Il Rossellino

We know people who have flown all the way from Brazil just to eat at this tiny restaurant in Pienza—it has a core of devoted gourmet followers—for one of the best culinary experiences in Tuscany. Among the standouts are the melanzane alla mozzarella, pici (the area’s thick hand-rolled version of spaghetti) with duck ragu, and a succulent cinta senese (the region’s special pork) crusted with almonds. The owners are straight out of central casting: the husband a jovial and opinionated former banker, and his somewhat temperamental wife who cooks with the attention of a surgeon, albeit one with a glass of wine in hand. Their regional wine list has the mark of being created by someone who appreciates a good vintage themselves. Closed Thursdays.