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Antica Trattoria

29 May

One of the things you’ll rarely find in Cortona’s eateries is absentee ownership. Each proprietor is the essence of entrepreneurship…the first to arrive, the last to leave, sometimes the chef, visible to all, always on the go, and very devoted to pleasing patrons. Meet owner Luca Cuculi at Antica Trattoria, one such proprietor.

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For all who were with us last summer, you’ll no doubt remember the wonderful dinners we enjoyed at this restaurant, whether dining inside or al fresco. And last night was no different.

For primo, we shared an order of panzerotti, a hand-made, half-moon shaped stuffed pasta…Incredible!

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For secondo, we usually share an entrée, but since Len loves lamb chops and I don’t eat them, we ordered two entrées:

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the grilled hen and roasted potatoes for me:
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and the grilled lamb ribs with sautéed spinach for Len, which he proclaimed to be the best he has ever had!

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To complement our dinner, we ordered Sangiovese.  Fresh, simple, delicious! Grazie, Luca!

We’ll be back for sure!

Ciao,

Judy

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Destination: Cortona!

24 May

Arrived yesterday, a bit tired and jet lagged, and encountering some internet issues (hopefully temporary), but nothing some great food and vino can’t cure!

In the meantime, click to see my shortest post yet!

Ciao,

Judy

Italy Info Worth Reading

10 May

Whether or not you have travel plans for Italy, reading and learning about the country and planned events can be great fun. Several people have asked what sites I follow, so I thought I’d share a few.

If looking for Cortona specific information, check out www.cortonaweb.net. This site provides information on everything from weather to local events, podcasts, restaurants, accommodations, history of Cortona, maps, wedding planners, tours, wine shops, etc. While not all-inclusive, it certainly covers a broad spectrum of interesting and useful information about Cortona.

The website was started in 1999 by a few locals just for fun, and with sponsorship, has grown over the years. It is well-written and informative. The following picture and caption from the site’s front page describe Cortona’s amazing Etruscan Museum, or MAEC, which is definitely worth visiting:

“A journey back 2700 years Restoring History. Dawn of the Etruscan Princes.”

slide-maec-restaurando-la-storia

Un viaggio a ritroso di 2700 Anni Restaurando La Storia. L’Alba dei Principi etruschi

I’ve been in touch with the authors of cortonaweb.net and look forward to meeting them this summer!

For reading about Italy in general, a site I enjoy is an online magazine called Italy Magazine: http://www.italymagazine.com

Its byline reads: “Since 1999, the n.1 magazine for lovers of all things Italian.” Like me! Included in the magazine are Italian current and cultural events, travel tips, accommodations, properties for sale, festivals and recipes such as the one below on how to make limoncello.  Hey, something fun to try on Mother’s Day, which by the way, is also celebrated on the second Sunday in May in Italy…
Tanti Auguri Mamma!

limoncello

italymagazine.com

http://www.italymagazine.com/recipe/how-make-limoncell

So sit back, relax, and take some time to explore these wonderful, ever-changing and totally free sources about Italy.

Happy Reading and Enjoy –  Buon divertimento!

Ciao,

Judy

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Festa della Liberazione

30 Apr

Before we close the month of April, I want to take a moment to highlight a special Italian celebration…the Festa della Liberazione.  Each year on April 25th, the day is dedicated to celebrating Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation. According to an article in Italy Magazine, “The day marks the liberation of the country by Allied troops in World War II and is celebrated throughout the peninsula with parades, concerts, demonstrations, speeches, and more.”

In the States we have the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. In Italy, they have Frecce Tricolori, or the Three Color Arrows.

Rivolto

Rivolto (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For more on the celebration, and to see the Frecce Tricolori in action, click on the article by Carol King, Le Frecce Tricolori, the flamboyant aerobatic antics of Italy.

And if you happen to be in Italy this summer, or even in November, you might be lucky enough to see Le Frecce in action.

According to Carol, “This year, the Frecce Tricolori take to the skies to perform displays in Italy and abroad, starting on 5 May at the Falconara Air Show in Ancona…The Frecce Tricolori will round off the year on 4 November in Rome to celebrate the Giornata Unità Nazionale e delle Forze Armate (National Unification and Armed Forces Day). The day marks the anniversary of the unification of Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia with Italy, as well as the end of World War I.”

