Where do I even start? Montepulciano is a dreamy town tucked into a Tuscan hillside. In chilly…read moremid-November, it's haunting and empty and blessedly peaceful. Admittedly, a fair amount of places were closed, possibly due to it being a drizzly (but still so atmospheric!) Monday evening, so when I looked at the menu for L'Altro Cantuccio, I was excited to see that it was open. I was even more excited to see a vegetarian entree that I figured could be made vegan.
We entered the restaurant at an early time for Italy, 7:30 or 8, but we'd skipped lunch and we also were calling it an early night because we were staying at an agriturismo about 45 minutes away. Not surprisingly, we were the first customers (by the time we left around 9:30 or ten, there were only 2 other tables). If you're looking for a dark, intimate dining experience, this is your place. It's so beautiful inside, like an upscale tavern, with ambient lighting and a fireplace.
I was totally unprepared for this utterly exquisite dining experience, but I had a hint of what was to come, once we were greeted by an urbane set of waiters. I asked if the farro dish could be made vegan and he said it could. That's all I ordered (besides a glass of sparkling wine, and my husband ordered some kind of steak), but we received several curated complimentary amuse bouche, presented like the edible works of art they were. Only one item was not vegan, a duck liver macaron. Besides two tiny bites of vegan pates, there were these incredible bites that appeared to be olives but were savory cocoa butter truffle that contained olive oil and crushed olives (like a filled chocolate). I never had anything like this before. This was followed by a single cherry tomato... or so it seemed! It was actually a bite of pappa al pomodoro. And then there was the divine bread service (see my photo).
The main event, also presented like a work of art, the farro. It's absolutely delicious and I treasured each bite of grain, truffle, mushroom, beans in a porcini broth. This was followed by a complimentary dessert, two tiny chocolate shells with a passion fruit topped non dairy cream and two tiny spoons of chocolate pop rocks. I can't say "exquisite" enough!
Now I must note my appreciation here for the service, as I was informed as to exactly what things were vegan when they brought out all the complimentary courses (I am not entitled... I never expect such service). I walked in without a reservation and this meal exceeded my expectations beyond words. And coming from the US, it blew my mind that the cost of this extravagant meal was comparable to a casual dining experience.
Core dining memory may be an understatement. I'd return to Montepulciano if only to dine here.
