. Originally posted December, 14, 2009/December 23, 2011 /Dec 20, 2012 @ 8:00 Some new text has been added. Fourth posting December 14-23, 2014 Fifth posting December 5, 2016 Sixth posting December 5, 2018
Panettone French Toast
When the Christmas season rolls around one sees so many of those red and gold boxes in the food stores, it’s the Italian Christmas-bread, Panettone.
I doubt that it’s a coincidence that this regal loaf is shaped like a crown and embedded with jewel-like bits of fruit. Continue reading →
Article and photos are from the Official DaVinci Machines Website.
The DaVinci Machines Exhibition, on loan from the Museum of Leonardo DaVinci in Florence, Italy, contains over 60 hand-crafted inventions built from Leonardo’s 500 year old designs and is the life work of three generations of Florentine artisans, who have painstakingly brought to life the creations by the brilliant scientist, inventor and artist Leonardo DaVinci.
With over 60 machines on display, many of which are interactive, the collection features replicas of the major and most striking inventions of the original Renaissance Man. The main features on display include the “bicycle”, “spring powered car”, “hang glider” and the “air screw”, a precursor to the helicopter and for the first time ever, the secrets behind Leonardo’s legendary robotic lion.
This exhibition presents over 60 models grouped in themes: War machines, Flying machines, Nautical & Hydraulic machines, as well as devices illustrating the Principles of Mechanics. The interactive machines are a popular aspect of each exhibition as visitors can touch and handle these models to gain a first-hand appreciation of how they work. Explanatory notes and illustrative panels with Leonardo’s drawings accompany each model. read more…
When
Opens March 31, 2012 through September 2012 NOW EXTENDED THROUGH DECEMBER 31st, 2012
Hours
Tuesday-Thursday: 10am – 6pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am – 7pm
Sunday: Noon – 6pm
Monday: Closed for private groups and events
Saturday & Sunday: *Docent guided tours every hour
Italian influence on American history can be traced back to the navigators Christopher Columbus and Amerigo Vespucci. America’s founding fathers, especially Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, were familiar with the Italian language and culture and with Roman history. Jefferson was a supporter of the Italian physician and merchant Filippo Mazzei and encouraged him in the early 1770s to bring Italian vintners to Virginia. Though not successful in that venture, Mazzei became actively involved in the colonists’ struggle with England. Writing in the Virginia newspapers as “Furioso” he was one of the first people to urge Americans to declare independence and form a unified constitution to govern all thirteen colonies. Some of his phraseology later found its way into Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence. William Paca, an early governor of Maryland, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Read more:
Italian Americans in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries a number of Italian-named missionaries such as Friar Eusebio Kino and Friar Samuel Mazzuchelli operated in present-day Arizona and in the Wisconsin-Michigan area, respectively. Though the presence of Italian individuals in the United States was sparse before 1850, Lorenzo Da Ponte, who wrote librettos for Mozart, taught Italian language and literature at Columbia University. In 1825 he produced his Don Giovanni in New York.
Italian style and Italian artisans heavily influenced the design of buildings in Washington, D.C. Constantino Brumidi painted numerous frescoes in the Capitol between 1855 and 1880. There was a modest migration of Italians to California during and after the gold rush. Many in this group became prosperous farmers, vintners, and business leaders, including Domenico Ghirardelli (the chocolate maker), the Gallo and Mondavi families (wine producers), and Amadeo Giannini (the founder of Bank of America) Read more:
Twentieth-Century Trends
The social mobility of Italian Americans was steady throughout the twentieth century. In the early years group members were likely to be the object of social work in settlement houses like Jane Addams’s Hull-House. They were likely to be victimized by sharp politicians and labor agents. The 1920s were prosperous times for most Americans and many Italian American colonies received infusions of capital derived from the near-universal practice of breaking Prohibition laws. Hard hit by the Great Depression, Italian Americans reacted by becoming part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Democratic coalition. The full employment of the war years and general prosperity of the 1950s and 1960s brought the vast majority of Italian Americans safely into the middle class. More precisely, a strategy of underconsumption, the pooling of extended family resources, hard work in small family businesses, and entry into unionized skilled and unskilled jobs earned middle-class status for the vast majority of Italian Americans. By the mid-1970s Italian American young people were attending college at the national average. Read more:
Leonardo da Vinci - Vitruvian Man
Art from Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa
Interesting photo/story from the Official American Indian Movement Website Churchill, McKiernan, FBI and AIM click photo for the rest of the story.
