I-TRIp: SARDEGNA NIGHT

Sardinia is the second large island in the Mediterranean sea (after Sicily).

Its strategic position (in the middle of the Mediterranean) made the Sardinia an attractive location for many civilizations. In modern history Sardinia was under the Spanish domain (Ferdinad II of Aragon and his “Kingdom of Sardinia). After the “Spanish war of succession” the Sardina became first Austrian and then finally Italian in the 1978.
Sardinia is one of the most beautiful regions of Italy with a fantastic variety of landscapes.
Probably the best part of it is the seaside. The coasts of Sardinia are generally high and rocky, with long, relatively straight stretches of coastline, many outstanding headlands, a few wide, deep bays, many inlets, and with various smaller islands off the coast.

Now let us skip to the most important part (from our point of view): THE FOOD.
Typical products of Sardinia are cheeses, meats and special breads.
Cheese like Pecorino Sardo (hard and strong mature cheese), known since prehistory, is a cheese made only from sheep milk and obviously marked with D.O.P (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) that means it can only be produced in Sardinia and by Sardinians.
They`re also very good with goat cheeses thank to a particular kind of goat they have.

Other famous cheeses are: Caciotta Sarda, Fresa, Casu. And also a very strange kind of cheese that is not allowed by law to be commercialised. It`s called “CASU MARTZU” (rotten cheese) and is a cheese where grubs lived.

When it comes to meat stuff, Sardinian are great! Suckling pig, wild boar and lamb are the most famous. The “PORCEDDO” (the pig) roasted in its whole shape, or the boar and the lamb cooked with herbs such as mint and myrtle.

Breads are very particular in Sardinia, the most are dried so they keeps longer: CARASAU, CIVRAXIU, PISTOCCU but also MODDIZOSU and COCCOI.

If you are thinking about going to Sardinia, remember that it is not just “COSTA SMERALDA”, the entire island is amazing. Don`t miss places like: Piscinas (Oristano), Stintino (Sassari), Golfo di Orosei (Nuoro), Quartu Sant`Elena and Pula (Cagliari).

Sardinia is fantastic. We hope you will have the chance to visit it.

SARDEGNA NIGHT @ ITRI

THE MENU
Starter
Tortino di carciofi
Homemade artichoke timball oven baked and served with rocket and toasted bread.

Pasta Dish
Gnocchetti sardi con salsiccia
Homemade gnocchi cooked with sausages, cherry tomatoes, garlic, olive oil,
fresh basil and saffron. Finished with Pecorino Sardo.

Main course
Agnello al mirto
Lamb stew finished with typical Sardinian liqueur “Mirto”.

Dessert
Seadas
Seadas is a typical dessert also called “sweet ravioli”.
Stuffed with sweet lemon ricotta. Deep fried.

Grazie a tutti!
See you next time

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Written by Itri on 01 April 2010 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

I-TRIp: LOMBARDIA NIGHT

Another great night of the culinary trip through the different region of Italy.
This time we`ve been to Lombardy.

Lombardy is one of the 20 region of Italy. It`s situated in the north of the country and Milan, its capital, with its history and culture is one of the major tourists attraction of the region.
Lombardy is a region with different geographical carachter with mountains, hills, plain and lakes.
Milan, Lake Garda, Como are all great destination if you are thinking about going in Lombardia. Those are the most famous destinations but not the only ones. For example you would like to see the little city of Saronno (just north of Milan) where they make the world famous liqueur AMARETTO.

Nice places and also very nice food. The culinary culture is diversified as is the territory.
Typical dishes of Lombardia are Polenta, Risotto alla Milanese (saffron risotto), Gorgonzola cheese that are the most famous but also Osso Buco, Cotolette alla Milanese (breaded escalope), vitello tonnato (veal with tuna cream) and Caseula (pork stew).
Lombardy is also famous for its cured meats and cheeses like the Bresaola of Valtellina, Duck salami and Brianza salami. The most famous cheeses are Gorgonzola, Grana Padano (similar to parmesan cheese), Taleggio (soft cheese) and Quartirolo lombardo.
About sweets who doesn`t know the “Panettone” but there are a lot of nice desserts like the “Sbrisolona Mantovana” (crumble tart).

