The second amuse bouche featured a pressed cube of guinea fowl, I thought I overheard one of my family members repeating the chef’s description, along with a circular dollop of a rich aioli atop . The meat was excellent, and with the rich sauce, unctuous, and absolutely delicious. I was humming audibly with delight at the end of the table. I was also about uncontrollably audible for the first one, a wedge of a Belgian waffle tasting almost solely of terrific Parmigiano. The rest of the meal including a stellar version of the local classic tortelli d’erbette, silky egg-laden ravioli filled with ricotta and bitter beet spinach and complemented with amazingly flavorful grated Parmigiano that helped make this best pasta dish I had during my two weeks in Italy. Excellent veal belly, with succulent, salty fat eaten together with the tender meat was very enjoyable, much better veal than I am used to in Italy. A cheese course was Parmigiano, of course, the king of cheeses at 24, 30 and 36 months respectively. This was easily the best meal during the trip for me. This was at Parizzi, a restaurant bearing a Michelin star in Parma that I dined a couple of weeks ago.
The current Michelin Guide for Italy, which I picked up just for the trip, was on point yet again. We were five-for-five with very good meals from restaurants mentioned in the guide. In addition to Parizzi in Parma, there was Da Ermenio in Assisi, Bussa-alla Torre in Murano, La Franceschetta58 in Modena, and Ai Gondolieri in Venice. This continues the luck I have had with Michelin in Europe. If it is in the Michelin guide, it is worth visiting. It doesn’t matter if it does not have a star or Bib Gourmand designation – excellent food that’s a good value – it usually serves very good food. It hasn’t been perfect. During my previous visit to Italy several years ago, a restaurant with star in country southeast of Rome turned out an unbalanced and unsatisfying meal – a set menu featuring just a series of all heavy dishes during the summer. It subsequently lost its star. That another meal a return to Bib Gourmand restaurant in Siena that did not live up to its initial visit were the only two of the numerous Michelin-directed restaurants I’ve visited. It even did good work in Ireland years ago.
I’m heading up to Chicago for a weekend soon. Maybe I’ll put the American Michelin inspectors to a test, as Chicago is just one of four American cities that Michelin judges. Their European brethren have been spot-on for years for me. Something to mention, is that the Michelin recommended restaurants always skew higher price wise. There is nothing in it that will be a cheap eat, often good values, but never inexpensive. You’ll be on vacation, though. Enjoy yourself.
The current Michelin Guide for Italy, which I picked up just for the trip, was on point yet again. We were five-for-five with very good meals from restaurants mentioned in the guide. In addition to Parizzi in Parma, there was Da Ermenio in Assisi, Bussa-alla Torre in Murano, La Franceschetta58 in Modena, and Ai Gondolieri in Venice. This continues the luck I have had with Michelin in Europe. If it is in the Michelin guide, it is worth visiting. It doesn’t matter if it does not have a star or Bib Gourmand designation – excellent food that’s a good value – it usually serves very good food. It hasn’t been perfect. During my previous visit to Italy several years ago, a restaurant with star in country southeast of Rome turned out an unbalanced and unsatisfying meal – a set menu featuring just a series of all heavy dishes during the summer. It subsequently lost its star. That another meal a return to Bib Gourmand restaurant in Siena that did not live up to its initial visit were the only two of the numerous Michelin-directed restaurants I’ve visited. It even did good work in Ireland years ago.
I’m heading up to Chicago for a weekend soon. Maybe I’ll put the American Michelin inspectors to a test, as Chicago is just one of four American cities that Michelin judges. Their European brethren have been spot-on for years for me. Something to mention, is that the Michelin recommended restaurants always skew higher price wise. There is nothing in it that will be a cheap eat, often good values, but never inexpensive. You’ll be on vacation, though. Enjoy yourself.
