Mission

Mission: To respond thoughtfully and responsibly to my experiences of drinking and dining at restaurants with regard to the quality, service, preparation, presentation and overall experience received thereat. The standpoint is one who respects the crafts of the chef and sommelier and who seeks to understand their choices in the kitchen and cellar and grow in knowledge. In this, I will seek to be fair, reasoned, direct and constructive and aim to keep my ego in check on our mutual journeys through the worlds of food and wine.
Showing posts with label Fontanafredda Estate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fontanafredda Estate. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

The Italian Tryst Day Seven - Saturday 3rd November 2018

The Italian Tryst - October and November 2018

Write up of a seven day bus trip across Northern Italy by me and some of my Malaysian Foodie and Winey friends, taking in Lake Como, Bolgheri, Alba and Milan. Dear Leader said we were a Tryst of pilgrims on another wine and restaurant and food adventure, so we became Trystians. Photos mostly by me, though some filched from the Facebook pages of Chan May Peng, Wong Yin-How and David Teh.  

The Red Chili outside Fontanafredda Reception
Day Seven - Saturday 3rd November 2018 - Alba - Antica Trattoria della Pesa lunch - Milan - Eataly - Enrico Bartolini dinner

Woke up surprisingly early and thought - this is the morning to go for a walk in the woods. There was a light rain but I thought I can handle this - my tatty 7/11 telescope umbrella of five years plus can keep off the drizzle. We were also scheduled for quite a late up up and away with Marco. So I quickly dressed and booted up and figured for a quick forty minute stroll along the paths of the Forest of Silence before breakfast. Lenglui slept on. 

The Forest of Silence is one short and one long walk through woods with occasional stops to read philosophical quotes on mini billboards along with occasional information about what one can see (ie plantlife, birds). 

The early pathway was firm and gravel and made for an easy and gentle uphill ramble past the swans in a lake, and all quite pretty in the rain. 

It meandered gently upward before diverting whereby one seems to return toward the buildings whilst the other goes deeper into the wood. Feeling quite chipper, I felt able to try the long route. So steeled and of this intrepid mind, I set out on this quest. Big mistake.

My assumption was that all the path would be firm gravel underfoot. It quickly disappeared and became thick mud. I found myself at the top of a hill ankle deep in mud and sinking with only a think walking stick for balance. There seemed to be two choices - turn back and find the gravel path or take a short cut downhill past some vines and cut back across to where I could see the start buildings. I opted for this latter - the ground looked fairly firm and manageable. 

It proved hard and slow going. The mud turned deeper and I found myself looking for clumps of grass to plant the walking stick and slowly negotiate the downward trek. Also needing to be a bit ginger in the footing so as not to get the foot sucked down. Five minutes of this led to the base of the hill, though even on the flat the mud was still treacherous. Eventually I got to a two foot drop from the path to the road and went for it. There was an estate worker taking his two dogs for a morning walk and they were looking at this mad muddy Brit with dubious eyes. But they got whistled on by their master who nodded a "buonjiourno" to me as I went past - must have seen dopey idiots like me many times before. 

I got back to the lake where there was a hose to wash down boots. It was futile - there was mud everywhere; laceholes, cracks, the tongue. Five minutes of hosing the things and they were still caked. And all whilst trying to keep the rain off with the umbrella. I eventually gave up - the boots would take at least a day for washing and drying out and we were due to be off in a few hours.  Not a chance. I stumbled back to the the home building and carefully undid the laces so as to leave them near the door and not sully the floor. Knocking on the door and receiving no answer indicated Lenglui had gone upstairs for breakfast, so in my surprisingly still dry socks but mud spattered pants I joined her. None of the breakfasting Trystians seemed to notice my lack of footwear - perhaps they thought it was some Brit thing, that we breakfast in our socks, or just too polite to comment. Probably the latter. 

Returning to the room I fished out a Cold Storage plastic shopping bag which would serve as the shroud for my boots. Not the most noble end for a good foot servant of many expeditions, but what to do? I gingerly put them in to avoid more mud on the clothes and tied the bag off. I considered putting my mud spattered pants in to accompany boots but figured they could go home and survive a wash.  I left them by the door in the hope that some kind soul might take them in. Goodbye boots. 

Goodbye Boots...
Feeling strangely sad about the demise of these boots. Bought in the BATA in KLCC, they had somehow attached themselves to the soul. They had been my companions in nations across the globe, shaping memories, pounding city streets and country wineries paths. Keeping out the elements and protecting the feet against pavement stubs and the ankles against twisting on cobble stones. And to end up in some manky plastic bag. Sometimes there just ain't no justice.   

I morosely packed the final bits into the case and crashed on the bed contemplating the morning events. Lenglui fluttered around packing equal final bits. Once done, we trundled the cases to the main door to await Marco the Bus. There was a slight drizzle but we kept the door open for fresh air.  