Churchill was an organizer/participant in the ongoing Columbus Day protests in Denver Colorado. The yearly protests have been attempting to shut down the Columbus Day Parade in Denver.
I was in Patsy’s last night. I was in a need-to-be-in-Patsy’s mood so I drove to Patsy’s Italian Restaurant on Denver’s North-side. Years ago South-sider’s referred to the Northwest part of Denver as West Denver, but who’s counting. Huhh?
Entering the restaurant is like stepping into a time-machine back to the gay 20s. Uhh, not that one.Enter the restaurant through Patsy's bar area.
Photo from Patsy's
The excellent photo – originally from Patsy’s site and snipped – above, is from a site who’s authors weren’t that crazy about the food. At least they agree with me that the restaurant looks like an authentic movie set, it is…authentic. Better then a movie set, it’s the real thing.
The restaurant has been around since 1921 or something like that, and it looks like it. Patronizing Patsy’s is like eating and drinking in an antique – not an antique-store, an antique. And I like that. The bar is boot-leg cozy with an old varnished wooden surface behind a half-round arm-rest, spinner-stools with red-vinyl (?) tops and mirrored back-bar. Don’t know if it’s true, but I heard that the name came about – changed to Patsy’s – after WWll when Italians weren’t exactly on America’s A-list and, well, Patsy’s sounds Irish, so… I also heard that the original owner, Chubby Aiello, referred to Mussolini as “Hitler’s patsy” so the restaurant was therefore named Patsy’s – as a patriotic gesture… Like the Kennedy Assassination, Roswell, Osama and so on and so forth, we’ll never know, so ask someone if you have a need to know.
Patsy’s pipes in appropriate period/style background music. The music savvy tech-guy went to Hollywood High, so says he. He does have excellent and thoughtful play-lists.
About the food, I think “those chicks” are accustomed to a different set of taste sensations. I am completely satisfied when I dine on the big, fat, home-made noodles with Patsy’s garlicky, red-sauce, a couple of balls, bread, salad and a glass of a solid red. Deal me in baby. What – you were expecting a piece on military-artillery. Not going to happen here.
The word cozy comes up again when mentioning the restaurant booths. Easy-in, hard-out. Easing into the booths, your eyes catch a glimpse of the little shaded light on the wall behind the booth. It sooths. It isn’t an expletive high-school classroom with mind-scratching fluorescent lighting.
Patsy's main dinning area
“Patsy’s was named one of the 10 “Reasons to Return” to Denver by 10Best Inc.
And here she is…
Patsy's Italian Restaurant
Patsy’s Italian Restaurant
3651 Navajo Street
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 477-8910
Navajo Street Art District
Patsy’s is the anchor for about a half-dozen art galleries within a block or so. There’s even a little theater. The area is called The Navajo Street Art District.
First Fridays of each month feature the First Friday Art Walk: The galleries do an open-house with cheese and wine thing from around 5:00 PM until around 9:00 PM. Actually that would be tonight – June 3, 2011. The art ranges from primitive-barely-art art to sophisticated, luxurious oils. There is some avant-guard, edgy stuff. Be sure to check out D-Gallery on 36th and Navajo. It’s a great way to spend a Friday night in Denver. Do cocktails and dinner at Patsy’s then stroll the galleries for a couple of hours, and buy some art. Support your local artist. Even if he/she’s from Brooklyn, New York.
