Going to Umbria, my two must-eats were
Porchetta (Roast Pork) and
Tartufo Nero (black truffles which are in season in the Fall). Having had white truffles and gone truffle hunting in Alba 3 years ago, I very badly wanted to try the black ones from Umbria, which I’ve heard and read so much about. I’ve had tartufo nero twice so far – once on tortellini and another on smoked scamozza. It is good…very, very good, and the aroma lingers on well after the dish has been eaten. I also had Porchetta (see picture), in a very pleasant restaurant in Assisi called
Ristorante Minerva on Piazzetta R Bonghi 7. My partner had Gnocchi, with gorgonzola sauce and hazelnuts. Really delicious too!
I was pleasantly surprised by the town of Assisi. I thought its fame came solely from the name of St. Francis and was expecting a small old town, with a chapel dedicated to him. Well, it is true that many people come here to visit and pray in this church but the town is a really beautiful town. All the buildings were constructed of a pink and light cream colored stone found nearby. The Church of St. Francesco is huge, with two levels of basilica and beautiful frescoes by Giotto. There was a Franciscan friar leading a tour group of kids from high school. He was tall and very good looking, with a two day old beard. I tried to mingle in the crowd but being Chinese and probably three times the age of these kids, I definitely stuck out like a sore thumb. I stole a few glances at him and drew the conclusion that there are indeed many good-looking men in Italy, in all ‘trades’.
On the way from St. Francesco to the resident church of Assisi, the Church of St. Lorenzo, I stopped by at this wonderful pastry shop – La Bottega del Pasticcere. Its beautiful pastry display on the window is just too tempting to pass by.
Going to Umbria, my two must-eats were Porchetta (Roast Pork) and Tartufo Nero (black truffles which are in season in the Fall). Having had white truffles and gone truffle hunting in Alba 3 years ago, I very badly wanted to try the black ones from Umbria, which I’ve heard and read so much about. I’ve had tartufo nero twice so far – once on tortellini and another on smoked scamozza. It is good…very, very good, and the aroma lingers on well after the dish has been eaten. I also had Porchetta (see picture), in a very pleasant restaurant in Assisi called Ristorante Minerva on Piazzetta R Bonghi 7. My partner had Gnocchi, with gorgonzola sauce and hazelnuts. Really delicious too!
On the way from St. Francesco to the resident church of Assisi, the Church of St. Lorenzo, I stopped by at this wonderful pastry shop – La Bottega del Pasticcere. Its beautiful pastry display on the window is just too tempting to pass by.
