Last night we were invited to SPEZIE (1736 L St, NW - www.spezie.com) where we discovered an old friend who had disappeared from the restaurant scene in DC for a short while. Award winning Chef CESARE LANFRANCONI who ran the kitchen at Tosca for so many years, is now in charge at this warm charming little spot, that we did not even know existed, and he is doing miracles in their kitchen.
Our set menu was no less than a revelation and was accompanied by superb wines: LA CALA Vermentino di Sardegna was a crisp and fruity white that was perfect with the ROASTED MAINE SCALLOPS with RED BEET, Cured Lemon Salad and Creamy Sea Urchin Sauce. I switched to the delicious red, a wine I always enjoy with lighter meats and pastas: MICHELE CHIARLO Barbera d'Asti "Le Orme" and it, too, was perfect with the two pastas served simultaneously: HOMEMADE RAVIOLI Stuffed with ROASTED PUMPKIN & AMARETTO COOKIES with Fresh SAGE & PARMESAN SAUCE & HOMEMADE PAPPARDELLE with WILD BOARD & CHANTERELLE RAGU. These are two of my favorite types of pasta and sauces as well, and all we could do was rave, rave, rave!
The ROASTED VEAL FILET with BATTUTO SPINACH and Roasted Potatoes, Porcini Mushroom Sauce was delectable and by this time I think we all agreed, the meal was sheer perfection, as was the superb staff and service.
Dessert was a DOUBLE CHOCOLATE & HAZELNUT MOUSSE Cake with Seasonal Berries & Vanilla Sauce which I ate evry single bit of, and most folks know I tend NOT to finish desserts these days; enough said!
We look forward to returning to SPEZIE and seeing our old pal Cesare in the kitchen again many more times; it was great to find him doing so well!
