The festival season has arrived, at least in Pontremoli.
It was about time. Yesterday was the first day we’ve had in a while with sunshine and no rain. Pontremoli was alive with festivals. The flower festival, Bancarelfiore, filled various piazze of Pontremoli with color. There was also la Mostra mercato dell’artigianato e dell’antiquariato, an antiques and art fair, and a book fair, all at the same time. And the Porsche club had an exhibit of bright and polished cars in another piazza. Fun was had by all.
We had lunch at the tiny Oca Bianca, a new restaurant that sometimes surprises you with innovative dishes. I had seared Canadian bison with Himalayan sea salt. Yum. €14 if you’re counting, the most expensive dish on the menu.
Oca Bianca does another thing that’s nice. Instead of offering a menu turistico of boring food like pasta pomodoro and grilled chicken breast, they offer a spread including most of the local specialties of the Lunigiana with beverages for €17. Not a bad deal and a great introduction to what’s unique about the Lunigiana region of Tuscany.