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David Giani is a student of regional Italian cooking. Born in Florence,in Tuscany, David began cooking at age 14 when he began culinary school in Florence. The training program sent him to cook in different regions during the summer break. After finishing school he cooked in a little trattoria in Florence, then in better known restaurants. When he came to the United States to visit a friend - a chef from the same culinary school - he entertained the possibility of staying to work. Back in Italy, he received a job offer for a new restaurant in Los Angeles and returned to stay in 1991. When David was ready for a new challenge to learn and grow as a chef, he came to Il Fornaio, where as he says, "It's the closest to true Italian food of any restaurant I have worked in." He is now the Chef-Partner of Il Fornaio in Beverly Hills, where he has the freedom to offer the regional dishes he learned in his travels throughout Italy. "The regional recipes we make are so typical of the region, right down to the ingredients, many of which we bring over from Italy. My guests appreciate the lengths we go to in order to offer them authentic food." About Tuscany, David explains, "The food of Tuscany is genuine and natural. It is prepared with the freshest ingredients and often cooked over charcoal or aromatic wood, which gives it a hearty quality. Many dishes are cooked slowly to get the most flavor; I think this gives Tuscan food a somewhat country style. Yet the food is quite modern, and infused with all the passion of the Tuscan people." To David Giani, the technique in cooking is not as important as the passion you feel for it. " If you cook everyday, you must be passionate about it. It's this passion, every day, that in the long run creates success. So, as you continue on your journey through the regions of Italy, I hope you enjoy this menu of Tuscany! "Buon Appetito!" |
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The region of Tuscany is probably the most well known of the twenty regions of Italy. It was the cradle of the Renaissance, the home of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, the famous di Medici family. The Tuscan people have always had an adoration of quality and luxury; you will find here an ongoing pursuit of the good things in life. Tuscan food has a straight-from-the-garden flavor about it Ð the herbs are always fragrantly fresh, the salads often hand-picked wild greens. You will eat well in most any little country trattoria. Tuscan cooking begins with careful attention to the selection of raw ingredients of the best quality, then prepares them with a minimum of sauces and seasoning. The epitome of this philosophy is Bistecca alla Fiorentina. This steak is so popular and so essentially Tuscan, that we offer it on our menu every day. Olive oil is one of the ingredients of Italian cooking in which Tuscany excels - it is generally considered to produce the finest olive oil in Italy - and it is the flourish in many dishes. It is such a fundamental element of Tuscan cooking that we bottle our own Il Fornaio Extra Virgin Olive Oil and offer it for sale in our bakeries. From the Tuscan Riviera comes an abundance of seafood; often made into the classic seafood stew, cacciucco. The Tuscans eat a variety of meats in addition to their famous bistecca, including sausage, rabbit, veal and pork. Pasta dishes are simple but flavorful. The wines of Tuscany are superlative in quality and variety. So join us for a taste of Tuscany and share in the Tuscan love affair with food.
T U S C A N T R A V E L T I P S EAT: Da Delfina.
This restaurant is a must and a special treat. It is about a 20 minute
drive from Florence located in the small village of Artimino. If your
mood is to visit the Tuscan countryside, you will not find a better
restaurant. Their menu changes daily; everything is fresh and perfectly
prepared. The setting is rustic and the view is outstanding. In the
summer time, you can enjoy cocktails on the small piazza. Via della
Chiesa (Artimino). STAY: Fattoria
Dievole (Chianti). Founded in 1090, Dievole is Chianti's oldest
winery and is home to Il Fornaio's vineyard. Owner Mario Schwenn has
recently remodeled the guest house to accommodate travelers. An exquisite
setting in the heart of Chianti. Mention Il Fornaio when you book, and
Mario will take great care of you. 53010 Vagliali (Siena). SEE: The Duomo
of Siena (Siena). Our favorite of all of Italy's cathedrals, this
awe-inspiring medieval church alone is worth a visit to Siena. |
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558/718074.