Tania's birthday

It was Tania’s birthday yesterday – a significant one I might add but I’m not going to say how significant.

Tania and I had a quiet day up in Cortona where we had a beautiful lunch at “La Bucaccia” restaurant (their website is: http://www.labucaccia.it/en/). It was a typical Tuscan-style with lots of meat and finished off with grappa from Friuli (of all places).

We got a taxi back to the villa where we then got ready for the birthday celebration.

There were photos in the garden (see below) and a glass of Tania’s favourite champagne: Moet.

The owner of the villa (Sig. Tanganelli) even dropped by to give Tania some tulips in her favourite colour: purple.

Looking out towards the kitchen and to Cortona

What we’d organised for the evening was for two chefs (Francesco and Cristiano – both lovely chaps) to come to the villa and cook us a meal.

Chef Cristiano

Chef Francesco

They’ve been doing this for seven years and service a lot of the villa and agriturismo places in the area.

Their website is: http://www.personalchefcortona.com/

This night, we went with Gourmet Menu 2:

Welcome aperitifs with the Chefs

Tomato Caprese

Zucchini soup with Parmesan chip

Appetizers

Pappa al Pomodoro reinterpreted in the tradition;

Ricotta Cheese with basil pesto oil and “Lardo di Colonnata”

Ribolitta with cavalo nero

First Course

Risotto with Saffron: Saffron Carnaroli of Cortona, white truffle oil, pecorino cheese and arugula;

Second Course

Fillet of Veal: served with Chianti sauce grilled vegetables;

Dessert

Arezzo’s Chocolate small cake pie: served with strawberry sauce;

All this was served with water along with some very nice local reds and whites (the Tuscan chardonnay was really nice !!).

The Tomato Caprese

The zucchini soup

The table is all set to go !!

The Pappa al Pomodoro

The fresh ricotta cheese with basil and lard

The Ribolitta

The risotto with rocket 

The veal steak (called Chianina)

The Arezzo chocolate cake

By the end of the evening, we were all full.

The cost for 10 people – Euro 40 per head !!

Worth every penny I reckon !!

A big hand to the chefs !!