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Monthly Archives: June 2016
SUPERCHEFS CELEBRATE FRANCIACORTA. HERE THE BEST AND THE…VERY BEST
Talking of a beautiful Sunday!
Yesterday I went to the picnic lunch at the Palazzo Monti della Corte , in Nigoline right in the heart of the Franciacorta region, one of the best producer of sparkling wine.
Tasting a Berlucchi Brut, one of the most recognized product of the Franciacorta region.
The occasion was the annual Franciacorta Festival
a bonanza of wines and food, traditional or revisited, all signed by well-known chefs
who were invited to create dishes using local traditions and ingredients.
I loved Alberto Bittu from Trattoria del Gallo. who celebrated the event with a traditional dish
Manzo all’Olio di Rovato, slowly cooked beef paired with polenta.
Alberto Bittu. The traditional Manzo all Olio , literally beef at oil
Fabio Abbattista Chef at the deluxe Bistrò de L’Albereta,
served a crusted bread with lavarello fish, that I found a little too dry.
Fabio Abbattista . Crusted bread with lavarello fish
Fabio Abbattista from Bistrò de l’Albereta
What about vegan? 
The answer was Alessandro Cappotto, with a very interesting mini quinoa burger
with fava beans and cream of lettuce.
Vegan guys went crazy for it.
Matteo Cocchetti from Dispensa Pani e Vini Franciacorta
The most curious?
The back cold spaghetti with Monte Isola Island trout caviar and goat ricotta, created by Matteo Cocchetti from Dispensa Pani e Vini Franciacorta.
I loved the vision and the fantasy of Fabrizio Albini
from the legendary Cristallo Hotel in Cortina d’Ampazzo.
Fabrizio trasformed the traditional manzo all’olio into a mini burger,perfect solution
for a street food that respect the history of the Franciacorta cuisine
Fabrizio Albini from the legendary Cristallo Hotel in Cortina d’Ampazzo trasformed the traditional manzo all’olio into a miniburger
Simone Gaibina from Trattoria da Gina served a home made Franciacorta wine raviolo. Andrea Martinelli from Trattoria Muliner made a delicious summer risotto with Lake fish,
Simone Gaibina from Trattoria di Gina Home made Franciacorta raviolo
Andrea Martinelli from Muliner . Summer risotto with lake fish
Ennio Zanoletti from Hostaria Uva Rara, went for a panini (actually I should call it panino) with ham,tomatoe sauce,cicory and bacon chips,
Lorenzo Cogo, the youngest Michelin Star Chef of the event, prepared (and burned my mouth) a quite unexpected spicy Tacoq, that followed indeed the ‘street food’ theme of the Festival, but didn’t seduced me.
Lorenzo Cogo making a spicyTacoq
My ‘Master of Invention Award’ goes to Piercarlo Zanotti
Piercarlo Zanotti Cappuccini Cucina San Francis.Potatoe cream local sardine,trout eggs and Franciacorta oll
who combined a soft cloud of potatoes cream to the savory taste of local sardines and trout eggs, baptized by few drops of Franciacorta oil. 
Talking about fish a deserved. bravissino. goes to Stefano Cerveni from Due Colombe al Borgo antico.Its stewer of oven roasted local tinch was like eating paradise.
Stefano Cerveni from Due Colombe al Borgo Antico An oven cooked skewer of local tench fish
Finally Vittorio Fusari, from the Pont de Ferr in Milan, surprised me for the sophisticated taste of his Pesci (fishes) and Panelle (small breads originally from Sicily fritters),
Vitorio Fusari Pesci e Panelle
Vittorio, a man with a great sense of humor, told me that his dish was kinda a tribute to Jesus Christ’s legend of the loaves and fishes and ..to the next door Christo’s installation on the Lake Iseo.
Vittorio Fusari. A classy dish from the Chef of Pont de Ferr in Milan
The 2017 Franciacirta Festival will be back next year
. If you are into good food and excellent wines, mark it in your calendar.
