Liquid History

My wife and I are planning our first return to the UK in nearly four years and we can’t wait. The only difference is that this time we are bringing a 2 ½ year old. You might think that this would limit our enjoyment and our alcohol consumption. Fear not!

I will continue my quest to find the perfect British pub.

The problem is that no matter how great my current pub is, I never know if there is something even better around the corner.

What is the perfect pub? I’m glad you asked.

First it has to have something really good on tap. This must be a proper British beer and not any of that lager rubbish. I want something like and Adnam’s Broadside or a Shepherd Neame Spitfire Ale or a cask-ale from a good local brewery. It should have a pretty beer garden and a cozy interior with dark wood and an open fireplace for winter. The grub should be good, but not too fancy. (You don’t want yuppies coming in). No gaming machines, please, and not too noisy, but I want friendly bar staff and a pub landlord who takes a bit of pride in his place. Last but not least, I like my pub to have a bit of history. Now most pubs that fit the bill will be found outside of major cities in little villages that haven’t changed for generations. The Blue Anchor (East Aberthaw, Wales) is a favourite of mine and has been going since 1380 with a thatched roof and low ceilings.

However, there are some great pubs in London and if you are game, I am going to send you for a walk along the Thames at Rotherhithe and Wapping.

In a small room in the Angel (101 Bermondsey Wall East) Captain Cook planned his voyage to the new world. There are no real ales here, but a great view. Keep walking east.

The Mayflower (117 Rotherhithe Street) is where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from in 1620 and the pub was renamed in honour of their ship. This pub has a little jetty to enjoy a pint with a perfect Thames view. Now you need to hop on the tube at Rotherhithe and go one stop north (under the Thames) to Wapping.

Keep heading East to the Prospect of Whitby (57 Wapping Wall). It is one of London’s oldest pubs and business has been done on this site since the 1500s. All of these pubs have a great Thames view and offer liquid history.

See you there. I’ll be the one pushing the stroller.

www.blueanchoraberthaw.com

A Festival for Every Flavour in Italia

October offers a bounty of food festivals throughout la bella Italia. Whether your palate prefers savoury or sweet, there’s something for every taste and proclivity.

Here are some of Bon Vivant’s Preferred Picks:

Alba International White Truffle Fair
This yearly ode to the “superior” white truffle takes place this year from October 9 to November 14th in the historic centre (or “centro storico”) of Alba, Italy. Truffle Markets run every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 8pm to ensure you get your fair share of the fragrant tuber. Some of the world’s most celebrated chefs and their legion of followers descend upon Alba to fete the Tuber Magnatum Pico (aka white truffles). At £1600 per kilo (or $2500 USD per pound), these are considered the very best in the world and are sought after with much gusto. You may recall that in 2005, an anonymous truffle aficionado paid $112, 000.00 USD for a 2.5 pound white truffle. This yearly event also features an invitation only truffle auction, a fair and a gastro-tourist’s excuse to explore Piedmontese cuisine. White truffles grow by the roots of hazelnut and oak trees. They are characterized by a distinct musky flavour known to flavour a Piedmontese butter sauce, risotto, upscale omlettes and just about anything other dish to which you want to lend an air of sophistication.

Boccaccesca Food and Wine Festival
From October 2-10, the picturesque Tuscan town of Certaldo will play host to this epicurean delight. From spiced meats, cheeses, local olive oils, freshly baked breads, preserves and other local specialties, hungry travelers and locals alike delight in this yearly festival.
Certaldo celebrates everything local with particular emphasis on culinary traditions over two weekends with food stalls, tastings, cooking classes, chef competitions and workshops set up in courtyards, gardens and along the town streets. The narrow, medieval thoroughfares are happily filled with the stands of craftsmen and women from every part of Tuscany.
The festival runs Friday and Saturday evening from 6 pm to 9 pm, and Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm. The town of Certaldo can be reached by train or bus on the Florence-Siena train line, and a short cable car ride takes visitors to the upper town of Boccaccesca, the medieval town of Giovanni Boccaccio. There’s a 5 Euro entrance Fee on Saturday and Sunday, but Fridays are free. An extra 3 Euro will buy you a complimentary glass of local vino.

Eurochocolate:
If you dream in chocolate, then Eurochocolate, being held this October 15 to 24 in Perugia, will be sure to please any sweet tooth! Perugia, as you may know, is home to the chocolate and hazelnut clusters devoured the world over and known as Bacio Perugina (bacio means kiss in Italian).

There’s no entrance fee to this Willy Wonka chocolate-lover’s delight which runs from 9am-8pm daily (except Saturday which goes until 11pm). Chocolate competitions, sculpture making, tastings (of course!), and Eurochocolate World which takes a look at the socio-economic issues of chocolate production around the globe are all on offer. Gluttons be warned- there’s a new take on Tiramisu called Tiramigiu (pull me up) that’s sure to tempt your taste buds. Held at the Sala del Cerp della Rocca Paolina in Perugia.