Knowing that Imola was about 40 minutes east of Bologna, I suggested we hop the fast train heading there last night and we arrived in 20 minutes flat with a ten minute walk to the restaurant through the quaint and quiet town. San Domenico sits opposite the huge churchyard of the same name and we got worried again when we saw all the elegant outdoor umbrellas and awnings as seating here was also outside. We gave it a try and indeed there was a breeze and it was quite pleasant as we arrived at 8pm. Three hours later by the end of dinner, we were all wishing for the air conditioning! Service here was impeccable and the gorgeous woven peach colored linens, silver chargers and elegant glassware and silverware were all top notch. There were several tastings and a la carte(which Samuel did) and Will & I opted for the shorter 6 course option which of course was about 10 courses in the end! Priced at 160Euros(about $180), this was a deal for a top quality 2 Michelin star establishment where Chef Valentino Mercattilli kept looking out the door to survey his staff and clientele; he was very hand on. All the staff were sheer perfection and we even got extra wine for the pairings when we asked. The wine pairings were an extra 80Euros and well worth the price as the wine prices here are not 20 Euros a bottle as elsewhere but more like our USA prices of 30-80 Euros).
Sam started with the Tortellini with Prosciutto & Pea Sauce which is one of the definitive specialties of this area and he declared it truly amazing. He went on to the Lambetto di agnello nostrano con crema di piselli al basilico which was also our last course in the tasting menu before the desserts.The lamb was cooked perfectly with another peas sauce, here with balsamic (which we learned a lot about on our day tour of the factory in Modena.
But I am moving too fast, as we sat there were beautifully displayed grissini on the table with slightly spiced and salted chips(think large pita chips). Will & I started with Campari & Tonic, because we had forgotten how refreshing they are on a hot day and Sam had a nice Moretti blond beer. We moved on to even more refreshing Sbalgiato's which were beautifully served with the prosecco poured at the table. Everything here was about service, presentation and elegance...and it was all great.
The amuses began to arrive and seemed to go on and on. First (sorry I forgot the FB photo) was Sea Bass Tartare loaded with flavor but simple and classy in a silver spoon, gazpacho with basil, veal terrine with tuna sauce (I think this was my favorite), mussel with parsley sauce & toasted walnut and then watermelon & burrata on a toothpick.!! These were cleared tvo make room for the next two seats. Fried tortellini, mini-grilled fontina cheese & ham on toast, aubergine with coffee powder and tomato jelly and the magnificent lollipop sticks with fried olives stuffed with lamb and pork(maybe this was my fave)--FB photos of these are online now!
Our trips to the loo were even adorably cute as the bathrooms have a pushbutton door in front of them as if you are taking an elevator, but it is just a door and they are elegant and clean and loaded with accolades for the chef.
Our first wine arrived and I was thrilled to see a sweet Chateau Simon 2014 Sauternes from Barsac for the foie gras dish, Mattonella di fegato d'oca, a goose foie with golden apple puree, pork jelly, port and balsamic reductions and toasted brioche and fruitbreads. It was simply divine and made great love of the simple rich meat with the tasty accoutrements.
Cuore di filetto baccala in olio cultura was a superb steamed cod with potato emulsion, tomato powder and tomato chips. The wine was Tres Plus from Orlando Abrigo 2016 Langhe in Piemonte made from chardonnay and nascieta, a blend I could easily drink a lot of.!!
We moved on to a less exciting white blend of 2017 Frescobaldi Poggio alle Gazze which accompanied the gorgeos Noci di Cappasante alla plancia a grilled sea scallop in a reduction of oyster & dry Martini sauce with small clams. Even Will who is not a scallop fan fell in love with this dish.
Uovo in Ravolo "San Domenico" is one of the signature dishes here and I think it has been on the menu since 1970. I was so enthralled when it arrived, I devoured half of the huge ravioli stuffed with egg and served in brown butter sauce with parmigiano and white truffles. A photo of half the dish can be seen on Facebook! The wine was a 2018 Cersuolo d'Abruzzo from Valle Reale; I felt like we were on a wine tour of Italy!
We had started to feel full, but the timing of the dishes was simply perfect and we knew just one more savory was coming until the sommelier poured another white wine, Chablis 2015 1er Cru from Julien Baillard meant that something off the menu was arriving and we marveled at the special treat of Toasted onion and caramelized sugar Risotto as more and more different breads(fig, local and so much more) were offered and our heads began to spin.
A long rest came before the lamb and I had to offer Sam and Will most of my portion, though it was not so large. It was tasty, but I was filling up fast. The red wine was a 2015 Thea Tremonti/Sangiovese which was local and ideal with the intensity of the meat.
Will prayed that we would get only the one dessert on the menu, but I laughed and then cherries, apricots and cookies(coconut amaretto and fruit) as well as chocolate cake arrived with a flourish as a Viva La Pepa Manzanilla Sanchez Romate was served. I am not a dry Sherry fan, so I let Sam have it as the intense Textures of Chocolate Dessert arrived which can be seen in the FB photo as it defies explanation. Different percentages of chocolates were arrayed in different textures and designs making for a marvelously beautiful presentation, and I did manage to have several bites before declaring an end.
I am glad that this is as high as we go in stars and tonight we head back to a very local in town trattoria for our last night in Bologna.
But no fear folks, we head to Parma tomorrow, home of the famous prosciutto, which I am surely to feature here.
Ciao belli.
