We have been nourished in so many ways on this adventure of ours... nourished by the warmth and strength of old friendships, by the beauty of the landscape, by the velvety muzzles of horses and the goofy smiles of dogs. But the strongest bond of all, it seems - the thread that ties it all together - is food, glorious food.
There's a reason that breaking bread and sharing wine is the foundation of religious ceremony around the world... nothing is more symbolic of shared life and love. Our friends have shared their homes and their delicious food with us for thousands of miles now - and we're truly grateful. The ultimate dining experience of the trip for us happened this week, at Frasca in Boulder, the restaurant owned by our friends Bobby and Danette Stuckey (and their partner, the talented chef Lachlan McKinnon-Patterson).
At Frasca, where they specialize in the wine and food of Friuli, you feel that there's a genuine delight in sharing the excellence of the meal... this is not a temple of haute cuisine, but a room full of happy people, talking, laughing and enjoying the food, the company, and the moment. The energetic, fresh-faced, bright people who work there truly understand what they're serving - they all go to Italy together each year to visit the wineries, restaurants, artisan bakers and cheesemakers of Friuli so that they can assure the most authentic experience possible. (And, as a former manager, I'm thinking a bit of bonding goes on there as well - the staff's friendship and teamwork are palpable).
My wish for all my friends is that they might have the chance to experience it just once - awards and given rave reviews are great, but you have to taste for yourself... buon appetito!
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