After walking up a healthy appetite (see previous post) I made my way to my lunch destination. Ristorante Pagnanelli www.pagnanelli.it is located on Via Gramsci, just behind the Papal summer palace.
The internal dining rooms have a nice old-world charm…
…but I chose instead to sit on the balcony and take in the magnificent view over Lago Albano. Video here.
One of the lovely staff members brought me a glass of prosecco to sip while I perused the menu. Being in treat mode I just got my favourite things…
To begin, an antipasto of Scampi e Gamberi con Limone e Pepe Rosa, langoustines and king prawns with green lemons and pink peppercorns served on a bed of ice.
And with the help of the friendly somellier, an expertly-selected bottle of Falanghina, chosen from an impressive array of Campanian whites on the wine menu.
And for my primo, Gnocchi con Vongole, Calamari e Tartufo, potato dumplings with with clams, squid, and truffle. Everything was perfect and I was left humming with contentment.
The highlight of the experience however was a visit to the wine cellar, one of the most extensive I’ve ever been to, housing over 35,000 bottles.
Apparently the main passage winds right under the road outside the restaurant…
… while side passages head off in different directions.
The cellar also doubles as a wine museum…
… with extensive displays of wine associated paraphenalia.
Do please watch this video of it, it’s a truly remarkable place!