Visit Florence: Dario Cecchini's Officina della Bistecca

If you've watched Netflix's Chef's Table, you may be familiar with Dario Cecchini, a world famous butcher in Italy.  

People from around the world flock to his butcher shop and dine in the Officina della Bistecca kitchen, where "Carne Diem" is the mantra, and nose to tail cooking has been the norm.

Upon entering the Butcher shop, guests will see Dario himself, as he warmly welcomes and greets everyone, and graciously takes photos with fans.  Tuscan Bread with Burro del Chianti aka "butter" aka lardo is passed around to the delight of many. 

And I was even more delighted when I sat at the table and saw an entire jar of the lardo and more bread.  Let's just say I ate many, many pieces of bread and lardo.  What an indulgence!

Meat lovers will rejoice in the menu at Officina della Bistecca (although there is a vegetarian menu).  I don't eat a lot of meat, but I couldn't go to Dario Cecchni's legendary eatery without trying the legendary meat.

We were extremely fortunate to have his "right hand," Riccardo Ricci, dining with us to give some additional insight (and how-to-eat intel) during the evening.

Vegetables and Olive Oil

Beef Tartare

Tuscan Beans

Seared Rump Carpaccio

Etruscan Cut

Baked Potatoes (Riccardo told us we should put the lardo on!)

Panzanese Steak

Bone in Rib and Bistecca Fiorentina

The star of the evening was the Bistecca Fiorentina.   Dario Cecchini held a funeral for for this popular cut back in 2001, when it was banned due to mad cow disease.  This event gave him even more notoriety.

At the dinner, the cook made a big speech about the Bistecca Fiorentina with great passion.

I did try all of the meats, and I enjoyed the Bistecca Fiorentina the most. 

Olive Oil Cake

The evening ends with coffee or grappa!

The ambience is casual, fun, and lively, and Dario greets every table before he leaves for the night.

Dinner at Officina della Bistecca was definitely a memorable experience!

Dario Cecchini's Officina della Bistecca
Via XX Luglio, 11
Panzano in Chianti (Fi)
+39 055 852020