Seem to recall having to lug the cases down to the other wing. This is one of the reasons why I travel light - getting up and down unexpected stairs or traipsing across unexpected gravel with multiple cases is way easier when they are light. I was able to manage both mine and Lenglui's main cases in one lug. Marco's practice of getting the cases on the bus was to study them all carefully before selecting one to hump aboard. He would then again carefully study them all before selecting the next for the hump. The hump itself involved a groan with the lift and a grunt with the dump and a "phoo" as he hauled himself upright for the next selection. His big belly would occasionally flop down from under his untucked-in shirt which was perhaps a shade gross for first thing in the morning. So it goes. This is Italy. 

Another unsuccessful self head count and we said our farewells to Fontanafredda. Good memories…  Guido Restaurant, Committee meeting, the ra… er, possum, the Happy Truffle hunters. It is great location for foodie groups like ours, or foodie couples with a car. Don;t see myself returning in the near future, though one never knows. Lenglui's daughter might again take up the mantle of Tour Leader and decide that Piedmont is the next place for photos and food. We may yet return.

Trystian Money trying to sell me a fake bottle...
Antica Trattoria della Pesa lunch

Our destination was a town name of Costiglioli and a venue name of Antica Trattoria della Pesa for an earlyish lunch ahead of our drive into Milan. Dear Trystian Leader had billed this one as good solid rustic fare and one of the best Osso Bucco he has tasted. 

Went to the restaurant website for some more detail, but found it a bit confusing. It seems to suggest there are two venues under the Antica brand - The Bistrot and the Piccolo - and the address indicates we would be having our lunch at "Il Piccolo Della Pesa" which translates into "The Little Pesa". Some more,  "At the small Pesa you can get away from work, relax and have a drink with friends or spend a wonderful evening with us.The restaurant, adjacent to the Trattoria della Pesa, also offers an extensive wine list, with the best labels DOC and DOCG Lombard and a selection of the best Italian wines." 

Marco the Bus pulled up at a bus stop to let us all get off and we followed Dear Trystian Leader and his Google Map handphone on a damp morning tour of the streets of..  wherever we were. Quite a quaint little town, long narrow streets of light coloured stone walls greying in the overcast sky. One more turn and we saw the faster Trystians' piling through a door and into the cosy interior that was the Antica Trattoria della Pesa. We parked our coats on the hanger by the door and squeezed our way around the tables that had been set to receive us. This was a bit cramped, though we all managed to shoehorn ourselves in somewhere. Very cute place, comprising a bar in the centre that divided the eating area from the drinks. Lots of bottles everywhere, and a massively realistic wine mural on one wall. There was also a real rustic feel about the place. No pretensions - you come here to eat and drink and just enjoy. Which we all did. Hugely. 

Our starters
Couldn't find a menu for lunch on the website, and judging by the photos I think we might have gone off menu a bit. The tall balding host and owner was hugely welcoming and had a cute sense of humour. and we were quickly chugging on some full bodied (presumably house) white and chowing down on what I think were eggplant topped with roasted garlic or toasted breadcrumbs. This was quickly followed by the Osso Bucco which indeed was rich and full of meaty goodness and got wolfed down double time by the Trystians. The accompanying (presumably house) red was a fruit bomb with fair tannin that helped the meat go down a total treat. Happily return for a second round of this one. Dear Trystian Leader certainly knows his secret food places. 
The magnificent Osso Bucco with Roast Potatoes - food for the soul
Lenglui lunching
OLD TAVERN OF PESA | Vl. Pasubio 10-20154 Milano (MI) - Italy |PI 10329560154 | Tel. +39 02 6555741 | francisassi71@yahoo.it
THE BISTRO THE PESA Via Pietro Maroncelli n1 - Tel 02 6592880 LITTLE OF PESA - Viale Pasubio No 10 - Tel 02 6554762

Menu (I think)
Eggplant rolls
Osso buco with risotto Milanese - we had roast potatoes
Creme caramel

Wines
No idea


Antica Creme Caramel dessert 
Antica Trattoria ambience - lot of red cactus for some reason...  and booze 
Happy Trystians!
Eataly
Lunch ended with our host at the door wishing us a friendly "Buongiorno" as we grabbed our coats to tootle and stagger back to Marco the Bus. Our next stop would be somewhere called Eataly in Milan centre. I had no idea and had been a bit lazy in researching - I had assumed it was a department store and certainly somewhere to go shopping but paid little mind to it. Turns out it is 5000 square metre four storey market and delicatessen smack in the middle of two main roads and chock full of culinary and gastronomic delights. Floor one was fresh fruit and vegetables, pastas, pastries and bread and jars and tins, floor two was oils, meats, salami, cheese and chocolates, and floor three was the One Star Alice Ristorante and wines. Some of the Trystians had earlier been salivating over the impending visit to this place and with that dreamy gaze you see in the devout - futurecasting a paradise beyond this earthly life. So long as Marco got us there safely. Which he did. Thank you Marco. And the Road Gods. If there are any...

