As ever on our travels, food is the centre piece of our day. The Restaurant Il Falconiere is located on the grounds of Il Falconiere and offers tables both outside on the terrace and, if the weather is cool, inside, but on this lovely early summer evening we decided to venture into the open air. As there was a possibility of rain, each table was sheltered by a large cream umbrella. Two tiny issues, the chairs outside are wrought iron, and although they have cushions, they were not the most comfortable I have experienced. The napkins were damp, and no dry ones could be found and the staff were very apologetic.
We decided to try the tasting menu, which features traditional Tuscan themes and ingredients, and a different glass of wine with each mini course.
“Food solidly rooted in the Tuscany earth, but with its head amongst the angels”
Our feast began with beef carpaccio skewers accompanied by seasonal vegetables and a celery jelly. The meat was pink and melt in the mouth tender, and the pale green celery jelly was intense, the soul of celery. To drink, a fine O’Lillo Tuscna, the local wine, with black berry and tobacco notes.
Next, potato tagliolini with a mint pesto, sauteed mushrooms and pancetta. Mint pesto was new to us, and we absolutely loved this variation on the traditional basil version – try this one at home, we thought. The mushrooms werer locally gathered and I think, preserved in oil. A glass of Smeriglio Sangiovese went down well with this delightful dish.
Along came burrata cheese ravioli on a bed of tomato sauce and basil. I perfect pillow of silky hand made ravioli, stuffed with the distinctive local burrata cheese, and with the sweetest tomato sauce you can imagine. As far away from Heinz as the sun is from the earth. Respecting our taste buds, no wine was offered with this course, so we enjoyed San Peligrino instead.
Carrying on the pasta theme, next we enjoyed buckwheat tagliatelli with pigeon and a zucchini flower ragout. I love pigeon, it simply isn’t offered frequently enough, and this was a pink and delicately gamey rendering, adorned with bright yellow zucchini, was probably my favourite dish. To drink, there was a magisterial purple dark Smeriglio Syrah.
To follow this lamb in a crust of rosemary in a red wine sauce. Perhaps THIS was my favourite - I was at that stage in the meal when it was hard to tell. The delicately perfumed lamb was served with vegetables from the farm - peas, beans and carrots and a tiny new potato. I could eat this every day. To accompany this, the wine was a solid Arditto.
Finally, loquats - a rare fruit to find anywhere, with their strange pineapple lemon taste - cantucci and vinsanto ice cream. Too pretty to eat, but we managed! The wine of course, Vin Santo.
To say we enjoyed this meal would be an understatement. The balance, the flavours, the presentation, the lack of ostentation combined with perfect culinary treatments, made this a stand out meal in our Italian journey.