Ristorante Trattoria La Carabaccia

We went for the multi-course meals this night. Mike & Jeff had cinghiale (wild boar) sausage and fresh pecorino. Mike continued with flattened green gnocchetti with Parmesan zabaione and truffle slices, insalata, beef stew, and au gratin potatoes shared by all. Also fritto misto (very light, non-greasy) shared by all. Deb and Debbie shared melon and prosciutto. Then Deb had Florentine cheese crepes, insalata & beef stew. Debbie had vegetable ribollita (this is not the tomato version, it is more stew-like), insalata, and incredible pork filets in a rich balsamic reduction. Jeff had a perfectly cooked steak. Fresh ingredients. (Cinghiale not in season, so only available as sausage.)
Waiter Marco was quite the showman. Wouldn’t recommend wine until he heard our food choices; wouldn’t let Debbie order chicken. He took us to visit their beautiful 600-year-old stone wine cellar.
Marco disapproved of first wine choice, Tenuta Ludola Nuova Vino Nobile de Montepulciano 2004, but he grudgingly brought it out anyway. He was quite pleased when we ordered his choice for our second bottle (Nozzole Il Pareto 2001-super Tuscan). Used a candle on the wineglass to demonstrate the excellent color. Decanted bottle into a wide-bottomed carafe. Poured with a flourish. It was a great evening.