Carnevale and the gem: Locanda Amordivino

Where to start...i guess the start should be what is a carnevale...its music...a festive time...people dressing up in costumes....from clowns, to princesses, to Peter Pan, Snowhite....you name it...it is there...let your fantasy go wild...hahaha....so yes, in Italy there is also carnevale time...and the time depends on Easter...so because Easter is early this year, it means that the carnevale season is early....all villages are decorated in little carnevale figures...let me share a pic....

Carnevale season
Let me give another small description....Carnevale also know as carnival or madri gras, is celebrated in Italy and many places around the world 40 days before Easter, a final party before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent. Carnevale in Italy is a huge winter festival celebrated with parades, masquerade balls, entertainment, music and parties. Children throw confetti at each other....let me share a pic of what confetti is....
Confetti...basically looks like punched paper pieces
In Coop (our local supermarket), we saw a poster advertsing the carnevale in Asciano (24th Jan, 31st Jan and 7th Feb)....so we decided to go and explore...firstly Asciano and secondly this Carnevale thing....at 12:00 the little stalls selling local lunch items opened...there was Vin Brulee (hot wine, as i explained in my Christmas blog), panini (sandwiches), zuppe (soups) and carnevale pastries (these you can also buy in the supermarkets), i think time to share some pics.....
Asciano carnevale posters at the entrance to the old town
Carnevale pastries
Carnevale pastries
Vin Brulee
The clock tower in Asciano
When we arrived we realised the festives would only start at 3pm and now it was 11:30am....so we decided to explore the old town and find a place to have lunch....and look at what we stumbled across....
Locanda Amordivino
We made a reservation for when they open (12:30) and explored the rest of the old town...we definitely thought we would come back and visit this old town when shops are open, because of course lots was closed on a Sunday. Time to chat about the restaurant and the foodies....but first a pic of Sofia and me at the entrance of the divine restaurant and of the inside...
Sofia and me at the entrance
Inside
I just love these wine bottles....of course its like a wine menu.....cool....the food menu was amazing....it was on a wooden wine box...with the paper pinned on it...great idea. Menu items looked delicious...but.....and a big BUT....there was this huge piece of bistecca as we entered, so we were sold on the main course already.....let me show you this....
Beautiful fire with bistecca
The bistecca piece was about 80cm long...amazing...and the fire behind it...just breath-taking...knifes ready to slice bistecca for customers who would order it.....so...starters...we shared...a salumi platter (cold meats), a tarta di melanzane (aubergine tarte) and a pate nero with crostini.......the presentation was immaculate...and the taste...simply delcious....we all LOVED it.....let me show you....
Salumi
Pate nero
Tarta di melanzana
I mean...your mouth must be watering...i am sorry...yet i am not..cause i am telling you...when you come here...you need to try this place....now for mains...well no question, bistecca fiorentina al sangue (rare)...with some roasted potatoes and spinach.....wow....the owner came and axed off our bistecca piece..a real show...it was so cool to watch...and what a piece we would get....oh my word....
Bistecca before being cooked
Once it arrived my mouth was just like wow...it looked amazing...perfectly cooked...and it looked like a huge portion for four of us.....but guess what, we ate it all...and it was truely spectacular...and i can now officially say, the best bistecca fiorentina i have ever had....5/5...most definitely....now i need to take my husband here...he will absoloutely love it.....oh my word......let me share a pic....
Bistecca Fiorentina
And yes....we did manage to squeeze in a dessert...only one option...a deconstructed tiramisu...and guess what...what an original idea....but what a good idea....loved it...
Deconstructed tiramisu
What can i say....the food was top class....pure delicousness...and i would most DEFINITELY go there again...in fact when are we going again?
After that it was just after three...we walked back through the town, the festives had begun, children throwing confetti, loud music playing...people dancing, chatting....quite an atmosphere....we however were quite full and thought time to go home.....not before some local photographer took pics of Sofia.....hahaha.
Sofia and me: confetti being thrown on us
Music being played
We really had a fab Sunday out...unexpected treasure found.....now back home...relaxing in front of the fire place....and soon bed time....so from me cheers...goodnite...we chat soon...let's see about what.....
 

 

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