A Seafood Feast at Sofia & Alberto's

There are dinners....and then there are experiences. This night at Sofia and Alberto's was very much the latter--one of those special evenings you know you'll remember.

Well, today was the day--the Seafood Extravaganza at Sofia and Alberto's. We still can't quite believe we were invited; it felt like a very exclusive ticket. Ira followed the directions to a discreet meeting point, where we were told to park and wait to be escorted the rest of the way. Very speakeasy-esque... senza password.

When we arrived, we were welcomed in and given a tour of their new home--a beautiful two-bedroom apartment, lovingly renovated by Alberto and a local crew. He clearly has serious skills. The bedrooms were spacious, but nothing compared to the outdoor terrace. Even at night, it was impressive. Alexa opened the shutters (very cool), revealing a terrace that wraps around nearly three-quarters of the building. The entire space is theirs. There's even a charming covered structure built by Alberto's grandfather--clearly destined to be the setting for many future summer gatherings.

Back inside, Sofia was already hard at work in the kitchen. Since we gave her zero restrictions, she went all in. Alberto had only one request for the antipasti: crostini with whipped butter and Cantabrian Sea sardines. 

Now, sardines have an interesting history for me. I didn't always love them, but after our first trip to Italy, we got into the habit of making aperitivo at home--and sardines became a staple. So I was curious to try Alberto's favorite version.

And wow--these were next level. Sardines from the Mar Cantabrico are known for their rich flavor, high fat content, and firm texture thanks to the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Bay of Biscay. All I can say is... they were delicious.

From there, the evening unfolded into one incredible dish after another:

Gamberoni con lardo su crema di burrata

Prawns with lard on burrata cream

Tartare di tonno agli agrumi e glassa al balsamico con maionese fatta in casa

Tuna tartar with citrus zest and balsamic glaze with homemade mayonnaise

Spaghetti alla chitarra con scampi, cicale di mare e bisque al gin

Spaghetti with langoustine, sea cicadas and a gin-based bisque

Sofia pointed out that chitarra pasta is actually square in cross-section, not round--hence the name, which comes from the traditional "guitar-like" tool used to make it. 

Making pasta with a chitarra

Another standout in this dish was the cicale di mare (sea cicadas), prized for their delicate sweetness and ability to "melt" into sauces, creating a naturally creamy texture that clings perfectly to the pasta.

Next came:

Polpo alla Luciana

Luciana-style Octopus

Polpo alla Luciana- a classic Neapolitan octopus dish. Slow-cooked with tomatoes and taggiasche olives, the octopus was unbelievably tender and packed with flavor. A true highlight.

To accompany all of this, we were treated to something very special--a Sauvignon Blanc from Alberto's family vineyard, not yet released. A first vintage, shared with us as a sample. We've enjoyed their wines before, but this felt particularly meaningful.  Here is the link to their vineyard if you're interested Podere Carrareccia

Not quite released, new wine

And then...dessert.

Alberto's favorite: Latte alla Portoghese. Despite the name, it's a classic Tuscan dessert--something like a creme caramel, but lighter and delicately flavored. This version was infused with sambuca, giving it a subtle, aromatic twist.

Latte alla Portoghese

Portuguese Milk 

We finished the evening with a glass of Muffato from Antinori nel Chianti Classico--an extraordinary way to end an already unforgettable meal.

The photos don't quite do it justice. Every dish was thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and absolutely delicious--but more than that, it was the warmth, generosity, and care that made the evening so special.

Sofia and Alberto, thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful home and spoiling us with such an incredible meal. 

Ciao ciao