Ristorante La Bastiglia, Spello, Umbria, Italia

Introduction: After visiting Assisi, I wanted to go to a place nearby and have a good lunch, away from tourists and the hot sun of Umbria. I found "La Bastiglia" from the Michelin Red Guide and after 20 minutes relaxed ride in the Umbrian countryside, I arrived in Spello.




The resturant is in the hotel with the same name, a renovated building with many levels and nice views. The lunch clients were primarily people staying at the hotel. Although this a one Michelin star restaurant, I was impressed by the "natural" way the staff accomodated some big tables of tourist families with children.

I ordered the menu of the house "Consistenze e contrasti in equilibrio" and did not regret it!



Plenty of breads and sticks in various shapes!



Amuse bouche




Scallop



Foie gras



Frascarelli are a type of Umbrian pasta. Here they were served with Tuna Roe, Sage, Clams and White Beans.



Cannelloni



Pigeon



Souffle



Dolci

Trattoria La Buca, Zibello, Emilia Romagna, Italia

Introduction: I have read about "La Buca" in the eGullet forums, and I am grateful to this wonderful community for all the information and inspiration. You can find a wealth of information about culatello di Zibello in eGullet.



Visit: Lunch, July 2006

Food concept: Traditional local cuisine. In addition to Culatello, which is prepared in house, you can taste divine tortelli di zucca, and eel with peas from the local rivers.


Execution of the menu dishes: Very Good


Divinity factor: The hand made pasta.

Wine: Good local wine list. I asked the hostess for a local red that would acompany the food, and it was quite good. Discrete and subtle.

Service: Friendly


















Clientele: Italians and many many tourists. Miriam became a celebrity after the publication of the book "Heat" by Bill Buford. Miriam told me that she had guests from many countries, as a result of this publication.


Location and ambience: In the village of Zibello, just follow the signs (or your navigator).









Chef/Owner: Miriam is a friendly and lively lady who knows how to treat customers. She told me that the trattoria was opened by her grandmother, who came to Italy from Brasil at the beginning of the 20th century.

Value for money: Very Good.












Appetizer: Culatello di Zibello




First: Tortelli di zucca and tagliatelle




Second: Eel and peas
(Anguilla con piselli)