A Fabulous Jewelry Store in Orvieto!

While staying in Orvieto this October I asked my friend Velia DeAngelis (more about Velia later)  if she knew of a great jewelry store in Orvieto.  Si Si ( si means'yes' in Italian)she replied that her friend Monica Coscioni has a beautiful shop in Orvieto.  And 'si', ' si' ,  my daughter and I went the next morning.  You can only imagine what we accomplished there! We easily navigated through the streets and arrived on time at 10am in the morning.  We rang the bell and Monica greeted us at the door and welcomed us into her studio/store.  Much of her creations, and I mean creations, were on display.  It is best to have her explain her creations and show you how they can be worn.  She is quite clever and her jewelry is beyond beautiful.  You can even watch her as she creates her jewelry as her studio is part of her store.

Everyone in Orvieto knows Monica!  Lovely and creative woman.  I now have a favorite jewelry store in Italy.

Spazio Manassei Gioielli is located on Via Adolfo Cozza 11/13 in Orvieto Italy.  Visit her website and view all her creations. Let me know what you think!

  She is hoping to open a store in Rome near the Spanish Steps before the holidays.  On my next tour to Italy, this spring, which by the way is sold out, I am going to bring the ladies there so they can see her beautiful creation.  They, I know, will want to purchase  a creation or two!  I know I will add to my collection.  I have already recieved many compliments!

If you go to visit Monica in Orvieto please tell her that I sent you!  You will not be disappointed !

My Brief Stay at the Palazzo Manfredi in Rome.

I had the pleasure this October to stay briefly at the new  Palazzo Manfredi, a five star hotel Rome, next to the Coliseum. It was once a 16th century palazzo and now it is an exquisite hotel with 16 beautiful guestrooms.

The rooftop restaurant offers the most spectacular views of the Coliseum and ancient Rome.  The roof-top restaurant, Aroma, has been awarded the 5 star Diamond Award.

 I had the pleasure of having lunch there upon my arrival and the food and service were of the highest quality.  It is to say one of my most memorable meals. I was encouraged to have the dishes prepared with the white truffles however when I read the menu I noticed the pumpkin ravioli.  I could not resist and it was outstanding. 

 I thought I was having my dessert first!  It was paired with a white wine from Frascati.  My daughter’s vegetable soup was excellent and was presented to her with a creatively adorned zucchini flower.    It was also paired with a white chardonnay. The dessert, chocolate of course, was a work of art and the dessert wine complimented the three different chocolate offerings.  We were in Heaven!  Every dish, created by Star Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, is a masterpiece and will definietly stimulate your palate!

A view from the restatuarnt !  Great food, great view, what more can you ask for in Rome!

If you feel the need to rent the white Lamborghini Gallardo you may do so during your stay and discover Rome in style, for about $250.00 per hour.  The driver must be at least 30 years old and present a valid driver’s license.

They will also provide a personal shopper to help you with your purchases in the best of Rome’s shops!

Each room is beautifully appointed and equipped with a wireless connection, shoe shine services, safe, a Pillow menu, TV, 100% non smoking, luxurious bathrooms with Bulgari products and more!

For those families wishing a luxury apartment, Palazzo Manfredi, offers apartments with the same luxury as the hotel, which are 5 minutes away from the hotel.

Next time I go to Rome I will stay here and it will not be for a brief stay.

Sights of Ravello, Capri, Rome and Cooking with Mamma Agata!

Gourmet Getaways will be hosting another exclusive tour to Italy in September 2011.  The highlights of this tour will include:

  • Accommodations at Palazzo Sasso in Ravelli, a 4 or 5 star hotel in Capri, and Hotel St. George in Rome
  • Welcome Dinner on the first night in Ravello
  • Farewell Dinner in Rome
  • Welcome Drink in  Ravello and Rome
  • Cooking with Mamma Agata

  • Private transfers
  • Tour of Ravelli, Amalfi,  Positano, Capri, Anacapri, and Naples
  • Visit a perfume and limoncello factory in Capri
  • Private tour of Villa Farenesina
  • Breakfast each morning.
  • Tour the National Archeological Museum in Naples
  • Pizza lunch in Naples at one of the oldest pizzerias

  • Much much more!

Dates:  September 18 - 25, 2011

Cost per person: $5850.00 based on double occupancy!  A must!

Does not include:  airfare, travel insurance, meals not mentioned in the detailed itinerary. 

Call for details!  973 644 0906

Talk to you soon!

Limited to 16 people.

Hand Made Pasta at Grato in Morris Plains, NJ

This past Sunday my husband and I ventured out to a new restaurant.  I decided that we had to go to Grato in Morris Plains, NJ.  I wanted to go here because their pastas are made by hand except the for the whole wheat linguine. 

I ordered a fig, arugala salad and my husband ordered the tri color chopped salad topped with slices of apples. 

 We decided to try the hand made pasta and both dishes were perfectly presented and were delicious! He ordered the Nonna's Spaghetti Special and I ordered the Goat Cheese Tortelloni in a light tomato cream sauce.

The atmosphere is rustic and very comfortable and the restaurant offers a very good wine list, with many wines form Italy,  and wine by the glass.

I would definitely go back and next time I would like to try their pizza.  I know that JohnandElana would give this place a thumbs up!

Dinner at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, NJ

My husband and I met friends for dinner at the Bernards Inn over the weekend.  The chef, Corey W  Heyer, presented his fall menu which was fantastic to say the least!  I ordered the sweet potato ravioli (sorry my picture does not do it justice) was out of this world!  They were so delicate and  delicious that you must order it!  My cod fish was tender, tasty and wonderfully prepared. My dessert, which is what I live for - an apple tart with vanilla icream was soooo delicious. So I highly recommend you make a reservation for dinner at the Bernards Inn.