Buligame or nothing

10/23 - 5:20pm

I wasn’t kidding about needing to recover.  We took the first 3 days of the week and did absolutely nothing but R&R.  School. Movies. Soup. Tea.

Then came Thursday and after feeling claustrophobic all week we ventured into Citta di Castello for a pre-dinner snack at what is now our absolute favorite boutique restaurant Buligame.  Two young artisan hipster butchers have opened a farm to table culinary anomaly in a back ally of downtown Castello with untypical Italian dishes paired with unique wines and German craft beer.  We were only there for a snack but after singing their praise, the chef excitedly started sharing other creations with us, and sorry to say Catalina no longer has the best fish sandwich.  We regretted not having our full dinner here seconds after leaving, but no doubt we will be back weekly.  For dinner we rolled back up the hill to Montone to Tipico where the chef only uses local Umbrian ingredients, and as much as possible only from Montone.  The meal was incredible, but sadly overshadowed by our regret of not staying at Buligame.  We are spoiled brats at this point. 

Friday was magical.  Thanks to Mia and Cara, Shiloh and I were able to sneak away from 2-9pm for our first date in weeks.  How important these are!  And we soaked up every minute.  Our adventure began with tackling the hill and heading into Cortona for an early snack and a couple cocktails.  Then a pre-dinner vino run to our favorite wine shop in Umbertide.  Finished off with a bottle of Burgundy and dinner downtown.  Although the food and wine were spectacular, it was all trumped by getting to spend such a perfect night with my beautiful wife.  Somehow I think she still likes me.

No sleep for me after a late night of work - and it was back on the road to Umbria’s wine region of Montefalco.  Though we only spent 4 hours there, we are certain we’re in love and will be back at least 20 more times before we head home.  Lunch in the piazza, local craft beer flights along the city wall, and wine tasting at likely the best vineyard in town, all in all it was perfection.  We arrived home to meet the Camerotas for a Christmas Whiskey Cake making party (you bake this heavenly smelling cake then feed it whiskey every week until Christmas) and then dinner at the Mafia restaurant down the road.  We are now obsessed.  Thank you Camerons again for leading us to the well.  The porchetta and focaccia is contending for my final supper.  Great times with great friends and a full belly equals perfection.

I am now sitting here at the dining table watching the sun set over the hills with the remainder of our bottle of Cab Franc from lunch today in Montarchi and ready to put on PJ’s and watch some football.  On Wednesday we head to Modena for what may be the best meal I will ever have in my entire life.  Ciao.