Here my article for Zester Daily
http://zesterdaily.com/world/peak-cuisine-7-dishes-at-heart-of-european-mountain-food
Do you enjoy the traditional mountain cuisine?
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Milan gets greedy for food. MILANO GOLOSA 2015 will satisfy everyone appetite.
3 days of gourmet food, cooking shows, meetings and…did I say food?
That’s the succulent program of the 4th edition of Milano Golosa, a gourmet bonanza
that will invade Milan Oct 3-5 at Palazzo Del Ghiaccio, located in Via PiranesI.
This annual event, created by Davide Paolini, the soul of the respected www.gastronauta.it
will take to an extraordinary journey. 
Before the show starts, the program includes several “Fuori Milano Golosa“ events where great chefs will create new and traditional dishes.
Amazing locations too, starting from the trendy furniture store Dilmos, where 7 producers will offer the best of their production during an aperitivo, that will combine excellences between design and food.
Then to the next door I Salentini Restaurant, located in Via Solferino 44, which is hosting a tasting menu featuring specialties made with local product from the Salento area, including the celebrated pasticciotto, a traditional sweet made of shortcrust pastry filled with cream or chocolate.
If you want to know ( and taste) more of Milano Golosa, check info at
www.milanogolosa.it
VOILA’ MILAN GOURMANDE! Milano Golosa Oct 3th-5th 2015
Milano Golosa opened today and it will indulge your palate till Monday Oct 5th
Yesterday, the annual food bonanza had several delicious preview events.
I picked up the chic APERITIVO at Dilmos, furniture store, that marked an unusual encounter between design and culinary.
Seven producers were offering their 7 treasures. 
Here they are:
testa in cassetta from Salumeria Giacobbe,
castelmagno d’alpeggio cheese Terre di Castelmagno, 
caciocavallo lucano cheese Latteria Salvia Maria, 
Cerignola olives by Agricola Fratepietro, 
home made bread by Matera Pane&Pace, 
To drink prosecco Docg di Valdobbiadene Bisol 
and …the best of the best the amazing onion and saffron pre-desserts dolcetti by Opera Waiting,
I ended the evening at the close by I Salentini restaurant.
To my taste, some dishes were excellent, some less appealing.
I started with a very salty capocollo, a nice palette of Salento oil&vinegar marinated vegetables (loooved the artichokes and the sun dried tomatoes) 
followed by a disappointingly overcooked pasta (the super nice owner Antonio suspected a probable kitchen faux pas ).
The hit of the night? Great paparine, spontaneous green growing in the olive trees territory, stirred the traditional way, with celline, minuscule black olives, chilly, garlic and Salento olive oil.
Finally a rich and delicious pasticciotto, a typical cake from Lecce and its surrounding areas, made with a sweet crust and pastry cream and a great white wine Moscato Salento Estella.
Now…curious about paparine?
Experiment your italian and check at 0’45”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnQnR8HHkuo and how how to cook them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPAFQvPx-6Y
For more info and a visit ( this year or maybe in 2016) check
http://www.milanogolosa.it/
MILAN EXPO 2015 Wine Pavillion, a true multi-sensorial experience. Tasting Settesoli.
Great surprise at Expo 2015!
I visited the Wine Pavilion boasts a wide array of communications tools, as it narrates the history of wine-production.
The exhibit brings all five senses into play, with taste taking priority. Some of the best-qualified sommeliers are on hand to arrange wine-tasting experiences blending tastes with aromas.
I attended to the Cantine Settesoli tasting hosted by charming PR Roberta Urso.
My favorite wines? 
Inzolia, a very reasonable price for a great white wine. Light and fruity, just the way I like it. Roberta suggested fatty fish such as halibut or dory with potatoes and cherry tomatoes to go with.
Grillo, with a distinct aroma of jasmine and citrus.To be served with grilled vegetables, medium seasoned cheese, legumes soups, raw meats.
The legendary Nero D’Avola with its ruby red, and a brightly intense taste, smooth and warm, with a distinctive scent of marasca, local red cherry, excellent with raw meat and grilled white meat.
The Mandrarossa wines are the toprange of Cantine Settesoli.
They come from the careful selection of both the vineyards and the vines, together with the harmonious combination of local culture, traditional farming and winemaking technology.
The tasting ended up with an amazing finale.
The “meditation” chardonnay CALADEITUFI 
Mandrarossa Vendemmia Tardiva, produced in a small vineyard that slopes down toward the coast, between sandy dunes and wild vegetation. the breeze refreshes the grapes that are left to ripen on the plant. Deliciously perfect as a “solo” wine or accompanied by light cheeses, desserts, dry fruits.
Settesoli is the largest wine company in Sicily, Twenty million bottles are made in a year and they are sold in 35 countries. “Settesoli is a stellar constellation, said proudly Cantine the general manager Salvatore Li Petri, each producer is a star”.
