I walked up to the stone archway within the hotel of La Sommita, the Relais & Chateaux property that I was staying at for a couple of nights. I was greeted by the front desk agent who smiled and said “Buona sera Mrs. Ebner.” Simultaneously I heard footsteps behind me and it’s the restaurant manager- Tomasso. We had met the night before, when he was delivering my in room dining order. Which was the most wonderful charcuterie plate with salami and formaggi and a basket of freshly baked bread. I could have hugged him, but at the time I was in a robe and I had just stepped out of the shower aka I was sporting the drowned rat look. I don’t know what’s worse, he saw me hanging out in my robe with no make up or that he recognized me all dressed up and I still looked the same to him haha!
I was in the dining room following closely behind Tomasso as he escorted me to my seat- for one. They cleared the spot for the second person and I heard him whisper to the server that I’d be by myself. The dining room was quiet, only one other table was occupied by a group of 4, which sounded to me like Americans. Tomasso reappeared handed me the menu, explaining the different tasting menu options that were available and then left me to consider my options. On the first page you could see “Acqua e Fuoco”, Water and Fire. As I read on I saw that water was focused on different fish plates and fire was all about meat. I’m still an amateur and not so adventurous when it comes to trying different types of fish, so I went right for the Fuoco menu. Tomasso was back to see if I had any questions and then asked if I would like the 10, 12 or 14 courses.
Food lovers, art lovers, creative minds who appreciate a good show- travel to the south of Italy, don’t eat for a day before this meal and entertain yourself and your palate with a night at the Cielo Restaurant. Please read on….
Silly me had not realized that the chef would also send out an introduction to the meal, some light appetizers to begin the night. A teaser of what was to come, if you will. Each bite sized appetizer (a total of 6 different pieces of food), arrived all at once, but each piece was being showcased on something different. For example, one was on a spoon, one was on a short board of wood, one was on a cage like piece of metal, one on a type of spiky branch and another on a coaster looking round cut from a tree. I was distracted and taking in every single detail, wishing I had brought my camera, but also wondering if I would have been brave enough to whip it out to take photos of every course. For those wondering- probably not. I already felt embarrassed taking out my phone to take photos and short videos, but I had to share this! I had to show my foodie friends about this experience.
Food brings out all kinds of feelings and even sometimes brings back memories, but this was something I felt was truly special. The next level when it comes to a dining experience. Absolutely a wonderful night to remember and something that will take some time to find anything in comparison. Have you ever experienced something like that?
I wish I had sat there journaling about each dish, or each wine that I was served. That’s how inspired I felt. The service was top notch and I had quickly forgotten that I was dining alone since I was so captivated by what was happening around me. The wines were spectacular, each selected with care. There wasn’t a thing that I could change about this meal, other than that feeling that I was getting full, but I can’t remember which course that was. There is one thing that I can remember very distinctly and that was that they brought me a piece of bread for EVERY dish. They brought this at the beginning and told me what each one was, because they couldn’t possibly give you the same type of bread with everything, could they?! I was living a carb lovers dream. This was it, game over, what could top the night?
Dessert is something I rarely partake in. I’d much prefer an espresso and an amaro to end a meal. Though this was part of the tasting menu and as full as I was, I couldn’t wait to see what they brought out! Tomasso came out with what looked like a cup of flour that had been dumped onto a plate and a mischievous smile on his face. What fun it must be to work in an environment like this, serving out of the ordinary, spectacular and elevated food. People’s reactions, much like mine must have been, must be so amusing! He set the plate down and then the second server just behind him, handed him a plastic egg carton. Both men look at me and Tomasso explains to me in Italian- I’m sorry, but the chef has left for the night, so you must prepare your dessert on your own. He opens the egg carton and asks me to take out the egg and to crack this over the flour, which I’ll then need to stir together.
Unfortunately it’s not what is pictured above, I don’t have any photos of this genius creation by the chef Andrea Cannalire. Which I later found out was called “Uova e Farina”. A simple description for a dessert that was anything but! Once you crack open the so called egg that you are handed and spill it’s beautiful cream all over the so called flour, you stir and make your very own version of a Crema Catalana. Coming from the girl that still bakes boxed brownies at home: this is why we eat out. This is the purpose that we travel, that we explore new lands, new cultures and restaurants. We stumble upon meals like this, that we can’t wait to tell our loved ones about. That we dream of and hope to one day return to.
So La Sommita, will you please have me for dinner again, because I’d love to be a guest at your hotel and at your restaurant in the very near future. My stay was flawless and a special memory that I cherish. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for having a wonderful staff, a well cared for and historic property turned into a hotel. It’s all there for us to enjoy, in the charming hilltop town of Ostuni, Italy. Grazie di cuore!