Bruschette al pomodoro

+ Cinema in Piazza + a stunning marble floor + AD Italia's Amalfi Coast hotel recommendations.

We’re in summer mode. Our tomatoes are planted, our Vespas and the Alfa Duetto are out of storage, and our patio and backyard pizza oven are ready for dining al fresco. We’re staying put for the summer - our next trip to Italy will likely be in the fall to check on our Montalcino house. Until then, we’ll be here in Minneapolis.

What about you? What’s on your summer agenda? If your summer plans include a trip to Italy, here are a few things you might want to check out.

Rome’s Cinema in Piazza

Once again this summer, Rome is holding Cinema in Piazza, an open-air film festival held from June 1 to July 14 in three iconic piazzas, most notably Piazza San Cosimato in Rome’s popular Trastevere neighborhood.

The films, which are free to the public, are projected on large screens beginning at 9:15 p.m. every evening Wednesday through Sunday. The lineup includes classics of Italian cinema, Hollywood hits, and contemporary movies. Non-Italian films will be screened in their original language with Italian subtitles, while Italian films will screened in Italian with English subtitles. Several showings include guest appearances by renowned Italian and Hollywood actors.

Cinema in Piazza is sponsored by Piccolo America, a foundation dedicated to supporting film arts that began in 2012 when a group of students occupied Trastevere’s iconic Cinema America movie theatre to save it from demolition.

For more information and to see the program, visit the Cinema in Piazza website.

Photos courtesy of Cinema in Piazza

Unveiling the Duomo of Siena’s Marble Floor

Once a year, in a much-awaited event, the Tuscan city of Siena unveils its Duomo’s breathtaking inlaid marble floors.

The floors were designed by prominent local artists, including Domenico di Bartolo, Matteo di Giovanni, and Pinturicchio. They were created between the 14th and 19th centuries using inlaid marble techniques called graffiti and intarsia to create intricate designs and images depicting biblical and historical events and figures.

The floor, which is protected by a covering most of the year, will be unveiled and open to the public from June 27 to July 31 and from August 18 to October 16, 2024. Tickets are only €8 and can be purchased on the Opera Duomo Siena website.

Photos courtesy of Opera Duomo di Siena

AD Italia’s Amalfi Coast Hotel Recommendations

Some of our readers know that Stefano my day job is owning and operating a home remodeling and real estate company called Sette Colli. We love following architectural and design trends, and we subscribe to the American publication Architectural Digest as well as to the Italian version, AD Italia.

AD Italia recently published an article entitled Dove Dormire in Costiera Amalfitana - Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast: 9 Hotels Not to Miss - complete with photos so beautiful that you’ll be jumping up to make your travel reservations…Until you see the prices - most starting at a few thousand euro per night during a summer weekend. Gulp. Well, we can admire, can’t we? Or, consider staying in the low season when prices are more reasonable. Here are a few of our favorites from the article.

Il San Pietro di Positano

Built on a cliff above Positano with beautiful views of the coastline and sea, the hotel has a private beach, its own tennis court, a spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Guests can take tours of the gardens, wine-tasting and cocktail classes, and even Italian lessons.

Website: https://www.ilsanpietro.com/

Photos courtesy of Il San Pietro.

Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel

Originally a 13th-century Capuchin convent, this hotel is built into the cliffside just a few minutes from Amalfi. All fifty-two suites and rooms have sea views. With its own chapel and cloisters, the hotel is a popular wedding destination.

Website: https://www.anantara.com/en/convento-di-amalfi

Photos courtesy of Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel.

Palazzo Avino

This hotel was once a 12th-century villa located in the charming village of Ravello, high above the coast. The hotel boasts thirty-three rooms, ten suites, an infinity pool, a beach clubhouse, a belvedere terrace, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a lobster and Martini bar, and even limo and helicopter service.

Website: https://www.palazzoavino.com/

Photos courtesy of Palazzo Avino.

Le Sirunese

This much-photographed hotel located in the heart of Positano was originally the summer home of the Neapolitan Marchese-Sersale family. It features a swimming pool surrounded by lemon trees, a Michelin-starred seafood restaurant, a champagne and oyster bar, and an iconic 1972 Riva Aquarama wooden speedboat.

Website: https://sirenuse.it/en/

Photos courtesy of La Sirenuse.

Bruschette al pomodoro

Simple and delicious, bruschette al pomorodo are a classic Italian appetizer, perfect in the summer months when tomatoes are ripe and fresh basil is growing in your garden.

Despite their simplicity, bruschette are among the most mispronounced and incorrectly prepared Italian foods. We’re here to set the record straight.

How do you say bruschetta?

Let’s start with the pronunciation: “sch” does not make a “sh” sound in Italian, but rather an “sk” sound. So, it’s NOT pronounced bru-shetta, but rather bru-SKAY-tta. Here’s a great online lesson if you want to practice.

Is it bruschetta or bruschette?

This brings us to another point - singular vs. plural. If you are referring to a single portion, it’s bruschetta, pronounced bru-SKAY-tta. If you are speaking about more than one, it’s bruschette, pronounced bru-SKAY-tey.

So, we might say, “Look at these gorgeous tomatoes; let’s make some bruschette.” But, while you are eating one, you’d say, “this bruschetta is delicious!” Our recipe is called bruschette al pomodoro because presumably, you will make more than one.

Now that we know how to say bruschette, let’s learn how to make them. It’s easy; there are five ingredients – no more, no fewer: bread, garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, basil, and sea salt.

Here’s what not to add to your bruschette al pomodoro: onion, oregano, balsamic vinegar, mozzarella, or any other ingredient. If you see those, know that it’s an unauthentic aberration. The classic recipe is perfect as is; there’s no need to change it up.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of rustic Italian bread

• 2 medium tomatoes

• 1 clove of garlic

• 1 bunch of basil

• Olive oil

• Sea salt

Instructions

1. Toast both sides of the bread in the oven or on a grill

2. While the bread is toasting, dice the tomatoes and place them in a bowl.

3. Chop the basil and add it to the tomatoes.

4. Salt the tomatoes to taste and add a dash of olive oil.

5. Peel one clove of garlic.

6. Rub the clove lightly over one side of each slice of toasted bread.

7. Spoon the tomatoes over each slice of bread.

8. Finish with one more drizzle of olive oil if you wish.

9. Serve immediately.

Tips

When choosing bread, select one with a firm crust and a sturdy enough crumb to hold the tomato topping without getting soggy. Ciabatta, baguette or pane casareccio are good options. Make sure to use extra-virgin olive oil, preferably made with olives derived from Italy.

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The Montalcino House

Stay tuned next week for an update on our Montalcino house renovation project - will construction even begin?