CyN

Alberto, what can you(or anyone) tell me about Locanda Stella d'Oro? Its in Soragna in the heart of culatello country. In my 2001 Michelin its not listed. But in the current on-line Michelin it has one star.The comment is that its in an old inn that was completely renovated two years ago.So the restaurant got a star in only two years of operation? Or is it older ? What is its history?Where does Gambero Rosso rate it? What about Vermicelli? Or other guides? Whatever light you can throw on this mystery will be appreciated.

OK Francesco, you are forgiven:) Leaving here on May 13. Will be at Arquade on May 20. ( Join us ?)

Alberto: What about losses? Any 2 stars that lost a star? Any one stars that lost it? Francesco: I am a he, not a she! My name is Cy ! And I already decided a month ago to scratch Pompiere in favor of Arquade, based strictly on your recommendation(I became very impressed with your expertise after reading all your recent posts on various culinary matters:) plus the lure of the decadent luxury of the Villa del Quar.I should have thanked you for your input, but inexcusably neglected to do so, so let me extend my thanks to you now.

Hello Faith. Welcome to E-Gullet. During the war I was stationed for a while with a company of Italian POWs who were working at an ordnance depot.They had their own cooks.They rolled fresh spaghetti every day and served it in large quantities at both lunch and dinner, every single day. I dont remember ever seeing any left on anyone's plate(including mine). I would like to know if it is customary today for everyone in Italy to eat hefty portions of pasta at both lunch and dinner , every day, day in, day out. If so, why isnt the country swimming in a sea of obesity?

No, Robert, still staying north of the Italian Mason-Dixon line (altho I have made a few changes in the itinerary) But that doesnt stop me from applauding Francesco's virtuosity, and thirsting for more. :

Super report, Francesco. Hurry up with the next installment!

Marvellous report, Alberto. Bravo! I wish I had ypur talent for writing and your perceptive ability in analysing dishes. Give us more!

Somebody tell me how that crummy joint in Erbusco can possibly be entitled to a high rating.

We had dinner at Jardin des Sens last June. It was superb, one of the best meals I've ever had

Docsconz - thanks for your post. Very encouraging.Now I'm leaning toward going. Leslie-- I am going to hold the whole matter in abeyance until you weigh in on it. You will be bearing an awesome responsibility I still dont know if you're a he or a she (not that it matters)

Francesco My problem is that I already have a 14 day trip planned in detail(see my thread on Northern Italy a couple weeks ago) and adding Osteria Francescana would mean adding on an extra day. Of course you are right, one bad review shouldnt automatically eliminate a restaurant.But there is a relative paucity of positive reviews(only two that I have seen - I dont count Frommer now that I see their other recommendations) and while I appreciate your thoughts, you yourself are unable to add a positive review of your own.So without more vigorous encouragement, I am not inclined to risk the time and expense of an extra day.

On this thread both Francesco and Docsconz give high marks to Bottura of Osteria Francescana. The place also gets a rave review from E-Gullet member Desal on Sept.27, 2003 ,as well as more high praise from Frommer's Travel Guide. Who could resist it? And its right en route for me geographically(Modena) on my forthcoming trip to Northern Italy. But then I discovered this review on Slow Travel Italy, from Bob of WA in 2003.I"m not computer-savvy enough to create a link so will just quote from it directly. "Ultra modern food- too trendy and pricey." "I really did not like this place ...... rather stuffy and hovering as far as the service is concerned...we ordered a special cheese appetizer that was supposed to highlight cheeses of various ages.What we got was a dollup of flavorless whipped foam(like fluffy shaving cream)that was 12 months old cheese,a small scrap of a ricotta-like consistency cheese that was 18 months old,a dribble( really!about 5 to 10 ml) of cheese sauce around the edge that was 24 months old and a single cheese chip( the size of a single potato chip) that was 26+ months old.None of this had much flavor... I would not recommend this place." Its the nature of the game for restaurants to arouse differing opinions. And any restaurant can have a bad day. Still, consistency should be the mark of a really high-quality restaurant. And I hate to go anywhere where even one customer has been dissatisfied - there are SO many others to choose from.So I am inclined to scratch this joint from consideration, although I could be talked out of it. Perhaps this should have been in a new thread, I dont know.

Robert --Your suggestion is appreciated and tempting. But I dont know. All that driving. I wanted to keep the driving to a minimum on this trip and here I am contemplating a long detour south and then all the way back north.I'll have to cogitate on it. I'm getting second thoughts. You say you're jealous of my ability to travel.But the travel is a necessity, I cant avoid it. No way can I stay at Lake Garda for 3 days and take in 3 of my listed restaurants. You can do it because you go for lunch to these joints. But we never eat lunch, only dinner -- which means driving back considerable distances on unfamiliar roads at night(full of wine).That has to be avoided. So we always stay as close as possible to the restaurant, which in turn means daily travel to a new town. Nothing there for you to envy:smile: Thanks for the suggestion.I'll mull it over.

