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Author Archives: nontouristytourist
THE ITALIAN GOLDEN BREAD FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Pandoro. In Italian means golden bread.
It’s the traditional Italian sweet cake of Veronese origins, most popular during the holidays. A traditional taller leavened cake, that when cut is the shape of star. Pandoro is baked in a special star-shaped mold. 
When sprinkled with confectioners’ sugar, it has the appearance of fallen snow on a mountain. Pandoro may be served with many types of creams or sauces, such as mascarpone topping, melted chocolate,or flavored whipped cream
or rum or filled with ic cream or custard.
I tried the amazing Fraccaro Pandoro, incredibly soft and hairy, thanks to 72 hours to slow rising and natural, with yeast, make a sweet Pandoro Fraccaro unique and inimitable.The softness of the dough sourdough with fine fresh butter, golden color and the star shape, decorated with a dusting of powdered sugar, 
makes this cake the perfect dessert to celebrate the Holidays.
You can find this great cake at Fraccaro Store Circonvallazione Ovest, 25/27 -Castelfranco Veneto, Treviso
LONDON TEDDY BOYS ARE BACK ! BUSINESSMEN NEVER IRON!
The Eleventy Men’s SS 2016 collection is inspired by the London Teddy Boys of the 1950s, who brought back the notion of dressing well always and everywhere, creating their own hallmark style inspired by that of the dandies of the Edwardian era.
Dark jackets, drainpipe pants, waistcoats and major focus on details, biker jackets in washed black nappa, with zips flaunted as crucial elements,
For the man who is always on the go, Eleventy proposes a range of suits, jackets and pants made from precious wools that have been specially treated to enhance their resistance to atmospheric agents and insulation, so that they become no-iron and are never creased.
www.eleventy.it/en/
Magic for the inner child within you
“Festival della Magia” a Festival of Magic hosted by comedian and magician Raul Cremona, brings to the stage some of the most interesting Italian magicians.
From Aldo Nicolini aka Uncle Potter
, who mysteriously loses his head,
to the flamboyant Ottavio Belli 
who enchants the audience with daring disappearances through blades of fire.
From Shezan who creates from nothing a dozen of lanterns,
to the 14 year old Elisa Rossi playing her amazing Chinese rings,
to Mirko Menegatti’s traditional games with the doves.
The poetry of Clown Carillon opens and closes the show with a triumph of soap bubbles 
while the great host Cremona performs some magic numbers.
A special applause to an irresistible comedian GianLuca “Felipe” Beretta, who plays a dumb viewer involved in some tricks.
“A show is not only for children, but also for the inner child
within any adults” Cremona said.
Till January 6th 2016 at the Teatro Manzoni in Milan.
Here Info for time schedule and tickets
Will Prince Désiré wake up the princess Aurora who falls asleep for a hundred years?
Sleeping Beauty, a ballet masterpiece with the wonderful music of PI TCajkovskij
and the iconic choreography of Marius Petipa will enchant again Milan audience
thanks to one of the most famous ballet companies in the world,
the New Classical Ballet of Moscow 
featuring Stetlitsa Evgenii and Olga Kifiak,
both first soloists of the Opera and Ballet Theatre of Kiev, 
while the finale will bring some very special Guests such as
Puss in boots and White Cat, Cinderella and the Prince
Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.
The New Classical Ballet of Moscow is a young company with the aim of developing the great tradition of classical Russian ballet, but also seek new choreographic forms. The Ballet is made up of dancers from the best dance Academies in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Perm, winners of international competitions among etoiles from the best theaters in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ekaterinburg.
A magical fairy tale not to be missed.
At Teatro Manzoni in Milan
January 7th, 2016 at 9.00 pm
For info and tickets http://www.teatromanzoni.it
RAPUNZEL Remember this name…..