3 Sons Italian Restaurant & Bar
14805 West 64th Avenue
Arvada, Colorado
303-455-4366
3 Sons had been serving fine Italian food on W 44th Ave in Denver for years. Susan and Michael Scarafiotti purchased 3 Sons in March of 2004. For over a year, the new owners have been serving fine Italian food at a new location in Arvada. The new 3 Sons Italian Restaurant and Bar opened at 14805 West 64th Avenue in Arvada, Colorado, in June 2009. And it’s a good thing. Not that they moved, but everything is good: the location, the bar, the dining room, the food, the happy-hours, the staff, and the spotless head(s).
The Tuscanesque-style restaurant with beige walls, old-brick archways, booths and chairs in warm reds and golds is in a shopping-center location, plenty of parking. There’s a bar area with a few booths and tables in front of floor to ceiling windows where patrons can “do” half-priced apps and 2-4-1 wine and wells and other drink specials at Happy Hour (call for hours).
The brunette cocktail-bringer we had last night was over-the-top gracious. Not only when she brought us the drinks and fresh bread with olive-oil/Balsamic dipping sauce, but every time she passed the table.
3 Sons at Christmastime
Moving to the dining room (one of two) after lingering a half-hour in the lounge, we were seated at a cozy booth in a warm room with subdued lighting, a kinda-formal setting. The only thing out of place was the dude in the Giants team-jacket. This is really a fairly elegant room.
From the menu we chose a basic pasta (spaghetti) with Marinara sauce served with meatball or Belfiore’s sausage ($11.00), and White trout filet pan-roasted & topped with shallots, white wine lemon butter sauce, served with Chef’s risotto of the day & 3 Sons vegetable medley ($17.00.) Add a soup or fresh house salad for $2.99, we did. A cool, blonde brought us fresh bread and dipping-sauce with the entrées. All the right textures, flavors and accouterments were accounted for and present. Portions were decent, service was excellent. I’ll return to try the pizza ($11.00) – ($15.00) and Lasagna ($17.00) and…
Full menus can be viewed at 3 Sons Official Website. Items from those menus include: Calzones ($14.00), Spaghetti Bolognese, Meatloaf ($15.00), and a Family Favorites list including, Lobster Ravioli ($16.00). Oh yea, Uh-hmmm! 3 Sons Patio
Photos are from 3 Sons Official Website
This post assembled by W Carbone.
Battista’s Hole In The Wall Italian Restaurant
4041 Audrie St.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 732-1424
One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Las Vegas “Battista’s Hole in the Wall” is old-school Italian, serving good food for over 30 years.
Behind the Flamingo Hilton, just across the street from Bally’s, Battista’s is a freestanding restaurant with a warm, old-world ambiance that welcomes the visitor with a blanket of security from cold Las Vegas. Of course we’re not talking about the temperature here.
With several prix-fixe menu choices, one can settle in for a night of Old Vegas dining. And yes – accordingly – there is a strolling accordionist.
ALL DINNERS INCLUDE
Minestrone Soup or Italian Salad, Garlic Bread, Pasta Side & Homemade Cappuccino.
