Senese Cecina - CECINA

We were three for lunch and we just had the 3 course seafood antipasti at the owners recommendation. It was amazing. My highlight was the chargrilled squid with... read more We were three for lunch and we just had the 3 course seafood antipasti at the owners recommendation. It was amazing. My highlight was the chargrilled squid with borlotti beans and rosemary

We saw this restaurant mentioned in the Michelin Guide and booked it for our last dinner in Italy, before returning home. We had seen some rave reviews and some... read more We saw this restaurant mentioned in the Michelin Guide and booked it for our last dinner in Italy, before returning home. We had seen some rave reviews and some negative reviews on TA, but we decided to give it a try. We called and booked a table and when we arrived we realised the restaurant was fully booked this was a Saturday night. We were warmly welcomed. I think some reviewers criticised the restaurant for being old fashioned. We found it welcoming and pleasant in decor (all seating was inside). We received friendly, helpful and enthusiastic advice on food and wine choices. Hubby and I were recommended the mixed seafood hors d 'ouevres for a starter and also recommended that we should not order primi and secondi after this, as we might be full. This was great advice! The mixed seafood hors d 'ouevres was in fact four plates of food, which came one after the other and they were all delicious. The prawns with peaches were interesting and delicious, but I think my favourite was the grilled cuttlefish, charred and savoury and very more ish. Our children shared a 'terra ' platter of cured meats with melon, which was also very nice. We all had a pasta dish after this: the children shared spaghetti with tomato sauce, which was simple, fresh and delicious; hubby had gnochetti with seafood, which was excellent, and I had spaghetti with mixed seafood which was also excellent the seafood was in a rich and almost creamy sauce, beautifully cooked. I was glad I didn 't order a further course! I managed a sorbet after this and in fact I tried all three of the homemade sorbets and they were all delicious. I could not fault the food, nor the enthusiastic and friendly service. I am not sure if this was 'old fashioned ' cooking, or service, or anything, but I would gladly return to enjoy more of the same. We had a fabulous last night meal.