26-10-2017

Toscana-Italia-the-world: Alberto Sparacino’s eclectic format

Plenty of personality in the cuisine of the young chef at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano. Here’s his story (and our dinner)

Alberto Sparacino at work. Born in 1984, he’s c

Alberto Sparacino at work. Born in 1984, he’s chef at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, Tuscany

Photogallery

Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble

Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...

Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent

Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano

Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil

Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese

Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard

Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish

Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel

Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce

Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness

Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two

Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums

Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums









Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good

Pigeon from Moncucco, pigeon sauce, seeds, grapes. There’s the raw fillet too. Sparacino shows he has perfectly mastered the use of meat

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums









Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good









Pigeon from Moncucco, pigeon sauce, seeds, grapes. There’s the raw fillet too. Sparacino shows he has perfectly mastered the use of meat

Meringata: quark gelato, delicate meringue, sugarless cream

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums









Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good









Pigeon from Moncucco, pigeon sauce, seeds, grapes. There’s the raw fillet too. Sparacino shows he has perfectly mastered the use of meat









Meringata: quark gelato, delicate meringue, sugarless cream

We finish with a celebration of real pistachios from Bronte: as sauce, gelato and biscuit, with white moscato and yogurt

«Alberto Sparacino of Cum Quibus in San Gimignano is good: he’s still little known, he’ll show his value in the next few years», said Gaetano Trovato in July, explaining his future projects (see: Papà Arnolfo cambia casa dopo 22 anni), but also mentioning some of his many pupils, the best ones. Sparacino was among them.

So we paid him a visit, right in the middle of the historic centre of San Gimignano, in one of the many cross streets along the main road. The restaurant is in a palace from the 13th century. A few steps and you’re in a Medieval style atmosphere, full of arches and stone walls, as well as colourful lights and candles. It might seem a sumptuous version of the typical Tuscan tavern, and indeed it was for a long time, since the parents of patron Lorenzo Di Paolantonio opened the restaurant in February 2005. The latter says: «I was still in high school then. My parents asked me to help them during the summer. I entered Cum Quibus». He never left. First he took care of the kitchen, then chose the dining room and cellar: «In 2004, I was 28, I thought the restaurant had to grow. I had enough of pots and pans, and looked for a good young chef...».

Alberto Sparacino with patron Lorenzo Di Paolantonio

Alberto Sparacino with patron Lorenzo Di Paolantonio

Some shared acquaintances led him to Alberto Sparacino, who is more or less his age: born in 1984 in Colle Val d’Elsa, the village of Trovato’s Arnolfo, he trained for three years there, as well as with Daniel Boulud in Manhattan. A degree in surveying and a few exams in Engineering, Sparacino was then running the kitchen at Colombaio in Casole d’Elsa, after four years with Barone Ricasoli at Castello di Brolio. He mixed these experiences in a personal and already structured style, which overturned the previous philosophy at Cum Quibus. Of Trovato, for instance, one can notice the attention to defined flavours and a touch of French references – though in a Mediterranean key – which he further refined with Boulud. However, if you ask him what’s behind his attention for sauces and bases, he says: «It’s because of Matteo. He always said: sauces, sauces!».

The Matteo he refers to is Lorenzini, his great friend and chef at Ses.To on Arno in Florence. The two met around 2007 at Arnolfo’s, «and at the time, Simone (Cipriani, now at Essenziale, see: Il gusto di essere Essenziale) was also there». As well as another MatteoManzini, «impressive, he could work with two hands doing different things at the same time». And indeed he’s now sous chef at three-starred Azurmendi with Eneko Atxa, in the Basque Country. A nice brood, in other words.

Back to us: culinary speaking, Sparacino is the result of this journey that led him to overlap three different levels. He’s very open to the world, «I enjoy travelling and learning from the culinary cultures I discover. First, the Japanese and Asian culture in general. Joining them with the Italian one. This year I began to study South American cuisine…»; there’s Italy, a point of reference that surely derives from Trovato, but also from the life of the young chef: his father is from San Cataldo, Caltanissetta, in Sicily, his mother from Arbus, in Medio Campidano, Sardinia. There’s lots of Tuscany too, though he points out: «My cuisine is Italian, not just Tuscan». Indeed, yet he rarely renounces to the local territory, though filtered with wider influences, so that the results are rather eclectic.

