The Wedding Feast at Casteggio

This is the story of one of the most amazing meals I've ever had. At times it seemed to be more of an ordeal than a meal. The wedding dinner for Lucia and Alberto lasted nearly 5 hours..if you count the aperitif and the coffee. Death by a thousand bites.

But the food was amazing. I truly believe now that when you go to heaven, they serve Italian food.

From the place of the wedding (the old monastery) we drove out of town and up through vineyards of Lombardy until we were up on top what was either a big hill or a small mountain. That is where the restaurant was located. It was a foggy day, as are most in November according to the locals. But the view from the restaurant was still stunning despite the haze.

First, there was spumante on the patio as an aperitif. Italian champagne if you will. Then we went inside and the food orgy began. On each table there was a selection of still water, sparkling water, white wine, sparkling red wine, and traditional red wine. These liquids were the lubricants to help the food slide down. The restaurant staff made sure that no empty bottle went un-replaced.

Following is a photo-documentary of the dining experience in the order that the menu items were served. Unless otherwise noted, the text below the picture provides the description.

Here we go. This is the menu, as printed on table cards.

ANTIPASTO COURSES

1. Souffle ai formaggi con fonduta di Casera e tartufo nero (Cheese souffle with melted cheese and black truffles - pictured in #3 below along with the polenta) 2. Cotechino nostrano con cipolla ripiena (local sausage and a ham- stuffed onion )3. Conchiglia di polenta con piopparelli (polenta cake with local mushrooms ...also with the cheese souffle and truffles from #1 )4. Salami - Coppa (Italian preserved meats)5. Lardo a vena doppia su soncino all'aceto balsamico (salted raw bacon on greens with balsamic vinegar)6. Insalata russa (russian potato salad)7. Filetto di polo al curry con salsa verde (chicken fillet with green curry sauce)8. Patè di tonno (Tuna paté)

PRIMI PIATTI

1. Risotto misto bosco (Rice with forest mushrooms. This was the star of the meal)

2. Tortelli ricotta e spinaci con sugo noci e maggiorana (pasta stuffed with ricotta, spinich and walnuts)

SECONDI PIATTI

1. Stracotto di pernice de manzo con funghi porcini freschi (some cut of meat with fresh porcini mushrooms.)

2. Petto d'anatra all'arrancia con verdure al vapore (duck breast with steamed vegatables)

3. Filetto di maiale con salsa al melograno (pork with melograno sauce)

DOLCI

1. Macedonia con gelato (fruit with ice cream - pictured above)

2. Torta degli sposi (Wedding cake)

3. Caffé (Coffee)

4. Limoncello (Lemon liqueur)