My Italian friend Loredana arrives in Rome,after that dreadful 24 hour journey,to be scooped up by Bello Marcello. As he stops Via Veneto traffic to escort her to the Fellini famous Cafe De Paris Her first coffee was stimulating to say the least. Cafe corretto. Well may you ask what is that??? Coffee laced with Grappa and at 6 am. Benvenuta in Italia !!!
Siena is a gastronomical / medieval / spiritual surprise
First stop Morbidi in the Main Street - gourmet deli/ caffe ..How many beautiful women faking their domestic duties with exquisite freshly cooked gourmet take away
MORBIDI . VIA Banchi Di Sopra 73.
Just had a portion of shrimp / zucchini salad- too yummy !!
The zucchini is VERY cooked, maybe boiled? The tiny shrimp seems separately cooked. Then mixed with olive oil, a tiny bit of pepperoncino, fine chopped parsley? And lots of good olive oil. See I mentioned it twice!!
No secret - ingredients ridiculously fresh and served at room temperature
Nothing worse than salads from the fridge.
Just had a chat with the owner, Angelo The only thing I missed was garlic and a tiny amount of tomato.
But it was infused not chopped or whole.
Next night Loredana and I found a trattoria in a lane off a lane off a lane
The vaulted ceilings created a perfect ambience for the Art Deco lighting-and family run eating place for many generations
rRISOTTO with Gorgonzola and Fiore Di Zucchini So delicate to combine Zucchini flowers with that pungent cheese. _. MOLTO delicato!
In contrast - a rich pasta dish. PICI with radicchio and walnuts - what a combo if you have a palette for the slightly bitter flavour.
To top it off it is Notte Bianche in Siena tonight and the streets are alive with music, dancing,art, food treats at our beck and call - and the local Senese celebrating life !!!!!!