andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

A suggestion from a chef friend of mine and a glass of wine in one of Napoli's top pizzerias that ignited that spark  inside and led me towards Mt Vesuvius one late November morning. It led me to Boscotrecase, a small town in the shadow of the sleeping volcano , a stones throw from the ancient ruins of Pompeii. It led me to a visit to the vineyards of Azienda Agricola Sorrentino . Upon arrival, I took a brief glance at the colorful panorama that surrounds the winery's  restaurant, reception area and tasting rooms.  Breathtakingly beautiful on that  warm yet foggy fall morning. A light drizzle did not dissuade me from heading towards my appointment with Maria Paola Sorrentino who happily showed me around the vineyards as she shared with me the story of her family's winery. Maria Paola Sorrentino  A story which began with her grandmother who, though a city girl, fell in love with a small piece of land.  Fell in love with agriculture, wine, and the contandina wa

Chef Massimo Bottura Earlier this week my amico Maurizio Cortese hosted an invitation only book signing/light lecture/chef junkie festa in Naples featuring   Chef Massimo Bottura of Osteria Francescana . Bottura is from  Modena which is located  up north, a bit far for this Campania blogger.  So although I was familiar with this 3 star Michelin chef, I have never had the opportunity to sit down a casa sua and try any of the dishes he has become famous for. N ever Trust a Skinny Italian Chef ,  Bottura's book available in English and Italian ( Vieni in Italia con Me ) has been on the top ten lists in Italy and the states since its release last October. Honestly, I was curious.  Curious about what made this book special, different, interessante .  What made this book such an international hit. And after 90 minutes ish of listening to Bottura (Italy's top chef...number 3 in the world!) speak  about his history, his country's traditions, his philosophy, and above al

When I met Raffaele Moccia a little over two years ago in his vineyard in Agnano I was struck.  Like cupid struck.  By his vineyard, his story, and of course his wines.  In fact his Falanghina has been a staple on my table often paired with his family's rotisserie chicken. Last summer, during a recent visit with Moccia in his tasting room, he told me that he wanted to change the wine label on one of his wines.  His Falanghina IGT .  He wanted a label  that represented that particular wine which is a blend of Falanghina and other white grapes that grow in the family vineyards. He wanted to use a photo  of a vine that is over 250 years old.  A vine that has been growing in that sandy volcanic clay for centuries. He wanted to use a photo that I took. And I'm honored. So now when I swing by a wine shop, glance at a wine list, or swing by the cantina to pick up a few bottles, my mind will go back to that Sunday in Agnano.  And cupid will strike over and over and over again.

And here we are.  December.  Time to officially start thinking about Christmas...and Christmas desserts!  In recent years there has been a big boom in Campania centered around specialty which doesn't have its roots in the south. The Panettone.  There are many versions, usually with candied fruit - but my favorite has to be chocolate. Like this version from Le colonne Restaurant in Caserta. Chocolate panettone after dinner...chocolate panettone for breakfast, for brunch, snack... Well, you get the picture...er, snapshot. :-)

I've lost count as to how many times I have seen Chef Peppe Guida since we met for the first time last April .  On every occasion, from dinners at Pastifcio dei Campi to visits to Marina Yacht Club , we always ended our conversations agreeing that I needed to visit him a casa sua ...his home, his restaurant, Antica Osteria Nonna Rosa in Vico Equense (Na). I chose a Saturday afternoon to visit the chef's home, which really was just that...a home.  A renovated house dating back to the 17th century.  Chef Guida took me on a little tour pointing out where the pizza oven used to be, for example, which now is a small corner intimate dining room/wine cellar.  My eyes, however, were drawn to the family room where among antique furniture and plants hanging from the ceiling was a comfortable couch. I sat down for a while to relax,  discuss the latest news from Napoli, and talk about Guida's menu over a glass of spumante and a soft warm slice of casatiello with walnuts.  M