½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Mark, you may be interested in having a look at a blog from an Australian lady who has an apartment at Ponte a Serraglio: Lots of interesting stories and data about the area. She started with another blog called Bagni di Lucca and beyond, but she has now decided to make a separate one for Bagni, as it has lots of contents. Debra Kolkka, the author, is very active in promoting the area. She also pays for and maintains all the flowers on the Serraglio bridge, changing them twice a year, matching the arrangements she plants in her balcony, which faces the bridge. A lovely person to meet.

Hi and welcome. Bagni di Lucca is a beautiful town and you will enjoy it. There are quite a fewbEnglis-speaking people in the area, British, Americans, Australians; however, there are not any organised meetings.On the other hand, there are two places where you will find them. These are the Caffes Italia and Il Monaco, in Ponte a Serraglio and Caffe-ristorante Del Sonno in Bagni di Lucca, opposite the Circolo  dei Forestieri.  We are not going to be in Bagni at Xmas time as we do not reside there permanently. We go twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, so perhaps we shall meet next time when we are around.

My favourite ½ûÂþÌìÌà dishes do not contain any pasta. There, I would agree with Badger. I absolutely love "saltimbocca alla romana" and "vitello tonnato". I also adore the "torta pasqualina" and a good "cacciuco". And I would go insane over scrambled eggs and truffles or funghi porcini. 

Come on, Angie! They look like pathetic geriatrics! Not that keen on the sandwich , either. I prefer dinner at Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence

Perhaps it is a matter of priorities. I would enjoy going to a good restaurant. On the other hand, I would never pay a minimum of 106£ to attend the Rolling Stones' 50th anniversary concert or some football matches....

I wish Bersani would decide to retire and allow Renzi and the new generations to do something constructive, even if they are left in the opposition. If Berlusconi comes back... I don't even want to think about it.

I agree, variety is the best thing and you can find great restaurants at all levels and anywhere in the world. The best ½ûÂþÌìÌà meal I ever had was in New York at an ½ûÂþÌìÌà restaurant called "Peasant". They are ½ûÂþÌìÌÃs and they cook authentic food. Highly recommended.

Well, it does not have to mean anything to people. everyone is entitled to do whatever they want with their own money. But this is not the topic we are discussing.  It is a fact that some chefs are promoted as "gurus" of a particular cuisine simply because they know how to market their establishments. The real star chefs do not need promotion . The waitlists that they have mean that people acknowledge them as the best in the profession. And also, these star chefs do something important for their profession by training students and sharing their knowledge.

I think that the Michelin stars confirm that the chef is a true creative professional. As for "celebrity" chefs... it is all marketing.  But some people like to be "seen" at those places... Italy has 7 restaurants .with a 3 star rating and several 2_and 1 stars, which confirms that there are some excellent, creative chefs in the country.

It is impossible  to compare the local trattoria, which can still produce some excellent dishes to a 3 star Michelin restaurant, although even them may have started as a more humble venue. The top Michelin chefs are like orchestra conductors who direct and inspire a team of professionals Their kitchens look more like a lab than a kitchen, as they experiment and also teach their team. Many of these people will, in turn, become the top chefs of the future. They will not boil the pasta, but his or her team will do it according to the standards set by the master. Nd t will be cooked to perfection. Certainly, a "degustation" menu (the cheapest option) in these places may cost between 150 and 200 €, but it is a memorable experience, a feast for all the senses. In Tuscany, the only restaurant that has reached this coveted level is located in Florence. You will get the full list of restaurants round the world  through Google.