Being very close to our home we thought we'd finally try The Yellow Broom.
Tasteful decor in a pleasant rural detached house; although mid week, it was very quiet, just one other couple and a small family birthday party. We enjoyed an aperitif in the bar area before being shown our table.
First impressions of the menu were that it was fairly small (just 5 main courses, 3 meat, 1 fish and 1 vegetarian option) and expensive, but well described.
I opted for the poached lemon sole, and Bobby had the lamb loin. All arrived well presented, and made with good quality (apparently) local ingredients.
We declined a bottle of wine from the average list (expensive) and opted for individual glasses.
Three drinks, two main courses, one shared dessert and coffee came to £100 - very expensive.
Service: 7/10
Quality of Food: 8/10
Value for money: 5/10
Overall: 6.5/10
Wednesday, 30 May 2007
Monday, 28 May 2007
26/5/07 - La Sosta di Violante, Siena
Today we arrived in my favourite city of Siena and were fortunate enough to get a room in the magnificent Grand Hotel Continental in the city centre. Although an acquaintance made on our flight had made a recommendation for a Siena restaurant "where only the locals go", our concierge advise us that it was actually "rather touristic", and we should try La Sosta di Violante.
He happily obliged us a reservation, and we enjoyed the 10 minute stroll by the Campo and found a very attractive and welcoming restaurant with a few tables outside, and one empty one, presumably awaiting our arrival.
The waiter warmly welcomed us and invited us to take an aperitif at our table. The menu looked very varied, and typically Tuscan, and I would have been happy to try absolutely anything and everything on the menu, but we made our choices.
We shared a Tuscan starter which included a wide variety of samples of the various starters on offer, including: Broccoli pie with onion jam, local ham, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes etc. Each and every item on that plate was exquisite, with us both agreeing our favourite to be the pie.
For pasta, I had the Pappardelle with hare ragout and bobby had Pici with onion and leek. We both enjoyed the pici but I have to say the Pappardelle was one of the finest pasta dishes I have ever experienced.
We took the waiter's recommendation for a 2001 Brunello (from the rather extensive wine list consisting of at least 10 Brunellos and scores of Chiantis), which was a perfect compliment to the Tuscan selection.
For main course, (and after each of the steak options had been shown to me at the table), I opted for a smaller steak with salad, and Bobby had the Chicken in spicy sauce. My steak was perfectly cooked (rare) and so tender, to perfection. Bobby's chicken was very impressive, charcoal cooked with a Tuscan pepper spice sauce.
Finally, we just about managed to share a dessert and finish our wine .... phew!
Service: 9/10
Food Quality: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10
An absolute gem, and a must whenever in (or close to) Siena ...
He happily obliged us a reservation, and we enjoyed the 10 minute stroll by the Campo and found a very attractive and welcoming restaurant with a few tables outside, and one empty one, presumably awaiting our arrival.
The waiter warmly welcomed us and invited us to take an aperitif at our table. The menu looked very varied, and typically Tuscan, and I would have been happy to try absolutely anything and everything on the menu, but we made our choices.
We shared a Tuscan starter which included a wide variety of samples of the various starters on offer, including: Broccoli pie with onion jam, local ham, anchovies, sun dried tomatoes etc. Each and every item on that plate was exquisite, with us both agreeing our favourite to be the pie.
For pasta, I had the Pappardelle with hare ragout and bobby had Pici with onion and leek. We both enjoyed the pici but I have to say the Pappardelle was one of the finest pasta dishes I have ever experienced.
We took the waiter's recommendation for a 2001 Brunello (from the rather extensive wine list consisting of at least 10 Brunellos and scores of Chiantis), which was a perfect compliment to the Tuscan selection.
For main course, (and after each of the steak options had been shown to me at the table), I opted for a smaller steak with salad, and Bobby had the Chicken in spicy sauce. My steak was perfectly cooked (rare) and so tender, to perfection. Bobby's chicken was very impressive, charcoal cooked with a Tuscan pepper spice sauce.
Finally, we just about managed to share a dessert and finish our wine .... phew!
Service: 9/10
Food Quality: 10/10
Overall: 9.5/10
An absolute gem, and a must whenever in (or close to) Siena ...
25/5/07 - Cantinetta del Nunno, San Casciano VP, Florence
We had heard many good things about this typical Tuscan kitchen - Apparently Michael Winner raved about this place, and as we had a free night in the Florence area, we decided to go and explore ..
We were reasonably warmly welcomed and shown a table inside - there appeared to be a mix of mostly locals and American tourists dining, and reasonably full. Decor a little shabby and the unfortunate cigarette and pipe smoke slightly spoilt the air of those about to eat.
We started with a mixed Tuscan starter, and an old favourite, Bruschetta al Pomodoro - this was not the best i've ever experienced - the toasted bread sadly rather tough and soggy, and tomatoes fairly bland.
We asked the chef for a recommendation, and he said he recommended absolutely everything on the menu ... A friend had suggested the Beef and Pepper Ghoulash was good, so I ordered that, and Bobby had a pici pasta with meat sauce.
In both cases, they were just about acceptable, but very disappointing overall.
Service: 6/10
Food Quality: 5/10
Overall: 5/10
We were reasonably warmly welcomed and shown a table inside - there appeared to be a mix of mostly locals and American tourists dining, and reasonably full. Decor a little shabby and the unfortunate cigarette and pipe smoke slightly spoilt the air of those about to eat.
We started with a mixed Tuscan starter, and an old favourite, Bruschetta al Pomodoro - this was not the best i've ever experienced - the toasted bread sadly rather tough and soggy, and tomatoes fairly bland.
We asked the chef for a recommendation, and he said he recommended absolutely everything on the menu ... A friend had suggested the Beef and Pepper Ghoulash was good, so I ordered that, and Bobby had a pici pasta with meat sauce.
In both cases, they were just about acceptable, but very disappointing overall.
Service: 6/10
Food Quality: 5/10
Overall: 5/10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)