Two Great Italian Restaurants, East and West

title translation:Due ristoranti, est ed ad ovest italiani grandi

Rose, my Nana, taught me the fundamentals of preparing and serving “true” Italian food. The secret is simple, prepare the food with your heart and serve with love! Sure, it’s easy during my travels throughout Italy to find endless great restaurants that serve dish after dish following my Nana’s rule. However, can you find an Italian restaurant that can deliver in this country?

Read my previous BLOGS and watch my TV show and you will know my favorite hometown restaurant is famed eatery Nick & Toni’s, in East Hampton, NY led by the team of Mark Smith and Chef Joe Realmuto. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a rustic Tuscan farmhouse, where there’s seasonal outdoor dining and many dishes that come from their own organic gardens, local fisherman catches and local farms. Expect fresh ingredients, unpretentious sophistication and always a delicious experience. Nick and Toni’s has mastered Nana Rose’s golden rule.
What about when I travel west?

After flying west for more than five hours, there’s one option that will make me drive a couple hours to reach in Northern California. Bistro Don Giovanni crafted by partners, Donna and Giovanni Scala. Located on the fringe in the heart of Napa you will think you just traveled to Tuscany as you walk through the gardens surrounded by majestic Italian Cypress trees; you know, those tall 'creepy Italian trees' as they were referred to in 'Under the Tuscan Sun'. Surrounding the herb garden is a hedge row of rosemary that is up to my waist with a huge fountain overlooking a sea of vineyards, vegetable and herb gardens. They also produce their own olive oil from the olive trees located on the property.

Specializing in Rustic Italian and Southern French food, one of my favorite dishes is the Roasted Beet and Fennel Salad with Haricots Verts, Avacado and Roquefort Vinaigrette. Also not to be over looked is one of the best frito mistos with crisp fennal, beans, calamari and shellfish; include any pasta especially the cavetille with braided duck bolognese, seared salmon with buttermilk mashed potatoes; whole roasted fish; and any contorni.

Service at these restaurants are first rate and both of these highly acclaimed restaurants would make Nana Rose smile.
You can read more about Bistro Don Giovanni in my next travel tour, in the upcoming SUMMER ISSUE of George Hirsch Lifestyle this June.
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Enjoy!

George