Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Summer Lifestyle - Lucchesia.

 photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

Summer Lifestyle - Lucchesia. In the Tuscan hillsides near Lucca and equally near to the fashionable seaside resort of Forte dei Marmi my old friend and Vicky Ceschi A Santa Croce and Pietro Monticelli have rented a charming farmhouse.  One of five siblings Vicky has always been used to elegant and “effortless” entertaining and to top it all, is also a fabulous cook.  The table was simply laid out in the garden with mats and candles in hurricane lamps, sat on the table whilst tea candles hung in glass stars. The perfect setting for dining al fresco

 
The Guests. Artist Nicola Lazzeri, the hostess Vicky Ceschi A Santa Croce, journalist, author and blogger Margherita Loy, photographer and artist Manfredi Bellati, horticulturalist, landscape designer and author, Francesca Marzotto Caotorta.

 

L’Aperitivo.  Drinks where served on the terrace, the Prosecco glasses sit on a bronze Greek coffee tray and Guacamole, as well as other dips, together with Pimms were served before dinner.


  Dear old Rufus occupies an armchair.

 
The tables.

  photograph and copyright by manfredi bellati

The Menu

Calamari Salad with Carrots, Celery and Fennel     
Black Venere and White Rice Salad with Shrimps, Speck and Pine Nuts
Cerviche
Couscous Salad
Green Bean Flan and Zucchini Flowers

   
Calamari Salad with Carrots, Celery and Fennel
 
 
Black Venere and White Rice Salad with Shrimps, Speck and Pine Nuts

   
Green Bean Flan and Zucchini Flowers
 
 
Jack and Lola