21st April 2007
Back in Montepulciano, and who can resist a ‘cappuccio’ (which seems to be what they call a cappuccino in these parts) in the Antico Caffé Poliziano, named after a renaissance poet who was obviously a big hit in Montepulciano (there is a palazzo named after him too). You won’t find any frescoes here though this is a rather decadent Art Nouveau tea room. With sumptuous upholstered banquettes, little marble tables and views from it’s pretty balconies that sweep across the Val di Chiana this is surely a place to indulge youself a little. 
I once spent several hours in this elegant, Liberty style café while marito negotiated the finer points of the purchase of our casa with a wily estate agent across the road. The affable staff pretended to understand my terrible Italian and kept the children supplied with little titbits well beyond the call of duty. The coffee here is sublime and an aperitivo of your choice is beautifully presented on cute little trays with lots of lovely nibbly things.
The best thing I ate today;
It has got to be the ‘cappuccio’. This is my main addiction and I am a bit fussy about it. Aromatic, rich and smooth, its foaming top must be creamy and made with latte fresco, not UHT. Most importantly it must be hot and, surprisingly, sometimes it’s not in Italy. Maybe this is because they like to knock it back in one. I prefer to sip and linger perhaps in a nice café like Poliziano where they make it just right.
Where to get it:
On tap, practically everywhere in Italy.
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