Toscana & Chianti News

Restaurant

I' Bachiacca: seasonal cooking

In the heart of the Mugello area between Scarperia, San Piero and Borgo San Lorenzo near to La Torre, I'B is a pleasant surprise. This new Mugello-based business, which has only been open for three years, has already earned a leading place in the L'espresso guide, "Le Tavole della Birra d'Italia 2011", where it was noted as being one of the top five breweries in Tuscany.

You'll receive a hearty welcome to this well-tended and elegant establishment by the owners, who will introduce you to traditional Tuscan flavours with imaginative and creative touches that draw you into temple of artisan beer made by Alessandro, the master brewer of the Mugello-based brewery, I'B, who researches age-old fruits of the land to make his drink brimming with life.

The same down-to-earth local products are also used to make the dishes proffered by Paola, where traditional flavours stemming from impoverished yet superb seasonal ingredients shine through in the kitchen. You'll be spoilt for choice between meat and fish-based courses, some of which are cooked using beer.

Make sure you try the field herbs gathered by Paola herself – sautéed with local shepherd's ricotta, homemade tortelli pasta – as well as all the other fresh egg pasta – spelt pappardelle with cantarelli mushrooms and truffles, passatelli with skate in tomato sauce, the superb coffee-braised pig's cheek and, first and foremost, pork shank glaze in dark "Entremota" beer with caramellised shallots: a few dishes to whet your appetite.

Alessandro will guide you through the food-beer combinations with a range of 13 varieties of his own unpasteurised draught beer, matching the right aroma to every course. If you're just not into this food and beer combo, feel free to choose from the leading vintages on the wine list.