Funny how you never hear anyone talk about the amazing villa they rented in Texas. Or how they killed at Tuscan Hold-‘Em.

Because Texas and Tuscany have more in common that you’d think – most recently, Maremma, which opens today.

Cesare Casella, the impish chef and owner of Beppe, everyone’s favorite trattoria, named his new restaurant after the swampy region in southwest Tuscany that nobody ever visits. It’s the wild west of Italy – the land of cowboys and cattle rustlers and restless macho spirits.

How do the two come together? Mighty easily, it turns out. Menu items include Sloppy Gio (ha ha), Mess Kit (grilled Maremma sausages and sweet Texas onions), Caldaro (campfire fish stew), Coyote (Tuscan flapjacks with basil and cilantro pesto), and Wild Bill Cody (pappardelle with chocolate wild boar sauce). The planters along the staircase alternate rosemary with cactus – a cute touch.

The place is playful but polished. Much like Casella himself, a cowboy chef down to his boots (which are, of course, made in Italy).

So lasso the gang and head on down.

Arrivederci, pardner.

 

Maremma, 228 West 10th Street, between Hudson and Bleecker Streets (212-645-0200).