The daily diary of a wandering restaurateur
May 20 - Dining del Giorno
Our first meal of the day was a quick pizza on the main piazza in Montepulciano. In the warm months, the restaurants expand into the outside spaces, many serving a vast new "dining room" from an unbelievably small kitchen. What I liked about this pizza was its visual appeal. It had height and texture rather than just being a flat presentation.
For dinner, we had to go back to Trattoria La Grotta in Cortona. Being Friday night and being that we did not reserve until we arrived, the only seats left were out in their small piazza. Very urban ... in a medieval sort of way. We came back for the spinach and ricotta gnocchi -- maybe not much to look at but a totally delicious dish. Since I had the pork lombo last night, Margene wanted her own order. As is usual, she got her way. They were still out of ossobucco, so tonight I tried the pork chop with balsamic vinegar and green pepper corns. This was a very unusual -- and quite tasty -- combination. Give the idea to your chefs and let them play around with it. You might find a new signature item in it!
© 2005 Restaurant Doctor
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