Romantic Travel: Plan the Ideal Getaway.

Blow it this Valentine’s Day?  Got it covered. Make up for slacking on February 14th with a grand gesture... everyone wants to be swept away on a romantic travel escapade.  Relax, explore, and connect with a special person.  Go ahead and hop on a plane or jump in the car, let the adventure begin with a romantic travel plan in 2014.   

The itch to leave town is always heightened after the holidays have come and gone and before the majority of the country sees temperatures that stay steady at mild.  Of course, there are numerous places in this world to travel with lists-upon-lists of romantic cities and hotels to source for selecting the perfect destination. Europe is always high-seeded on such lists, with cities that define romance. From France’s Champagne countryside to Paris, Spain, and Italy (5 Italian cities spanning across the top 10 in this list), the slower lifestyle and varying landscapes in Europe are ideal for all.  The food… unbelievable.  

Love is in the air in Charleston, SC. Photo Credit: Jennifer Bearden

Depending upon the interests of a couple there are fantastic ways to make the vacation memorable and stay stateside.   Begin to feel the breeze or ski the slope, there is a place for fun waiting for every type of couple to delve into the romance that started it all. Narrowed down to a top 5 here is a list of romantic cities in the United States. Some boast European flair others have the beaches people yearn for in the lion that is March, either way referencing the selections below is the first step toward getting away with a main squeeze. Another perk, these cities all have impeccable dining.  Click the city and state for a link providing information for planning a romantic getaway in each destination.  

O’ahu, Hawaii For obvious regions as the beautiful beaches, adventures, and a paradise life- complete with flowers behind the ear and lei’s draped around necks.  

Charleston, SC Romantic cobblestone streets reminiscent of Europe with nearby beaches and a historic gas light district for exceptional evening dining.  

Aspen, CO The adventure in the mountains with amazing ski resorts, romantic cabins and resorts, and a downtown fit to canoodle in.  

Sonoma, CA Wine country, luxury, and landscape with pure beauty, sustain romance for the couple selecting Napa/Sonoma region. The vino is a particularly ideal souvenir, open a bottle a month after returning and remember highlights from the trip.

Destin, FL The Sunshine State’s 24 mile Emerald Coast is the ideal beach and boat trip with gorgeous emerald coves, white sand beaches, and bountiful water activities. Try paddle boarding together, experiencing a new activity together is a proven method to connect.

Emerald Coast. Photo Credit: National Geographic Travel

Here’s to romantic getaways, or even just daydreaming of them! Where is the most romantic city in the US you have traveled to with your sweetheart?  

La Famiglia

 

Mamma Agata, facebook.com

Family is everything.  Beyond raising wholesome, successful, and loving individuals that conduct themselves with regard to society, family life as Mecca is the ultimate goal of many households in our country.  Italy and the USA share many similarities as far as family and celebration are concerned. 

A mecca is a point of recreation, gathering, and center for a particular group.  Italian mothers are known to be the axis on which their family spins, the matriarch is held with the most regard.  Italians are drawn to their homes by mamma to dine on traditional cuisine and share stories from the day (or  at least on a weekly basis, even once grown).  Italian-Americans typically do not move far from each other considering this tradition and the glue the Italian mother has laid doesn't stretch very far. 

In Italy, Mother's Day is celebrated the second Sunday in May, same as ours this year! The day starts with church and focuses on showering the mother with love, gifts, and treats throughout the day, she is not expected to cook or work.  Though certainly most do not hand over their kitchen to just anyone.  Mother's Day is a chance to bring about tradition to the epicenter of love in the family and to dine and to help spread the joy to all that she provides all year.  Families are there for each other, daily, in business, and in a place that draws us back time and again.  Family is home. 

Certainly all families have traditions that bring them together, allow for those to shine bright this Mother's Day. The base of the family, the love that keeps the group together, the mother created core, is what family is all about.   Show appreciation for family-based culture and become proof of that time being worth everything.  Make being together a bit sweeter and a bit more Italian this year and allow us to  Scoop Some Happiness to your family on Mother's Day!



