Italian Food Blog

Take a look our friend's Alessandra food blog:
http://volevofarelochef.wordpress.com/english-version/
(the site is both in English and Italian)

Here's what her brother, Alberto, had to say, "She lives in the north of Italy and she's a free-lance food reporter for several Italian food magazines including "Gambero Rosso" an prominent Italian food and wine magazine that was founded in 1986. Its name literally translates as "red prawn" and comes from a tavern in Pinocchio where the Fox and the Cat dines. "Gambero Rosso" was initially aneight-page supplement of Italian daily IL Manifesto, first published on December 16, 1986, and was founded by Stefano Bonilli. It contributed early to spreading the views of Arci Gola, which was a forerunner to the Slow Food movement. From 1987, Gambero Rosso has published a guide to Italian wine, titled Vini d'Italia, which in a short time became the most influential within Italy. It is also published in English translation under the title Italian Wines."


Enjoy the recipes and buon appetito!

Great Spa and Bar

Inside the Aga hotel, is the Profumia Daily Spa, (095-7265696). (It's just a little past the Catania market, pass Piazza Europa--right near Mini-Club. It is definitely one of the best spas in Sicily (and it's right past the Catania market, so you can pick up some fresh strawberries before or after your treatment). It's open from 10-9, and we highly suggest the couple's massage. Located in its own room, you (and a friend, spouse, etc) will sit on a heated waterbed massage table. They have maternity massages available as well as hot stone. Also, they have various facials. Massages are 50 euro for an hour. You might cry when it's over, so for an additional 20 euro, you can use the steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, lounge chairs, and rain showers. You will feel so relaxed that you won't even mind when the scooters, buses, and Fiats cutting you off on your ride home.

When you are done, head to the bar inside the hotel or try Cafe Paris next door (Viale Ruggero di Lauria, 25). They have amazing granitas which are back in season. These granitas are almost as amazing as the massage.Food writer Jeffrey Steingarten says that "the desired texture seems to vary from city to city" on the island; on the west coast and in Palermo, it is at its chunkiest, and in the east it is nearly as smooth as sorbet. We suggest either mixing strawberry (fragola) with lemon (limone) or almond (mondorla) with Pistaccio (Pistaccio).

Tania's Spring Collection

Tania Mazzaglia has recently added to her portfolio of lava specialities and works of art. Some of these items include a mosaic of Sicily infused with her signature tiles, bistro tables, and more. We do admit, the language barrier may be difficult, but with a good translation and an open mind, you will love your art. And, did we tell you Play-doh wipes off a lava table? Way more kid friendly than you'd think!

Here's here website

Pizza and a Spa

What is better than Sicilian pizza and a full-body massage? At Hotel Biancaneve, they offer fabulous massages, waxes, and pedicures. They will transform post-winter half-polished tooties into gorgeous feet. Phew, just in time to show 'em off in summer flip-flops. Rooms are zen-like, and the massages are great. (Remember, the touch is lighter in Italy than in the States and they massage your boobs). They also give you plastic underwear and towel to cover yourself. For a pedicure and massage, it cost 64 euro--way less than the States and you don't need to add 20% tip! (We gave 5 euro). Some massage beds are heated. After detoxing, tox it up at Ristorante Pizzeria 7+. Their pizza was rated the 4th best in THE ENTIRE WORLD. He even showed us the article and plaque. Yoou can eat there for lunch, but if you want pizza you have to wait until 8:00 p.m. (You can also eat at the hotel-dinner is great and opens at 8:00).

Hotel Biancaneve
Hotel Biancaneve. Via Etnea, 163 - 95030 Nicolosi (CT) Tel: 095/911176 Fax: 095/911194 E-Mail: info@hotel-biancaneve.com
(They say they are open M-Saturday, but we found you can't get an appointment during riposo. Go early or at 2:30.

