The Osteria concept
In Italian the word "osteria" means an informal kind of restaurant where you can find simple service but great food. This is what it is the Osteria Acquacheta, since almost two decades: one of the favourite Montepulciano's restaurants for the locals and the many international visitors.
The Osteria offers a hearty food strongly based on local traditions. Only local ingredients are used after a carefull selection. Here quality come first than presentation. The ambience is cozy, friendly and informal. People just come to enjoy the food and the company.
You contact me via email info(at)acquacheta.eu for suggestions, greetings, pictures and personal message BUT I just remind you that we cannot accept any reservation by email. If you want to book a table please call the number (+39) 0578 717086, don't worry we speak English.
If there is an answer machine leave your name and phone number, I will call you back.
We are closed on Tuesdays. The other days we offer two sittings at lunch time (at 1215 and 215 PM) and two sittings for dinner (at 730 and 915 PM)
Joined by some Tuscan friends, we wandered down a narrow street to Osteria dell’Acquacheta, a cozy restaurant known for its steaks. During the high season, seats can be booked up to a month in advance. Today, the dark, stone dining room was crowded but it looked as if we actually had a shot at a table.
After a five-minute wait, we were seated next to the open kitchen, surrounded by teenagers, young families and Tuscan businessmen, and watched as Giulio Ciolfi, the gregarious owner with a long, gray ponytail, two leather belts slung on his hips and wildly bushy eyebrows, carved into a side of beef with a machete-like knife.
We ordered a steak and it arrived a few minutes later — two inches thick, seasoned simply with olive oil, salt and pepper, and grilled so rare it was still cold in the center. Don’t ask for well-done; this is how steak is served here.