Alfonzo’s is a tradition in Troy
For 40-plus years, Alfonzo’s Pizzeria has been all about family and tradition. Alfonzo’s, located at 611 Edwardsville Road in Troy, was founded by Mike Paolucci, a third-generation Italian American. Alfonzo’s is a family business still operated by Mike, his wife Lori, his son Joe, and Amber Herron. “We started the restaurant in 1982,” said Mike Pao...
Elba Island: 10 Things You Didn't Know About This Hidden Italian Gem
When you hear about Elba island, the first thing that probably comes to mind is, "oh, that's where Napoleon was exiled!" You guessed it right. But besides this historical moment, Elba has plenty of fascinating things in its arsenal to amaze its visitors. Called a true jewel of the Tuscan region, Elba keeps holding a low profile and has often been o...
concert > Cinema Italia
When: March 28, 2023 | 6:00 pm - Where: Italian Cultural Institute, 1023 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles What would films be without music? Music conveys what imagery cannot. A soundtrack's importance can transcend visual storytelling. Great film directors often build the entire structure of their masterpieces around a score.
Speaking of Montepulciano
Last time we talked about a Sangiovese-based wine from an ancient walled hilltop Tuscan village named Montepulciano. Today let’s wrap up that story with a wine made from a black grape from Abruzzo called Montepulciano. Too. Many. Montepulcianos? Maybe. But I’m sure tradition is too strong to allow either the Tuscans or the Abruzzese to surrender, r...
Principe Brings the Italian Coast to New York City
If there is one thing New York is not short of, its Italian restaurants – from the fancy fine-dining spots to the casual joints, the city has this beloved cuisine covered. This isn’t to say, however, there isn’t always room for a fresh take, as chef Abram Bissell, formerly of Eleven Madison Park, is on a mission to prove with the opening of Princip...
Rome's Pantheon to charge visitors €5 entry fee
Visiting the Pantheon in Rome will no longer be free to tourists who will be required to pay a €5 entry fee, following an agreement reached between Italy's culture ministry and church authorities. Access to the landmark, which attracted a record 9.3 million visitors in 2019, will remain free to residents of Rome, people attending religious services...
Exposure, player experience the motivation for unconventional Italian Bowl in Toledo
The Italian Football League season is in full swing and this year, the country’s nine first-division teams are chasing a unique prize. In October, the IFL raised eyebrows across Europe when they announced that the league’s annual championship game, the Italian Bowl, would be held outside of the country for the first time in history. Instead of in R...
Giulianova: Discovering Italy’s Charming Coastal Town
Italy is known for its picturesque towns and cities, each one offering a unique experience to visitors. One such town that deserves a mention is Giulianova, a quaint little coastal town located on the Adriatic coast. With its stunning beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant culture, Giulianova has a lot to offer tourists who are looking for a r...
Revisiting La Vecchia Cucina, a Longtime Santa Monica Favorite
Doesn’t everyone love a neighborhood restaurant, even if it’s not exactly in your hood? La Vecchia Cucina on Main Street in Santa Monica sits among the newly opened restaurants getting plenty of attention. Good for those new kids on the block, but give me this neighborhood Italian any day. Opened by brothers Mark and Anthony Mollica 15 years ago, L...
Italian wine exports break another record
Italian wine export sales touched the €8 billion mark, reaching €7.9 billion in value in 2022 (+9.8 percent compared to 2021) despite substantial stability in volume sales (22 million hectoliters, -0.6 percent). According to the analysis of the Observatory of Unione Italiana Vini, Ismea, and Vinitaly, the market has also withstood inevitable price...
‘Pieces of Ourselves’: An Italian American Manifesto
My father worked with his hands beginning at the age of 10, and he never stopped, right up to the very day he walked off the job site and into the hospital, where he swiftly passed away. He never wanted my brothers to take over the landscaping business he had built. He wanted them to wear suits and ties and sit behind desks. You probably know this...
Why Abruzzo in Italy should be your next family ski holiday
The Romans and Neopolitans love Roccaraso. At weekends and bank holidays, the alla moda set converge on this ski resort, located just two hours from Rome and Naples, in search of la dolce vita. Yet despite being Italy's fifth largest resort, the 100km of the Alto Sangro ski area remains practically unknown to Britons. Most skiers know that Italy is...