100 Years of Italian Heritage: San Francisco Style–Catherine A. Accardi
“San Francisco, Italy”: that’s what former San Francisco Italian Consul General Mauro Battocchi would call the City in his colorful blog which is still online and continues to highlight his years here. But before “San Francisco, Italy,” we had “Little Italy”—a community sweeping down the slopes from Telegraph Hill into what is still called North Be...
36 hours in Rome
Rome, usually a city on the verge of an urban breakdown, suddenly seems on the cusp of getting it together. A refreshing breeze of possibility, not just this summer’s burning garbage, is blowing through the city. A Bulgari hotel will soon open in the center of town, along with other brand-name accommodations that promise a reinvigoration of luxury...
Yolan elevates Italian fine dining in Nashville with its La Tavola in La Cucina
Since it opened in August 2020, Yolan, the Italian eatery at The Joseph hotel in Nashville, has maintained a reputation as one of downtown's most recognizable fine dining experiences. Diners can opt for a five- or eight-course tasting menu or order a la carte — or both. Specialties include pastas crafted in house and fresh meat and seafood amplifie...
Disguising solar panels as ancient Roman tiles in Pompeii
Solar panels disguised as ancient Roman tiles or terracotta bricks to match the city skyline. The innovative solutions adopted by the archaeological park of Pompeii and the Portuguese city of Evora pave the way for an inspiring model: turning architectural constraints into assets, boosting heritage and sustainability. Each year over 3.5 million tou...
Rocky Marciano's Training Routine Defines His Unbeaten Boxing Legacy
First-generation, Italian American Rocky Marciano’s training routine and incredible determination continue to define his unbeaten boxing legacy. Marciano’s distinguished boxing career achieved a 49-0 record with 43 knockouts and compiled an 88% knockout rate of his heavyweight opponents. Marciano achieved the unimaginable as an undersized fighter w...
Ponte della Maddalena (or the Devil's Bridge)
The bridge at Borgo a Mozzano, called "The Devil's Bridge" or the "Maddalena Bridge" is certainly the most beautiful bridge in the province of Lucca, and one of the most suggestive in Italy. Many legends were born from its myterious construction and its singular design, with one large arch flanked by three smaller ones, inspired the works of many a...
First Look: Vicini Pastaria Brings a Taste of Italy to Lafayette Square
For a year and a half, chef Dawn Wilson has been serving her handmade pasta and assorted home goods from her Lafayette Square storefront, Vicini Pastaria (1916 Park Avenue, 314-827-6150), eagerly awaiting the day she could realize her full vision for the space. Now, that time has finally come: Vicini celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Novemb...
United States: American Bishops Elect a New President
During the Fall Plenary Assembly, held in Baltimore, Maryland, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on November 15, 2022, elected a new president and vice-president: Msgr. Timothy Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Services, and Msgr. William Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore. After three ballots the president was elected by 138 vo...
Archaeological areas of Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata: UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1997
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the archaeological area comprising the excavations of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis (today's Torre Annunziata) is rightfully among the places to visit at least once in a lifetime. The devastation that swept through the cities in the shadow of Vesuvius following the eruption of 24 August 79 AD crystallis...
The History Of Rao's
Exclusive restaurants can be a status symbol among the rich and famous. If you're a big shot, getting that coveted reservation shows the world that you can get into, and afford to eat at, whatever the hottest restaurant in town is. But hot restaurants can come and go. For a restaurant to stay in demand after decades in business can be quite a feat....
The fantasia of Angelo Badalamenti, veil-piercing composer
A girl walks into a diner and goes straight for the jukebox, and the song she puts on is a strange one: a wordless, off-centered jazz number that slinks around, snapping its fingers and occasionally erupting in fits of woodwind and brass. "God, I love this music," the girl sighs. "Isn't it too dreamy?" In the middle of the restaurant she begins to...
The Hazy Origins Of Italy's Beloved Affogato
For the uninitiated, affogato is the ultimate dessert for those who like the juxtaposition of deep contrasts: the black, bitter acidity of espresso meets the pure white creaminess of vanilla ice cream. The word itself also rolls off the tongue nicely in four syllables that rhyme: "ah-foe-ga-toe," an Italian word, which literally translates to "drow...