Here info
http://www.franciacorta.net/en/festival/
Christo, the art, the lake and…the beef
A traditional ‘manzo all’olio’with polenta Photo Cesare Zucca ©2016
The Floating Piers Photo Andre’ Grossman © Christo 2105
Check my article for ZesterDaily
http://zesterdaily.com/world/travel/christos-floating-piers-connect-food-and-art-in-italy/
ROSALINA, UNREAL MEMORIES OF A REAL LIFE
The set is simple: a banch, a red balloon, an elderly homeless woman who talks in grammelot alternating French, Italian, Milanese, English
Her stories are real or false…It doesn’t matter. I loved the rewinding of the tape of past events by mixing truth and fiction, the life of the living and the dead, until the present.
The still elegant Bag Lady brings out moments life, carrier, travels, lovers, not to mention a very persona interpretation of the every single sign of the horoscope according to his penis…The 70 minutes monologue of Je Me fut is brilliantly performed by Rosalina Neri, notorious back in the 50′ and 60’as the Italian bombshell Marylln Monroe lookalike.
Neri, a former renowned opera soprano , sings and tells stories through vivid song such as Hymme à l’amour, Autumn Leaves, Ma Mi (a traditional milanese song, probably her best performance) among any others, with the help of the talented Nicola Nastos at the keyboard.
I found a little static the direction, signed by Cristina Pezzoli who co-wrote the piece, and did’t frame the emotional temper of the Diva. Lights and coreography (or any moves that the still flamoyant Diva could have done) are none.
Applauses and emotions, starting from a tender Rosalina’s tier..
At Teatro Franco Parenti till June 26 
FRANCIACORTA FESTIVAL. EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY !
The territory of Franciacorta is a section of the Province of Brescia
in the Region of Lombardy
The annual Franciacorta Festival will entertain again his visitors with a two days
tour de force of exquisite food and superb wines.
Saturday 25 will be dedicated to the discovery of the territory, its wines,
its products and its food. 
Photo N.Tirelli
The wineries will organize little events, guided tours and tastings during the day, while in the evening the best restaurants, diners, farms and the Strada del Franciacorta venues will offer their menu, dedicated to local food and wine culture.
A legendary Franciacorta Brut , the exquisite 61 Berlucchi 
Photo N.Tirelli
On Sunday 26 June, from 11 a.m to 5 p.m. the lawn of the magnificent Palazzo Monti della Corte di Nigoline will host a spectacular . A tasting bar will be set up, where over 60 local wineries will offer tastings of various types of Franciacorta:, while street food delicacies by great chefs and pizza masters. 
The € 20,00 ticket includes: 4 Tokens, Wine glass and wine glass pouch ,Water, Coffee
Free“Refill” packages (available on site for those who already have the ticket)
3 tokens € 15, 6 tokens € 25, 15 tokens € 50Photo N.Tirelli
The address is Via Alessandro Volta, 2 – Nigoline di Corte Franca (BS)
More info at http://www.franciacorta.net/en/festival/
LUKAS GRAHAM: ROME TONIGHT, THEN THE WORLD
First Italian date for Lukas Graham Band at Carroponte Center, Milan.
I was surprise to see not a big crowd , but made the concert even more intimate , colloquial and definitely grand. Lukas loves to talk to the public, to entertain, to be cool. “This is our first concert in Italy and the first one not sold out, but that’s ok , we ‘ll love to play for you, we would like to thank you for coming .
” A humble, gentle friendly performer, who like to talk of family, memories, personal stories, dreams, food and to cheer with a drink.The band, an amazing voice and , of course. There is a great companionship between Lukas and his band, drummer Mark Falgren, bassist Magnus Larsson, keyboardist Kasper Daugaard and a great session of saxophone and trumpets that brings to stage rhythm n blues atmosphere.
Many hits, starting from the opening Better Than Yourself that echoes Beethoven’s Sonata au clair de lune , Welcome to my funeral, Strip no more, Mama said,
We love Italy , probably the one country in the world where you have lunch…before working. We love to see the main church in the city we play in. So far the Cathedrals in Milan and Colone are our favorite, but hey, tomorrow will be in Rome…His love for father Eugene whom Lukas describes as My father. My mentor. My best friend became a strong reference like in Don’t you worry about me , You are not there and the super famous
7 Years, one the most beautiful song of the season, that I would not be surprised ( and I wish) to see it crowned as Best Song of The Year in the next Grammy Awards.
