march 2016 newsletter from Elizabeth Minchilli
march 2016 newsletter
That's about as Roman a photograph as you can get, but I'm actually writing from New York! I'm here in USA for a couple of weeks and am having a fantastic time. It's hard to believe, but I hadn't been here for almost 2 years! It was partly due to the fact that a lot of my friends and family come to see me all the time in Italy. But I also just haven't had the time. Now that I'm here, though, I have realized that I have to make the time and vow to come back more often. Life is too short to put off things.
I'm half way through my trip and I had a great time visiting my mom in North Carolina (Wilmington to be exact) and will be heading up to visit my sister in Rhode Island, where I've never been. But for the most part I'm parked in New York (Westchester actually) seeing old friends, family and doing a bit of work as well. I've scheduled 2 events, a dinner at Porsena (which sold out in 30 minutes!) and an aperitivo at ROC. I'm also happy to be in town for the launch of my friend Alice's newest book on Georgian wine (buy it here right now please) and am of course meeting with my agent and publisher and hope to have more happy book related news for you soon!
what's new
Sophie and I have test-driven our new cooking space and have started welcoming guests with open, flour-dusted, arms. We are super excited about this new adventure since we both love to cook and are eager to share what we know in our Roman kitchen. The space is adorable (if I do say so myself) located on the ground floor of a sixteenth century building in Monti. Most of our classes will start with a cappuccino in the piazza, where we'll talk about what we'll be doing that day. Then it's off to a few local shops to pick up last minute fresh ingredients, before we head back to the kitchen. There will be wine, of course. And laughs, naturally. And lots and lots of delicious food. If you'd like to find out more, just visit my website. We'll be updating the list of what we are offering, and hope to be inviting guest chefs to participate as well as olive oil tastings and pop up dinners. Stay tuned!
I've also been very busy updating my app, Eat Italy. There has been SO much happening on the Italian restaurant scene lately that it's been hard to keep up. (Actually, it hasn't been hard, it's just meant that I have found new and exciting sources for elastic wasted pants. ) I've been adding new entries to Eat Rome and Eat Florence. But the big news is that I'll be launching Eat Torino by the end of March. I spent a gorgeous week in Torino last month, eating my way through some of my old favorites, as well as visiting some of the newest places. So if you are planning on going to the Salone del Gusto/ in September? I've got your back when it comes to dinner plans
travels
I've been catching up on my trip to Florence and have posted some of what I discovered here, here, here and here.
My week in Torino was fantastic. I've been going to Torino regularly for the last 15 years or so, mostly for Slow Food's Salone del Gusto. While I love the Salone, when I'm there for that event it usually means I have little time to see the city itself. This time around I rented a darling apartment through airbnb, and settled in for an entire week. That meant that not only did I get a chance to visit some of the amazing museums, I also got a chance to really get to know the layout of the city. I've already published some of what I did and saw and ate, and will be publishing a lot more on my blog as well as Eat Torino.
Are you traveling to Rome in the next month or so? Here's a cheat sheet listing where you can eat your weight in artichokes.
videos
I made a very pink video for Valentines day. If you like beets you'll love it. And if you don't? You'll like the video anyway, I promise, and can always switch in a different vegetable to avoid the whole beet thing.
While I was in Florence I took a walk through one of my favorite markets and made this video. I was very happy to see that even though Florence is full of new and exciting restaurants, old standbys, like Trattoria Rocco in the center of the Sant'Ambrogio market, is still going strong.
If you like Broadway musicals but hate Trump you'll love this
In this crazy campaign season I'm missing Jon Stewart. But am making do with Jon Oliver and Samantha Bee.
Do you like cannoli and cute old ladies? Watch this
So funny I almost wet my pants.
what I'm reading
The life of a food writer is a full one. Specifically? Full of cookbooks. Two of my friends have recently tried to slim down there collections. Evan and Russ tell you how they did it and why.
The olive oil situation in Italy just got even more complicated.
I predict that this Spaghetti Pie will be showing up quite often in our house.
I am still completely obsessed by the Elena Ferrante novels and am on book 4 praying desperately that book 5 will come sometime soon.
How does a coffee king in Italy have himself buried? In a coffee pot of course
and finally....
Very honored that the excellent Dutch blog Ciao Tutti featured me not only once (as part of their Italian Blogs they Love) but twice (A report on my Testaccio Tour)
I'll be chatting with Heritage Radio tomorrow, Thursday March 3, about Italian Food at noon EST. You can listen live here, and I'll be posting the recorded version on FB
That's all for now! I have to catch the train into New York. I'm seeing the Armory art show, then hopefully seeing some of you at the dinner at Porsena . There are still some spots left for tomorrow's aperitivo at ROC if you can make it. (thursday March 3)
x,Elizabeth