Ciao my friends:

I think we all agree that a natural pairing for Italians and Italian-Americans, like the combination of prosciutto and figs, or mozzarella and tomatoes, is food and music. This combination of song and sustenance is so much a part of our varied heritage.

Prosciutto and figs..Delicioso!

Sweet and savory tomatoes and mozzarella (with basilico, of course!)

You will have an opportunity to enjoy the enchanting pairing of an Italian meal and music if you’re in New York in September, when Opera New York and the Academy for the Performing Artist will present “From Italy, With Love: A Night of Great Italian Food and Music.” This event will star principal singers and artists from Opera New York, performing Italy’s greatest and most popular music, from operatic arias to Neapolitan songs.

This affair is a benefit to support Opera New York’s workshop for young singers, and to keep the Italian tradition of great music alive and flourishing. Artistic Director Judith Fredericks has created some fabulous events with the help of Board President and Producer Frank LaBriola in recent history, and this one promises to be another winner. The esteemed opera star Placido Domingo is Opera New York’s artistic advisor as well.

If you like the idea of spending an evening supporting the efforts of this fine company, and enjoying a full Italian meal as well, here are all the details:

Monday: Sept. 15th at 6:30 PM
Tony’s di Napoli Restaurant, 147 West 43rd Street, between 6th Ave.and Broadway in New York City
$75 per person for a five-course meal, wine included
For reservations call: 212-580-3370

Go to www.operanewyork.com for more information.

Food and music! Certainly a great reason to come to New York to enjoy that delicious pairing!

Till next time,

Ciao!
Valerie

Recently, I had a most marvelous day in the country. The country I’m talking about is the stunning North Fork of Long Island, New York.

Everyone knows the Hamptons. It’s got the cache of the French Riviera in Europe, or Malibu in California. It’s a destination for the thin, beautiful and rich. With miles of Atlantic Ocean shoreline, and multimillion dollar mansions, it’s the weekly weekend vacation destination spot that thousands of people travel to by car, jitney, or even seaplane. Truly, the Hamptons are beautiful but the vibe there is “see and be seen.”

Not so on the North Fork of Long Island, the “other” side of the Hamptons. When you exit off the Long Island Expressway and start to travel past commerce in the business district of Riverhead, suddenly, miles of farms and quaint farmstands appear, with mom and pop businesses along the way, creating a feeling of authenticity. California has Napa and Sonoma, Long Island has the North Fork. Dozens of vineyards have cropped up over the years, and the area is now well known for vineyard tours and New York wines.

This past week, on a Tuesday, I hosted an event at one of the jewels of the North Fork. The Jedediah Hawkins Inn (www.jedediahhawkinsinn.com) restored to perfection is stunningly situated on Jamesport Avenue in Jamesport. This is where an event titled, “La Dolce Vita: an evening of food, wine and wellness” took place. Internationally renowned physicians Dr. Frank Arena and Dr. Dwight DeRisi spoke about how to live a more healthful life.

The food created by chefs Tom Shaudel and Mike Ross was organic, healthful, colorful and delicious. These two fun guys did a wonderful demo for the filled-to-capacity crowd. Vineyards from the area were represented and vintners were there to pour and talk about their properties. The vineyards that were there were:

Castello di Borghese (www.castellodiborghese.com)

Pellegrini Vineyards (www.pellegrinivineyards.com)

Martha Clara (www.marthaclaravineyards.com)

Raphael Vineyard. (www.raphaelwine.com)

Clovis Vineyard (www.clovispointwines.com)

Sannino’s Bella Vita Vineyard.(www.sanninovineyard.com)

This last vineyard is a bit different. It is a place where you can actually make your own homemade wine! Now, that’s a fun hobby to undertake with family and friends.

Those are just six of the many vineyards that pepper the wild and beautiful land on the North Fork. If you are familiar with winemaking (many an Italian-American has a story about Grandpa Joe or Uncle Tony growing grapes in the backyard and making the jug wine for family gatherings!), I am certain that a trip to the North Fork would be of great interest to you.

Take a trip out east. Instead of heading to the Hamptons, veer north to the fabulous North Fork. Stop at these vineyards, and do make a plan to go to the Jedediah Hawkins Inn, either for a sumptuous dinner or brunch or to stay in one of their beautiful, state of the art yet charming rooms. I promise you will love the entire trip!

Till next week, ciao my friends,
Valerie

Hello my friends:

I can’t wait to share my latest culinary find with you. Etcetera Etcetera Restaurant is located right in the theater district in New York City and it’s a perfect spot for pre-theater dining, post-theater dining, a drink at the bar, or even a private affair in their beautiful and airy upstairs room.

