Food is what Italians talk about most of time, well, and politics! It maintains an importance in daily life, in the rituals and discipline of daily life that is noteworthy.  An entire lunch with friends when the conversation concentrates on the quality of the pasta sauce, how it compares with other restaurants, or the one eaten two days ago, is still fascinating to hear and sometimes annoying when you want to talk about (as you see it) more interesting topics.  But it is this attitude that is reflected in the time, dedication and discipline given to the production, preparing and cooking of food that makes it, enduringly, one of the great cuisines of the world.

Here in Umbria and Tuscany you will not be disappointed.  Good restaurants and pizzeria are to be found in the most unlikely corners, and don’t be put off by the “decor” it doesn’t mean the same thing here. Italians are more interested in the cooking than the design.

The specialities of the region are mushrooms and truffles, game, porchetta (roast suckling pig), hare, wild boar, sheeps cheeses and wonderful salamis , cured hams and chestnuts

Truffle hunting is big business, especially the white truffle which is exported all around the world for enormous prices.  There are many shops selling truffle and mushroom specialities.

Everyone who comes back to Umbria makes straight for the Porchetta Vans, always in the local markets, sometimes in  the village centres and always at the local festas. A large fresh roll filled with roast pork, seasoned with garlic, fennel seeds and other herbs is unforgettable. Taglatelle with sliced black truffle and handmade ravioli with gorgonzola and walnuts – delicious.

For speciality wines, try those from around Montefalco, just south of Perugia. They call it the terrace of Umbria. One of the best wines in Italy today is the Sagrantino of Montefalco.

You will enjoy shopping, choosing from a wide variety of fruit, vegetables and salads, none of them packed in little plastic trays!

Just in case the views and site seeing are not enough meal times at Casa Sant'Anna are a wonderful exeprience and a time to reflect on the days events. 

We offer a cook service for an extra charge for those special occasions. Our charming (and very pretty!) Tuscan cook will also prepare dishes of your own choice and vegetarian menus are cooked to your order. Please inform us of any allergies. 

Here is an example of the choice of menu offered by our wonderful cook:

Samples of Dinner Menus

A wonderful idea after a day's sightseeing!

Menus with meat as main course

First Courses:-
Lasagne with meat, mushrooms or vegetables
Homemade ravioli of ricotta and spinach with a sauce of gorgonzola and hazlenuts
Tagliatelli with various sauces ie: Bolognese, mushroom, truffle, fresh baby tomatoes or vegetables
Polenta mold with cheese fondue.

Main Courses:-
Chicken Cacciatore
Filletto with green or black pepper
Strips of best steak grilled with oil juniper and rosemaey
Fillet of pork baked in pastry

Deserts:-
Tiramisu
Panna Cotta with berry or chocolate sauce
Homemade almond biscuits served with vin santo
Italian jam tart (Crostata) various flavours
Torta della Nonna (ricotta and pinenuts)

Cost 45 euros per person (including organic local red wine)

Fish Dinner

First courses:-

Spaghetti alla vongole (cockles or clams)
Risotto with seafood
Fish soup with crisp fried bread
Tagliolini with fish and seafood
Followed by lemon sorbet

Main Courses:-

Large prawns with black pepper
Fish fillets baked in the oven
Seafood salad
Seabream baked in paper with potatoes.

Cost 50 euros per person and white wine extra (according to choice)

Deserts as before.

An antipasto can be added to either menu:_
Sliced hams, prosciutto and salamis. Cheeses served with preserves, seasoned vegetables and bruschetta.

Cost 5 euro per person

A Buffet Lunch served alfresco:-

Various salads including the famous Tuscan panzanella
Buffalo Mozzarella (we have a herd of buffalo in the valley) and tomatoes with basil
Various cheeses and sliced cold hams and salami

Desert:-

Ricotta Tart or Crostata or fresh fruit

Cost 25 euro per person (including organic red wine)