The Dal Pescatore experience. One word - Amazing.

Ciao!!

Okay, I'm finally sitting down long enough to catch you all up on the
last couple of days here in Italy. It's been a whirlwind!

First, my dear friend Jen arrived in Mantova on Sunday. We stayed in
a beautiful old palazzo with adjoining rooms. Had a lovely lunch in a
beautiful cobblestone piazza, strolled a bit, napped, and then got
ready for our spectacular dinner that evening at Dal Pescatore.

At 7pm Fabio, our driver, arrived to scoop us up in his fabulous shiny
black Mercedes. Jen is a genius. It was her thought to do this, and
it was brilliant. Dal Pescatore is a 45 minute drive outside of the
city, in the middle of nowhere. We wouldn't have been able to just
sit back and fully enjoy the evening without this element.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by several of
the staff, and led into a comfy study. The restaurant is set up like
a home - several rooms where the dinner tables are (very spread out
with lots of personal space), a couple of study/lounge rooms, the
ample kitchen, and beautiful bathrooms (automatic everything - sliding
doors, toilets, faucets, soap).

As we relaxed in the study, we sipped on glasses of champagne, and
nibbled on warm parmiagana crisps. And giggled. And expounded on how
fortunate we felt to be there.

We were then retrieved for dinner, and as we were walking towards the
dining area, I heard the gentleman (Antonio Santini, the owner) say
something about the 'cucina' (kitchen), but it didn't register in my
mind. So Jen and I turned towards the dining tables, Antonio turned
the opposite way towards the kitchen, and then everyone chuckled at
us. We quickly realized our mistake and caught up with him - he was
leading us into the kitchen! We were introduced to Giovanni Santini
the "junior" chef (Nadia, the head chef wasn't there) - but, Nonna
Santini (Grandma) was, so we knew the food would be perfect :).
Everyone in the kitchen was lined up for us, shook our hands, and were
just so warm and genuinely friendly. I can only think that the email
I sent them several months ago to make the reservation, in which I was
effusive at how much we were looking forward to our meal there, had
made an impression, as no other diners received this wonderful
welcome. Or maybe they saw this blog and wanted a good review. Ha!

Once seated, we enjoyed the following:

- An amuse-bouche with tomato, eggplant, and basil oil
- Butter and rosemary sauteed veal liver with sliced porcini
- Tortelli filled with pumpkin, amaretti cookie, and parmiagana
reggiano
- Risotto with white truffles
- Ravioli stuffed with catfish, with fried eel and lemon sauce
- Sea bass with a sauce of olive oil, parsley, and capers
- Lamb chops with parsley, lemon, and olive oil
- A selection of cheeses with fruited bread
- A lovely bottle of local white wine
- And a lovely half bottle of red wine (Amarone)

And then desserts. First, they set down a gorgeous silver tray of 16
dainty little bite-sized desserts (8 types, 2 of each kind). Now, I
have to take Jen's word on this number since several of them
disappeared at her hands before I had a chance to see what was
there :). Ha! And then the actual desserts arrived. One for Jen -
delicate chocolate shells filled with orange mousse; and then sort of
a half and half of two desserts for me (I couldn't decide) - almond
tiramisu and a dark chocolate mousse layered with macaroon cookie. I
had one bite. And Jen finished the rest.
Yes, I'm serious. But it was the night before her birthday, and I was
so full, that she was actually taking one for the team by doing
this :). They also paired the desserts with Muscato wine for us.

And thennnn, out came the grappa. They insisted we have little
glasses of this very traditional, shockingly caustic alcoholic
liquid. It's an Italian spirit, made from the distillation of the
liquid pressed from the leftovers of winemaking (grape skins, stems,
etc). And it is STRONG! So we tossed it back, were given handshakes,
thank yous, a book each (best restaurants of the world), and signed
menus as we left. It was a wonderfully warm goodbye to an amazing
night. I didn't even mention the service at the restaurant, but it
was impeccable - every want anticipated, glasses always full, chair
pulled out, napkin replaced when you left the table, an escort to the
restroom area...and yet it never once felt unobtrusive. Just
amazing. :)

More to come on our Monday and Tuesday activities!
Love,
Lisa (and Jen!)