First Bite: New Thompson Italian Restaurant in Alexandria Brings Hints of Palestinian Flavors
Thompson Italian Alexandria is definitely not a clone of the Falls Church modern Italian eatery, which ranks in the Top 10 of Northern Virginia Magazine’s 2022 50 Best Restaurants. The new spot is a destination-worthy restaurant with a distinctive menu illuminated by executive chef Lucy Dakwar’s Palestinian heritage. Dakwar, who has worked side-by-...
The Unexpected Diet Of Ancient Roman Gladiators
Gladiators were the super athletes of ancient Rome, and gladiator fights were a popular diversion of the time. Most gladiators were condemned prisoners or enslaved people whose athletic prowess would be the only thing standing between life and death (per World History). The fighting was brutal and bloody. Stamina and the ability to recover quickly...
Jim Gabella Named Winner of Giants Dick Tidrow Scout of the Year Award
The San Francisco Giants announced today that amateur scout **Jim Gabella **was named this year’s winner of the Dick Tidrow Scout of the Year Award. The award, established in 2022, is given annually to the Giants scout who represents the integrity, character and work ethic exemplified by the late Dick Tidrow. Keith Snider, also in SF’s amateur scou...
Treia, what to see in the hidden gem near Macerata
It is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and lies less than 20 kilometres from Macerata. Treia is a love of a small town with a delightful historic centre, an impressive panoramic terrace where the view stretches from the Adriatic Sea to the Sibillini Mountains, many artistic and cultural glimpses, and a special sports tradition. Like Quid...
The Campanians - L&B Spumoni Gardens & Galleria Umberto pizzas (plus sfincione)
Today’s post and recipes are a tribute to two of my favorite pizza joints, Brooklyn’s L&B Spumoni Gardens and Boston’s Galleria Umberto. While both specialize in what we collectively consider Sicilian pizza—meaning square-cut slices, baked in a pan, with a thick, close-textured crumb—neither actually originates from Sicily. In fact, as I only just...
Exhibition: Gianfranco Ferré. Design Principles
From February 8 to May 15 a piece of the history of Italian fashion will be on display at the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles in the exhibition “Gianfranco Ferré. Design Principles”, curated by the Gianfranco Ferré Research Center of the Politecnico di Milano. The exhibition explores Gianfranco Ferré's unique approach to fashion design t...
Mystery of why Roman buildings have survived so long has been unraveled, scientists say
The majestic structures of ancient Rome have survived for millennia — a testament to the ingenuity of Roman engineers, who perfected the use of concrete. But how did their construction materials help keep colossal buildings like the Pantheon (which has the world's largest unreinforced dome) and the Colosseum standing for more than 2,000 years? Roma...
Trivially Speaking: Polenta originated before Italy had cornmeal
After lo these many years, I can’t slip anything past my clever editor. I should have known better than to try. I had no sooner submitted my column on fried mush and grits than I received a response. She wrote: “But what do you think about polenta? Your mother’s cornmeal mush strips sound a lot like polenta, except there’s usually cheese (always ma...
The Unconventional Garlic Cut That Transforms Nancy Silverton's Pasta
Without garlic, some of our most beloved recipes — Caesar salad, garlic bread, and pesto alla Genovese — would taste totally different. The flavorful allium sometimes called the "stinking rose," is in the same family as onions, leeks, and shallots and is enjoyed raw or cooked in dishes from every cuisine. Known for its flavor and smell, the bulb ha...
The Real Field of Dreams: Pittsburgh’s Northside Sandlot Football
Art Rooney’s name should ring a bell. He was the fellow who started sandlot football on the Northside of Pittsburgh. He eventually turned a semi-professional football team into the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty. Beginning with the Hope Harvey football team (1920s), Rooney was a player/coach. He was the quarterback, while brothers Dan and Jim played...
Sicily vs Sardinia: which Italian island should you escape to?
Some countries are blessed. And then there’s Italy, which is endowed with not one but two huge island regions in the Mediterranean. Both filled with churches, vineyards, churches and sites testifying to millennia of history, Sicily and Sardinia are nonetheless truly distinct – and truly wonderful. Having trouble picking between the two? We’ve asked...
From All-Day Cafe To Italian American Restaurant: Cafe Louie is Now Louie’s
By all accounts, Cafe Louie in the East End was a bona fide hit — an all-day cafe by brother-and-sister chef duo Angelo and Lucianna “Louie” Emiliani, the cafe’s namesake. Visitors loved it. The reviews—both in the mainstream press and on social media—were enthusiastic and laudatory. Four months in, however, the Emiliani’s realized that their visio...