World Food Thursdays

Country No. 23: Italy

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Date: 07/08/2016

Venue: Enoteca Super Tuscan
Attendees: Ben, Kim, Lee, Ellen, Becky, Naomi (venue chosen by Becky)
c. £45 a head
 
From humble beginnings WFT has grown and grown, from a sketchy outline of an idea back in 2014 to today and a momentous occasion, a turning point. Picture the scene, 7th July, 3 days after American Independence Day, in the midst of some sublime tennis and football matches and who should materialise but an actual real-life celebrity, sashaying her way down to Liverpool Street to dine with us little foodies. Yep, I kid you not. On this particularly balmy Thursday in what appears to finally be the start of summer we, the World Food Collective, were joined by Naomi Campbell. Naomi fricking Campbell. Granted she looks a bit different in person but photoshop is a real art these days.
 
Given Italy is the home of cicheti and aperol spritz one might have expected the pre-starters to be in full flow by the time of our reservation however efforts were thwarted by the slightly cramped nature of this particular enoteca. Instead while Lee and Ben huddled round a laptop as France and Germany took their tentative first steps into battle Ellen and Naomi hovered near the entrance hoovering up red wine. After a typical Italian delay our table was ready and the 6 of us squeezed round it. Prompt orders were dispatched for a bottle of Puglian Negroamero and a fragrant white. After sitting through a theatrical performance of the specials board the gastronaughts huddled together to discuss our dining preferences. Letting the waiting staff know that we would like to share everything and would be happy to receive the dishes as they were ready seemed to meet their approval and we were off.
 
First to arrive were two pasta dishes from the specials board, the first was orecchiette with tagarnia and Italian sausage and a gnocchi with a creamy cheesy sauce. Both were cooked in the true Italian style, perfectly al dente with just the right quantity of sauce. At the same time the cheese wrapped in spec and the bruschetta were also placed on the table. The gooey cheese was fought over to the last morsel. Next was a traditional Tuscan bean stew, Fagioli alla Toscana, a peasant dish that our gluttonous nobles couldn’t get enough of. While we were still recovering from the quick fire service the enchanting waitress returned with a plate of swordfish served with a loose green pesto and the crab linguine. The sword fish was robust and full of flavour, the linguine delicate and a delight. At this point we asked for a bit of respite, if only to give us time to create some space on the table. While we systematically cleared and stacked plates discussions turned to the recent UK referendum and a general dismay at the decisions made by the British public.
 
After our political discourse the meal continued, a large platter containing 5 perfectly formed mushroom tortellini was placed in the middle of the table. Smothered in a creamy sauce they were full of the woody earthy flavours that mushroom imparts. Filling the space left by a clearing of plates were a tagarina frittata and the Pollo alla Griglia, served with rosemary roast potatoes. This was probably the most disappointing dish, probably due to our expectations being over-hyped by the quality of the dishes that preceded it.
 
This is the point where these match reports normally tail off into the night however not this time. Captivated by the waitress we sat patiently like pre-schoolers and listened as we were walked through the dessert options. Now firmly under her spell we ordered two plum and custard tarts, two slices of chocolate and amoretti cake, one chocolate and pistachio block and an affogato for Ben. All of these were served with ice cream and all were delicious. To finish the evening on a high note Lee gulped down an amoretti and Ellen a limoncello.
 
Italian Facts:

• Since the second world war Italy have had 60 different prime ministers

• Italy has submitted the art of Neapolitan pizza-making for inclusion in Unesco’s prestigious cultural heritage