A Party with a Purpose - FESTAVICO June 7 - 9, Vico Equense (Na)

The word festa means party - and in a couple of weeks there is going to be a big one in Vico Equense (Na).  An annual festa put on by Chef Gennaro Esposito (Torre del Saracino, 2 Michelin stars) who has, for the twelfth year in the row, put together a 3 day event starring top chefs, top food and big fun. What makes this party different?  It is all for a good cause - to raise money for some special charities..

"Project UTA, the breath of life." The project will equip the new Department of Pathology Neonatal Pediatric Hospital Santobono Pausilipon of Naples of a unit of Air treatment for clinical settings of acute complexity: a latest generation systems and high technology to sanitize the air that will guarantee tiny critically ill patients an optimal environment and secure, with constant temperature and humidity levels and sterile air, thus preventing any kind of contamination that could be fatal for an infant in situation of great vulnerability. The project, whose total cost is € 82,400.00 + VAT will help to further increase the already high level of health care in the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, created thanks to the interventions of previous donors Festa a Vico.

ALTS - Association for the fight against breast cancer with their project "Together for Women"  aimed at acquiring ultrasound technology of the last generation, in particular the acquisition of an ultrasound - Hitachi - model dedicated to breast - Noblus - whose price is 46,500 euro.

Caritas Vico Equense - Un Amico a 4 route : A friend with 4 wheels
This project stems from the  Caritas Vico Equense charity's need of a new van to meet various needs in the service of the poor: first, the withdrawal of food destined for the needy at the headquarters of the Food Bank of Fisciano (SA) with which Caritas has an agreement ; twice a month in fact a representative of Caritas goes to Fisciano to catch and bring to Vico foods which  support about 100 families throughout the territory. Second, several other gestures of solidarity to the poor are accomplished through the van: the picking up  furniture or other bulky goods that often families have decided to donate to  the poor.  Helping the  needy in case of eviction and the subsequent change of residence; the implementation of the National Food Collection Day, an event that every year in late November sees engaged Caritas, through a network of volunteers to collect food for the poor in eight supermarkets members between Vico and Sorrento. The vehicle currently used by Caritas Vico Equense was purchased  used - with the help of some people in the community, but is  no longer fit to perform these tasks.

So then, three days of partying with a purpose...

7 June  2015
The Food Republic
8:00 pm, in the heart of downtown Vico Equense, over 100 upcoming chefs will be preparing dishes throughout the town.  In the stores, the alleys, the streets.  A  ticket/donation costs 15 Euro and allows you to have 4 dishes, a bottle of water and a glass of wine with all income going towards charity.
For info or to donate contact

Associazione Sostenitori Ospedale SantobonoOnlus 

 Emanuela Capuano - 392.02.28.600 or e.capuano@sostenitorisantobono.it

A.L.T.S. Associazione alla Lotta ai Tumori del Seno 

 Valentina 328 5863138 - Enzo 393 2404311 - 081.551.10.45 (from 10:00 to 14:00) or info@alts.it

Caritas Vico Equense 

Pia Del Gaudio 338.7056308 - Emilia Savarese 338.9929108 or caritasvico@santiciroegiovannivico.it

8 June 2015

Charity Dinner at Giusso Castle 

More than 20 chefs prepare a dinner for 200 guests. The big names in Italian cuisine will prepare an unforgettable journey with classic dishes of its restaurants. The evening will take place at the Castle Giusso Vico Equense (www.castellogiusso.it).

This event is sold out, but here's the impressive list of chefs who will be participating.

- Andrea Berton
- Massimo Bottura
- Francesco Bracali 
- Antonino Cannavacciuolo
- Chicco Cerea
- Pino Cuttaia
- Nino Di Costanzo
- Massimo Mantarro
- Valentino Marcattilii
- Riccardo Monco
- Davide Oldani
- Piergiorgio Parini
- Giancarlo Perbellini
- Valeria Piccini
- Niko Romito
- Salvatore Tassa
- Claudio Sadler
- Davide Scabin
- Sandro Serva
- Mauro Uliassi
- Gennaro Esposito

June 9, 2015

A Night of Stars - Marina d'Equa Seiano waterfront and the Le Axidie Tourist Complex

100 ish chefs and  top pizza makers will prepare street food on the beach.  You can take part in the evening with a minimum donation of 100 € which will be earmarked for ONLUS associations. As places are limited, it is advisable to make a donation by bank transfer (as it will have value of booking) to be made out to

Associazione Sostenitori Ospedale SantobonoOnlus 

IBAN: IT 53 L 0335 901600 100000 103988

Causale: "La notte delle stelle 9 giugno"

 Emanuela Capuano - 392.02.28.600 or e.capuano@sostenitorisantobono.it

or 

A.L.T.S. Associazione alla Lotta ai Tumori del Seno 

IBAN: IT44 I033 5901 6001 0000 0105 583

Causale: "La notte delle stelle 9 giugno"

 Valentina 328.58.63.138 - Enzo 393.24.04.311 - Segreteria 081.551.10.45 (dalle 10:00 alle 14:00) or info@alts.it

More info and photos can be found on the web site.