Successful return of the beloved family show “Rapunzel” a musical inspired to the Grimm Brother tale, revisited by Alessandro Procacci, Davide Magnabosco e Paolo Barillari.Great Cast starting with Lorella Cuccarini as the evil Gothel,
Alessandra Ferrari as Rapunzel, while the role of Rapunzel child, is greatly performed by 9 years old Valentina Critelli the winner of a popular TV Italian kid contest“Ti Lascio una Canzone”.
A big applause for the flamboyant Giulio Corso 
as Phil, a young robber who is trying to escape the royal guards and sheltering refuge in an old tower, where he will find Rapunzel , a young girl keep imprisoned by a witchy aunt.
There are a lots of new characters, like the two talking flowers, the
guard “Hound” who speaks in Grammelot and the mirror “Spiegel”, which reflects
the conscience of Rapunzel and inner thoughts.
In addition to that I loved some cartoon animated outdoor sequences Great Idea!
as Phil, a young robber who is trying to escape the royal guards and sheltering refuge in an old tower, where he will find Rapunzel , a young girl keep imprisoned by a witchy aunt.There are a lots of new characters, like the two talking flowers, theguard “Hound” who speaks in Grammelot and the mirror “Spiegel”, which reflects
the conscience of Rapunzel and inner thoughts.
In addition to that I loved some cartoon animated outdoor sequences Great Idea!
A memorable moment: a multitude of lanterns flying over the audience.
Rapunzel will perform at Teatro Arcimboldi till Jan 10th 2016 then touring all over Italy .
Here dates and venues
Welcome to The Hole! If you’re not in the hole…you cannot get out of it!
Milan. Over 16 years old Italians are going crazy for THE HOLE, a sexy, shameless, provocative and terribly funny 2 hours Club-Circus-Theatre-Burlesque-Cabaret show playing now at the Teatro LinearCiak, 
turned into a club with tables and chairs for eating some serrano ham
or sipping a drik while watching the show.
Out of the ordinary, then, it is the story that binds the amazing stage performance of extraordinary artists who animate it: an Rocky Horror lookalike Master of ceremonies (the brave Filippo Strocchi) exhausted by a life of excess, find true love WITH with Maria Dolores, a sweet rabbit! He decides to put his head in place, proud to present to friends and to the world the new love. 
The brazen hedonist organizes a big party at his villa to announce to those present and to the public, maintained by the sensual and governed by stalwart butlers ready to perform acrobatics and strip. The guests arrive and …what a croud. From two lesbo sexy acrobats
, to a Fellinian clown singer, to an incredibly horny beast-boy who dares to show off his male attributes, to a fatty flying Marilyn, to four hilarious waiters and their accurate acapella version of Italian hits, to…more and more.
Even the intermission is a very funny moment where performers mingle with audience, allowing and encouraging to take hot and provocative selfies.
The foyer is home every night after a show, animated by dj-set of the same artists who perform in a big red mouth used as a console.
A big applause to the all cast and a due standing ovation to the fearless host Filippo Strocchi (who previously performed as the amazing Rum Tum Tugger in “Cats“)
Filippo knows how to entertain the audience with songs , lyrics and an intriguing charme.
Filippo knows how to entertain the audience with songs , lyrics and an intriguing charme.
For more info Teatro LinearCiak
MAGIC IN THE BOTTLE The amazing work of Eric Maillet revealing an undiscovered side of plastic bottles.
Photographer Eric Maillet author of superb images for legendary perfumes such as Dior, Giorgio Armani, Ives Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Hermes, not to mention the jewelry and the watches by Cartier. A genius…with a quite unique passion: plastic bottles!
Let me explain.
Spazio Eventi of the Pirelli Tower is hosting the amazing exhibit Water is Life,
that includes 25 artworks by Maillet. 
The Artist uses a common water bottle to create an abstract, unexpected, colored, and different image. 
Those sequence of circles, let your imagination fly towards cathedral mosaics, glass windows, extraterrestrial flowers, kaleidoscopical trompe l’œil and imaginary new planets.
I met with Maillet last night and I could not not ask about the story of those surreal creatures that were hypnotising the viewers.