The unstoppable Italian PRISCILLA, the musical.
You know the story: two drag queens and a transgender woman travel and make trouble in the Australian desert on board of the Priscilla bus.
The cult movie became a musical performed all over the world.
From London West End to Broadway, the “Priscillamania” invaded Brazil, Stockholm, Greece, The Philippines, and Spain, just to mention few.
I have to say that the most glamorous Priscilla event was the one held in Milan, Italy.
It started in an amazing tent, build for the occasion at Fabbrica del Vapore, 
featuring not only a great stage, but also many vendors selling Priscilla memorabilia,make up, boas, wigs, games and much more, Not to mention the irresistible “stick your head” posters 
that transform audience into a funny Priscilla look alike.
Audience used to go before the show to have fun and stay after to get familiar with the cast in their dressing rooms. Priscilla success was unstoppable, after four months of sold out performances, it moved to Teatro Arcimboldi, the younger brother of legendary Teatro alla Scala, then celebrated the EXPO 2015 from June to October at the historical Teatro Manzoni in Milan, Priscilla-dressed up for the occasion, serving a yummy hoers d’oeuvres “happy hour”. Resident Director Matteo Gastaldo and resident music supervisor Fabio Serri conduct a stellar cast, featuring great performers, starting the three “primadonnas“ Cristian Ruiz (in the double role of Tick and Mitzi), who studied at NY Movie Center and Beatrice Bracco school in Rome and worked with acclaimed choreographer such as Debbie Allen and Susan Stroman. Marco D’Alberti (who plays Bernadette), an eclectic performer who’s carrier spans from dancing at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza and Teatro Alla Scala ballet schools, to singing acting and modern dancing. Finally the acrobatic Riccardo Sinisi, he is only 23 years old and already the…“veteran” of the show, since he debuted as Adam (among as the flamboyant, adorable Felicia) in the first Priscilla tour, back in 2013. The show boasts more than 500 costumes originally created by Oscar winners Tim Chappel and Lizzy Gardiner, a new number where the audience is invited to perform on stage , and of course…the Bus Priscilla.
I told you, this musical would not stop.
More shows are scheduled at Teatro Brancaccio in Rome and Teatro Coccia in Novara.
To know more about the Italian Priscilla tour www.priscillailmusical.it
That’s me as a patriotic Priscilla…lol
Mummenschanz. THE MUSICIANS OF THE SILENCE
Here it comes again. The magic world of Mummenschanz hypnotizes one more time.
The group of four mimes debuted last night at Teatro Carcano in Milan, Italy.
Despite some technical issues, the show captured the audience, as usual.
The performance started with two huge hands 
that opened the curtain, flirted with the audience and finally met each other to give the green light to the 80 minutes show, that boasts some Mummenschanz favorite moments and features some new numbers.
In a totally black stage the group of four mimes, bring to life an extraordinary variety of imaginary creatures who fight, love, care, have fun and …reach.
There is often a destination to land on, a goal to finalize, a mission to persue in the those creatures world. Like the paper toilet couple (she is in pink, he is in blue) 
that seams to flirt, or the funny Pac Man lookalike who finally reach the top of a table. 
Searching, and reaching, a comfort zone, either they are flying or folding their bodies. One of the best moments is the classic encounter between two masked creatures, which keep changing their plastic faces, in a never ending metamorphosis, transforming themselves into animals and humans.
The company will tour around the world. Lots of dates in Italy and Usa,
Check Mummenschanz international tour at http://www.mummenschanz.com/en/
Photos Courtesy of Mummenschanz.com
Vienna. When culinary tradition is kept alive with panache.
HALLOWEEN FASHION
2015 VENICE FILM FESTIVAL MINGLING WITH THE STARS AT PG’S
LOOOVE good movies , love good food, love Venice!
Here my article in ZesterDaily.com
http://zesterdaily.com/cooking/eat-learn-mingle-venice-film-festival/
FASHIONABLY CHINESE SPRING 2015 AT THE MET GALA
From May 7 through August 16, 2015 The Costume Institute’s spring 2015 exhibition will be Chinese Whispers, Art, Film, and Fashion. The exhibition will explore how China has fueled the creative imagination for centuries, high fashion will be juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, paintings, porcelains, and other art, as well as Chinese films to reveal ongoing dialogues between East and West, past and present.
Save the date!
Fano, Italy. Come and taste the best “brodetto”of the world!
Brodetto is an elaborate traditional Italian fish soup
Fano is a beautiful seaside town in the Marche region.
A good reason to check the FESTIVAL INTERNAZIONALE DEL BRODETTO, an international bonanza of delicious fish dishes prepared by Italian and International top Chefs. In top of that, you’ll find cooking shows, wines, products, music and the warm welcome of the people from Fano.
