RESTAURANTS
Ristorante Il Sottofondo
In the Tuscan province of Pisa just seventy kilometers southwest of Florence, sits the medieval hilltop town of Casale Marittimo. The area is well known for its mineral springs and for archaeological finds dating back to antiquity, including an exceptional Etruscan necropolis. Casale Marittimo is also distinguished by the presence of Ristorante Il Sottofondo.
Located in the very heart of town, Il Sottofondo is more than a restaurant; it is an on-going love affair between Maître d’ Sabrina Tonelli and her husband, the talented chef Gianpiero Panteoro. Sabrina’s engaging wit and exceptional wine pairing knowledge combines with Gianpiero’s out-of-this-world gastronomy for a magical experience that envelops everyone who enters the establishment.
The backdrop to Gianpiero’s beautifully presented Tuscan fare are three intimate dining rooms, each with arched doorways, exposed stone walls, exquisitely decorated tables draped in white cloth, and sheer, floor-to-ceiling curtains. For an extra special romantic evening, reserve your table in the open-air patio on the quaint Via di Mezzo.
The menu changes seasonally, each recipe showcasing the best and freshest local ingredients available. Il Sottofondo’s proximity to the sea ensures that Piero incorporates eclectic offerings of both fish and meat, including scampi e mazzancolle al vapore, con pinzimonio di verdure e pompelmo rosa (scampi and shrimp steamed with vegetable crudités) and filetto di Chianina al tartufo nero (Chianina beef fillet with black truffles).
Gianpiero also creates exciting gastronomic fusions of past and present by adding his signature touches to traditional pasta dishes. We suggest the ravioli di ricotta e spinaci in salsa di gorgonzola dolce e tartufo nero (ravioli with ricotta and spinach in a sauce of gorgonzola dolce and black truffle). Another must-try is Gianpiero’s version of Testaroli della casa ai funghi porcini (Testaroli of the house with porcini mushrooms), a specialty of Lunigiana, which is located along the border of Liguria and Tuscany. This unique eggless dough pasta is first pan fried like a crepe then briefly dropped into boiling water before serving. Whatever your menu choice, rest assured Sabrina will find exactly the right vino to compliment her husband’s eccezionali cucina.
Relais Sant ‘Elena is the ideal spot to stay while visiting the Casale Marittimo area of Tuscany!
Ristorante Il Sottofondo
Via di Mezzo 5
56040 Casale Marittimo (PI)
Phone: +39 0586 65 21 33
Cell: +39 339 68 27 434
E-mail: info@ilsottofondo.it
Reservations: prenotazioni@ilsottofondo.it
www.ilsottofondo.it
In the Tuscan province of Pisa just seventy kilometers southwest of Florence, sits the medieval hilltop town of Casale Marittimo. The area is well known for its mineral springs and for archaeological finds dating back to antiquity, including an exceptional Etruscan necropolis. Casale Marittimo is also distinguished by the presence of Ristorante Il Sottofondo.
Located in the very heart of town, Il Sottofondo is more than a restaurant; it is an on-going love affair between Maître d’ Sabrina Tonelli and her husband, the talented chef Gianpiero Panteoro. Sabrina’s engaging wit and exceptional wine pairing knowledge combines with Gianpiero’s out-of-this-world gastronomy for a magical experience that envelops everyone who enters the establishment.
The backdrop to Gianpiero’s beautifully presented Tuscan fare are three intimate dining rooms, each with arched doorways, exposed stone walls, exquisitely decorated tables draped in white cloth, and sheer, floor-to-ceiling curtains. For an extra special romantic evening, reserve your table in the open-air patio on the quaint Via di Mezzo.
The menu changes seasonally, each recipe showcasing the best and freshest local ingredients available. Il Sottofondo’s proximity to the sea ensures that Piero incorporates eclectic offerings of both fish and meat, including scampi e mazzancolle al vapore, con pinzimonio di verdure e pompelmo rosa (scampi and shrimp steamed with vegetable crudités) and filetto di Chianina al tartufo nero (Chianina beef fillet with black truffles).
Gianpiero also creates exciting gastronomic fusions of past and present by adding his signature touches to traditional pasta dishes. We suggest the ravioli di ricotta e spinaci in salsa di gorgonzola dolce e tartufo nero (ravioli with ricotta and spinach in a sauce of gorgonzola dolce and black truffle). Another must-try is Gianpiero’s version of Testaroli della casa ai funghi porcini (Testaroli of the house with porcini mushrooms), a specialty of Lunigiana, which is located along the border of Liguria and Tuscany. This unique eggless dough pasta is first pan fried like a crepe then briefly dropped into boiling water before serving. Whatever your menu choice, rest assured Sabrina will find exactly the right vino to compliment her husband’s eccezionali cucina.
Relais Sant ‘Elena is the ideal spot to stay while visiting the Casale Marittimo area of Tuscany!
Ristorante Il Sottofondo
Via di Mezzo 5
56040 Casale Marittimo (PI)
Phone: +39 0586 65 21 33
Cell: +39 339 68 27 434
E-mail: info@ilsottofondo.it
Reservations: prenotazioni@ilsottofondo.it
www.ilsottofondo.it