Table abat-jour, green quilted sofas, the dark wood of majestic counters and tables. Essential elegance and a polished atmosphere.

If it wasn’t for the fact that the large shop windows do not reflect the unmistakeable outline of the Eiffel Tower, you might initially think that you were in Paris, but you’re actually at Montevarchi, in the heart of the Valdarno, home of the famous old masters.


The initial visual impact is satisfying in itself, but your palate will be even more satisfied by the house specialities. 
A passion for cookery, a love for the work, there is a selection of high-quality niche products offered at normal prices.

These are the ingredients of this bistro, which was initially created as an American Bar and then transformed over time into a place to enjoy a refined aperitif with an excellent choice of dispensed wines. After a year or so, it was then turned into an excellent wine shop and bar.


The well-stocked wine shop (approximately 800 labels) triumphantly boasts its parade of bottles from the best national producers covering an entire wall of the building – with the exception of His majesty Champagne – with an advantage for the tradition, fishing in the cellars of small national producers.


After all, the patron of Cafè La Gare, Paolo Giannetti, is an expert in the field. Among other things, he recommends the wine lists for many restaurants and the cellars of many companies in the area. 
Good wine is one step away from catering. An excellent glass of wine is after all the best companion to a delicious morsel. That’s why La Gare is also an excellent wine bar.

Sat on soft, comfortable sofas, you can choose from a constantly changing menu, which varies from season to season, always offering fresh products with consideration given to the best local products, but also nationally and from overseas.

Starters, pasta and rice dishes, carpaccio, cured meats, cheeses and desserts: these are the ideal companions to a good glass of wine that Paolo will propose to you. 
But that’s not all. Being in an atmosphere where people with refined palates are welcomed, they are also celebrated with themed evenings organised directly by the wine bar or in partnership with Valdarno Slow Food with a monthly calendar. If you want more, you can even organise a special dinner for your important occasions.

Dinners that all have wine lists, but above all also with wine lists by the glass. A rarity.
To emphasise that we always want to offer you the very best, regular customers to Cafè La Gare know that the bar also stocks excellent Belgian and homemade Italian beer and organises themed evenings to also taste this blond and increasingly popular drink.


Our opening times are flexible: there is a quick lunch from midday to 14:30; aperitif from 18:00 to 21:00 and dinner is held from 20:00 to midnight.

Obviously English is spoken here and foreign guests who love learning about our culture, starting with food and wine, are welcome. We greatly value these guests. This is why we recommend this place. Who said that quality and the places worth visiting are only those celebrated in guide books or those found in cities? Discovering and experience these places is a surprise and not only for your palate.


Info:

Via Puccini 2/4 – Montevarchi (Ar)
Tel. 055 980286


Upon arriving in the United States and after ingesting the famous American donuts during the first days there, one then feels the need to sit in an Italian restaurant that provides refreshment not only for those Italians on vacation who are looking for cooking from home, but also and especially for Americans, many of them VIPs.

In Miami, in fact, it is quite possible to imagine eating in a restaurant and realize that at the next table is Ricky Martin, or rather Shaquille O’Neal or Gloria Estefan, Jennifer Lopez or many other stars (even Italian ones) who have chosen to live in Miami.

This world is well-known to Maurizio Farinelli, who has been living and working in Miami since 1991 and has been working in the restaurant business since he was a young man. “In our restaurants - la Trattoria Sole, Blu la Pizzeria del Sole in South Miami and Blu Pizza e Cucina in the Mary Brickell Village, that make up the Blù Restaurants Group- we have served many famous people”, Farinelli tells us.

“The main reason for our success is, without a doubt, the excellent cuisine managed by Riccardo Tognozzi, our Tuscan Executive Chef from Arezzo along with our moderate prices in comparison to other Miami restaurants.

“Where eating becomes a passion” isn’t only our slogan, it’s a promise: a promise to delight our guests with fresh, quality Italian products in a menu that caters to all tastes, that goes from more sophisticated dishes to our fabulous brick-oven pizzas, all in an atmosphere that is casual-chic!”.

Moreover, in this true flavour boutique you can’t miss the collection of international wines; rich and excellent Italian labels where the Tuscan wines stand out for importance and variety. And it is Chianti that is, in fact, the leading player in several of Riccardo Tognozzi’s specialties, and more precisely in his stew made with Brunello di Montalcino and porcini mushrooms. Tuscan delicacies in the shade of Miami palm trees, everything is possible! 

Information:

Blù Restaurants Group
7201 SW 59th Avenue
South Miami FL 33 143

www.blurestaurantsgroup.com