With an adorable smile, Maillet revealed the secret. “They are just multi colored water bottles, I love to discover, collect, and fill them up with water, then I shoot from the top”
Eric Maillet
The exhibit Water is Life is produced by Mario Rescio and André Werther, and curated by Lele Del Fabbro in collaboration with Regione Lombardia.
Till 18 January 2016 at Spazio Eventi of the Pirelli Tower in Milan.
Entrance Via Fabio Filzi 22. Monday to friday from 1.00 pm to 7.00 pm
.
STOP GMOs
Slow Food says : “It’s a matter of democracy
as well as ensuring food sovereignty”
December 16, the European Parliament supported in great majority the objection proposed by the European Parliament’s environment committee to the decision of the European Commission to authorize the new GM maize variety NK603xT25. This is not a binding decision but it underlines a strong political act. In fact, Slow Food condemns the European Commission not only for the authorization of the two new GMO crops*, but also because it has disregarded the on-going objection process of the European Parliament, the institution which is directly elected by the European citizens and which expresses the points of views of the European people. 
The fact that the delegates of the Member States in the European Commission have overlooked the worries and concerns of European citizens is something that should not happen in an institution that claims to be the guiding voice of democracy
LET’S TALK 500
The iconic FIAT 500 will be the primadonna of a not to be missed chat with Lapo Elkann, Enrico Leonardo Fagone, Roberto Giolito and Luca Napolitano in occasion of the launch of Fiat 500 – The design book published by Rizzoli.
This visually rich and fascinating book explains not only the genesis and “design metamorphosis” of each model, but also their backgrounds,
and explores the contributions of the designers who have helped to
develop them with innovation and foresight.
Let’s take a colorful ride on board of the most iconic Italian car, discovering the project, the lines and the evolution in a book that tells the design, style and the transformation into a modern city car. 
A visual history of the FIAT 500, the ultimate lifestyle car that has
remained a timeless classic and design legend. 
Considered to be one of the most popular models in automotive history, the FIAT 500
has become a legend over time.
Its innovative features, the original and recognizable design of its bodywork, and its versatility have distinguished it as an automotive icon with enduring appeal. FIAT 500: 
The Design Book is an invitation to embark on a captivating journey
through the main milestones of the 500 project.
Wednesday December 16th 2015 at 6.30 pm at the Galleria Carla Sozzani
DREAMING OF A… WILD STRAWBERRY CHRISTMAS
It’s Xmas time ! Here comes Bing Crosby singing the magic
“I am dreaming of a White Christmas”
This year Massimo Grazioli, fanciful pastry Chef from Legnano Lombardy, made a twist to the lyrics of the most popular Xmas song and to the filling of most popular Italian Xmas cake, a delicious sweet bread called panettone.
Grazioli’s panettone is amazingly tender, soft, juicy, fragrant and generously filled up with raspberries and …wild strawberries. 
Massimo Grazioli lab and store are located in Via Rossini 15, Legnano.
Check www.panificiograzioli.it
HAVE A WONDERFUL… WILD STRAWBERRY CHRISTMAS!
QUATER PARA, succulent cake inspired to the traditional Italian lace
A decadent cake inspired to traditional lace that Italian grandmas are still tambouring in Cantù, Italy.
Cake layered with pastry, frangipane pistachio, soft biscuit almond and corn, 
orange marmalade, plum paste, cocoa with the imprint of the traditional Cantù lace. 
Here the recipe:
http://marraweb.it/filmato2.html
It looks wonderful, it tastes delicious…and probably you will never make it.
Too much work!
Much easier to check Marra’s web and order one!
PINOCCHIO FOREVER
The magic of Walt Disney‘s animation has a masterpiece:
the story of the wooden puppet named Pinocchio created by the imagination of Collodi.
The long-nose little hero, will be celebrated in occasion of the exhibition INFINITO PINOCCHIO (held at Palazzo Sormani from October 17 to December 30) a film festival of popular films dedicated to the worldwide famous puppet.
