Summer 2020 has probably been one of the strangest of my life so far.  Covid-19, even if we managed to avoid its health impacts, has changed most elements of our lives, eating being no exception.

Writing a blog-post about an altogether pleasing eating experience is always a pleasure, whereas reviewing a restaurant which ought to have done much better is a bit of drag.  I have two places on my to-do list to review and I’m starting here with the pleasant experience because in writing, I’m already re-living the joy it brought to a wet Saturday afternoon.  The less pleasurable experience will have to wait for another day.

The restaurant in question, which has so excited me, is called Posta and its located in the small spa town of Sant’Ombono Terme, nestled int he mountains of the Province of Bergamo, North of Milan.  They’re also in the Michelin Guide, with ratings of ‘Good Cooking’ and ‘Comfortable’.

Posta is family run, dating back to 1910 and is part of a small number of hospitality businesses they operate. On our visit last Saturday, one sister was managing front of house while the other ran the kitchen. The Chef describes herself at la cuoca (the cook), which tells you all you need to know about the lack of any pretensions.

A cheap menu of the day, with limited selection, is available to cater for those on budgets or as a working lunch for the locals. There’s also an interesting a la carte option offering both traditional and more modern dishes but we chose the tasting menu. Two versions were available, Di Mare (from the sea) or Di Terra (from the land). Everything was absolutely delicious and, with the exception of the duck breast (which was slightly over), expertly cooked to precision.

The ‘amuse bouche’ was a little cannoli of filo pasty stuffed with creamy goats cheese and chives all whipped up to the consistency of a fluffy mousse. It was so light it melted in the mouth.

The first course, proper was a hand prepared beef tartar (fasona breed from Piemonte) accompanied by the freshest and most aromatic of raw, thinly sliced porcini mushrooms – a reminder that this is the start of the porcini and truffle season. That tiny amount of crumb made all the difference in terms of offering a contrast to the softness of the beef and had the slight salty tang of parmesan to it.

Next up was what I would have chosen from the menu as a starter, lasagnetta di taleggio e tartufo nero. The pasta sheets that made up the little lasagna were wafer thin and as soft and smooth as silk, bound together with creamy taleggio cheese and the whole thing crowned with fresh local black truffles – the first of the season. Words aren’t enough to describe how delicious this dish was. If I’m ever condemned to live as a vegetarian, this is what I would want to eat

Duck breast followed (Petto d’anatra e pesche al Porto). Of all the dishes this was the weakest, as the meat was a little tough from the just a few seconds over cooking. The peaches in port though were juicy and luscious and the taste of the meat was robust and yet not too heavy. While other courses scored 10/10, I’d mark this one down to only 9/10! 😉

Two puddings were served. One was, of course, described as a pre-desert, which was an apple cake – moist and full of caramelised apple flavour. The second was zabaglione (rich with eggs, sugar and booze in the form of Marsala) served with a contrasting ice cream. Who would have thought of serving two ‘wet’ elements together but it so worked, as the ice cream cut through the richness of the custard; the sbrisolona (biscuity crumb) offering a nutty texture contrast. Another ten out of ten dish.

Coffee was served with a generously sized measure of their homemade egg liquor and some frosted grapes and orange peel, and tuilles.

Posta, without a doubt is on my list of places to keep returning to and I’d encourage anyone within an hour or two’s drive to pay a visit too. I may see you there!