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Our Italian Library

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Our Italian Book Club has read through many Italian classics. Every book on Leonardo Da Vinci has been turned over. Italo Calvino? Been there. So when we discovered that Umberto Eco’s classic The Name of the Rose had not been touched by our little group’s hands, we decided it was high time we dig in.

A smashing success in the 1980’s, this novel still holds weight today. The New York Times review of the book from 1989 is worth the read, and provides insight into why this book is considered a “classic” more than just a time-specific “bestseller.”

Next Tuesday, the 5th of May at 7PM, we will sit down in our Galleria space with some wine and crack open the hefty binding of this intriguing and semiological book.

If, upon reading these words, you find yourself balking at the task of reading such a novel in such a short period of time, we would like to provide another option: watching the movie, which is available on Netflix DVD. Starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater, the film is a classic in itself.

Either way, we look forward to the discussion on Tuesday.

Ci Vediamo!

— Via Umbria

The Name of the Rose Read more

Our Italian Book Club has read through many Italian classics. Every book on Leonardo Da Vinci has been turned over. Italo Calvino? ...

Comings & Goings, Events, Tastes of Italy
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Our Italian Library

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When we heard Nancy Harmon Jenkins was coming out with a new book on olive oil, we pre-ordered it immediately. The leading authority on the subject in the United States, Jenkins is worth her weight in (olive oil) gold.

 

Her most popular book,The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, is a staple for understanding why eating the way Italians (and other cultures) do can be healthy, easy, and delicious. Though we loved this book, the Washington Post places Extra Virginity on an even higher pedestal, saying “This is her seventh cookbook, with much more to offer than her well-written, mostly Mediterranean-based recipes.” In addition to over 100 recipes featuring olive oil, she also gives a vast tutorial on selecting a quality oil.

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Jenkins is very particular about her oil, which comes through in her book. It is her Boston Globe Question and Answer she says that “…people should try, as much as possible, to find places that offer tastings,” from which to buy their oil. At Via Umbria, we wholeheartedly believe that taste should be your guide, which is why all of our oils are out daily for tastings. Our featured tasting this month gets the seal of approval in her book, which is a bit of an ego boost for our selection process.

 

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in Italy when reading this, you are well aware that it is artichoke season. Harmon Jenkins offered a sneak peek at a recipe in her book – Oven Braised Artichokes, Potatoes, and Onions, from the Wisconsin Public Radio.

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We are drooling over this book, and hope that you will join us to discuss its merits (or imperfections) at our next book club, on April 7th at 7PM in our events space in Georgetown. You can be sure there will be some oil tasting going on! And be sure to support your local store, and pop on it to sweep a copy off our shelves!

 

— Via Umbria

Virgin Territory Read more

When we heard Nancy Harmon Jenkins was coming out with a new book on olive oil, we pre-ordered it immediately. The leading ...

Events, Galleria
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Our Italian Library

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Last night, with the rain softly pattering down on the skylights in our events space, we nestled in with some Montefalco Rosso at our monthly book club. Our friend and book club member Dick, who researches our wine and runs weekly tastings, educated us on the two wines we sipped for a brief moment while we noshed on some Italian cheese.

 

Once fueled, we started on discussing our latest book – How to be both by Ali Smith.  Though shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, and in the display windows of every independent book store in DC, this group gave it a resounding thumbs down. Three of our book club members gave up reading in exasperation, while those who powered through had difficulty reconciling the style and the themes in a productive way. The conversation was wonderful nonetheless.

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Did any of you art history buffs recognize the eyes from the cover of this book from our very own National Gallery here in DC? That’s right, Francesco del Cossa (who is a protagonist in this novel) has his painting of Saint Lucy in the permeant collection of the National Gallery of Art!  Anyone want to go on a field trip?

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Next month’s book should be significantly earlier to digest. Nancy Harmon Jenkins has just published a tome on olive oil, called Virgin Territory. It is a definitive guide to our favorite liquid gold, where stories, science, and recipes weave together in perfect harmony. On flipping through we even found our good friend Salvatore in it’s pages!

 

But don’t take our word for it (as our word has been tarnished apparently by last month’s selection), you can always read the review in the Washington Post.

 

If you missed this month’s club, be sure to join us next time, on Tuesday April 7th at 7PM, to discuss Virgin Territory. And stop by to pick up your copy in-store, where we will happily let you taste some of the fine oils she writes about in her book!

 

— Via Umbria

How to be both Read more

Last night, with the rain softly pattering down on the skylights in our events space, we nestled in with some Montefalco Rosso ...

Entertain, Events, Galleria
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Upcoming Events at Via Umbria

You know we like to stay active here at Via Umbria. Take a look at our upcoming events to see all of the delights we have in store!

IMG_7537Saturday, January 24th

4:00 – 6:00 Perugia Brewery Beer Tasting with Chef Simone

Join Chef Simone Proietti-Pesci on a guided tasting of five of the Perugia Brewery’s (Birra Perugia) craft beers.  We will snack on Italian pretzels as we learn of the burgeoning craft beer movement in Italy and enjoy Birra Perugia’s offerings.

We will sample:

IPA

Red Ale

Italian Pale Ale

Chocolate Porter

Calibro 7

RSVP: On Facebook, or by emailing elsa@viaumbria.com with your name and party number.

February 7th

Tabbarini Wine Tasting in store from 5-7 with Daniele Sassi.

Free to attend, email RSVP to elsa@viaumbria.com with your name and party number.

February 8th

Tabarrini wine dinner featuring Daniele Sassi. $125 per person.

Join Via Umbria and Daniele Sassi, sales manager for Tabarrini Montefalco for a special Umbrian dinner and wine pairing at Casa Luca.  Dinner will consist of a special 4 course Umbrian dinner paired with the wines from the Tabarrini vineyard.

Wines will include:

Montefalco bianco “Adarmando”

Umbria Rose “Boca di Rosa”

Montefalco Rosso

Sagrantino Colle Grimaldesco

February 14th

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Via Umbria private dinner. $125 a seat

With Roberto di Filippo from Vini diFilippo

February 15th

Private Dinner at Via Umbria private dinner. $125 a seat

Celebrate our owner Bill Menard’s 55 Birthday, sure to be an extra special night.

With Roberto di Filippo from Vini diFilippo

Contact suzy@viaumbria.com for reservations and questions.

February 17

Bookclub at 7PM at Via Umbria – Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo

RSVP on Facebook or by emailing elsa@viaumbria.com

March 10th

Bookclub at 7PM at Via Umbria – How to Be Both by Ali Smith

RSVP by emailing elsa@viaumbria.com

 

We are waiting for you! Read more

You know we like to stay active here at Via Umbria. Take a look at our upcoming events to see all of ...