andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

I had several options of how to pass my time between lunch and dinner at Taverna del Capitano that Saturday afternoon. I could head to the beach since the weather was unusually hot for late October.  I could go up to my hotel room and sleep.   I could go shopping - olive oil shopping. The last option sounded pretty good since the olive harvest was in full swing.  I was also in Massa Lubrense, part of the Sorrento Peninsula.  An area which is famous for their olive oil.  Famous is an understatement.  Olive oil trees hug the road on the way to Nerano, where I decided to spend an autumn weekend.   Chef Alfonso Caputo gave me directions to Antonio Gargiulio's olive oil mill, Le Colline  Lubrense about 15 minutes away. When I arrived the frantoio was in full swing. Olives that had been picked that morning were waiting patiently to be pressed and made into that liquid gold we love so much.  On the Sorrento Peninsula, the olives of choice are Minucciolo, Cecinella , and

My schedule wasn't very cooperative this year, but  luckily I was able to schedule my third consecutive harvest season vineyard tour with Mastroberardino Winery .  Yes, the third year on a quest to eventually visit all of Mastroberardino's vineyards which are scattered throughout the Campania region.  So a couple of weeks ago, I put on my vineyard boots and sat shotgun alongside Antonio Dente , Mastroberardino's grape grower.  My tour was intense and informative as usual, and  between photos and note taking I learned quite a bit as we toured Mirabella Eclano (Av) , Montefusco (Av), and Apice (Bn).  But as the grey SUV headed towards Montemarano, I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgia.  Yes, I'd been before, but there is always something about seeing these particular  rows of Aglianico vineyards that  take my breath away. The winery's vineyards are basically divided into two parts; lower and upper.  The lower section of the vineyard, 500-550 meters a

Wednesday, December 18, 2013  Veritas Restaurant  Corso Vittorio Emauele 141 Naples, Italy Snapshot of a Territory is back and this time it focuses its lens on Irpinia with the wines of Cantine Di Meo and Chef Gianluca D’Agostino’s cuisine. Cantine Di Meo , located in the hills of Salza Irpina in the Avellino Province has been producing wines since 1986.  Their inventory includes a wide variety of wines from various vineyards in Irpinia and the Sannio.  Wines such as Aglianico, Taurasi, Falanghina, and Greco di Tufo, Coda di Volpe, and of course, Fiano di Avellino. Snapshot has decided to focus first on the territory that embraces the winery in Salza Irpina.  It is here where the Di Meo family has its Fiano di Avellino vineyards.  We’ll have the opportunity to taste 3 different interpretations of Irpinia’s favorite white led by wine maker Roberto Di Meo .   Selezione Erminia Di Meo Fiano di Avellino DOC 2000  The official presentation of a wine with a long tr

Chef Ernesto Iaccarino A couple of weeks ago, I found myself seated at one of my favorite tables in the world.  The one next to the window, with the perfect lighting, with a clear view of the kitchen, of Chef Ernesto Iaccarino and the staff of Don Alfonso 1890.  I decided to have an  end of season lunch and chat with the entire team before they head off to various places around the globe before reopening next spring. After a sip or two of spumante, I glanced over the menu.  Many items I recognized and instantly I got a feeling of nostalgia.  Several had special memories for me for various reasons so I thought that it would be neat to try them again...My version of a Don Alfonso 1890 - Reloaded ... I reloaded a few dishes from my visit back in the spring of 2011 .  Has it really been that long?  D eep fried lobster with a sweet and sour sauce, a dip of citrus fruit, and a julienne of spring vegetables. It was just as I remembered...no, the batter was much lighter, letting t

With the temperatures still in the mid 70s (24 degrees Celsius ish ) here in Campania, we are still enjoying our short sleeve t-shirts, light jackets, and in some cases, still going to the beach!.  But I was reminded right away that autumn has arrived on my way to visit Chef Angelo D'Amico at Le Macine Ristorante .  Le Macine is located in the magnificently modern Una Hotel Il Molino - a 5 minute walk from Benevento's historical center.  As I drove down Via dei Mulini, all the signs of the changing seasons were there. Red, yellow and brown leaves on the trees and on the ground, a light breeze...yes, it was autumn. Chef Angelo D'Amico I was reminded again as I chatted with D'Amico while he showed me around the large kitchen... his kitchen which he helped design when the hotel/restaurant was being developed 3 short years ago. And though it was only 11 am, the kitchen was in a full comfortable swing preparing for the lunch service which would begin in a couple of