Alassio (Savona) – The Caffè Balzola, run by siblings Carlo Maria and Maria Teresa Balzola—the fourth generation of the family—has been home to Italy’s first “Caffè concerto” since the 1920s, a venue of great national renown featuring performances by the “top stars” of Italian music.
Amalfi (Salerno) – Andrea Pansa, the fifth generation at the helm of the Pasticceria Pansa alongside his family, is the tireless cultural ambassador for Amalfi’s confectionery tradition, which he promotes with expertise and passion on television and at events throughout Italy.
Andria (Barletta-Andria-Trani) – The “Museo del Confetto Mucci Giovanni” is a treasure of immense cultural value and a testament to the tradition of the Confetteria Mucci, strongly championed by the family as a testament to the cultural and entrepreneurial heritage of Apulia’s fine artisanal confectionery and the history of four generations of this industrial dynasty. The museum, housed in the historic and charming factory building, was recognized in 2011 as a site of special historical interest by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities; in 2015, the City of Andria even named the historic street in the old town where the museum is located after the museum itself.
Aosta – The Caffè Nazionale, owned by the City of Aosta and managed by Laura Bertone, is the city’s social hub, hosting literary gatherings, art openings, and the most prestigious exhibitions. This cultural tradition began at the turn of the 20th century, when the café’s beautiful Gothic hall served as the venue for Italy’s first film screenings.
Arezzo – The Caffè dei Costanti, the city’s elegant social hub, is the historic venue of choice for the most important cultural, social, and artistic events held in Arezzo.
Mario De Filippis, the incomparable owner—along with his wife Giulia—of the Ristorante Buca di San Francesco, has managed to combine gastronomy and exlibris in a unique and exceptional way, with a collection of over 130,000 rare items, 13,000 of which he created himself, a feat that for many years earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Ask him to show them to you, and an extraordinary world will open up before your eyes!
Ascoli Piceno – Caffè Meletti, the city’s elegant gathering place on Piazza del Popolo, has been the venue for Ascoli’s most prominent cultural events every year since its founding, featuring classical and jazz concerts, gatherings, high-end food and wine events, cooking classes, dance soirées, and music schools.
Asolo (Treviso) – The culture and cultivation of the “cru” regions of origin for a rare, award-winning extra virgin olive oil from Asolo—a true work of art—have been the work of Emanuele and Ezio Botter, owners of Caffè Centrale and masterful growers, for decades.
Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza) – The Grapperia Nardini, led by Angelo Nardini—the seventh generation—has for years been the venue for prestigious events at the Opera Estate Festival Veneto: at “Le Bolle,” the stunning venue designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, dance performances have featured stars over the years such as Yasmeen Godder, Galili Dance, Iván Pérez, Virgilio Sieni, Emio Greco, Itamar Serussi, La Veronal, and Chris Haring; and theater performances at Garage Nardini, the Grapperia’s former garage now transformed into a vibrant cultural space, where companies such as Babilonia Teatri, Anagoor, Ricci/Forte, Fibre Parallele, Motus, Santa Sangre, and Teatro Sotterraneo have taken the stage. And here, too, dance performances by Chiara Frigo, Collettivo Cinetico, Giorgia Nardin, Alessandro Sciarroni, Alma Sodeberg, Iris Erez, Silvia Gribaudi, Francesca Foscarini, Mèlanie Demers, Ann Van den Broek, Simona Bertozzi, Alma Sodeberg, Elena Giannotti, The Loose Collective, and Cie Sharon Fridman.
Bellagio (Como) – The Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni‘s Vintage Sailing Trophy is a stunning event on the lake organized in September by the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni—the Bucher family’s estate, managed by Antonio Calzolaro—in collaboration with the Pescallo Sailing Club, under the patronage of the Association of Vintage and Classic Boats and the Municipality of Bellagio. And for music lovers, there are concerts from the Bellagio and Lake Como Festival in the Grand Hotel’s Salone Reale.
Bologna – A series of outstanding cultural events throughout the year at the Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni, all curated by the tireless general manager Alfredi Biondi, who reaffirms the prestigious hotel’s status as the heart of the city’s cultural hospitality. And culture is at its very core, from the stunning ceiling of the 16th-century hall—home to the Ristorante I Carracci—featuring frescoes by the Carracci brothers’ school, to the suites named after Italy’s most celebrated artists. Just a few recent examples: at the heart of ArteFiera Off, the exhibition featuring the photographic works of Martin Parr and the exhibition showcasing the textural harmonies of Kyoji Nagatani; the exhibition “Antico Assoluto”: Dreamlike Mythology for the InterNations party, featuring works by artist Paola Crema; “Love Bowie,” the evening event celebrating “David Bowie Is,” the first retrospective dedicated to the extraordinary career of the White Duke at the MAMBo Museum of Modern Art; the “Serate d’Autore a 5 Stelle”, a project by Minerva Editions and the Duetorrihotels Group: a journey to discover authors, hotels, flavors, and cities; In the spirit of wedding culture, the refined Sunday brunches featuring the best wines from the Bologna area paired with the culinary artistry of Executive Chef Claudio Sordi.
