Italys Most Famous Butcher - Dario

 

DARIO CECCHINI

MACCELERIA CECCHINI

PANZANO, ITALY

DARIO CECCHINI

DARIO CECCHINI Says "HELLO"

"HELLO NEW YORK" !!!

The MENU

A BEEF STEAK FEAST

5 COURSES of PRIME BEEF

CARNE CRUDO (STEAK TARTARE) 

CARPACIO di CULO

 (Seared Rump Steak)

TAGLI CECCHINI (Dario's Signature Cut)

BISTECCA PANZANESE (Panzanese Steak)

COSTATA alla FIORENTINA (Bone-In Ribeye)

Served with FAGIOLI (Beans) & PATATE (Baked Potato)

CHIANTI

OLIVE OIL CAKE & VIN SANTO

"ALL For ONLY 50 EUROS"

OUR TUSCAN STEAK FEAST

I have known Dario Cecchini since 2001. That was the first time I went to his macceleria in Panzano. I don't know him very well, but I have been to his butcher shop a few time, and said hello. Since the last time I was in Panzano, and at Dario's butcher shop (Macelleria Cecchini) Dario has opened a restaurant, Officina Bistecca in Panzano, across the street from his famous butcher shop. Ever since I heard I was dying to go there. At Officina Bistecca you are treated to an amazing Tuscan Steak Feast by Dario. The feast incudes several courses of Prime Beef Steak in numerous forms - Carne Crudo (Steak Tartare), Carpaccio di Culo which translates to Carpaccio of the Ass, "Haha." Just a little joke. The Carpaccio is made from Beef Rump (Culo). Then you move on to Tagli Cecchini, then Bistecca Panzanese (T-bone Steak), and then Crostata di Fiorentian (Ribeye Steak), alls served with Fagioli (Tuscan Beans) Roast Potato, Tuscan Butter (Lardo), and all the Chianti you can drink. You finish the meal with a tasty piece of Olive Oil Cake and Vin Santo Dessert wine, all for only 50 Euros. "Quite a Deal? And we Loved it"

The we? Me, and my cousins Tony & Debbie. We had a hard time convincing my cousin Tony. He didn't want to go, but his wife Debbie loves Steak better than anything, and I love steak as well, and had been yearning to eat there, ever since I heard about it. I had to go. I told Debbie, "come on Debbie, we Gott go." She agreed, and talked Tony into it. So on Tuesday March 3rd (2026), we drove down there. To Panzano and to the Macceleria Cecchini, for an amazing Tuscan Beef Feast at Dario's Officina della Bistecca (Office of Florentine T-bone Steak). We were not to be denied, cousin Debbie and I. And so we arrived. It was quite exciting. When we arrived, and parked our car in the adjacent parking lot, we walking in through the maccelleria which was already abuzz with people meeting Dario and getting ready for the steak feast of their lives. The Antica Macelleria Cecchini has been in Dario's family for many years and Dario is the 8th Generation of his family to run this butcher shop. Dario and the macelleria became famous, a couple years after Dario took over the shop. Dario would often quote the famed Florentine poet - Dante Alighieri, and that's how he started gaining notoriety and thus became famous, along with the butcher shop. It didn't hurt that Mario Batali became good friends with Dario, and author Bill Buford apprenticed with Dario and wrote about him in his Best Selling book "HEAT," which is almost like a biography of Batali, with parts about Dario, and Buford's experiences apprenticing with both Dario at the macceleria and with Mario at Babbo.

Anyway, back to me and my cousins, and our Tuscan Steak Feast. We had a wonderful time. The dining room is quite convivial, festive, and it's loads of fun. Needless to say, everyone is happy and in high-spirits. It all starts with Dario making a speech to charge everyone up before we go into eat. Dario blows his bus horn and welcomes everyone to the Maceelleria & Officina dell Bistecca for the Feast to come. "Carne Diem !!! Carne Diem," Dario shouts, and the crowd outside repeats his chants. Everyone is all charged-up and ready to go.

Anyway. We had the Steak Feast. We Loved it, and all agreed that it was a very special thing to do, and a day we shall always remember. And needless to say, "Cherish," always.

After we got back home in the USA, me in New York, and Tony & Debbie down in Florida, I gave Tony a call one day, and we talked about the trip, (a Week in Tuscany). We talked of Lucca, going to Villa Santo Stefano Wine Estate (Lucca), our day in Bolgheri, on the Tuscan Coast, and our day at Dario's, and Tony said to me, "You know, the Best Thing we did, was going to Dario's (Macelleria Cecchini & Officina Bistecca). I agreed, and was quite happy to say that. Happy that he didn't just agree because that's what Debbie & I wanted to do more than anything, and Tony was going along. No Tony loved it just as much as we did. And so, that was our day with Dario. I chatted a bit with Dario and I shot some video to make a little film (video) of Dario, the famous butcher shop, and our "Wonderful" Tuscan Steak Feast. Yes a day to remember, and one I hasn't forget. It was so very cool.

