Passaporto, Part Two
September 6, 2010 by Hedonista · Leave a Comment
So your Hedonista returned to Il Fornaio with a friend to experience their Veneto menu, which was created by Executive Chef Maurizio Mazzon (born in Marcon, Veneto) and made available August 2 to 15, 2010.
Regardless of the region of origin, bruschetta is always a good choice.
Chef sent out a complimentary bruschetta to get our taste buds tingling (and tingle they did) – although technically the origins of this appetizer are found in central Italy, rather than the northeastern region of Veneto.
The Mezzi Ravioli al Vino Rosso, where good pasta meets good mushrooms - need I say more?
We purchased the Mezzi Ravioli al Vino Rosso ($17.99) – home made ravioli stuffed with prosciutto, Swiss chard, and Parmesan, smothered with Sangiovese porcini mushroom sauce, and sprinkled with asiago cheese. Paired with a glass ($4 half-glass, $7.50 glass, $30 bottle) of the 2008 Modello delle Venezie, Masi, the earthiness of the mushrooms and the wine amplified one another with ease.
The Pollastrini Plini e Boni is pure 15th century bridge between the Middle Ages, the Early Renaissance, and the Early Modern Era - both historically and culinarily.
We also ordered the Pollastrini Plini e Boni ($20.59) – a 15th century recipe made to be eaten just like they did – with one’s bare hands! This dish is an entire game hen grilled and seasoned with cream cheese, ground almonds, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and saffron stuffing – then topped with a Trebbiano wine sauce and served with lemon and a Veneto salad. (Veneto is a region known for its spice trade.) The recommended wine of choice is a good one: a 2006 Valpolicella Ripasso, Masi Campofiorin ($6 half glass, $11 glass, and $42 bottle).
Finally, we finished it all off with their house-made spumoni gelato ($6.59): a beloved holy trinity of layered strawberry, chocolate hazelnut, and pistachio gelato complete with cherries, chocolate chips, and pistachios and served up with raspberry and chocolate sauce. Very much worth leaving room for!
(Note also that they offer a 3-course regional tasting menu for $29.99 and three half glass regional wine flights for $12.99.)
The next region, you ask? Well, starting tonight and running until September 19, it’s a taste of Sicilia: a Sicilia menu designed by Chef-Partner Luigi Mavica, who is originally of Randazzo, Sicily. (Remember to bring in your passaporto and receive a gift of Lemon Olive Oil.)
Once again, below please find Il Fornaio’s regional-re-cap for the second half of 2010, if you will:
Toscana: July 5-18 (Gift: Cannellini Beans)
Veneto: August 2-15 (Gift: Prosecco Stopper)
Sicilia: September 6-19 (Gift: Lemon Olive Oil)
Umbria: October 4-17 (Gift: Calendar)
Piemonte: November 1-14 (Gift: White Truffle Olive Oil)
Sicilia: December 6-19 (Gift: “Finitio!” Translation: Haven’t you got enough already?)
I still plan to taste my way through each region … as always, stay tuned, dear hedonists.
Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.
