Collebrunacchi Ristorante B&B — Restaurant in San Miniato

Give me one reason to return! This used to be a great place until owners changed. We still remember Mr. Collebrunachi’s magnificent Bistecca di manzo or their great ribs (both truky excellent!), and selection of wide variety of wild game meals and great wines for fair prices. This is almost all gone, replaced with a more generic menu I can find in every other restaurant across Tuscany, doubled prices and smaller portions. Fiorentina steak, pasta with ragu or pasta with truffles is really nothing special in the area anymore, certainly not at this price/portions levels and in the isolated location reachable only by the narrowest most beaten road in the whole of Italy 😜

Ok lets not be overly critical and look at what is still good:

Wine list looks good if you just do not care about the high pricing. The house wine rosso Collebrunacchi was actually great and remained at affordable price.

The beef with porcini was tasty (just SO tiny…)

All the pasta is still excellent here (just small portions and pasta is great everywhere in Tuscany…)

The mix grill for multiple people actually preserved some of the good old Collebrunacchi grill meals - rabbit, pork ribs etc. for a fair price (well you said it s for 2 people and I could finish it alone easily ;) )

Tiramisu and pannacotta (both excellent…as well as miniature versions of what it used to be. I also think frutti di bosco were much better match with pannacotta than the amandel but that can just be a personal taste)

The staff still work here and their smiles and friendly approach keep the cosy family place vibes.

I want to end with a constructive recommendation to the new owners (that nobody asked for, sorry, but its free 😁):

I understand the pricing and changes may be there for various reasons, but as a customer I need a motivation to actually come here again. If we are to pay for dinner for two 80-100 eur and drive to the middle of nowhere on THIS road, you must offer something truly special or unique! a) great price / value ratio (not the case anymore, prices practically levelled with restaurants in the center of Florence) b) truly unique meals (maybe some french/italian fusion with delicatesses impossible to find elsewhere around? Bring back the guinea fawl and other true specialties? Wild boar stew wont cut it anymore) c) excellent 5 star unbeatable quality (not the case - we got friendly, but fairly regular service and while the quality of meals was overall high, it was still comparable to many other places in Tuscany we visited.

Extra recommendations to fix the menu: The polentino appetizers were soaked in oil, almost tasteless- Id just drop it from the menu and replaced anything deepfried with something fresh

Fixing the sides - marinated single kind vegetables and fries? I d just rethink and add some more inspiring and satisfying sides, so many options out there…

Deserts? Maybe add creme brule? Offer Panna cotta also with frutti di bosco? Maybe Truffle flavored ice cream? Deserts are the place for real creativity and uniqueness…i did not see it this time.

The boiled hen - it was undercooked, without salt or spices = zero taste - just drop it or mark as “for your pets” ( sorry, maybe too harsh to put it like that but so was my experience and surprise with this one, I am no cook but I d still cook it better! 🤣)

Alright, where does it leave us - it’s your restaurant and your choice how you manage it. But I think name of Collebrunacchi and good marketing can only go so far. I tried my feedback to be not just harsh criticism but constructive too - give it some thinking and I hope you will find at least some of it useful to make the restaurant change a positive and successful one.

This is not a farewell, we will try to visit again if we are in the area, to see how things are developing - once we do, I d also update my review here if things change. In the meantime - best of luck with your new business :)

Last but not least - heartful thanks and respect to the family Collebrunacchi (and the staff!) for all the years of magnificent dining...

What to say except wow ! We were recommended to try out this lovely restaurant after new owners took it over recently & so made the trip from Castellina in Chianti (2 hr round trip) - it was no disappointment & well worth the drive.

Sensational menus (2 in fact so you’re spoilt for choice & one that hasn’t changed for 60 years!) with a varied choice between a more traditional Tuscan cuisine & a slightly more modern themed menu whilst respecting local products. Fantastic wine suggestions which can cater to all palettes at very fair prices recommended by Francesco, a wine list again balancing more traditional regional wines with slightly more modern styles. The best bread we’ve had in over 30 years visiting the region made by the bakery just down the road & fresh ricotta from the farm only a stone’s throw away. Personal highlight for me was the calamari as a main & the herring as an appetiser - totally different to what you can find in other local restaurants that we’ve tried & fabulous !

The view is also remarkable, with the valley as a backdrop you can’t get a better setting really.

It feels authentic, it is authentic & you leave entirely satisfied - will certainly be coming back...

I had an unforgettable dining experience at this charming Italian restaurant! The professionalism and good mood of the chef added a special touch to our meal, making us feel truly welcomed. The antipasti were simply incredible—each bite bursting with authentic flavors that set the tone for the rest of the evening. But the highlight was undoubtedly the côte à l’os, cooked to perfection and full of rich, savory taste. To finish, we indulged in the tiramisu, which I can confidently say is the best in Tuscany! Highly recommend this gem for anyone seeking an authentic and heartwarming Italian...