This is what we had at ITRI:

Carpaccio di manzo
Beef`s Carpaccio served with potatoes, chives and tomatoes timball. Served with onion`s stew.

Risotto alla Milanese
Risotto with onion, saffron, parmesan cheese and butter.

Maiale e polenta
Pork chop cooked with thyme, honey and gorgonzola cheese.
Served with polenta.

Sbriciolata Mantovana
Crumble almond tart with patisserie cream.

Thanks to everyone who was here.

We`ll see you soon.

Ciao

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Written by Itri on 11 March 2010 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

ITRI CHOCOLATE NIGHT

For the chocolate lovers yesterday at ITRI has been a great night!

This was a real particular night, everything made with chocolate, from starters to dessert.
Every one has enjoyed it and we want to thank you all those that were with us last night.

Have a look at what you missed:

Trofie pasta with butternut squash cream and drizzled with chocolate

itri chocolate pasta

Scottish venison with herbs and dark chocolate served with mash potatoes

itri chocolate venison

Trio of chocolate tart, chocolate mousse and chocolate salami

itri chocolate night dessert

Thank you again to everyone.

Ciao

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Written by Itri on 18 February 2010 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

The Italian Christmas

THE ITALIAN CHRISTMAS

Have you ever spent Christmas in Italy?
Christmas in Italy is a big affair, with lots of celebrating, visiting family and, of course, lots of food (with meals lasting for hours!).
Officially Christmas in Italy starts on the 8th of December with the “Immacolata” and with the first of the special Christmas meal. Typical dishes of the Immacolata are, especially in the south, “Pettole“(or zeppole), and also the famous “Baccala`” that could be fried, marinated or steamed.
In terms of food, the biggest meal is definitely the Christmas Eve one.
This is probably the most important night for few reason. First of all the religious side, at midnight Jesus will born. Also because is the biggest meal of all the celebrations (something you`ve been looking forward to) and the presents are opened on that night too. Sometimes during the meal between the first and second course.
The Christian tradition would not allowed to eat meat on that night and that`s why on the Christmas Eve,
Italians use to eat only fish based dishes (sometimes a stuffed turkey could appear on the table). Typycal dishes are “Linguine with vongole” and “Capitone” and maybe other 8/10 contorni.

The meal is followed by a variety of Christmas desserts like Panettone, Panforte or Torrone and obviously a nice glass of Spumante.

Il panettone

The big meal ends just in time for the midnight celebration (when Jesus borns) with fireworks and with the baby Jesus placed in the Presepe. The night will end playing “Tombola” or other cards game.
Then you will go to bed exhausted but looking forward to the next day’s big Christmas lunch.

On the 25th the lunch will definitely be “Pasta al forno or Cannelloni” followed by Agnello arrostito and vegetables. Again Panettone, panforte and torrone are the desserts.
The lunch meal will last until dinner time and will probably end start eating again.

In every home you`ll get in, you`ll find on the table a big pot with dried fruits like dates and figs,
the Christmas threes with boxes of chocolate and panettone under it.

For the new year`s eve how to forget the Zampone e Lenticchie, the dish supposed to bring richness. Every party around the country will serve this dish at midnight.

Zampone e lenticchie

Italy is a country with many ethnic and cultural influences, so Christmas traditions are diverse and cannot be generalized.

All the celebrations will last until the 6th of January, day when the “Befana” comes and brings the last presents. Italy doesn’t have the tradition of Father Christmas. Instead they have this good witch like woman (Befana) who leaves presents for children on the night of Epiphany if they are good – or black coal (il carbone) if they have been bad.
You will see ‘coal’ sweets all around Italy at this time of year made from black sugar.

So be good this Christmas otherwise you`ll have “Tanto Carbone alla Befana”!!!

Itri wishes you all a merry merry Christmas.

See you soon!

