The Daily Diary of a Wandering Restaurateur
Winter Planning Session: Under the Tuscan ... Snow?
We awoke this morning to a rude surprise -- an inch of snow! Fortunately it didn't keep snowing and, like at home, it was gone within a few hours. But the fog persisted, making it pointless to get out and about to see the countryside -- you couldn't see much of anything! At least we have our cozy apartment, comfy chairs, and plenty of snacks! It was a good day to do the laundry.
Lest you think that it never snows in central Italy, I offer some of Giacomo's photos from a freak snow storm that hit Montepulciano in February 2012. Apparently something like this happens every five years or so. If you have ever looked at a steep street or driveway and wondered what they do when it snows ...
We went to Osteria del Conte for dinner. As Christmas approaches, the choices get fewer and fewer as many places close for the holidays. This was a friendly little place, although closer in concept to Trattoria La Buca in Pienza than Osteria Acquacheta in Montepulciano. Now I understand why Giacomo was so adamant that Acquacheta was what a REAL osteria was supposed to be. Still, our choices were limited.
At 7:30 We were the first people in the place. By 9:00 all the tables were filled. (In Spain, the place wouldn't even have opened until 9:00!) Margene had the tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms. I had a delightful ravioli with butter and sage in a light cream sauce followed by a beautifully grilled pork chop. Italians tend toward simple preparations that let the food speak for itself ... and it virtually screams FRESH! It really points out how our factory farming in the US, while it may be efficient, has taken most of the taste out of the ingredients we use.
© 2012 Restaurant Doctor
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