Aosta Valley: Italy’s ultimate ski destination for families
The smallest region of Italy located in the Northwest of the country; Aosta Valley boasts spectacular scenery, world-class skiing and snowboarding, food of the highest quality and a history stretching back to Roman times. At the heart of the alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, Aosta valley is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Euro...
New honorary consul of Italy appointed for Connecticut
Barbara Zichichi has been appointed as the new honorary consul of Italy in Connecticut. Zichichi was born and raised in the town of Verona in northeast Italy, which is best known as the setting for William Shakespeare’s famed Romeo and Juliet. After studying foreign languages in high school, she worked as a translator and interpreter across her n...
It’s Been Said That Antico Pizza Napoletana In Georgia Tastes Just Like The Oldest Pizzeria In The World
There is a family-run pizzeria in Georgia that some say is the best pizza in the state. In fact, some guests have even gone so far as to compare Antico Pizza Napoletana in Georgia to the world’s best and oldest pizzeria in Italy! Known for brick-oven pies, communal seating, and tons of Italian flavor, this is a pizza experience that you do not want...
How Dante and his Divine Comedy have inspired classical music
In the seven centuries since his death, writer Dante Alighieri has become inextricably linked to his fictional persona, a legacy that is preserved in literature, art, popular culture and, of course, music. Alighieri – generally referred to by his first name, Dante – was born in Florence in 1265. He began writing his most notable work, The Divine Co...
Lentils and the tradition of New Year’s Eve
After the feast of the Immaculate, on Christmas Eve, Nata and Santo Stefano is the turn of the night of New Year’s Eve (December 31) and New Year’s Eve. If for Christmas there are certain characteristic dishes that vary from region to region, it is instead a tradition recognized throughout Italy to eat lentils on December 31 or New Year’s Day. But...
Di Tillio: The Man From Pescara Goes on a NASA Mission
The official release came out on December 21, 2021: "NASA Volunteer Crew Soon to Begin Simulated Journey to a Mars Moon." Photos of the four volunteers and individual biographies followed. Among these bios was one of Pietro Di Tillio, originally from Pescara, who resides in Metuchen, New Jersey together with his life partner, Angela Rapino (from Fr...
Naples native opens new Italian restaurant and pizzeria in Eutaw Shopping Center in Fayetteville
Despite growing up in Naples, Italy, Pasquale Illiano didn't start making pizza until he moved to America. He grew up around food, helping his father, who was a chef, in his restaurant kitchen washing dishes, preparing ingredients and whatever else needed to be done. In 2017, he moved from Italy to Charlotte and began working at Enrico's, an Italia...
The Feast of the Epiphany and the Flight of La Befana
Drive down any neighborhood in the U.S. a few days after Christmas and you’re likely to see holiday trees at the curb, ready to be picked up by the local trash men. I’ve seen my share with tinsel or fake snow still on them. For many, Dec. 26 is the day to un-decorate, but actually, “Little Christmas” is just getting started. Having been raised in I...
CIAO holds Christmas party, donates to Willow Mission
CIAO held its annual Christmas Party at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Silver Creek. Thirty people enjoyed a delicious luncheon prepared by Brunner’s Bayside Catering. Members enjoyed, chicken parmesan, breaded pork cutlet, roasted red potatoes, baked ziti, caprice’ and antipasti salad. Desserts were provided by club members. CIAO members donat...
A return to Piedmont
Four or five years ago I wrote a column in my series on “Italian Wines by Region” describing the various wines of Piedmont. On our recent trip to Italy, we began our visit with a return to Piedmont, arguably one of if not the best wine regions in Italy. Any discussion of the best wines in Italy invariably includes the wines from Piedmont. Best know...
Libby’s Italian Pastry Shop in New Haven announces new, modern renovation complete
New Haven has plenty to offer, including incredible restaurants. One of the city’s staples recently got a long-awaited facelift. Liberato and Guiseppina Dell’Amura opened Libby’s Italian Pastry Shop on Wooster Street way back in 1922. It’s still family-owned, four generations strong now, and ready to celebrate 100 years. “We keep everything the sam...
Omicron: Italy clamps down on New Year celebrations
New Year's Eve in Italy will be a muted affair, for the second year in a row, due to restrictions aimed at stemming a rapid rise in new covid-19 infections driven by the Omicron variant. Italy has banned public New Year events and ordered the closure of night clubs from 30 December until 31 January 2022, under new restrictions announced by the gove...