Lukas Graham will play shows across the globe through the summer
reaching Europe, the USA and Australia
Tonight Rome at Rock in Roma , Via Appia Nuova, 1245
Here the next shows in Europe
MILAN MEN COLLECTION 2017. ISAIA TAKES YOU TO CAPRI
Gallery
This gallery contains 29 photos.
Blue sky, gray sky, sun, rain, even a hailstorm…. A dramatic weather palette that was greatly pairing the palette of Isaia Spring / Summer 2017 that feeds on bright shades of color between the sky and sea. A compendium of … Continue reading
…..CHRISTO IN ITALY….. THE ART, THE LAKE, THE WALK AND… THE BEEF
World-renowned. Artist Christo nd his wife, the late Jeanne-Claude,
created many spectacular temporary large-scale artworks from wrapping in silver fabric the Reichstag building in Berlin and the Pont Neuf bridge in Paris, to building a 25-mile fabric fence across Northern California, to installing 1,340 giant blue umbrellas across the Sato River valley in Japan and 1,760 giant yellow ones in Tejon Pass, California.
In New York more than four million visitors experienced the amazing trill of 7500 gates saffron-coloured fabric panels decorating a spectacular 23 miles walk in Central Park.
The Gates at Central Park Photo Cesare Zucca
Their last project ‘The Floating Piers’ is taking place in Italy at the beautiful Lake Iseo till July 3th. It is an amazing 52 feet wide pathway on the water from the town of Sulzano to the Monteisola Island and continuing along pedestrian roads from Peschiera to Sensole, then reachingto the San Paolo Island.
The floating Piers at Lake Iseo , Italy Photo- Wolfgang Volz © 2016 Christo
The piece of work has a total length of 2,7 miles. The artist describes the sensation of strolling along the floating piers as “walking on the back of a whale” and yes, it is a long walk indeed. Probably at the end we’ ll be hungry and looking to taste some local, traditional, truly popular food. Just check around, along the lakeside promenade, there are many osteria where you can enjoy the most traditional dish,
manzo all’olio di Rovato,(literally ‘Rovato beef in oil’)
The traditional ‘manzo all’olio’ served with polenta © Cesare Zucca 2015
.Rovato is a small town located in the Franciacorta hills, close to the lake to be paired to a great Franciacorta brut such as the Berlucchi ’61 Nature Millesimato
a multi-faceted aromatic sparklyn white wine that combines
the freshness of Chardonnay and the minerality of Pinot Noir
As suggested from Michelin starred Chef Vittorio Fusari, born and raised between the Franciacorta wineries and a true philosopher of the local cuisine. On June 25th, Vittorio will present his own version of the manzo all’olio.
Manzo all’olio inteepreted by The Vittorio Fusari-Photo-Masaka-Zukurihara
For more info http://www.berlucchi.it/
STALE BREAD? HERE 6 TRADITIONAL WAYS ITALIANS GET COOKING.
“Never throw out leftover bread!”
our Milanese mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers used to exclaim.
Milanese cuisine has its roots in simpler traditions,
and that includes reusing old bread to make exquisite dishes.
Like these delicious polpette di mortadella 
So if you happen to have bought too much bread ,you have two options:
Freeze it while still fresh and then remove it a few hours before use,
or listen to my granny and try one of these six Milanese dishes.
Check my article on ZesterDaily
http://zesterdaily.com/world/cuisine/stale-bread-6-ways-frugal-italians-get-cooking/
CASA ANGELINA — Praiano, Italy
CASA ANGELINA is a contemporary interpretation of the Italian Riviera; an innovative, intimate retreat of 43 guestrooms. Although just a few minutes’ drive from the destination village of Positano, 
Casa Angelina’s fishing village location immerses guests in an off-the-radar authenticity that occupies a prime spot on the Amalfi coast.
Resting high up on the cliffs, the converted fishermen’s homes look to the future with an immaculately minimalist design complimented by exquisite Murano glass sculptures. 
Aperitivi are served at the on-trend Marrakech Bar, and the rooftop gourmet restaurant—Un Piano nel Cielo—offers sweeping views of the Gulf of Salerno. 
Guests are also encouraged to make use of the restorative spa and exclusive access to Casa Angelina´s own beach, La Gavitella, to fully appreciate la bella vita. 
designhotels.com/casa-angelina
Bottura at Berlucchi Palazzo Lana. We got the menu!
