Yesterday we decided to go for lunch with some of the Galvagno clan - I thought we were headed to Trieste, but it actually turns out we were going to meet some peeps in Slovenia. So, after a mere 2 hours (!) in the car, we arrived at Pirano, a lovely coastal town set on a point sticking out into the Adriatic.
After ditching the car in the parkade on the outskirts we took the free shuttle to the town, and wandered the narrow streets for all of 5 minutes before it was time to stop for an apperativo - glass of wine. Driving is thirsty work, apparently! After our drink stop, it was time to hit the restaurant. It was now 3:00ish, and I was indeed getting hungry.
The location was spectacular! We were on a patio right on the ocean. It was covered and shady and cool, and the food at the next door table looked delicious. I was sure we wouldn't be disappointed since three of Piero's relatives were there, and they are all involved in the restaurant business in one way or another. In two words, we weren't.
First of course, a couple of litres of Malvasia wine. Cold, white and delicious. Then a plate of clams, and scampi, along with the most beautiful presentation of sea bass - the head and tail were at either end of the long, white oval dish, and between the two was the flesh, sliced thinly, delicious, and raw - but more like ceviche than sushi. Mmmmm mmmm good.
Seeing as how we were on the ocean, the seafood theme continued. Fresh raw oysters, tasting clean and lemony. A giant plate of different types of clams and mussels - more varieties than I have ever seen, dressed in a lovely garlic and basil butter. And then, well, it was time to swim, of course!
We left our things (you know, just our passports and money!!!) in the restaurant which was open to anyone walking by, changed our clothes, and went off into the salty, salty warm water. After some play time, it was time to resume eating.
A beautiful small crusty bread bowl with a single scampi in sauce arrived. The scampi was standing up so it looked like a little Jack-in-the-box. Then things get a little fuzzy - who knew that could happen when you mix a lot of sun and wine? Oh yeah, it may also have had something to do with the brown liquor (like a stronger version of Jager) that somehow showed up between glasses of wine. However, I do remember the final plate of pasta, with a wonderful light creamy sauce with fresh truffles shaved on top. Holy cow, was that good!
Mark slept in the back seat on the return trip, and Piero's cousin Egidio piloted us home and had to suffer with my crazy drunken Italian for the whole trip. Nice guy.
I was a little under the weather today, and luckily it was a low key day anyways. Completely worth it though, and I'd do it again in a second.
After ditching the car in the parkade on the outskirts we took the free shuttle to the town, and wandered the narrow streets for all of 5 minutes before it was time to stop for an apperativo - glass of wine. Driving is thirsty work, apparently! After our drink stop, it was time to hit the restaurant. It was now 3:00ish, and I was indeed getting hungry.
The location was spectacular! We were on a patio right on the ocean. It was covered and shady and cool, and the food at the next door table looked delicious. I was sure we wouldn't be disappointed since three of Piero's relatives were there, and they are all involved in the restaurant business in one way or another. In two words, we weren't.
First of course, a couple of litres of Malvasia wine. Cold, white and delicious. Then a plate of clams, and scampi, along with the most beautiful presentation of sea bass - the head and tail were at either end of the long, white oval dish, and between the two was the flesh, sliced thinly, delicious, and raw - but more like ceviche than sushi. Mmmmm mmmm good.
Seeing as how we were on the ocean, the seafood theme continued. Fresh raw oysters, tasting clean and lemony. A giant plate of different types of clams and mussels - more varieties than I have ever seen, dressed in a lovely garlic and basil butter. And then, well, it was time to swim, of course!
We left our things (you know, just our passports and money!!!) in the restaurant which was open to anyone walking by, changed our clothes, and went off into the salty, salty warm water. After some play time, it was time to resume eating.
A beautiful small crusty bread bowl with a single scampi in sauce arrived. The scampi was standing up so it looked like a little Jack-in-the-box. Then things get a little fuzzy - who knew that could happen when you mix a lot of sun and wine? Oh yeah, it may also have had something to do with the brown liquor (like a stronger version of Jager) that somehow showed up between glasses of wine. However, I do remember the final plate of pasta, with a wonderful light creamy sauce with fresh truffles shaved on top. Holy cow, was that good!
Mark slept in the back seat on the return trip, and Piero's cousin Egidio piloted us home and had to suffer with my crazy drunken Italian for the whole trip. Nice guy.
I was a little under the weather today, and luckily it was a low key day anyways. Completely worth it though, and I'd do it again in a second.
Glad that bread got a mention, Mary - or should we call you Maria for now?
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