The daily diary of a wandering restaurateur
May 8 - Panicale, Citta della Pieve and Umbertide
Lunching al fresco in the piazza in Panicale was a pretty unstructured affair -- a few tables in front of a few small bars. We shared the space with the owner's 20-lb. cat ... or perhaps the cat was the one that shared the space with us!
The Cantina del Saltapiccio, our home away from home in Citta della Pieve. We have visited here on every trip to Italy, having discovered the place when we stayed just out of town on our first trip back in 2000. It is always a delight to see the owner, Cinzia. I am always surprised that she remembers us ... although I doubt that many Americans ever stumble upon the place.
Dinner at the Santa Fe Pizza Saloon in Umbertide. There seems to be a certain fascination with things American ... at least as far as our culture goes. This place was totally Italian and served great pizzas, but was done in sort of a southwest bunkhouse decor.
© 2005 Restaurant Doctor
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