His dishes, we were saying, are full, complex, sometimes even muscular: «My cuisine is fundamentally instinctive. I’m interested in flavour, but with balance. Recipes that have aromatic peaks, but I don’t want them to be excessive». They often have the harmony he’s also reached in his relationship with patron Di Paolantonio, «especially this year». He says: «I have fun here. I’m lucky, I do what I love all day long».

Last, dutiful question to the patron: why did you take on a complex fine dining road in a context that would rather lead to simple panzanella and Florentine steaks? His answer: «San Gimignano allows you to work well, in all cases; but tourism, the constant flow of clients, shouldn’t be a limit or an excuse not to do better, but an opportunity you must make use of. I don’t think I needed courage to start this work with Alberto. We had and still have the necessary passion, and the desire to do something more». In the photo gallery by Tanio Liotta, the dishes from our dinner.
Translated into English by Slawka G. Scarso

Photogallery

Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble

Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...

Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent

Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano

Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil

Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese

Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard

Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish

Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel

Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce

Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness

Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two

Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums

Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums









Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good

Pigeon from Moncucco, pigeon sauce, seeds, grapes. There’s the raw fillet too. Sparacino shows he has perfectly mastered the use of meat

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums









Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good









Pigeon from Moncucco, pigeon sauce, seeds, grapes. There’s the raw fillet too. Sparacino shows he has perfectly mastered the use of meat

Meringata: quark gelato, delicate meringue, sugarless cream

Photogallery






Our dinner at Cum Quibus in San Gimignano, portrayed by Tanio Liotta. We start with Fake green olive, garlic, oil and chilli pepper, olive crumble 









Mezzovo®: egg yolk, soffice di pecorino di Pienza, truffle, a classic by Sparacino. It’s even a trademark...









Pearl of liver with squid ink. Very good and persistent









Pizza liquida: mousse of bread, tomato, anchovies, oregano









Squid, panzanella, Parmigiano, basil, balsamic vinegar. The squid is seared, filled with panzanella, plus tomato jus, drops of balsamic vinegar, a wafer of Parmigiano and both fresh and fried basil









Bufala di capra e tartufo: fake mozzarella made with a mousse of goat cheese









Liver, mackerel, vinsanto, capers, lard









Foie gras Bavarian mousse, gel of miso, liquorice, chilli pepper, shallot, sea weeds. Great balance, a very elegant and aromatic dish









Buttons of lamb sweetbreads, garam masala, sour cream, fennel









Cannelloni with rabbit and puttanesca scauce









Tagliolini, ‘nduja, lime, mussels and horseradish. Pure deliciousness









Risotto, ajoblanco, pepper chutney, anchovy colatura, anchovies from the Sea of Cantabria. Pure deliciousness, part two









Octopus, burrata, umeboshi and sake. They cook the octopus for eight hours in sake, then cream of burrata, umeboshi, plum sauce and fresh plums









Veal tongue, sauce of oyster, fresh shallot. Very good









Pigeon from Moncucco, pigeon sauce, seeds, grapes. There’s the raw fillet too. Sparacino shows he has perfectly mastered the use of meat









Meringata: quark gelato, delicate meringue, sugarless cream

We finish with a celebration of real pistachios from Bronte: as sauce, gelato and biscuit, with white moscato and yogurt


Carlo Mangio

An outdoor trip or a journey to the other side of the planet?
One thing is for sure: the destination is delicious, by Carlo Passera

by

Carlo Passera

journalist born in 1974, for many years he has covered politics, mostly, and food in his free time. Today he does exactly the opposite and this makes him very happy. As soon as he can, he dives into travels and good food. Identità Golose's editor in chief

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