Cancellations and Shows on Despite the Snow!

Due to the aftermath of the snow, wind and ice storm, "oh my," the Italian Cultural Society has cancelled their Carnevale Celebration on Sunday, February 14 at the Friendship Heights Community Center. No snow date in sight. Other events postponed include the National Organization of Italian American Women of the Greater Washington, D.C. Region (NOIAW) Networking and Recruiting Happy Hour at Il Mulino. New snow date is Tuesday, February 23 from 6-8. Come by and say, "Ciao" to CiaoDC.com! Have you already read the CiaoDC.com interview with NOIAW honoree Ambassador Connie Morella? Read here.

Shows that are on despite the snow include Tosca (the restaurant) open on Sunday -- when they are typically closed -- for Valentine's Day. Roberto Donna's doors are open at home all weekend for a very intimate Valentine's Day and Carnevale Celebration. Friday, Saturday and Sunday classes are scheduled and still available for reservations. Check schedule for February listings.


Don't forget to sign up for your CiaoDC.com Very Valentine Givaway: Two (2) of Adriana Trigani's Valentine Trilogy, Very Valentine and her latest release, Brava Valentine signed by the reigning Italian queen of fiction herself. AND a box of Perugina Baci chocolate -- 21 pieces to be exact. Hurry, last day to enter is Valentine's Day (February 14 for all you anti-cupids). Oh, and remember to subscribe a loved one to CiaoDC.com to be eligible to win.

February Very Valentine Giveaway! SNOW ADVISORY!

ENTER TO WIN! Share the love. Subscribe a loved one to CiaoDC.com by February 14 and be eligible to win our Very Valentine Gift Set. It includes a 21 count box of Perugina chocolates and two signed copies of Adriana Trigiani's latest release in her trilogy, (1) Brava Valentine and the first of the trilogy (2) Very Valentine! Click here to enter. The book will be officially released on February 9th, so enter to win your copy today! If you're interested in discussing Brava Valentine and discussing with the author and other CiaoDC.com subscribers, join the discussion on our Facebook fan page.

Read exclusive CiaoDC.com interview with the reigning (Italian) queen of fiction herself -- Adriana Trigiani here!

Snow Advisory! Craving a platter of spaghetti alla bolognese? A cure may be near you at the local Italian restaurants that we found still open in the Blizzard of 2010. But call ahead, their business may depend on it: Old Town favorites still open include Landini Brothers, Geranio and A La Lucia's; DC standards include Darlington House, Sette Osteria (sister restaurant Sette Bello in Arlington is also open), Al Tiramisu, Il Mulino, Cafe Milano, Pizzeria Paradiso (Dupont location only), Dino and Lia's. In Reston we got a shout out from Il Fornaio. Stay warm and buon appetito!

Love, Italian Style

If you're looking for a romantic dinner for Valentine's Day, click on the title of this post to see CiaoDC's recommended Italian restaurants and their special Valentine's Day menus. It's the least we can do to help you all find amore.

Scapino. Not Your Nonna's Naples!

This is not your Nonna's Naples, Italy! Scapino, now playing at the Little Theatre of Alexandria (LTA), promises a few hours of trickery, choreographed "Wierd Al" Yankovic-esque Italian melodies and fine acting from a few local Italian American thespians Ron Bianci, Paul Laudiero and Joe Randazzo. Rick Hayes, Director of LTA's 2008 production of Eduardo de Filippo's Saturday Sunday Monday, brings its second Italian-themed production with an about face of spaghetti silliness, misers, gypsies, chase scenes, mistaken identities and more! Occasional Italian arias and family vendettas will bring a glimpse of nostalgia to the Italian-American theatre-goer. But to ensure a real Italian experience, grab a bite of pre-theatre fare at Landini Brothers (King and Lee)or Geranios (King and Columbus) in charming Old Town, Alexandria. For a quick post-theatre fix, order the cappuccino at Mishas (Patrick & King). Enjoy at your own risk and buon appetito!

2010 NEW YEAR GIFT WINNERS

Congratulations to three lucky winners of the CiaoDC.com and Giada Valenti 2010 New Year Give Away! The Winners and their 'oh so Italian' New Year's Resolutions are Margie Luckhardt; Sandra Licata Blood; and Andrea Colella. They promise to spend 2010 celebrating all things Italian...

Margie resolves to see a concert with Giada Valenti and Patrizio Buanne -- two of her favorite singers.

Sandra resolves to go to the Italian Festival in Tampa, Florida in March 2010 and listen to lots of Italian CD's.

Andrea resolves to making her Grandmother Martello's Rice Pie for Easter for family and friends.

Grazie e Buon'Anno! Stay tuned for next month's giveaway.

Valentine's Day Raffle for Trip to Italy at Cafe' Milano

In case anyone's already moved on from Restaurant Week and started thinking about Valentine's Day reservations, click on the title of this blog post to see Cafe' Milano's special Valentine's Day menu.

They're offering a $65/person 4-course fixed price menu. And if you dine there on February 12th, 13th or 14th, you'll be entered in a raffle for two round trip tickets to Italy. What's not to love?

Happy New Year Gift from CiaoDC.com and GIada Valenti!

Happy New Year from CiaoDC.com and singer-songwriter, Giada Valenti! To ensure a year of prosperity --while celebrating all things Italian, CiaoDC.com and Giada would like to give subscribers a gift: A signed copy of Giada Valenti's latest cd release, And I Love You. Simply enter anything Italian you plan to do in 2010, and be the first of 5 to win! Winners will be selected on January 15th listed in ciaodc.com's blog. Enter to win here. Plus, read behind the music of Giada Valenti with a ciaodc.com exclusive interview here.