My last dinner in Siena was the best of the three. Ghibellino is, unlike the others, close to the main street that runs behind Piazza del Campo. It also has a mix of popular Italian dishes and local cuisine.
For my appetizer, I got polenta fritta con sugo di cinghiale (fried polenta with boar sauce). The fried polenta had a crispy exterior and the boar sauce was like a chili but less wet. The flavors were fine but I found the texture of the dish to be most appealing.
For my main course, I again decided on a dish local to the Lazio region. This time I got cacio e pepe which is local to Rome. It’s a very popular and simple dish of spaghetti tossed in a creamy pecorino romano and pepper. I keep getting it but I had never had one that wowed me until I went to Ghibellino. Their cacio e pepe was to die for. You wouldn’t think such a simple dish could be so difficult to perfect but theirs was as close to perfection as you could imagine. The cheese sauce was perfectly salty and creamy but it stuck to the noodles (and wasn’t runny) which is what you want!
For dessert, I had crema di mascarpone con vaniglia e frutti di bosco (mascarpone cream with vanilla and berries) and it was exceptional. Again, it was just a simple vanilla mascarpone topped with berry compote and it was the perfect way to cap the meal.
Overall, I absolutely recommend Ghibellino and plan to come back for a meal the next time I’m in Siena. It’s got a little more of a charming feel so it’s a perfect date spot. The staff is friendly and welcoming as well.
| Website: | Osteria Il Ghibellino |
| Address: | Via Dei Pellegrini 26, 53100, Siena Italy |
| Phone: | 39 0577 288079 |
| Visited: | December 2021 |
