everything we wanted and more: creamy, salty, rich with flavor, and perfectly portioned for a light but satisfying lunch. Paired with chilled Aperol Spritzes, our plates gleamed in the afternoon sun as a light breeze danced through the patio. There was laughter, clinking glasses, and that beautiful hum of Italian life all around us. It wasn’t a grand feast, but in that moment, it was pure perfection. That impromptu lunch became one of those unexpected gems you remember long after the trip ends—simple, delicious, and...

What this bar lacks in presence it makes up in every other category. The cornetti are just superb, esp those filled with a slightly bitter orange. The cappucino comes with beguiling pictures artfully make from the froth and the service is superb. They put aside our flavoured cornetti ready for when we arrived (late!) warmed them for us, even when I forget to ask, and also make the cappucini bollenti (ie really hot), so ready for drinking when we finished eating. It is a terrible shame that the bar is in need of some TLC - albeit they make the most of...