If you or your parents grew up in Saratoga Springs, you know Grasso's Italian Ice - or at least recognize it's iconic white truck. Just as iconic, was the man selling the ice to generations of Saratogians, Ralph Grasso. As he turns 90 years old this week, in a show of appreciation, his fans have been sending him birthday cards and sharing their mem...
READ MOREPuglia in the Big Apple has just delivered a culinary spectacle during the eighth annual week of the Italian Cuisine in the World, now a UNESCO 2023 candidate. The meticulously curated event by Puglia in Rosé, in collaboration with the Puglia Region, not only showcased the authentic flavors and top-notch quality of Apulian products but also undersc...
READ MOREGiovanni da Verrazzano (1485-1528), one of the greatest explorers of his time, was the first to set foot on the Atlantic coast of North America. The Verrazzano Bridge in New York, inaugurated in 1964, is an imposing tribute to him. Let’s explore the feats of our hero from Greve in Chianti (Florence) that have made his name unforgettable beyond the...
READ MOREFrom the late nineteenth through the twentieth century, the South Village was a tale of two communities: Italian immigrants and American-born artists, authors, and performers. This illustrated Zoom lecture explores the Italians’ reactions to their neighbors. Sometimes the Italians provided inspiration for artists; sometimes they became part of the...
READ MORENestled in the heart of New York City’s vibrant West Village lies Morandi, a rustic Italian trattoria that epitomizes the charm and flavor of Italy. Owned by renowned restaurateur Keith McNally, this culinary gem has become a go-to destination for both locals and visitors seeking an authentic Italian dining experience. Morandi’s setting is as invit...
READ MOREItalian cuisine is, as we know, the most exported in the world. But what specific Italian cuisine do foreigners, especially Americans, like? It took Philip Guardione, an Italian chef currently leading five restaurants under the "Piccola Cucina" brand, some time to understand. "In order to succeed abroad, the most important thing is the ingredient, ...
READ MOREWagner College Theatre is presenting a special ballet on its Stage One in December, and dance enthusiasts and fans of Wagner performances are invited to attend. “Morso D’Amore” — a ballet powerful for its use of confrontation and subterfuge — will be presented on Stage One on Dec. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., and on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. Admission is free. Th...
READ MOREIf you're not familiar with bomboloni—Italian donuts filled with custard, chocolate or marmalade—now is the time to get acquainted with them as a first-of-its-kind bombolone festival is set to take over NYC from February 6 to February 9, 2024. Hosted by Unregular Bakery in collaboration with Underground Donut Tour, the free extravaganza will take p...
READ MOREFamous statues of horses sculpted by Sardinian artist Costantino Nivola and his American colleague Richard Stein are back in place in New York after they were damaged and removed in the redevelopment of a playground under the Big Apple's Wise Towers two years ago. The statues had graced the playground since 1964. After calls to bring them back to N...
READ MOREItalian publishing house 21letters is opening an U.S. subsidiary, 26letters, which is publishing its first title this month. The company was founded in Modena in 2019 by Alberto Bisi and publishes six titles per year, with a focus on translated fiction and graphic novels; its Italian name derives from the fact that there are 21 letters in the Itali...
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