It’s been too long! After a month without a Long Table Dinner, we decided to start 2012 off with a bang. January’s region was Piedmont, a unique part of Italy nestled in the north-west corner between France and Switzerland. Surrounded by the Alps, Piedmont is one of the great wine regions of Italy.
The dinner started off perfectly with Bagna Cauda, a hot anchovy, butter, and garlic sauce served with mixed vegetables. Who knew that dipping fresh vegetables in an anchovy sauce would taste so unbelievable? And more importantly, who would have ever imagined that it would pair so well with a glass of Dolcetto d’Alba by Massolino. The Italians know how to make wine work with every plate, including vegetables.
Next on the menu was the Risotto alla Zucca, a rich, creamy pumpkin risotto served with my favourite house wine, the Barbera d’Alba by Batasolio. We paired it at the Long Table with the risotto, but it is a great sipper and pairs well with pizza too! For those of you who have yet to try this delicious red, I highly recommend sampling a glass during your next Prima Strada visit.
For the third course, a traditional Bolito Misto was served. Bolito misto is a mixed meat stew made by boiling beef, chicken, and pork sausage with vegetables and finished with a drizzle of salsa verde. Not surprisingly, the broth of this infamous dish is the star. Bold and savory, diners made sure to sop up every ounce with our house made bread. The stewed was paired with a glass of Roero by Matteo Correggia, an extremely drinkable wine that stood its ground next to the outstanding broth.
And finally, what Piedmont dinner would be complete without hazelnuts? As a tribute to one of the region’s many specialties, the meal ended with a beautiful Torta di Nocciolo drenched with house made chocolate sauce. Bellissimo!
Our next Long Table Dining Series will focus on the food and wines from Lombardia. Although its capital, Milano, is the center of Italian commerce, the food is what we’re focused on. To view the menu or to buy tickets, please visit our events page.
[slideshow custom=true]
