andiamotrips - campania, italy with karen phillips

Napoli , Naples, is a large city devoted to their traditional cuisine and recipes.  Diners here want their favorites, dishes that they grew up with, their customs.  Because of this, it sure isn't easy,  to find an ethnic restaurant in the heart of the city.  Spanish cuisine, however is another story. That's why going back to Milagros Gastrobar a little more than a year ish after their grand opening was such a treat.  Milagros Gastrobar is a small Spanish restaurant tucked in a vico a whisper away from the hustle and bustle of Mergellina's lungomare .  I visited back in the fall of 2013 when Chef Carlos Pe ña and Marina Delle Monache had just opened up.  I decided to go back a couple of weeks ago for a chat, a glass or two of Spanish vinos, and a fresh look and taste of their revamped  tapas and paella menu. Chef  Carlos Pe ña ¡B uen provecho ! We began with Xato' , a crunchy escarole  salad  which the chef prepared for me at my table as he explained the

I received an invitation from the Mastroberardino Winery a few weeks ago.  An invitation for a tasting of the latest wines?  No.  I looked closer and saw that it was something different .  I circled the date - 27 March - and place - Museo Madre (Na). The museum was packed  full of scholars, artists, writers, journalists, and wine enthusiasts like me patiently listening as  Piero Mastroberardino explained  his latest project.  A project to break away from the business as usual form of communicating wines.  A wine world that he comes in contact with daily as  he skims through international wine magazines and guides and travels around the world promoting his family's historical winery.   A project which takes  his passion for his territory and melds it with his love of the arts. So he, alongside talented director Nicolangelo Gelormini ,    shared with us their vision - a short  video  of life in the vineyard. Piero Mastroberardino, journalist   Rocco Moliterni , and

Saturday afternoon after a long long week.  And as I finished my last bit of weekend chores I decided that I needed a break. I needed a pizza.  I needed a glass of wine. So I decided to head out to San Giorgio a Cremano to   Francesco&Salvatore Salvo  - one of Campania's top pizzerias. While greeting Francesco Salvo and the rest of the staff - Ciao, how have you been, it's been a while, etc etc - my eye was on the Enomatic wine dispenser machine that has a pole position near the front of the pizzeria. I was curious of the wine by the glass selection which changes often. Bello - of the eight wines offered -three whites, four reds - three  were from Campania. Three heavy hitters; Terrantica Etichetta Bianca Greco di Tufo DOCG 2011 by I Favati, Fiano di Avellino DOCG 2011 from Rocca del Principe , and Fatica Contandina Taurasi DOCG 2008, Terredora.  Wines that you'd expect to see on a top restaurant wine list were here, within my reach at anywhere from 4 t

When is the best time to visit a restaurant for the first time?  At the beginning of the season to try the new items on the menu?  In the heart and heat of the summer?  At the end of the season to get an up close and personal taste of the classics? My first visit to Taverna Estia - located in the small town of Brusciano on the outskirts of Napoli - falls into the none of the above category. My first visit to Taverna Estia - located in the small town of Brusciano on the outskirts of Napoli was several months after I introduced myself to Maitre Sommelier Mario Sposito poolside during an event last summer. My first visit to Taverna Estia - located in the small town of Brusciano on the outskirts of Napoli was a couple of months after I met Mario's brother, Chef Francesco Sposito at event last December. My first visit to Taverna Estia - located in the small town of Brusciano on the outskirts of Napoli was a few months after this small taverna/ristorante was awarded t