Ci vediamo a Vico!

Welcome to Maxi- Maxi Restaurant, Vico Equense (Na)

I can't remember the last time I say so many hues of blue in one place.  Clean blues mingled with crisp whites greeted me as I entered the reception area of Hotel Capo La Gala. It was an early Thursday evening, I was at the gorgeous 5 star hotel awaiting to be accompanied to the Michelin star Maxi Restaurant to meet Chef  Domenico Iavarone and try some of his stellar dishes. The trip to meet the chef  included a trail with fantastic views of the Sorrento Peninsula, the sea, and the seashore. Colorful blues were joined by other crisp sunny colors mixed with bamboo and wood.
Upon arrival, at the end of the dining room I saw the chef along with key players of the dining room staff to include Maitre Giulia Tavolaro and Sommelier Alfonso Somma.  Each with a smile that said Welcome to Maxi!
A quick look around, then into the large colorful kitchen where I met the rest of the chef's brigade and chatted a little bit about the gourmet restaurant Maxi open in the evening, Nerea - their casual restaurant open for lunch, as well as the breakfast service.  It was clear to see that  the entire staff takes pride in each part of the food chain - not just the Michelin star restaurant.  And with that, the chef suggested that I head to the Capri Bar just below for aperitif.  I may just get a glimpse of that famous Vico Equense sunset he added as he looked out over the terrace.

Chef Domenico Iavarone

Capri Bar:
Home to cocktails, light snacks, and  swimming pool. It was here where I met head barman Michele Savarese. I told him I would like something easy before dinner.  He brought me his colorful cocktail The Siren's Land.  Siren, who in mythology, were known to be beautiful half woman/half bird singing beauties.  The beautiful colors created their own little palette on my small white end table as I began to enjoy the appetizers for the evening.

The sun had almost set, unfortunately the sunset was hidden behind the clouds.  That didn't matter. I decided to join the other guests at Maxi.
At Maxi, when the weather permits, guests dine outside at intimate candlelit tables.  An intimacy that is contagious, complete with low voices paired with a relaxing atmosphere.  I looked over the menu, which is a reflection of the chef's love of ingredients from the local territory blended with his gourmet touch. A gourmet menu which was not intimidating for an international clientele who packs the hotel season after season.  One could choose a la carte or decide to go for the tasting menus such as Vanessa (an appetizer, 2 first courses, a second course and dessert) or  Bianca (2 appetizers, 2 first courses, a second course and a dessert).  The tasting menus even offer a different glass of wine paired with care by sommelier Somma.

The light at the table was halfway between dusk and night bringing out the colors that only Maxi could give.  My benvenuto, my welcome...

Montanara with tomato sauce

Potatoes, squid ink, and grilled octopus

What better benvenuto - once again hitting on the strengths of Campania - tomato sauce, seafood...welcome to Maxi.

Appetizers: colorful and flavorful changing the mood of the evening - flavors became more intimate it seemed as the candlelight at the table fused with the overhead stylish Maxi lamp that hung above each table.
 Appetizers such as the chef's totano squid and potatoes - a classic dish presented here in style.  Potatoes cooked in the same water which prepared the squid, absorbing the rich flavors of the sea.  Topped with purple potato chips for not only a contrast in color, but a crunch as well.

Appetizers such as the chef's tuna with artichokes; crunchy and creamy style.  Not only a taste of territory, but a taste of the spring season as well.  A sprinkling of caffe' to make it special was greatly appreciated.

Candlelight greeted the next couple of dishes.  First up, linguine with a puttanesca sauce.  Listening to Maitre Tavolaro explain the dish was almost as exciting as trying it myself.  The puttanesca sauce was in reality a tomato gazpacho, she shared, giving an interesting contrast in temperatures between hot and cold.  The dish was made complete by the addition of flavor sea snails.

The next pasta dish -  Maxi's homemade tortelli pasta stuffed with the last broccoli greens of the season with clams and shrimp.

