So... we went to Sardinia
Photo © Rob Jones
AMM: We went to Sardinia!
RJ: We did indeed! How on earth did that happen, us being in the same place at the same time?.
AMM: Cagliari to be precise.. What a beautiful place. I loved the colours of the buildings & the friendly locals.. The food - of course.
RJ: I was really very plesantly surprised by the city and at the food on offer. I’d done a fair bit of research before hand (mainly watching reruns of Rick Stein and Stanley Tucci) so was very prepared for the eclectic cuisine. A curious mix. Drifting between Italy and Spain. Not complaining though.
AMM: We discovered a nice place (La Cambusa) to drink an Aperol Spritz before our evening trip to the posh but very reasonable supermarket. The prices were astonishingly refreshing to see. Very decently priced cheeses, cold meats, breads & wines.
Photo © Rob Jones
RJ: Lovely little place and the owner was clearly very proud of the food he was offering. Came out with a platter of cheese and meats, plus our Aperol Spritzes of course. Looking at the reviews it’s described as a ‘hidden gem.’ I agree with that - only - it wasn’t especially hidden.
Photo © Rob Jones
AMM: I had my first taste of Bottarga which I have been very keen to try since first hearing about it. It's lightly cured roe from the Grey Mullet & can be grated onto pasta, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs & even mashed potato. Aside from much needed cold beers in 35 degrees heat & a lovely Italian fizz, there wasn't much I didn't have in Cagliari without it at mealtimes. A jar was brought home & is already being employed in my kitchen.
RJ: Yes. Wasn’t actually sure what it was, so thanks for explaining. You looked in seventh heaven tasting it.
AMM: Antica Cagliari was where I had booked us in for lunch on the Wednesday & we feasted well didn't we?
RJ: Absolutely. Did you say you booked it in March? Probably needen’t have done it, there seemed to be plenty of spaces, though maybe that was because of the heat - hovering around 35 degrees most of the time - maybe people were cooling off somewhere at lunchtime? Fantasic choice though. They were really helpful too.
Photo © Rob Jones
AMM: We had Caviar, Sea Anemones to share & then you went for a cheesy pasta dish before I decided upon Spaghetti Con Vongole e Bottarga for my Primi & you plumped for Il Croccante - Frittura Imperiale di Calamari, Cozze, Gamberi. Spaghetti & Clams not to mention the Bottarga for me & Fried Shellfish for you. Si?
RJ: The anemones (Ortziadas - Anemoni di mare fritti) were a revelation. Couldn’t get enough of them. But I was also taken by some curious ravioli style pillows stuffed with potato and cheese. More research needed though I think they were Culurgionis Ozastrinos. (Bit of a mouthful - the name, not the dish). See the menu here.
RJ: All in all though, I think it was a very pleasant little trip. Just about right.
AMM/RJ