FREE HOUSE WINE INCLUDED
Red or White
Pasta Dishes
1. Ravioli (Cheese)
2. Lasagna
3. Manicotti (Cheese)
4. Canelloni (Meat)
5. Eggplant Parmegiana
6. Fettuccine Seafood Sauce
Any one of the above for $22.95
Spaghetti or Ziti
with choice of one sauce
7. Sausage Cacciatore
8. Meatballs (2)
9. Meat Sauce
10.Pomodoro
Any one of the above for $20.95
10 oz. Boneless Breast of Chicken
11. Chicken Rio
12. Chicken Parmegiana
13. Chicken Cacciatore
14. Steak Pizzaiola
15. Linguini Chopped Clams
16. Chicken Alfredo
Any one of the above $26.90
White Veal
16. Veal Piccante
17. Veal Marsala
18. Veal Parmegiana
Any one of the above $29.95
19. Steak Caruso
20. Shrimp – Garlic-Butter or Marinara
21. Fresh Fish of the Day
Any one of the above $31.95
22. Battista Style Cioppino
23. Filet Mignon (10 oz.)
24. New York (12 oz.)
Any one of the above $37.95
PATSY’S Italian Restaurant
3651 Navajo Street
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 477-8910
Patsy's Italian Restaurant-click to enlarge
“With a history that spans more than 80 years, Patsy’s Italian Restaurant is Denver’s oldest Italian restaurant. Founded in 1921 by the Aiello family, Patsy’s has undergone a few changes over the years but the heart and soul of tradition have remained the same.” read more from Patsy’s website…
This has been one of my favorite Denver restaurants for years. “It’s the restaurant stupid!” I mean the restaurant itself, the physical property: the dining room, the kitchen, the bar, the little shaded-lamps on the walls of the booths, the booths, the [1]two-way mirror behind the bar, the back-room behind the two-way mirror, the mural along one wall, and the fact that they haven’t changed a single, solitary-thing – as far as I know – in decades! These are the things that make Patsy’s, Patsy’s. The photos on the walls and bar have been there since the summer of 1921. O.K. I don’t really know that, but…
Imagine a Marty Scorsese film: Brooklin, NY (1959) “A quiet summer evening in a neighborhood restaurant – cut to a Ted Williams’ Louisville Slugger.” Somebody “whacks” somebody. Ba-Da-Bing! Ba-Da-Boom! The End! Fugedaboudit!
Patsy’s has been serving the same Italian food for years, from at least three different owners. And the food is authentic and tasty, if you like Southern-Italian cuisine. I happen to like it.
From the menu:
“House Favorites! Includes bread and your choice of soup or salad” Baked Lasagna or Eggplant Lasagna – Sausage or lightly breaded baked eggplant, layered with pasta, Patsy’s original spaghetti sauce ricotta, romano and provolone. Topped with mozzarella ($13.00)
Putanesca – A spicy specialty of Trastevere. Tomatoes, capers, calamata olives and red pepper, with white wine and olive oil over fettucine ($11.00)
Topped with grilled chicken breast ($14.00)
Chicken or Eggplant Parmesan – Tender chicken breast rolled in seasoned bread crumbs, or seasoned baked eggplant. Topped with Patsy’s original spaghetti sauce, parmesan and mozzarella, with homemade spaghetti ($14.00) Check the menu on Patsy’s website for more entrees.
Also: Appetizers, Salads, Soups, Desserts, Sandwiches, Lunches, Wines and a Full Bar with a dozen stools
We were told that a relative of the original owner/family (The Aiellos) is the new owner and proprietor of Patsy’s Inn. Patsy’s has a huge parking lot on Navajo – 1/4 block north of the restaurant.
Memo to Martin Scorsese and other Film Industry execs: You used Las Vegas’ Peppermill’s lounge in “Casino”and The Golden Gate’s, Bay City Diner in “Pay It Forward.” Give this place a try. Fugedaboudit!
[1] The “backing” behind the glass has been removed. The “two-way” mirror is now just clear glass. “I saw you looking at the glass.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
PARISI Pizzeria, Deli and Trattoria
4401 Tennyson St.
Denver, Colorado 80212
Parisi-click to enlarge
I was driving down Tennyson the other day and saw sidewalk tables and thought I saw a big white sign that read “Paris,” and underneath the sign, “Pizzeria.” I chortled and thought to myself: the French have joined in the *Denver Pizza Wars. Of course, the sign read: Parisi – the last i was obscured.
I made a mental note to return. Tonight I did. Parisi is a Tuscan-California-Modern-style, “hip and now” Pizzeria/Restaurant/Deli in an older north-west Denver neighborhood.