Annamaria Atti, owner of the Pasticcerie Paolo Atti & Figli, created the “Romano Bonaga” Award, intended for a bachelor’s, master’s, or graduate thesis on topics related to the history and culture of food. The award was established within the Department of History, Culture, and Civilization, in collaboration with the “History and Culture of Food” master’s program at the highly prestigious Alma Mater Studiorum —the University of Bologna. The Award honors the memory of her husband, Romano Bonaga, who passed away in 2009, a prominent figure in the city known for his forty-year tenure as President of the Bologna Bakers’ Association and for his work in banking, labor unions, and social causes. The award is presented annually during an official ceremony open to the public at the historic shop on Via Caprarie. Since 2017, the historic shop has also served as the venue for exhibitions of paintings and works of art: the first event, in January, coincided with Arte Fiera and, in collaboration with Galleria L’Ariete Bologna, featured a selection of works from the 1980s by Amedeo Cavani, a solitary and reclusive artist and poet of a quiet Bologna.
Burano (Venice) – Also well worth a visit is Trattoria Da Romano, now run by the fourth generation of the Barbaro family: a veritable museum with 450 paintings covering the walls (do ask them to tell you the stories behind them!), affectionate tributes from the artists who were regulars there, such as De Pisis, Vellani Marchi, Soffici, Capogrossi and Fontana; plus a collection of 26 ‘Libroni’ – albums containing drawings, dedications and autographs from the greatest figures of the 20th century.
Capaccio Paestum (Salerno) – The setting of the Ristorante Nettuno, which has been run by the Pisani family for three generations, is exceptionally rich in culture and truly unique, as it lies within and forms an integral part of the archaeological site of Paestum, right in front of its temples.
Cernobbio (Como) – The Hotel Villa d’Este, managed by General Manager Danilo Zucchetti, hosts the following event every year: classical music concerts held during the summer months; it is the venue for the Villa d’Este Wine Symposium, a wine-related event spanning three days in November, now in its seventh year; it hosts the exclusive Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the best-known and most coveted event celebrating the charm of classic cars, bringing together the cream of enthusiasts by invitation only. In the past, the grand hotel has hosted the ‘Ex Libris’ competition, two auctions (Christie’s and Versace) and the ‘Viva Hollywood’ event, which presents lifetime achievement awards to Hollywood actors.
Chiaramonte Gulfi (Ragusa) – The Ristorante Majore is a unique and unrivalled haven of culinary culture and pork-based recipes – extraordinary dishes handed down through four generations of the Laterra family; ‘Here, pork is celebrated’ reads the inscription that has hung above the dining room for a century.
Chiavari (Genova) – Art for the Caffè Defilla, led by Mauro Pietronave, home to a a painting collection of over eighty works, oils and drawings which adorn the two tea rooms and the café.
Conversation and artists every day at the Antica Osteria Luchin, the Bonino-Mangiante family’s domain for four generations, with Nicola Mangiante – a lover of art and jazz – who knows exactly what to serve and how to serve it to inspire creativity. One example among many: Franco Casoni, the last great ship’s figure carver. A truly traditional tavern for artists.
Cogne (Aosta) – The Hotel Bellevue, established by the Jeantet-Roullet family, is hosting the new literary competition ‘Parole dal Gran Paradiso’, open to guests who have stayed at this historic hotel and who wish to try their hand at writing a short story or memoir, in Italian or French. From December 2016 onwards, a book featuring the stories selected by the jury is published and presented to every guest family in the year following its publication. The theme of the first edition was “Cogne”, and the first book featured around 20 entries. The jury is chaired by the writer and storyteller Elena Loewenthal. To promote a culture of fine dining, the hotel has been hosting the “Gourmet Festival”, organised in collaboration with Relais & Châteaux – of which the hotel is a member – features elegant evenings showcasing a joint culinary collaboration between an outstanding chef from another Relais & Châteaux establishment and the hotel’s own chef.
Colorno (Parma) – The Ristorante Al Vèdel, a business run by the Bergonzi family for six generations, has, since its official establishment in 2008, supported the Confraternita del Tortel Dols, a group of food enthusiasts dedicated to promoting the traditional recipes of the Bassa Parmense region and the local food and folk culture. Every year, the venue hosts the Confraternita’s anniversary lunch, a day of cultural and culinary exchange between various food and wine societies from across Italy, during which the region’s signature local produce is showcased and celebrated. Al Vèdel was one of the first supporters of the Confraternità colornese, supporting it in projects to promote the region’s food history and culture, hosting meetings and gatherings, and actively participating in the organisation of the Gran Galà del Tortel Dols gastronomic and cultural festival (which reached its ninth edition in 2016) by managing the restaurant area, where a special menu is offered each year, based on the region’s local specialities and traditional recipes.
Ferrara – Culture of blues and soul at Enoteca Al Brindisi, the world’s oldest tavern, whose owner, Federico Pellegrini – known as Fred Brindisi – is a highly regarded musician who is regularly invited to perform at the most prestigious festivals: if you’re lucky, fans may be treated to an unscheduled performance by him at the venue, accompanied by his musician friends.
Florence – The Hotel Bernini Palace, managed by David Foschi, is one of the venues for the Giglio’s cultural events, including exhibitions, book launches, gastronomic events, festivals and concerts. In 2016, the hotel hosted the Executive Committee of the Historical Places of Italy during its National Assembly in Florence.
The Gran Caffè Giubbe Rosse in Piazza della Repubblica, run by Riccardo Poggi, has been a constant stream of cultural events since its foundation, and even today continues to host a flurry of events and vernissages, meetings and presentations; in 2016, it even organised the literary competition ‘Inediti’, for those wishing to try their hand at poetry or a short story set in the famous venue, all under the patronage of the City of Florence. What’s more – and few people know this – Giubbe Rosse is also the publisher of a valuable series of 17 works, whose authors include the likes of Geno Pampaloni and Mario Luzi.