Eataly in Milan
Eataly was born as a result of aggregating a number companies operating as artisans of excellence in separate sectors of the food and wine markets. The first Eataly store opened in Turin in 2007 and since this time "has been able to offer the best artisan products at reasonable prices by creating a direct relation between producers and distributors, and focusing on sustainability, responsibility and sharing." At this time of writing (Dec 2018) there are 13 Eataly stores in main cities across Italy. The Milan store opened in 2014 in a building which apparently used to be a theatre (Teatro Smeraldo). 

The website holds that Eataly is "about eating Italian food, living the Italian way" whose goals are "to introduce a new way of distributing high quality agricultural products, inspired by leitmotifs as such as sustainability, responsibility and sharing.." and "to demonstrate that high-quality products can be made available to everyone: easy to find and at affordable prices." 

View from the 2nd Floor
The brand EATALY is the combination of two English words: EAT and ITALY. Eataly is about eating Italian food, and extolling the "Italian" way of enjoying excellent cuisine within the continuing history and culture of food and wine that is uniquely and unmistakeably Italy. It claims to be open 10am to midnight, though bear in mind that a Siesta might kick in across some of the outlets from 3pm to 7pm. 

Once inside the Eataly, I could now understand the reverence with which its name had got whispered. This was a total Cathedral for the belly and Temple of Tittilating Tastes for the tongue and everyone was worshipping in spades. It was packed on a rainy Saturday afternoon with devotees gazing wide eyed at all the delights on show. Checkouts were lengthy and shopping carts were full. During research, I found one story where the writer had "heard on the radio that the New York branch of Eataly is the third most visited place in the city after the Statue of Liberty and the Guggenheim Museum." [https://www.likealocalguide.com/milan/eataly-smeraldo]. Hallelujah indeed. 

Eataly Display
We had about an hour to do the place and could easily have done longer. There was so much to look at, so much to think about whether to buy back or not, so many places to think about sitting down with a coffee or a full pasta and pizza and watching the Eataly world go by. The meats section was amazing - all these beef slabs hanging up and ageing or lying down waiting to be bought. Awesome place. Lenglui and I bought some bread and cheese and ham to make sandwiches at the hotel for the next evening or three as back up in case we did not feel up to going out for dinner. We exited to find some of the Trystians already parked on some benches outside the Eataly entrance for a 4.30 Marco who had earlier advised we needed to pitch up exactly on time as there was no waiting area on the roadside. Surprisingly, everyone complied and we were all aboard in less than two minutes after he had pulled up. Our hotel was to be the LaGare which (we would find on the morrow) was physically a 15 minute stroll but a twenty minute drive. Part of the Sofitel group, the hotel is well appointed and naturally near Milan's central railway station. Marco huffed and puffed the luggage off the bus (this would be his last time so humphing - he would drive us to our dinner restaurant and there we would say our farewells) and we claimed our doorkeys and got the lift up to our various floors to unpack and get ready for our farewell dinner. 

Eataly
Piazza Venticinque Aprile, 10, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Website: www.eataly.net
Email: eatalysmeraldo@eataly.it
Phone: +39 02 4949 7301

Reception at Enrico Bartolini
Enrico Bartolini dinner

There's an old saw about saving the best for last. Which had come up somewhere along the Trystian Path in some context about why we usually drink the best wines last rather than first. Notwithstanding, in a restaurant context on our tour it had not come up. Yet it was to prove true with Bartolini. The Fates must have decided to establish the truth of the saying for us tiny band of boozy foodies at our food finale. 

Ready for the off at Enrico Bartolini
We had assembled at the lobby and quickly clambered aboard our final ride with Marco. Everybody seemed in a buoyant mood and ready for one of the food highlights of the trip - dinner at the Michelin Two Star Enrico Bartolini. 

The website says Bartolini has got five restaurants in Italy, along with Spigo in Hong Kong and Roberto's in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi. There is an overarching philosophy of “Contemporary Classic” which looks to blend "tradition with innovation and endless experimentation to create new flavours that are packed with memories, with a strong emotional impact. We strive for perfection in both taste and aesthetics, ensuring every dish is an unforgettable culinary experience…" Whilst Michelin says that the "personality and talent of the chef and their team is evident in the expertly crafted dishes, which are refined, inspired and sometimes original."

Breadsticks
Born in 1979 in Pescia, Tuscany, Enrico Bartolini started culinary life in the kitchens of Paolo Petrini in Paris and then Mark Page in London before  returning to Italy with Massimiliano Alajmo at the Le Robinie restaurant in Oltrepò Pavese, where he gained his first Michelin star aged 29.

