Palmabella's Passions

September 23, 2011

On Friday night we had a special treat: DInner at Giulia's! We had some pre-dinner wine on the terrace, and then sat down to dinner with two other guests, Pru and her husband from Michigan, who we had chatted with at breakfast for the past few days.

We began with a platter of antipasti: cured olives, home made pickles, local pecorino di fossa with mostarda, and a delicious local salumi.

Next we were served a huge bowl of zucchini-potato soup. This was rich and filling, and I knew there were more courses coming, but I CLEANED MY PLATE, it was SO good!

Giulia's family raises beef cattle, so beef was on the menu. We enjoyed a wonderful "Stracotto" (slow cooked beef stew) with potatoes that was tender and delicious.

Of course we managed to find room for dessert! Giulia served vanilla gelato with a "surprise topping" we had to guess. The women immediately knew the scent and taste of rose petals in the rose petal jam. It was interesting and yummy on the ice cream.

We moved outside to the terrace for coffee and after dinner liqueurs. There was quite a selection of home-made flavors: black walnut, apricot, elder flower, grape, and even artichoke!

Good company, great food, and a lovely evening. You can't beat that!