Dessert in Pienza; lemon cake with wild strawberries sauce and chocolate
For most of our trip we have been eating in small Osteria’s, Trattoria’s or even little cafe’s; as much as possible enjoying the local food. Being surrounded by Italians is usually a good sign when you’re entering a restaurant or trattoria. But when we came into Pienza, one of the first restaurants we came upon was a lovely place called La Terrazza del Chiostro with a gorgeous view over the entire valley.
A beautiful outside terrace (it was a hot sunny day) with a little wind, so we just had to book a table for later that afternoon for lunch.
But first we had to go in search of the famous Pecorino for which Pienza is quite famous… Did you know there are endless varieties of pecorino?? I only knew the one kind we can find in our supermarkets (and not even a regular supermarket) and the ones I had tasted sofar where too salty for my taste, but I’ve learned a whole lot more about pecorino and have been eating far too much of it…
Pienza
Now do you see that cheese in the photo above with the straw on it? It was actually worse when you saw it ‘live’ and combined with the strong smell…. let’s just say that my adventurous mind came to a rest when I saw that cheese. It’s probably lovely and in actual fact I might have eaten it but the whole cheese just looked a bit too much for me. One of the disadvantages of traveling in one car with four people is that space is rather limited when it comes to bringing stuff back home and since we have already bought a lot of wine, parmesan and some wonderful sausages… there is only a tiny bit of space left. Tom does not like cheese and the smell of pecorino makes him sort of ill, so no pecorino home for me. Unless I can find a place where they vacuum pack like they did the Parmiggiano Reggiano… That’s the only way we will be able to take smelly cheese back home. The meat we bought is dried so that should be ok and it’s certainly not smelly so far (we don’t keep it in the car unless traveling from one place to the other)
Lunch in Pienza
And then our lunch…. it was certainly not the best meal we have had (those where usually the ones in the little trattoria’s and osteria’s) but it was definitely the best looking lunch for sure! And the best place to sit too, which has got to be worth something.
And here I am wanting to write in this post about Siena as well, but it’s already long so I’ll leave it at just Pienza… 
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
You make me so envious! I need to go there…
Mooooie foto’s!! Heb je ook al inspiratie opgedaan voor mijn ‘shoot’ van a.s. maandag. Zakelijk doch vrolijk en liefts ‘anders’…
Genieten nog!
Mx
Ah, Simone, your account of your trip makes it sound so wonderful! Italy is truly a lovely place – and a foodie’s paradise, in so many ways! Too bad Tom doesn’t like cheese…
Very fun to see all this with you. Interesting about the cheese. I have only had limited experience with pecorino as Mark does not care for that, but he does like cheese…I cannot imagine not liking cheese, but then most people cannot imagine not liking chocolate, so I guess it is to each his own as they say. Lovely photos!
Ah! Fabulous pics Simone!
Glad we can come along on your journey through these captures 
)
Thanks for sharing the lovely photos! I love a little virtual trip like this. I’d love to taste the straw wrapped cheese. I do love stinky cheeses!
I’ve never seen such a thing as straw wrapped cheese! I would love to try it! All the food is so beautifully presented. Safe travels!
I would have beibed my husband no end for bringing some cheese or held my arm out the window!!! Beautifully captured as always Simone!!
Your pictures are lovely Simone! Makes me want to jump on a plane and join you!
Pecorino is my favorite cheese but there are several different kinds. Some are table cheeses, some too strong for that. They are all sheep’s which for me is easier to digest. Is the cheese with the straw a pecorino? I find that one fascinating and I’m so jealous of your trip, (but happy for you).
Yes, the straw covered cheese is indeed a pecorino… I’ve seen better versions of the same cheese in other places since. They even had pecorino that was covered in ashes…. Very interesting!!
You are killing me here. That food looks like a work of art… and I think I would love the cheese in the straw. I know I would love to visit the farm and see it being made. So wonderful that you get to travel through the country side… and experience the life like this.
Valerie