Four years later he got his second at the Dodici24 Quick Restaurant in Cavenago Brianza (just outside Milan) along with L’Espresso’s Tre Cappelli and the Gambero Rosso’s Tre Forchette. 

in April 2016, he opened Ristorante Enrico Bartolini on the third floor of the MUDEC, and in November he "conquered the Italian gastronomic firmament when he was awarded four Michelin stars at once, two in Milan, one in Bergamo and one in Castiglione della Pescaia. This important recognition becomes even more significant given that the three award-winning restaurants opened almost exactly at the same time!"

Got a bit confused when the webbie says that also in November 2017, he got one Michelin star for Glam Restaurant in Venice, which would have made five if my math is correct. Could not find any second reference to back this up. But all the reads make much of the fact that he is the first to ever hold four stars at once - two in Milan, one in Bergamo and one in Castiglione della Pescaia. Pretty impressive by any standard. 

A Two Star translates to "Excellent cooking, worth a detour!" This Ultimo Marco Bus would indeed prove to be quite a detour involving a 40 minute trek across Milan city to the restaurant. Pretty dark and gloomy and wet was the drive, though some streets looked half familiar from previous visits to the city. Probably my imagination - Google Maps didn't seem to be making much sense at this time of night. 

Not sure of this one...
As said, the Restaurant is located on the Third Floor of the MUDEC (or Museum of Cultures of Milan) which is both a museum and exhibition center inaugurated in 2014 and "dedicated to the enhancement and interdisciplinary research on the cultures of the world." Located in the Tortona area of the city, it houses collections of ethnographic and anthropological exhibits placed there by the Municipality of Milan. The Bartolini website holds that this locationis "perfectly aligned with our culinary philosophy, based on the principles of experimentation and research. This is where our haute cuisine is crafted, determining the style of each of our restaurants, while respecting the biodiversity of each local area. And it is where we explore new worlds and new flavours, without forgetting our origins and traditions. Milan is the cornerstone and the creative impetus behind all aspects of our ‘Contemporary Classic’ philosophy." 

One of the Amuses
Seemingly lacking a signature "oops" Marco pulled up outside this seemingly open area looking not unlike a railway station and everyone piled out and headed to the glass door signifying warmth. I was about to follow them when I remembered that this was Arriverderci Marco, so I headed back and shook his hand and wished him well. He had driven us all week with nary a word to anyone, but he had done it all with reasonable grace and fair temper; far better than the Napoleon we had in France last year. He smiled broadly, and that was it. May the fates guide you well, and hopefully toward you losing forty pounds very quickly.

Not sure of this one...
As said, the entrance felt like a railway station of steel and glass with a souvenir shop to the right (which naturally attracted the attention of the Trystian shoppers) so we took advantage of this distraction to get straight into the elevator and up to the Third Floor. We parked our coats and, having been greeted with a welcome glass of bubbles, proceeded into the main restaurant area. 

Not sure - one of the amuses? 
The restaurant was pretty modern in ambience, with subdued lighting and modern art pieces and paintings. The website talks about an "intimate and refined atmosphere, enhanced by warm, natural tones and soft leather chairs and sofas with gentle, cosy lines, invites guests to relax and fully enjoy the culinary experience in the utmost comfort, while the chef and his team strive to provide unbridled pleasure." Okay. I have half a memory of being traumatised by the toilet for some reason - I think it was the blue lighting that shone in the pee tank - can't remember at the moment. 

Anchovies Oysters and Caviar 2019 version
There were two tables around which all Trystians would seat themselves. Lenglui picked a corner and the Governer picked a corner and the regular groups picked their seats and everyone else arranged themselves around this seating puzzle. It seemed to work out. 

Tuna Belly and "scritti beans"
Foodwise, the webbie says that the "food selection takes diners on a sophisticated culinary adventure, from the Be Contemporary tasting menu to the Be Classic menu with its range of classic Enrico Bartolini dishes, not to mention new seasonal options and highly original creations – a melting pot of flavours, worlds and traditions." Which ultimately did not overly imrpess the Governer who found it all "a bit modern" - damned with that particular and masterful faint praise of his. Though he did say that he thoroughly liked the wines. Here's what May Peng in her Facebook post had to say:

Bottoni filled with Olive Oil and Lime, Roasted Octopus and Cacciucco Sauce
"Our week long of fabulous food and wine indulgence was wrapped up at Enrico Bartolini, a 2* restaurant at the MUDEC in Milan. Multi Michelin starred Chef, Enrico Bartolini was regrettably not in attendance, but it was still a perfect venue and menu for our "Last Dinner (Supper)". We had the whole restaurant to ourselves..  that was very nice and we can abandon restraint for a little bit. The menu was essentially Italian, interpreted in a modern style. But it was very complex, with multi layers of flavours. Some felt there were too much happening on the plate. Quite noticeably, the Chef had ingeniously introduced a hint of acidity (sometimes citrussy) in the earlier courses. It certainly helped with delaying the feeling of fullness, until Course #8. I thoroughly had an enjoyable dinner. However, for me, the real highlight of the Dinner, was the Double Magnum of a 1967 Barolo from the museum collection."

