autentica toscana and other galavanting episodes

and now i dare you to read this entry without drooling!  i took myself on a progressive italian evening and did as europeans do:  ate smaller quantities of high quality food slowly.  as much as i love to share experiences (and plan to return with friends!) it is also fun to dine alone because then focusing on the meal is your sole task.

i approached the door to burrasca just as the waiter was flipping the sign from chiuso (closed) to aperto (open).  i ordered a double espresso with milk at a corner table where i could watch the kitchen.  the gnocchi  was divine.  so heavenly in fact, that i took care with each of them as if they were the only one.  i cut them into quarters and twirled them in the sage butter like a holy ritual.  i took at least 20 minutes to eat seven of them in this fashion.

as i left, i found the chef (pictured here with my very meal) and told him, "this probably isn't my last meal on earth, but if it was, i would die a happy woman.  you know how to cook!"  at which he patted his heart and said, "ah, that means so much that you would say so!"

it was only fitting that i would drive a few blocks to another autentica toscana experience for dessert at pinolo gelateria whose owner is also italian.  pistachio, hazelnut and chocolate together in one place?  sigh.  yes, it's true.

it's fun to plan theme-based galavanting.  what do you most want to do and i'll plan it for you?!