The temperature is well into the 90s in Tuscany; rather too hot to do very much. So maybe there will be time for a little cooling philosophy. We’ll see.
Meanwhile, to the next village and our favourite restaurant, La Bottega del 30, for a late evening meal. Helene the cook in great form. We were greeted by a little plate of a perfect small bruschetta, a mouthful of pecorino fresco with truffle-infused honey, and a tiny carpaccio of salt beef. Then another starter — a corgette flower stuffed with porcini (amazing) with figs stuffed with goats cheese and baked wrapped in a sort of pancetta (ditto). Next, quite wonderful ravioli stuffed with pigeon. Then very slow cooked duck (an agonizing choice to make). Then deserts to die for. A 2001 Brunello, surprisingly light, perfect for a summer evening; followed by a terrific 2000 Barolo. All, quite, quite absurdly, for the same price as a pretty second-rate chain restaurant meal in Cambridge. So if you are ever near Castelnuovo Berardenga …
Hello Peter
I know you are trying to make us all really envious; but Tuscany will have *deserts* to die for if the heat carries on as you say it does.
Sorry to be pedantic!
By the way — that stuff about making us feeling envious: it worked!
Tim