Runaway Tram: How a Staple of Milan Ended Up on the Streets of San Francisco
Looking up at the small sign that says Uscita, as the street car rattles and shakes down the Embarcadero along the San Francisco Bay, I think about what it means, to exit, to get out, to leave. Like so many before it, this tram, complete with all of its original elements, left its home in Milan, destined to ride along the streets of San Francisco...
Culinary Spotlight: Rino’s of Boca
The “American Dream” is alive and well, and Rino Aprea is living it every day. Rino is the son of Italian immigrants Giovanni and Enza Aprea, who settled in Brooklyn, NY, in 1965. Rino often accompanied his father to work (as a line cook) at Angelo’s of Mulberry Street, an iconic Little Italy restaurant. As luck would have it, Giovanni was offered...
Stanley Tucci is back with another delectable memoir
Three years ago, Stanley Tucci gave us one of the most captivating and endearing modern food memoirs with Taste: My Life Through Food, which recounted childhood family meals as well as his battle with oral cancer. His new book, out this week, offers a deep dive into one gastronomical year of his life. What I Ate in One Year (and Related Thoughts) d...
Holidays in Tropea: a road trip from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily
A road trip adventure from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily: a unique journey perfect for immersing yourself in the culture and stunning landscapes of Southern Italy. Starting with the breathtaking cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, the heart of your holidays in Tropea will be the famous pearl of Calabria, with its dreamlike beaches and crystal-clear sea. But a...
Nonna’s Cooking Gets a California Upgrade at Campanella in Sebastopol
Campanella’s Chicken Parm Pie says everything you need to know about the new Brooklyn-meets-Sebastopol Italian American restaurant. The hand-tossed pizza topped with mozzarella, vodka sauce and fried chicken cutlets is a throwback to owner Tom Rutledge’s favorite childhood snack when visiting his grandparents in Brooklyn and Queens. That, along wit...
Italian Heritage Month: Francesco Stephano Pezzolo, AKA Ping Bodie
Better known throughout his professional baseball career as Ping Bodie, Francesco Stephano Pezzolo was a first-generation outfielder who helped pave the way for future New York Yankees’ stars like Joe DiMaggio, Tony “Push 'em up” Lazzeri, Frankie Crosetti, Phil Rizzuto, Yogi Berra, and others. Ping got his name from the “ping” noise made when his 5...
7 must-do experiences in Italy's stunning Lombardy region
Lombardy is the region in Italy that strikes a balance between the Italy of centuries past and country’s progression toward innovation. Lombardy may be known for its bustling city life in Milan (the region's capital and Italy's premier business hub), but it also encompasses picturesque medieval villages, glitzy lakeside resorts, glacial lakes and s...
US, the market does not shine. But in first 6 months 2024 Italian wine grows and remains leader
The wine market, even in the U.S., is not shining, there is no shortage of economic difficulties, and there is great uncertainty ahead of the presidential election, now just around the corner. But overall, things are not so bad for Italian wine, which remains the absolute leader among imported wines in the world's most important market, and which i...
The underrated Italian town that's becoming one of Europe's chicest destinations
For centuries, Porto Ercole has been one of the ultimate summer hubs for elite Italian travellers. Today, it still retains this reputation of being a bite-sized, chic destination to spend a few days – think sun-soaked beaches, generations-old family restaurants and sleek yachts bobbing in the bay. + It's easy to access – located on Tuscany’s Monte...
Carnival Firenze, now sailing out of Long Beach, offers ‘Fun, Italian Style’
Italy and Mexico are separated by an ocean and a gulf, and yet the two countries share much in common. They both speak a romance language, fly a similar green, white and red national flag, and when it comes to soccer — or football as it’s called in these birthplaces of pastas and tostadas — their mutual obsession is at fever pitch. Leave it to Cali...
Vermiglio Begins its Journey Towards the Oscars as Italy’s Entry
One day, we may look back and say it all began at the Palazzo del Cinema, when Vermiglio, written and directed by Maura Delpero, premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival. The film immediately won over the jury, led by Isabelle Huppert, earning the Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize. Just days after the festival’s conclusion, Vermiglio a...
Giuseppe's Italian Eatery to Bring Familiar Favorites to Corning
A familiar name in the local dining scene is preparing to take over Cugini's and open a new restaurant on Corning's Market Street. Gaetano Ruggiero, known for his work with Louie's and Giuseppe's, plans to open Giuseppe's Italian Eatery, a spot that will combine dishes from both restaurants. "We are a Bon Appetit dining destination and anytime tha...