Uliassi, June 2014

cool nautical mosaics are part of the signage of the renowned Uliassi restaurant

We discovered Uliassi by chance in the summer of 2008 I believe. 

I heard that Senigallia was one of the nicest beaches on the Adriatic coast, so we went with no plans and fell upon the world of Uliassi. 

view of the deck from our table

It was an gastronomic experience I will never forget.

This blog post documents my 4^th visit, which was very special.  Mostly because it was shared with family and friends and it was a beautiful summer day.

northern exposure natural sky lighting 

Catia Uliassi, the maître d’ was as gracious as ever, completing the ambiance of the restaurant.

The atmosphere is composed of a light filled dining room decorated in clean white furnishings and full of fresh Adriatic sea breeze.

ever so retro yellow granite tiles

decor details

We wanted to sit outside, but it was just too windy that day. 

Catia Uliassi

Catia suggested that we dine indoors or else we would have sand on our plates.

We started off with some Champagne and all ordered the complete tasting menu’s. 

Since Graziano and I have been there before we ordered the Uliassi Lab menu, while my uncle, aunt and Robin went for The CLASSIC menu.
Here’s the photos of our amazing lunch.
All the photo titles in CAPS are the actual description from the menu.

artistic wine menu

a new Champage experience, 

which was refreshing

mis en place

Deb pulled out her glasses to dissect the
SHELLFISH & AROMATIC HERBS
from an ALBANELLA JAR 

Graziano and I both agreed that the best plate on the LAB menu was this
RAW AMBERJACK "A LA PUTTANESCA" fantastico!

pure Verdicchio

part of Graziano's "GAME" from the LAB menu

RED SHRIMP, LAB menu

RIMINI FEST SKEWER

ALBANELLA JAR presentation

Ralph about to devour his
SMOKED SPAGHETTI, CLAMS &
GRILLED CHERRY TOMATOES

CUTTLEFISH TAGLIATELLA WITH
NORI SEAWEED PESTO
AND FRIED QUINOA 

"DRUNK" ANCONETANA'S 

MANTIS SHRIMPS with 3 sauces

the gentlemen conversing

I called this an oyster infused butter,
but I never got to ask what it really was,
never the less it was great, like a taste of the sea

 roasted Monkfish I believe

our first Verdicchio, which was a little too mature 

for the start of the lunch, really nice though

inspecting the bird's head 

which was part of the 
GAME of the "LAB Menu"

couldn't go without the local frog's legs and snails!
Kind of Frenchy I would say. Yes, I did eat it

outside on the deck for desert

desert, CARROT WATER ICE,
ORANGE & LEMON

TIRAMI...SU

last but not least, my desert...BUFFALO CHEESE ICE CREAM 

AND IDROMELE MERENGUE complete with edible flowers

atmosphere on the outside

the Italian colored fishing nets on the coast of Senigallia

piccolo pasticieria

my perfectly cooked al dente
FUSILLONI PASTA, SEA URCHINS, CHICORY & SORREL
sea version of the Uliassi LAB menu

our second bottle of Verdicchio perfectly chilled

POTATO PUREE,ROASTED EEL,
ROOTS & BLACK TRUFFLE

the coolest little expanding warm washcloths for cleaning your hands
after the SHELLFISH dissecting.
Girls do I need to say what these look like?

The Uliassi Signature Foie Gras Wafer is one of the many reasons why I keep returning to this restaurant

the complimentary aperitif, a delicate Kir Royal
with mio amore foie gras wafer & friends

Uliassi lounge deck

Festa Della Vendemmia, Bibi Graetz, September 2013

I've been reflecting back on 2013, which was quite an intense year. The first full business year of Vinosofia, and being my first business, it was and is quite an endevor. I feel good about it, business could have been better but I can't complain. All I can say is thanks to my wonderful friends, family and new clients, Vinosofia managed to survive a quite challenging first year, during a tough financial crisis.


What were the most memoriable experiences of 2013?

Hands down, Festa Della Vendemmia da Bibi Graetz (harvest festival at Bibi Graetz Winery)


I arrived in Italy in 2000 with hopes and dreams of experiencing something like Liv Tyler did in that movie by Bernardo Bertolucci, Stealing Beauty.
The ingredients of this ideal Italian moment would include; a golden sunset, warm weather, great wine, my husband, Tuscan countryside, a castle, candles everywhere, a classic Italian garden, sculptures, catering, live music, BBQ, and hospitality. 13 years later I finally found myself living this dream.

the name says it all

those Italian cypress lined roads

the castle from below

In all these years that I have been in Italy I have never experienced the generosity and hospitality that I did that day.
Bibi basically opened his castle to everyone. You could freely walk into all the main rooms, hang out, socialize and just enjoy the space. No rules or people telling you where you can & can't go. Enjoy basra! 
The crowd was very international about 300 total from all over the world. 

the tower of Castello di Vincigliata         

welcome aperitivo, the house white

our winery guide

inside the winery, cement vats

the famous red

This event was hosted by a man who is known for his wine, art, the Castello di Vincigliata and il Soffocone. When the name or word Soffocone is mentioned everyone smiles, especially the guys. If you want to know what it means I suggest that you go to this link and learn first hand from the man who made it. Prego


www.bibigraetz.com/en/video


Then from the menu on the bottom select
Soffocone di Vincigliata


Then press play

stainless steel vats

classic old floors

the good stuff

barriques

Graziano & Carlo admiring the architecture

taming the lion

the Graetz Girls having fun

detail

Bacchus our man

The Outsiders from Umbria, Tom, Luca, Graziano & Beatrice

some Saint

the boys working hard

generous portions that free flowed all night

true organization for a fantastic festa

the window where I was in the photo 

the wines of Bibi Graetz, Graziano asked to taste the Colore, which was stashed under the  table for special guests

one of my favorite architectural elements

just some of the reasons why I love Italy

enjoying the sunset

garden sculpture

the band warming up

some Tuscan olive oil

view from the south east of the castle 

There was no formal seating chart so you just sat where ever you wanted.  During dinner every so often you would get these little punches on your feet or bumps on you legs by the kids who were crawling around under the tables on a race. It was really funny. On the tables were jeroboams of Soffocone to drink with dinner.


Bibi, his Bugia &  Brenda

All the wines were available to taste too, all served by family & employees at the winery who were having fun while doing so.
The wines which I found most enjoyable were the simple Vermentino, Bugia (the lie) 100% Ansonica and Canaiolo, 100% Canaiolo. I really enjoyed the dense fruit and structure of The Canaiolo. This was confirmed when I tasted it again at the Merano Wine Festival.
It will be on the shelves of Vinosofia soon, I promise.
 

So here are some of the images of this wonderful memory of 2013.
 

Enjoy and thank you Bibi!

YEH!

Florence, one of my favorite Italian cities

living room console

Graziano relaxing in the sitting room

a classic Italian sitting room

is that a real eye?

fish fountain

star light star bright over Florence that unforgettable night

oh what a night

the kids had a blast crawling under the tables

last glass of Soffocone to end a fantastic party!