What's ailing Italy? Read The Economist

This special report from The Economist (you can see the cover in this photo) is the most thorough I've seen on Italy's economic, social and institutional problems. Oh it ain't pretty! But if you're at all interested in Italy, it's definitely worth a read.

In fact, you can even order reprints! (Sadly enough, I'm thinking of doing just that).

Another English-language periodocal, The New Yorker, has also produced a solid report (below) on Berlusconi's shenanigans, and what it says about the country he rules.

Italian beer guide

Il Nostro Inviato's friend, Mike, gave him this guide to Italian beers, and I've been meaning to post a photo for a long time.

There's a beer revolution going on in Italy, and if you wanted to plan a trip around Italian breweries and innovative beer bars, this book would be your guide.

Actually, I think Il Nostro Inviato would like to do just that!

And there are some really good Italian craft beers. I suppose it shouldn't be surprising since Italians simply know what to do once they have good ingredients in their hands whether you're talking about food or drink.

Caffe Kimbo @ Toscano & Sons

Do you remember a few months back I was oohing and ahhing over Caffe Kimbo?

Turns out I CAN buy it in Atlanta at Toscano & Sons on Atlanta's Westside.

YAY!

While I was shopping there for coffee and biscotti and fresh bread, I also picked up a really great mozzarella and prosciutto sandwich.

They'll make them fresh for you so stop in -- you won't be disappointed.

Buon appetito!

Toscano & Sons Italian Market
1000 Marietta St NW # 106
Atlanta, GA 30318-0524
(404) 815-8383

Alla ricerca di ciambelline in USA

Va bene, sinceramente, non si trovano facilmente le buone ciambelline qui.

Quelle che si vedono nella foto erano buone, ma con rispetto alle amatissime (da me) paste italiane, erano troppo zuccherose e troppo pesanti.

Beh, allora, bisogna che io mi fermi presto dalla pasticcieria Patrizio Cosi a Firenze (magari!).

La Fiat 500 è qui!

E quando dico che la 500 è qui, voglio dire che è arrivata non solamente ad Atlanta, ma proprio nel mio vicinato!

Bellina, no?

Tutti adorano la cucina italiana (in USA)

L'intero numero di Bon Appetit si dedica alle ricette italiane e soprattutto ai trucchi che i cuochi italiani (voi!) usano per creare le delizie.

Secondo me si ignora in Italia quanto gli americani si sono ormai appassionati della cucina italiana.

Qui si trovano ristoranti "toscani" e pizzerie napolitane, ecc. E' proprio una mania. E non si vede la stessa passione per la cucina francese o tedesca o persino spagnola.

Comunque buon appetito!

I used to live here....

And by here, I mean I used to share an apartment at the top of the Medieval stone tower you see in the photo.

Il Nostro Inviato took this picture while he was visiting Florence last month.

Some things never change. To put it bluntly, it will never suck to live in a tower in the center of Florence (near the Arco di San Pierino where you'd see the heroin addicts crowded around the Antico Noe sandwich shop that was tucked into the vault of the arch).

To be sure, it was cold during the winter because there was no heat (I only lived there for about six months). But the highest floor of the tower contained one large open room that was outfitted with windows on three sides, and a large fireplace.

With or without a glass of Brunello, I found the view from the top to be quite compelling, to put it mildly.

What I'm reading now

Bell'Italia, one of the most beautiful magazines ever published!

I know one would normally follow the words 'What I'm reading' with the title of some profound novel, but, well, reading Bell'Italia is a fine use of one's time (or at least MY time!).

It patiently explores every corner of Italy, and every aspect of Italian culture, while publishing National Geographic-caliber photos. It also includes lots of fold-out diagrams and maps!

Where can you buy it?

Well, I believe my copy was purchased at the airport in Florence, and I have not seen it in the U.S. (yes, I mean, even in New York, I'm not sure if they sell it....And of course if they do, it will cost you at least $10!).

Caffe Mingo!

Slowly but surely, I'm allowing myself to open the Christmas-in-April gifts that Il Nostro Inviato brought back from Florence.

And the can of Caffe Mingo topped the list. I've never had it before and it's good!

Caffe Mingo. Caffe Quarta. Caffe Guglielmo. Caffe Kimbo.

I've tried all of these Italian coffee brands in the past few years. Am I ever going to be content again with just Lavazza?

Doubt it! It just seems like all of the other coffees are much stronger.

That's not too surprising when you're dealing with a small regional coffee brand that's made in southern Italy, such as Quarta.

But Caffe Mingo is made in Florence (Borgo San Lorenzo, actually).

Kind of cool to think I'm still discovering new things to love almost 20 years after I stepped foot in Italy for the first time.

Christmas in April (Il Nostro Inviato rincasa)

Il Nostro Inviato was in Florence last week and he was very generous with the gifts that be brought back.

Basically, this is a picture of some of my favorite things in the world. Shoot, they are some of the world's best things, period!

*Italian newspapers and magazines (Panorama, Bell'Italia)
*Taralli (a crunchy snack from Puglia)
*Italian coffee (this time Caffe Mingo and Caffe Manaresi)
*The Italian puzzle magazine (Settimana Enigmistica)
*Italian wine (vin santo & biscotti and a bottle of Morellino di Scansano which you can't see)
*Real Italian biscotti for dipping in coffee

Please note, there are also treats for Il Nostro Inviato:
*The Vin santo; trust me, it's for him!
*Oregano
*Saffron (in the yellow packet)

Ah la dolce vita!

