Earlier this year my colleague and I worked tirelessly to negotiate the next contract for our teachers. Now that everything is wrapped up, we decided to celebrate the end of that process with a decadent dinner.
The food is whimsical, filling, and beautiful, but most of all quite delicious.
We opted for a tasting menu. Given the a la carte prices, the tasting menu seems like the best value for the large amount of money you are going to spend.
antipasti included in the coperta, or cover charge you must eat with your fingers, and then use the water and lemon dish to clean your hands
another antipasti... potato and parsley with 'edible ground' the layers of flavors changed as you ate through the 'dirt'
'travel notes' warm fondue of parmesan cheese with artichokes and black cabbage four different sauces to eat with the dish
'oh my dear planet' vegetarian version of foie gras in two ways, 'au torchon' and marinated with mustard, a slice of grilled apple and its chutney, hidden under a crunchy dome of Savoy cabbage **this was probably my favorite course**
'inner landscape' broth of artichokes and turnip, properly cooked and lightly spicy, with Teff blinis
'divertissement, thinking about winter sun' lukewarm ravioli, filled with kidney beans and nuts, play of roasted vegetables, avocado, yuzu sauce and orange broth **second best course**
'under a thin blanket' winter walk, green celery pesto, heart of pumpkin and pepper, truffle sauce, parsnip, cubes of ricotta, crispy sage, pomegranate and other surprises hidden by an impalpable and tasty blanket
'rainforest' gelato of black licorice
'five minutes' terrine of chocolate and passion fruit, ricciarello biscuit, chocolate mousse with pumpkin mustard, Bavarois of chocolate and mixed berries
final bite I don't know what it was, and I don't want to eat it again.
Reservations for Joia can be made online.
Our eight course tasting menu was 90 euro per person.
There is a cover charge, which included 3 additional courses and a glass of champagne. Flights of wine are available at three different price points.
The service was incredible, as was the whole experience. It's not something to do often, but for a nice evening out, it would be worth a try.
Anywho, I spent quite a bit of time in the States in December, as my dad had some major surgery and then I returned home for the holidays.
I was also able to swing by Cincinnati for a few days with my family and college friends there.
I always wish there was more time.
My aunt treated my cousins and me to dinner at a Cincinnati favorite, Montgomery Inn.
my cousins and my aunt! <3
half slab, quarter chicken and onion straws, with LOTS of sauce!
And a trip to the Queen City isn't complete without a scoop of Graeter's!
mocha chocolate chip. my personal fave.
A few sorority sisters and I gathered for lunch in Columbus.
Laurie, Susan, me, Ellen (my big), and Susie (my little)
And then a group of us also met for dinner.
Tudor, Poprocks, Hogg, me, and Suz
Laurie and Susan stayed in Columbus with me for two nights so that we could catch up. It's always so nice to see them and I hate that our time together is always so short. Perhaps one day we'll manage to change that.
we're still working on our selfie skills.
Once in Savannah, I had lunch with this little cutie!
#i'mstealingher
Gathered with my supper club girls for some Mexican fare at Christy's house. I swear I could eat cheese dip every day and not get tired of it.
Jessica, Lori, me, Christy and Tammy
Sheila had several of us over for a delicious dinner to complement the wine I brought home from Tuscany.
deliciousness and was perfect with that great Tuscan wine
And Janet had me over for a bowl of chili and the Georgia football game. Her chili is amazing!
again, working on our selfie game.
On New Year's Eve, I had some fun trying to record the fireworks in slow motion on my phone. Kind of fun!
Danielle and I painted the ponies my sister jokingly gave me for Christmas. Now they're on her desk!
I once wanted only a horse for Christmas. #theneverendingjoke
It's always nice to be in Savannah with the people I love the most.
And it's always nice to get back to my own space, routine and life when I return to Milan.
I spent the long Thanksgiving weekend with Caitlin and Lucia belting out Adele songs while driving our tiny Fiat Panda through the Tuscan countryside.
Alas, this is how memories are made.
It's unlikely that I'll ever think of Adele again without remembering that weekend.
If you haven't heard enough of Adele lately, check her out with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots below.
Anywho, let's get to the rundown of our few days in the hill towns of Tuscany.
You might remember our driving adventures in Siena a few years back. I tried, thoroughly, to avoid reliving this situation during this trip. Caitlin and I had made these initials plans and Lucia, a Spanish teacher at ASM, decided to join us. I was thrilled. She's legally allowed to drive in Italy and was happy to be the main driver on the trip.
We all met in Florence and rented the car from there. We took off for San Gimignano, a town about an hour or so from Florence.
Piazza della Cisterna
View out over the countryside
After a nice lunch, we headed for Volterra, another nearby town. Some of the filming for New Moon, part of the Twilight series was done in Volterra (though most in Montepulciano) and I wanted to see it for myself!
But it was freezing!
Caitlin and Lucia all bundled up!
And after checking out the main square, we didn't stay for long!
