ITALY? ABRUZZO? ANDIAMO!

I Found an exquisite hotel in  Santo Stefano Di Sessanio, Abruzzo, Italy
its name is Sextantio Albergo Diffuso, a smattering of hotel rooms spread throughout a preserved medieval village nestled in the Abruzzo region of Italy.ImageProxy.mvcThe local farms have ancient Mediterranean varieties of spelt, lentils, and garbanzo beans growing on the rolling hills in much the same way they did over 3,000 years ago. Recipes going back generations are used in the hotel’s kitchen to serve up traditional Abbruzzese dishes in the private dining room.  camera-matrimoniale-albergo-diffuso-300x198

A stay here is an experience like no other. From the artisanal cheeses to the handmade soaps to the local tailors, this hotel encompasses everything the slow movement has come to represent.

www.designhotels.com/sextantio-albergo-diffuso

September vacation? Cous Cous Lovers? Your destination is San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily

SAM_4434 copyIn the enchanted land of Sicily, there  is a beautiful village by the blue sea :
San Vito Lo Capo.SAM_4573 copySAM_4571 copy
Every year San Vito hosts a huge culinary competition featuring great cous cous dishes from all over the world. SAM_4358 copy
This year France, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal, Tunisia, USA were dueling for the Cous Cous Awards.
Italy’s Chefs Andrea Provenzani e Giuseppe Salmeri won big time, and their recipe “my Sicily” got awarded twice by the popular and the technical jury.

The winner dish: amberjack, onions, Marsala, fennel pesto, pistachio and lemon, almond milk and coffee powder.

The winner: amberjack, onions, Marsala, fennel pesto, pistachio and lemon, almond milk and coffee powder.

 
The Award for the most original dish went to French Chef Marion Roger with Chiara Cilio who created an amazing verbena ice cream topped with a bittersweet cous cous.

A french "delicatesse": verbena ice cream with bittersweet couscous topping

A french “delicatesse”: verbena ice cream with bittersweet couscous topping. Awarded as most original

 

 

 

 

 

The best presentation award went to Ivory Coast native Abibata Konate, known as Mama Africa. who runs a small inn in Palermo. Her plate was throwing a message   of peace and integration, and showing a black hand and a red heart.

Mama Africa with best presentation winner dish

Mama Africa with best presentation winner dish

The feast continues all around the town.SAM_4408 copyFrom morning till late night, You can find everywhere traditional dishes, Sicilian pottery, local products, original handcrafts, great fish specialties and of course delicious cous cous. a lot of it, cooked by dozen of street vendors. SAM_4398 copy

 

The Rite of Tea in Venice

oriental ba 2A tea from Nepal? or from Africa? A tea flavored with jasmine? or mixed with toasted rice and corn blown down to the rare white tea: the Nepal Himalaya Shangri-La ?
From
October to March, from 15.30 to 17.30, the Oriental Bar at Metropole Hotel opens its doors to the city proposing the celebration of tea with established
collaboration of Dammann Frères French Tea House since 1825.
An indispensable opportunity to meet in a place where you can savor the atmosphere enveloping a tea mixture can become a valuable emotionoriental bar

Love, cuisine and curry? Tonight for the first time

Tonight Milan press preview of a movie just perfect fro those who (like me) love foody-movies. One of my favorite directors, Lasse Hallström (author of Chocolat) directs an ‘impeccable Helen Mirren (acting with a french accent)  in
‘Hundred-Foot Journey’ (translated into Italian with the funny title Love, cuisine and curry) Here’s the trailer (obvuiosly in the original version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEO1TWeM5JUlocandinapg1amore-cucina-e-curry-trailer-italiano-del-nuovo-film-di-lasse-hallstrom-con-helen-mirren-1

 

New Bianchi store in Milan. Cycles, sportwear, cakes and other delicacies.

The legendary Italian champion Fausto Coppi

The legendary Italian champion Fausto Coppi

The legendary Bianchi cycles celebrates its 130th anniversary with the opening the new innovative “Bianchi Cafè & Cycles” in Milan.SAM_4732 copySAM_4735 copy SAM_4742 copyA must go, if you love top quality bicycles, Italian taste and a sporty lifestyle.

SAM_4738 copySAM_4794 copy

 

 

 

 

 

The Milan location will provide a wide range of services, including bicycle shops, technical assistance, bike fitting and fined restaurant cafè.

For the press preview Genova’s Pasticceria Poldo served a delicious rupsberry semifreddo. 

Rupsberry semifreddo by Particceria Poldo in Genua.

Rupsberry semifreddo by Particceria Poldo in Genua.

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

poldook

Genua Poldo’s Chef Francesco Crocco

Poldo’s Chef Francesco Crocco whispered to me that he would impress the evening crowd with a chocolate fountain…

 

SAM_4724 copyFor the opening super Chef Davide Oldani, created some amazing hors d’oeuvre, including a tuna creme decorated with beetroot and fried capers

A superChef Oldani ctreation: tuna mousse with beetroot, arugula and fried capers

A superChef Oldani ctreation: tuna mousse with beetroot, arugula and fried capers

followed by the succulent Fregole al Caffe (the fregola is a toasted pasta with an earthy, nutty flavour) with rosemary oil, pears  and a zest of coffee.

