Campania and Spain...Insieme Por Una Noche..

Insieme por una Noche...Together for one night.
It began as an idea in the back of Elisa Balzano's mind.  Balzano of Grand Hotel Angiolieri, a breathtaking 5 star restaurant in Vico Equense (Na), and lover of Spanish cuisine wanted to host a Spanish chef in the hotel.  One who could team up with Executive Chef Vincenzo Guarino of the hotel's Michelin star restaurant L'Accanto and combine his Spanish specialties with  Guarino's take on Campania cuisine.  A little research and she found Spanish Chef Carlos Peña of  Milagros Paella Gastrobar in Naples. 

Chefs Pena and Guarino

Insieme por una Noche was born...

An evening which promised to be hot, piccante, and caliente. An evening full of food  music, wine and sangria as these top chefs presented their menus to an eager crowd on a steamy Saturday night.  L'Accanto's stunning terrace with its remarkable view was the setting of this meeting between the two cultures. 

First off....

scallop pearl on a pumpkin/orange cream sauce
Chef Guarino 

octopus with sweet/sour pimenton spices topped with warm potato mousseChef Peña

all paired with a glass of sangria....

Next up

grilled baby vegetables with iberian prosciutto and romesco sauce...
Chef Peña.

paired with Aurrente 2007, Cantine Lungarotti...

Then it was time for

risotto with basil pesto, baby eggplant, mozzarella di bufala mousse and red shrimp
Chef Guarino

paired with Rosato Il Rogito Cantine del Notaio..

followed by 

suquet of monkfish with razor clams and mussels in a seafood broth with  saffron and dried fruit
Chef Peña.

Then it was time for dessert.  Two desserts that would help to put a  sweet ending to a sweltering serata...

watermelon and lemon sorbet on a cantaloupe melon gelee
Chef Guarino 

transparent banana spilt
Pastry Chef Christian Izzo
L'Accanto

Thanks, grazie, e gracias  Ristorante L'Accanto... for a noche indimenticabile!