Naked Ladies

  There is a building next to our house in Rapallo that has a lovely fresco on the outside full of pretty pastel naked ladies. Nudes have always been a classic subject in art and when they are in public like this then it seems that the naughty-ness is taken away and even children will see that it's art and boobs are well, just boobs. But I know that this fresco would never find a place in the States. I can see it now, fresco goes up. A thousand religious and modesty protest groups are formed. A Janet Jackson-like witch hunt on every talk radio show until the pressure forces the powers that be to form an art committee with a fine for every nip slip that might come in contact with an elementary school trip. This is a lesson that we can take from the Italians, who by the way sun tan nude when ever possible, boobs are just boobs.

Nuns on My Train

  Not snakes on a plane but nuns on my train. As an expat, I will never get used to seeing nuns out and about doing normal things like taking the train from Torino to seaside Liguria with their packed lunch. Obviously my train ride will go smoother because they are on it...right?!

Baratti & Milano

  Baratti & Milano, established in 1847, is one of the oldest cafes in Torino. The waiters wear bow ties and a cappuccino is a pricey 4 euros, but taking in the old world atmosphere and thinking about how many Victorian ladies have sat in your seat before you, makes it kinda worth it.

Baratti & Milano
Piazza Castello, 29
Torino, Italy
http://www.barattiemilano.it/emain.html

It's Spring at the Market

At the Porto Palazzo market, spring has arrived and it's beautiful. I wanted one of everything!

Lost in Translation?

This is a sign for a pet shop in Torino. It seems a bit...lude. A dirty sign or just a lost in translation moment?

Click My Flickr

  I have been uploading all of my best and favorite pics to my new Flickr account. If you are in the mood to browse around Italy, check it out here:

 

Door Series #58

Vintage Italian Ads

Martini anyone?

Have You Seen My New Bike?

Feed Me Seymore

Puts a new spin on edible plants.

The Pastel Colors of Rapallo

Buona Pasqua blog readers!

2013 To Be the Year of Italian Culture in the USA

  Wait, so I didn't have to find myself an Italian boyfriend, uproot everything, and move to Torino to get a little Italian culture in my life? According to the President and Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, 2013 is the year of Italy...in the USA. How about that?!

Read the ItalyMag.co.uk article here: http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/arts-and-culture/2013-be-year-italian-culture-usa

Eat Here: U Giancu

  We had the most delightful dining experience recently at an out of the way and very unconventional restaurant in Rapallo called U Giancu. They call it 'Il Ristorante dei Fumetti' because every inch of the inside and outside decor of this place is decorated with cartoons and comic book characters That is in addition to the characters that are the waiters, cook, and owner that add flare to the already bright atmosphere (the owner changed his eclectic  hat no less than 3 times during our dinner). I spied original drawings from The Simpsons (signed by Matt Groening) and Disney as well as many popular Italian comics like Tex and Topolino.

But how was the food, you ask? It was gratifying in a home cooked comfort kind of way. Pier and I both found and ordered some of our favorite go to comfort dishes.

Our menu consisted of :
The House Appetizer Plate with salami and breads, warm cheese in a fried pocket, chilled vegatables in vinagar, and a leek torte.

For the main course I had Pumpkin Ravioli in butter and Pier had a Steak and Artichoke Salad.

For dessert I had Sweet Muscat Wine with Biscotti and Pier had a Chocolate and Pear Cake with Chocolate Chip Gelato.

I recommend U Giancu for a night in fun conversation and comfort food. It would be a perfect place to go for both a party and a first date because you would never be short of something to talk about. A meal for 2 costs around 60 euros.

U Giancu

Via San Massimo 28, 16035  

Rapallo,16035  Italia

www.ugiancu.it

 

Fabulous Brands From Italy That You've Never Heard Of But Should Have

 
Superga: Italy's version of Keds. Every Italian at one time in their life will own a pair of these and just like Keds, they have come in every color and pattern including themed pairs for the Olympics, fashion week, Disney, etc. Supurga

Kappa: Since 1978 Kappa has been the major brand for sportswear in Italy. They make clothes for and sponsor every major sports event as well has making streetwear for the non-sporting of us. Kappa

Fratelli Rossetti: For both men and women, these guys make the BEST and most stylish oxfords around. If you are ever looking for me check the Fratelli Rossetti shop window and you will find me there...drooling. If I was only allowed to wear one brand of shoes for the rest of my life it would be these guys. Fratelli Rossetti

Borsalino: This shop has been making stylish hats for men and women since 1856 and they are still going strong today. I am a strong advocate for bringing the hat back for everyday and this shop shares my cause. Fedoras, cloches and wedding hats. Borsalino

Borbonese: Everybody knows that great leather goods come out of Italy but Borbonese is the only company licenced to produce products from the Italian mountain goat called the camoscio. This exclusivity makes it one of the most popular purse brands in Italy.

Borbonese

Don't Look Now...

You hang around this part of the world long enough and you start to see a few celebs. Liguria being the Italian Riveria, it tends to attract the rich and famous.

Last night we ate dinner at a table next to this guy:

Lapo Elkann of the famous Agnelli FIAT family fortune. The Sartorialist wrote a funny post about him here

Pier saw Berlusconi's car being escorted around town yesterday so you never know who we'll see next...