The staff is amazingly cordial, and one of the owners, who is seemingly always on premises, complete with the warmest smile, and most beautiful deep chocolate colored eyes, is the ever charming Daniele Kucera. Hailing from near Trieste, Italy, Daniele can relate the classic immigrant story that is never tiresome to hear.

From Italy to New York…to work!

Daniele came to New York City in 1992 with $100 in his pocket and no place to live. A relative knew famous restaurateur Tony May of San Domenico and she suggested that Daniele meet Mr. May. He arrived on a snowy winter’s day at approximately 3 pm. By 6 pm that same day (!), knowing little English, he was put to work in San Domenico.

In time and through very hard work and dedication, Daniele mastered English, learning all aspects of the restaurant business, and with partners Franco Lazzari and chef Stefano Terzi opened their own place on 51st Street between 8 and 9th Avenues, in an area that was not really considered an ideal spot for successful restaurants. That restaurant was called Vice Versa. It is still there and thriving.

Several years later, Daniele, and his partners opened Etcetera Etcetera on West 44th…my new favorite hangout!

A sleek, soothing looking restaurant that appears to be an oasis amidst the gritty streets of midtown west, Etcetera Etcetera is a place to be pampered while enjoying classic Italian dishes, as well as unique pasta and risotto preparations like:

Scialatielli con polpa di granchio - Homemade basil spaghetti with jumbo lump crab meat, tomatoes, brandy and light cream sauce

Risotto al tartufo nero estivo - Risotto with Prosecco, black summer truffles and parmigiano cheese

Casoncelli alla bergamasca - Veal, raisin and amaretto cookie filled ravioli with butter, pancetta and sage

If you prefer fish, chicken or meat, here are some of their selections:

Dentice al forno con crema di patate al pesto e ragout di vongole veraci - Sautéed red snapper with velvety potato puree, pesto and manilla clam ragout

Pesce spada in padella con salsa al pomodoro, olive nere, origano e capperi - Pan sautéed swordfish with tomato sauce, black olive, oregano and caper berries

Galletto al limone con zucchine gialle e patate arrosto - Roasted crispy Cornish hen with lemon sauce, sautéed yellow squash and roasted potatoes

Scaloppine di vitello con carciofi e capperi - Veal scaloppini with artichokes, capers and chardonnay sauce with potato rösti

A signature dish at Etcetera Etcetera

For a wonderful meal, lovely surroundings and super service, try Etcetera Etcetera, located at 352 West 44th Street between 8th and 9th, (www.etcrestaurant.com)  and their sister eatery, Vice Versa, (www.viceversarestaurant.com) a few blocks north on West 51st, also between 8th and 9th. Say “Hello” to Daniele, and I promise you’ll  be greeted with that warm, Italian welcome!

Till next week, mangia bene…
Ciao!
Valerie

Flamingo Court, a new play starring Jamie Farr and Anita Gillette, has opened off-Broadway at the New World Stages in New York Ciy. Billed as “a comedy in three condos” taking place in a (you guessed it) condo community in South Florida, Farr and Gillette take on multiple roles in this three-act piece, featuring the endearing residents of Flamingo Court.

The playwright is Italian American, New York-born Luigi Creatore. Now 87 years young, Luigi is best know for being part of the hit writing/record producing team, Hugo and Luigi.  With Hugo Peretti, his Italian American partner and cousin, they are responsible for such mega hits as “Twistin’ The Night Away”, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, which the cousins co-wrote with George David Weiss.

Flamingo Court is a play that has a specific audience in mind, geared toward retirees and snowbirds, and deals with issues that aging baby boomers and their parents can relate to.

“Angelina, Apartment 104″ starts off the play with three friends meeting for coffee after their daily soap, and proceeds to unravel with a sitcom-like twist. This act focuses on Italian Americans who have moved down to Florida from Brooklyn, a romance, a husband in the next room and the comedy which ensues.

Jamie Farr, Anita Gillette. “Angelina, Apartment 104″

“Clara, Apartment 204″  takes a turn toward a heartbreaking, somewhat disturbing side, but is beautifully portrayed by the two versatile stars.

Jamie Farr, Anita Gillette, “Clara, Apartment 204″

And “Harry, Apartment 304″ tackles the subject of family and wills, and even flatulence(!)

The full cast in “Harry, Apartment 304″, the last act of Flamingo Court

In between the action, a screen above the stage transmits messages to the audience about the social activities at Flamingo Court. They are quite clever and induced lots of laughter.

For me, the best part of this theatrical experience was seeing a play expressly written for actors over a certain age, giving them roles with range and providing a variety of topics to tackle. It’s also interesting to see what famous songwriter Luigi Creatore has been up to in the playwrighting department.

Flamingo Court plays at New World Stages. Visit www.flamingocourt.com for more information.

Till next week…
Ciao,
Valerie