Rice and Milk from Lodi, undergrowth Jugged Hare with Pepper Essence
Whilst Yin-How writes: "On top of the museum of culture Milan sits a gem of a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars. Enrico Bartolini showcases modern Milanese cuisine with just a few touches of molecular touches, to remain fresh yet traditional in its culinary roots. There is a constant thread of acidity in most dishes which kept our 10 course meal balanced and never cloying, though the richness of the final oxtail dish was a touch too far for some."

Roasted Pigeon and "welcome back" Boiled Breadsticks
I am trying to remember. I recall that I enjoyed it, but the individual dishes have faded into haze. It all looked amazing, it all tasted amazing, but the individual combinations - nada. This seems to be happening a lot lately - remembering it was enjoyable, but forgetting the individual tastes. I have been off making notes at the table, based on the Julian Teoh philosophy that if you fully engage all your senses then you don't need to make notes. Doesn't seem to be working out too well for me. I think maybe I need to start making them again; this is about the third occasion where food and dish memories have evaporated. Even the photos don't seem to jog the mind into recall. Perhaps it is meal fatigue - too many meals in a short time and all the detail getting lost in the overindulging. Though strange that other meals I can recall with perfect clarity. Maybe the food was just not that memorable to me. 

Oxtail and Savoy Cabbage a la Royale
Though the wines got pretty much stored inside the tastebud memories quite easily. The ones we had on the night ranged from delightful to spectacular. As May Peng said, the Star was the 1967 Double Magnum Barolo which sang like Caruso, danced like Nureyev and finished like Red Rum. And all at the age of fifty years old. Amazing wine - life, fruit, balance and structure all fully integrated. Worth the trip just to drink this wine alone. 

Traditional Zabaione, Bronte Pistachio and Orange Tree
Winewise, the webbie says the "wine list features a selection of Italian and foreign vintages with great personality, carefully chosen by Sebastian Ferrara, the restaurant manager and a highly experienced sommelier". And the wines were spectacular. I leave it to Yin-How to describe them:

Piccola Pasticceria
"The wine selection was a homage to the great names of Barolo.
Larmandier Bernier Terre de Vertus 2011(1.5L)
Trademark elegance and transparency, with flourishes of lime blossom, citrus and green apple skin and underlying chalk on the long finish.

Marchesi di Barolo Barolo 1967 (3L)
Sommelier had to open a second btl as the first one was compromised. Still youthful vibrant Ruby red with bricking edges. Amazingly delicate perfume of strawberries, Violets and cinnamon. Palate had a vibrancy and bright red fruits, savoury nuances and excellent balance between sufficient fruit and acidity. Tannins were resolved and fine. No one guessed this wine to be more than 15 years, testament to its ageing ability!

Bruno Giacosa Falleto Barolo 1998 (1.5L)
Ruby red with bricking edge. Nose was lifted, deep and sonorous with some VA, savoury notes but mainly dark plum and cherry with soy and balsam. Palate was developing to show gamey notes under still vibrant dark cherries and supported by ripe and maturing soft tannins. 

Giuseppe Rinaldi Brunate Barolo 2013 (1.5L)
The 1967 Barolo - an amazing wine
Pure, pristine dark fruit, morello cherries and Violets and rose petal notes on the nose. Palate already showing impeccable balance in its youth with pure dark cherries, black berries and licorice backed by fine filigreed tannins and underlying lithe acidity. Long finish. Bravo.

Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 2012 (1.5L)
Legendary single vineyard wine. Primary soaring nose of intoxicating Black fruits, crushed earth, floral rose petals and dark spice. Palate was large framed but always in balance between pure dark core of fruits and lacy tannins and freshness of well integrated acidity. Opened up through 2 hours to show more Violets. Tour de force. @ Enrico Bartolini"

The service was extremely good and friendly without being familiar. I think I would return, but would have to bring a large chunk of change to drink wines like these again. And a notebook and pen. 

And suddenly it was over. People got up, said their farewells and see you at breakfast, headed for the door and out into the cold almost midnight Milan chill. Given Marco's arriverderci, We were all required to get taxis back to the hotel, which I rarely enjoy doing - trusting Milan taxis to show up just before midnight is often a lost cause, especially on a Saturday night. Which so proved for us, though the earlier Trystians seemed to enjoy more luck. The restaurant had booked the cabs and we were all given numbers as to which taxi would be ours. But ours failed to show. Naturally. Eventually Trystian Sanjeev scored an Uber and we belanja him and Trystian Money a ride back. Have to crack a nice Austrian bottle for them at the next boozy. 

Wines for the night
Back at the Hotel, good nights and see you back in KL's all around, up the lift and crawl into bed. Felt like a long day. Certainly slept like it was one. 

