Petersontravels

I figured to do one post about the meal at our current hotel, the Dam Restaurant, which has a Michelin Star.  I will predicate this by saying the meal was exceptional, and if you ever find yourself in this part of the world, this restaurant is worthy of a side trip all on it’s own.

The first course was some chips on a little tree, that was served with fresh anchioves.  Now I’m not a fan of anchoives, much like 99% of the population in the world, but these were damn good!  Maybe everybody else is just doing it wrong?  We also had some cheese balls covered in seeds, and a cracker of some type.  Shit, I’ve been drinking wine ALL day, I can’t remember every detail!

Course #2 was Smoked Trout Tartar, with little dollops of cottage cheese, roe, and cumcumber sauce.  Yum!

Course #3 was a super good Gnocchi with a creamy fish soup and bits of raw fish.  Double yum!!

This was made to look like olives but had something else inside.  I’m not entirely sure but I think it was white chocolate and some mixture of olive oil and something else?  It’s not listed on their menu, so it must be an intermezzo course.

Course #4 was egg with cauliflower and truffles.  We had this the night prior and it was just as excellent!

This shows how perfect the egg was.

Course #5 is the Rissoto with Prawns and Parsley Flower.  We’re getting damn full at this point!

Course #6 was Baked Tuna in a Cuttlefish Crust.  The tuna was cooked to perfection.  Chef Uros really has his shit down to a science!  Thanks to Eric Moore, aka Shaggy, for the photo.  I guess I got lost and forgot what I was doing!

There was a Mojito dessert, that was basically a sorbet.  Once again, credit to Shaggy for the photo.

Shaggy was sporting some extra cool socks!

Lastly there was some bits of chocolate.  A huge menu, and these places leave you feeling quite full.  Still, the restaurant is a must visit if you are in the northeastern part of Italy!  Just getting to converse with Chef Uros and super waiter (he really should wear a cape) Alan is a treat all on it’s own!!  Here is Peter singing his praises for our group.

The Chef as we are exiting the restaurant.  Cool as a cucumber!

I got the Chef to do a strong stance in front of his sign.  Even his father would be proud!

I can’t sing the praises for this restaurant highly enough.  The service and food were impeccable!  Thanks Chef Uros!

 

This morning we headed to Petrussa Winery located in Prepotto, Italy.  You cross the border between Italy and Slovenia multiple times on the way to the winery.  Who designed this border anyways?  It seems less organized than a house on Hoarders!  I think whoever has the contract for making these signs has something to do with it!

After driving down many narrow streets and witnessing about a dozen near misses with little cars, we arrived at the winery.

They took us on a quick tour of the wine making facility and their cellar.  They even have their own bottling line, and this is a pretty small winery!

The winery is run by husband and wife Gianni and Lorena.  They were excellent hosts, and obviously love what they do for a living!  Here is Lorena discussing their aging process and the coopers they use in the cellar.

Gianni is on the far left.  He is apparently a former world champion 400 meter runner for Italy.  I bet I could take him!

They set up the wine tasting in their backyard.  Sweet digs.

This wine was so acidic it was too much for even me!  Jeez!

This wine was much more to my liking, a Pinot Blanc (the Italians always have to call things differently!).  I’m in for a 6 pack of this wine, at least!

Nina is discussing the finer nuances of Slovenian versus Italian wines with Rasti, Uros’ father (the one that wanted the hotel and restaurant named after him…at least that’s my story).

Gianni is saying “Rasti is a full of a shita, he knows nothing of Italian winesa!”.  Or something like that.  I don’t speak Italian!

We had a couple of reds as well, but I have to say, I’ve been far more impressed with Italian whites than Italian reds.  These did not blow me away, but then I’m a Pinot Noir guy, and few red wines can match the splendor of a good Pinot.

We then drove to the tiny Slovenian town of Smartno, which sits on the top of a hill overlooking vineyards in every direction.  A truly gorgeous spot!

I explained to several in the group that my wife used to use the name of the city during numerous Teacher-Parent conferences, trying to explain to the parents why their kids weren’t doing so well in school.  Another view from Smartno.

We had lunch at an excellent little spot called Marica.

You might remember a song about this place from the movie Team America:World Police

The only thing missing is the “A”.  Right?

Their specialty was gnocchi, and it was truly excellent.  I didn’t get a photo…sorry!  We took over the entire interior of the restaurant.

After lunch we visited Gonjace Tower, just outside of Dumbyes….err…Smartno, which overlooks the entire area.

Pretty incredible views in every direction!

The Slovenian flag flying proudly at the top of the tower.

We then visited the historic train station in Slovenia, where the border wall use to exist.  There is now a marker delinating the border, so that you can stand in two countries at once.

Everybody had their own take on this.

I always knew Eric was a little French…

Italy won the match, but Siriti is always the winner in my book.  Sorry Shaggy!

The historic train station.

There are apparently thousands of these old NATO bunkers along the former border.

Before dinner I noted there was a brewpub just 5 minutes from the Dam Hotel, so a group of us walked over.  Pretty decent spot!  There were no Tarantino sightings, and Mr White and company were not present.

Up next, dinner at the Dam Hotel.  Hot damn!