"We stayed in an apartment in Staffoli (Santa Croce Commune, Pisa) for a week, and although the small town does have a butcher, a fish store, a grocery, a charming cafe, and a pizzeria, we ate out three nights at Fanellino and felt like old regulars on our last visit. Do not expect a huge menu here. It is comprised on about eight antipasti and ten primos and secundis. All are local Tuscan comfort food, filled with bean, squash, tomato, potatoes, and spices, pastas, and limited quantities of fish, shrimp, and porc. Everything we tried was good, fresh, and unique to Italian food one gets in the states. The quantities were also modest, but quite adequate. The meals started with complimentary prosecco , bread sticks and crustini and tomato cream. The dolce list was quite nice. I recommend the the gelato lemoni and ask for a shot of lemon-cello on it. Heaven!!!!!! The wonderful thing about the place is that it is basically empty at 8:00, but full every night at 10:00 and during our stay by locals who all seemed to know each other. On Friday and Saturday nights every table had children and, several, their dogs. Pure and simple Italian social life and much fun to be there off season, although I m not sure Staffoli ever has a season. If you are near Pontadera this is only 20 minutes away (but use you GPS) Closed Sunday and Monday."