The Hotel Monna Lisa is, in every sense, a museum of hospitality and a hotbed of art and culture in the truest sense of the word. Run by three generations of the Ciardi Duprè family, it is housed in the 14th-century palace that was once the home and studio of the neoclassical sculptor Giovanni Duprè, and still preserves his rooms, halls and even some of his works within an exceptional atmosphere.
Caffè Paszkowski, the domain of the Valenza family, continues the great and cherished cultural tradition of the ‘Caffè Concerto’ in Piazza della Repubblica and hosts musical evenings and special events, including those held to coincide with the most significant occasions in Florentine life.
The Hotel Bristol Palace, managed by Giovanni Ferrando, is home to no fewer than six Rotary Clubs in Genoa, which regularly hold their meetings and social gatherings at this historic hotel. This is a long-standing tradition dating back to the early 20th century, when the hotel’s ballrooms hosted the grandest parties and balls of Genoa’s nobility.
The Liquoreria Pasticceria Marescotti Cavo, run by Alessandro Cavo, in collaboration with the Genoa Chamber of Commerce and the Ascom Confcommercio Genoa Young Entrepreneurs Group, organises the annual series of cultural events known as the ‘Caffè scientifico’, led by scientists from the Italian Institute of Technology. It also serves as a prestigious venue for a number of literary readings.
Pietro Romanengo, chairman of Confetteria Romanengo and a seventh-generation member of the family, is invited every year to host a small series of cultural events and high-calibre conferences at prestigious venues, which explore the traditions and secrets of Genoese confectioners and chocolatiers from the 18th century to the present day – traditions of which he is one of the very few custodians; Every year, Romanengo also acts as an exceptional ‘guide’, leading a number of guided tours of the historic Genoese factory, with its early 20th-century ambience, where one can still sense the atmosphere of traditional craftsmanship.
Giarre (Catania) – With a focus on literature, Fabbrica Finocchiaro, run by Gaetano Finocchiaro, a third-generation member of the family, hosts book launches in what is said to be the most beautiful Art Nouveau drawing room in eastern Sicily.
Gubbio (Perugia) – The culture of local culinary traditions: Rodolfo Mencarelli, the driving force behind the Ristorante Taverna del Lupo and his town, is credited with having rediscovered the recipes of his region, highlighting both their culinary merit and cultural value, not least through the lovely little book Le ricette eugubine, published by Tipolitografia Porziuncola in Perugia.
Milan – The invention and culture of the aperitif ritual. The brainchild of Gaspare Campari, and passionately run by the Miani family since the 1960s – today Teresa Miani and her husband Orlando Chiari – Caffè Camparino, on the corner of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Piazza del Duomo, is the beautiful Art Nouveau venue where the aperitif ritual was invented in the early 20th century: there was even a revolutionary plumbing system which, from the cellar, ensured a continuous flow of ice-cold seltzer to the bar counter. In 2015, the grand centenary celebrations, held in the upper rooms, retraced the people, events and even the great aperitifs and cocktails of the past century, created by the world’s finest bartenders selected by the Campari Academy.
A luxurious showcase of fashion culture: every year in October, to mark National Unity Day and Armed Forces Day, Pasticceria Confetteria Cova dedicates its shop windows on Via Montenapoleone to the history of the Carabinieri, displaying museum-quality artefacts and memorabilia.
Pasticceria Cucchi, which has just celebrated its 80th anniversary – still under the management of the Cucchi family – hosts innovative, high-calibre art exhibitions throughout the year that blend art with gastronomy, with opening receptions that bring together the intellectual elite of the Lombard capital. In 2016, there was a succession of leading names such as Roberto Sironi with ‘In vino veritart’ in February–March, Fabrizio Slavi’s ‘Torte Volanti’, Elide Biagianti in June–July, Licia Fusai in September–October with ‘Sapori su tela’, and Alessia Grazzani’s ‘Sweet Comics’ in November–December. Since 1936, it has been home to Milan’s first ‘Caffè concerto’.
An artists’ café steeped in culture, just a stone’s throw from the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and a champion of culture since 1911: this is Bar Jamaica, the Mainini family’s domain and a hotbed of thought and intellect for the most brilliant minds of the 20th century. In 1948, Elio Mainini organised the ‘Premio Post-Guernica’ exhibition, which brought together leading figures from the creative scene such as Gianni Dova, Roberto Crippa, Cesare Peverelli, Bruno Cassinari, Ernesto Treccani and Ennio Morlotti. In recent years, his daughter Micaela, representing the third generation, has revisited the glorious 1960s through the inimitable exhibitions of photographers Alfa Castaldi, Ugo Mulas, Guido Aristarco and Mario Dondero – the first great photojournalists who were regulars there and who documented its figures and clientele. The most recent, in 2016, was dedicated to the portraits of Joe Oppedisano.
As if it were a small museum, a small room in the Antica Trattoria della Pesa, delicious Milanese gem, run by the Sassi family, houses a statuette of the Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, who, whilst in exile, worked as a cook at the trattoria in the 1930s: it was unveiled in a heartfelt ceremony by Ambassador Dang Khang Thoai on 5 June 2012. On the façade, there is also a plaque, installed in 1990, commemorating the ‘Father of Vietnam’ and his first president.
Presidents, ministers, sheikhs and tycoons, all surrounded by the utmost privacy: since its foundation, the Hotel Principe Savoia – under the management of General Manager Ezio Indiani – has epitomised the culture of high-level meetings in the Lombard capital.