Fregole with pears ,rosemary oil and a touch of coffee

Fregole with pears ,rosemary oil and a touch of coffee

 

 

Bianchi Cafè & Cycles
Via Cavallotti, Milan
www.bianchi.com

Cous Cous Fest in S.Vito Lo Capo. Bravi ragazzi!

Every year the beautiful Sicilian town of S.Vito Lo Capo hosts a huge Cous Cous Fest featuring a contest to award the best, the most original and the better looking
cous cous of the year.
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Experts and Chefs superstar from all over the world meet here to create and cook dozen of yummy dishes.in the kitchen  copySAM_4263 copy

The kitchen is a real battlefield, the temperature is heating up, the stress is on! Everybody is working hard. although I think that the “i veri eroi”
( the real heroes) should be considered the great guys from the Palermo.’s Institute Pietro Piazza coordinated by Professors Rosario Picone and Vincenzo Prinzivalli.

boy  copy 4   girl  copy                                                    Imagine a squad of young tireless, professional waiters and chef-assistantschef assistant copy able to prepare and serve more than 900 dishes during a grueling, nerve-wracking three-day competition..girls  copy
Always with a big smile on their faces.  Bravi ragazzi!
squad copy

 

 

MAESTRO FEURER AT THE PERMANENTE IN MILAN

Milan Fashion Week: A Week overflowing with silly fashion victims of the Bronx Padano, Useless “New Emerging Designersand thousands of wanna be.
Luckily tonight I went The the extraordinary exhibition of the legendary photographer Hans Feurer, a triumph of ALL images in film, spanning from 70s to 90s , no digital, no photoshop! HF

If You are in Milan
and
if you are a fan of  “real” photographic art , do not miss it! hf 2.Palazzo della Permanente , Via Turati.
with Hans Fuerer                                               Here I am with the great Maestro.

CONGRATULATIONS!

RHIÉ fashion-short was the big winner last night at the  Milan Fashion Film Festival!
3 Awards for Best Director, Best Art Direction and BEST FILM
Check this amazing video, starring Sonja Kinski, She couldn’t be as better choice for this thriller-like short.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wqsiPazPoY
Here Rhie’ with 3 Awards designed by Fornasetti ( Photo)
Rhie' with 3  winner of 3 Awards at the Milan Fashion Film FestivalAfter the FFF Award ceremony, I met her at the party. She is so fun !
with rhie'Check RHIE’collection at http://rhiestudio.com/

Stay at “LA TORRETTA”, Cinque Terre, Ligury

Aside

“LA TORRETTA”, Cinque Terre, Ligury

A gentle yet accurate reception, bottles of Italian prosecco and Cuban rum welcome you in one of the ten gorgeous sunny rooms that harmoniously mix a combination of antique and contemporary pieces.

My suite with a nice welcome! an iced bottle of prosecco

My suite with a nice welcome! an iced bottle of prosecco

SAM_3185 copyMost of them have balcony overlooking the vineyards to one side and the blue Mediterranean to the other. At breakfast time, the “buongiorno” , is a real “good morning” thanks to Gabriele’s Mamma who prepares the most delicious torte salate (salted cakes with fresh vegetables) and the succulent torta di riso ( a rice cake traditionally cooked every year con August 10th, but available here every morning! ). All this goodies enhance a generous breakfast with local cheeses, meats, home-made patisserie, fresh squeeze oranges.

Mamma does breakfast. Do not miss her "torte salate" and the traditional rice cake!

Mamma does breakfast. Do not miss her “torte salate” and the traditional rice cake!

Enjoy one ( or more…) glass of wine offered at your arrival or served at the sunset aperitivo time in the terrace that boasts a spectacular views of the stunning Bay.

Spectacular view from the terrace

Spectacular view from the terrace

Superbly located in the centre of the wonderfully picturesque village of Manarola a once-in-a-lifetime ultimate destination in beautiful Cinque Terre, Ligury, Ital. Reservation a must. Here the link
http://www.torrettas.com

Venice 14th International Architecture Exhibition

SAM_0350 copySince 1968 Venice Biennale’s International Architecture Exhibition sprawls across the famously watery city for a few months every two years. um_2717Absorbing Modernity: 1914-2014 is the idea of this year’s curator., Rem Koolhaas, and his collaborators At Giardini the exhibit spams from the Russian ironic views to the more pedantic Denmark, to pretty quiet Germany and Switzerland, 5390b132c07a805cea000359_your-virtual-tour-of-the-national-pavilions-at-the-venice-biennale-2014_bahrain__reign_of_-2--530x353while Holland centerpiece  Elements of Architecture, is an engaging look behind the elegant facades of international architecture.  Beyond the main events Arsenale and the Giardini, many other shows spread art qll around the city There is Sguardi Incrociati a Venezia at Espace Louis Vuitton Venezia, a double Venice by
Japanese Manga artist Jiro Taniguchi fb540a49-a203-431a-83a7-b9c971f21ebdand the painter, photographer and set designer Mariano Fortuny, um_2725

AUGUST 15TH , ITALIANS GO CRAZY AND PARTY!