We wandered to the edge of town before heading to our agriturismo and caught some great shots of the sunset.
We headed to a wine tasting the following morning at Avignonesi. On the way, we caught some shots of the countryside with the most amazing light.
This winery.
Simply stunning wines.
One of this winery's claims to fame is their Vin Santo. The grapes are aged for approximately 6 months before they are pressed. Then the wine will be aged in the barrel for over 10 years. These grapes won't be for sale as wine until at least 2028.
They produce both a red and white variety of Vin Santo.
The description of the Vin Santo process was incredible
and helps explain the especially high price!
These barrels are not moved once placed during the ten year process and they are not cleaned between batches. The 'mother yeast' that accumulates in the barrel is left to help develop and flavor each vintage.
They also produce some "regular" wine.
Time for the tasting!
We tasted four wines and then the Vin Santo, which has an extra fee to taste. We loved the Vin Santo and the last two reds that we tried.
Here's a little slo-mo action of the Vin Santo.
We bought some wine while we were there.
This amount of wine cost about 650 euro! Wowser.
But it is so delicious it was worth the splurge.
After a big wine breakfast, lunch was most definitely in order.
Traditional pici pasta with meat sauce
As we headed into Montepulciano, this walkway had a sign indicating that some Twilight part had been filmed here.
Montepulciano from a distance
It was so cold and windy we just couldn't bear to spend much time in the cute little towns.
We also spent a little time wandering San Quirico d'Orcia.
Then it was on to Montalcino to taste some Brunello. (Montalcino produces Brunello from the Sangiovese grapes, while Montepulciano produces Vino Nobile from the same grape. Learn more here.)
Caitlin time lapsed our entire time sitting in a little bar tasting two Brunellos.
Buying ceramics from this cute little Italian artisan
Montalcino in the distance
Bagno Vignoni- a nearby town
classic Tuscany.
Here's some traveler tips to help plan your own Tuscan hill town adventure.
We stayed at Antico Podere la Martinella. It was inexpensive, not in a major tourist thoroughfare, but still nearby a cute town with plenty of restaurant options. A car is necessary.
For wine tastings at Avignonesi, be sure to email in advance and make a reservation. Wine tastings and tours cost 15 euro per person and include tastings of four wines. An additional fee is charged to taste the Vin Santo, but it's waived if you purchase a bottle.
Found this amazing blog post about the area that you might also find useful.
Do you have a favorite Tuscan hill town? Please share!
Earlier this year my colleague and I worked tirelessly to negotiate the next contract for our teachers. Now that everything is wrapped up, we decided to celebrate the end of that process with a decadent dinner.
The food is whimsical, filling, and beautiful, but most of all quite delicious.
We opted for a tasting menu. Given the a la carte prices, the tasting menu seems like the best value for the large amount of money you are going to spend.
antipasti included in the coperta, or cover charge you must eat with your fingers, and then use the water and lemon dish to clean your hands
another antipasti... potato and parsley with 'edible ground' the layers of flavors changed as you ate through the 'dirt'
'travel notes' warm fondue of parmesan cheese with artichokes and black cabbage four different sauces to eat with the dish
'oh my dear planet' vegetarian version of foie gras in two ways, 'au torchon' and marinated with mustard, a slice of grilled apple and its chutney, hidden under a crunchy dome of Savoy cabbage **this was probably my favorite course**
'inner landscape' broth of artichokes and turnip, properly cooked and lightly spicy, with Teff blinis
'divertissement, thinking about winter sun' lukewarm ravioli, filled with kidney beans and nuts, play of roasted vegetables, avocado, yuzu sauce and orange broth **second best course**
'under a thin blanket' winter walk, green celery pesto, heart of pumpkin and pepper, truffle sauce, parsnip, cubes of ricotta, crispy sage, pomegranate and other surprises hidden by an impalpable and tasty blanket
'rainforest' gelato of black licorice
'five minutes' terrine of chocolate and passion fruit, ricciarello biscuit, chocolate mousse with pumpkin mustard, Bavarois of chocolate and mixed berries
final bite I don't know what it was, and I don't want to eat it again.
Reservations for Joia can be made online.
Our eight course tasting menu was 90 euro per person.
There is a cover charge, which included 3 additional courses and a glass of champagne. Flights of wine are available at three different price points.
The service was incredible, as was the whole experience. It's not something to do often, but for a nice evening out, it would be worth a try.
Anywho, I spent quite a bit of time in the States in December, as my dad had some major surgery and then I returned home for the holidays.
I was also able to swing by Cincinnati for a few days with my family and college friends there.
I always wish there was more time.
My aunt treated my cousins and me to dinner at a Cincinnati favorite, Montgomery Inn.
my cousins and my aunt! <3
half slab, quarter chicken and onion straws, with LOTS of sauce!
And a trip to the Queen City isn't complete without a scoop of Graeter's!
mocha chocolate chip. my personal fave.
A few sorority sisters and I gathered for lunch in Columbus.
