Il Battibecco Restaurant in Impruneta

 Around lunch time today there was a bark at the front door. I opened it and in came Toppi, tail wagging, and headed straight for the kitchen. Toppi is Mattia's shadow and normally doesn't even look at anyone else. After a brief 'chat' he headed back to the door where he sat on the door step for a while.

Toppi is on a diet so perhaps he was hopeful that we hadn't been told not to feed him.

Don't you love the spot.

Today was earmarked as a special day because we had booked to go to a top rating  restaurant less than a kilometre from home. We have been there before because it is a Buon Ricordo restaurant and we have their plate. However they have a new special dish and so a new plate.

Il Battibecco is set in a gorgeous garden setting so was perfect for a hot night. The menu and the presentation is excellent and the wait staff attentive. As well dressed couples and groups (and two dogs - it's pet friendly) arrived, the gentle murmur of happy diners created a satisfying background hum.

On arrival we were given complimentary glasses of Prosecco to sip while we perused the menu. Three types of bread arrived in a novel receptacle, a creatively folded paper bag. On consideration, the perfect receptacle in an outdoor situation with heat and breeze.

The waiter then appeared with complimentary appetiser serves, often referred to as the chef's welcome,  of a delicious grain and vegetable mix.

With a bottle of Prosecco on ice by our side, our Primo, or first course, arrived.

Mine was pici pasta with pea pesto and crispy smoked goose breast

Kelly's was pappadelle pasta with rabbit ragù on creamed potato with rosemary and lemon.

Our Secondo, or main course arrived and Kel had a glass of Chianti Classico to go with his.

Mine was the choice for which I would receive the  hand decorated plate. Called Peposa alla Fornacina, it is an historic dish based on a spicy stew which the terracotta workers used to cook in the furnaces for their lunch. Served with Tuscan white beans and a green bean and tomato caponata, it was delicious.

Kelly's main course was duck breast with glazed onions, asparasus and grilled camembert.

Earlier we were thinking that we wouldn't have Dolce - dessert, however it didn't take much to convince us otherwise.

Peach and cream tile with cinnamon salted caramel for me and a chocolate cup with cappuccino foam for him.

To finish off, a complimentary limoncello. For the digestion, of course!

And here is the plate, it will be the 13th on our wall.

I just asked Kel for a summing up phrase or two. 'Yes, our Travel Money Card was greatly depleted but it was all well worth it!'