Montalcino (Siena) – Wine culture. The Caffè Fiaschetteria Italiana, founded by Franco and Alessandro Pazzaglia and Nadia Santini, hosts wine and cultural events throughout the year, celebrating wines of the highest calibre, and is a destination for a constant stream of producers and enthusiasts from all over the world.
Montecatini Terme (Pistoia) – The Grand Hotel & La Pace, the Pucci family’s domain, has a very special culinary culture. One need only recall that last year it invited Sirio Maccioni, a true son of Montecatini, to bring the recipes from his New York restaurant Le Cirque to the hotel’s luxurious Art Nouveau setting for a series of unforgettable evenings entitled “Le Cirque & La Pace”.
Montepulciano (Siena) – The Ristorante Caffè Poliziano, a cultural venture founded by Claudio Borgoni together with Marisa Bernini – who revitalised it and ran it with unique passion for years – and now managed by Claudia Cretella, is the venue for ‘Aperitivo al Caffè Poliziano’, the hugely popular series of book launches attended by the authors, a venue for classical music concerts in collaboration with the “Accademia Renana di Montepulciano”, as well as jazz concerts, painting and sculpture exhibitions, theatre events, conferences, installations and performances, with a fantastic programme running throughout the year. For over twenty years, the venue has enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with the Fondazione Cantiere Internazionale d’Arte di Montepulciano, established through an agreement between the Municipality of Montepulciano and the Province of Siena.
Naples – On New Year’s Eve, Ristorante La Bersagliera, run by the third generation of the Chiosi family, hosts ‘the ancient game of tombola’, a great Neapolitan tradition.
Coffee culture. The Gran Caffè Gambrinus, run by Antonio and Arturo Sergio alongside Massimiliano Rosati – the third generation of the family – is home to the Associazione Espresso Napoletano, which promotes and celebrates the perfection of Neapolitan espresso. Since its opening in 1860, it has been the venue for Naples’ major cultural gatherings, as well as events organised by the city’s clubs and the University.
The Fabbrica Cioccolato Gay-Odin, run by the Maglietta family, is all about music and women. It hosts concerts as part of the “Piano City” music festival, in which “the piano resonates in every corner of the city through concerts, events and gatherings in the living rooms of Neapolitan homes (House Concerts) and in the city’s most beautiful historic venues”; it is also the venue for the Soroptimist assembly in Naples, of which the owner, Professor Marisa del Vecchio, is president. Soroptimist International, founded in 1921 in the United States and now present in 125 countries with 3,000 clubs and 90,000 members, is a women’s organisation comprising highly qualified professional women which works, through various projects, to promote human rights, advance the status of women and foster acceptance of diversity.
Angela Di Pascale and Luigi Follari, who restored the legendary Locanda del Cerriglio and returned it to the city, have created a cultural centre in the beautiful upper rooms of the premises, which once served as the living quarters of the historic 14th-century tavern. Last year’s programme already featured exhibitions and book launches, all with a Neapolitan theme, such as Luigi Grossi’s photographic exhibition ‘Violenza sul Caravaggio’, ‘Pulcinella, quadri e sculture’ by the Neapolitan artist Elio Mazzella, and the launch of Sergio Siano’s ‘Il mare che bagna Napoli’ and Pietro Treccagnoli’s ‘La pelle di Napoli’.
Pizzeria Mattozzi is one of the bastions of authentic Neapolitan pizza and its culture and tradition: the owner, Lello Surace, is in fact one of the founders and vice-president of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which defends and promotes this jewel of Neapolitan cuisine throughout the world through a very strict set of guidelines; the other two founding members are the driving forces behind two other historic establishments in Naples: the president, Antonio Pace, of Ristorante Ciro in Santa Brigida, and the vice-president, Massimo Di Porzio, of the historic Pizzeria Umberto.
Naples – A temple to authentic Neapolitan pizza, its tradition and culture: Ristorante Umberto, whose owner, Massimo Di Porzio – a fourth-generation restaurateur – is a founding member and vice-president of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana and of its highly rigorous code of practice, which safeguards and promotes authentic Neapolitan pizza throughout the world. Alongside him, the owners of two other historic Neapolitan establishments in Italy are also key figures: President Antonio Pace, of Ristorante Ciro in Santa Brigida, and Vice-President Lello Surace of Pizzeria Mattozzi.
Padua – The Green Room at Caffè Pedrocchi, a gem owned by Padua City Council, has for some years now revived the long-standing tradition established by its founder, Antonio Pedrocchi, who intended it for students and anyone wishing to sit and read the newspapers without being obliged to order anything: today, it is also open every week to cultural associations, intellectuals and creative individuals who wish to share their thoughts and projects. Furthermore, adjacent to the main floor, the City Council has established the Museum of the Risorgimento and the Contemporary Era.
Palazzolo sull’Oglio (Brescia). It is worth noting that the Osteria della Villetta, now run by the fourth generation of the Rossi family, served as a cultural hub for the founders of the Nouveau Réalisme movement – the French art critic Pierre Restany and the painter Mimmo Rotella – alongside Pomodoro, Mendini and Kostabi.
Palermo – Among the many cultural events hosted by the Grand Hotel et des Palmes, managed by Vito Giglio, the most spectacular and unforgettable is undoubtedly the Gran Ballo del Gattopardo, which brings the novel and film to life in the hotel’s dreamlike ballrooms with professional dancers from the Compagnia Nazionale di Danza Storica in period costume: the thirteenth edition takes place on 4 March this year.
Pavia – Situated directly opposite the university’s main entrance, Pasticceria Vigoni, established in 1878 and run by Enrico Magenes, a fifth-generation owner, is the university’s sweet haven where all the lecturers gather; it is also the traditional venue for new graduates’ first toast with their fellow students. Its small rooms often host cultural events.
