Based on the previous thread it is clear that there are those here who enjoy good food.
For the last two to three years my friend Graziano and I have discussed an excursion to Zeri to partake of the well known lamb. The sheep of Zeri in northwest Tuscany are at pasture all year above 800 meters elevation and are a breed unto themselves.
With the spectacular autumn weather over the last few weeks our discussions intensified and today we took the trip. Only 30km away, half on a rough unpaved single lane mountain road, the vehicle of choice was the Hilux. From Compiano at 500M we crossed Passo di Due Sante at 1250M where we entered Tuscany and continued to the village of Zeri at 700M arriving just before noon under a cloudless sky at 20 degrees C.
After an aperitif in the bar adjacent to the municipio we proceeded to our packed restaurant. Calling the meal lunch is only justified because it happened at noon! After antipasti of local cold cuts and warm local specialties we proceeded to the first course, tagliatelle di funghi. The fresh local porcine mushrooms are plentiful at this time of year and are a delight. We went on to the main course, a Zeri lamb sampler, which consisted of grilled lamb chops, fried lamb chops and oven roasted lamb accompanied by oven roasted potatoes. Judging the tender grilled lamb chops to be spectacular, we ordered an extra portion each. No gluttons here!
Obviously there was the local red to drink, tiramisu for desert, then espresso and finally mirtilli flavored grappa. The cost of this extravaganza - less than €100 for two!
An immediate nap would have been great but this had to wait until late afternoon on return to Compiano. After the nap it was another mountain pass, Passo del Bocco, to Lavagna on the coast. See sunset over the Med from 800M below. Other pics, Passo di Due Sante and the village bar and municipio, Zeri.
Zeri can also be reached by pagoda on fun to drive fully paved roads from the A15 in Tuscany, exit Pontremoli.
