Lisbona: oggi vera giornata ‘turismo e gusto’.Mariana Marques, deliziosa PR del J A Grupo, mi guiderà in un viaggio-gourmet per scoprire i tesori di José Avillez, uno tra gli chef più famosi del Portogallo, gestisce 12 ristoranti, produce vini, ha partecipato a moltI show radiofonici e televisivi. Prima tappa Belcanto, premiato con due stelle Michelin. Raffinata cucina portoghese sofisticamente rivisitata. Tra le specialità il decennale mergulho no mar, spigola con alghe e vongole e il tradizionale cocido à la Portuguesa, sensazionale bollito misto di verdure e carni, tra cui la classica salsiccia chouriço de sangue. Proseguo verso Cantinho do Avillez, presente anche a Porto, poi Mini Bar, nell’interno del Teatro de São Luiz, con un menu perfetto per prima e dopo lo spettacolo e Pizzaria Lisboa, omaggio all’Italia e alla pizza, uno dei piatti preferiti da José. Dopo una bella camminata, sosta lunch al Café Lisboa nel suggestivo Largo de São Carlos. Il menu cita e reinterpreta la più storica cucina portoghese, come la portuguesinha, qui proposta con una sfoglia ripiena di carne e cavoli. 
Un must è il bacalhau à brás com azeitonas explosivas. E’ il piatto nazionale dal sapore unico e speciale: teneri bocconcini di merluzzo insaporiti con morbide cipolle e minuscoli bastoncini di patate fritte, il tutto avvolto da una crema a base di uova. Josè lo aggiorna con delle olive ‘esplosive’, piccole sfere ripiene di sugo di olive verdi, incapsulato con un elaborato processo di sferificazione. Boom! vi esplodono in bocca.
Nel menu non poteva mancare il pastéis de nata, iconico dolce di uova, latte, mandorle, zucchero e cannella.Nato nella celebratissima versione di Belém, venduta nell’omonima pasteleria che fiancheggia il superbo Monastero dos Jerònimos.Nato nella celebratissima versione di Belém, José, oltre che nella versione tradizionale, lo propone anche in versione salata, con una croccante sfoglia ripiena di carne stufata per molte ore.Il tutto innaffiato da un fresco e aromatico JA Branco dai vitigni Viognier e Arinto..
Gran finale: un dolce incluso nelle sette meraviglie della gastronomia portoghese, lo storico budino dell’Abate di Priscos, considerato uno dei più grandi chef del 1800.
Continuo il percorso e arrivo al Bairro do Avillez, davvero unico, dove all’interno trovo cinque alternative: Taberna – dal menù svelto con specialità locali, lo spazioso Páteo – specializzato in pesce e frutti di mare, Cantina Peruana – che ospita lo chef Diego Muñoz, specializzato nella cucina peruviana e infine la gastronomia gourmet in vendita da Mercearia. Alla sera mi sono lasciato tentare dal misterioso e seminascosto Beco Cabaret Gourmet, ispirato ai club degli anni ‘20, con cameriere super sexy e un musical show piuttosto audace. Non a caso sulla parete deL bar troneggia un gigantesco ritratto di Dita Von Teese, la regina del burlesque.
Vengo accolto da un intrigante Master of Ceremony, degno del film Cabaret, al tavolo mi aspetta una rosa che nasconde uno stuzzica-gola alla mela e un tovagliolo sigillato da un bacio. Anche il menù non scherza: ceviche di gamberi, cono di granchio ragno giapponese, mini pizza con tonno crudo e caviale, un peccaminoso stufatino di coda di bue e foie gras e un uovo avvolto in foglia d’argento.Per finire, mini bon bon nascosti tra diamanti e serviti sulle note di ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friends
Finalmente incontro Avillez.
Una ricerca tra giovani ha rivelato che il 50% sogna di diventare uno chef popolare in TV. Cosa ne pensi?
E’ il sogno di molti. Pochi però arriveranno al traguardo. Purtroppo nei TV show sembra tutto piuttosto semplice, ma non lo è.
Parliamo di alcuni chef in TV. Cosa ne pensi su certe ‘battaglie’ in cucina?
Non sono un fanatico né un ammiratore delle guerre televisive in TV. Hanno l’aria di essere state scritte a copione. Se battaglia ci deve essere, preferisco sfidare me stesso.