Perugia – The culture and art of the sweet display. Pasticceria Sandri, the realm of Maria Carla Schucani – the fifth generation of a line of Swiss pastry chefs who came from Sent in the nineteenth century – alongside the young industrialist Francesco Ferretti, has been marking the events of Perugia and Italy since 1983 with inimitable display windows in which extraordinary desserts and confectionery sculptures, crafted for the occasion by master pastry chefs, celebrate significant moments and events: Azzurra’s victory, the editions of Umbria Jazz, elections, the restoration of the Fontana Maggiore, the inauguration of the Minimetrò, the centenary of Futurism – all faithfully documented. For those curious: www.sandridal1860.it.
Pesaro – The Grand Hotel Vittoria, run by the noble Marcucci Pinoli family, boasts a great operatic tradition. It is a patron of the Rossini Opera Festival, which has been held annually in August since 1980 in Pesaro, the composer’s birthplace, to great acclaim and with large audiences. And the great artists who bring the festival to life all stay at the Vittoria!
Pisa – The Hotel Royal Victoria on the Lungarno, run by Maurizio and Nicola Piegaja – the fifth generation of the family – is home to the intriguing ‘Accademia dei disuniti’, which also organises the ‘I Disuniti’ National Competition for prose, poetry, theatre and photography, ‘Nel segno di Pisa’, dedicated to the spirit of Pisa. The Academy, founded in 1624 to promote meetings and cultural exchanges between academics from different disciplines (hence the name ‘disuniti’), was re-established in 1995 to promote the rediscovery of Pisa’s cultural aspects, even the most forgotten ones.
The Caffè dell’Ussero, a jewel in the crown of the noble Agostini family, has been the headquarters of the Sodalizio Culturale dell’Ussero since 1959; since 1979, this organisation has been known as the Accademia Nazionale dell’Ussero di Arti, Lettere, Scienze, whilst always maintaining its apolitical and non-profit status, and continuing to carry out a very active programme of cultural promotion through lectures by eminent scholars, held weekly (on Wednesdays) throughout the academic year (November–June). It publishes the annual journal L’Ussero. Rivista di arti, lettere e scienze (Ussero: Journal of Arts, Literature and Sciences), which aims to ensure that the insights emerging from the lectures organised periodically by the Academy for over fifty years are not lost (www.accademiaussero.it). Since 2008, the Caffè dell’Ussero has also been the venue for Valeria Serofilli’s Literary Meetings; in 2016, a social promotion association was established by the Friends of the Historic Literary Café dell’Ussero, named AstrolabioCultura a.p.s., chaired by Valeria Serofilli, which organises literary gatherings, poetry readings, art exhibitions, readings, lectures and debates, held twice a month (on Fridays) from June to September. It organises the annual Astrolabio Literary Prize for Poetry, Fairy Tales and Short Stories, dedicated to the memory of Renata Giambene (www.valeriaserofilli.it).
Ponte a Moriano (Lucca) – The Ristorante Erasmo, run by the seventh generation of the Marcucci family, is home to the Accademia del Farro, a gastronomic and cultural association dedicated to the rediscovery, tasting and promotion of traditional products from the Lucca area.
Rapallo (Genoa) – The future of Italian entrepreneurship at the Excelsior Palace Hotel Rapallo, managed by Aldo Werdin, which hosted the 2017 Confindustria Young Entrepreneurs’ Conference.
Recco (Genoa) – The Ristorante Manuelina, a gastronomic stronghold of the Carbone-Cichero family for four generations, is now run by Cristina, Gloria, Rosella, Valeria, Emanuela and Cesare, is the prestigious and mouth-watering venue for the Giovanni Rebora Prize, named in honour of the Genoese professor and scholar of economic and food history. This coveted award recognises the work of the writer who has best explored the history, customs, literature and economics linked to the culture of the table. The prize was the last great creation of Gianni Carbone, an extraordinary driving force and promoter of Recco’s cuisine and its cheese focaccia, and one of the very first organisers of gastronomic events, culinary competitions and awards as far back as the 1960s.
The Ristorante Da Ö Vittorio, run by the twins Gianni and Vittorio Bisso – the fourth generation of the family – celebrates traditional Ligurian cuisine every year, in spring or autumn, in partnership with the restaurants of Carloforte, the Ligurian linguistic enclave founded in Sardinia on the island of San Pietro in 1738 by the ‘Pegliesi’ (inhabitants of Pegli) who had left Tabarka, in Tunisia, where they had settled in the mid-16th century following the noble Ligurian Lomellini family and making their living from coral fishing and trade. The inhabitants of Carloforte still speak the dialect of their Ligurian ancestors which, due to their long stay in Tabarka, is known as ‘Tabarchino’. On the art front, Ö Vittorio has created and presented rare, strictly limited editions of lithographs entitled ‘The Four Seasons’ and ‘Ballerinas’ by the painter Alessandro Nastasio. A close friend of the family, Emanuele Luzzati – after whom Genoa has named a museum in the Porto Antico – designed the placemats for the Osteria del Vastato, where the restaurant has recreated the atmosphere of its origins. In the world of opera, the soprano Chiara Bisso, daughter of Gianni, organises exquisite eve nings accompanied by her colleagues from the Conservatoire.
