Food has always been a crucial part of our travels. This time was no exception, and we had some pretty great feasts. At Rome International Airport, I had one of the best airport food – salads with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and anchovies. It was a very good sign when you can enjoy food served in the airport.
During the tour, lunch and dinner consisted of pasta, bread, and Chianti. Pasta in tomato sauce, in squid ink, in saffron, with local porcini mushroom, with wild boar, with rabbit… We tried them all. The pasta usually cooked just right – not too soft, just enough to give each bite great textures. Over time I nailed down my favorite pasta dish. After a long day cycling hills, roasting under sun, nothing beat a plate of fresh pasta in tomato sauce.
Some outstanding meat and seafood during this trip – calamari, salami, tripe stew… I fell in love with seafood salad. Whether it’s soaked in olive oil or in light vinaigrette, they were always tender and delicious.
At Chianti county, certainly Chianti were always on the dinning table. Chianti from different region have distinct flavors. I am not knowledgable enough to review the different kind of Chianti we had. I did like them.
At Castello de Brolio, ours guides Pier and Emanuele prepared a feast of local cheese, meats, tomatoes, assorted olives & pickled vegis, bread, fresh fruits, juices, and cookies. We picnic under a shaded spot between two vineyards. I still recall the bird chirping and warm breezes at the picnic. We stayed for as long as we can. What a peaceful and tranquil moment that was.
Then there was the croissants at Hotel Colombaio in Castellina. Every morning, the kitchen staff at the hotel baked these jam-filled croissants. As we walk by the kitchen, we smelled the wonderful fresh pastry in the air. Minutes later, biting into these warm, buttery and crisp on the skin goodness. Man, I miss these croissants!
Living in the Seattle area, Smelly is a user experience designer by day, a running, cycling, gardening type of girl when she wasn't wearing the designer hat.