Dove trovi ispirazione per i tuoi piatti?
Scopro cose che esistono e viaggio nei sogni. Dappertutto e da nessuna parte, nella realtà e nell’immaginazione.
Quali cucine ti influenzano?
Amo la semplicità. Certi sapori asiatici, lo stile giapponese e le tradizioni della cucina portoghese. Mi piace creare piatti che procurino gioia al palato, non solo alla vista.
Come si esprime la tua personalità in cucina?
Sono un tipo tranquillo, non mi piace sbagliare e miro a fare le cose in maniera giusta. Ma tutto con calma. Nessun isterismo se in cucina qualcuno fa un errore.
Sei ospite nella finale di Master Chef. Cosa prepari per far colpo?
Mi affiderei alla tradizione portoghese e alla mia fantasia. Preparerei bacalhau à Brás con olive esplosive, un tipico piatto portoghese, cucinato in maniera un po’ diversa per renderlo più cremoso e guarnito da piccole sfere che schioccano in bocca in un’esplosione al sapore di oliva.
Wow, olive esplosive! Mi daresti la ricetta oppure è un segreto?
Dammi il tuo taccuino, te la scrivo con piacere. E’ un piatto che rispecchia la mia storia, il mio mondo, le mie visioni e tutto quanto ti ho raccontato.
L’inarrestabile José non si ferma.
Al settimo piano del lussuoso El Corte Inglés ha da poco inaugurato tre nuovissimi ristoranti. L’informale Barra Cascabel, che segna la collaborazione con lo chef Roberto Ruiz e che celebra la cucina messicana, Jacaré, cioè alligatore, che si ispira a questo ‘evoluto’ animale che mangia non solo carne, ma anche frutta e verdure e infine Tasca Chic dove i sapori originali delle vecchie taverne tascas incontrano il ritmo e lo stile della Lisbona trendy di oggi. Nel menu troverete pepite di merluzzo meia-desfeita e il saporito maiale di Alentejo, oltre ai famosi dolci di José, tra cui l’irresistibile budino alla crema di miele e olive.
Testo e foto di Cesare Zucca
L’altra sera alla prima al Teatro Manzoni di Milano, ho visto una straordinaria Chiara Noschese perfettamente calata, anche nella cadenza, nella parte di una milanese radical chic e Luca Barbareschi, che si sapeva bravo attore, questa volta impegnato in un ruolo inedito, dove brilla di un’ irrefrenabile simpatia che, non a caso, strappa diversi applausi a scena aperta.
Musica, luci e design per una scenografia post moderna/futurista. Anche il resto del cast completa il successo: Margherita La Terza, è una , perfetta sexy-coatta segretaria. Gerardo Maffei l’amante, meno belloccio e giovane di come ci si aspetta, ma comunque credibile nel ruolo del principe russo e finalmente il cameriere Ernesto Mahieux, eccellente caratterista napoletano.
It’s harvest season and 2017 appears as a challenging vintage in Europe (“a catastrophy” in Italy according to our host Cesare Zucca). Climate has always been a nail-biting stress factor in wine production and the recent warming observations are not helping… 
Well, not helping everybody! If some predict the growing production of wines in small Northern players such as the UK, Southern European big producers are feeling the heat and are worried. Wine geography has seen many changes with the emergence of “New World” wines of North America, as well as Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa in the Southern hemisphere. But wines of decent quality in tropical countries had never come to my attention… Until the discovery of 
The Centara Hua Hin is a magnificent venue designed to evoke the spirit of the 1920s. Colonial influences meet modern-day comforts and soothing views are to be had of the swimming pools or the magic gardens, populated by grass elephants and other animals. 
from shrimp with mango salad to roasted duck in red curry.
I have to say I was skeptical, but all preconceptions disappeared after a few sips of this Mansoon Valley colombard, both crisp and delicate, with exotic fruit and citrus aromas, along with floral notes. Wow! Perfect pairing with the lemongrass used in the dishes and perfectly cooling to counterbalance the heat of the chilies.I was very curious about it all and the adorable staff of the hotel arranged a visit to the vineyard located less than an hour away. The drive was a beautiful occasion to see a bit of the country side with many fields, mainly pineapple plantations. What a surprise to see in the background of one of the most iconic tropical fruit a well manicured vineyard of over 100 hectars. 
