Near Orvieto, Umbria Culinary Enticements

On a chilly November day, we headed to Sugano near Orvieto where Pino is working on restoration of the farmhouse of our son Keegan and his wife, Francesca.
The winding road took us past Orvieto, perched on the volcanic rock plateau in the pearly November mist.

[lcaption]Orvieto[/lcaption]

We were headed to the Ritrovo del Cacciatore for lunch, a favorite eating spot for us on the road to Sugano from Orvieto:

The dining room was full of families, out for Sunday lunch, a wood collage of Orvieto wonders on the wall above them

As antipasto, I opted for cannellini beans seasoned only with a bit of olive oil while Pino chose a colorful, tasty plate of mixed crostini.

[lcaption]Fagioli cannellini for my antipasto[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Tasty, colorful mixed crostini for Pino[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Pino enjoys his crostini as owner Luciano waits on the table near ours[/lcaption]

Pino knew I’d follow up with a primo piatto (“first course”) and I knew he’d choose a secondo.
Luciano (owner and son of the cook, Elena), kindly resolved my dilemma on primi choices for two of them enticed: lasagne con salsicce e asparagi (lasagne with sausages and wild asparagus) and ravioli alle noci, homemade ravioli filled with taleggio cheese and topped with a delicate sauce of crushed walnuts. Solution? Luciano kindly brought me half-portions of each.

[lcaption]Two tastes of divine primi for me: lasagne con salsicce e asparagi and ravioli alle noci[/lcaption]

[lcaption]ahhhhhh, che buono![/lcaption]

For Pino, stringhette alle brace (tender veal strips on the coals) – cooked in an open fireplace by Signora Elena – and grilled eggplant as a side dish.

[lcaption]Signora Elena, the cook, at the fireplace roasting meats[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Pino’s choices: grilled veal strips and grilled eggplant[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Eggplant, grilled, then drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with diced fresh parsley[/lcaption]

[lcaption]Umbrian feasting at Ristrovo il Cacciatore[/lcaption]

We enjoyed an espresso before leaving (no room for the desserts, logicamente!) – and then headed out to the November chill. Now, nicely warmed up.

[lcaption]Luciano and his mamma, Signora Elena[/lcaption]