Yes, I know about La Fournace, Joe.I've read your reports on it several different times in the past. I would go there in a minute if it was anywhere near my route. But its too far out of the way.Combal.Zero is way out of my way and then going down to near Genoa would just make it worse. What I would need would be a place somewhere on the way back from Torino to Bergamo- and then only if it is outstanding, not to be missed. But thanks for the thought.

Combal.Zero certainly caught my eye when I read Bill Klapp's report. I tried to figure out how to work it into my itinerary, but decided it was too much of a detour south just to sample more Adria-type fun and games. Now that you have chimed in, Robert, and recommend it for tradional, rather than over-the-edge advanced cuisine, I again have a yen to somehow work it in. I would need one more SUPER restaurant in that general area, or an area en route back north toward Bergamo Does such a place exist? Somebody talk me into it.

I see an endless succession of nice comments about the Constants, Mr.and Madame, at Violon d'Ingres. But when we were there about six years or so ago, we were left sitting between main course and dessert for at least an hour while Madame(Catherine)was visible in an adjacent room chatting on and on and on with diners at another table. The only word to do justice to this treatment is outrageous. They will never see us again. Bux, you havent heard my critical posts for quite a while- just like old times!

I am advised by experts that La Peca, in Lonigo, south of Vicenza, is the restaurant to go to and Villa Michelangelo in Arcugnano, also south of Vicenza, is the place to stay. I am going there myself on my trip next spring. Also, in Vicenza and scattered around the area are the villas by Palladio, architectural gems.

Hathor, dont get me thinking about the wrong fuel in the gas tank story. It happened to me near Puymrol in France, regular instead of Diesel. OYYYYYY! That was a nightmare without parallel. I REFUSE to think about it!

Hi Robert- long time no talk!! I guess you know that your rave review of Da Vittorio is in contrast to some previous negative comments about that joint by others. And Vedat, when he went to Bergamo , didnt even bother to sample it. But I learned my lesson last year from Can Fabes: I disregard your opinion at my peril! So when I take a trip to North Italy, which I have projected for early next year, I will be at Da Vittorio, your post in hand ,and will demand all the same dishes that you rave about. My best to you and your missus. Cy

Dont miss the Lion D'or in Romorantin.Marvellous cooking.

And to expand slightly, Can Gaig and Neichel were also magnificent,as good as as virtually anything in France. We had the tasters menu in all three. NOT to die for were Drolma, Botafumeiro, Cal Pep and Can Fabes, the latter an especial disaster. El Bulli was a novelty, good fun, but really nothing more than a novelty. The other gem was Jardin des Sens in Montpellier. I dont see how that one can be topped- anywhere.

Sorry Bux, I didnt take any notes. I never do- too lazy. All I can tell you is that we had a dinner to die for.

You can travel the world over- you wont find a better place than Jean Luc Figueras.Do NOT miss it. And while you're there, dont miss Can Gaig or Neichel, either. All three were superb a few weeks ago.

I've seen some recent favorable comments on Lucas Carton, which lead me to a little reminiscing. For those of you who have no interest in how some of these prominent joints have evolved, skip this post, its not for you. Before Senderens took over Lucas Carton, he had his own 2 star place on what is known as Embassy Row(near the Rodin museum). I went there before he had attained any real eminence. His specialty was eel(many bones)- not to my liking. But he had an appetizer the likes of which I had never tasted before or since. The best of all time in my book. It was a mousse of sole, surrounded by a green sauce of some sort. We were blown away by it. When we left, I asked the Madam(I assume it was his wife, a charming lady)if the mousse would be on the menu the next time we came.She said not to worry, if it wasnt they would be only too happy to make it for us specially. This was before Senderens became a celebrity. A year or two later we returned to Paris and I called for a reservation. I was not aware that Senderens had become a person of prominence. I asked if they still had the mousse of sole on the menu. The reply was in the negative. I then said that I would like to have it made specially.I was told that that was out of the question. I said that Madam had assured me i t would be done. I was told , in effect, that I was wasting their time with this nonsense. Of course, I told them what they could do with my reservation and their whole restaurant. Shortly afterwards Senderens bought(or was backed) Lucas Carton. Lucas Carton had a long and honorable history. It was a 2 star. Everything there was top quality. Their specialty was woodcock. I never had it because it was never in season when I was there. Has anyone had the woodcock? Pirate? Anyone?It was very ornate, red plush seats or banquettes, a wonderful restaurant. But it had fallen on hard times and had few diners.And evidently Senderens was able to negotiate some sort of deal and he jumped in there.And of course tripled the prices. I've never been there since he took over and , of course, never will be.

Thanks fresh a. I am booking it as we speak!