The surprise does not stop there, as I had the opportunity to tour the property on the back of an elephant (if you’ve never done this, just be prepared, it’s a beautiful, but rather rocky ride). The large and elegant tasting room dominates the valley and one can appreciate the key position of the vineyard that benefits from a cooler micro climate with breezes coming from the hills. This is essential to the production of wines that do not taste “cooked”. It’s also the occasion of learning about who is behind this incredible business operation: a man whose name you may not know, but whose fortunate was made by a beverage you definitely have heard about. No, not wine… Red Bull! Chalerm Yoovidhya is among the richest man in Thailand with a fortune approaching 10 billion US dollars according to Forbes this year. Upon returning from his studies abroad where his taste for wine was developed, Chalerm took up the challenge of growing grapes in his native Thailand and show the world that great wines can be crafted even at the 13th latitude 
of the northern hemisphere. New World wines are old, new latitude wines are in! Hua Hin Vineyards is actually one of three vineyards he owns, but it serves as the flagship of the Mansoon Valley brand. The winemaker is German born Kathrin Puff, who worked in several wineries in Italy and New Zealand before meeting this tropical challenge with brio. I had the chance to sample a few of the large collection of wines available at the vineyard and all showcased a serious winemaking expertise. A brut blanc de blancs, showacses the delicate a floral notes of chenin blanc, colombard and viognier grapes that compose this traditional champenoise method sparkling. 
Besides the colombard white, I tried the medium sweet chenin blanc, which was not cloying at all and promised a nice pairing with spicy meats dishes and seafood salads. Among the two high-end “Cuvée de Siam” bottles, made with the best grapes of chosen parcels,
I was really impressed with the red, made with the oldest vines of shiraz and sangiovese, aged in French oak barrels and bottled unfiltered. The result: a spicy wine combining medium tanin and long finish (which earned 84 points by Robert Parker). The white was a serious wine, but lacked a bit of the freshness so pleasant in the other more simple whites. To finish on a sweet note, the chenin blanc late harvest with a nice balancing acidity invites to be enjoyed along with seared foie gras, aged gorgonzola or a more local mango, sticky rice and coconut dessert. Yes,!
This is just one of the most completely Made in Italy designs –
a tough competition between young cooking promises coming from the Culinary Schools of Sardinia, Sicily, Lazio, Lombardy and Emilia Romagna.
Talking about tradition & innovation, the Remo Brindisi Institute in Comacchio, Ferrara, was inspired by their own a national treasure: the eel served with which orange flavoured vegetable couscous and crisp bacon, getting my enthusiastic votes…and the prizes for best presentation and popular jury favorite. 
Thanks to its marinated mackerel, Pietro Piazza in Palermo, won the Golden Wine Award for the best wine and dish combination, sponsored by Tenute Garusol. 
The Malatesta School of Rimini served a successful stuffed chicken with blueberry sauce that went straight to the final. 
The Amerigo Vespucci team in Rome, launched a creation named 444 Kilometers, which is the distance between Rome and Argenta, Cool name for a not so convincing ‘gnocchetti alla romana’ with hare topping.
Ipsia Ferraris of Carbonia-Iglesias, surprised with fresh kamut pasta, pumpkin flower mousse, parmesan, caramelized onions and orange bottarga, 
while Ipssar of San Pellegrino Terme Bergamo opted for local rabbit and couscous.
The show, brilliantly hosted by funny Actor-Chef Andy Luotto and charming Eliana Chiavetta, was an opportunity to discover the flavors and the atmosphere of the Delta del Po Park, UNESCO heritage and its valuable wildlife, fish and herbs, among some excellences in the wine &food industry: such as the wide range of Giulio Bellini’s Bia CousCous, Tenuta Garusola wines from the Consorzio Bosco Eliceo. 
See you next year in the Silver City ! Yummy…..
Every night in the Cortile delle Armi the stage vibrates of music and emotions.
The area offers fashionable bars, snug bistros, trendy stores and supercool shops, all nested in one of Munich’s most picturesque boroughs.
member of the well-known German hip hop group Die Fantastischen Vier , while the 4th floor rooms has been designed by the owners.