A scoop of Pino Gelato for Mom = smile!

Gelato for Weddings

Excitement, love, and happiness are quickly followed by the momentous undertaking of arrangements for "The Big Day". After the holidays concurrent with the peak engagement season have passed, the wedding planning must begin. Thread the bubble of love throughout planning all the way to the guests present on that special Wedding day and share A Scoop of Happiness with them by way of gelato.

 

At a spectacular New England wedding weekend last year featured was a pizza truck slinging individual pies to guests after a backyard welcome party/rehearsal dinner. While this highlighted the evening celebration and ultimately extended festivities well into the morning, noted missing: something sweet was in order as well. Pino Gelato offers gelato carts that would be a major hit in similarly structured pre-wedding events. A gelato cart would be ideal for a rehearsal dinner's more casual fare treating those closest to the couple and/or welcoming guests whom traveled long distances while typically working to set the vibe for the duration of the wedding's activities. The rich, creamy texture and endless flavors of gelato would certainly set the bar high and provide a welcome smile to all. The gelato cart would be a stellar ensemble to stations at any type of wedding, itself being completely customizable. The cart option is completely surreal for any child attendee, yet also the perfect treat to capture the playfulness in guests of any age group. Pino Gelato's cart represents that fun, happy, love filled bubble a couple wishes guests to share in during their wedding.

 

Regardless of the amount of enjoyment or disdain a couple has during varying parts of wedding planning, it is often unimaginable to associate feeling stressed about the dessert. Especially so if the couple has thought beyond just cake.

Gelato can be used as a tool to incorporate wedding colors at dessert time. Often a couple can be swayed toward the current trends. Instead of falling victim to a gimmick or even the impractical (try to endure a make-your-own-vegan-cupcake-bar = mess, not to mention a bevy of ruined formal wear) dessert of the moment, steer secure to the option gelato lends to tradition. Select a custom or favorite flavor scoop of gelato to serve alongside the slice of wedding cake for a tasteful compliment and instant boost from mundane without going overboard. Gelato meets both visual and taste appeal for a simplistic, elegant, and decadent pairing to any wedding cake. Wedding colors can also be carried by gelato spoons or dishes in vast gradients from authentic to the most outlandish and fancy.


Prevent the overload of wedding prep from surpassing in priority to the initial bubble of joy an engagement brings to a couple and their families by creating opportunities for notable elements that incorporate all of the excitement to assure all the wonderful is passed along to those partaking in "The Big Day". Tap into the happiness and picture how lighthearted and memorable serving gelato to guests will be.

Valentine's Day Celebration!

Ah, the love.   A day for recognizing the adoration, admiration, and appreciation one has for others.   Dating back to an Italian, Saint Valentine, love and the proclamation for all it beholds has varied mildly, however gestures that represent those feelings are always evolving in displays currently through flowers, cards, and most importantly, treats.   More accurately, Valentine’s Day has become a true spotlight for various sweet confections to shine in glory and display love (or self-indulgence if it is that type of year) in the most delicious way.  Regardless of the sentiment wished to express this Valentine’s Day, gelato is the premium sweet to celebrate with. 

Beyond the nod to the Italian lineage of love and our beloved icy creation, gelato transpires decadence in a way no bon-bon can.  The romantic Italian language of gelato flavors, Vaniglia, Cioccolato, alone are enough to impress any date or significant other while ordering, but the smooth texture and freshness of gelato will cap the experience.   Gelato can be used to top homemade desserts or to add an instant upgrade to a traditional chocolate covered strawberries display.  The favorite bon-bon from every other year still can be used chopped as a topping for a special twist on a gelato serving.  Gelato has an added sumptuousness especially to those not used to eating it, bonus points for introducing it to someone for the first time!  A Scoop of Happiness in store or to-go (available in pints and quarts for sharing… or not) will make this Valentine’s Day significantly sweeter.          

