[CUISINE ADAGIO] - Lucca, the food heart of Toscana

It is difficult to rate Toscana - as in every part, you find special dishes which continue to surprise and please you. Safe to say, it IS the food bowl of Italy. At least it is up there with Emilia Romana .........

We had the good fortune to be 'gli ospiti' of Samuela & Vittorio from Lucca. What an elegant city! The Lucchese take pride in their cuisine - from Restaurant, Trattoria, to the small food deli, you can eat well! In my element, surrounded by foodies, each evening was a gastronomic revelation. The magnificent table settings from Ginori to Limoges (see photo) were sufficient Antipasti to enhance your appetite. However Vittorio prepared entrée of sashimi style raw salmon simply cured with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, squid ink tagliatelle with sugo of delicate white fish, Buratta di Buffala with lolly sweet pomodorini accompanied by inevitable bread for mopping up. We must eat slowly. There is lots to come. Take a sip of Barolo vino - it helps the digestion !

Main courses such as Bistecca Fiorentina cooked to rare perfection, Flathead with exquisite deep fried Sage ........ Always with delicate radicchio and herb salads form Vittorio's garden. Zucchini flowers stuffed with Ricotta. THE pièce de resistance - a selection of very fine and delicate herbs mulched with a soft

cheese creates a pale green type pesto unlike anything you have tasted - it IS the herb garden in a sauce- Vittorio folds it through pasta shells and Presto! A perfect light summer pasta dish !

No we have not finished ! Wild strawberries and an assortment of summer berries with fresh lemon juice and a touch of sugar. Gelato a pistachio - he explains that the nuts used at his favourite Gelateria are organic and fresh roasted - must be why I have never tasted an ice cream so exquisite. You think you are finished? Well you have not tried the house Grappa - have it straight up or in caffe espresso .

Either way a perfect finish to a perfect meal.

Grazie tantissimo a Vittorio e Samuela !!