The small wild paradise of the Egadi Islands. Where to eat and what to see in Marettimo
Solitary and wild, Marettimo has preserved a reserved and elitist profile. The furthest of the Egadi presents itself with high limestone walls covered by Mediterranean scrub that plunge into turquoise and crystalline sea waters. The white houses with blue windows of the small fishing village resemble the Greek landscape of the Cyclades. The rocky c...
Settepani: The family conquering Brooklyn with Italian sweets: "Panettone all year round here"
Bilena Settepani wasn't even born yet when her parents, Nino and Leah, the former Sicilian and the latter Ethiopian-Eritrean, laid the foundation stone for what is now an Italian-American institution: Settepani Bakery in Brooklyn, a place dedicated to promoting the national baking art. "Nomen omen," one might say. And indeed, they never stopped: wh...
The 7 most famous and best desserts of the Venetian pastry shop
But how sweet Venice is! The knowledge of a place also passes through its gastronomic culture, you know. And when we talk about Venetian cuisine we always think of salty dishes, wines, often forgetting about pastry. But the Venetian pastry shop is full of preparations and products that come from very ancient traditions, some even dating back to the...
America’s First Italian Bishop
In 1817, when the Italian–born Father Joseph Rosati arrived in St. Louis, he found a ramshackle church, a windowless log cabin for a rectory, and 2,500 people disinterested in religion of any sort. On the best of days, that would fail to cheer a missionary’s heart. But this wasn’t just any day. Rosati had come to St. Louis to prepare the church for...
Discovering Franciacorta
It was a beautiful April evening in Hong Kong and we were on the 32nd floor, surrounded by glitzy skyscrapers, replete with gleaming lights. A few of us friends had gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion of our 40-something friend going back to university soon. It was a bittersweet moment, as every farewell tends to be. Toasts were said and a...
Chef Michael Toscano Drops ‘Unauthentic Italian’ Bar Bites at Charleston’s Revelry Brewing
What is “fugazzi”? According to Charleston-based chef Micheal Toscano (and Matthew McConaughey’s character in Wolf of Wall Street), it means “phony” or “fake.” Toscano, who also owns Le Farfalle (15 Beaufain Street) and Da Toscano Porchetta Shop (109 President Street), recently opened Da Toscano Fugazzi at Revelry Brewing Co. (10 Conroy Street). “I...
Italea, the platform helping root travelers discover their past
2024 marks a pivotal year for roots tourism, a movement that Italy is championing with determination and commitment. As more Italians living abroad and their descendants seek to reconnect with their ancestral origins, Italy introduces Italea (www.italea.com), an ambitious project designed to facilitate this deeply personal journey. Its aim is to su...
NOIAW’s Gala Awards in New York, with a Surprise Appearance by Topo Gigio
On Saturday, April 13th, the National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW), the organization that has brought together Italian American professionals for 44 years, celebrated its annual luncheon awards in New York City. In an elegant room at the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan, two women were honored for their success in their work: Jodi Pul...
Taranto
When one thinks of Italy, traditional images come to mind. Churches that are hundreds of years old, engineering and architectural wonders from centuries past, rolling hills, mountains, the sea and, of course, great food, all are thought of when talking about Italy. Northern Italy sometimes brings thoughts of a more modern, industrial, bustling envi...
Local Italian restaurant making its move to Millcreek Mall
Mi΄Scuzi΄ Ristorante Italiano announced it’s opening its doors in another location at the Millcreek Mall later this year. In a release, the restaurant said it plans to make the move to the mall — located at 800 Peach St. — in the third quarter of 2024, where it will take on a 6,600-square-foot space adjacent to JCPenney. This will include private a...
Venice Issues New Rules for Tourists, or See Venice But Register First
The key speaker at the Foreign Press Association’s first official press conference in its new home was Luigi Brugnaro, the Mayor of Venice. He came to explain to the world the new tax for tourists visiting La Serenissima “because, yes, Venice is in Italy, but she belongs to the world.” The plan to charge an entrance fee to day-trippers was first pr...
The Mona Lisa Is Coming To The North Loop. Sort Of.
A meticulously-crafted facsimile of the famed Mona Lisa is coming to the Italian Cultural Center in the North Loop on April 26th. It was painstakingly created by world renowned Minnesota native Mark Balma, using the same techniques and materials that Leonardo da Vinci used in the 16th century to create the original, such as Oil of Spike Lavender an...