*This article was shortlisted in the Jancis Robinson 2022 wine writing competition and appears on her site here. It was also selected as a reader favorite. In the summer of 2021, sometime right after the languorous August days that drive respite-seeking Italians to the seaside and just shy of the beginning of harvest season, I embarked […]
*This article was shortlisted in the Jancis Robinson 2021 wine writing competition and appears on her site here. The Amalfi Coast glistens as the Mediterranean mecca for those wanting to indulge their fantasies of la dolce vita. And rightly so. The enchanting beauty of this 50-kilometer stretch of jagged coastline in the Campania region of […]
There are few dishes that recall the bel paese as easily as pasta with pesto alla Genovese, or pasta with basil pesto sauce. Perhaps one of the simplest and most deliciously fragrant sauces for pasta, even though pesto is made with only a few ingredients they must be of the highest quality. This is a traditional […]
Historic, traditional, classic, hidden. Osteria del Sole is an establishment that will surely take you back to the Bologna of yesteryear. Opening its doors in 1465, Osteria del Sole is located in the heart of medieval Bologna between Via Orefici and Via Pescherie Vecchie and just a stone’s throw away from Piazza Maggiore. Long, old […]
May is probably one of the most lovely months here in Bologna. The weather is warm, walks to San Luca and picnics in Giardini Margherita are more enjoyable, and Piazza Maggiore and the tiny streets of the historic center are teeming with locals and tourists alike sharing spritz, Pignoletto (local white-wine) and taglieri of cured […]
It’s just around 8:00am and across Italy the same scene is being played out, like every morning before and every morning thereafter. The day begins with those old familiar sounds and smells. The hum of a machine finally settles into the rhythm of the day. Toasted, roasted goodness silently streams into tiny white cups and […]
Can you feel it? Spring seems to finally be here (at least I hope)! With April now in full swing, sunny days, full piazzas, long passeggiate (walks) and lots of outdoor dining can be expected and enjoyed. Let’s hope the weather cooperates and those April showers remain at bay, since there are some interesting events […]
Even though I have been living in Italy for a few years already (can’t believe it…time is flying!) and have been to my fair share of wine tastings, food festivals, cultural events, farmers markets, and all that good stuff that Italy is known for, I still get excited to see what’s being organized every month […]
Growing up in New England autumn for me became synonymous with carving pumpkins, apple picking, the warming sun and low hanging gray skies, and the crunch of golden yellow, deep ruby, and tawny orange foliage under my feet. The later is one of the few things I miss most about living in Connecticut. Now that […]
My birthday this year was exceptionally simple, exceptionally memorable and exactly what I needed and wanted. My birthday is November 30 and I love that my birthday is in November. This has nothing to do with anything, I realize this. I also realize that it is now March and that I’m about to write about […]