Ristorante Toscano brings to the Beacon Hill community the Florentine gastronomic tradition.  In 1983 Vinicio Paoli, current chef and owner, opened his restaurant on Charles Street.  His main motivation was the need of re-creating a place where guests could enjoy simple food prepared with the finest and freshest ingredients.  To that effect his initiative has succeeded immensely, as a testimony to his fine Italian culinary tradition the Italian Government recognized Ristorante Toscano as a truly authentic  “Ristorante Italiano”.

An introduction of Toscano would be incomplete without a brief review of its founder’s background, Vinicio Paoli.  Who is Vinicio Paoli?  Vinicio Paoli was born in Florence, Northern Italy.  Vinicio  attended the Enalc School for four years and went on to work with some of the best chefs in Italy, both in restaurants and hotels.

From 1977 to 1980, Vinicio came to live in the United States and was a partner and consultant in the restaurant retail business in New York.  He went back to Italy for a short spell and in 1982 moved to Boston’s historic Beacon Hill and opened Toscano’s.  With 130 seats, a loyal staff that has been with him since day one, and a menu showcasing Tuscan cuisine, Toscano’s remains among the very best restaurants in the city that is experiencing an explosive growth in dining.

What is Vinicio’s secret?  Freshness and authenticity.  “I cook classic Italian cuisine.  Nothing on our menu is nouvelle, which, like fashion, is only good for a year.  Simple works best and freshness of the ingredients is key.