The festival spans the version beautifully done by Oscar Winner Roberto Benigni 
to the the first film adaptation of Pinocchio, a black and white silent version dated 1911 tthat will be screened on Dec 26thwith live music by Francesca Badalini
More info at
to the the first film adaptation of Pinocchio, a black and white silent version dated 1911 tthat will be screened on Dec 26thwith live music by Francesca BadaliniMore info at live Cavalleria and Pagliacci…not to be missed
Thursday, December 10th. It will be an amazing night for opera lovers.
It will happen in one of The Space Cinema, a great chain of movie theaters all over the Italian territory, hosting two long waited live performances from London Royal Opera House.
I am talking off Mascani’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci, two short works, each recognized as the masterpiece of its composer, are presented together in a new production of the award-winning Damiano Michieletto.
Exaggerated and cheeky, tender and inventive, energetic and ironic: 40 years old Michieletto is considered the richest talent of Italian directors, who come and go between lyrical and dramatic theater.
The two masterpieces, set up as Sergio Leone westerns, will reveal their western soul.
The event, hosted by Director of The Royal Opera Kasper Holten, will see Damiano, the great sopranos Carmen Giannattasio and Eva-Maria Westbroek, his superb cast and the amazing production team 
explore the production, the tradition of verismo opera and why composers such as Mascagni and Leoncavallo chose to write gritty operas about real life as opposed to romantic fantasies.
To know the all venues and for more info www.thespacecinema.it
3 ‘Nobel’ days in Oslo (possibly at the Grand Hotel)
Image
The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 has been awarded to Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai and Indian children right’s campaigner Kailash Satyarthi.
Malala rose to fame after Taliban militants shot her at close range in the head for speaking out against the Islamic extremists and demanding education for girls.
Satyarthi has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the exploitation of children for financial gain.
Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjorn Jagland said the joint prize was symbolic because it was important for “a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism.
Highlights of the 3 days event include:
Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party [in Norwegian] outside the Nobel Peace Center.
Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo City Hall.
Torchlight parade and The Nobel Banquet at the Grand Hotel
Oslo 9,10,11 of December 2014
Great time to visit Oslo, celebrate PEACE, enjoy the magnificent Grand Hotel a superb symbol of a first-class hospitality with tradition, atmosphere and style.
And this is me …right on the famous Grand Hotel balcony, where the Nobel Recipient waves to the crowd.
My 10 fav restaurants in Venice (“cicchetti” included)
La Palanca at the Giudecca
RESTAURANTS
40 ladroni Address Fondamenta della Sensa, 3253, ( great food, nice garden) good prices
La palanca ph 041 5287719 see pic! ( open only for lunch) take vaporetto, exit la palanca, go left. located in the great Giudecca area, tables outside, great view, facing S.Marc Square.make a reservation good prices
Mistra‘ Address Calle Michelangelo 53c also in the Giudecca aerea ph 041 522074
Ostaria alla Vedova, famous for the Best venetian meatballs and more, close to the famous Golden House, Cà d’oro Address: Calle del Pistor ph 041-528-5324. good prices
Trattoria Da Bepi adress Cannaregio, 4550 stop ferry Ca’D’oro.
Al Paradiso perduto– Address Sacco della Misericordia – Cannarreggio aerea- (the owner will pick up the fish for you)
Le antiche carampane (where real venetians go) ) ph 041 5240165 Address :: San Polo, 1911, expensive, excellent, closed sunday and monday .
TRADITIONAL VENETIAN CICCHETTI
( tapas + wine) for a drink or aperitivo during the day, evening.
Arco douzen of tapas, close to ponte rialto direction san polo) good prices
Corte del remer ( next to fiaschetteria toscana) self service great happy hour Address: calle del remer, ph 0415228789
Al Mascaron tiny tiny and traditional ( great cicchetti and more) Castello 5525, Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa ph 041 522 5995 good prices
Do you enjoy the traditional mountain cuisine?
Here my article for Zester Daily
http://zesterdaily.com/world/peak-cuisine-7-dishes-at-heart-of-european-mountain-food
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”.
nontouristytourist.com 
