Che Culo!

The front of the new art piece in the Butcher Shop in Panzano

and the backside! il Culo

Che culo in Italian means how lucky!

Today was a fabulous day for Panzano in Chianti’s Sunday market.
The first Sunday of the month, is also an street fair with local producers and artists brining in their stands.

My first stop is the bar LA CURVA where my friend Gianluca just finished his master bartender class at the ILLY caffe institute in Trieste.. since Gianluca and his friends took over the bar, the coffee is the BEST! Now that he has graduated, can’t wait to see what he comes up with.

Gianluca of La Curva, Coffee Master

In front of Dario are the food stands, Marco of La Fornace with Goat Cheese, Giovanni’s Sheep’s cheese, and local farmers with homemade jams, honey, sauces and olive oils.

Cross over to the Piazza and you will find the regular market with some great finds, table cloths, roast chicken, flowers and then around the piazza are the artists with paintings, ceramics, as well as bric brack and crafts.

At the Macelleria there is also big news, what was going to be a new space in chianti for me to teach cooking… has now turned into a restaurant! For all those who can;t buy food at Dario’s and take it home to cook, you will be able to sit down and enjoy it right there in Panzano!

The new space SOLOCICCIA – ONLYMEAT, will basically be a tasting menu of everything Dario has in the shop. The sign says it will open on June 20th… so if you are in the area, stop by! It will follow the same hours as the shop

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11-3 Wednesday closed and Friday and Saturday the restaurant will be open from 11-3 and then again from 7pm to 11pm.

PS DARIO DOESN”T SING! so don’t be stupid and ask!!!

let’s stop this rumor now.. he has recited Dante at the drop of a hat, other poetry as well, has a fabulous sound system in the shop and plays everything from opera to beachboys, depending on his mood.

One of the great things about going to the shop for me, are the people I meet.
The day I could really speak Italian opened a new world for me. Yes people can still tell I am American when I speak…but for me it is more important to just TALK than to think about it first and then miss out on the moment.

This week I met a fabulous artist Yari at Dario’s and bought one of his unique walnut cutting boards. Actually way too nice to cut on, more for serving.

Yari and some of his boards

Yari is another one that you can say, ” Che Culo”. He was involved in an accident and was in a coma for 2 months. He has lost the use of one arm, but that hasn’t stopped this vibrant creative young man from embracing life and making the most of what he has.

His cutting boards are like little sculptures, each numbered and branded with his name. They come in custom made wool bags also with his name stitched on. I had to have one!

The boards will be available at Dario’s and also at Conti’s in the Central Market.
As they are one of a kind there are not a lot available.

June will also host another great art event in Panzano. I will post on it when I have the map.