Rome – The Antico Caffè Greco On Via Condotti, under the leadership of managing director Andrea Potenza, the Sala Rossa has hosted the meetings of the ‘Gruppo dei Romanisti’ on the first Wednesday of every month for almost half a century; a circle of scholars, academics and enthusiasts of Rome’s history and culture, founded around 1929, which every year, to mark the Birthday of Rome (21 April), publishes the eagerly awaited ‘Strenna dei Romanisti’, an anthology to which leading cultural figures contribute. In March, the International Association of Literary Critics, under the patronage and in partnership with the Spoleto Art Festival Cultural Foundation, celebrates World Poetry Day at the Caffè Greco; this day was established in 1999 by the 30th Session of the UNESCO General Conference. A little-known fact is that the Tuesdays at the Circolo dei Caffè-grecisti – founded in 1919 by Prezzolini – brought together the cream of thinkers and men of culture, and even led, in 1924, to the creation of the ‘Università Liberissima del Caffè Greco’, of which Luigi Einaudi and Benedetto Croce were also members.
Tea culture at its very best at Babington’s Tea Rooms, run by fourth-generation owners Chiara Bedini and Rory Bruce, which for many years has been the go-to venue for sophisticated courses teaching the secrets of the finest tea blends, both past and present, and the art of preparing and serving tea in the English style with class; The courses, which also cover history, tasting, recipes and even food pairings, are designed and led by Chiara Bedini, the founder’s great-granddaughter, supported by a team of experts.
The Ristorante Checchino dal 1887 and run by Elio, Francesco and Marina Mariani – the fifth generation of the family – has launched ‘Checchino Cultura’: the first event was ‘Aperitivo in musica’, featuring an excellent selection of chamber music alongside superb cocktails and gourmet aperitif dishes.
Rome – The Hotel Quirinale, the brainchild of Johanna Fragano and managed by Domenico Miloni, is all about opera and the performing arts. It is, in fact, connected to the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma by a passageway that runs through the garden – ‘la Galleria’ – used by all the great artists who have stayed here, from Verdi onwards. It was this very passageway that Callas ran through when she took refuge in her suite after pulling out in 1958 at the end of the first act of Vincenzo Bellini’s *Norma*.
San Giuliano Milanese (Milan). A culture of fine dining: Lino and Luca Gagliardi, together with the restaurant’s chefs, run sophisticated cookery courses every year at the Antica Osteria La Rampina, where Gualtiero Marchesi is a regular and much-loved guest.
San Polo di Piave (Treviso) – The Ristorante Locanda Parco Gambrinus, housed in a historic residence and brought to life by its chef-owners Adriano and Pierchristian Zanotto, has since 1982 been the prestigious venue for the ‘Gambrinus – Giuseppe Mazzotti for mountain literature, mountaineering, exploration and travel, ecology and landscape, traditional craftsmanship and a window onto the Three Venices’ Prize. The Prize, established by Adriano Zanotto in honour of Giuseppe Mazzotti – a multifaceted figure, mountaineer and architect of the revival of Venetian cuisine and culture – is recognised as one of the most prestigious awards and has attracted the participation of internationally renowned authors such as Freya Stark, Konrad Lorenz, Cesare Maestri, Luis Sepúlveda, Tiziano Terzani, Reinhold Messner, Vandana Shiva, Richard Leackey, Giuseppe Cederna, George Monbiot, Andy Cave, Greg Mortenson and Oliver Relin. Through the Giuseppe Mazzotti Literary Prize Association, it continues to promote events and conferences of high scientific calibre. Every year, the local history museum also hosts a series of gastronomic and cultural events linked to environmental sustainability, wellbeing and mindful eating. www.gambrinus.it
Sanremo (Imperia) – A hub of musical culture and the luxurious foyer of the Ariston Theatre for 67 editions: this is the Grand Hotel Royal, the domain of the Bertolini-Varese family, managed by Marco Sarlo, during the eagerly awaited Italian Song Festival. Not to mention the sporting culture of the ‘Royal Hotel Golf Challenge – Sanremo’, the prestigious tournament with a long-standing tradition, organised at the Circolo Golf degli Ulivi since the 1950s.
Sant’Andrea in Percussina – San Casciano (Florence) – The Ristorante Albergaccio, set within the 16th-century farmstead and hamlet of Villa Machiavelli, once the home of Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote ‘The Prince’ here, and now the domain of chef Libero Saraceni alongside his sons Lorenzo and Matteo, serves as the representative office of the Municipality of San Casciano, the representative office for the University of Florence’s Advanced Course in Intelligence and National Security, and hosted the Global Fashion Management Conference at Florence 2015.
Santa Margherita Ligure (Genoa) – Since June 2015, the Grand Hotel Miramare has been home to miramART, a non-profit cultural association founded on an idea by the photographer Andrea Botto and the owner and collector Andrea Fustinoni, both of whom are passionate about contemporary art. The honorary president of miramART is the art critic Arturo Schwarz. The association aims to promote the development and dissemination of contemporary art through exhibitions and art talks held regularly in the hotel’s salons.
Sarzana (La Spezia) – Pasticceria Gemmi embodies the very essence of opera and music culture: it brings this to life all year round in the ‘Loggiato’, the magical space next to the patisserie that Fiammetta Gemmi created in 1995 alongside her father Silvano within the 16th-century convent complex of the Friars Minor of St Francis of Paola, where high-calibre events are held and offered free of charge to the public. It was here, in 2000, that Fiammetta Gemmi launched the international opera competition ‘Spiros Argiris – Città di Sarzana’, which discovers and promotes great young international talent every year, organised under the prestigious patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Liguria Region and the City of Sarzana. And throughout the year, together with her tireless partner Rossella Pellini, she organises concerts and performances of considerable calibre.