Prima c'era la latteria dove lavorava la Paola

Quest'angolo a Firenze, sì che lo conosco. Ma La Gabbia? Ma che l'è?

Prima c'era la latteria dove compravo degli etti di gorgonzola, qualche bottiglia di birra, a volte una confezione di mozzarella e, chiaramente, il latte. Ora scomparsa.

Forse si puo' dire, Plus ca change, plus ca change...

Questa foto l'ha scattata Il Nostro Inviato. Stava a Firenze durante la fine della settimana, e si è fermato alle solite tappe del vicinato dove abitavamo noi.

Wish you were here (Il Nostro Inviato torna a Firenze)

Il Nostro Inviato is in bella Firenze today and look at this gorgeous photo. Looks like morning to me!

He snapped this photo at Patrizio Cosi, my favorite bar/pasticcieria in Florence.

And do I need to mention that the ciambellina you see in the photo is my favorite pastry?!

A chi ama dormire....

Dalla mia maestra, Antonella:

A chi ama dormire ma si sveglia di buon umore
A chi saluta ancora con un bacio
A chi lavora molto e si diverte di più
A chi ha l'entusiasmo di una bambina e i pensieri di una donna
A chi va in fretta in auto ma non suona ai semafori
A chi arriva in ritardo ma non cerca scuse
A chi spegne la televisione per fare due chiacchiere
A chi è felice il doppio quando fa a metà
A chi si alza presto per aiutare un amico
A chi vede nero solo quando è buio
A chi non aspetta il Natale per essere migliore...

Buon anno!

(Vedrete, vi offro questo messaggio parecchio in ritardo ma non cercherò scuse!)

La Fiat 500 è (quasi) qui!

The Fiat 500 is coming to America! Fiat dealerships are opening up here, and in fact there will be one in Atlanta! This is something Il Nostro Inviato has been talking about for years -- no exaggeration -- but it's also of interest to me.

Here's one of the stories I'm reading about the 500's arrival:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/automobiles/autoreviews/27WHEEL.html

I also love the story below about what Fiat had to change to make the car ready for the North American market (and North American regulatory and safety concerns):

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/automobiles/27LIST.html

Will I buy a Fiat 500? Ma non so....Il Nostro Inviato will want me to have one, for sure. But it's smaller than a Mini, which means it's smaller than my Volkswagen Golf. And that may be a bit too small even for Ciambellina.

Atlanta Italian Film Fest info now available

The 2011 Atlanta Italian Film Festival kicks off on Thu., March 24. The organization running the festival has now posted the slate of films and all the details.

Go here for information on the films:

http://www.cinemaitaly.com/index2.php?idfestival=28

The festival takes place at Georgia State University's Rialto theater, and begins with a screening of the Fellini classic, "La Dolce Vita."

The new films include a lot of comedies, unlike last year's festival, which was marked by some decidedly sad (and some might say bizarre) films!

I'm not sure which screenings I plan to attend but I would like to see "La Dolce Vita" on the big screen!

Atlanta's Italian Meetup is organizing incontri every evening there's a film. For more information, go here:

http://www.meetup.com/italiana/

Ci vediamo al Rialto!

Italian film festival returns to Atlanta

Here's the info:

Atlanta Italian Film Festival 2011
March 24th - 27th
at Rialto Center for the Arts


In partnership with Georgia State University

From the email:

"The Italian Film Festival is back for the fifth time in Atlanta, bigger and better than ever. Seven outstanding Italian films will be presented at the Rialto Center for the Arts from March 24th through the 27th including the unique celebration of 50 years of La Dolce Vita of Italian Cinema on Opening Night, the Best Films, as voted by the audience in our Festival in Miami October 2010, a selection dedicated to Italian Documentaries and our award winning presentation of short films titled "Life is Too Short" and much more.

"Enjoy also our Signature Opening Party and a Closing Cocktail, stay tuned for the full details but mark your calendars because it happens only once a year and it is now!"

All information and film titles soon available at www.cinemaitaly.com

Italian women say: "Se non ora, quando?"

"If not now, then when?"

Italian women (and men) will be protesting Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's treatment of women, both on the television channels he owns and in his private life, in piazzas across Italy this Sunday. Here's their statement of intent:

NYT photo: "Italy is not a whorehouse"

(Credit: Maurizio Degl'Innocenti/European Pressphoto Agency)

Here's what I'm reading this week:

Sex Scandals in Italy Fuel Discontent of Women
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO and RACHEL DONADIO
Published: February 2, 2011
The scandals around the Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi are a reminder of Italy’s persistent gender gap.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/world/europe/03italy.html

NYT: A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi

Here's what I'm reading today:

Week in Review
Surreal: A Soap Opera Starring Berlusconi
By RACHEL DONADIO
Published: January 22, 2011
In Italy, politics can seem to be on one plane of reality and real life on another.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/weekinreview/23donadio.html

Italian treats from New York

Caffe Kimbo from Naples -- oh so good! I bought it at Roma's near Troy, N.Y., where Il Nostro Inviato's family lives. Our Christmas holidays in New York stood us in good stead to stock up on Italian treats.

I've definitely decided that coffee from Southern Italy is the best! Side by side, the Caffe Kimbo is so much darker than even Lavazza Oro. And I say darker=better.

Taralli. Crunchy, salty, with an olive oil essence, this is my favorite snack of all time! Think of them as Italian pretzels but so much better.

And some camomille tea. I bought the taralli and the tea at Chelsea Market in New York City.

Buon anno and buon appetito!