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this morning we left milano for lago maggiore; Sara, me, David, Barbara, and Jeff Robinson (childhood friend of David's). the brief but winding ride through metropolitan highways to winding thin avenues was just what i imagined but more colorful, vivid, and authentically more italian than i could conjure.
David's lake house is magnificent, no less than could be expected. his good fortune is really making the first leg of my trip more extravagant than i could have planned, or afforded.
ultimately it was my hammock experience that wooed me. laying suspended in his private ivy covered gazebo was unreal. the sun cascading around the gazebo illuminated the peonies and coaxed their intoxicating perfume in and around the garden. the hammock suspended my body in a zero-gravity like position and i closed my eyes and felt total physical relaxation. the inner peace i'm still working on. its a real detoxification to not have the immediate comfort of friends and support systems, but sometimes simplification is necessary.
similarly David's sail boat rocked my inner core, filled with anxiety and apprehension into appreciation and awe. the glistening blue water and cool lake breeze as we jived from one side to the other was
everything his graceful mahogany boat could offer.
chilled proseco after the boat ride quenched my thirst and brought my inner temperature up to match my sun soaked skin. we relaxed for thirty minutes on the club's terrace before continuing back to the house.
dinner was incredible. i cibi erano molto bellisimi. we began with rabbit liver pie with frisee and balsamic. then the fresh bread basket with local red wine- whose smell was pungent and intoxicating but the taste was fresh, dry, and without any discernible taste other than the local grapes. when the first course came i tried the risotto with fresh herbs and tomatoes- sweet, creamy, savory, and with impeccable richness and texture. the goose liver with poached pear and parsley was a medley of melting deliciousness in my mouth. the goose with tagliarini was hearty and flavorful, tasting of pure meat, and garlic, and mushrooms. my tramezzino, hand cut raw beef (tartare style) with capers, black truffles, and horseradish aioli was delightful; also served with micro-greens and frisee with balsamic. the frizzante water cleansed my palate as my taste buds anticipated the auspicious dish i chose. lamb with butter, carrots, and new potatoes was perfect, albeit a
bit fatty- only a mistake in gastronomic hindsight. I'd order it again in a heartbeat. we finished the meal with a lemon rosemary sorbet which was sweet, refreshing, and romantic.
how does adolfo extract the sweet, lingering smell of rosemary into that taste; and not have any bitter aftertaste? i reserved my questions because the obvious answer is he knows his product. its fresh and requires little handling. the food is so different here and he has a very broad and wise knowledge, i can't wait to pick his brain. everything was fresh from the surrounding garden and the ambiance of the terrace looking over the lake was only surpassed when the food was on the table. i can and must learn from this man.
first i need some more experience, with the land, culture, and language. we could only exchange polite introductions. quelling my fears is not easy but with not even a week under my belt i know there is nothing, if hardly anything, to worry about.
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BJ
non-member comment
Whoa... what a mouthful... so much more than tasty morsels...
Hey Jamie, what an awesome entry... I won't have to eat dinner... hahaha. Sounds like you're having a wonderful time and enjoying every experience with all your senses... good for you! Thanks for sharing this with us and I look forward to more... just like any good meal... the anticipation, the presentation and the after-glow were all here in your writing... Thanks sweetheart.