Palmabella's Passions

We celebrated our 8th anniversary a day early at a very special dinner at I Caffi in Acqui Terme. We were a day early for our actual anniversary, but excited to try this very special restaurant.

I Caffi is located on a quiet street, just off Piazza Italia”s cascading fountain.. You must ring a doorbell to be let in. The dining room is simple and elegant. Each place is set with stained glass placemats and coordinating glasswear.

Brad and I chose the “Grande Tasting Menu” with two starters, a primi, secondi, and dolci. The gorgeous plates of food just kept coming.

First they brought an assortment of breads and rolls, then a complementary muse buche of a slice of roasted yellow pepper stuffed with gorgonzola and a glass of prosecco.

My first dish was a delicious carne crudo with shaved parmigiano, lemon juice and three kinds of sea salt.

Brad began with a beautiful salad with greens, quail breast, grapes, figs, and a quail egg. Next I had a zucchini sformato served in a porcini mushroom sauce, and Brad had the carne crudo.

My primi piatto was originally gnocchi with duck sauce. It was delicious, but I traded it with Steve for his orzo con salsiccia. We were both quite happy. Brad had a gorgeous individual eggplant lasagna.

My secondi was pork tenderloin in a beautiful sauce with roasted potatoes. Brad had venison in a mustard sauce.

I am not usually big on dessert, but mine was really out-of-this-world. It is in my top three EVER!. I had fig tarts is pastry shells with a zabligone cream, served with crema gelato. I wish I had been able to eat it all, but just couldn’t finish.

Brad had the “Torte Secco” (a cake filled with dried fruits and nuts with a cream sauce and chocolate gelato).

Our whole table was also served a platter filled with assorted dolci. The wine was good, and I enjoyed every second of this amazing meal.

Even the coffee and sugars were perfect!

What an amazing place tucked away in Acqui!