Laurie, Susan, me, Ellen (my big), and Susie (my little)
And then a group of us also met for dinner.
Tudor, Poprocks, Hogg, me, and Suz
Laurie and Susan stayed in Columbus with me for two nights so that we could catch up. It's always so nice to see them and I hate that our time together is always so short. Perhaps one day we'll manage to change that.
we're still working on our selfie skills.
Once in Savannah, I had lunch with this little cutie!
#i'mstealingher
Gathered with my supper club girls for some Mexican fare at Christy's house. I swear I could eat cheese dip every day and not get tired of it.
Jessica, Lori, me, Christy and Tammy
Sheila had several of us over for a delicious dinner to complement the wine I brought home from Tuscany.
deliciousness and was perfect with that great Tuscan wine
And Janet had me over for a bowl of chili and the Georgia football game. Her chili is amazing!
again, working on our selfie game.
On New Year's Eve, I had some fun trying to record the fireworks in slow motion on my phone. Kind of fun!
Danielle and I painted the ponies my sister jokingly gave me for Christmas. Now they're on her desk!
I once wanted only a horse for Christmas. #theneverendingjoke
It's always nice to be in Savannah with the people I love the most.
And it's always nice to get back to my own space, routine and life when I return to Milan.
I spent the long Thanksgiving weekend with Caitlin and Lucia belting out Adele songs while driving our tiny Fiat Panda through the Tuscan countryside.
Alas, this is how memories are made.
It's unlikely that I'll ever think of Adele again without remembering that weekend.
If you haven't heard enough of Adele lately, check her out with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots below.
Anywho, let's get to the rundown of our few days in the hill towns of Tuscany.
You might remember our driving adventures in Siena a few years back. I tried, thoroughly, to avoid reliving this situation during this trip. Caitlin and I had made these initials plans and Lucia, a Spanish teacher at ASM, decided to join us. I was thrilled. She's legally allowed to drive in Italy and was happy to be the main driver on the trip.
We all met in Florence and rented the car from there. We took off for San Gimignano, a town about an hour or so from Florence.
Piazza della Cisterna
View out over the countryside
After a nice lunch, we headed for Volterra, another nearby town. Some of the filming for New Moon, part of the Twilight series was done in Volterra (though most in Montepulciano) and I wanted to see it for myself!
But it was freezing!
Caitlin and Lucia all bundled up!
And after checking out the main square, we didn't stay for long!
We wandered to the edge of town before heading to our agriturismo and caught some great shots of the sunset.
We headed to a wine tasting the following morning at Avignonesi. On the way, we caught some shots of the countryside with the most amazing light.
This winery.
Simply stunning wines.
One of this winery's claims to fame is their Vin Santo. The grapes are aged for approximately 6 months before they are pressed. Then the wine will be aged in the barrel for over 10 years. These grapes won't be for sale as wine until at least 2028.
They produce both a red and white variety of Vin Santo.
The description of the Vin Santo process was incredible
and helps explain the especially high price!
These barrels are not moved once placed during the ten year process and they are not cleaned between batches. The 'mother yeast' that accumulates in the barrel is left to help develop and flavor each vintage.
They also produce some "regular" wine.
Time for the tasting!
We tasted four wines and then the Vin Santo, which has an extra fee to taste. We loved the Vin Santo and the last two reds that we tried.
Here's a little slo-mo action of the Vin Santo.
We bought some wine while we were there.
This amount of wine cost about 650 euro! Wowser.
But it is so delicious it was worth the splurge.
After a big wine breakfast, lunch was most definitely in order.
Traditional pici pasta with meat sauce
As we headed into Montepulciano, this walkway had a sign indicating that some Twilight part had been filmed here.
Montepulciano from a distance
It was so cold and windy we just couldn't bear to spend much time in the cute little towns.
We also spent a little time wandering San Quirico d'Orcia.
Then it was on to Montalcino to taste some Brunello. (Montalcino produces Brunello from the Sangiovese grapes, while Montepulciano produces Vino Nobile from the same grape. Learn more here.)
Caitlin time lapsed our entire time sitting in a little bar tasting two Brunellos.
Buying ceramics from this cute little Italian artisan
Montalcino in the distance
Bagno Vignoni- a nearby town
classic Tuscany.
Here's some traveler tips to help plan your own Tuscan hill town adventure.
We stayed at Antico Podere la Martinella. It was inexpensive, not in a major tourist thoroughfare, but still nearby a cute town with plenty of restaurant options. A car is necessary.
For wine tastings at Avignonesi, be sure to email in advance and make a reservation. Wine tastings and tours cost 15 euro per person and include tastings of four wines. An additional fee is charged to taste the Vin Santo, but it's waived if you purchase a bottle.
Found this amazing blog post about the area that you might also find useful.
Do you have a favorite Tuscan hill town? Please share!
Enjoyed the additional perspectives and theories posed here that were left out of Serial. Some additional info is included about tangential stories that I found unnecessary.