Basta! 

Daniel Bellino Zwicke 

May 21, 2026 

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

ROME VENICE PANZANO PIZZA PASTA

CHIANTI BISTECCA & More ...

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Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE (r)

with DARIO CECCHINI 

And COUSIN TONY B (L)

At MACELLERIA CECCHINI

PANAZANO

BELLINO & CECCHINI

From Google search

Daniel Bellino and Dario Cecchini share a deep connection rooted in a mutual passion for traditional culinary arts, particularly celebrated through Cecchini's legendary Tuscan butcher shop.

The CONNECTION

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke is a prominent New York-based Italian-American cookbook author, wine educator, and food writer. He has frequently documented his travels to Italy and his high-profile culinary encounters, notably featuring Dario Cecchini across his social media platforms, blogs, and videos as a supreme "Master of Meat". 

• The Meat Mecca: His historic shop, Antica Macelleria Cecchini, is a global destination for food lovers.
• 
  
• Acclaimed Restaurants: He runs three specialized dining concepts directly attached to his shop: Officina della Bistecca (famous for its 8-course Florentine steak progression), Solociccia, and Panzanese.
• 
  
• Theatrical Flair: Dario is famous for his rock-and-roll attitude, energetic hospitality, and shouting his signature catchphrase, "To Beef or Not to Beef!" while passionately reciting Dante’s Divine Comedy to his guests. 

Daniel Bellino's Perspective

Bellino-Zwicke first visited Cecchini's butcher shop in 2003 before the attached restaurants were open, and has since returned to experience the full communal dining feasts. Through his books (like Sunday Sauce) and food tours, Bellino bridges the world of authentic Greenwich Village New York-Italian food with the ancient, soulful culinary traditions kept alive by masters like Cecchini in Tuscany.

"CARNE VINO e ROCK N' ROLL" says DARIO

MACELLERIA CECCHINI

PANZANO, ITALY

The ITALIAN NONNA COOKBOOK

COOK LIKE a NONNA

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

AMAZON.com

DARIO

"The KING of BEEF"

ETRUSCACAN STEAKS & MORE !

Chicken Cacciatore by Bellino - Recipe

 

CHICKEN CACCIATORE

alla BELLINO 

From La TAVOLA

CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Ingredients : 

4 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 large Onion, peeled and sliced thin

6 Chicken Thighs & 6 Legs

8 pieces of whole San Marzano Tomatoes

1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced into 12 slices

 3 cloves Garlic, peeled and cut into 4 pieces each

10 ounces Button Mushrooms, washed and cut into quarters

1/2 teaspoon each of Salt & ground Black Pepper

1/2 cup dry White Wine

2 Bay Leaves

2 sprigs fresh Rosemary (optional)

(Optional) You can add some Olives to the dish if you like. Some people like to, some don't. We prefer without, and are happy with the peppers, onions, and mushrooms. If you do want to add Olive, get any Italian Greens Olives you like, and add into the dish in last 10 minutes of cooking. Basta !

Preparation :

Pat dry all of the chicken. Season each piece with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Place the olive oil in a large frying pan and turn heat on to  a medium flame.

Add half the chicken and brown on both sides until nicely browned. about 3 minutes on each side.

Remove the browned chicken and set aside on a plate. Brown the remaining chicken in the same pan, then set aside with the other chicken.

Add the sliced peppers to the pan and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Add the onions and continue cooking on medium heat for 5 minutes, mixing with a wooden spoon as you cook. Season the peppers and onions with salt and black pepper and mix. Add the garlic and cook on low heat for 3 minutes. 

Add all the chicken and the juices from the plate back into the pan. Add the white wine and cook on medium heat, until the wine is reduced by half of its original volume.

Add the tomatoes. Crush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon to break into pieces. Turn the heat to high, and cook for 5 minutes, as you mix the tomatoes into the pan. Add the bay leaves and rosemary. Cover the pan with a lid if you have one, and cook on low heat for 35 - 40 minutes, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Once the chicken is cooked through and is tender ( 35 - 40 mins.), turn the heat off, and let rest for 8 minutes before serving.

