Antipasti Dolci

Most trattoria meals here begin with antipasti and in most places it is best to simply leave it up to the waiter to get you what ever is on offer that day. More often than not it is a simple arrangement of cheese, meats, grilled and roasted vegetables and olives.

In many places, particularly the smaller towns, the salami and sausages can be particularly interesting depending on the area you are in - each region has its specialties. I was rather surprised to see this sausage in Lucarelli, a shop here in Roma know more for its sandwiches, pizza, pastries, dolci and .....

... sinful rich dark creamy chocolate and hazelnuts.

Just the thing for anyone who wants to pass Primi, Secondi and go from Antipasti directly to Dolci!

11 maggio - San Fabio

29 Hours in Milano - Savini Sweets

On Wednesday I headed into Centro - which in Milano means the area of the Duomo and Galleria Vittorio Emanuale. And wouldn't you know it I hit Savini just in time for a morning cappucc and a pear and chocolate fagottini - no it's a pastry, okay! Honestly you people!

Though I'm not all that big a sweet person I love the displays - you can almost feel the pounds going on as you look at them.

I really want to try that little mountain of meringue and whipped cream in the upper left, all studded with candied fruit and violets... hmmm candied violets. No don't think Homer ever said that!

A simple fruit salad becomes a work of culinary art. Notice the red-green-white of the Dragon Fruit - the colours of the flag of Italy.

It may just be me but even the flowers look good enough to eat.

14 febbraio - San Valentino

Far San Martino (Doing the Saint Martin)

Sounds either like some sort of disco dance or a strange sexual position doesn't it. It actually means observing the traditions of the Feast of St Martin of Tours. There are all sorts of customs attached to this day throughout Europe and the Christian East.*

A stroll past the window of Dagnino today after our visit to the Rothko and Kubrick exhibitions introduced us to a few Sicilian food (of course) traditions.


We decided to observe a few of the traditions ouselves so we had a bottle of the Bordolino Novello with Sunday dinner and some biscotti di San Martino with our tea.

11 novembere - San Martino di Tours

*Many of the traditions are covered in this entry in Wilson's Almanac, however McAfee Site advisor suggesst that there may be chance of spyware attached to this site but a quick scan after several visits has revealed nothing thus far. Just thought it was only fair to give warning.