Gelato cakes are wonderful for advocating love and admiration this Valentine’s Day.   The gelato cakes can take on any role assumed to them be it to share with the whole family, bring to a school or themed party, or customize to the exact flavor preferences of the person one wishes to honor.   Most would be thoroughly impressed with a cake made from gelato, but the creativity outlet in a gelato cake made to suit personal flavor combinations is unbeatable. The thought behind preparing in advance by ordering a customizable gelato cake is notable.   It is the perfect way to plan to say “I love you” and surely a fun way to enjoy dessert with family and friends. 

Ask Pino Gelato about our specialty cakes!

Gelato represents love, in sharing, in Italian culinary history, and in the presentation it offers this Valentine’s Day.  Gelato in any form and flavor will help to spread love and happiness to all lucky enough to enjoy the sweet Italian treat.  The magnificence surrounding gelato and the people held most important to us pair up this holiday to make for an enchanting celebration.  Gelato = amore. 

Feel the Love, an Italian Christmas Eve

In the infamous words of The Beatles, “All you need is love, love is all you need,” the lyric instills an even greater impact on a holiday.  It is the time to gather and share with the people we love most.  Italian tradition may argue in addition to the great sentiment shared all over the world by those very words, you also need some great food! 

On La Vigilia (Christmas Eve) a coveted tradition Italian’s share is a seven fish dinner with family and friends.  The Feast of the Seven Fishes originated from a partial fast during which no meat is served in honor of the night Jesus was born, a typical reflection in the Roman Catholic Church.  Beyond the religious symbolism the night is now long captured by enjoying lavish amounts of seafood. 



Baccala

The fishes typically consist of a variety of shellfish preparations such as mussels, clams, and shrimp while other dishes may include calamari and anchovies. Many of the fishes are prepared with numerous incorporations of other Italian foods such as homemade pasta. Two staples of the Feast of the Seven Fishes are Baccala, a salted cod fish and baked eel.  Baked eel is not as distinct upon the Italian American versions of the dinner, but it is easily accessible through a local fishmonger who will skin and gut the eel upon request making it a simple recipe thereafter.  The fishmonger is the resource for recipes and preparations for the seafood dishes.  For a simple guide and menu suggestions a quick Google search of “The Feast of the Seven Fishes” will produce both recipes strict to adhering to tradition and others with interpretations of the meal that may seem more suitable for enjoyment of those adventurers trying or sharing the meal for the first time.

The celebratory Italian Christmas Eve dinner is a true food centric annual occasion that springs a feast of delight through to Christmas day.  Antipasti (hold the meat) and aperitif are up to the creation of the host that can vary on cheese, olives, and roasted vegetables and a drink of choice.  Serving the meal with an Italian white wine from a southern region such as the Amalfi coast is a commonly recommended pairing.  Serve an after dinner drink featuring limoncello, a lemon liqueur from Campania, served with espresso and a sweet dessert (gelato!) for an exceptional way to cap the evening.

 

The Feast of the Seven Fishes certainly does boast a spread that harbors all the love across a bountiful table and fills up all, needing nothing else on that special evening. 

 

There are so many Italian foods that are a lasting tradition over the holidays.  A Pino Gelato location in Marietta, Georgia has been participating in a 12 days of Christmas contest amongst businesses in Marietta Square and featured “Italian Style” as their theme. Shop owner Barbara Jostworth sums up all of the other Italian foodie delights of Christmas in the wonderful poem she created:

The 12 Days of Christmas Italian Style:

On the first day of Christmas … my true love gave to me: Pino Gelato at every meal

On the second day of Christmas … my true love gave to me: Panettone cake on my plate with Pino Gelato at every meal

On the third day of Christmas… my true love gave to me: Tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate with Pino Gelato at every meal

On the fourth day of Christmas… my true love gave to me a Sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, with Pino Gelato at every meal

