Ambrosia

This small restaurant in Cortona is a true gem. Don’t let the signage fool you — this is NOT a quaint faux Greek menu. This is the real Italian deal. I can’t think why they chose the «Greek» font of choice for bad restaurants in North America — it does not in way reflect the high quality of the very very Italian food-​regional choices, complemented with an admirable range of fish and meat choices from other Italian cuisine. We arrived and were greeted with s small glass of Prosecco followed by a welcome dish (amuse bouche in France) — a bread and tomato croquette with a savoury green sauce. We shared the baccala which was an inspired combination of tender salty fish with chestnut butter and a piquant sauce. The pumpkin gnocchi with bacon and gambas is heavenly — lighter than air gnocchi with crisp bacon and sweet perfectly cooked gambas. My partner had the soup with a pasta made from bread, eggs and parmesan (sort of a cheesy little matzo ball) with a consommé poured over. Delicious. We followed with the fritto misto — fried vegetables, chicken and rabbit and the suckling pig with kale. The suckling pig was tender and sweet, and the kale a perfect bitter counterpoint. We were too full for dessert (so will have to go back) but were presented a plate of tiny biscotti and meringue with ambrosia for dipping. The ambrosia is a sweet honey mix with floral notes.
All in all this was an amazing meal. We’ve been travelling in France, Spain, Greece, Turkey, New Zealand and Canada and this is top of our list. Again — don’t let the signage fool you. I would have walked past this place but for Trip Advisor ratings.
You will not be disappointed at Ambrosia!