Green Is the New Gourmet: How Don Alfonso 1890 is Redefining Sustainability in the Culinary World

Chef Ernesto Iaccarino
Don Alfonso 1890

Earth Day every day? You bet! That's the anthem of the Iaccarino family over at Don Alfonso 1890, nestled in the picturesque Sant'Agata Sui Due Golfi, a stone’s throw from Sorrento. Picture this: for half a century, these eco-warriors have been at the forefront of living sustainably. Their green initiatives even snagged them a coveted Green Michelin star, cozying right up next to the two Michelin stars their restaurant proudly flaunts. But hold the phone—by the end of 2022, they hit the pause button, deciding not to reopen for the 2023 season. Why? They set out on a mission to level up their green game even further. Yep, in a time when the hospitality world was just finding its feet after the pandemic, they made the bold move to forego not just business but those shiny Michelin stars too.

Fast forward to Spring 2024, and guess what? Don Alfonso 1890 is making a grand comeback. I got the scoop straight from Chef Ernesto Iaccarino, and let me tell you, their journey to being even greener is nothing short of epic.

So, here’s to making every day Earth Day, the Don Alfonso way! It's not just a motto; it's a lifestyle that’s paving the way for a greener, more sustainable world. And honestly, we’re all here for it. Welcome back, Don Alfonso 1890. We missed you, but we're totally digging your even greener vibe!

A Journey through Naples' Vicolo della Cultura

 

In the enchanting city of Naples, Italy, a new cultural treasure has blossomed, enchanting both locals and visitors. Known as the Vicolo della Cultura, or Alley of Culture, this captivating street art initiative celebrates the legacies of influential women throughout history. Each mural and artwork narrates tales of strength, intellect, and remarkable accomplishments.

To catch you up, I’d like to take you back a bit. Il Vicolo della Cultura is an association in Naples, Italy that loves not only their culture but their neighborhoods as well. So much so that they have ‘taken over’ so to speak, side streets and cleaned them up, painted murals with prominent figures in history, as well as added other specialties such as bookshelves where you can swap books and QR codes where you can learn further about the area. See my You Tube video here.

This latest adventure has paired up the association with local bookstore A & M and focuses on 5 women; Frida Kahlo, Michela Murgia, Matilde Serao, Rita Levi Montalcini, and Artemisia Gentileschi.

It is the first of its kind in Napoli!

So the next time you visit, include this in your walking tour. It is located at Vicoletta Donnaregina very close to Il Duomo.

Ci vediamo a Napoli!

Exploring the Flavors of Procida - the Famous Lemon Salad at Calacala' Rooms, Restaurant & Farm Experience

                                   

Ciao guys!! Last week I visited the island of Procida. Have you heard of it? It is the smallest of the 3 off of the bay of Naples.

And though I’ve lived in Campania for 30 years, I haven’t been to Procida in over 25!!! So why did I feel inspired to hop on a 30 minute ferry from Pozzuoli on the first day of spring? To 1) beat the crowds and 2) check out the famous insalata di limone- lemon salad which you can only find in Procida.

Surely there are those of you have heard about a lemon salad and have tried to create it at home using lemons from the supermarket or from your garden (guilty!!!!) but it is not the same! Salvatore Costagliola Di Polidoro of Calacala Rooms,Restaurant & Farm Experience showed me why.

Now that I understood the why, I wanted to see the other ingredients that he used from his garden and how he prepared them.

No problem!

 

I was a bit skeptical at first. But I must admit that this blend of fresh ingredients from the garden - lemons, mint, garlic, chili peppers mixed with salt and extra virgin olive oil (Salvatore uses olive oil produced from Casa Setaro in the Mt Vesuvius area). The salad leads towards sweet and not bitter. Salvatore shared that the salad must be prepared al momento, meaning that it must be prepared right before being served or else it will not be the same. The flavor changes.

He’s right! What a pleasure to eat dishes straight from the garden. An organic garden. What a pleasure to visit an island which is still intent on maintaining traditions and spirits of the past.

So what do you think? Let’s go back to Procida?