Pagoda SL Group
Off Topic => Way Off Topic => Topic started by: neelyrc on October 15, 2017, 20:16:26
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Based on the previous thread it is clear that there are those here who enjoy good food.
For the last two to three years my friend Graziano and I have discussed an excursion to Zeri to partake of the well known lamb. The sheep of Zeri in northwest Tuscany are at pasture all year above 800 meters elevation and are a breed unto themselves.
With the spectacular autumn weather over the last few weeks our discussions intensified and today we took the trip. Only 30km away, half on a rough unpaved single lane mountain road, the vehicle of choice was the Hilux. From Compiano at 500M we crossed Passo di Due Sante at 1250M where we entered Tuscany and continued to the village of Zeri at 700M arriving just before noon under a cloudless sky at 20 degrees C.
After an aperitif in the bar adjacent to the municipio we proceeded to our packed restaurant. Calling the meal lunch is only justified because it happened at noon! After antipasti of local cold cuts and warm local specialties we proceeded to the first course, tagliatelle di funghi. The fresh local porcine mushrooms are plentiful at this time of year and are a delight. We went on to the main course, a Zeri lamb sampler, which consisted of grilled lamb chops, fried lamb chops and oven roasted lamb accompanied by oven roasted potatoes. Judging the tender grilled lamb chops to be spectacular, we ordered an extra portion each. No gluttons here!
Obviously there was the local red to drink, tiramisu for desert, then espresso and finally mirtilli flavored grappa. The cost of this extravaganza - less than €100 for two!
An immediate nap would have been great but this had to wait until late afternoon on return to Compiano. After the nap it was another mountain pass, Passo del Bocco, to Lavagna on the coast. See sunset over the Med from 800M below. Other pics, Passo di Due Sante and the village bar and municipio, Zeri.
Zeri can also be reached by pagoda on fun to drive fully paved roads from the A15 in Tuscany, exit Pontremoli.
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Great shots, and reads like a wonderful place!
Gotta ask though, what flavor is mirtilli??
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Jon, a mirtillo (plural mirtilli) is a European Blueberry. Best are the wild ones but generally the cultivated ones are also referred to as mirtilli. This grappa was served ice cold in a frosted glass with a few of the berries inside. Obviously a homemade concoction!!
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Hi Ralph,
You wetted my appetite now (after this detail description), and I may have to plan a vacation trip to Italy :) I know you invited me before, after reading your post I may just have to do it (perhaps after the Euro 2018 trip or in 2019). My last time in Italy was a business trip and after I completed business I spend 4 days in Rome. Just love Italian food. :)
Best,
Dieter
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Yes Dieter, the food is great and in most regions there are specialties that should be eaten there......Pesto in Liguria, Risotto in Lombardy, Funghi in the Appennini, Fiorentina in Florence....vino everywhere! Maybe it will work out for you to do a few days in northern Italy after the Euro 2018 event.
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Yes Dieter, the food is great and in most regions there are specialties that should be eaten there......Pesto in Liguria, Risotto in Lombardy, Funghi in the Appennini, Fiorentina in Florence....vino everywhere! Maybe it will work out for you to do a few days in northern Italy after the Euro 2018 event.
Is this where the European Event 2020 is going to take place? :) ;)
Achim
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Some excellent venues here Achim🙂, but.... after Merano in 2016 and Provence in 2018, perhaps something in Northern Europe would be a good choice for the 2020 European Event!
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Some excellent venues here Achim🙂, but.... after Merano in 2016 and Provence in 2018, perhaps something in Northern Europe would be a good choice for the 2020 European Event!
Oh ..., Ralph...!
How about 2022 then?
;)
Achim
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...OOOOK Achim, 2022 it is! ;) ;)