Bella Napoli

Bella Napoli

Naples as you may have realized by now is one of my favorite cities in all of Italia. My Italian roots are in Campania and Napoli is the region’s capital. I’ve felt as if I belonged there since I first visited. I love the food, 

Song of Pulcinella Mural Almost Done

Song of Pulcinella Mural Almost Done

It’s just been 2 weeks since we saved the severely damaged Song of Pulcinella mural and rolled it across Columbus Avenue to a safe haven. It’s been a week since I brought the San Francesco statue to Emerald Tablet gallery to oversee the restoration. The 

Lidia Bastianich is an Inspiration

Lidia Bastianich is an Inspiration

Lidia Bastianich inspires me. She’s been a mentor for a long time. I have 6 of her cookbooks and I read them often. Lidia’s Italy has been a PBS blockbuster cooking show for years. I’ve watched them all but my absolute favorite is the one 

Restoration Begins on the Mural

Restoration Begins on the Mural

The restoration of North Beach muralist Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella is like working a jigsaw puzzle. Watch as a group of neighbors and artists struggle to put the severely damaged mural back together again.

Pulcinella Mural Restoration Plan Hatched

Pulcinella Mural Restoration Plan Hatched

Can Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella smashed mural be saved? The artist and a local handyman think it can be done and our restoration plan will start on Saturday.

Saving Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella Mural

Saving Vranas’ Song of Pulcinella Mural

Follow our efforts to restore the damaged “Song of Pulcinella” mural by Vranas and put in on display in North Beach for all to enjoy.

St. Francis Piazza Coming Soon?

St. Francis Piazza Coming Soon?

I can’t wait to be sitting with you on a Saturday afternoon under the olive trees sipping a Caffe Trieste espresso and listening to live Italian music.

A North Beach Treasure Lost

A North Beach Treasure Lost

Pulcinella had a good run. I’m happy the boys from Napoli were with us for the last couple of years.

Village News/Sunday Recipe: Great Parade & Roasted Rosemary Chicken

Village News/Sunday Recipe: Great Parade & Roasted Rosemary Chicken

What a day–the fog finally burned off as we headed down the hill to North Beach’s Caffe Puccini to watch the 143rd Italian Heritage Parade–the oldest in the country. Hundreds were lining the parade route already. The tables set up in the street all over 

Village News: Italian Heritage Parade Sunday!

Village News: Italian Heritage Parade Sunday!

North Beach’s biggest event of the year is this Sunday–the 143rd Annual Italian Heritage Parade–the oldest in America. You gotta be here–it’s a great day in the Village. Floats, politicians, bands, Queen Isabella and her Court, Cristoforo Columbo himself–the Parade has it all and it 

Exhibit: Rare North Beach History

Exhibit: Rare North Beach History

A private collection of North Beach’s Italian cultural and political memorabilia, ephemera and photos from the 1800s to present.

Who is Pulcinella?

Who is Pulcinella?

A video profiling the Caputo Family, owners of Pulcinella. Learn the history of pizza!

The Great Tuscan Bread Debate

The Great Tuscan Bread Debate

Every time I’m in Tuscany somebody complains about Tuscan bread. It’s made without salt.

My Old Stomping Grounds – New York and New Jersey

My Old Stomping Grounds – New York and New Jersey

New York I got spotted like a celebrity last Sunday as I stepped out of a shop in New York City’s Little Italy. Good thing I was behaving. “Hey, you Gianni from the Web?” she asked.  The woman was born in Naples and has lived 

Dinner #2: A Night in Naples in North Beach

Dinner #2: A Night in Naples in North Beach

The next in Gianni’s dinner series gives us Neapolitan cuisine from the Caputo Family of Pulcinella. Four courses paired with four wines. Experience the birthplace of pizza!