...Alle Testiere by night

It was kinda weird. I had been very much looking forward to going back to Alle Testiere for dinner last night. Marcia and I had a marvelous evening there, even without the panna cotta. So I'd made a reservation for Wanda and me.

First, the young woman server tried to seat us at a terrible table. No, grazie. Usually, in addition to the menu, Luca will come over and talk about the specials, all the fresh lagoon fishes and how they can be prepared. He did come over to the table to greet us - no specials list - and said he was kinda cranky becuase his sciatica was really bothering him. Well, at least it explained the vibe in the restaurant and you've gotta empathize with the guy.

The first course was great - I had scallops with a very light orange/onion sauce and Wanda had fried and marinated tiny soft-shell crabs. The second course was very good - I had John Dory fillet with fresh porcini mushrooms and Wanda has gnocchi with teeny, tiny baby calamari in a fantastic sauce that tasted like it had some allspice or a combination of unexpected spices. But the platter of "seasonal" vegetables was overcooked, uninspired, almost tasteless. A big disappointment at this restaurant. I did have a glorious glass of Gavi.

And then the panna cotta - which he had promised they'd have last night 'cause they didn't have it last week. I don't know if in my mind I remembered it as being much, much better two years ago than it was last night - and believe me, it was absolutely delicious. But I'm afraid - Marcia, please take note - it has dropped to at least second place in Battle of the Bands: Panna Cotta.