Italiano: Frecce Tricolori all'Air Show di Fal...

Italiano: Frecce Tricolori all’Air Show di Falconara Marittima, Ancona, Italy. (Wikipedia)

A cause for celebration indeed! Buona Festa!

Ciao,

Judy

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Chianti and the Fiasco

20 Apr

In the May/June issue of La Cucina Italiana,  www.lacucinaitalianamag.com, there is an interesting article on the last page entitled what a fiasco. The fiasco the article refers to is not a disaster or a problem. Instead, it tells the history of the straw clad Chianti basket, the fiasco.

Vin Chianti

Chianti Bottles

Of course, we all remember the bottle…a not too long neck that flowed into a rounded bottle nestled in a straw basket. When empty, the bottle served as a wonderful candleholder. Back in the day, I would vary the candle color to add a rainbow effect to the mountain of drippings that hugged the bottle’s curves. While I have none left, I did find this on a site called The Cottage and it looks just like mine did after burning a few candles.

As the La Cucina article correctly reminds us, “No first date was complete with out a Chianti bottle candleholder on the table, and no image of the bottle was as iconic as the spaghetti scene in The Lady and The Tramp.”

Disney Lady and the Tramp

Disney Lady and the Tramp

But back to the history…Long before commercial trucking was available, bottles of wine were carried on horse drawn carts, up and down hills and through winding roads. Not surprisingly, the bottles could rub against each other and break, especially when a single cart could carry more than 3000 kilos of wine. In order to protect them, the Chianti bottles were wrapped in straw.

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Wine delivery, Florence, Italy, Circa 1920 (La Cucina Italiana article)

This great photo shows Chianti fiaschi arriving in Florence  via horse drawn carriage,  a few workers, and no broken bottles. So  next time you pour Chianti from regular wine bottles, and some very good ones at that, raise a glass to the simple ingenuity of times gone by, and remember, a fiasco can be a good thing!

Ciao,

Judy

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David – clothed?

22 Mar
Michelangelo Buonarroti

Michelangelo Buonarroti (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A replica of Michelangelo’s magnificent Renaissance piece, David, now stands in the town of Okuizumo, Japan. As you might expect, the marble replica of David is tall, 16 feet in fact, and also naked, as Michelangelo had intended. One would expect the town’s people to be delighted with the artistic addition,

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however, according to a town official, some of the residents are asking that David be given…underwear. Hmmm. “It is the first time we have had anything like this in our town,” said Yoji Morinaga. “Perhaps people were perplexed.”

As for me, the old adage to leave well enough alone seems to apply. However, if they are serious about clothing David after all these years,

English: Michelangelo's David (original statue...

Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia in Firenze (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I would suggest the town could richly benefit from a lotto to select a seamstress!

Ciao,

Judy

Related articles

 

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Habemus Papam!

13 Mar

Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio

the former “Father Jorge”

now Pope Francis I,

becomes the 266th pontiff.

"Habemus Papam" - Cardinal Jorge Mar...

“Habemus Papam” – Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., has been elected Pope Francis I (Photo credit: Catholic Church (England and Wales))

Coat of Arms of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio

Coat of Arms of Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Emblem of Vatican City Italiano: Embl...

English: Emblem of Vatican City Italiano:  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As you probably know, the Papal conclave or election of a new pope takes place in the Sistine Chapel, which is kept locked during all voting. The word conclave, taken from the Latin clave or key,  actually means “a room that can be locked.” Such intense focus enables the cardinals to be free from other distractions.

When asked by a reporter what she thought of the excitement before Pope Francis I emerged on the balcony, a lady in the square responded, “The cardinals picked a pope in two days. In Italy, we still don’t have a president!” Maybe a conclave would help?

Benedizioni per il nuovo pontefice – blessings to the new pope!

Ciao,

Judy

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2013 Best Beach! La più bella spiaggia del mondo!

23 Feb

This time of year, many of us who are experiencing the grey days of winter often turn our thoughts to warmer times. With spring just around the corner, and the blossoms getting ready to emerge from winter hibernation, it won’t be long before spring turns to summer and people head to the beach.