The second course was fish and chips.  But not your simple pub food.  We were at Maxi and the chef's chip were lightly fried, then baked for 48 hours at a low temperature.  These chips delicately covered the fish of the fish and chips- red mullet sided with romaine lettuce, radishes and Maxi' mayonnaise.

My relaxing evening was drawing to an end.  Hotel guests were heading to their room.  I, instead did not want to leave.  Not just yet.  There was a certain kind of welcoming silence.  The sound of the waves, the colors, the candlelight worked together in harmony.  But for me it was time for dessert and I decided on chocolate.
A dessert listed as cioccolato, noccilo, e arancia.  Chocolate, nocillo liqueur and orange.  But it was so much more.

That and a coffee with Iavarone before I faced up to the truth.  I needed to snap out of this colorful welcome to maxi dream, head back to my car, and back to reality.
I was reminded by Iavarone that I could always come back.  There were still a few of his dishes that I had't tried, then summer was on its way - that meant new products, a new menu.  And then there was the wine cellar that I wanted to get a peek at.

Then there was still that sunset that I missed out on thanks to hazy weather.

Welcome to Maxi...



To be continued.

Maxi Restaurant
Via Luigi Serio 8
Vico Equense (Na)
081 801 5757/58

Don Alfonso 1890 - Spring in Sant'Agata Sui Due Golfi (Na)

It was early that Saturday afternoon.  A half an hour or so before lunch time, and I was enjoying the silence in  the garden which separated the back entrance to the kitchen and Don Alfonso 1890's Scuola di Cucina.  The colorful pillows on the bamboo couch were the perfect benvenuto after a relaxing drive to the small town of Sant'Agata Sui Due Golfi located about 20 minutes from the busy tourist haven  of Sorrento.  After a glass of acqua gassata fredda but not too much - after a welcome back/good to see you/how have you been  conversation with Maitre de Maison Mario Iaccarino, a chat with his mother   la Signora Livia Iaccarino,  Chef Ernesto Iaccarino came over to greet me.  It was my first visit of the season, my fifth season on the comfy couch and we had some catching up to do.
The calendar read early May, but the temperature that afternoon felt more like early summer . Greatly appreciated for the restaurant which was already enjoying a boom in business after opening for the 2015 season just a few weeks earlier.  They were packed the previous evening - Iaccarino shared.  And tonight? I wondered.  Saturday night was booked as well.  I was told.  But lunchtime... Molto piu tranquillo - much more relaxing.  Just a few guests. continued Iaccarino.  And speaking of lunchtime, it was time to get started.  That is when the chef asked me a question.  Where did I want to sit?
My favorite spot next to the window?  The table where I was first introduced to the cucina by Iaccarino 4 seasons earlier?  The table with a perfect view of the garden and kitchen?
hmmmm, maybe...
Or how about in the kitchen...at the chef's table. A spot right next to the pass where you can see all the action? I did enjoy myself there on a previous visit.
maybe...
Or how about?....I thought to myself, while Iaccarino left me for a moment.  How about here?- the small dining room off the dining room.  Where the sun shone brightly through the windows that took up nearly 3/4 of the wall space.  A dining room bathed in luce,  where the bright colors, the pinks, the greens, the white white whites invited me to have a seat here...an angle of Don Alfonso that I was unfamiliar with.  An angle nestled away in the corner, serving as my little private dining room for the day. Sure, I'd be alone...but what better way to concentrate on every little detail that makes Don Alfonso one of the most famous restaurants in the world.

I was handed the menu. I had been looking it over  menu for quite sometime when Mario Iaccarino came over. He had surely seen  my difficulty in deciding what to choose - should I go with the classics? - stick with familiar favorites? - try something new? 
Decidiamo insieme? he asked smiling.
Please, I answered. So over the next several minutes Mario and I went through the menu, course by course. He shared with me details such as what was in the dish, where the products were from, how they were prepared, what flavors would stand out, would they be strong, delicate...
In the end we decided.Grazie for that personal touch.  That attention to detail.
I decided to take a look around...explore with different eyes.  I noticed everything.  The freshly cut flowers - that where bright and vibrant in color, but light in aroma.  To complement, not overpower. The theme continued in the fish bowl, where I introduced myself to another single diner...a small blue fish enjoying his spot in the sunlight among the colorful flowers that decorated his fishbowl.

Attention to detail.

When I returned to my table, I discovered a glass of Ca del Bosco and a vase of chips.  Two chips to be exact.  One made with tumeric, the other with black squid ink.

