Snapshot of the Day - Un Bicchiere di Baccala' - Chef Michele Grande, Roof and Sky (Na)

It's been my experience that when Chef Michele Grande sets a small glass down in front of me, it is definitely a piccolo package filled with powerful flavors.  It was that way last September with his Vodka and Mussel shot and it was definitely that way last Saturday afternoon at Roof and Sky.  This time the featured fish was baccala', codfish.  Grande marinated his and added onions, red chili peppers, and puple basil.  Paired with a cool breeze and a spectacular view of Lake Miseno.
Summer is off to a great start!

Super Sandwiches - Panino alla Carbonara - Chef Maurizio De Riggi, Ristorante Markus, (Na)

Slowly, carefully, one by one, Chef Maurizio De Riggi placed egg yolks into a frying pan.  I watched from above, seated on the spiral staircase that connected the two levels of the party boat known as Roof and Sky in Bacoli (Na).  De Riggi was one of the Fantastic Four chefs on hand to present a series appetizers using cozze, mussels.

The chef, however did not turn on the burner to fry the eggs.  Instead he got out a kitchen blowtorch and began toasting the yolks from the top to form a protective crust while leaving the yolk nice and runny inside.

What was the plan?  A Panino alla Carbonara - a super sandwich made with the chef's own mini sandwich bun made with latte nobile.  After placing the burnt yolk on the bun, Chef De Riggi sprinkled mussel powder on top.  He next followed it with a pancetta, mousse made with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and a few sprigs of valerian.

This ain't your mother's egg mcmuffin...

Vodka, Mussels, Etc, Etc - Chef Michele Grande, Roof and Sky, Bacoli (Na)

Monday evening, a half hour or so before sunset Chef Michele Grande was behind the bar of his Roof and Sky on Lake Miseno in Bacoli (Na).  He looked pretty intense.  I was curious as to what he was up to - he and about 25 ish shot glasses.

Chef Michele Grande

He looked up, smiled, and when I asked what was his latest concoction, he answered -a vodka shot
I think the last time I had a vodka shot was back in college...visions of happy hours and chicken wings flashed in my head.
But I wasn't in college, I was in Bacoli, and Grande's vodka shot would be my introduction into an evening full of appetizers for an event entitled Apericozza during Malaze'.

And the shots back then looked nothing like this...

2 mussels
a dash of Tabasco sauce
5 drops of freshly squeezed lemon
a shot of vodka

The shots back then tasted nothing like this...

45 Minute Vacation - Roof and Sky, Bacoli (Na)

Ciao, Karen!  When are you going on vacation? 
 If I had a dollar, no, a euro every time a friend asked me that question I'd retire!
My answer is always the same.  I am on vacation.  As a teacher, I have my summers off.
No, is the usual reply.  When are you going away for a real vacation???

I smile inside. Little do they know that I've learned the art of taking a vacation everyday.  Even if it lasts for about  45 minutes ish.  Like a recent one to visit Chef Michele Grande at his floating bar Roof and Sky located on Lago Miseno in Bacoli (Na).

After a day of various mundane day to day duties and responsibilities, a cool breeze, a glass of Falanghina dei Campi Flegrei, and a few snacks was all I needed...

Grazie, Grande...

Serendipity - Calamarata Pasta with Fellone Crab and Squid ...on the Roof

Wikipedia: Serendipity means  a "happy accident" or "pleasant surprise"; specifically, the accident of finding something good or useful without looking for it. 

Some of the best moments are those that are impromptu...al momento...improvisato.  At least that's what I believe.  Like a recent visit to Roof & Sky to take a few pictures for my  last blog.  I sent owner Michele Grande a text message the morning of our appointment asking to change the time from 5 pm to 1230 pm.  Ok was his reply.
I didn't expect to see photographer and pirate Giannantonio.  Or even gastronaut Nando.  And I surely didn't expect one of the most unforgettable plates of pasta ...ever.
So during the interview, between a spritz a few appetizers and a glass of wine, the guys took turns stirring the calamarata pasta by cooking it directly in the pasta sauce, not boiling water.  Like cooking a risotto, Grand explained...This way the pasta soaks in all the flavors of the sauce.

