Touring Chianti

Yesterday we began our day in Pogginons for coffee and pastries. I had an egg and cheese sandwich which was fabulous. (I think the cheese was Fontina)

We then turned our sights on San Gimignano where we toured the ancient, walled city. We found a magnificent wooden gun for Shawn Evan Tough-guy that had rubber sucker tips. Can't wait to see what he's going to do with that! The city was beautiful but crowded. Tours began coming thru before we could get to the square and even tho we made it there we decided to leave soon after.

Next we visited Sienna. It was time for lunch- we needed substinance to hike these ancient towns! AND it was Sandy's birthday!! We wanted to celebrate at a very special restaurant called Antica Osteria de Divo. It deserves every ounce of that name! It's literally located in a multi-leveled cave with incredible food!! I will post a picture of the 4 of us sitting in our carved-out niche, with some beautiful Proceco where our table set with fine china and Chrystal and sterling silverware later. But for now you get a few pics of the kitchen and building. It really was magnificent! 

For appetizers, Joe and I had the phyllo dough cup filled with wild porchini mushrooms. Gary had a minestrone soup and Sandy had a puff pastry square filled with butternut squash!! And the sauces on each were delightful!! 

The main courses included a perfectly cooked whole, local sea bass for Joe, octopus w spinach a potato gnocchi for me, pork loin stuffed with spinach and creamed potatoes for Sandy and a simply elegant stacked lasagna for Gary served with a light bechamel sauce! 

Sandy and I walked the Sienna Square afterwards. The streets were considerably steep so Gary and Joe chose to relax a while after that incredible lunch! 

We ended our day in Castellina- the small town not far from our farm B&B- buying a few groceries for dinner. We lit candles on the community patio and drank some local vino and snacked on cheese and sausage. (We were all still full from dinner!) Such an incredible day!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SANDY!!! 

Today we are actually getting around to wine tasting...which is the reason we chose to stay in this area originally!! I can't wait!! More later!!