mountains over tilled field

 Yesterday was a day of food and napping.  We went to lunch in the countryside with the grandparents.  The restaurant is outside of a town called Carru', famous for it's beef.  We sat down at 1ish and didn't leave until 5.  I have to share the menu with you all.  As it was Easter it was a fixed menu for 35 Euro a head, all inclusive.  The wines are local and wonderful, the food was amazing, and by the end of it I was sure I was on my way to an early death.

The view from the restaurant parking lot

Gian Piero looking shocked

Everyone looking so serious

                                                                                                                                                            
It was a gorgeous day, and I wish I could have spent it outside as the rest of the week looks lousy.  But can't complain.  No cooking or cleaning up!

So here is the translated menu. Note you don't choose from these items.  Waiters come by with large platters and you take as little or as much of each dish as you like.  The same goes for wine.  They offer a selection of wines to choose from and then bring the bottle.  You can order all you want.  I could do some serious damage in this place with friends of like mind....


                                                                Appetizers
Shrimp cocktail (didn't eat it cause I'm from Maine and we were in cow country)
Steak Tartar with Quail egg (didn't eat it cause I like my meat cooked)
Easter salad with little frittatas (2 helpings to make up for not eating first two apps)
Asparagus tart with red pepper sauce (yuuuuummmmmm)
Toma (cheese) tart with Speck (smoked ham like thing)

                                                                       Firsts
Sausage and Porcini mushroom Risotto
Artichoke stuffed pasta with Herb butter (Oh My God)

                                                                      Entrees
Oven Roasted Lamb with Roast Potatoes and Fried Artichokes
Selection of "Bollito" (think pot roasts with different cuts of meat including tongue, tail and snout) with Spinach (skipped it as didn't have room for both this and dessert)


                                                                       Dessert
Fruit Tart and Traditional Easter Cake, Coffee and After Dinner Liqueurs


                                                                                                                                                                    The restaurant is called "The Fat Ox" cause that's what you feel like when you get up from the table.  We came home and crashed after taking borrowed dog for a walk.  Real Italians had another big lunch today, traditionally a picnic, as Easter Monday is a holiday called Pasquetta or "little Easter".  I have started spring cleaning and we took dog on a 12 kilometer walk to recover from yesterday.  xxoo me

front of restaurant "The Fat Ox"