A Sunday lunch in Italy: Apricale

 

One of Chef Jan's favourite getaway spot, the Italian town of Apricale

I watched season 1 of Jan some years back. 

I remember being completely taken by an aerial shoot of a hilltop Italian town nestled in the Ligurian Alps in one of the episodes (and the haunting soundtrack is magnificent too). The South African Chef, with his Michelin star restaurant in Nice, has a real affinity and love for this little village which he calls his 'happy food place'.

Our happy food place, buffalo mozzarella caprese,
borage and ricotta ravioli with butter and sage,
panne cotta.

So Fred and I are based in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin and instead of lazying on a Med beach today, or doing what the French do on Sundays, we headed off into the Ligurian hills to find our own happy food place in Apricale. 

And we did, in fact we plan to return a few times and have one of Jan's favourite places booked for Wednesday, Apricus.

Its the simplicity of excellent fresh ingredients treated well that makes for happy food, nothing superfluous and everything paired with ease.  

The village is on the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy. I can certainly appreciate why, the tiny alleyways, the arched passageways, the ancient houses and the cobbled staircases give Apricale a unique charm.

Charming Apricale, Western Liguria, Italy.