Glossary
- Immacolata(Immaculate conception): the Immaculate Conception is, according to Roman Catholic Dogma, the conception of the Virgin Mary without any stain (macula in Latin) of original sin. It`s celebrated on the 8th of December.
- Pettole: deep fried pizza dough sometimes stuffed with anchovies (depending on the area).
- Baccala`: salted cod.
- Vongole: clams.
- Capitone: big female eel.
- Contorni: contorni means side dishes. Typical are calamari fritti (fried squid), insalata di mare(sea food salad), fritto misto di verdure (deep fried mixed vegetables), mandarini e castagne(mandarin and chestnut),
- Panettone: is the tall, fruit-filled Italian sweet bread that is served only at Christmas.
- Panforte: a heavenly mixture of honey, spices, candied fruit, and almonds.
- Torrone: is a nougat candy, typically made of honey, sugar, and egg white, with toasted almonds or other nuts, and usually shaped into either a rectangular tablet or a round cake.
- Spumante: Italian sweet Champagne.
- Presepe: creche, Christmas nativity.
- Tombola: bingo.
- Zampone e linticchie: stuffed pigs trotter with lentils.

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Written by Itri on 16 December 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Did you know that..., Events

ITRI – Lick your fingers – Another great night

Hello everyone,
yesterday has been another great night and we want to thank everyone who made the restaurant fully booked again.
Lick your fingers was a different way to try our great food.
Lots of small home made Italian specialities.

Italy is famous for its particular and genuine fast food.
We tried to combine this kind of food with our slow food attitude.

Panini Napoletani

So the “Lick your fingers night” comes up, and people really enjoyed that…

Panini napoletani (stuffed pizza dough), arancini (rice balls), rustici (stuffed puff pastry) and also monkfish, scallops and a fantastic home made dessert with baci di fragola (Strawberry kisses – sweet puff pastry with cream and strawberry) and bigne`.

Scallops and courgettes

With our special nights we try to let people know the real love of the Italians for food and also to show them the real Italian stuff. Not just pasta and pizza.

Baci di fragola

Itri - Lick your fingers night

See you soon!

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Written by Itri on 21 October 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

ITRI – Lick your fingers

Another great special night at ITRI.

Tuesday 20th of October come at ITRI for the “LICK YOUR FINGERS” night.

A fantastic night based on small tasty Italian “Bocconcini”, little finger specialities. The menu is going to be a surprise but we can assure you will have lots of great food as usual.
£14.95 per person. The night starts at 7.30 pm.

Invite your friends now!

To book a table click here

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Written by Itri on 13 October 2009 | Posted in Events

I-TRIp: SICILY NIGHT

Yesterday we`ve been to Sicily for another appointment of the I-TRIp, the culinary trip through the regions of Italy. The restaurant was full and everyone enjoyed the food.

The best dish was probably the “risotto al nero di seppia” (squid ink risotto) very typical dish of the Sicilia.

Itri squid ink risotto Sicily Night

Every menu for the I-TRIp consist in 4 courses, a wee starter, a pasta dish, a main course and dessert.
The Sicilia night menu was:
- Plum tomato stuffed with king prawns, black olives and anchovies
- Squid ink risotto
- Swordfish with green peas
- Cassata Siciliana (sponge cake with ricotta cheese, chocolate, candied fruits and covered with marzipan)

ITRI - Stuffed tomato - Sicily Night

Thank you to every one was here last night.

Has been a pleasure for us.

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Written by Itri on 08 October 2009 | Posted in All News Entries, Events

What’s on at ITRI

Upcoming Events

Wednesday 7th of October
I-TRIp: SICILIA NIGHT
Another appointment with the exciting culinary trip through the different regions of Italy.
This time we are off to Sicily.
A fantastic 4 course meal for only £19.95.

Tuesday 20th of October

LICK YOUR FINGERS
An unbelievable night with lots of small and delicious finger specialities.
Try the wide variety of Italian “bocconcini” in a lovely atmosphere.
Lots of food for just 14.95.

Wednesday 10th of November

ITRI FOOD TASTING
8 course menu, each a series of small focused dishes that all feature distinct ingredients. What we want you to experience is that sense of surprise when you taste something so delicious, so exciting, so comforting you think “WOW”
and it’s gone. And another one comes.
£25 per person

BOOK NOW

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Written by admin on 29 September 2009 | Posted in Events