To the Moon and Back

 It’s no secret that I am not an Umbrian food enthusiast. Sure, who doesn’t like the amazing cheeses and the array of local products that appear in the smallest of alimentaries and the “super stores” such as Conad? These are items that, if found on the shelves of U.S. markets, would be labeled as “imported” and that would be the justification for the high prices. And nowadays, those prices are even higher due to the tariffs. I don’t think that it needs to be stated here but, heck, a reality is a reality and the Trump name here does not bring out the best in people. I digress. So, we mix it up. We walk a mile to a small market, go across the street to an even smaller one, and on occasion, walk to a bus stop and take a bus to the biggest market. In between that, there’s an outdoor market on Saturday mornings right here within the walls. I cook. Why not? Had a craving for fresh fish on Friday night and it was met with salmon that rivaled that which we get “fresh” from our home markets…at double the cost.

So, no. Not so much on “Italian” food. Unless it’s new olive oil poured over toasted bread. Or crostini or any of the food we ate in Sicily. Or the freshest of vegetables, zucchini still attached to their mother-flowers…

Sushi!!!

Turns out, we’re not the only ones. It came up in conversation one eventually last week over aperitvi, the shared love of raw fish, and…. the new restaurant that has a special price. ALL one can eat, for, I kid you not, twenty euros. The place is called “Moon” and it’s a bus ride away in the lower part of Assisi known as “Santa Maria degli Angeli”. It’s not part of the hill town and it’s approximately a bit over a mile away but it’s a whole different story. Think Wellfleet/Hyannis. 

So, yesterday, in pouring rain and chilly air, we boarded the bus and off we went with Scott, Dolores, Renee and her daughter Luciana, to MOON. 

One has to experience this place. It cannot be explained, for here, in tiny, landlocked Assisi, out of the far reaches of imagination, is a huge, modern, stylish Asian restaurant that blew us away in one swoop. For all we knew, we had actually landed on THE moon. Fortunately, we were with an Asian friend who brought her teenage Asian-Italian daughter along for the ride. Super easy. You order from your phone or from the iPad on the table. The menu is extensive and somewhat confusing for inexperienced older folks but we were in expert hands. 

Within moments, food started to arrive. Waiters everywhere drifted by, dropping off dish after dish of dumplings, shashimi, soups, raw this, raw that, and endless rolls of perfect sushi. It never ended. Everything that arrived was fresh, beautifully presented and delicious. Yes, one can actually have too much sushi. 

Before we left, I visited the restroom which was high tech and stunning. On the way, I passed tables of diners sitting in big brass birdcages, a long, long pond with stepping stones, another huge and elegant water feature and countless jaw-dropping interior designs. The impression was of an airport lounge in Tokyo. 

What a meal!

Who would have guessed?

How is this even possible?

Why here?

How?

And….how does MOON compete with the huge sushi place that’s practically right next door?

Who cares?

We’re going back as soon as we have digested yesterday’s lunch.