Last week we wrote….
No news yet about the menu…but the NTT will discover it soon!
and the NTT did it!
Here the amazing menu that Massimo Bottura created for this unique night
Let’s start with “Una lenticchia meglio del caviale”: A ‘better than caviar’ lentil.
A gamelike where lentils lie down over ice with acid cream and dill.
“La parte croccante di una lasagna”, the lasagna crunchy side.
Both dishes will be paired with Cellarius Rosé 2011, Franciacorta
Then another Bottura must, the answer to the dilemma should Tortellini be served with broth or crème fraîche? “Compromesso Storico: Tortellini in crema densa di Parmigiano Reggiano”,
Chef Massimo is coming out with a surprising solution.. paired with Berlucchi ’61 Nature 2009, ‘A true expression of our territory, says PR Cristina Ziliani, combining Chardonnay to Pinot Nero. More surprises, from the “Psychedelic Spin Painted Veal, not Flame Grilled” paired with Palazzo Lana Extrême 2007 “Caesar salad in bloom” to the “Oops! Mi è caduta la crostata al limone…” My pie felt down… A lemon cake, zabaione vervain sorbet, bergamot e candied fruit.
Franciacorta, Friday, July 1 2016
It will be a special night at the luxurious 17 Century
Palazzo Lana Berlucchi 
An exclusive dinner hosted by the emperors of the renowned
Italian sparkling wine Berlucchi, King Arturo Ziliani and Queen Cristina,
with a menu created by His Majesty three Michelin stars Chef
Massimo Bottura
of Osteria Francescana Modena. 
Bottura, proclaimed # 2 in the world by prestigious The World’s 50 Best Restaurants,
will offer his ingenious creations paired with
Vintage, the Reserves and the best Berlucchi Franciacorta.
For more info http://www.berlucchi.it/speciale-eventi/#visita-9.
Wine ? South Tyrol is waiting for you.
300 cellars, 100 artisans of Italian taste. 150 international wine producers!
Merano is hosting the annual WineFestival,
an international wine&food bonanza, one of the most exclusive places and occasions for all industry operators, where the recurring keyword is always “excellence”.
In addition You will find the best Italian wines produced organically, biodynamically and naturally, the Beer Passion experience, where the artisan flavour becomes beer, Consortium: the Italian protection consortia are presented within the Gourmet Arena, charity Wine Master Classes. where the revenues of which are given to charity and spectacular show cooking among,seminars and workshops for discussion on the future of wine in Italy and Europe.
November 5th-10th
More info at
www.meranowinefestival.com
Sciacchetrà: it’s time to toast !
Imagine: a secret bottle kept in the cave for years (sometimes more than 30). It’s the rich and velvety wine called sciacchetrà. This aged treasure resurges in occasion of a wedding as the greatest gift that the family of the groom could offer to the bride’s family. I had the privilege of opening a bottle than was more than 10 years old. It reminded me of a rich passito straw wine, sweet and liqueur-like.
The color is intense: from golden shades to amber. The taste is a fruity, floral bouquet that reminds of a Mediterranean garden: scents of nuts, apricot jam, nectarine, vanilla, chestnut honey and spices.
Where can you drink the best sciacchetra’?
Cinque Terre, a piece of the Ligurian coastline, just West of the border with Tuscany. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are five multi-colored borghi (villages) overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
They are pretty close to each other, a few minutes distance by car or train. Better yet, a boat will take you back and forth, making an unforgettable five stop mini cruise. If you like to hike, you can also reach them via a beautiful trail and enjoy spectacular sea views.
Spectacular from the terrace at La Torretta Guesthouse www.torrettas.com
CHRISTO IS BACK! HERE HOW TO WALK ON THE WATER …5 STARS STYLE
June 18 – July 3, 2016
If you are going to see the Christo new art installation FLOATING PIERS
at Lake D’Iseo , Italy….you better be prepared.
Is going to be VERY crowded. Cars are not allowed, so you have to find alternative ways to reach Sulzano, where is the departure. Here how to get there
Here a 5 stars way to organize your visit and to spend (very appropriate word, considering the very high budget you need for Hotes) your FLOATING PIERS EXPERIENCE.