Sirmione (Brescia) – The Hotel Catullo is hosting “Imago@Catullo”, “a series of events centred on the world of photography, complemented by cultural and musical elements, and enhanced by high-quality food and wine: a visual sensory experience that engages all the other senses” – as the owners, Dino and Fabio Barelli, enthusiastically explain. www.imagoatcatullo.it
Sorrento (Naples) – The Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, run by the fifth generation of the Fiorentino family, has chosen to showcase contemporary artworks by national and international artists throughout its indoor and outdoor spaces. These works have been selected by Liquid Art System, Franco Senesi’s artistic research project, in line with the ‘glocal’ philosophy, which combines the concepts of globality and locality. The works can be admired in the hotel’s corridors, communal areas, gardens and at the Terrazza Bosquet Restaurant, which effectively hosts a permanent exhibition. The hotel is also the prestigious venue for the Biagio Agnes Prize and offers a rich annual programme of music, organising concerts throughout the year.
A culture of fine wine at the Ristorante O’ Canonico 1898 in Sorrento, the domain of Guglielmo Terminiello’s family: every winter, between November and December, it organises the sophisticated ‘Venerdì del Canonico 1898’ events, opportunities to explore wines from all over Italy, accompanied by a gastronomic journey featuring wines served exclusively in large formats – Magnums, Jeroboams, Methuselahs and so on. The event, born out of the passion for wine shared by his sons Tonino and Marco, is now in its fifteenth year and generates extraordinary anticipation every year along the entire Sorrento coast.
Tel Parcines (Bolzano) – the Ristorante Museumstube Bagni Egart Onkel Taa, a small empire created by Karl Platino Jr – Onkel Taa – together with his family, has been home to the Imperial and Royal Museum ‘K.u. K. Museum Bad Egart’, listed amongst South Tyrol’s museums and dedicated to the Habsburg monarchy – from Elisabeth ‘Sissi’ of Bavaria to Rudolf of Habsburg-Lorraine – with a rich collection of documents, memorabilia and antiques gathered over more than half a century by the passionate Onkel Taa. Every five years, the restaurant celebrates Emperor Franz Joseph’s birthday with an imperial dinner.
Turin – Il Ristorante del Cambio, run by Daniele Sacco, has since 2014 been home to one of the most daring and successful examples of the cultural evolution of a historic venue, combining the modern Sala Pistoletto with the historic Sala Risorgimento, the creation of the ‘prêt à manger’ boutique and taste laboratory within the splendid setting of the adjacent Farmacia Bestente, and, above all, the cultural, innovative and ‘reasoned improvisation’ gastronomic style of chef Matteo Baronetto.
At the Grand Hotel Sitea, owned by the Lera family and managed by Fabrizio Musso, it is well worth mentioning the splendid exhibition of historical photographs and documents staged in the elegant halls to mark the 90th anniversary of the hotel’s foundation, which traced its history and evolution over the years. And the five jazz concerts organised in 2010 by the Jazz Club Torino were truly extraordinary and unique, staged as a tribute to the stay of Louis Armstrong and his band at the hotel in 1935, when Satchmo gave his legendary concerts in Turin, defying the nervous fascist Minculpop with his New Orleans-style jazz.
Workplace culture at Caffè Fiorio, where ‘Quei ragazzi del Caffè Fiorio’ takes place – a gathering of current and former members of the Student Movement for International Organisation (M.S.O.I.) Turin, designed to enable students to gain an insight into potential future career paths by engaging with those already established in the world of work. Also worth noting is the full year-long programme, from February 2013 to March 2014, of ‘Milonghe’ Argentine tango dance evenings.
Tremezzina (Como) – In 2017, the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, run by Valentina De Santis, a third-generation owner, is hosting the FAI Spring Days, dedicated to the protection and promotion of Italian art, nature and landscape. The hotel also hosts ‘Tremezzina gastronomica’, a festival celebrating fine dining and the good life, which showcases the iconic venues that have contributed – and continue to contribute – to shaping the identity, sense of community and openness to the world of this extraordinary stretch of Lake Como.
Trieste – The Tombacco family, who look after the historic Caffè Tommaseo as if it were a jewel, have relocated the Enoteca Bischoff there; founded in 1777 by the Swiss Antonio Bischoff, it is one of the oldest wine shops in the world: an impressive selection of fine and collectable wines, including extremely rare bottles of very old Malaga dating from the 1800s, as well as the organisation of exclusive wine-tasting courses and wine-tasting tours.
Venice – The American Bar Tarnowska’s at the Hotel Ala, run by the Salmaso family, boasts a unique and intriguing collection of period documents recounting the infamous crime of passion that shocked the whole of Europe in the early 20th century, masterminded by the Russian countess Maria Tarnowska and plotted against one of her many lovers right inside the ancient noble residence of the Maurogonato family, which now houses the hotel.
The Ristorante Al Colombo, the brainchild of Domenico Stanziani – a second-generation owner – will host the ‘Premio Cover Libri in Spiaggia Al Colombo’ at the end of September. This graphic design award – presented to the illustrator, author and publisher – recognises the best cover chosen from among the books that took part in this year’s edition of ‘Libri in spiaggia’, the cultural festival held at the Lido di Venezia in July and August.
