Aielli & Benevento

When in the Nation’s Capital, every serious Italian food lover knows there is no finer trattoria style ristorante than Primi Piatti. It has been a standout luncheon spot for over two decades. What is less known, is the magical skills of its chef and owner Savino Recine. The magical maestro has become very successful, demonstrating his cooking sleight of hand stage magic on television and in front of princesses and prime ministers. Savino’s next show is 11/18.

The most known of Rome’s emperors was Julius Caesar. A new bio on the man who literally crossed the Rubicon has been put forth by Adrian Goldworthy (“Caesar: Life of a Colossus”) and published by Yale University Press. Giving high marks to this new work on an old Roman, the Wall Street Journal notes the author ”…tells this story with great skill….”

While Caesar has had an influence on all politicians who have followed him, there’s Harry Cipriani, the famous Venice barkeep who has influenced all serious drinkers who have followed him from Hemingway to Joan Crawford. The Cipriani legacy is finely illustrated in a book by the founder’s son, Arrigo, who has penned “The Harry’s Bar Cookbook”. For all who craved simple food with style the recipe guide by the man who made the Bellini famous is a worthy buy.

The insightful New York Times food critic Frank Bruni, recently set out on the enviable task of compare the cuisines of two of Italy’s most outstanding food provinces: Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna, both north of Rome. The article entitled, “Just How Good Can Italy Get?” answered the question rather well with beautiful descriptions of Bologna-style tortellini and Turin’s taglierini. And even more on hazelnut chocolate desserts and Parma’s cotechino sausage. (This article was one of the NY Times most popular articles emailed online.) Bruni gave his readers a great listing of six ristoranti he found most appealing on his gastronomic journey. In alpha order: 1. Al Cavallino Bianco (Polesine Parmense); 2. Guido (Pollenzo); 3. Hosteria Giusti (Modena); 4. La Taverna Di Fra Fiusch (Revigliasco di Moncalieri); 5. L’Osteria del Vignaiolo (Santa Maria); and, 6. Osteria La Francescana (Modena). The food meccas of Parma and Bologna have dozens more so great restaurants so we got to thinking, maybe an A&B gourmand’s private tour around this area for Fall 2007.

Those anxious to experience ‘La Dolce Vita’ often ask us “where is your favorite place to go in Italy?” That’s a question on par with asking an alcoholic what is his favorite cocktail. “How can you choose just one?”. Italy truly offers but an abundance of places to see and see again.

Here’s our take on twelve great spots and an interesting time to visit. Think of it as your Italy-of-the-Month Club…
Italy truly offers but an abundance of places to see and see again.

Here’s our take on twelve great spots and an interesting time to visit. Think of it as your Italy-of-the-Month Club…

While we all like to blow our horn it’s always better when someone else sings your praises. So we happily showcase recent comments from savvy travelers who have toured Italy relying on our company: from M. Kumar of Virginia, “…thank you for the most wonderful trip we have ever had in all our life…everything was just so perfect.”; from C. Bush of New Hampshire: ”…we will remember our trip very happily and would do it again….” and from C. Carpenter of Seattle: ”Thank you for everything…especially the attention to detail! It was a dream trip!” Grazie. Grazie. Grazie.

For those who cherish very stylish accommodations, the House of Ferragamo has done it again, this time with a new ultra chic hotel next to Rome’s Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). We have written before about their great Firenze hotel properties specifically the Continentale and Gallery Art, now comes Portrait Suites located in an authentic Roman townhouse adjacent to the famous Via Condotti. Attention all shoppers: junior suites start at 700 euros a night.

Leave it to the New York Times to get the scoop on gossip. Last week the “Arts, Briefly” column reported that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are getting married, in Italy of all places! The Mission Impossible star has been taking it on the chin thanks to his unregulated musings on religion and medicine. With his choice of places to honeymoon, we think he’s out of his slump. Nuptials are set for November 18 and the bride will be wearing Armani… While the paparazzi will be hanging around George Clooney’s Villa in Como expecting to catch the famous, A&B suggests Tom consider the following stops while on the Italian Peninsula: In Florence, Castello del Nero; shopping in Milan and then overnight at The Gray; when in Rome, the de Russie Hotel, and; finally skip over to the Amalfi coast to try Palazzo Sasso.