Tartuffi!

Down the hill from the town of Trevi is a little secret called La Cucina San Pietro in San Pettine.  San Pettine is a tiny dot on the map with maybe 10 houses, and one of the best restaurants where I have had the pleasure of eating 2 years in a row.  The menu is truffles in every from in a tasting menu that is creative, exciting and delicious.

Basically, this says that they love truffles and want to have you love their truffles

 Friends from San Diego were here, and we'd promised them over dinner in San Diego to take them here, so last night we piled into our cars, and headed out.  This is an over the river and through the woods ride, almost through fields to get here, but in the end you pull up to an iron gate, the gates swing open, you drive by a medieval chapel, and then pull around to the parking lot.  During the day, the property is in full view; they hunt truffles on the property and we have just entered the season for white truffles, the most prized of the truffles.

As I said we arrived at night, so this view is from last year.  We were greeted by the host who had been our guide through the menu last year, and we sat down to a table set for us.

The menu is set each night, depending on the chef's creativity, so it is always a delicious surprise to anticipate each course.  We began with Franciacorta, the Italian sparkling wine made in the style of French champagne.

First course was a tortellini, made in house with fresh ricotta, and white truffles

Second course was a bean soup made with organic legumes, and cooked in the broth of black truffles

Third course was a poached egg sitting on sauteed porcini, with black truffles and bacon;;;;;OH MY!

Next course, scallion, lamb bacon, black truffle pearls, and balsamic mayonnaise

Black Truffle with homemade pasta

Veal meat balls with roasted potatoes

Chocolate Mousse

Needless to say we were rolled out of the restaurant, since we couldn't move from all the food!  This was an extraordinary night, and we love sharing this with our friends.  If you are in Umbria, this is a special place, and I urge you to make a reservation an experience what San Pettine has to offer.  Ciao for now.

Truffle Extravaganza

Imagine winding through tiny hamlets with no more than 3 houses, twisting and turning down a mountain, and coming across this inviting room, reserved just for you.  That's what happened to Dr. C. and I with our friends visiting from California. 
Our friend Roberto Angelini from Enoteca Properzio arranged for a special lunch of truffles, at La Cucina di St. Pietro A Pettine.  They opened just for us.  With a beautiful table laid and a fire burning in the fire place, we were greeted by Jack, who spoke impeccable English, and he began the meal with sparkling wine, and then our first course.  I will let the photos speak for themselves, but this was an unforgettable meal in a beautiful setting. 

Loosely translated, we love truffles, we're passionate about food, and we will serve you with honor.

Bruschetta with salted butter, anchovy and shaved truffle

Salad of Spanish pear, provolone, spiced hazelnut, black truffle and traditionally aged balsamic vinegar

Beef tartar with truffle bubbles (they look like caviar made from the juice of the truffle) pistachio oil, black celery quenelle, mayonnaise and smoked paprika

Risotto with white truffles

Passarelli, a pasta povera; made with bread, pecorino cheese and pepper, sauced with truffles

Poached eggs on mashed potatoes, with tallegio fusion and white truffle---can you see I've been taking notes?

Warm creme brulee with sage

We drank a local Sagrantino reserva with each course---amazing!  The restaurant is located near Trevi, about 20 minutes away from Spello, in the country.  If you want to come, make a reservation, and then use the directions on the website--it's not easy to find, we did a few illegal U-turns on the way. 

In the summer, this must be a beautiful place to enjoy a meal. Today, the warmth of the fire and hospitality inside made the day

 

In the distance the town of Trevi