Dario!

Tonight on my evening passagiata I caught my first glimpse of the big man himself - the current star of Panzano- Dario Cecchini! I often saunter past the door to his butcher shop and sneak a peek past the cluster of folks in the doorway to see who’s inside. Stasera (this evening) I didn’t even have to sneak a peek inside because there he was filling the doorway - his appearance as outsized as his persona!

“Buona sera,” I said and he returned my greeting with a smile and a nod, “Sera”. I must admit to feeling just a little bit star struck!

Though I’ve been here for weeks, I have yet to venture in to seek him or his wife Kim for an introduction. Whenever I mention him to fellow Panzanese I’m encouraged to just stop and say hi, “He’s so friendly!” “His wife is great- she likes meeting fellow Americans.”

Maybe one of these days…

For now, I’ll continue to stroll on Strada Dario, weaving through the crowds that gather outside waiting for their lunch or dinner reservation time. If I time it right, I might catch a glimpse of diners at Solociccia through the three huge windows that front Via Chiantigianna. At Solociccia, Dario’s restaurant down the street from the butcher shop, long narrow tables that fill with hungry diners twice a day run parallel to the street, just a hundred meters or so from my apartment building.

In the morning as I walk past, rapid, convivial banter pours through the open doors as the chefs begin preparation of the day’s feasts. Their pace is no doubt fueled by the caffe (espresso) poured from the pot that shares the counter with dozens of eggs, piles of vegetables and rising dough.

While the back of the house is hard at work, the front of the house prepares the tables, each place setting metticulous and inviting!

I look forward to dining at Solociccia with my family when they are here in August, though I’m pretty sure I’ll forgo the meaty menu for the vegetarian meal. It will be fun to be on the inside looking out for a change!

Dario and staff

Outside looking in…at Solociccia

Previous
Previous

Carne Diem….more Cecchini!

Next
Next

Sunday in Panzano