Since You ‘ll be the area I strongly suggests to visit the legendary Berlucchi Cellar , the vinery and Palazzo Lana
Berlucchi is definetely the Italian champagne ( or even better than the french!)
They have 4 different limited people tours from Euro 15.00 up . The tours include a wine tasting and the local food tasting. Reservation a must.
Here info http://www.berlucchi.it/en/special-events/
Here the itinerary I suggest
Train to Brescia (from Milan is about 1 hour)
If you have suitcases get off in Brescia ( which is also e beautiful town) and check in at beautiful Hotel Vittoria
If you don’t have suitcases get off in Brescia and get a local train (same station, usually 10 minutes waiting time) ) from Brescia to Borgonaro (20 minutes and a very nice panorama view) get off at Bordonaro and walk (10 minutes) to Palazzo Lana for your visit Berlucchi experience.
So, You will have a glimpse of the land of Franciacorta ( famous for its wines)
After the Berlucchi experience, get train to Sulzano,, walk to the Piers. (is a short way and train is the best way to get there, no car will be allowed)
Enjoy the Piers , then get the train back to Brescia and then to your prior location.
Another sleeping possibility would be L’ Albareta Relais&Chateaux, venue with restaurant of Gualtiero Marchesi , without doubt the most famous and most recognized Chef in Italy.
It ‘s a dream location, the trip will be a little more complicated. because you have to arrange with a car to get there and then to get to the Piers. To enjoy Christo new creation, no tickets will be necessary to see, enter and enjoy its art. The project will be completely free of charge.
The Three Penny Opera at the legendary Piccolo Teatro Strehler of Milano
This is the year of Brechtian celebrations, 
The legendary Piccolo Teatro Strehler of Milano hosts a new production of
The Three Penny Opera. Twenty actors, a superb staging and lighting, a full symphony orchestra and the clever direction of Damiano Michieletto an Italian opera director known for His innovative productions at several leading opera houses and festivals including his Olivier Award-winning production of Leoncavallo’s thrilling tragic opera of a violent jealousy.
The story (that Michieletto starts from the end) tells about Mackie Messer, notorious criminal (Marco Foschi) who marries Polly Peachum (Maria Roveran) without the permission of Peachum, the girl’s father, (Peppe Servillo) the one who controls all the London’s beggars, here turned into migrants in orange life jackets and suggesting a mass drowning tragedy.
Eventually Mackie manages to get a conviction but shortly before the execution, a Queen’s Messenger grace the accused and awarded him the title of baronet. I love to mention the amazing staging of Jenny’s song sung by the incomparable Almodovar’s muse
Rossy De Palma surrounded by male hands.
A great ensemble of young actors not to mention the perfect harmony between sounds and visual, thanks to the Sets by Paolo Fantin, costumes by Carla Teti, lighting by Alessandro Carletti, choreography by Chiara Vecchi and the Orchestra Sinfonica of Milano Giuseppe Verdi conducted by Giuseppe Grazioli.
At Piccolo Teatro of Milano till June 11.
For tickets and info 
INTERVIEW – MOSES PENDLETON & MOMIX
YESTERDAY AND TODAY
The first Italian debut took place in 1980 at Barclays Teatro Nazionale in Milan. After 35 years, the theater has hosted the world premiere of Momix FOREVER, 
spectacular collage of choreographed by Moses Pendleton, the charismatic creator of the company. The show is not only a retrospective of famous pieces, but also the presentation of four new creations that Moses was able to enter into a continuous environment in which every new piece depends on the previous one and is linked to the one that follows it. 
“I like to share my day at the fixed time, where industry long walks during which I take pictures and inspirations, photographer, tour videos, record my thoughts and my emotions” 
“My mind needs precise timing to channel the emotions and suggestions of what I see. It ‘s like walking into a museum that presents a different work every day, something new that affects us immediately the attention and that, almost an alchemical process turns into a choreographic movement.
Momix, en los Teatros del Canal.
“” I’m looking, I explore, suddenly metaphors, stirring moving objects and creating new elements in the bodies of my dancers involved in elaborate choreographies that require a perfect physical and great athleticism ‘ 
“” my muse is nature. In Italy, for example, the beautiful fields of flowers in Tuscany and the peaks of the Dolomites “
http://www.rivistamusical.com/interview-moses-pendleton/
nontouristytourist.com 