Sauce?  Sauce.  He took a little extra virgin olive oil and sauteed a clove or two of garlic and a little peperoncino.  Then he added granchio fellone - a small crab with very little meat.  Little meat but claws full of flavor that seeped out into the sauce during cooking.  He also added a few squid. Why not?  In the end, a tasty plate.  
Unexpected.
Appreciated
Serendipity.  

An Aperitivo on the Roof- Roof & Sky, Lago Miseno (Na)

It had been awhile since I had been up on the roof.    So that probably explains the flood of memories that rushed into my mind as I walked the plank on Pontile # 3, Lake Miseno. The plank that led me to Asteco e Cielo- Roof & Sky.

It was lunchtime ish and this lounge bar/boat on the lake had plenty of appetizers for me to snack on while I hung out on the deck chatting away with owner Michele Grande.  Chatting away with Grande about what makes this barca in the heart of Campi Flegrei one of the hottest spots on the lake.

By day - It is open as early as 8 am for a caffe', cappucino, and cornetto.  The perfect place to read the morning paper.  Or relax after that morning stroll around Bacoli's Villa Comunale.  Mid day.  Appetizers all around.

 Plenty to snack on over a glass of wine, aperitivo, or any of the wide range of frozen cocktails and mixed drinks the bar has to offer.  That afternoon I was lucky.  Grande decided to prepare us a light lunch..  He prepared one of the dishes  from his restaurant La Bifora.  A plate of calamarata pasta with crab and squid (recipe soon).

A plate of pasta that paired perfectly with the view of Ischia and Procida from the terrace and a glass or two of Falanghina dei Campi Flegrei from Piscina Mirabile.  Over a cup of strawberries and cream, Grande reminded me what happens when the hot summer days turn into hot summer nights.  Roof & Sky leaves the pier and heads out to the center of the lake around 10 pm ish.   The perfect place for a night cap, a bottle of champagne with friends, a plate of sushi flegreo...
But for that, I'd have to come back...soon.



Roof & Sky
Lago Miseno - Pontile # 3
80070 Bacoli (Na)
333 276 1608

Te Le Do Io Le Bollicine-'Dancing' Wines with Ais Napoli and Roof & Sky, July 15

Ais Napoli and Roof & Sky will present an evening of fun, food, and sparkling wines...with a twist


Menu prepared by Michele Grande:
Pasta e fagiole con le cozze (pasta and beans with mussels)
Pesce bandiera fritto (impanato), batter fried fish
Polpette di pesce con crema di fagioli, fishballls with a creamy bean sauce
Zuppa di seppia e ceci, cuttlefish soup with chick peas

The cost of the evening is 25 euro (including sparkling wines)
The ship will sail at 2100 ish.

And here is the twist...In addition, bring a bottle of your favorite champagne, spumante, prosecco, ecc to share, enjoy, and discuss with friends as we sail around Lake Miseno---yes---BYOB.

Fore more information, or to reserve a spot contact Michele Grande 333.27.61.608 e-mail info@astecoecielo.it

Roof&Sky Asteco e Cielo


Pontile n.3 Lago di Miseno Bacoli

Diary of a Sommelier Student -First Level End of Course Get Together at Roof and Sky

8 March, 2010-Hotel Ramada Naples. Back then, we were a group of about 60 strangers with one objective in mind…to increase our comprehension of wine. So for nearly 3 months, every Monday night from 8 pm ish to around 1030, the Hotel Ramada became a second home. Friendships grew alongside our knowledge.

June 15th, we took our exam…July 1st we celebrated our accomplishment at Roof and Sky in Bacoli. Michele Grande-owner and fellow sommelier student-prepared an excellent menu. Formula BYOB. Spumante, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, Falanghina, and Chardonnay were some of the wines we shared over great food, magnificent conversation, and an excellent view from the middle of Lake Miseno. Our ‘leader’ Tommaso Luongo, pulled out his cigars and shared with all who wanted to end the night with a smoke, a smile, and a glass of grappa or vermouth.

A great way to say ‘see you at the next class'…