Flavors of the Mediterranean, Belmond Hotel Caruso, Ravello (Sa)

-

Summer evenings in Campania.  Can you think of anything more relaxing than dining out with friends by the pool?  Now imagine if that pool was located in Ravello at  Belmond Hotel Caruso's infinity pool.  Then imagine if  those friends included the hotel's Executive Chef Mimmo Di Raffaele, Chef Nino Di Costanzo ( Dani Maison, Ischia - 2 Michelin stars) and Pizza maker Sasa' Martucci ( I Masanielli, Caserta).  That is what went down last Monday evening.


The evening began with an aperitif - a selection of mini appetizers presented by Chef Mimmo Di Raffaele alongside a glass of sparkling wine - Ferrari Perle' Nero Riserva.



Sasa' Martucci then prepared the first of his 2 pizzas for the night.  Pizza number 1 featured San Marzano and cherry tomatoes, buffalo milk mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and extra virgin olive oil. This paired with a Sauvignon Blanc, Cloudy Bay 2018.




Chef Nino Di Costanzo presented his new risotto for 2019.  It included buffalo milk, sea urchins and croutons.  Paired with Fiano di Avellino by Guido Marsella 2015.



Chef Mimmo Di Raffele returned with his tender bonelss pork ribs served with a lightly sauteed scampi, and an Annurca apple sauce. This dish was paired with a Chardonnay by Vie di Romans 2015.



Then the moment arrived for Sasa' Martucci's second pizza - a predessert, if you will.  Buffalo mozzarella, fine herbs (known in Italy as misticanza), red pezzata cow meat and passion fruit.  A glass of Grand Rose' Brut Champagne, Paul Bara was served alongside the two pieces ( yes two! ) that I enjoyed.



We then topped off the evening with a selection of Chef Mimmo Di Raffaele's mini desserts.






An evening fantasticaaa!




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welcome to My Home - Lunch at Antica Osteria Nonna Rosa with Chef Peppe Guida

-
Image
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
Read more

La Scarpetta, Pepe in Grani, Caiazzo (Ce)

-
Image
Scarpetta. ..the word alone makes one's taste buds jump for joy.  Scarpetta, little shoe, is an act of love at the end of a meal. A show of respect and admiration performedw ith a piece of great bread and the remnants of a fantastic sauce left on the plate at the end a a course. That is the spirit behind Franco Pepe' s latest pizza - La Scarpetta.   Pepe's soft pizza dough paired with an amazing ragu tomato sauce.  For the sauce, Pepe chose three tomato varieties and slow cooked them so that they fused together to make an incredible tomato sauce. This sauce is not cooked in the oven with the pizza dough, but added on top afterwards.  Then a couple of shavings of Grana Padano cheese (aged 12 and 24 months) Just one more taste of happiness courtesy of Pepe in Grani.. .
Read more

The Trailer for Episode 1 of "In the Kitchen Campania" is Out Featuring Chef Luigi Coppola of Casa Coloni, Paestum (Sa)

-
Image
If you're a foodie, then "In the Kitchen Campania" is the perfect show to satisfy your cravings. This upcoming culinary series will feature some of the most talented chefs in the Campania region of Italy and is a celebration of the rich flavors and traditions of Italian cuisine.    You won't want to miss Chef Luigi Coppola of Casa Coloni Restaurant in this episode, which premieres on my YouTube channel on January 30th .  Be sure to save the date, watch the trailer, and subscribe to our channel to stay up-to-date with all the latest culinary excitement.  Ci vediamo in the kitchen!
Read more