Lucca, the day I visited, was teeming with thousands of extras. The European version of Comic-Con was in full force ensuring that every eatery was overflowing with people. I sniffed around for a long time, searching for the perfect lunch place before deciding on this wine bar with a sandwich shop at the rear.
The sandwich shop is really nothing more than a counter manned by two women, one taking orders and conveying them to the other who assembles the sandwiches. There's little room for the line of people queuing up and it snakes right through the intimate wine bar giving you ample time to ogle the bottles and dream.
Once you're in range of the counter a chalkboard sign announces the offerings, all in Italian, and as an American you'll see that you have some work to do. What are all these things that sound so exotic?
I opted for a roast beef sandwich, added tomatoes, and included a truffle sauce which threw off the woman behind the counter. She asked repeatedly whether I really wanted that truffle sauce on the roast beef sandwich (at least I think that's what she was asking) and rolled her eyes multiple times at my order. It was the beginning of truffle season and I was in Tuscany so of course I wanted truffle sauce. On everything.
By the time my son and I sat down at one of the two small tables out front, adjacent to the central plaza, I was certain I'd committed a sandwich faux pas but why have the truffle sauce on the menu if not to adorn each and every sandwich?
Well, I'm here to report that the eye rolling should stop and Marsili Constantino Wine Bar should anoint themselves as "the home of the remarkable truffle sauce sandwich" and watch the queue grow longer.
The sandwich was simple, fresh tasting, and perfect, with each bite emitting a hint of the rich truffle scent and taste. It was transcendent.
Simple, inexpensive (with wine, 5 euro), perfect sandwiches are a big thing in this part of Italy and this place excels at their creation. Order yours with truffle sauce, enduring the subtle derision; it's worth it. read more