Tonight we went for Valentine’s dinner to Nostrani Ristorante, as we have for many years. We were seated at our usual table, served sparkling water and our first wine, a 1997 Montevertine Reserva - no lightening of the edge, rich nose & flavors of red and dark cherry fruits; balanced mid-palate of adequate acidity and rich fruit; with a medium long cherry fruit finish. It was very enjoyable with our starters of Fritto Misto, calamari lightly battered and cooked perfectly. tender and delicate, with a very tasty bacalao arancini; and a rich Venetian Lobster Soup with Shrimp.
The starters were nicely matched with the wine. So much so that we nearly finished the wine before the primis were served. We had had a 1996 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia decanted when we arrived and then asked that it be poured before the primis arrived. Both the Montevertine and the Barolo were nice with our primis of Spinach Gnocchi with a rich four-cheese sauce and Game-Bird Ravioli with mushrooms and sage.
After a bit we went on to our secondis of veal scallopine wrapped around a tasty mixture of fennel-veal sausage in ricotta cheese with brandy and duck breast with cabbage rolls in a rich red wine glaze. Both were well matched with the Barolo and very enjoyable.
We finished with a very intense double espresso each with a nice cookie plate, with a couple cookies that we’ve not had before.
After talking with friends we headed, comfortable and sated, for home, fortuantely a short ten minute drive.