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I Birbi

During my birthday Umbria trip I wanted to try a Restaurant Perugia, but I had mixed up opening days. It was Sunday and all my 3 choices were closed.  In desperation I went back to Google   "Slowfood Perugia".  Something came out. Osteria "I Birbi" , just around the corner from the wonderful rundown, but classy Hotel Iris, where I was lodging.

I had a look and I liked immediately the place, so I went back in the evening for food.   They really are listed in the slowfood guide for 2019, but the first what worried me, was the speed with which my ordered dishes were appearing.  The menu was interesting. I started with "Parmigiana di Gobbi".  I love Gobbi (Cardi) and I also prepare them with cheese, but what a delusion came to my table. Ingredients were OK, but this dish had been made at least for lunch and just came out from the microwave, Cheese was not fragrant, tomatoes were dry.  I hoped for better with the second course ("Tartar di patate cotto sotte le cenere, taleggio sfuso e tartuffi")   A good idea, although   a "Tartare di patate cotte" is a self contradiction.  But again no decisive taste and I again had the impression of microwave. The 3rd course was good,  "coniglio selvatico con tortino di versa" ,   but the versa was cavolo bianco in my opinion and undercooked. But the rabbit was very good.

I ordered a wine, that from the menu should have been a Sangiovese/GamaydelTrasimeno blend from 2013. What I got was a wine from 2017, of which the grape variety was not declared. It was youthful, round, easy to drink and pleasant but I guess there was Cabernet Sauvignon in it.  The host offered to change the bottle when I told him that the bottle is not that declared in  the  menu, this was  honest.

So,  next time in Perugia - and there will be a next time, as  Perugia is splendid,  I will not go ti "I birbi"  and being mentioned in the Slowfodod guide is no guarantee for exceptional food

gobbi , bread , rabbit , wine