Palmabella's Passions

Our first evening in Carmel was just perfect! We arrive at "Woodipoint", the charming Carmel home of our friends, Lynn and Gary, and had a few hours to visit and relax before introducing them to our "Slow Travel world", and dinner with Wendy and Rob, and Sharon and Ed at Cantinetta Luca in Carmel.

The restaurant makes their own delicious Italian cured meat products...oh my! They do it VERY well! We devoured TWO of these salumi platters with delicious warm bread and thin crispy breadsticks.

Manager, Giuseppe Panzuto, was charming and attentive, and any friends of Wendy and Rob became "part of the family".

The food??? FABULOUS! We were having way too much fun, wine and laughter, so I don't have many food shots. Here is Gary's Papardelle Bolognese, and Brad's Fettucini Nero with sweet shrimp, garlic, olive oil and chili.

Lynn and I both had a wonderful fresh fig-gorgonzola-arugula pizza.

Everything was REALLY delicious, from the "Tricolore Salad" (with bitter greens, green apple, HUGE chunks of gorgonzola and a honey vinaigrette), to Wendy's fava bean risotto, Ed's braised lamb shank, and Sharon's salmon. For a special splurge, treat yourself to the AMAZING Bistecca alla Fiorentina, best one this side of Firenze! (I didn't get a photo, but I get get a few bites!)

The Italian wine list was excellent. I was in heaven with some good Arneis, and the red wine crowd was quite happy with the Barbera! Wendy chose come grappa, and what could make Palma happier after dinner than a double fisted coffee/Brachetto treat?

Here are the happy diners: Brad and Lynn

Palma and Gary:

Ed and Sharon:

Wendy and Palma:

It was a PERFECT kickoff to our weekend fun!