La Petraia: An Unforgettable Tuscan Meal with Chef Susan McKenna Grant

September 26, 2009  by Sarah Raymond

Photos courtesy of La Petraia, Michael Grant & Sarah Raymond

In the US, the vast majority of food & grocery shopping is done in supermarkets. We cook with canned beans or tomatoes, pre-butchered meats, and shrink-wrapped cold cuts – or consume industrially prepared foods – rarely stopping to consider where exactly these things come from. One item could be fresh from a nearby farm, another from halfway across the world. While many Americans are becoming increasingly aware of how and where their food is produced, there is still a sense of detachment between the food we eat and its origins. Recently, however, following an eye-opening Italian dining experience at La Petraia – in Tuscany’s Chianti region – I was inspired to rethink how I purchase, prepare, and consume food.

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Spotlight Tuscany: Haybarn 2 Bedroom Villa in Monteriggioni

May 20, 2009  by Sarah Raymond

Text Sarah Raymond & Kim Matland

We at Haven in Paris have had a busy few months. With bookings picking up in the first half of 2009, we have added several new properties to our website – three in Paris and one in Tuscany. Recently, the first group came to stay at our new Haybarn villa in Monteriggioni, Italy – located just minutes from our Poggio 5 Bedroom property and a short drive from Siena. Kim Matland, one of the guests, gave us a lovely commentary about the home and their stay, and has been so kind as to allow us to share it here. Grazie, Kim! Continue Reading »

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