“You can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” Not that the old building is a sow’s ear, it’s just that Parisi did a remarkable job redoing the plain-jane building. The restaurant’s interior is fresh, shiny and new. Visual flavors of a Tuscan village are imparted by the architecture, as well as flavors of a modern Califormia restaurant.
Ordering food offers a twist: walk up to a counter, order and pay. One is issued a seat (by number,) one sits – someone brings your order to the table.
Lotsa-Pasta is on the menu: mostly Penne w/this or, Spaghetti w/that, Lasagna, Gnocchi etc. See all available pastas by clicking on Parisi’s website link (below.)
Specialty Pizzas (11″ and 14″) are available (from $8.99 to $15.99,) for example: Prosciutto and Funghi (prosciutto cotto and mushrooms) $10.99 / $14.99. (For you and me, that’s ‘shrooms & ham.)
Also: Calzones ($10.99,) Panini (6″ $5.99 – 10″ $7.49,) Focaccia ($7.99,) Salads, Daily Specials and more. Click Parisi’s link to view the full menu (below.)
There is a wood-oven and pizza prep “stage” with a few seats – watch the pizza assembly with a glass of wine (wine starts at about five bucks.) The Parisi on-site Deli has prepared foods, canned goods, cheeses, dry-pastas, and a small on-the-wall dining table with a few stools.
On our first visit, we ordered the Lasagne ($7.49,) and a dinner salad (1.99.) First blush revealed an unexpected sight: the plate of Lasagne had an orange tint. Whoa, it looked as though the Lasagna was topped with grated, yellow cheese. Whew! We inquired and found out the orange color was from grated carrots. Although not a large portion, and a bit overcooked the Lasagna was good, still a bit different. The nice mixed-greens / spinich, dinner salad was a deal at two bucks. I want to return to try the gnocchi, spaghetti and pizza. Overall the expierience was positive.
“firenza a tavola“ is a formal restaurant “secretely found down the stairwell adjacent to our ordering line.” Part wine-celler, part high-end, basement restaurant, “firenza a tavola“ is very warm and cozy, with a 2nd (small) bar.
On the menu: Zuppe e Insalate ($5-$10,) Antipasti Dalla Cucina ($9-$13,) Prosciutti ($8-$14,) Primi ($17-$20,) Secondi ($21-$32.)
For example: Cacciucco alla Livornese! Traditional seafood stew of Livorno made of slow simmered sea bass, mussels, scallops, shrimp and cuttlefish in an aromatic stew of shellfish stock, garlic, chili flakes, parsley and white wine, served with garlic rubbed ciabatta crostini ($21.)
Soup's On... Pasta Jay’s
1001 Pearl St
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 444-5800
Pasta Jay’s Italian restaurant on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado literally shines with energy. If they doused all the lights, the place would still be as bright as a 300 watt bulb. It must be culled energy from all those bright CU students, faculty members and other assorted Boulder residents.
Pasta Jay’s Boulder is a World-Class People-Waching-Meeting-Place.
Besides all the energy, Pasta Jay’s has red and white checkered tablecloths, floor to ceiling windows that open on to the Pearl Street Mall (weather permitting,) patio/indoor/(lively) bar dining and a vortex-opening to the Boulder Vibe. Pasta Jay’s serves excellent Italian entrees’ / nightly specials, sandwiches, pizza and more.
For example, we savored the Sunday Night Special: “Plati’s Steak Bracciole (a classic Sunday Italian dish) 14.50
ribeye steak stuffed with fresh garlic, sweet basil, imported romano cheese and portabello mushrooms, seared in olive oil, simmered in marinara sauce, and served over a bed of linguini”
We also ordered the “Dinner Salad 3.99 (with gorgonzola cheese add 1.50”) read more from the Boulder Menu…
Full bar, house wines ($5.50) and beer are available.
by 
.JPG "Young Columbus - Powell History.Com")
