Assisi

Assisi is a city that brings you back in time.  All of us read about these ancient towns, we watch the travel channel and get a glimpse of the treasures held in an ancient town.  However, until you actually visit one, step foot on their ancient roads, walking up and down every hill...you really are not able to appreciate the beauty that exists. True appreciation for Assisi started to unfold before our very eyes.

To aid us on our ancient tour was a little guide book about Assisi.  It had us starting from the parking lot on foot.  Every couple of feet we  would stop and photograph the building and narrow streets.

Then  we headed off to find the church of St. Claire, who founded the poor Clare Nuns. Of course we follow everyone heading to the front of the church.  We when get there, the church closes as it is lunch time. 

So after a brief rest, we visit a few more historic churches in the area.  Along the pathway are some exquisite religious, jewelry and linen stores.  We even saw my favorite cartoon character and story as a kid, Pinocchio!  He was everywhere. 

Then we make one more stop in Minerva a very old church across from the old market place.  Talk about some steps, you need to be a giant to get up into some of these places!  I wonder how they did it in the olden days?  Once you reach the top, it all becomes worth every painstaking step.  Oh my.... talk about taking your breath away, you couldn't help to stop and sit quietly.  What a blessing to behold such a magnificent piece of history.  It is times like this that I would love to be in a position to bring whoever in the family along for the experience, that would be worth more to me then anything else money could buy.

NOW LETS TALK ABOUT LUNCH!  

My friends Catherine and Richard said they had a cousin in Assisi who just opened a restaurant and I said I would love to try it while in Assisi.  Well after a few unsuccessful telephone calls to the restaurant, finding out there was no Alessandro... I started to think I wrote down the number wrong.  Our resourceful travel companion, Cindy began to scout around to see if she could find Taverna de L'Arco.  She not only found it but also found Alessandro. 

Lunch begins with a few things but my highlight was when the waitress came to the table to say she only had one tagliatelle with fresh porcini left. I told her this reminded me of my restaurant. Nothing like serving fresh food until it runs out. 

Ralph and Don...we are hungry and ready!

Here are a few samples. .

Cold tomato basil soup with buffalo mozzarella

How about some gnocchi with sausage and saffron

Now panzanella salad

We also enjoyed homemade ravioli with potato and leeks topped with a saffron cheese sauce, gnocchi was pancetta, tomato and sweet marjoram and yes we did have that last tagliatelle with the fresh porcini sauce.   After our  delightful meal, I told Alessandro the next time he comes to Cleveland I will cook for him.

Lunch provided us with just enough fuel to walk up and down more hills to find the church of St. Francis.  It was another experience of having no words to describe the awesome feeling you had once you were inside.  There were so many more steps and with each one I took, I could hear my mother saying "give it up for the poor souls in purgatory"!  I certainly helped a lot of people make their way to Heaven!  Not to mention my soul became a little lighter.

Tomorrow we tour a winery.  Life is good... La Dolce Vita!