MUDEC BISTROT
Via Tortona, 56
Milan (MI)
Bistrot opening hours
7.30 - 19.30 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
7.30 - 22.30 Thursday, Friday
9.30 - 22.30 on Saturday
9.00 - 22.30 on Sunday
Reservations
Tel. +39.02.84.29.37.06
bistrot@enricobartolini.net
http://www.enricobartolini.net

MENU
Our Welcome
Amuse Bouche
Anchovies Oysters and Caviar 2019 version
Tuna Belly and "scritti beans"
Bottoni filled with Olive Oil and Lime, Roasted Octopus and Cacciucco Sauce
Rice and Milk from Lodi, undergrowth Jugged Hare with Pepper Essence
Roasted Pigeon and "welcome back" Boiled Breadsticks
Oxtail and Savoy Cabbage a la Royale
Traditional Zabaione, Bronte Pistachio and Orange Tree
Piccola Pasticceria

THE WINES
Champagne Tere de Vertus, Blanc de Blancs, Pas Dose, 2011
Pinot Bianco Vorberg, Alto Adige, DOC, Terlano 2015, Magnum
Barolo DOC, Marchesi di Barolo 1967, Double Magnum
Barolo DOCG, Brunate, Giuseppe Rinaldi, 2013
Barolo DOCG Falletto, Bruno Giacosa, 1998, Magnum

Barolo DOCG, Cascina Francia, Giacomo Conterno, 2012 Magnum

Lenglui and I would have a few extra days and nights in Milan, as would some of the other Trystians. It would be mostly food, wine and shopping, including lunch at Lenglui's favourite eatery on Corso Como followed by a brilliant afternoon with Trystian Dear Leader in a wine bar in Milan's Chinatown. I will look to write this up soonest. In the meantime, many thanks to Dear Trystian Leader and the Trystians for a hugely fun and mostly memorable seven days. Let's Tryst again soon!!

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Farewell Trystians - till we Tryst again!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

The Italian Tryst Day Five - Thursday 1st November 2018

The Italian Tryst - October and November 2018

Write up of a seven day bus trip across Northern Italy by me and some of my Malaysian Foodie and Winey friends, taking in Lake Como, Bolgheri, Alba and Milan. Dear Leader said we were a Tryst of pilgrims on another wine and restaurant and food adventure, so we became Trystians. Photos mostly by me, though some filched from the Facebook pages of Chan May Peng, Wong Yin-How and David Teh.  

Day Five - Thursday 1st November 2018 - Fontanafredda Estate in Alba - Alba Town - Dinner at Garden Restaurant Albergo dell'Agenzia Hotel

Fontanafredda Estate in Alba

Forest walk
Lazy morning with a late-ish breakfast up a lift to the first floor and about five tables hugging the walls with a central table laden with breads and meats and water and juices. Not large but very tasty and the Cappucino was excellent. Soft rolls with ham and cheese and croissant with butter and jam. Good solid fare to set you up for the day. Lenglui and I normally take advantage of bottled water to fill our bottles for the day - though I was finding the tap water pretty okay. We could see the sun was shining and the skies were blue and someone wondered whether it would be an idea to walk the forest before the off. Today would have been the perfect day, but I decided against due to the following paragraph. This decision would be the death of my beloved boots.

It had somewhere been determined that, since all the Trystians were by the fickle finger of fortune all members of the IWFS Committee, a meeting could be held and consequently negate a need for one back in  Kuala Lumpur. Originally envisaged to get held on the bus, this was naysayed given the engine noise level and someone needing to keep an eye out to marginalise Franco's occasional oops'es. So it was we assembled in the reception area of the winery and parked ourselves around some coffee tables located therein. Very comfortable, excellent natural light, and surrounded by a vast array of epicurean delights available for purchase. Ambient and relaxing - a meeting to totally remember. 

The Lake in Fontanafredda Estate (pic by May)
Committee business was short and quickly concluded and it was back to the rooms to prepare for our off into Alba town. As said earlier, the accommodation was split between different wings with the bulk of us in the building furthest from the entrance. Problem was, the buses all park at the wing nearest to the gate, with the result that most of us had to walk to where Marco the Bus decided to park. And he naturally decided to park at the main entrance building. Of course. Fortunately, the day was dry with promises of fair weather and sunshine so the stroll was a good way to kickstart the body. 

Lenglui dressed for Alba
Everyone seemed quite chipper this morning, perhaps as a result of not feeling their usual damp selves, and the bus felt quite merry as it trundled out of the Estate and onto the road to Alba. Dry weather and blue skies will do that to you. As ever, my Lenglui had brought the sunshine and everyone seemed thankful for it. 

Alba Town

The bus took us on a pretty straight road into Alba town, though we seemed to circle around one section twice - possibly another Marco "oops" - before getting deposited at what looked like a main street with instruction to "please-a you be back here at-a 3.30" for the return to the Estate. Alba is a hugely pretty town, with medieval looking buildings mixed with modern big window shops and most sporting bottles of wine in their displays. And for the public holiday that the day was, most were surprisingly open. We all ambled along what looked like a main street laden with shops, following Dear Leader who looked like he knew where he was going. Lenglui naturally got occasionally diverted and distracted and I played my usual Where The Frick Has She Gone Now and Find the Lenglui game. By this time the sun was blazing and the streets were abuzz with Truffle Vans and outlets selling various snacky delights. Some of the Trystians found themselves unable to resist and tasted their way along the streets. 

