This is the second time we’ve gone to one of Steve’s dinners. Once again it was a good meal. Steve, our host, recently did some traveling in Italy. He brought home plenty of ideas. This meal is a series of inspirations from the Piedmont area.

I got some good pictures, so I’m not going to say much… I’l let the pictures speak for themselves.

“Autunno Italiano”

Pumpkin (leeks, greens, anchovy)

This was a study in contrasts. The soft pumpkin, the chewy greens, crisp leeks, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. The sweetness of the pumpkin and the salty pungency of the anchovy in the emulsion. A brilliant start to the meal.

Gnocchi (chestnut, sage, caseificio cheese)

Oh… this was good.  very, very good. Soft little pillows of potato-y, chestnuty goodness. This was the softest, creamiest gnocchi I’ve had in a very long time.

Snapper (romanesco, carrot, fennel, chili)

This was likewise great. The fish was very nicely done. The romanesco was perfectly cooked with a nice bit of crunch. I thought this dish was wonderfully presented. The way the three different colored carrots, sliced lengthwise, and fanned out. Just beautiful.

Pork Shank (apple, procini, rapini)

Well, This was nicely done and very tasty, but it’s not the style of food I really like.

Budino (maple, hazelnut)

Oh boy. Few people can do dessert like the Italians. Steve followed their lead in fine form. A creamy maple budino on a bed of caramel and hazelnut, topped with a hazelnut cookie. Wow.

Throw in some good company and conversation and 3 bottles of wine between Suzanne and I… and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.