Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Arezzo: Ristorante La Lancia d'Oro in Loggia Vasari





One of the prettier places to enjoy a lovely lunch in Arezzo is under the beautiful vaulted 16th century colonnade designed by Giorgio Vasari, overlooking the arrestingly beautiful sloping piazza of medieval houses, Renaissance palazzi and imposing facade of 12th century Santa Maria della Pieve. Nestled in the historic Loggia Vasari on Piazza Grande is Trattoria Lancia D'Oro, serving traditional Tuscan and Aretino cuisine with delicious homemade pasta and an admirable wine list of local wines, this wonderful restaurant is the ideal spot to enjoy a long leisurely lunch, a bottle of wine and watch the world go by with a commanding view over one of Italy's most striking squares. In the kitchen are chefs Leonardo De Candia and Marzia Burroni, who along with Maurizio Fazzuoli, also own and oversee the cuisine of Logge Vasari. 


Starting with Pappa al Pomodoro, a classic Italian warm tomato bread soup, we followed with Taglierino di Affettati Misti, a selection of Casentino cured meats, grilled polenta, and trio of homemade fruit jams, along with marinated cucumber and Abbucciato Aretino, a pecorino-style cheese made in Arezzo. Perusing the carte di vino, we selected a lovely chilled local Tenuta di Frassineto Rancoli Vermentino from the Val di Chiana between Arezzo and Siena, and bottiglia of Tenuta Vitereta Grondino Sangiovese-Cabernet from Tuscany. Inspired by the young chef preparing handmade ravioli under the loggia, we were drawn to the Lasagna with fresh porcini mushrooms and shaved truffle, and the Tuscan specialty, a hand rolled hearty and delicious Pici al Ragout di Anatra. With no room left for dolce, the owner still brought over a selection of Italian pastries including Cannoncini alla Crema Pasticcera, heart shaped Monacan cookies and Bignè di San Giuseppe Italian profiteroles, followed by Mousse di Cioccolato Bianco — grazie a tutti per un pranzo delizioso!

 

The 12th century Church of Santa Maria della Pieve

A small pot of blossoming pink Kalanchoe 

Overlooking the Piazza Grande from our lovely table at La Lancia d'ora under the arches of Loggia Vasari

La Lancia d'Oro menu of classsic Tuscan cuisine prepared using the best local produce

Selection of warm Zucchini and Tomato Focaccia

Our server opening our mezza bottiglia of Tenuta Vitereta Grondino

Tenuta Vitereta Grondino, an organic Tuscan Sangiovese-Cabernet 

A lovely chilled Tuscan 2015 Tenuta di Frassineto Rancoli Vermentino, 
which comes from the middle of the Val di Chiana between Arezzo and Siena

Fresh and intense with fruity notes of apple, pear and tropical fruits,
Vermentino is my favourite Tuscan white

Nestled under the historic Logge Vasari, Lancia D’Oro is one of Arezzo's finer restaurants

A young chef making handmade rabbit ravioli for the Ravioli di Coniglio 
con crema di timo e brunoise di verdure

Pappa al Pomodoro, a classic Italian warm tomato bread soup

Young children on a school trip sitting on the Petron, a 13th century stone column in the centre of Piazza Grande, which served for the conviction of criminals and debtors 

Marinated cucumber and Abbucciato Aretino, a pecorino-style cheese made in Arezzo

Taglierino di Affettati Misti di Grigio del Casentino con Polenta, Crostini Caldi e Marmellate di Frutta: A selection of Casentino cured meats, grilled polenta, and mixed fruit jams

Fig jam

Blackberry jam

Green Tomato jam

Lasagnette di Farina di Farro con Funghi Porcini e Tartufo: Lasagna with fresh porcini mushrooms and shaved truffle

Pici Acqua e Farina al Ragout di Anatra: Pici with duck sauce

Selection of Italian pastries including Cannoncini alla Crema Pasticcera, heart shaped Monacan cookies and Bignè di San Giuseppe which are Italian profiteroles

Mousse di Cioccolato Bianco 

Macchiato con latte caldo
















































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