One of many Truffle stalls in Alba town
We all somehow ended up at the town's Duomo and then hung left along another shop laden main street to where we stumbled on a Wine and Truffle Festival. Dear Leader had previously advised that this event was taking place and was a natural for us Trystians. He paid our entrance fee and we were off. 

Truffle Festival in Alba
What a magical hour. Tasting various styles of cheese and sampling the occasional artisanal style of wine through four long rows of stalls flogging their Piedmont farmyard and Alba country kitchen style produce to a heaving crowd all eager to spend the public holiday eating and drinking and talking. On recommendation of one of the Trystians, we bought some Cheeses and Porky products for transport home - we are not bigtime afficionado and are happy to mostly follow what the others select - and moved on to more tastings further along the rows. The smell of truffles and salami garlic and stinky cheese was everywhere. The truffles were pretty much on sale at all the stalls, though some were totally dedicated to the fungus. I have no idea how to differentiate in quality terms, and coupled with the fact that I don't appreciate the thing to the salivatory degree of many of my friends, I chose not to buy. Though some did and seemed extremely happy with it and the large prices being charged for it. Heard a story of one foodie back in KL who has his own direct supplier in Alba and gets them airflown in every November. Is a holiday for his supplier and they presumably scarf their way through a kilo or two of truffles. There you go, eh?

Day Fresh White Truffles - yumyum! (pic by May)
You are-e can buy from meee! No special-e price...
We wound our way around the hall and found the bathrooms and followed some fellow Trystians out of the Festival in a lunch hunt. Dear Leader had made some recommendations but somehow we missed them and found ourselves quite close to the bus rendezvous though with about two hours to spare. We figured we were pretty full from all the tastings and with no real need for big food. So we found a small pizzeria selling wine by the bottle with tables outside and parked ourselves to pass the interim wait. It would prove a hugely pleasant lunch, snacking on various tasties bought at the Festival or from along the street. We got joined by other Trystians making their way back to the bus and suddenly half the group were parked with us around the table and ordering more wine. A sunshine late liquid lunch in Alba with the Trystians - finestkind. 

With about ten minutes before our deadline, we hauled ourselves upright and away from this afternoon bliss and ambled along to a small square at the head of the street. Here, we found most of the other Trystians assembled and spent the remaining wait sharing our shopping exploits with them. Marco the Bus was bang on time at the stop, and we all clambered aboard and straight off for a swift and sleepy trip back to Fontanafredda. I think I took a nap back in the room, again to recharge batteries. 

Trystians Jeremy and Tony enjoying the afternoon wine
Trystians Joe and Brian in sunshine and wine
Dinner at Garden Restaurant Albergo dell'Agenzia di Pollenzo, Bra

I don't remember much about the bus ride to our dinner destination, though I do recall another Oops by Marco. This one seemed quite major and involved quite a long reverse in some pretty dark lighting. But somehow he seemed able to negotiate these things without a scratch. Amazing. Given our trip to date, he has clearly had lots of practice. 

Lenglui with The Money
It had begun to rain by the time we got to the Hotel so umbrellas were needed to get from the bus to the entrance. This was to be another Jacket but no Tie dinner at the Garden Restaurant in the Albergo dell'Agenzia Hotel. 

The very detailed and extremely readable website says that the hotel is "part of the neo-Gothic architectural complex built by Carlo Alberto of Savoy as the hub of agricultural research and production in Piedmont [which] combines refined architecture with landscapes of rare beauty, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site deserving of protection for the generations of the future." It offers "elegant ambiences for celebrating special occasions, organizing business events and enjoying long stays or one-day visits."

Lenglui with Marco the Bar
It is also the base for the Slow Food Movement, where its founder Carlo Petrini in 1992 began conversion of the neo-Gothic Agenzia complex into the University of Gastronomic Sciences, Academic Tables and Wine Bank that exists there today.  He "felt a strong need to develop a large, prestigious hub of food and wine culture, which he interprets innovatively as a science. He imagined the place as the cultural powerhouse of a new “eno-gastronomy” based on the quality of food and wine, respectful of biodiversity and the environment, careful to erase any form of workplace exploitation." 

Pumpkin Soup - large and full of taste
Slow Food essentially rails against the standardisation of food. Founded in 1986 as the Arcigola Association and changing its name in 1989, Slow Food now has more than 100,000 members and branches in 130 countries. It organises a "vast array of special initiatives through its local and international associations, known as Convivia" along with the world’s largest food event the Terra Madre/Salone del Gusto held every two years in Turin. 

