We arrived in Parma after a long afternoon of touring the countryside(Dozza and Brisighella) and then hit a 30 minute traffic jam exiting the autostrada, so we wanted to eat and be near the hotel. The amanger suggested IL TROVATORE and how could I resist. We were ushered into a clean shiny room with no a/c, but at 730pm, we were the first to arrive, so it did get turned on and cooled down pretty fast.
A complimentary glass of prosecco arrived and a simple amuse of ricotta & paprika on bread. Sam & Will ordered their Moretti Grand Cru beers, but the waiter returned to say there was only one left. Will switched to a different and I could not resist a bottle of Malvasia "Callas" 2015 from Monte delle Vigne in Emilia Romagna which was refreshing and citrus intense.
Appetizers were a melt in your mouth 30 month aged Prosciutto di Parma with pickled vegetable giardinera, Piemonte Beef Tartare with Lambrusco jelly and dressings and Octopus on cream of Aubergine with Straciatella di Bufala(which was a bit dry, EVOO could have fixed that).
Pasta courses were Tortelli (ravioli)of ricotta and chard in butter and parm sauce and a delish Lentil flour Tagliatelle with Rabbit in Apple cider sauce that was most delicate and light(welcome with the large main dishes to follow).
Mains were Lamb chops with mustard breadcrumbs and Potato Dauphinois that came past the medium rare requested, Tuna steak with basmati rice, arugula and dressing(but missing the arugula!). My Mix Grilled Crustaceans was the big winner with grilled shrimp, half a Ligurian sea lobster, shrimp and langoustines all with a prawn bisque dipping mayo. YUM. Some veggies would have been nice, but I did get them with the ham!
For dessert we all agreed to split the Creme brulee with wild berry sauce which was three balls topped with crunchy sugar in a thick fresh berry pool of sauce that was quite good. A glass of Passito 2016 from Nes in Sicily was a nice bedtime treat as we walked around the corner back to our hotel and passed out quickly.
Tonight we head out of town to the tiny village of Sala Baganza...wish us luck.