Black was the inspirational color, including a metal skeleton band stand in an alcove and a vinyl record player ready for action.
that offered a combo of high-tech furniture, sound proved walls and 2 pretty romantic feathers ceiling lamps, ballerina style.
complimentary bottles of mineral water, and a pile of trendy magazines to flick through. 
La creatività di Fabrizia rivela intuizione e immaginazione, come nel Tagliolino di Riso Nero Venere, piatto senza precedenti, dove il riso ridotto in polvere, si trasforma in una pasta, servita con cavolo, prosciutto affumicato, kummel e felicemente abbinato a un ottimo Pecorino Rève Velenosi.
Fabrizia ama armonizzare la tradizione con la creatività come nel Tortello all’Uovo, una revisione del tradizionale tortello, qui diventato di patate, riempito di un rosso d’uovo à la coque e sormontato da anice e porcini, irrorati di burro fuso.
Anna hotel, is one of Munich’s first design hotels, is located at the heart of the city, right by the Karlsplatz / Stachus, close to the central railway station.
to a rich local fruits plate,to a smart couple of condoms hidden in a anna hotel box.
and topped up your energy levels over the day from a
bread, cold cuts, cheeses, salmon, fruits, delicious desserts,
.
Coster-Waldau (Swords throne) interprets Jacob Harlon, a successful Pasadena businessman married to Kate (Lake Bell) 
Text and Photos by Cesare Zucca
made from the deconstruction of black rice, surprisingly reivented as pasta and served with cabbage, smoked ham and kummel, wisely paired with Rève Velenosi Pecorino white wine.
with amber reflections and intriguing aromas of apricot jam, orange blossom honey, orange peel and dried figs. My story feels the athmosphere of a cozy place with friendly friendly service and an amazing top chef. Not cheap but worth every euro. And very good wines..plus Fabrizia’s version of sopa coada, a classic regional pizza dish from Treviso.
the emotion of the boat bridges, the wide horizons, the activity in the fishing lagoons and in the vegetable gardens.
From equipped beaches of Rosolina mare, Boccasette and Porto Barricata to some isolated sandbars strips of land that are formed at low tide and where there are numerous colonies of wading birds: gulls, terns etc..making the area a wonderful bird-watching attraction.
I discovered Scano Boa island, where the fishermen used to live in straw houses and recently retrieved to allow visitors to experience the life of these lands. You must get a boat to get there , ask locally and yes I have their ‘secret’ mobile number) 
The Forum is conceived as an event that will provide young people with a unique opportunity to meet, debate and share their vision and commitment to sustainable development. It aims to become a place where strategies and action proposals can be discussed and implemented in order to achieve,
where that rice that will be the main ingredient of tipical dishes from different countries.
Not the widest variety ever, but no one should be frustrated and everything was top notch. Who needs 90 items if half of them are disappointing.
The à la carte menu of the restaurant with ocean view had me have the best Thaï food so far: true flavors with excellent ingredient sourcing. Loved the local Pranburi squid, partially sun dried for a great flavor and texture.
.
THE TIGER’S EYE
BACK IN TIME …
Great cast of Italian music makers! Antonello Venditti, Gianna Nannini, Claudio Cecchetto and many others
My second Telegatto Award. I am between the top of Italian music business such as Vasco Rosii, Antonello Venditti, Red Ronny, Gianni Bella, Bibi Ballandi, Mario Lavezzi..
Unsinkable promoter Roy Berardi and Fausto Faggioli, organized 
a luxury hotel with an equipped spa that blends wellness, beauty and health. 
Gran finale 
Pellegrino was born in 1820 in Forlimpopoli. He was a succesful businessman, became a wealthy man and, at age 45, was able to concentrate full time on his passion: the home cuisine. He loved to search, ponder recipes and have someone else cook his experiments. After long research, he narrowed his findings to 790 favorite recipes that he collected in a manual called “La Scienza in Cucina e l’Arte di Mangiar Bene” (“The Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well”).
The city celebrates Pellegrino hosting the 
To welcome Philip, Laila Tentoni, Casa Artusi Director set up a fresh pasta making class , coached by Carla Brigliadori head teacher of the Artusi cooking school…not only … but
nontouristytourist.com 