Standing on the Roman foundations of a 12th-century Franciscan monastery in the historic heart of Spoleto, Ristorante Apollinare is considered to be the best restaurant in town. Wonderfully intimate and full of character with rough stone walls and wooden beams offset by jaunty blue-upholstered chairs and yellow-gold linen, the outdoor covered terrace is the perfect place to dine on a warm summer evening. Gianna Gradassi, the owner of Apollinare, and young chef Michele Pidone, serve sophisticated, innovative variations on local cuisine using produce typical to the area, with dishes such as Strengozzi al Tartufo di Norcia, Gnocchi di Patate Viola, carciofi e guanicale su fonduta di cacciottina, and Lombello di Maialino in rete di lardo con pere al Rosso di Montefalco e spuma di Pecorino di fossa. Beginning with a glass of Prosecco, we were presented with a delicious amuse bouche of cooked pancetta on a rice crisp with silky pumpkin cream. As a first course we selected the Stracciata d’ Uovo al Tartufo Nero e bruschette all’ extravergine d’ olive, luxurious scrambled eggs with black truffles, and the Soufflé di Topinambour riduzione di arancia e chips soffiata al carbon vegetable, a Jerusalem artichoke soufflé with orange reduction and garnished with a charcoal puffed rice chip. The sommelier suggested a 2012 Tabarrini Montefalco Rosso from a family owned winery in Montefalco, an excellent wine which paired perfectly with our entrées of Tagliata do Manzo al sale di Maldon e verdure di station and Trancio di Ricciola con purea di zucca, cavolfiore verde e crema di pirelli. Our last night in Spoleto, we splurged and shared a Montefalco Rosso Poached Pear with quenelle of chocolate mousse with a glass of Vin Santo. Recommended by Anna Bartocci from Palazzo Leti as an excellent restaurant for our last night in Spoleto, the service, ambiance and cuisine was superb.
The interior of Ristorante Apollinare
Choosing to sit in the outside terrace of Apollinare on such a lovely evening,
we started with a glass of Prosecco as we looked over the menu
Selection of house made bread and focaccia
Oil lamp with blue oil on a bed of salt
Amuse bouche of cooked pancetta on rice crisp with pumpkin cream
Our server and sommelier testing the cork of our Montefalco Rosso
2012 Tabarrini Montefalco Rosso - a family owned winery in Montefalco
A bold earthy red from nearby Montefalco, Umbria's top wine area
Stracciata d’ uovo al tartufo nero e bruschette all’ extravergine d’ olivo - Scrambled Eggs
with shaved Black Truffles
Soufflé di Topinambour riduzione di arancia e chips soffiata al carbone vegetale - Jerusalem Artichoke Soufflé with orange reduction and charcoal puffed rice chip
Trancio di Ricciola con purea di zucca, cavolfiore verde e crema di piselli
Tagliata do Manzo al sale di Maldon e verdure di stagione
Montefalco Rosso Poached Pear with quenelle of chocolate mousse
Glass of Vin Santo
Macchiato
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