Story & photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling GourmetTM
The indomitable Travelling Gourmet tastes the cuisine of one of Oxford’s best Italian restaurants…
MANY Italian restaurants are to be found in Oxford, the city of mystical dreaming spires and many elite Colleges of Oxford University. I went to one of the most authentic with my dear friends, Siew Lin & Edmond. The Manager of La Cucina, Melcchiorre, hails from Torino, and amiable Chef Alberto is also a true-blue Italian. The happy atmosphere is very lively and a bit on the raucous side. It reminded me of ristoranti I have visited in Milano.
In the St. Clement’s district, just before the Magdalen Bridge which leads into the center of Oxford, you’ll savour authentic yummies like Bon-Bon shaped Calzoncelli (a type of ravioli) filled with meat which is delightful with Arugula (rocket leaves), sauteed mushrooms and seductive perfumed Truffle oil. If you like seafood, try chunky Halibut on buttery new potatoes with Pizzaoia Sauce.
Delightful Dolci (dessert) on offer include ubiquitous Tiramisu and Panna Cotta.On my many gourmet adventures to Italy and also as a Wine Judge in the Concorso Enologico Internazionale, I observed that the natives actually prefer Panna Cotta to Tiramisu. The Rhum Baba laced with Italy’s potent lemon liquer Limoncello, then lovingly topped with creamy Mascarpone is beautiful. I adore the classic Affogato which Melcchiorre served a la table…a coupe of Vanilla Gelato (ice cream) on which he carefully poured Espresso coffee and Frangelico liquer. The combination of the soothing vanilla and expressive slightly bitter Espresso was heavenly on the palate. As they say in Italy: “Good coffee must be like a bella signorina, very strong and keeps you going the whole night…”
Buon appetito e salute! Il Turista Buongustaio {:-)
La Cucina
39 – 40 St Clements
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX4 1AB
England
Tel: 01865 793811
The Travelling Gourmet 