Emperor Augustus started the FERIAE AUGUSTI, a full month of parties and celebrations.Today in Italy is called Emperor Augustus started the FERIAE AUGUSTI, a full month of parties and celebrations.Today in Italy is called FERRAGOSTO
Check my piece in Italian Traveller FERRAGOSTO on BROADWAY
http://www.vanityfair.it/viaggi-traveller/viaggi-mondo/week-end/14/08/11/broadway-spettacoli-ristoranti-cosa-da-fare-metà-prezzo
Lui e lei in vacanza a Broadway Foto©CesareZucca

1 hour : learn, experiment, cook… enjoy your dish!

Wednesday July 25th at 11.00 am Pacific time/2.00 pm Eastern time.
I will be hosting a 1 hour cooking online show SOCIALKITCHEN live from Milan, Italy!
CZ chef
You will learn how to make a tempting aperitivo drink made with Rabarbaro Zucca, a rhubarb-based digestive bitter liqueur  created, believe it or not, by my great great grand father and still one of the most traditional and popular drinks of Italy.
anonym-rabarbaro-zucca-2169697-1Then guided by super Chef Antonio, you will learn how to make an amazing hamburger, inspired to the legendary Serendipity’s Burger Extravagant, listed in the Guinness Records as the most expensive burger in the world.
295 US Dollars, no kidding!Serendipity 3 $295 Hamburger

 

 

 
Don’t  worry, our version
will be way cheaper but
equally…

                                                    sensational and gourmet!
Not only…few days before the show, SocialKitchen will email you the list of the right ingredients so you would be actually able to cook and interact live with Chef Antonio himself.
1 hour : learn, experiment, cook… enjoy your dish!

Go to www.socialkitchen.it
Register (it’s free)
Enjoy the show!

FANS, FANS, FANS… Where? In Venice! Wherelse?

Thanks to the passion for antiques and collecting of the Beggiato family, owners of the Hotel Metropole in Venice, and the precious association with the Palazzo Mocenigo Museum we may witness beauty and history in a unique exhibit showcasing some amazing fans from the Beggiato’s collection www.hotelmetropole.comfan3Hand painted, lace, silk, tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl… but also eclectic with ostrich feathers, this is without doubt one the most impressive collection in the world.
Made mainly in France, England and Italy, fans became popular in Europe between the 17th and 18th centuries.
Considered for the most part as aristocratic and artistic objects with images painted both on the surface and the mounts, for a long time they represented indispensable accessories for upper class ladies who used the fan as a way of proclaiming their status and femininity.
At Palazzo Mocenigo from 7th June to 14th September 2014
mocenigo.visitmuve.it
fan mez

A GOOD REASON TO BE IN LONDON: KATE IS BACK!

Pick up your date!
August 26, 27, 29, 30  or  September 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19
Legendary singer Kate Bush is to return to play a series of gigs –
her first since she retired from touring 35 years ago.
She will play a 15-date residency at the Hammersmith Apollo in London.
Tickets for the tour, entitled Before The Dawn, will go on sale on Friday March 28 at 9.30am via Ticketmaster and the usual outlets – with prices ranging from £49 to £135.

katebush 2014

ST PATRICK’S DAY: THE WORLD TURNS GREEN!

This weekend!                                                                                                                Tourism’s Ireland Global Greening will involve iconic sites in countries around the world including the Sydney Opera House,Opera House - Sydney the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Torre Pendente - Pisathe Little Mermaid in Copenhagen

La Sirenetta - Copenhagenand many more…
Last addition: for the first time ever, the iconic Great Wall of China will become the ‘Green Wall of China’????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

BALLET IN NY : STARRY NIGHT, STARS OF THE FUTURE

The School of American Ballet’s 2014 Winter Ball, in celebration of SAB’s 80th Anniversary, took place at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on Monday, March 3, 2014 and raised more than $1.2 million for scholarships and school programs.
A highlight of the evening was a one-time-only performance by the talented students of The School of American Ballet choreographed by Silas Farley, who choose Antonio Vivaldi’s music for a five movimento ballet .
ab 2 low ab low

 

 

ACAPELLA – GREAT VOICES SINGING IN DC.

RESTON, VA – Feb 21, 22, 23, 2014 –A cappella Festival. SingStrong, will feature the best professional a cappella singers from around the world|
-the gospel-pop sounds of  Ten, runners up on this season of NBC’s “The Sing-Off”;
Blake Lewis, runner up on Season 6 of American Idol and chart topping recording artist; The Funx with Nate Tao of last season’s American Idol; Grace McLean, NYC live looper; Kaila Mullady, beatrhymer , Blue Jupiter, the pop and twisted broadway quartet and many more
http://dc.singstrong.org1367235665_orig 1726851622_orig