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You may have guessed by now that my wife Danielle and I love to eat! But we prefer quality and originality over quantity. In our eyes, small dishes, expertly prepared yield big rewards. There’s nothing more special to us than a wonderfully refined meal in a beautiful setting. So needless to say, few things get us more excited than a tasting menu – a little bit of the best dishes on the menu and some undiscovered wonders! And that’s exactly what drew us to Osteria Le Logge in the historic centre of Siena.
According to their website
“Osteria Le Logge was born from the deep love towards wine and food, that has matched Gianni Brunelli and his wife Laura” and it shows in everything they do.
The magnificent presentation and attention to detail is remarkable. Each dish is a masterpiece that combines the freshest ingredients, amazing flavors and exquisite visual presentation.
Check out their Instagram feed to witness the beauty of their dishes.
Where to find Osteria Le Logge
Osteria Le Logge is located in the center of the Centro Storico of Siena, on Via del Porrione, steps away from the Piazza del Campo. As luck would have it, it was only 30 yards from our apartment. How convenient! It is also right next to the Loggia del Papa, an open arcade created by Pope Pius II to honor his family, the Piccolimini.
Our Tasting Experience at Osteria Le Logge
It was a beautiful fall evening, so we chose to sit at one of handful of tables outside the restaurant. The air was clean and refreshing. I wore a scarf and a jacket and was toasty warm.
Apparently, this is not typical for Tuscany in late September. But the previous summer had been scorching hot with daytime highs in the 40’s Celsius. That record breaking weather continued into the Fall.
We’d purchased a meal voucher online via the website and advised our host on arrival. They’d been waiting for us.
Our table was reserved for 7:30, which is considered early in Italy, so we had ample choice of tables available. The locals typically eat later: between 8 pm and 9 pm or later is the most common time to dine.
Seven-course Tasting Experience
We were heartily greeted by Agostino La Sorte, the Maitre at the Osteria Le Logge, who made us feel right at home. We stated off with a lovely glass of Prosecco. The fine bubbles danced in our glass. It was the first of many wonderful whites and reds that were part of the wine pairing that we added to our Tasting Experience.
“The plating of each dish was a work of art and each bite exploded with flavor
Mark – The Happy Traveler
as a succession of Tuscan delicacies graced our table.“
When our first course was brought to our table, we realized that we were in for a truly exceptional experience. From baccala mantecanto and Tuscan tomato soup to beef tongue and rabbit, the 7-course meal was a feast for the eyes and the palate.
- Baccalà mantecanto: Cod Fish – beetroot cannolo – marinated onion
- Pappa al pomodoro: Tuscan tomatoes soup
- Lingua di manzo: Beef Tongue – Bell pepper sauce
- Spaghetti alle cozze: Spaghetti – mussels – black garlic – oil – chili pepper
- Tagliatelle al Ragù– Tagliatelle with beef ragù sauce
- Coniglio: Rabbit – blueberries – prosciutto – carrot puree
- Dolce: Hazelnuts sauce – hazelnuts ice cream – hazelnuts foam – pinenut cannolo
Click images to enlarge
The Attention to Detail at Osteria Le Logge is Remarkable
The plating of each dish was a work of art and each bite exploded with flavor as a succession of Tuscan delicacies graced our table. The magnificent presentation and attention to detail is remarkable. Each dish is a masterpiece that combines the freshest ingredients, amazing flavors and exquisite visual presentation.
Not surprizing to find Osteria Le Logge listed in the Michelin Guide. Check out their Instagram feed to witness the beauty of their dishes.
Note: The tasting menu changes constantly based on market fresh ingredients and the inspiration of the chef Nico Atrigna. Order this experience and you’ll never have the same combination twice.
Grappa di Brunello di Montalcino
At the end of the meal, we were presented with a glass of Grappa. Not your run-of-the-mill Grappa, it is priced at 75€ for a regular bottle in wine stores. Our host generously left the bottle on the table should we want more.
So Good, We Came Back a Second Time
Two days later, we had plans to grab a quick pizza and then head to the Opera in Siena. But fond memories of our tasting experience got the best of us. Unexpectedly, and to our delight, we were able to snag an early reservation for table inside. Early worked well for us since we were famished. And the Opera started at 9:30 pm. Plenty of time we thought.
The decor of the dining room at Osteria Le Logge combines modern elements with traditional Tuscan influences, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Located in a former grocery store, the restaurant has retains its old shop counter and glass-fronted display cabinets, filled with wine bottles, beautiful antiques and precious mementos.
Once Again a Wonderful Meal
Ordering from the a la carte menu, we were once again able to witness the depth of the chef’s talent, blending locally sourced ingredients with genius and flair. The flavours are incredible, almost magical. we selected the following dishes:
- Slowly cooked beef cheek – celeriac
- Porcini mushrooms – lentils soup
- Tagliatelle – beef ragù
- Pan Brioche – red wine – vanilla sauce – vanilla ice cream
The Pan Brioche was truly incredible. One of the best deserts I’ve ever tasted.
As the meal came to an end, with plenty of time, we quietly called for a taxi. The drive to the Opera house would have been no more than 10 minutes. Unfortunately, on a busy Thursday night there were no taxis to be found. No matter! On vacations it is best to go with the flow.
Our hosts gave us a seat outside and a delightful glass of limoncello of which we were particularly fond. The Opera will have to wait until we return to Siena.