Assisi pics, food, wines, and Franciscan monks.....

This morning we headed over to Assisi in this unusual spring-like European winter, being totally blown away by the stunning views: very mystical, inspiring and rejuvenating! At lunch and dinner we had wonderful local cuisine experiences. Sportolletti is the king Assisi wine producer and on every menu so far we've seen. At lunch we had the basic Assisi Rosso 2005 Sportolletti that was very young, earthy, zingy and vivacious, which went very beautifully with my delicately and thinly sliced eggplant parmeggiano with tomato sauce and basil pesto!

Stunning view from Hotel Pallotta where we are staying - a cute and cozy 3 star near Piazza del Comune:


Wonderful eggplant parmeggiana, with a very perfumy basil and pesto sauce that was a delight:


...and it went very well with the young yet balanced and surprsingly complex Assisi Rosso 2005 of Sportolletti:



Tonight's dinner at the Ristorante Pallotta, filled with local "Assisians" was a fabulous treat!

This wonderful plate of bruschetta (broo-skeh-tah and NEVER broo-shet!!!!!), was prepared with the novello olive oil full of flavor, fruit, pepper spice, and sweetness; of note was the porcini mushroom with black olives and garlic.... YUM!!!


Then we had a perfectly cooked "tagliatta di manzo" grilled steak with fresh rosemary and olive oil, and oven baked potatoes.



This was a great match with my favorite Montefalco Rosso of Colpetrone, 2004: deep crimson, earthy spicy dark cherry, fresh ground pepper, with a lush mouth feel of some fruitcake (in a goodway, and no pun intended!!!). Sorry for being a little blurry!



We also met with the music coordinator of the Basilica this morning, who was very open to our program and to allowing us to give a concert and sing for a mass in the summer! Here we are with Monsignor Magrini at the entrance of the lower part of the basilica!



Tomorrow we meet our local guide for a full 3 hour tour of the town! More to come!

Wow! More great photos and tasting notes! Thanks, Paulo.

(Everything is so beautifully plated too.)

[James Roscoe]

Tomorrow we meet our local guide for a full 3 hour tour of the town! More to come!

Are you on the Minnow? Does the skipper look like Alan Hale? Watch out for those three hour tours my friend. for those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's we know they can last a lot longer. Pack accordingly.

Tomorrow we meet our local guide for a full 3 hour tour of the town! More to come!

Are you on the Minnow? Does the skipper look like Alan Hale? Watch out for those three hour tours my friend. for those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's we know they can last a lot longer. Pack accordingly.

But Gilligan had only Coconut wine.

[James Roscoe]

Tomorrow we meet our local guide for a full 3 hour tour of the town! More to come!

Are you on the Minnow? Does the skipper look like Alan Hale? Watch out for those three hour tours my friend. for those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's we know they can last a lot longer. Pack accordingly.

But Gilligan had only Coconut wine.

Gilligan also had Ginger and Maryanne. I wish Paulo as much luck. (pack appropriately. )

Pauolo,

WOW, sounds and looks like a wonderful meal and experience.

I wish I could have been there.

Thanks for sharing,

-Paul W.

Tomorrow we meet our local guide for a full 3 hour tour of the town! More to come!

Are you on the Minnow? Does the skipper look like Alan Hale? Watch out for those three hour tours my friend. for those of us who grew up in the 60's and 70's we know they can last a lot longer. Pack accordingly.

Funny you should say that - we will not be near water, but, I would love to get lost in Umbria and be stuck here!!!!

[James Roscoe]

It's funny how the term "three hour tour" just is ingrained in the brains of those of us who are "of an age". It's an automatic music cue for me.

Yes, I would love to be lst in Umbria for longer than three hours. Your pictures are great!