Casa Nonna Lives Up To Its Name

A lot of new Italian restaurants are popping up lately in the DC area. Casa Nonna is a notable new addition to the scene. True to its name, the renovation of the former California Pizza Kitchen space makes you feel as though you've just walked into a very familiar and comfortable atmosphere. The food and wine only adds to that feeling. But because the portions are not overdone, you don't leave feeling overstuffed. You leave feeling satisfied and really, just right. I had a quartino of the Dolcetto d'Alba and shared a few things with a friend. Be sure to try the fresh, sweet Eggplant Caponata. It's all vegetables, but has a strong flavor and ingredients that make it much heartier than a salad. The pizza is also done perfectly for those who appreciate the true, authentic wood over Italian pizza. A thin, crispy crust with a slightly soupy middle and fresh toppings makes all the difference!

Overall, unlike many of DC's older Italian restaurants, Casa Nonna strikes the appropriate balance with both its food and its atmosphere. Click on the link for this post to see the full menu and contact information for the restaurant. It's definitely worth a visit, and so welcoming that, like me, you just might find yourself thinking about the next time you'll go back.

A presto!

Euro Sampler Winners!

Congratulations to Richard Pecora of Baltimore, MD! He is the winner of the Colavita Euro Sampler just for subscribing to CiaoDC at the Viva Italia Car Show VIP Reception at the Rusty Scupper on Sunday! Buon Appetito Rick and thank you for subscribing to CiaoDC.

Congratulations to Vince Consentino of Woodbridge, MD! He is the winner of the Colavita Euro Sampler just for subscribing to CiaoDC at the Villa Rosa Festival! Buon Appetito and thank you for subscribing to CiaoDC.

Join CiaoDC.com at two very special events this month: The Sixth Annual Viva Italia Concourse D'Elegance Car Show and the 48th Annual Villa Rosa Festival on Sunday, September 26. Event details for Villa Rosa here. Viva Italia details here.




Plus, ask your own questions in a live discussion this month:

Villa Rosa Festival Info Chat: Wed., Sept. 15 at 1 PM EST here.
Viva Italia Info Chat: Wed., Sept. 22 at 1 PM EST here.

WIN: Be the first 5 to join live chat on Sept. 22 and be eligible to win VIP passes to Viva Italia and see acclaimed tenor Elio Scaccio perform live! Plus, meet and greet Elio at the CiaoDC.com table.

Sweet Talk with Dolci Gelati's Gelatiere, Gianluigi Dellaccio

Join CiaoDC.com for a live facebook discussion: Sweet Talk with DC based Dolci Gelati Gelatiere/Owner, Gianluigi Dellaccio on Wednesday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. First 4 people to join the discussion will win 1 pint of Dolci Gelati! Join the discussion here.

Musical Lunch Break at Luigis

Musical Lunch Break at Luigi's
Join Singer/Songwriter micheal CASTALDO performing original and Italian Classics from his latest album, Aceto at Famous Luigi's for a delicious musical lunch break!

"The collections in Aceto touch the heart and heal the soul.
Micheal Castaldo's Italian rendition of
"Somewhere Over the Rainbow"
is powerfully uplifting."

-Alyssa Ciccone (CiaoDC.com)


Musical Lunch Break at Luigis
Monday, August 16, 2010
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
In-store lunch performance
Famous Luigis
1132 19th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Reservations Required: 202-331-7574

August Just Got Sweeter with CiaoDC!

WIN GELATO! The First 4 people to join the live chat with Dolci Gelati's Gelatiere Gianluigi Dellaccio on Wednesday, August 18 at 1:00 p.m. will win one pint of gelato courtesy of Dolci Gelati. Join live chat here.

Get the scoop on Dolci Gelati with an exclusive interview here.

"We have over 250 flavors. Seasonal flavors include watermelon, fresh squeezed lemon and strawberry lavender to name a few...Some unique flavors are bloody mary gelato with celery and tobasco sauce, mimosa gelato, bellini gelato, and lobster gelato."

-Gianluigi Dellaccio,
Gelatiere, Dolci Gelati


Congratulations to Patricia Verbano of Alexandria, VA. She is the winner of CiaoDC's July giveaway of 4 pints of Dolci Gelati.

"Dolci Gelati is so delicious! My family and I are so excited to have a gelato party to end the summer. Thanks CiaoDC.com!"

- Patricia Verbano
CiaoDC.com Subscriber

Torta Di Mandorale (Almond Cake)By Pastry Chef/Gelatiere Gianluigi Dellaccio

Ingredients
3.5 ounces all purpose flour
11 ounces sugar
18 ounces of peeled almonds
6 eggs
1 juiced lemon
1 tsp baking powder
1 Pint Dolci Gelati bacio gelato

Combine in food processor flour, half of the sugar, almonds, lemon juice and baking powder and mix into a powder. Separate the egg whites from the yolks and in a separate mixing bowl, mix the other half of the sugar with 6 egg yolks (reserve the whites for later and make sure they do not contain any yellow). Whip egg whites separately until it has a soft peak and combine all 3 mixtures and put in a cake mold. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Serve topped with Dolci Gelati bacio gelato.

CiaoDC’s Dolci Gelati Giveaway!

Cool down with CiaoDC all summer long with Dolci Gelati giveaways. Subscribe 4 friends to CiaoDC by July 31 and be eligible to WIN 4 pints of Dolci Gelati flavor of your choice! Subscribe friends and enter to win at marketing@ciaodc.com.

Learn the art of cooking and dining with Chef Roberto Donnain a CiaoDC.com exclusive interview. Plus, save the date for CiaoDC’s Live Discussion with Chef Donna on Cooking and Dining Italian Style in DC, Wednesday, July 21 at 2:00 p.m. here.

“Food is a way of life for me…cooking is like a game.”
-Roberto Donna from CiaoDC July Interview

Recipe: Potato, Swiss Chard & Bread Soup recipe by Chef Donna


Vinegar never tasted so sweet with Micheal Castaldo’s, singer/songwriter/producer/olive oil producer, latest release, Aceto -- the perfect dressing for any summer day. Listen to Castaldo originals “Io Credo” and “Questo e Amore” al fresco or get nostalgic with familiar variations of [Over the Rainbow] “L’arcobaleno Che Meravglia il Mondo," [Stand By Me] "Preghero," or “Ave Maria.” Whatever the music combination, you’ll be humming all season long with Aceto. Order here.