Ristorante Pizzeria 7+
Viale della Regione, 7/A
Nicolosi
Tel: 095-7916316

New Mall

The New Mall (as we call it) opened. It's very close to Sigonella--as if you going to the Catania Airport. We took one for the team and headed there opening weekend, and it was super packed and impossible to park. Avoid Sundays unless you like crowds. When we went back on Friday (9:30am) it was way less crowded and parking was easy. We suggest going on a week day early or during riposo to avoid the crowds.
Here what we liked:
1) Clean bathrooms with a separate changing table room/nursing area (across from RossoPomodoro). (This is incredible since you usually need to change the baby in our lap at other malls, on the floor, or in the car)!
2) Security guards in suits on Segways swooshing through the mall.
3) Decent food court choices (Wild West, Burger King (if you like that), and our favorite L'Etoile D'or (which they have also in Catania right by the fish market).
4) Amazing Lindt gelato:
5) 2-level Auchan--nice and clean. We were able to get all our Italian goodies: due vittorie balasmic, panna, Italian nutella, Italian cokes, and all the chocolaty variations of Kinder.
6) Decathlon store, Coincasa, and Prenatal (super expensive baby store--like 50 Euro for a Boppy--stick to Babies R US.
7) H&M-amazing kids section, maternity section, and overall better selection than the one in Katane.

On Monday, it opens late (like 12 or 1). Can't wait to July for Sconti Season! It can use a few more bathrooms and some more restaurants, but overall we give it two manicured thumbs up!

Image taken from: http://www.mimifroufrou.com/scentedsalamander/images/Shopping%20Logo%20TSS.jpg

Patti and Caleca

Problem: Ran out of your Caleca pattern and need a few dishes to complete the pattern.
Solution: Head to Patti and go to the Caleca Factory. Call ahead though and make sure it is open. It closes from 1-3 (or 1-4) so go early or late. 09412421. They sell "second quality" and "first quality" items.

Problem: Kids in a pottery factory.
Solution: Book a night at Villa Rica, an amazing B&B right near the Caleca factory in Patti. While you are shopping, your hubby or grandma can watch the kids while you buy your pasta bowls and pizza dishes. And, depending on the season, there's great hiking, and lots of room to explore. Their dinner or lunch is uh-mazing. In fact, it's the perfect way to end a successful shopping day. In the summer, there's a beautiful pool and the owner Jeanette can provide other sight-seeing ideas. Plus, she speaks English. The rooms are great, so spend the night before heading back. The view will take your breath away!

villarica.it

Taormina

Taormina. It’s the perfect day trip with a few girlfriends or a great way to spend the afternoon with the kiddies. The ice rink is closed now, but we’ve found some other family-friendly spots. Of course, we added some of our favorite stores. (We know kids and ceramic shops don’t mix, but throw in some gelato and you’ve usually bought yourself 10 minutes of shopping time). There’s also a lovely park near the Greek Theatre (down a few steps, near the Bank of Sicilia), so you can take turns watching the kids and shopping. Finally, there’s a huge piazza and kids bring small tricycles, toys, and balls and run around. In the summer, it’s very busy, so now is a good time to go and let kids run free. In Italy, people seem to love babies and toddlers, even when they are knocking down a few old women in the piazza on their bikes. (Check out our video). Take advantage of people’s love for children here because in the U.S. you’ll hear lots of “shhhing” and "watch it!"

Now, on to shopping! We LOVE Marco Monforte’s work. His store, Ceramiche Di Taormina, is on Corso Umberto, the main street. His address is: 198 Corso Umberto. He creates delicate paintings and vibrant mosaics of trees—very unique. He can also make Benvenuti plaques or “Casa di ______” plaques and awesome lava tables. We love his scenes of Etna too. He closes during riposo, so go early (10-1) or after 4 p.m. He speaks fairly good English as well.

We also like D’Agata. They sell “professional” titles, which make excellent gifts. Check out the dentist and muscian titles we included. They have several different professions all written in Italian. They have a rustic look which we like. It’s located at 120 Corso Umberto. These are a little pricy (between 50-85 euro), but we’ve never seen them anywhere else.

The restaurants in the center of the square are pricy and not that good. Gran Duca is good food, and they have high chairs. We like it for lunch on a weekday. There's a beautiful view. If you go on a weekend, be prepared to wait unless you call ahead and make a reservation. There’s another good restaurant called Piazza Taormina right near the piazza. The name is on a brown sign. You have to go down a few steps (which can be a hassle with a stroller, but totally do-able). It has a great view of the water, and they love kids. They also have A.C. in the summer so you can sit inside. If you ask, they will bring you pasta right away for the baby, and our kids have been known to finish the entire plate by themselves.