My family, the Verdiani's family, are from Northern Tuscany - a small village near to Vinci, the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci and gateway to Florence. The region of Montalbano borders on Emilia Romagna via the ancient Porettana road - a winding mountainous pass leading you through a contrast in cooking styles and ingredients from the simplistic purist Tuscany and her love of game, wild herbs and pulses to the rich and decadent Signora Bologna with her stuffed pasta's, creamy sauces, truffles and sausages - a gluttons paradise!

My passion for cooking was initiated and nurtured by my grandmother, Rita Borchi. She remains my inspiration, my nemesis and most critical 'customer' at the age of 101. Long summers spent with her and my grandfather laid the foundation, and travels throughout the Republic and the islands built on that passion and excitement.

We offer an extensive menu of traditional and contemporary regional Italian cooking based on high quality ingredients and seasonal availability. There are no high stacks, fancy reductions or foams and froths...this is simple rustic cooking with a predominantly Tuscan heritage. My own passion is for fish and the menu reflects cooking styles from the thousands of kilometres of Italian coastline and the islands. From the light dishes of the North West and Liguria to the gutsier tomato based spicy sauces of the South.

We feature, in season, many dishes using game - fresh and cured - highlighting Central Italy. The use of aromatic spices, candied fruits and liquors takes you on the Renaissance trading routes through the Merchant cities
of Venice, Siena & Florence. The origin of the dishes is higlighted on the menu and we are always happy to supply you with recipes.

We try to use Artisan producers where quality is the deciding factor over price. All of our cheeses and our range of olive oils and organic honeys are available to purchase at the restaurant along with gift boxes of chocolates, coffee, olive wood products and even bottle stoppers for prosecco and champagne.

As our menu incorporates the cooking styles of many regions, we have included the wines to compliment them from the same regions. David is always on hand to discuss the wines and growers or to give recommendations or advice on some of the lesser known lables. Our wine list is exclusively Italian although we do offer a large range of Vintage and Non Vintage French champagne.