 Casually followed by the first of two benvenutos.  The first - an artichoke heart topped with a creamy pea sauce and mozzarella cheese.

Next up - a baby squid stuffed with provolone del monaco cheese with a consomme' of spring vegetables from the family's farm in nearby Punta Campanella.

A consomme' that was poured in front of me at my table by a knowledgeable server who as he poured the delicate liquid, explained the dish with the same delicatezza

Attention to detail.

Earlier, with Mario I had chosen a couple of appetizers...something old/something new.  We began with something new. An appetizer light and easy - one that once again highlighted the freshness of the the season with the exceptional quality of the products cultivated on the family's farm.  Fennel, zucchini, beets, onions, artichokes to name a few...paired with an eye-popping horseradish ice cream.

Attention to detail.
Something old -ish.  A dish that was introduced back in 2011.  A favorite -  lobster 'zeppole' appetizer with sweet and sour and citrus sauces for dipping/devouring.  And I did.  Noticing the details...like the crispy coating, the crispy curly vegetables, the sweet/sour sauce paired with the citrus to give just the right contrast.

Attention to detail.

Back to something new-well- a second look at another favorite.  Duck breast with  cinnamon and borage,  apple compote and balsamic vinegar.  How could one not notice the artwork  that the kitchen staff placed on the plate.  The white dish was a canvas for what seemed almost astronomical designs made with the various reductions.  I noticed.

Attention to detail.

The dishes continued.  Each with that famous Don Alfonso touch, that Don Alfonso attention to detail.
New for 2015 - Don Alfonso 1890''s carnaroli rice with notes of citrus fruits from the garden with sea urchin emulsion and scampi. when maitre Paolo Ciaramitaro  brought me this dish, it came with strict instructions from the chef. I was not to mix the rice around with the sauce and shrimp. Instead, take a little bite of each at a time. The white dish once again was a canvas- beet and squid ink.  A sprinkling of orange powder.

It was hard to stay away from the bread basket.  A bounty that had been sitting on the table for quite some time.  At one point Signora Livia came over to see how I was doing  and pointed out that one piece of bread in particular - one small loaf - was special.  I had already noticed.  A loaf of bread  made with durum wheat perfect to pair with the family's olive oil.

Two more first course assaggi found their way to my table.  The gnocco acqua e farina which I wrote about here....

The second was a pleasant surprise - one that  I discovered when I walked into the kitchen.  My eyes followed sous chef Nicola Pignatelli from a distance as he prepared this dish of cappelli pasta filled with braised chicken, onion gravy, parmigiano cheese, and black truffles.

I decided to visit the kitchen again, snoop around to see what Chef Iaccarino and his brigade was up to.  Perfect timing.  They were preparing my secondo piatto.  Snapper.  Coriandolo, he said.  Coriander.  It gives an amazing aroma and more importantly, flavor to the dish, he shared.And o prove that point, I was offered   a small sprig of this plant to taste and enjoy the aromas as well.

A secondo that cooks 7 minutes in a glass jar.  The flavors and aromas that came out of this jar of 'dentice cotto non cotto', well, you have no idea! Snapper, coriander, lemon, mandarin.

Attention to detail.

Mario Iaccarino and I had decided earlier  to end my Spring 2015 gastronomical journey here.  Well, almost...
Dessert was next...
beginning with a fresh pre-dessert to clean the palate.  A lemon sorbet (with lemons from guess where) strawberries and verbena.

Attention to detail.

The small pastry tray arrived, and just as I was about to take a closer look, a mint syrup was poured over a tray of dry ice creating an incredible minty aromatic cloud.  On the tray - a mini Sicilian cannoli, a morbidezza  with yogurt and banana on crunchy almonds, chocolate and  turmeric , strawberry, and a strawberry macaroon. A walnut semifreddo. 

Attention to detail.

 Last but not least, a dish close to my heart.  One that arrived a few minutes after pastry chef Tommaso Foglia called out to me from the kitchen window while I was walking along the garden stretching my legs.
Dessert's ready! he said.
I hope it's chocolate, I said smiling.
A smile was his answer.
And there, in my private dining room...my little corner, I was presented with a geometricla chocolate extravaganza.  Chocolate mousse in the shape of a pyramid, a chocolate triangle, a cube of chocolate with an arugula garden.  A chocolate souffle in a shortcrust pastry.

Lunch over. And my afternoon ended almost as it began.  In the garden.  On that comfy couch. With Chef Iaccarino. Catching up.

Attention to detail.

Don Alfonso Spring 2015