Since we are still in the dreaming months, which beach is best? You might be surprised to learn that in a recent Trip Advisor traveler survey, the top billing went to Rabbit Beach, on the remote Sicilian island of Lampedusa. Yes, Sicily! And why not when Italy has so much beauty to offer. Lampedusa lies in the southernmost part of Italy, about 176 kilometres (109 mi) from Sicily.

Location of Pelagie Islands on a map

Location of Pelagie Islands on a map (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The island, population less than 5000, is only accessible by boat or air. It is described as an incredible nature reserve and is one of the only places in the Mediterranean where loggerhead turtles lay their eggs.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle escaping from a net via ...

Loggerhead Sea Turtle escaping from a net via TED device (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Beach oh Rabbit's Island in Lampedusa...

Rabbit Beach on Lampedusa Island Sicily:  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Coastline of Lampedusa

Coastline of Lampedusa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If the name sounds vaguely familiar, the 2002 Italian film Respiro, or Breath, was filmed on the island.

Respiro

Respiro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So, if your Bucket List includes the world’s best beaches, be sure to add Rabbit Beach to your list.

Guitgia, Lampedusa

Guitgia, Lampedusa (Photo credit: lucasiragusa)

Lampedusa, Cala Grecale, 2003

Lampedusa, Cala Grecale, 2003 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

And don’t forget your sunscreen!

For a list of the top 10 beaches, check out

http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cDestinations-g1

Ciao!

Judy

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A Fitting Epitaph for Ciccio, the Faithful Dog

19 Feb

Ciccio, the dog who continued to “attend mass” after the death of his longtime owner and caregiver, has died from cardiac arrest. In my January 25 post, Losing a Faithful Companion, I shared the story of Ciccio, the faithful companion of Maria Lochi, who continued to search for Maria each day at church after her funeral.

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With health failing, Ciccio, also known as Tommy, had been hospitalized in a local clinic.  He had become quite a celebrity, with local people making sure he was cared for. He even had his own Facebook page, which published many messages of encouragement to the dog after the death of his beloved Maria.

Farewell, Ciccio. Thank you for warming the hearts of so many and for leaving us to wonder, as my friend Pat expressed, “did he die of heart failure due to old age, or could it have been heart break due to the loss of Maria?” I guess we’ll never know, but what we do know for sure is this: he loved and was loved in return. A wonderful epitaph indeed.

Ciao,

Judy

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Buona Festa degli Innamorati – Happy Feast of Love

14 Feb

You might be happy to learn that Valentine’s Day was not created by the greeting card companies. It seems, instead, that is was a religious holiday created in 496 by Pope Gelasius I to replace the pagan festival of the Lupercalia, a Roman festival. The new feast, celebrated on February 14,  became il giorno della festa degli innamorati, or the day of the feast of love, and it was dedicated to Saint Valentine of Terni who preached the message of love. Eventually, the date became linked to romantic love, and in Italy, it was the love between a couple that was celebrated.

Early 20th century Valentine's Day card, showi...

Early 20th century Valentine’s Day card, scanned from ca. 1910 with no notice of copyright. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Up to the 19th century, hand written notes were the norm. Today, however, the greeting card industry has commercialized the concept and love expressions are extended to all family members and friends. According to data from the Greeting Card Association, approximately one billion valentine cards are sent world-wide each year, second only to Christmas. The most common symbols associated with the day are hearts, doves, and cupids.

Scan of a Valentine greeting card dated 1909.

Scan of a Valentine greeting card dated 1909. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Years ago, I asked my husband and daughter to forego cards for my birthday, Valentine’s Day, etc., and instead write me a note or letter. They usually oblige me, or at least take time to write their own thoughts in a card, and I truly appreciate the effort. No matter how good the preprinted poem or phrase, there is nothing that compares to words from the heart.

It would be hard to beat Paul Child’s words to Julia:

You are the butter to my bread –  the breath to my life.

But since it’s the thought that counts…

to my husband and daughter, and to family and friends I am lucky enough to love,

You are the wine in my cup –  the smile in my heart!

Author: Bagande

Author: Bagande (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Happy Valentines Day!

Buona Festa degli Innamorati!

Happy Feast of Love!

Ciao,

Judy

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