Shaving the truffle over the Tajarin
We divested coats and brollys on some hangers (I think - though many of the restaurants we visited had cloakrooms and attendants to take our things; they all get a bit mixed up) and edged into the Agenzia bar area to await our welcome aperitif cocktail. This was to be a Negroni specially ordered ahead by Dear Leader. This is a blend of equal parts Gin, Campari, and red Vermouth with a garnish of orange peel. Would be a first time for me. Our cocktail doctor for the night was another Marco. The tumbler glasses filled with ice were lined up on the bar and Marco the Bar started pouring the booze with gusto - two bottles in one hand and the gin in the other and whoosh! filled in less than three seconds and on to the next. Old school. I helped to sweep the completed mixes out of his way and into the clamouring hands of the Trystians before taking a sip of the thing. Wow… it was a strong whack of dark bitter and booze. Got hints of coffee and aniseed, though someone nailed it by getting chicory. Not sure if I liked it, so I had a second and then a third to check - Lenglui was not a fan and sweetly asked Marco the Bar if she could have her Gin with Tonic. Marco obliged and soon he was obliging a number of ladies following the trend set by Lenglui - the Negroni was not a great hit with them. The bitterness feels like an acquired taste, though apparently it is one that many of Italian descent have a predilection for. I think I could get used to it - though if Tonic is available then that would be my first choice with Gin.

There was a lovely homestead ambience feel to this place - all brick and wood and glass doors and a hugely large dining room. There was a reception area so I guess it doubles as a resort of some kind. I remember taking a few trips to the toilet through the night which involved either a lift or a flight of stairs down. Very modern, very swish. I would see lots of clearly well heeled people wandering around the place through the night.  

Tajarin with Alba White Truffle
We were soon being called for dinner which would take place in the very spacious Garden Restaurant. The website notes "at the Albergo dell’Agenzia we interpret this important cultural heritage according to the principles of the Slow Food philosophy. Natural ingredients, Slow Food Presidium food products, a daily supply of the freshest raw materials from the many local markets and producers—all combine to ensure our guests gastronomic experiences of the highest level. You can enjoy our restaurant’s fare while admiring the green meadows and flowerbeds of the park all year round on the climatized glassed veranda. And your meals will be rounded off by wines from our refined selection of more than 300 Piedmontese labels from the Wine Bank next door."

Braised Veal with Roast Potatoes - was excellent
It was a bit dark to enjoy the meadows but we did get stuck into the wines. A fruity dry sparkler to start made way to a brilliantly tasty white, all Chardonnay but with good steel to support the fruit. The three reds are lost in the mists, but hopefully I can steal some notes from Dear Leader - he is more committed and timely in his notes than me. I seem to recall the Barbaresco having a slight edge over the Barolos, though they were both smoothies with good power in their own rights. Foodwise, this was a hugely enjoyable meal. Excellent young rooster (somewhat reminiscent of the Kampong Chicken we get here in Malaysia), wonderfully rich and hearty soup, amazing Tajarin with freshly sliced truffle, one of the most tender veals tasted and a fabulous pannacotta to finish. The veal was a standout here, falling off in layers and with wonderful bite and chew - total contrast to the previous evening at Guido. The truffles were also excellent, having veins not dissimilar to Wagyu meat. Wonder if there is a similar grading for truffles that Wagyu has for marbling? 

Pannacotta with Madagascar Vanilla
Hugely happy that this restaurant was part of our tour, though next time I might perhaps make more time for the grounds. Indeed, it was initially scheduled, but I think it made way to allow more time to chill in Alba, given that the sun was shining. No argument here. Marco the Bus got us all quickly and safely back to the Estate and we made our respective ways to the digs. Seem to recall some problem getting through the door, with a claim that it would not recognise the password the Trystian in question was punching in to the doorpad. After about five minutes punching and repunching and all of us standing in the rain, it was discovered that the wrong buttons were being punched. Of course. Someone delivered the knockout blow and in we piled, saying hasty good nights to neighbours as we dived through the door and straight to the bathroom - enlarged prostate ain't no fun after an evening on the sauce. What to do?

Our Dinner Wines
Garden Restaurant Albergo dell'Agenzia di Pollenzo, Bra
Via Fossano 21 - 12042 Pollenzo - Bra (CN) 
Tel. +39 0172 458600 - Fax +39 0172 458645 

Dinner Menu
Young Rooster Salad with balsamic vinegar
Pumpkin soup
Tajarin with Alba white truffle
Braised fassone veal from "La Granda" with Barolo and baked potatoes
Panna cotta with Madagascar vanilla

Wines
Brandini "Alta Langa" Brut DOCG Methode Classico
Derthona "La Colombera" Colli Tortonesi, Timorasso
Ugo L'Equio "Gallina" Barbaresco 2009
Fratelli Alessandria "Monvigliero" Barolo 2011
Domenico Clerico "Pajana" Barolo 2011

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