I cannot fathom how anyone can give Dancing Ewe Farm less than 5 stars. I used to volunteer at the…read moreTroy Farmer's Market a few years back and Dancing Ewe Farm was one of the vendors. Another volunteer raved about their cheeses and farm to table dining events. Once I went to an event, I was hooked. I've now been visiting this magical place for the farm to table lunches or dinners each summer for the past 4 years. They also have some dates in the spring and fall.
Jody and his wife Luisa, who was raised in Tuscany, run this farm. When you first arrive, you start with an aperitivo (addictive,delicious bread with olive oil and salt) in a beautiful, expansive barn. You'll also be offered a flute of rose or prosecco, water, or sparking water. There may have been another non-alcoholic beverage option. During this time, each duo in your dinner party will see Luisa and select a bottle of wine for dinner. They import the wines from the Tuscany region of Italy.
You'll hang around for half an hour (more or less) until a group farm tour led by Jody starts. Since you'll be touring the farm, wear some comfortable shoes. He brings you around to the rams, stalls where the sheep rest, cheese making room, and cheese storage room. After the tour, the group returns to the barn for lunch or dinner.
Lunch and dinner include antipasti, primo piatto, and dolce. Dinner includes an additional course of secondo piatto. The menu is already set ahead of time, but don't worry, every bit is absolutely delicious. The antipasti changes, but has consisted of 2-3 cheeses, salumi, few crostinis with toppings, a frittata-like slice, and cippolini onions soaked in balsamic vinegar. I could live off this kind of plate for the rest of my life. The primo piatto is a handmade pasta (ravioli, malloreddus, gnudi, etc). The second piatto is meat (pork medallions, braised chicken thighs, etc). For dolce, I've only had the Panna cotta, made with their ricotta.This is all served at a leisurely place. You'll be seated with your dinner party, and also next to other lucky diners at an extra long table.
At the end of dinner, I've never gone home empty handed and end up buying a few of their farm's cheeses (Pecorino Al Tartufo if I'm lucky), salumi, limoncello, and their extra virgin olive oil.
It's a perfect spot to bring guests from out of town. All my friends and family who have visited rave about this experience. Jody and Luisa are welcoming and very hard working people. I can't imagine how many hours they must put into working on this farm during weekdays, and then on the weekends hosting these lunches and dinners. The experience is well worth the price.