On the fifth day of Christmas… my true love gave to me:  Honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, a tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the sixth day of Christmas… my true love gave to me: Hearty lasagna, a honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, Tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the seventh day of Christmas… my true love gave to me: glazed pistachios, hearty lasagna, honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the eighth day of Christmas… my true love gave to me: Baci Italian chocolates, glazed pistachios, hearty lasagna, honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the ninth day of Christmas… my true love gave to me; an aged prosciutto, Baci Italian chocolates, glazed pistachios, hearty lasagna, a honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the tenth day of Christmas… my true love gave to me a tangy bruschetta, honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the 11day of Christmas… my true love gave to me a lovely linguini, a tangy bruschetta, Honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco, tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal

On the 12^th day of Christmas… my true love gave to me a beautiful Feast of Seven Fishes… (La Vigilia), a lovely linguine, Tangy Bruschetta, honey almond Torrine, a sparkling Prosecco,  tortellini Bologna, Panettone on my plate, and Pino Gelato at every meal

 

Buon NatalE! Merry Christmas and Buon Appetito!

From Pino Gelato/Marietta Square

The Italian Way

“There are 2 kinds of people in the world, those who are Italian, and those who wish they were Italian,” Mario Batali, a famous Italian-American chef spoke these words at a food and wine festival conveying the passion for Italian food. 

 

Entertaining with Italian food is as easy as it is delicious!

Anti-pasti, served as a first course at formal Italian meals, consists of meats, cheeses, olives, roasted vegetables, and is served with crusty bread.  The pure joy of anti-pasti is that it can be prepared in various spreads customized to taste of the crowd.  Typical meats used are prosciutto, capicola, sopressata, and aged cheeses such as parmesan, asiago, and provolone.  

The upcoming holiday season brings out of town guests and a busier social calendar, having the staples for anti-pasti on hand is the first step to hospitality and reduces the inconvenience with time consuming preparations of other choices. Success in an Italian’s kitchen has a visual presence with hanging prosciutto and a giant wedge of parmesan cheese. Anti-pasti creates an instant atmosphere of conviviality amongst groups of friends and family and can be enough to entertain for hours.  

  

Sauce simmering on the stove on Sunday morning through mid-afternoon is a staple for many Italian-American families.  Traditionally the sauce, or “gravy”, is prepared with meats and served with pasta. The Sunday sauce has even been transported to stadiums for tailgating feasts, using a large pot on top of a grill to boil the pasta, thus never skipping a week.  For a Sunday sauce/gravy recipe, ask friends who are Italian or a local Italian chef, they will share tips from a handed down version that is perfected. The serious commitment to food and the simplicity behind it create the unparalleled joy of sharing present in these Italian preparations at family tables.  The absolute comfort of a homemade sauce/gravy translates the taste to a feeling of being part of an Italian family for guests. 

Rich tradition along with vibrant entertainment is easily achieved through the Italian way of food.  Regardless of if the family hosting and their guests are Italian or not, the collective anti-pasti, the palliative Sunday sauce, both give credence to Batali’s statement come the following Sunday.  

Molto bene!

Gelato - The Food of Love

Gelato is red

Gelato is blue

Vanilla for me

Chocolate for you.

 

We all know that Valentine's Day is fast approaching and has become both a loved and hated holiday of the year. We think it's time that everyone has a chance to enjoy in the sweetness of the day.

If you are single:

Well…. there is good news this time around.

Gelato is on your side! We invite you to Pino Gelato to enjoy a delicious treat and a cappuccino! Bring your friends and celebrate your love savoring creamy gelato.

For the couples:

The season of romance is upon us complete with:  (the usual suspects)

Red Roses

Box of Chocolates

Teddy Bears

Romantic Films

Candle Light Dinners

Do you want to fall into these clichés or are you ready to take your romance international? Add an Italian twist to say “Ti amo”( I love you, in Italian) by bringing your sweetheart to Pino Gelato for a scoop of their choice.  

In addition, who could forget the romantic line, “As you wish” from The Princess Bride?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbX1U1tx9aw

Come to Pino Gelato to say “I love you” by granting your partner’s wish with a truffle made uniquely for the two of you.