[CUISINE ADAGIO] - Siena and the Periferia

Osteria Le Logge _ Via del Porrione. How did we stumble on the best Restaurant in Sienna? Who knows? but well worth the visit. A wine list equal to, if not better than the "FIVEST" Star hotel ! Could not believe the pages and pages of both Italian and French - we chose THEIR house wine - a Brunello by the glass which was superb. FOOD - an amazing green and white Chittara [Guitar] pasta with lobster agile olio. RISOTTO molto delicato Lemon zest and Italian parsley with just a touch of cracked pepper. Could not resist the sweet of biscotti and Vin Santo wine The usual Prato almond biscuit accompanied by the real Siena cake which you have NEVER tasted on the export market - Sublime !! The Maitre de; flattered by compliments about his food, seemed inclined to reveal a secret to us. Round the corner from the restaurant was their repository of wine - 20/30 mtrs underground. Enoteca UnTubo - This explains the amazing wine list ! Each floor - the basement dating back to Estruscan time, was devoted to a specific wine type from a simple Chianti to the likes of Krug and Sassachaia.

What an exquisite secret - Even local Jazz improv musicians in a small bar upstairs on the ground floor. Next Day we venture to a small hamlet south of Siena ,Monte D,Arbia, to discover Count Filippo Fiorentini , the heir to San Fabiano. A beautiful country estate, which his father and grandfather, Italian industrialists, used as their country escape. He has converted it to a beautiful Agriturismo where he welcomes a small number of guests. In the next week or so, WE have been invited to prepare dinner for Count Filippo , his family and guests. imagine that !!! He is very curious about the Aussie slant on Italian food. The menu is yet to be decided - yes we are on tenterhooks !! Watch this space - we will not disappoint you ...........

[CUISINE ADAGIO] - adventure & moving on to Siena

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 !!!!!!