Cassia Vetus Osteria de Cavalieri & Gelateraneo
In the town of Valdarno, located in the heart of the Chianti valley, along the “Cassia Vetus” (ancient road) is a quaint little place I want to tell you about. It is called the Cassia Vetus Osteria de Cavalieri. We pulled our Alfa Romeo into the small empty parking lot and turned off the engine. There was nothing but the sound of a soft breeze through the trees and a rooster crow in the distance. Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful. We walked to the entrance and were greeted by a slim man who was rushing to get the door for us. He promptly sat us down and returned to the foyer to put on his apron and get menu’s and his order pad. He told us the specials for the day, Valdarno chicken. My wife and I both ordered it along with a bottle of Chianti. We also ordered a pasta Bolognese for my daughter. The man rushed back to the kitchen. We then sat looking out at the adjacent vineyards that we hadn’t noticed and enjoyed the view. Our food was served quickly and both my wife and I looked at the chicken but politely thanked the man and began eating. The chicken looked a little odd. In fact it was dark meat throughout. My wife was turned off and politely said she was too full to finish hers. My daughter had no problem nor did I. The man returned and seemed disappointed that my wife’s plate was almost full. She asked why the chicken was all red meat, wondering if it was soaked in wine prior to braising. The man laughed, pulled up a chair and told us all about this chicken. He said that this is “Valdarno” chicken. This is a special breed only found right there in that area of Italy. It’s meat is naturally dark throughout. He told us of a similar situation with non other that Mr. Zacky (Zack Farms Chicken) himself who wondered the same thing. He mentioned that he could not believe that Zacky farms slaughters one million plus chickens per day in the United States. He placed his hands on his head saying, “Can you imagine, one million chickens? There aren’t even one thousand of these Valdarno chickens.” I must say it was good, that actually made my wife try it again. She thoroughly enjoyed it. Then it came time for dessert. He pointed to the adjacent Gelato shop. He called it the Gelateraneo. We meandered over to the large glass case. The man then told us to wait one minute. He took off his apron and changed into the Gelateraneo’s Apron and matching hat. He even placed a name tag on his shirt and walked behind the counter asking “How can I help you?” He pointed out his gelato’s, some of which were made with cassata, pine nut’s, rose water, and fresh berries and fruit. They all looked great. He then pointed out his Pistachio gelato. He proudly touted it as one of the best Pistachio gelato’s in all of Italy. The reason he said was because he searched and searched all of Italy and Greece for the best Pistachios. He said that it is made with the best pistachios from Bronte, Sicily. It was THE BEST Pistachio gelato I have had to date. I must say, that driving around the Italian countryside is all that I had dreamed of. This place we wandered into was not on our itinerary but only along our route. It wasn’t packed and it wasn’t too fancy. But I will tell you this, it was one of those memorable meals of a lifetime.
CASSIA VETUS OSTERIA Via Setteponti, Levante, 18/C Tel. 055 9172116
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