Sept 10th-14th
For more info check www.festivalbrodetto.it
Amazing Daphne is the new bloodthirsty Sweeney Todd
Two-time Tony nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega will star in the new solo drama Empanada Loca, Inspired by the legend of bloodthirsty Fleet Street barber Sweeney Todd, It is the story of Dolores, a drug dealer, ex-con, and masseuse who lives under Manhattan in an abandoned subway tunnel.
September 30-November 8 at the Bank Street Theatre in New York with opening night scheduled for October 21.
info: http://labtheater.org/events/empanada-loca/)
Going to Venice? Chef Luca unites yesterday and tomorrow
Here my article in Zester Daily
http://zesterdaily.com/world/in-venice-chef-unites-yesterday-and-tomorrow/
Oslo, four museums not to be missed
Astrup Fearnley
A wonderful collection of modern and contemporary art.
Astrup Fearnley Museum Photo@Cesare Zucca
Designed by Renzo Piano, is inspired by the elements that surround it, the steel cables resemble the masts of boats, the use of wood brings us back into the forests, the silver-gray facade looks like a is a prelude to a winter storm.
Astrup Fearnley Photo@Cesare Zucca
Nobel Peace Center.
Interactive museum celebrating the annual Nobel Peace Prize, which rewards the dialogue and cooperation to a safer world. It was awarded to some legendary champions of peace, as Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa.
Nobel Price Center Photo@Cesare Zucca
Munch Museum and National Gallery
Emotional appointment with the iconic “Scream” by Edvard Munch. The artist painted four copies. One is the National Gallery that hosts exhibitions of contemporary art and the other reigns at the Much Museum. Not to be missed.
Edvard Munch “The Scream”
Why Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Christopher Nolan prefer to shoot in 70mm?
Because nothing is comparable to the crisp, bright images and rich sound of 70mm film. . It traditionally offered richer sound, with more space on the soundtrack as well. It is the ideal film format for ambitious cinematic spectacles. 
This summer, Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, will present See It Big! 70mm, every weekend from August 7 through 30, featuring eight 70mm masterpieces
Interstellar (2014) The Master (2012), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), 
West Side Story (1961), Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Brainstorm (1983), and Tron (1982),
BOLOGNA: STREET FOOD BONANZA… WITH A TOUCH OF USA
Vidiciatico Street Food will bring some the most delicious traditional Italian specialties
in the streets of Bologna.
Il Borgo antico
stuffed olives from Ascoli Piceno
The ancient town will be filled with the aromas and flavors of authentic street food including lamprey sandwich, tripe salad, stuffed olives from Ascoli Piceno, borlenghi pesto, Modena fried dumplings, kebabs Bolognese style and the succulent “porchetta” from Ariccia.
Don’t forget to try the fish skewers from Rimini with american barbecue sauce, which will add an international touch to the event.
“porchetta” from Ariccia
In August:
Saturday 29
Sunday 30
“Happy Hour” on the grass with…Leonardo
Milan i is famous for its “aperitivo-happy hour” 
a feast of drinks, cocktails and wines, usually escorted by a generous buffet , tapas and pass trough finger food.
One of the best aperitivo is promoted by the flamboyant socialite Maurice Dotta, who has the ability to discover hidden places and amazing locations and transform them into a fashionable happy hour venue. Here people can meet, dance, drink and of course taste delicious food and hoers d’oeuvres from the local Chef. Maurice latest creature is called Apero and it’s located in a green oasis in the heart of Milan: the Orti di Leonardo Da Vinci, the beautiful garden of the 15th century Palazzo delle Stelline.
The party starts at 7.00 pm and goes till late. Guests are invited to relax on the grass, decorated with colorful blankets, comfy pillows and beach umbrellas. The Dj is spinning an interesting mixture of classics, retro and contemporary music, from the disco era to the newest avant-garde.
The rich buffet is vegan friendly. I tried a vegetable couscous, spiced with yellow curry and an excellent farro salad with beans, carrots and red peppers.
Prices: Drinks are 7 Euros, the buffet 5 Euros. If you prefer a seated dinner, the Orti di Leonardo Restaurant has outdoor and offers a small menu with appetizers, entrees, fish and meat.
There II tried the tentacoli polpo, 
a tender grilled octopus served with pachino tomatoes and a mozzarella called burrata di Andria with arugula and San Marzano tomatoes over a bruschetta bread.
I also suggest the classic risotto Milanese with saffron pistils or the vegan friendly pasta paccheri di Gragnano with vegetables sauce. 
If you are into fish, try the tasty grilled branzino and vegetables. Not to mention the cotoletta alla milanese, a must for a venue that even Leonardo would have loved during his staying in Milan!
Photos by Margarita Zurcova
Etruscan horses will spread their wings in Tarquinia.
