"Al Dente"

“Al dente” in Italian means “to the tooth”, but colloquially means “perfect in the mouth.” In Italy this phrase moves beyond the point of identifying the perfect state of cooked pasta, to being an actual state of being for the pasta. Every pasta I tried in Italy was so absolutely perfect that it left me with a feeling of pure satisfaction, eyes closed, taste buds firing on all cylinders and that inexplicable yet immediately identifiable texture as you bite down. As my sister said, “It’s in their blood, it’s an internal clock, and if you don’t know how to cook pasta, you aren’t Italian.”

The remarkable pastas shown are from Canova Tadolini Restaurant and Gallery, a must visit if you are in Rome.

The Aperitivo

Happy Hour in Italy is a little different. Called an Aperitivo, it is served between roughly 5pm and 7:30pm usually by the local espresso bar or panini shop. The premise is simple but equally mind-blowing. You order a drink and snacks are included. Sometimes snacks are brought to your table in the form of a bowl of olives, bite-size crustless ham sandwiches, and potato chips (everything delicious, these aren't bar nuts). Other times a full buffet of various pasta salads, sandwiches, and/or cured meats and cheeses is offered, help yourself (seriously).  So you order a Campari Spritz at about 2-3€ above usual price and the snacks are all yours.  It's simply brilliant.

The Espresso "Bar"

The espresso bar in Italy is a wonderful thing. Perfect in the morning for a quick cafe (espresso) and a tramazzino (a little panini with ham, cheese, and a whole other assortment of fillings). Equally well positioned in the afternoon.  Everybody has their bar.  One on the way to work, one during siesta, one on the way home for an aperitivo. And needless to say, the espresso is phenomenal, deliciously roasted, perfectly pulled, and quite simply lacking in pretension. We've got a long way to go in the States.

This little cup of magic is called a Caffé Granita found at La Casa Del Caffé Tazza D'oro in Rome. Shaved espresso, sugar, and Chantilly whipped cream served in a little to-go cup to cool you down, speed you up, and warm your heart. I ❤ Roma.  

The Wine of Sardegna

Vermentino is widely planted in Sardinia as the grape likes the cool Mediterranean climate.  If done right, it is an excellent combination of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, with crisp minerality, direct acidity, and a medium to full body. On the nose, this white wine is upfront with pear and white peach notes, and an herbal grassiness followed by green apples.  It is the perfect compliment for Sardinian dishes featuring seafood; tuna, sea bass, and my favorite, lobster.

Sardinia's red claim to fame is Cannonau or known elsewhere as Grenache. Sardinians hold firm the belief that they were the first to grow the grape and when the Spanish came to colonize, brought it back to Spain in the form of Garnacha.  It is spicy with ripe black and red cherries on the palate, soft and usually full bodied in texture and form.  On the nose, black pepper and  terra-cotta with secondary notes of myrtle black currents create an interesting and complex invitation.  This upfront red pairs well with cured meats and pasta bolognese as well as with grilled steak and pork.

A First Impression of Sardinia

Sardinia is an incredibly beautiful island.  It is the second largest island in the Mediterranean (after Cyprus) and is one of the most geologically ancient bodies of land in Europe. The island was populated in various waves of emigration from prehistory until recently (some of the Sardinian language and architecture has a vague resemblance to Spanish descent).  However, the center of the island was never fully conquered and people there still maintain their own language and customs dating back hundreds if not thousands of years.  

The coasts of Sardinia are nothing but spectacular, gorgeous white sand beaches stretch for miles around the island. The waters are crystal clear blue and shallow. As high-end tourism is only relatively recently begun developing on the island, much of the pristine beaches still remain secluded and explorable.  The beaches and waters are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen.

My sister and I arrived on Wednesday and joined mom and Asaad at the beautiful 5-star Chia Laguna Resort.  I will touch more on the resort in a future post, but one thing must be said, the staff represent some of the best hospitality I’ve come across. They are friendly, attentive, approachable and professional and are genuinely concerned with providing each guest with an experience that exceeds all expectations. This is a fantastic resort.

We have been here for two days and have spent both of them at the Chia beach (a short four minutes away) for most of the day. The weather has been immaculate, warm with a nice Mediterranean breeze. Last night we enjoyed fresh fruit cocktails and dined on prawns and tuna that came straight from the water that day. Needless to say, we are in heaven. Much more to follow soon, I promise...

My Itinerary for Summer 2015

July 7 - September 6

• July 7 - LA to NYC

• July 7-14 in NYC

• July 14 - NYC to Sardinia

• July 15-25 in Sardinia

• July 25 - Sardinia to Rome

• July 25-29 in Rome (July 25-29)

• July 29 - Rome to Sienna

• July 29-30 in Sienna

• July 30 - Sienna to Modena 

• July 30 - dinner in Modena at Osteria Francescan

• July 31 - Modena to Milan

• July 31-Aug 1 in Milan

• Aug 1 - Milan to Nice to meet my parents

• Aug 1-17  in Saint Vallier de They (mom and Asaad's villa outside of Grasse)

• Aug 17 - Saint Vallier to Paris (to pick up my Swiss visa)

The following is subject to change...

• Aug 17-19  in Paris

• Aug 19 - Paris to Champagne

• Aug 19-21  in Champagne

• Aug 21 - Champagne to Alsace

• Aug 21-25  in Alsace and Jura 

• Aug 25 - Alsace to Geneva

• Aug 25-31 in Geneva

• Aug 31 - Geneva to Laussanne 

• Aug 31-Sep 6  in Lausanne

• September 6 School Begins at the Ecole hotelier de Laussanne in Switzerland !!!