To serve. Give each person 2 - 3 pieces of chicken with some mushrooms and pan juices on each plate. Sprinkle some chopped parsley on top, and drizzle a little olive oil across the chicken. Serve with a salad or whatever vegetable that you like on the side, or serve the chicken on its own.

Enjoy !

  ... Daniel ....

The above Recipe is Excerpted from La TAVOLA, courtesy of the author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

La TAVOLA

ITALIAN-AMERICAN NEW YORKERS

ADVENTURES of The TABLE

"La TAVOLA"

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Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

VERONA, ITALY

Books on Amazon

Perfect American Meal by Bellino

"BEST DAMN CHEESEBURGER iN NEW YORK"

The PERFECT AMERICAN DINNER 

The perfect American dinner. What is it you ask? Well I don't know. All I know is what I made for dinner tonight could be in the running. For 1, it's oh so very American. What is it you say? OK, I'll tell you. It's a Cheeseburger and some tasty Cremesicle Ice Cream. "What's so Special about that, " you say. Well for one, I make one of the Best Damn Cheeseburgers you'll ever eat. "It's Damn Good." So damn good ! Better than good. It's delicious. I know how to make a burger. And some Creamsicle Ice Creme? I haven't had it for years. Love it. Since childhood, way back in the 60s. "If You Know - You Know."

Anyway. I was at the cafe working on stuff (writing), and what for dinner I thought. I finished the Chili that I make my Tacos with last night, so what for tonight. "A Burger I think" ? And when I say burger, it's always a cheeseburger. "For sure." So I made my way to the supermarket to get some good ground beef. And when I say good, I mean good. Get the best you can. I walked in the store, and got a flyer (sale items). I browed it over. "Ah. Turkey Hill Ice Cream is on sale. I'll get some of that." I don't throw my money away, and always buy ice cream when it's on sale. Today is the day. I went over to the meat counter and looked over the meat. OK, Ground Angus Beef Chuck (80/20) for $7.99 a pound. I got one. A pound. All set. Now over to the ice cream. Looked over what they had, and when I saw the turkey Hill "Orange Cream Swirl" I went nuts. "Yeah." It instantly made me happy. I thought of my childhood and how much I loved this wonderful combo of lush Vanilla Ic Cream & Orange Sherbet. What a combination. "So good" !!! I had to get some. And so I did. I also got a new jar of dill pickle chips, and some New York State Cheddar to top my burger. I was all set.

I paid for the stuff and made my way home. I sliced the cheese first and set it aside. I got the BBQ Sauce, Mustard, Burger Bun, and salt and black pepper at the ready. Set my small frying pan on the stove, shaped my burger, and put a little olive oil in the pan. Threw the burger in and toasted my bun (Haha!). I seasoned the burger with salt & pepper as it was cooking. After a couple of minutes, I flipped the burger over. I seasoned the other side, and let the burger continue cooking. After a couple minutes, it was done.

I placed the Cheddar Cheese on the bottom bun and set the burger on top. Then I put a bit of Dijon Mustard on top of the burger, and on top of the mustard I put some BBQ Sauce. Put on 3 dill pickle chips, and topped it with the top bun, and I was ready to go. Ready to eat one of the best burgers in town. I kid you not. "If I must say so myself, I make one of the Best Damn Burgers in Town!" That's a fact. I bit in. "Yumm. So good." I told you. I ate the burger (cheeseburger) as slowly as I could. Didn't want to rush a good thing. Well I finished it. I enjoyed it, and I didn't get ripped off, paying maybe $24 for a burger, plus tip and tax, and you probably have a drink, so by the time you're done, you might have spent $60 or more for a burger and one drink. "Not me!" My burgers are better than practically and place in New York, so why throw my money away.

Now, on to dessert. Yes my Orange & Vanilla Creamsicle. "OMG?" The temperature and texture were just right, being outside of the freezer for about 40 minutes. I got my bowl and tablespoon and I dug in. Again, "Oh My God" ? So Good !!! Just like when I was a child in the 60s. I could not have asked for more.

And so, one of the Best Damn Dinners in all of New York City. Maybe not? I know many might not agree. But then, on the other hand, there's probably million people or more, just in New York City who would agree. And that's good enough for me. 

Basta !

Daniel Bellino Zwicke

GOOD HUMOR'S "CREAMSICLE"

VANILLA ICE CREAM with ORANGE SHERBET

"So DAMN GOOD" !!!

"This is WHAT I HAD TONIGHT"

TURKEY HILL "ORANGE CREAM SWIRL"

LOVE IT !!!!

It was just $4.99

The BADASS COOKBOOK

FAVORITE AMERICAN FOODS

And SECRET RECIPES

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