Saturday, July 4 at 9:00 am, in the National Archaeological Museum of Tarquinia will be inaugurated the Hall of Winged Horses, a precious Etruscan jewel,
symbol of the city and evocative reminder of past and present.
The winged horses will be on display in a new exhibition that brings them back to the origins, in the room that welcomed them after the discovery and is now again ready to celebrate its beauty.
For info and directions check
Museo Archeologico Nazionale Tarquinia
MOMIX: THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
Indulge the genius of Moses, an intense Italian tour and four amazing gifts.
35 years ago I had the enormous pleasure to discover Moses Pendleton’s MOMIX at its very first appearance in Milan, Italy.
If I remember well, the company counted then only four (maybe six) components including a very young Daniel Ezlarow.
It was one of the best evening I ever spent in a theatre, a breathless performance and a priceless new form of entertaining . I was amazed.
The morning after, I run to the office of Per Lui, a gorgeously trendy fashion magazine published by Italian Conde’Nast.
I begged, literally, the young editor in Chief (at the time, a young Franca Sozzani, who is today the powerful Editor in Chief of Italian Vogue) “Franca, I saw a new group, we must publish a story, the show is extraordinary…” I was so pushy that I got a photographer and we went to shoot MOMIX for their first ever feature in an Italian magazine. I so wish I still had that issue…
Well, Per Lui closed few years later, but MOMIX didn’t.
Au contraire, they became famous all over the world.
I spend long time in New York and I don’t miss the chance to see them
at the Joyce Theatre in Chelsea.
Each time the miracle happens. Illusion, antigravity, magic, love, art, poetry, lights and visuals are melting together in moments that you have lived only on your dreams.
35 years later MOMIX are back at the Teatro Nazionale in Milan with a collage-performance appropriately titled
W MOMIX FOREVER.
“I wanted to celebrate the anniversary with something new, said Moses in the press conference, so I created “DADDY LONG LEG”, LIGHT REIGNS”, “AEREA”, “PAPER TRAILS” 
four new pieces that I mixed with moments from OPUS CATUS, BOTHANICA, reMIX SUN FLOWER MOON, all in one performance to represent novelty and continue the MOMIX vision, celebrating the past and testing the future”
Photo: Max Pucciariello
Here where you can enjoy
W MOMIX FOREVER, an encounter that you DON’T want to miss!
6/25-6/28 Milan, Italy, Barclays Teatro
7/21-7/22 Parma, Italy, Piazza Duomo
7/25 Orbetello, Italy, Terrarossa Golf Resort
7/28-8/12 Verona, Italy, Teatro Romano
8/12-8/13 Pietrasanta, Italy , Teatro La Versiliana
The Italian tour is scheduled to continue after summer in
Torino, Vicenza, Mestre, Bologna, Rome, Genova
For more info check
www.mosespendleton.com
ITALIAN VACATION? BRING THE KIDS!
Welcome to a magic place considered the most pristine of
the entire Dolomite group, today UNESCO World Heritage:
the Friuli Venezia Giulia Dolomites
the Friuli Venezia Giulia Dolomites
Photo:Mario Verin
“Friulian Dolomites” were built for families!
That’s the motto of Club Product Family Mountain Experience, with which the Agency has collected TurismoFVG accommodation facilities with adequate characteristics to welcome guests of all ages
What should I expect?
The club includes hotels, farms, guest houses, rooms or apartments suitable to accommodate families, with recreational areas and an amazing recreation staff that can provide information and advice on children’s activities, places to visit, events, and useful practical information.
The club includes hotels, farms, guest houses, rooms or apartments suitable to accommodate families, with recreational areas and an amazing recreation staff that can provide information and advice on children’s activities, places to visit, events, and useful practical information.
Do you whant more?
Upon request, you ”ll find babysitting service, breakfast buffet, a restaurant or in the immediate vicinity, flexibility mealtimes, the presence of pottery and materials for the comfort of the little ones too table.
What will I find?
Unspoiled nature, history, art, traditions and local products are the essential ingredients of the proposed tourist season in the mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia,
Unspoiled nature, history, art, traditions and local products are the essential ingredients of the proposed tourist season in the mountains of Friuli Venezia Giulia,
Small villages, shops and carpenters, blacksmiths forges and mills,ancient crafts.
What will I do?
Hiking, canyoning, tree climbing, hiking with a donkey or horse are just some of the many outdoor activities proposed, adapted and made accessible to children
What about local food?
Traditional and contemporary gastronomy, simple yet rich in flavors, with specialties worthy of PDO and Slow Food.Great soups, fresh mushroom with polenta, lots of fruits&vegetables, river fish, and more, more, more…
Are you ready to discover this paradise?
For more information visit: http://www.turismofvg.it/Family-Experiencez
For more information visit: http://www.turismofvg.it/Family-Experiencez
nontouristytourist.com 