Le Forchette del Chianti, Radda in Chianti

Today was a day trip to experience the better parts of memory lane.  We travelled to have lunch at Le Forchette del Chianti, in Radda in Chianti.  The children were very patient and understanding as this involved a two hour drive there and the same back.  However unlike our trip to Ristorante le Vigne this one was worth the time taken to get there and the money spent on the meal.

In case you have not read my post on the 6th of August, then we returned to an old haunt where we had eaten more than one meal in 2002 and liked it so much that we stayed there in 2003 with a friend, Tony (who was one of the four of us in 2002).  Unfortunately while the view there was amazing the food was not what we remembered but on getting back to Santa Chiara my wife found out that the people we had got to know (despite language issues) now had another restaurant in Radda in Chianti itself!  I had wanted to return sooner but my wife pointed out how unfair it would be on the children considering that the holiday is for all of us.  Anyway the food was amazing and this was possibly the best meal that we have had this holiday.  We were recognised and had as much of a chat as time allowed and had great food.  I would have taken a photograph of the view but by the time we finished our meal it was raining so I did not want to risk damage to my camera phone.  Although the kids did not have time in the pool thanks to the storm that covered both Umbria and Tuscany, I think that the time to do nothing has actually helped them.  Hopefully we will get time to swim and play in the pool tomorrow. 

The last two photos are of one of the two cats here which was catnapping on our sun lounger this morning and the other is of a Porsche that held up our one litre Lancia on the way uphill in Chianti. 

Chianti and shopping

Today was a day spent on the road.  We took the kids shopping and also to an old haunt of ours. It was a great drive through Umbria and Tuscany to get from where we are staying to Montevarchi which is near to where we first stayed the first time we came to Tuscany in 2002.  Back then we had no children and visited with two friends. Sadly due to an issue with my driving on that holiday we had a major falling out with one and no longer see her, but the other we keep in touch with a lot.  Anyway then we went to the outlet stores and back then there were bargains to be had.  To be fair we have not been back at the same time of year but the outlets have changed a lot, which is good for them and great for those who can afford to shop in them now but is not as good for us!

We went to another old haunt, Ristorante le Vigne near Radda in Chianti a place we visited more than once in 2002 and liked it so much we stayed there in 2003.  We did return with our daughter in 2006 and the staff recognised us and took great care of our little one.  Coming back here was great and not so great.  The views are amazing and the memories are to be treasured but it is under new management and we appeared to be unlucky.  Our waitress when we arrived was abrupt and a touch rude but the others who served us were great and in keeping with the reviews on TripAdvisor but our food was nothing compared to that of our memories but more importantly not up to the standards of the food we have had so far.  It was much better than our mediocre lunch in Gubbio but I doubt we will return.  My wife though has found out that the chef that used to work there is elsewhere and we may visit during this holiday.

Anyway a bit more shopping and back to Santa Chiara for a much needed rest for us all.