StringGrrl sees the World

Miriam and Eric at the entrance to La Spiga Foggy weather spoiled the normally stunning views of the Wine country of La Morra photo by  Gabriele Motta under Creative Commons attribution, non-comm, no remix La Spiga is a restaurant and hotel located in the Langhe region just south of Torino. Operated by a couple who built and run the restaurant since 2005. It has a small country hotel -8 rooms- attached to the restaurant. The dining room is not very large and was supported quite well by the small but attentive staff. Amuse-bouche of pumpkin soup The restaurant was selected by Fabri and Dani when they discovered that we had never had white truffles in our travels. Apparently, this is quite a thing in Piedmonte and the region to be sure to enjoy the truffles. We were there at the time of the annual truffle fair, http://www.fieradeltartufo.org/2016/it/ but did not visit the fair itself. Instead opting for the simpler pleasures of fine food at La Spiga and a short...

Firenze Santa Maria Novella, the terminal station in Florence  After a long weekend in Torino spent with friends it was back to reality for work and off to Florence for an afternoon of customer meetings and maybe a little time in the city center of Florence. Arrival at the main station Piazza del Repubblica  StringGirl and me at the Doumo StringGirl and the stunning stone work of the Doumo Cathederal Santa Maria Fiore Mercado Centrale, the central market where restaurants and shops are open until 1:00 am Nice wines and beers to be had at the Mercado Very loud, lively, and welcoming. Mercado Central was a nice spot for dinner Luca from ESI Italy was our host that evening When telling anyone that it it is your first time in Florence they will list off all the things to see and eat. Undoubtedly the Bistecca Fiorentina will be among them. Now, when most 'muricans think of italian cuisine they might immediately think of thick and heavy pa...

Erika at Gallo Wine Gallery, who celebrated her birthday by giving drinks  While spending a weekend in Piedemonte, Italy, my friends took me for a weekend in wine and truffle country. Specifically, La Morra, where we stumbled (literally after we finished our tour of the shop) upon the Gallo Wine Gallery. Just a few tipples to warm the shoppers who come into the store After a meal of Tartufo Blanco (white truffles) at a nearby restaurant we stopped into La Morra to visit the heart of the regional wine country. The village is mostly wine shops and gift shops, so is a complete tourist trap, but a delightful one at that. Barolo Chinato, pharmaceuticals from the old days For a reasonable 10€ fee they took me on a 3 glass tasting through local wines. Starting first with Barbera d'Asti, followed by Nebbiollo, and wrapped up with Barolo. As the former Self-Proclaimed-Die-Expert is a savage when it comes to wines, any 3 wines are good ones most often. But at 10€ for ...

Chana Masala and Chicken 65  StringGirl stayed home today and missed a lovely luncheon feast offered by management at the Self-Proclaimed-Die-Experts (though now a Virtual Reality Evangelist) new place of employment. Instead Mr Hops Joe (Hopfn Sepp) attended in her place. You might remember Hops Joe from earlier posts and his visits to  Pilsn ,  Prague ,   Detroit ,   Seattle  just to mention a few. Chicken Tikka and Chicken Tikka Masala   Diwali is a harvest festival and festival of lights. Recognized as a time to celebrate and hope for succes of light over darkness, good over evil, true wealth over transient wealth. Mixed Vegetable Masala and Chicken Makhani (butter chicken)  The food was so tasty that we forgot to take more pictures to capture the rest of the office as they enjoyed (many for the first time) this abundant collection of tasty food. Being able to join in this celebration was certainly a moment for the true wealth of...