The Caffè Florian is the venue for ‘Temporanea – The Possible Realities of Caffè Florian’, an artistic and cultural initiative that takes place every two years to coincide with the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition and which reinterprets the ‘Florian space’ through installations by artists of Italian and international renown. Past editions have featured such exceptional artists as Bruno Ceccobelli (1988), Mimmo Rotella (1990), Fabrizio Plessi (1993), Gaetano Pesce (1995), Luca Buvoli (1997), Arcangelo (1999), Irene Andessner (2003), Fausto Gilberti (2005), Botto&Bruno (2007), Marco Tirelli (2009), Pietro Ruffo (2011), Omar Galliani (2013) and Qiu Zhijie (2015). Not to be forgotten is its ‘Caffè concerto’ culture in St Mark’s Square.
Three cultural highlights to discover every year at Caffè Lavena in St Mark’s Square, the Rey family’s domain: in early December, the ritual of switching on the Christmas lights in St Mark’s Square and throughout the St Mark’s area, with the ‘switch’ located right inside the historic café and the heartfelt participation of the Venetians and all the city’s authorities; during Carnival, the masked ball held at the café and, above all, an episode of the historical re-enactment of the popular tradition of the Festa delle Marie, featuring a stop for hot chocolate by the twelve most beautiful Venetian maidens, dressed in period costume; in May, alongside the president of the Venice Biennale, the vernissage hosted by the gallery owners of the National Gallery of Art in Berlin. Not to be forgotten is the great cultural tradition of the ‘Caffè concerto’ in St Mark’s Square.
“Cultural events” at the Hotel Londra Palace, as director Alain Bullo describes them. From February 2017, a musical series will begin featuring some of the most interesting figures in jazz and contemporary Italian music, who will come to talk about their history and training and explain to the audience how their works come about and how the creative process unfolds, whilst offering a short concert featuring a piece created especially for the hotel, in its world premiere. The Do Leoni Restaurant embodies the culture of taste, hosting joint dinners organised by Michelin-starred chefs alongside chef Loris Indri as part of the Relais & Châteaux Gourmet Festival, of which the hotel is a member.
The Ristorante Vecia Cavàna, run by two generations of the Marsili family, hosts the annual gathering of the Inter Club Venezia Serenissima. These are unforgettable events for Nerazzurri supporters: just think that Roberto Boninsegna was there last year.
Verona – The Ristorante 12 Apostoli, whose driving forces are the extraordinary Antonio and Giorgio Gioco, is the cultural heart of the 12 Apostoli Prize, founded in 1968 by Indro Montanelli, Enzo Biagi, Giulio Nascimbeni and Cesare Marchi to recognise a journalist-writer’s latest book by celebrating it during a ‘fraternal feast’ at the restaurant’s lavishly laid tables. The jury has always comprised writers, literary figures and journalists of national standing, whilst the prize for the first edition was a beautiful sculpture by Maestro Gino Bogoni depicting the Last Supper; over time, sculptures by the masters Luciano Minguzzi and Novello Finotti have also been awarded. Since 2006, the 12 Apostoli – Montblanc Prize has presented the winner with a precious limited-edition fountain pen. The Prize has become synonymous with Veronese culture. In 2009, almost as an offshoot, a parallel award known as the ‘Recognition of Art’ was introduced, which identifies a figure from the art world who can act as a bridge to the world of young people.
The Ristorante Antica Bottega del Vino, now a temple to Amarone culture and once a hub for Veronese dialect poets, is a delightful and sought-after venue for literary, wine and culinary awards, as well as for cultural events and book launches taking place in Verona. The memorable ‘Menu da film’ event in 2014 is particularly worth mentioning.
Venetian culinary culture at Ristorante Arche, run by Silvia Gioco, a fourth-generation restaurateur. Every year, regular four-evening food and wine courses are organised, dedicated to the ideal pairings of food and wine from the Veneto region. Furthermore, as part of the restaurant’s culinary culture, themed evenings are held to showcase the gastronomic and wine traditions of all Italian regions, in collaboration with the restaurant’s long-standing suppliers. And in November, a celebration of flavours combining Arche’s cuisine with the finest Swiss cheeses.
The spectacular ballroom at the Hotel Due Torri, managed by Silvano De Rosa, hosts cultural events, book launches, classical music concerts, jazz concerts and chamber music performances throughout the year.
Vienna (Austria) – The Hotel Regina, now run by the third generation of the Kremslehner family, has deep-rooted cultural ties to opera and theatre. This historic hotel is a promoter and sponsor of the highly prestigious Vienna State Opera, the Volksoper – considered the world’s leading home of operetta – and the Salzburg Festival, the world’s most important event for classical music and the performing arts, which has been held in Salzburg every July and August since 1920. Furthermore, the Hotel Regina’s catering team has for years organised the extraordinary gala dinner on stage at the Volksoper and, as the provider of the buffet for the Kammerspiele, the Volksoper and the Theater in der Josefstadt (Vienna’s oldest theatre, founded in 1788), the Regina organises almost all the receptions following the ‘premieres’.
Lugano (Switzerland) – A cultural and musical tradition held every New Year at the Gran Café Al Porto, directed by Anton Froschauer, which hosts the eagerly awaited “Concerti Mosaico” featuring musicians from the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana, in collaboration with the Associazione Musica del Mendrisiotto.
A Lugano establishment with an Italian soul, the Hotel Splendide Royal, managed by Giuseppe Rossi, has for decades been a sought-after venue for the Canton of Ticino’s leading cultural events – including dining occasions.
New York – Barbetta Restaurant, a quintessentially Piedmontese establishment on Broadway run by Laura Maioglio, a second-generation owner, from 1963 to 1976, was the first restaurant to host weekly haute couture fashion shows featuring the most famous international designers: the hugely popular ‘Wednesday matinee lunches’ that made history.